Lesson 3:
Those Who Mourn
Matthew 5:4 [4]
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For
godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret.
But the sorrow of the world works death.
MOURN
1. To express or to feel grief or sorrow; to grieve; to be sorrowful;
to lament; to be in a state of grief or sadness.
“mourn.”
Webster's Revised
Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language 1913.
The main
points for this lesson:
Remember,
beatitude means happy or blessed. Jesus is telling us the way to true
happiness and blessedness. The beatitudes teach us who will be happy
and why that person will be happy.
For what should we
mourn? 1) We should mourn for our own sin against men and God. This
type of mourning brings about repentance in our heart and actions,
and leads to salvation. This is different from just being sorry that
I got caught, which is worldly mourning or sorrow. 2) We should mourn
for the sins of others. This is different from being sorry or angry
because someone has caused trouble to me. Instead, it includes a love
of our enemies. 3) We can mourn for trials and tribulations. This is
different from complaining, or from griping to others about a
problem.
Instead of mourning for our sin, we may become proud and unwilling to
admit our sin as sin. Instead of mourning to seek the forgiveness and
comfort that God gives, we may listen to lies to convince ourselves
that our sin was not really sin at all, or that we should feel good
about ourselves in spite of our wicked behavior.
Instead of mourning for the sin of others, we are tempted to hate our
enemies and so rejoice when they suffer, or rejoice when they are
living in sin (because we look forward to them suffering the
consequences of that sin).
How should we
mourn? 1) We should mourn before God, to be seen and heard by him.
This includes praying to God and telling him plainly our sorrow or
trouble. While others may mourn with us, God must be the one to whom
we direct our mourning. 2) We should not mourn to been seen by
others, to show them how well we mourn, and so that they will praise
us, or say how great we are (Matthew 6:1).
Mourning for our own sin may not come naturally. We may need to ask
God to grant us a true repentance and sorrow over our sin. Conviction
of sin is necessary. It may help to read God's law as it speaks
directly about the specific sin (and/or attitude) that we have
committed (or have been committing), and also about God's judgment
upon those who practice such things. Ask God to convict us of our sin
as we read this. Mourning for our sins will include confessing those
sins to God and to whomever else it may be appropriate. While
mourning may include outward actions, it must also occur in our
heart.
Mourning for the condition or sin of another may also require some
help and growth, which things God will supply to those who seek. Love
for neighbors, friends and enemies brings forth sincere sorrow in our
hearts when we see those whom we love snared in sin or suffering
afflictions. We must go to our Lord and example who taught us to love
our enemies. He helps all those who truly desire to obey his
commands.
Why will the person who mourns in this
way be happy and blessed? God will comfort those who mourn in this
way. His comforts are real and eternal. We will have to wait for
God's comforts while we mourn, but they will come. One day God will
wipe away all tears (Revelations 21:4).
What if we decide that we do not want
to learn to mourn? Jesus said that if we weep now, one day we will
laugh (Luke 6:21). He also gave a warning to those who laugh now,
that one day they would mourn and weep (Luke 6:25). The world offers
many comforts. If we choose the comforts and ways of the world so
that we can laugh now instead of mourning for what we should, then
one day we will mourn and weep. The comforts of the world are false.
They are not real and lasting comforts.
Suggestions:
Open each lesson with prayer for the
teacher and the students and this class time.
Read Matthew 5:4.
Explain to the children what it means to mourn. Remind them that this
is the path to happiness and blessedness.
Read the story in
Luke 6:36-50. Ask the children questions: Who mourned? How did they
mourn? What do you think they mourned about? Who comforted them? How
were they comforted?
Read the story in
2 Kings 20:1-6 about King Hezekiah. Ask the children questions: Who
mourned? How did they mourn? What do you think they mourned about?
Who comforted them? How were they comforted?
Read the words of
Jesus about Jerusalem and the people of Jerusalem in Matthew
23:37-39. Ask the children questions: What do you think Jesus mourned
about? Was he comforted in this story? If not, why not? This story
can be used to remind the children that we must learn to wait for the
Lord to send the right comfort at the right time.
Close the lesson with prayer related to
the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.
Stories:
Luke 7:36-50 [36] One of the
Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s
house, and sat at the table. [37] Behold, a woman in the city who was
a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s
house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment. [38] Standing
behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her
tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet,
and anointed them with the ointment. [39] Now when the Pharisee who
had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a
prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who
touches him, that she is a sinner.” [40] Jesus answered him,
“Simon, I have something to tell you.” He said, “Teacher, say
on.” [41] “A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five
hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] When they couldn’t pay,
he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?”
[43] Simon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.”
He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” [44] Turning to the
woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into
your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my
feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. [45]
You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not
ceased to kiss my feet. [46] You didn’t anoint my head with oil,
but she has anointed my feet with ointment. [47] Therefore I tell
you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But
to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” [48] He said
to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” [49] Those who sat at the
table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even
forgives sins?” [50] He said to the woman, “Your faith has
saved you. Go in peace.”
The woman
who was a sinner mourned over her sins before the Lord. She wept and
humbled herself before the judge of all the earth. Jesus comforted
her with his words: Your sins are forgiven; Your faith has saved you;
Go in peace. This is an illustration of Jesus' words, Blessed are
those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
2 Kings 20:1-6 [1] In those days
was Hezekiah sick to death. Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came
to him, and said to him, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Set your house in
order; for you shall die, and not live.’” [2] Then he turned
his face to the wall, and prayed to Yahweh, saying, [3] “Remember
now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and
with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your
sight.” Hezekiah wept bitterly. [4] Before Isaiah had gone
out into the middle part of the city, Yahweh’s word came to him,
saying, [5] “Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people,
‘Thus says Yahweh, the God of David your father, “I
have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal
you. On the third day, you shall go up to Yahweh’s house. [6] I
will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city
out of the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for
my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.”’”
During
Hezekiah's grave illness, God speaks to his through the prophet,
telling him that he will die. In response to this message, Hezekiah
mourns, praying to the Lord. God heard and saw, and comforted him
with a new message that he would not die, but would be healed.
Matthew 23:37-39 [37]
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who
are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children
together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you
would not! [38] Behold, your house is left to you desolate. [39] For
I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, ‘Blessed
is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
Jesus mourns
over the people whom he loves. Has he received his comfort yet? In
the book of Acts, we read that many people in Jerusalem repented of
their sins and followed Jesus. Yet still, the heart of most of the
people of Jerusalem was set on evil. Eventually, the city was
destroyed and the people left in it killed or enslaved. Sometimes, we
must wait a longer time for the comfort that will come. If we mourn,
true comfort, whether sooner or later, will come.
More Stories and Examples:
MOURNING OVER YOUR OWN SIN AND/OR
CONDITION
1 Samuel 7:1-14 [1] The men of
Kiriath Jearim came, and took Yahweh’s ark, and brought it into the
house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep
Yahweh’s ark. [2] From the day that the ark stayed in Kiriath
Jearim, the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the
house of Israel lamented after Yahweh. [3] Samuel spoke to all
the house of Israel, saying, “If you do return to Yahweh with
all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from
among you, and direct your hearts to Yahweh, and serve him only; and
he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” [4]
Then the children of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and
served Yahweh only. [5] Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah,
and I will pray for you to Yahweh.” [6] They gathered together
to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before Yahweh, and
fasted on that day, and said there, “We have sinned against
Yahweh.” Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah. [7]
When the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered
together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against
Israel. When the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the
Philistines. [8] The children of Israel said to Samuel, “Don’t
cease to cry to Yahweh our God for us, that he will save us out of
the hand of the Philistines.” [9] Samuel took a suckling lamb, and
offered it for a whole burnt offering to Yahweh: and Samuel cried to
Yahweh for Israel; and Yahweh answered him. [10] As Samuel was
offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle
against Israel; but Yahweh thundered with a great thunder on that
day on the Philistines, and confused them; and they were struck down
before Israel. [11] The men of Israel went out of Mizpah, and
pursued the Philistines, and struck them, until they came under Beth
Kar. [12] Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and
Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Yahweh helped us until
now.” [13] So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more
within the border of Israel. The hand of Yahweh was against the
Philistines all the days of Samuel. [14] The cities which the
Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron
even to Gath; and Israel recovered its border out of the hand of the
Philistines. There was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
The people
of Israel mourned after the Lord (v2). Yet their mourning was not yet
the mourning that leads to happiness and blessing. Samuel showed them
that their mourning must include a real turning from sin (putting
away their idols in this case) and serving God alone (v3). The people
mourned before the Lord with godly sorrow that worked repentance to
salvation (v6). God comforted those who mourn by bringing a great
victory for them over the Philistines.
2 Kings 19:1-7 [1] When king
Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, and covered himself with
sackcloth, and went into Yahweh’s house. [2] He sent Eliakim,
who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of
the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of
Amoz. [3] They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This day is a
day of trouble, of rebuke, and of rejection; for the children have
come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to deliver them.
[4] It may be Yahweh your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh,
whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God,
and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Therefore
lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’” [5] So the
servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah. [6] Isaiah said to them,
“Thus you shall tell your master, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Don’t
be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants
of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. [7] Behold, I will put a
spirit in him, and he will hear news, and will return to his own
land. I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.”’”
The king of
Assyria had threatened God's people and defied the living God. When
Hezekiah heard, he mourned over this before God. (While this story
does not speak of tears or weeping, it seems to me that his response
is in keeping with the attitude of mourning.) Because Hezekiah
brought his before God, he was comforted with the word that God would
deliver them from the king of Assyria.
2 Kings 22:8-20 [8]
Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found
the book of the law in Yahweh’s house.” Hilkiah delivered the
book to Shaphan, and he read it. [9] Shaphan the scribe came to the
king, and brought the king word again, and said, “Your servants
have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have
delivered it into the hands of the workmen who have the oversight of
Yahweh’s house.” [10] Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying,
“Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me.” Then Shaphan
read it before the king. [11] When the king had heard the words of
the book of the law, he tore his clothes. [12] The king commanded
Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of
Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,
[13] “Go inquire of Yahweh for me, and for the people, and for all
Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is
Yahweh’s wrath that is kindled against us, because our fathers have
not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that
which is written concerning us.” [14] So Hilkiah the priest,
Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah, went to Huldah the prophetess,
the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of
the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter); and
they talked with her. [15] She said to them, “Yahweh the God of
Israel says, ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, [16] “Yahweh says,
‘Behold, I will bring evil on this place, and on its inhabitants,
even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read. [17]
Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other gods,
that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands,
therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and it will
not be quenched.’” [18] But to the king of Judah, who sent you to
inquire of Yahweh, tell him, “Yahweh the God of Israel says,
‘Concerning the words which you have heard, [19] because your heart
was tender, and you humbled yourself before Yahweh, when you heard
what I spoke against this place, and against its inhabitants, that
they should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your
clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard you,’ says
Yahweh. [20] ‘Therefore behold, I will gather you to your fathers,
and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not
see all the evil which I will bring on this place.’”’” So
they brought this message back to the king.
Esther 4:1-3 [1] Now when
Mordecai found out all that was done, Mordecai tore his clothes,
and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the
city, and wailed loudly and a bitterly. [2] He came even before
the king’s gate, for no one is allowed inside the king’s gate
clothed with sackcloth. [3] In every province, wherever the king’s
commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among
the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in
sackcloth and ashes.
When Haman's
plan became known, Mordecai and the scattered Jews mourned before
God. They were eventually comforted by God through a wonderful
victory over Haman and the enemies of the Jews.
Esther 6:10-14 [10] Then the
king said to Haman, “Hurry and take the clothing and the horse, as
you have said, and do this for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the
king’s gate. Let nothing fail of all that you have spoken.” [11]
Then Haman took the clothing and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and
had him ride through the city square, and proclaimed before him,
“Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!”
[12] Mordecai came back to the king’s gate, but Haman hurried to
his house, mourning and having his head covered. [13] Haman
recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had
happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him,
“If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish
descent, you will not prevail against him, but you will surely fall
before him.” [14] While they were yet talking with him, the king’s
eunuchs came, and hurried to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther
had prepared.
Haman
mourned at this time. However, his sorrow was not a godly sorrow that
worked repentance to salvation. He soon met his end (Esther 7:10).
Job 16:18-22 [18] “Earth,
don’t cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest. [19] Even
now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on
high. [20] My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,
[21] that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of
man with his neighbor! [22] For when a few years have come, I shall
go the way of no return.
Job wept and
mourned before God. God heard and saw, and comforted Job in the end.
Psalm 13:1-6 [1] How long,
Yahweh? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face
from me? [2] How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow
in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me? [3]
Behold, and answer me, Yahweh, my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I
sleep in death; [4] Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against
him”; Lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall. [5] But I trust in
your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation. [6] I will
sing to Yahweh, because he has been good to me.
This Psalm
is an example of someone casting their sorrows upon the Lord who
cares. By the end of this pray, the Psalmist is comforted by the
salvation and goodness of God.
Jonah 3:1-10
– The people of Nineveh and their king mourned before God when
Jonah proclaimed the coming judgment. God saw their mourning and
repentance (Jonah 3:10), and did not bring the prophesied disaster
upon them.
Their
mourning included repentance, turning from their evil ways, and so
God saw and had mercy upon them.
MOURNING OVER THE SIN AND/OR CONDITION
OF OTHERS
2 Samuel 1:1-27
– David mourns over the death of Saul and Jonathan.
The
Amalekite who brought David the news of the death of Saul, expected
that David would rejoice upon hearing the news, and so reward him.
However, David did not rejoice in acts of unrighteousness, nor did he
rejoice in the death of one who had acted as his enemy (Saul).
2 Samuel
3:22-39 – Joab murders Abner, and David mourns.
2 Samuel 4:8-12
– David does not rejoice over the news that Rechab and Baanah have
killed Ishbosheth.
Ezra 10:1-4 [1] Now while Ezra
prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before
God’s house, there was gathered together to him out of Israel a
very great assembly of men and women and children; for the people
wept very bitterly. [2] Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons
of Elam, answered Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and
have married foreign women of the peoples of the land. Yet now there
is hope for Israel concerning this thing. [3] Now therefore let us
make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as
are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those
who tremble at the commandment of our God. Let it be done according
to the law. [4] Arise; for the matter belongs to you, and we are with
you. Be courageous, and do it.”
Nehemiah 1:1 – 2:8 [1:1] The
words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now in the month Chislev, in
the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, [2] Hanani, one
of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked
them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the
captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. [3] They said to me, “The
remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in
great affliction and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem also is broken
down, and its gates are burned with fire.” [4] When I heard
these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I
fasted and prayed before the God of heaven, … [2:4] Then the
king said to me, “For what do you make request?” So I prayed to
the God of heaven. [5] I said to the king, “If it pleases the king,
and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you would
send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may
build it.” [6] The king said to me (the queen was also sitting by
him), “For how long shall your journey be? And when will you
return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
[7] Moreover I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let
letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may
let me pass through until I come to Judah; [8] and a letter to Asaph
the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make
beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the wall of the
city, and for the house that I shall enter into.” The king
granted my requests, because of the good hand of my God on me.
Nehemiah
mourns over the condition of God's people and God's city. In his
mourning, he confesses the sins of the people and asks God for mercy.
He is comforted as the king grants his request to go and rebuild the
city. He is further comforted as he sees the walls of the city of God
rebuilt by the people of God.
Other
Verses:
Luke 6:21,25 [21] Blessed are
you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who
weep now, for you will laugh. [25] Woe to you, you who are full
now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you
will mourn and weep.
Mourning in
this life is not an option. If we choose to mourn and weep now, we
will be comforted and laugh hereafter. If we choose not to mourn now,
but rather to laugh with the world, we will mourn and weep hereafter.
Jesus does not speak of any middle ground in this life between
mourning and laughing.
If we choose
to laugh now, we may never taste “death” in this life (Matthew
16:28). Yet when the Son of Man returns, we will taste death in that
day. Then the proverb will be proven true, “Even in laughter the
heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness” (Proverbs
14:13).
1 Corinthians 13:6 [Love…]
doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the
truth;
1 Peter 5:6-7 [6] Humble
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt
you in due time; [7] casting all your worries on him, because he
cares for you.
When we are
anxious or worried about something, we should tell it to God. We
often tell such things to friends or neighbors, but fail to cast our
worries on God who cares for us. If we go to God with our tears,
sorrows, worries and anxieties, we would much more often receive his
comfort.
MOURNING OVER YOUR OWN SIN AND/OR
CONDITION
Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 [2] It is
better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of
feasting: for that is the end of all men, and the living should take
this to heart. [3] Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness
of the face the heart is made good. [4] The heart of the wise is in
the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of
mirth.
Comfort as a
result of mourning is implied in these verses if not stated
explicitly. Those who consider in mourning the end of all men, their
own end included, are more likely to make choices which result in the
obtaining or receiving eternal comforts.
2 Corinthians 7:8-11 [8] For
though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I
did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just
for a while. [9] I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but
that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a
godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing. [10] For
godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret.
But the sorrow of the world works death. [11] For behold, this same
thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it
worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal,
and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure
in the matter.
James 4:6-12 [6] But he gives
more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives
grace to the humble.” [7] Be subject therefore to God. But resist
the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he
will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify
your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Lament, mourn, and weep. Let
your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. [10]
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.
[11] Don’t speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks
against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and
judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the
law, but a judge. [12] Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save
and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?
While it is
easy to apply James' words to the specific sinner, it is not so easy
to practice his words as a church when one in the midst has sinned.
It seems this could be at least one sense in which this should be
taken. Rather than speaking against the sinning brother in gossip and
backbiting, we should lament, mourn and weep as a church. In humility
and mourning we should consider the honor of God's name.
MOURNING OVER THE SIN AND/OR CONDITION
OF OTHERS
Psalm 35:13-16 [13] But as for
me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I
afflicted my soul with fasting. My prayer returned into my own bosom.
[14] I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother.
I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother. [15] But in
my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together.
The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn’t
know it. They tore at me, and didn’t cease. [16] Like the profane
mockers in feasts, they gnashed their teeth at me.
Psalm 126:5-6 [5] Those who sow
in tears will reap in joy. [6] He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with
joy, carrying his sheaves.
Proverbs 24:17-18 [17] Don’t
rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad
when he is overthrown; [18] lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him,
and he turn away his wrath from him.
Isaiah 66:10-13 [10] “Rejoice
with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her: rejoice
for joy with her, all you who mourn over her; [11] that you may
nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts; that you may drink
deeply, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.” [12] For
thus says Yahweh, “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,
and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream: and you will
nurse. You will be carried on her side, and will be dandled on her
knees. [13] As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you;
and you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
The prophet
Isaiah spoke at a time when God's chosen people loved darkness rather
than light. Yet some remained who, walking in God's ways, mourned
over the condition of God's people and God's kingdom. To them is
promised comfort from God. Some such people also lived during
Ezekiel's time, for God speaks comfort through him to those who
mourned over the sin of his people in his city (Ezekiel 9:4). How do
we respond to those we think are wrong or have done wrong? Do we have
a godly mourning that leads us to pray and weep, or do we have a
worldly mourning, which leads to complaining, griping, backbiting,
gossip, and more?
Ezekiel 9:4 Yahweh said to him,
Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and
set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over
all the abominations that are done in its midst.
COMMENTARY
Blessed are they
that mourn - This is capable of two meanings: either, that those are
blessed who are afflicted with the loss of friends or possessions, or
that they who mourn over sin are blessed. As Christ came to preach
repentance, to induce people to mourn over their sins and to forsake
them, it is probable that he had the latter particularly in view.
Compare 2Co 7:10. At the same time, it is true that the gospel only
can give true comfort to those in affliction, Isa 61:1-3; Luk 4:18.
Other sources of consolation do not reach the deep sorrows of the
soul. They may blunt the sensibilities of the mind; they may produce
a sullen and reluctant submission to what we cannot help: but they do
not point to the true source of comfort. In the God of mercy only; in
the Saviour; in the peace that flows from the hope of a better world,
and there only, is there consolation, 2Co 3:17-18; 2Co 5:1. Those
that mourn thus shall be comforted. So those that grieve over sin;
that sorrow that they have committed it, and are afflicted and
wounded that they have offended God, shall find comfort in the
gospel. Through the merciful Saviour those sins may be forgiven. In
him the weary and heavy-ladened soul shall find peace Mat 11:28-30;
and the presence of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, shall sustain
them here Joh 14:26-27, and in heaven all their tears shall be wiped
away, Rev 21:4.
