December 19

"Ye have seen how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself." Exodus 19:4.

THIS is a most touching and sublime description of the divine goodness towards the Israelites. It is almost impossible to carry out the boldness and grandeur of the comparison. See Deuteronomy 32:10 — 12. The text contains two things.

A FIGURATIVE ILLUSTRATION OF AN IMPORTANT WORK. We may apply it to three things in the history of the Christian. To the period of conversion. Then God bears sinners on eagles' wings, and brings them to himself. He stirs up the nest of self-righteousness and carnal security; flutters over them, excites and teaches them to fly towards heaven in their desires and affections. It will also apply to the season of deliverance. So it is employed in the passage before us; and is descriptive of the speed with which God comes to the help of his people, and the security he effects; for the eagle

33 is not only a swift but a powerful bird. Other birds carry their young in their talons, but the eagle bears them on her wings; so that, if the archer would shoot them, he must pierce through her first. It will apply to their final happiness. He will bear his people on eagles' wings to heaven. It may be he may bear them through many a dark and trying scene; but they shall be brought to glory at last. "Nothing is promised us here with certainty as followers of Christ, but a cross on our shoulders; and that he will bear us on eagles' wings — and he does bear us! But this eagle does not always soar through bright sunbeams and blue heavens, with his beloved resting on his pinions: through the storm and tempest also he holds his bold career. Yet if he does but carry us! 'The Breaker is his name;' upwards ascends his path; and he will never drop us from his wings, until the palm-trees of everlasting peace rustle around our heads." Here is

A TOUCHING APPEAL AS TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS WORK. Christian, you have seen what he did in the period of conversion — acknowledge it. You have seen what he has done in the season of deliverance — praise him. You have heard what he has promised to do in reference to your final glory — trust him. Let ministers, teachers, parents, and all who have the instruction of others, bear in mind this lovely image: —

"And as the bird each fond endearment tries, To tempt her new-fledged offspring to the skies; Employ each art, reprove each dull delay, Allure to brighter worlds, and lead the way."