The special point, however, for our present observation is, that latter rain, as used by the prophet, signifies, and can signify, nothing else, but the literal vernal rain upon the land of Canaan.

VI. The next passage wherein the words occur, is Hosea vi. 3. "I will go, and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face; in their affliction they will seek me early; (saying,) Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day, he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us AS the rain, AS the latter and former rain unto the earth."

For the sins of the nation, God withdrew his favour from them. Amongst other calamities consequent upon this desertion, rain was withholden from their land, and a famine was the result. If then under the pressure

* "The lxx. join the concluding verse of the fifth chapter to the first of the sixth, and not improperly, by adding yoVTES.-Scott.

of their affliction, both spiritual and temporal, they recovered a sense of their dependence upon God; if they recognized his hand in their calamity, and trusted to him alone for returning mercy: if they acknowledged their transgression and implored his forgiveness and if they persevered in the path of sincere penitence, and strenuous reformation -then, the Lord would hear them, and lift up the light of his countenance upon them, which was always ready as the morning; and then his returning favour would be as precious to the experience of their afflicted souls, as the showers of the former and latter rain are softening and fertilizing to the chapt ground.

And

Here again we recognize the comparison which is instituted between the favour of God returning to the people, and the showers of rain descending upon the earth. here again we perceive, that the expression latter rain signifies, and can signify, nothing else but the literal vernal rain upon the land of Canaan.

The

process

here referred to, of provocation on the part of Israel, chastisement and

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remonstrance on God's part, repentance and reformation on the part of Israel, and renewed loving kindness on God's part, was frequently repeated. Many times did he deliver them but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry, and he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies." (Psalm cvi. 43-45.) At last, the iniquities of the nation became excessive: they were driven from the land, and the land became a barren wilderness. He who had long borne with them, and sent them one messenger of mercy after another, in vain; last of all sent unto them his Son, saying, They will reverence my son.' He came among them: he spoke to them of the Father's love, and patience, and willingness to save: he did before them such works as none other man did, such works as only God could do; he pleaded with them: he wept over them in vain, in vain! They conspired against him, and crucified the Lord of glory. Then was wrath poured forth upon them, to

6

the uttermost. The fearful prediction of Moses was fearfully fulfilled. "Thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. The Lord shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust from heaven shall it come down upon thee until thou be destroyed. The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies; thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth." Deut. xxviii. 23-25. See the whole chapter.

:

Such is the existing state of things. Modern travellers bear witness to the peculiar barrenness of the land, and we behold the nation scattered throughout all the kingdoms of the world. Scattered but not lost: miraculously preserved, in the midst of all nations, and distinct from all, to endure, and to survive the righteous judgment of God. In the end, mercy shall triumph. The nation shall be restored to her land; and the land to more than its ancient fruitfulness under the abounding showers of the former and latter rain. This leads us to

VII. The next passage in which these words occur. Joel ii. 21-27. "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice; for the Lord will do great things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you, the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and none else; and my people shall never be ashamed."

The first chapter of this book of Joel de scribes the desolate state of the land. "The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted; the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth. Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen, howl, O ye vine dressers, for