======================================================================== THOSE GHASTLY CORPSES MIGHT WELL HAVE AFFRIGHTED RIZPAH! by C.H. Spurgeon ======================================================================== Summary: We should be inspired by Rizpah's devotion and love for her children, and apply it to our own love and devotion to Christ, persevering through trials and finding solace in Christ's cross. Topics: "Love Of Christ", "Sacrifice" Scripture References: 2 Samuel 21:10, Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 27:54, Luke 9:23, John 15:13, Romans 5:8, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:10, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 2:24 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ C.H. Spurgeon reflects on the profound love and sacrifice of Rizpah, who vigilantly protected the bodies of her slain sons, drawing a parallel to the love and suffering of Christ. He emphasizes that if Rizpah could endure such hardship for her children, we too should not shy away from the trials we face in our faith. Spurgeon urges believers to chase away sinful thoughts and distractions, just as Rizpah drove away vultures and wild beasts, and to recognize our deep obligations to Christ, who suffered for our sins. He highlights that while Rizpah's vigil was marked by sorrow, at the foot of the cross, we find beauty and solace in our Savior's sacrifice. Ultimately, he calls for fervent love and thorough repentance in response to the love shown by Christ. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Then Rizpah, the mother of two of the men, spread sackcloth on a rock and stayed there the entire harvest season. She prevented vultures from tearing at their bodies during the day, and stopped wild animals from eating them at night." 2 Samuel 21:10 If the love of a woman to her slain sons, could make her prolong her mournful vigil for so long a period--shall we be weary of considering the sufferings of our blessed Lord? She drove away the vultures--and shall not we chase away those worldly and sinful thoughts which defile our minds? Away, you evil birds! Leave the sacrifice alone! Rizpah bore the scorching heat of summer, the night dews and the rains, unsheltered and alone. Sleep was chased from her weeping eyes--for her heart was too full for slumber. Behold how she loved her children! Shall Rizpah thus endure--and shall we give up at the first little inconvenience or trial? Are we such cowards--that we cannot bear to suffer with our Lord? She even chased away the wild beasts, with courage unusual in her gender--and will not we be ready to encounter every foe for Jesus' sake? Her children were slain by other hands than hers--and yet she wept and watched. What ought we to do--who by our sins, have crucified our Lord! Our obligations are boundless, our love should be fervent, and our repentance thorough! Those ghastly corpses might well have affrighted Rizpah! But in our Lord, at whose cross-foot we are sitting, there is nothing revolting-- but everything attractive! Never was living beauty so enchanting, as a dying Savior! To abide by His cross--will be our solace. ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ch-spurgeon/those-ghastly-corpses-might-well-have-affrighted-rizpah/ ========================================================================