Return! Return!

“Turn, O backsliding children, says the Lord.

“Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.”

It is a fearful thing that a believer should backslide.

Such mercy has been shown to him.

Such love has been enjoyed by him.

Such prospects lie before him.

Such comfort is sacrificed by his backsliding.

It is a wretched business for the man himself, since by it nothing is gained, and everything is endangered.

It is injurious to the whole church to which the backslider belongs.

It is mischievous to the outside world.

What is the immediate duty of the backslider? the immediate remedy for his backsliding?

One word sums it up, and it is God’s word, “Return.”

Let us earnestly note,—

I. WONDER AWAKENED BY THE CALL.

There would seem to be many reasons why the Lord should not invite the backslider to return. We will follow the guidance of the chapter, which will richly repay a careful exposition.

1. The usual jealousy of love. Note the terrible imagery of verse 1. A wanton adulteress is allowed to return to her husband.

2. The abundance of the sin: “You have polluted the land”—(verse 2). The very earth felt the leprosy of the idolatry.

3. The obstinate continuance in evil, notwithstanding chastisements (verse 3). “You refused to be ashamed.”

4. The refusal of tender persuasion. “Will you not?” etc. (verse 4.)

5. The perversion of mercy. God did not reserve his anger forever, and they sinned the more because of his long-suffering (verse 5).

6. The warnings which had been despised. Judah saw Israel doomed, and yet followed her evil ways (verses 6–11). It is a great increase of iniquity when we perceive the suffering which it causes others, and yet persevere in it ourselves.

   • Is it not marvelous that God should be so full of mercy as to bid such revolters return, and repeat the exhortation again and again?

II. MEMORIES AROUSED BY THE CALL.

Does it not remind you of other days?

1. When you first came to Jesus.

2. When you were happy with other believers.

3. When you could teach and warn others.

4. When you began to go aside, a little.

5. When you have sinned grievously through this backsliding.

   • Indulge these memories until they affect your heart.

III. REASONS URGED FOR OBEYING THE CALL.

1. It is God himself who utters it. Twice we read, “says the Lord.”

2. Anger will be removed: “I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you” (verse 12).

3. Love continues: “I am married unto you” (verse 14).

4. Healing will be given: “I will heal your backslidings” (verse 22).

   • Each verse yields its own forcible argument.

IV. DIRECTIONS GIVEN TO MAKE OBEDIENCE TO THE CALL EASY.

1. “Only acknowledge your iniquity” (verse 13). What a simple matter!

2. Lament the evil: “Weeping and supplications” (verse 21). Do you not mourn your sin even now?

3. Own the sad result. “We lie down in our shame,” etc. (verse 25.)

4. Trust in God for restoration: “Truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel” (verse 23).

5. Heartily renew allegiance: “Behold, we come unto you; for you are the Lord our God” (verse 22).

   • These things, carefully and immediately attended to, will restore the fallen to their first estate. “Return! Return!” says the Lord.
   • Oh, that the Holy Spirit may lead them to it!

V. PROMISES MADE TO THOSE ANSWERING TO THE CALL.

Such shall obtain—

1. Special guidance: “I will bring you to Zion” (verse 14).

2. Suitable food: “Feed you with knowledge” (verse 15).

3. Spiritual insight. (See verses 16 and 17.)

4. Childlike spirit: “You shall call me, ‘My father’ ” (verse 19).

   • The whole subject needs pressing upon all believers, for we may have already backslidden more than we are aware.
   • Upon the conscious backslider the three-fold call should be pressed, “Return!” “Turn!” “Return!”

Turns Of Expression

There is a play upon words, or rather upon senses, in the original, “Return, you backsliding children,” more literally, “Turn, you turned-away sons, and I will heal your turnings,” as in Hosea 14:4.

God invites and does not drive; he here exchanges threats for promises. God will “heal,” not simply receive his children. God alone can heal their apostasies. Man repents of sin, but God cures it. It is our part to turn from evil, God’s to destroy that evil. Sin is washed out, not by tears of penitence, but by the blood of Christ. The healing is of the apostasies themselves, not simply of their painful effects Christ saves from sin.—The Pulpit Commentary.

I was weary of a cold heart towards Christ, and his sacrifice, and the work of his Spirit—of a cold heart in the pulpit, in secret prayer, and in study. For fifteen years previously I had felt my heart burning within, as if going to Emmaus with Jesus. On a day ever to be remembered by me, as I was going from Dolgelly to Machynlleth, and climbing up towards Cadair Idris, I considered it to be incumbent upon me to pray, however hard I felt my heart, and however worldly the frame of my spirit was. Having begun in the name of Jesus, I soon felt as it were the fetters loosening, and the old hardness of heart softening, and, as I thought, mountains of frost and snow dissolving, and melting within me. This engendered confidence in my soul in the promise of the Holy Spirit. I felt my mind relieved from some great bondage: tears flowed copiously, and I was constrained to cry out for the gracious visits of God, by restoring to my soul the joy of his salvation.—Christmas Evans.

I am sometimes downright staggered at the exceeding riches of his grace. How Christ can go on pardoning day after day, and hour after hour; sometimes I feel almost afraid to ask, for shame.—A. L. Newton

Man-like is it to fall into sin, Fiend-like is it to dwell therein, Christ-like is it for sin to grieve,

God-like is it all sin to leave.—Longfellow.

Yet sovereign mercy calls, “Return!”

Dear Lord, and may I come?

My vile ingratitude I mourn—

O take the wanderer home!—Steele.