"Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, Which they have prescribed. "What will you do in the day of punishment, and in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your glory?... "For
all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched
out still." MATTHEW HENRY'S* COMMENTARY
ON THE VERSES ABOVE HELPS US UNDERSTAND THE EXTENT OF GOD'S WRATH
THAT WILL BE VISITED UPON JUDGES SUCH AS THESE ON THE DAY OF
JUDGMENT: "Here is the indictment drawn up against these oppressors. They are charged with making wicked laws and edicts. They decree unrighteous decrees, contrary to natural equity and the law of God. Woe to the superior powers that devise and decree these decrees! They are not too high to be under the Divine check. And woe to the inferior officers that draw them up, and enter them upon record - the writers that write the grievousness; they are not too insignificant to be within the Divine cognizance. Principal and accessories shall fall under the same woe... "A challenge is given them with all their pride and power to outface the judgments of God. 'What will you do? To whom will you flee? You can trample upon the widows and fatherless; but what will you do when God riseth up?' (Job 31:14). Great men, who tyrannize over the poor, think they shall never be called to account for their tyranny, shall never hear of it again, or fare the worse for it; but shall not God visit for these things? (Jer. 5:29). "Will there not come a desolation upon those that have made others desolate? Perhaps it may come from far, and therefore may be long in coming; but it will come at last (reprieves are not pardons); and coming from far, from a quarter whence it was least expected, it will be the greater surprise and the more terrible. What will then become of these unrighteous judges? Now they see their help in the gate (Job 31:21); but to whom will they then flee for help? "There is a day of visitation coming, a day of enquiry and discovery, a searching day, which will bring to light, to a true light, every man, and every man's work. The day of visitation will be a day of desolation to all wicked people, when all their comforts and hopes will be lost and gone, and buried in ruin, and themselves left desolate. Impenitent sinners will be utterly at a loss, and will no know what to do in the day of visitation and desolation. They cannot fly and hide themselves, cannot fight it out and defend themselves; they have no refuge in which either to shelter themselves from the present evil (to whom will you flee for help?) or to secure to themselves better times hereafter... "It concerns us all seriously to consider what we shall do in the day of visitation, in a day of affliction, in the day of death and judgment, and to provide that we may do well... "And yet, for all this, His anger is not turned away, which intimates not only that God will proceed in His controversy with them, but that they shall be in a continual dread of it; they shall, to their unspeakable terror, see His hand still stretched out against them, and there shall remain nothing but a fearful expectation of judgment." PLEASE JOIN ME IN AGREEING PRAYER: ** "Lord, these God-hating tyrants will be punished, in Your ways and in Your times. They need a Sovereign visitation, bringing the Fear Of God, regeneration, repentance and reconciliation with You. They need to make restitution for their evil deeds. "Likewise our Nation (and especially the Church and political leaders) need a visitation from Your Sovereign hand, executing Justice, restoring the Fear of God and a love for You and your Laws. "Lord, it is not too much to ask You to do these things. Your arm is not too short. In Your Mercy and Grace, do not give us up to utter ruin, which we deserve. Save us, Lord. "We offer these prayers to You in the Sovereign Name of Jesus Christ, Who is Lord of All (including the Supreme Court). Amen." * Matthew Henry was a renowned Puritan preacher and biblical commentator from Chester, England, during the early 1700's.
could you encourage us by e-mailing back with your "Amen"? Or if you would like to add a prayer of your own which we can "Amen", then reply here. Thank you.
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