In Vain is Salvation Hoped For

Oct 12, 2016
Joseph Caryl

Jeremiah 3:23 states, “Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.”

The prophet (under inspiration) speaks of a temporal salvation; and by hills and mountains he means the greatest means, the highest helps; the strongest hands, the wisest heads on earth; and yet he says, “in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills and from the multitude mountains.”

Truly God is the help of His people. It is much more vain to expect eternal salvation from any other; in vain is salvation hoped for from hills, or for the multitude of mountains, from this good work or that good work, from hills and mountains of good works. Though you pile up mountains of prayers, hills of alms, and deeds of charity, though you dig the lowest valleys of humiliation and make rivers eternal, salvation hoped for from these hills and mountains, from these valleys and seas; “Salvation is of the Lord.” He also shall by my salvation.”

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