04.16 - Revelation and the Latter Prophets

(16) Revelation and the Latter Prophets The Latter Prophets had a deeper insight into the spirituality of God, especially His righteousness and holiness, as also into the inner meaning and spirituality of Divine truth, and the deep religious and spiritual character of their mission. Full of zeal for the glory of God and the cause of righteousness, they not only waged war against all forms of idolatry, evil, and sin, but against all hypocrisy, all heartless and meaningless forms of worship, all trust in out ward observances, rites, and ceremonies, which priests and people were wont to substitute for the practice of righteousness and truth. They called upon people to “ cease to do evil, learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the father less, plead for the widow/ 2 So Micah: “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to 1 “ Religion of Israel,” vol. i, p. 360:2 Isaiah 1:17. love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? “!

God was not only a God of righteousness. He was also a God of compassion and love, of mercy and forgiveness, to Whom men might look with confidence, and Whose mercy and love they might rely upon for forgiveness and salvation. He was a “just God and a Saviour,” “that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage; lie retaineth not His anger for ever, because lie delighteth in mercy.” 2 Jehovah was to His people Redeemer, Sovereign, and Father, their Protector and Husband, Who is faithful, devoted, loving, and true, Who pleaded with His faithless and backsliding people as would a devoted husband with an unfaithful and offending wife. 3