23:37Matthew 23:37

Jesus lamented over Jerusalem as a killer of prophets and stoners of heaven-sent messengers, longing to draw its children under His shelter as a hen gathers her chicks, yet meeting willful, defiant refusal and not inability.Ms 71, 1897, par. 11–12+4
His cry of how often meant centuries of patient effort in which He held back wrath, came to His vineyard in person, called to repentance, offered life, and exhausted every resource of infinite love.Ms 149, 1898, par. 17+2
The hen and chickens pictures His desired mediatorial care for the poor, helpless and defenseless who flee to Him, warming, healing, defending and keeping them safe under His banner, even to giving His own life rather than let the sheltered suffer.Ms 71, 1897, par. 11–12+2
By rejecting light, warnings and entreaties the city sealed its own doom and was left responsible for its desolation, its temple overthrown, its people scattered, a first taste of final wrath and a pattern of the world's doom when mercy is refused.GC88 21.3+4
That same sorrow rests upon churches and individuals of every age entrusted with great light, for Christ still knocks at the door of the heart and will gather all who choose to come and cooperate, but He will not compel obedience and will at last leave the persistently unwilling alone.8T 67.2–3+4

The lament belongs to the last day of public teaching in the temple, when blind guides were exposed, hypocrisy denounced before the gathered people, and a final appeal made to Jerusalem.DA 610.1–611.2+2 It is the most solemn denunciation ever uttered against the city that killed the prophets and stoned those sent to her, spoken as the hallowed courts were quit forever because repeated desire to gather her children as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings had been refused.DA 610.1–611.2+1 That farewell marks separation after the work was completed, with deep sorrow and pity and longsuffering love for a people who would not be protected.Ms 78, 1897, par. 21–22+1 The denunciations of scribes and Pharisees and warnings against following blind leaders were recorded as an admonition to future generations about leaders who assume authority over conscience and lead people to reject their Redeemer, intended to reach every age and nation.GC88 595.3–596.1+1

It was spoken two days before Passover, after the Jewish rulers were denounced and the temple left for the last time, and from the Mount of Olives the city and its temple were looked over.Ms 31a, 1898, par. 12–15+1 That outlook was anguished and selfless, grieving repeated desire to gather and protect met by hard, impenitent refusal despite appeals and centuries of held-back wrath.Ms 31a, 1898, par. 12–15+1 Under Satan's guidance the generation then rejecting Him bore responsibility for the murder of the Son, filling its measure of sin so that divine judgment was now to fall, with Jerusalem and its temple destroyed and the people scattered among the nations.Ms 31a, 1898, par. 12–15+1

The wording is exact and decisive, ye would not and not ye could not, proving willful, defiant unwillingness rather than inability to receive Him.Lt 67, 1897, par. 2–3+2 The city was not forsaken from desire to leave it to doom, but because in rejecting light, warnings and entreaties it sealed its own doom, forged its own fetters and loaded its own cloud, with warnings and pleadings to repent and obey all in vain.Lt 67, 1897, par. 2–3+1 The same refusal to obey and come would mark many in the present day.Ms 82, 1899, par. 28+1 Such giving up is contemplated with mercy, truth, lovingkindness and solicitude without parallel, with tears and broken accents of keen sorrow, showing how hard it is for the Saviour who gave His precious life to exclude anyone from the blessings of grace.Lt 67, 1897, par. 2–3+1

The disciples were distressed by the lament while knowing the terrible future awaiting the people, yet they did not understand its full meaning or the coming destruction and retribution upon the apostate nation, which would further show hostility by mistreating His followers.Ms 31a, 1898, par. 12–15+1 In vision Moses saw the nation's sin and Christ bidding it farewell after rejection, understood its house was left desolate, and shared Christ's sadness over weeping grief that prophets had been killed and messengers stoned despite repeated desire to gather under protection.10MR 154.3–4+1 The chapter exposes spiritual blindness that misses relative importance, with religious leaders neglecting the weightier matters of the law while attending to minor details.7MR 234.4–235.1

How often means repeated, long-continued effort over centuries, in which wrath was held back while He labored, called to repentance, offered life, and did all that could be done, exhausting the resources of infinite love.Ms 149, 1898, par. 17+4 He came in person to His own vineyard to receive its first fruits, only to meet a history of killing prophets and stoning messengers, yet still longed to gather and protect the children of Jerusalem.Ms 5, 1882, par. 14–16+2 Their failure to come was not inability but willful unwillingness and stubborn disloyalty, making them responsible for the judgment they brought upon themselves.Ms 149, 1898, par. 17+2

The hen gathering chickens under her wings pictures His desired mediatorial shelter and care for all who fly to Him for refuge.Ms 71, 1897, par. 11–12+4 He welcomes the poor, helpless, dependent and defenseless, warns them of danger, gives warmth, healing and safety, and there they are safe and not left defenseless.Ms 71, 1897, par. 11–12+3 Those gathered by faith are brought under His banner and protection, where sinners bring sins to the sin-bearer and receive healing and righteousness.Ms 2, 1893, par. 11–12+2

When the hen sees her brood in danger she calls them under her sheltering wings, resists any approaching enemy, and will die rather than let those sheltered suffer.Ms 71, 1897, par. 11–12+2 So He was willing to give His life defending those who seek refuge, coming in human form to encircle them with His human arm while with His divine arm He joined them to God.Ms 71, 1897, par. 11–12+3 He became man's substitute and surety, responsible for the race, with sins imputed to Him, debts assumed, pledged to atone for transgression, imputing His own righteous character and forming a character like His own in them.Ms 7a, 1886, par. 7+1

The lament was uttered with tears, quivering lips, broken accents, a breaking heart, and unfathomable anguish of soul over unrequited love and the loss of a nation.Ms 71, 1897, par. 11–12+4 It was hard to utter and hard to give up the child of His care, after years of labor to convince of coming calamity unless there was repentance.Lt 18a, 1906, par. 8–15+2 His grief at giving them up was a hundredfold greater than a mother's over a dying child, with solicitude without parallel and a careworn, oppressed spirit over crookedness and impenitence.Ms 7a, 1886, par. 7+3

He is not a distant indifferent spectator but personally identifies with His chosen and tried people with sympathy without parallel.Ms 13, 1892, par. 26–28 He is personally affected by all that concerns them and feels Himself personally misrepresented, accused and dishonored by errors and wrongs done to them.Ms 13, 1892, par. 26–28 Every wrong done to His followers, even to the weakest, is registered in heaven as done to Him, regarded with intense interest, and will be judged in the great day as if done to Himself.Ms 13, 1892, par. 26–28

His desire to gather was His desire to save and heal, uttered with weeping over darkness and error and with unbounded compassion joined to rebuke and solicitous, unwearied labor for reformation.ST Dec 22, 1887+3 His sorrow was not for His own coming suffering but for the city's guilt and the good it refused and could have received, for following its own ways to destruction after spurning shelter from consequences of sin.ST Dec 22, 1887+3 His salvation of them would have been His joy and the rejoicing of angels, yet they scorned love, refused to be convinced, and would not be saved.DA 575.3–576.1+2

Jerusalem killed the prophets and stoned those sent to her, not merely meeting God's messages with indifference and spurning but venting enmity and hatred against God upon His messengers and refusing to let them live.Ms 71, 1897, par. 11–12+4 Holy men sent with messages to correct, reprove iniquity and warn were slain through the instigation of the leaders in Israel because they denounced the sins of those in authority and Israel refused to be reproved.4RED 8.2–9.1+2 That refusal slighted God's warnings and held sins still closer, bringing captivity to a heathen nation as punishment.4RED 8.2–9.1 Servants were also humiliated, beaten and imprisoned, with every indignity heaped upon heaven's nobility, while hollow formalism replaced honor to God's law and human commandments and traditions were taught as doctrine.Ms 134, 1902, par. 7+1

The generation then living was accountable not simply for ancestors' sins but for following their evil practices and rejecting the warnings given in its own time.3SP 10.1–2+2 While lamenting humiliation under the Romans and condemning fathers for stoning the prophets, priests and elders still cherished in their hearts the same spirit that would lead them to commit the same crimes.4RED 8.2–9.1+1 Under that spirit and Satan's guidance they persecuted the Son and Heir, casting Him out of the vineyard and slaying Him to whom they belonged by creation and redemption.3SP 13.3+3 By that rejection of the Son, after centuries in which wrath had been held back despite impenitence and abuse, they filled their measure and cup of iniquity.3SP 13.3+1

In pride and arrogance Jerusalem sat as a queen who shall see no sorrow, fast filling up the reckoning kept with nations and individuals.Ms 40, 1897, par. 41–44 Pharisaical pride, hypocrisy, jealousy, malice, ostentation and unbelief prevented the gathering that was desired, with scorn for mercies and despising of warnings.DA 577.1–3+2 As representative men the priests corrupted the people by false principles, hollow formalism and human traditions, perverting truth while the favored depository of sacred trusts loaded with benefits, pardon, healing and messages of pardon and righteousness returned unrequited love.Lt 31, 1898, par. 9–12+1 Temple courts were perverted with merchandise and robbery, and selfishness and love of mammon, envy, strife, injustice, fraud, malice, passion and seeking of gain were cherished by every one.Lt 31, 1898, par. 9–12

The people hardened until they no longer responded to the Spirit, so that warnings and pleadings being refused, no other power could deliver them.DA 587.1–3+2 Impenitence locked them in fetters of bondage, and the angel of mercy was folding her wings to give place to justice and swift-coming judgment.DA 577.1–3+2 Yet the great heart of love still pleaded even when the day of grace was almost ended, and if repentance had come while the procession halted on Olivet it was not yet too late.DA 577.1–3+2

By rejecting light, warnings and entreaties Jerusalem sealed its own doom, forged its own fetters and loaded its own cloud of wrath, and was not forsaken because of desire to leave it to doom.Ms 5, 1882, par. 14–16+4 The wording is exact and decisive, ye would not and not ye could not, proving willful, defiant resistance rather than inability.Lt 16, 1888, par. 39–42 They alone were responsible for ruin and destruction, and even when heavy judgments fell they would still refuse to see Him as a sin-pardoning Saviour, yet would one day long for the Deliverer who had once been among them and whom they would not receive.GC88 21.3+3

Refusal brought the house left desolate, with the temple left without one stone upon another, followed by siege and destruction by Rome and scattering among the nations, and the same rejection had earlier brought captivity to a heathen nation.Lt 18a, 1906, par. 8–15+2 The people would come to know what it means to be scattered and despised, and stubborn refusal kept Him from doing all He desired for them.Lt 18a, 1906, par. 8–15+1 Tears over years of labor to convince them that great calamity would come unless they repented joined entreaty with denunciation of their course of killing prophets and stoning those sent to them.Lt 18a, 1906, par. 8–15 Repeated desire to gather and shelter the children as a hen shelters chickens under wings met hard, impenitent hearts that would not respond, and the generation then living bore responsibility under Satan's guidance even for the murder of the Son of God.Lt 18a, 1906, par. 8–15+4 If hearts had opened to the Spirit they would have recognized Him as the fulfillment of the sacrificial offerings and sympathized with His work, but refusal led to the desolation announced in the next verse.Ms 127, 1899, par. 61–62

That destruction was temporal judgment and only the first taste of the wrath to be faced at the final judgment.GC88 21.3+2 The call to repentance and offer of life were rejected, not only in the messengers but in the Redeemer Himself, leaving the people responsible for refusing the appeal and for the ruin that came upon city and nation.GC88 21.3+2 From Olivet the coming siege, destruction, and scattering were foreseen, yet that punishment was only the first measure of wrath.4SP 20.3–21.1

Jerusalem in pride, then given up to destruction, is the pattern for the world given up to its doom, and the scenes of Jerusalem's destruction will be repeated at the great and terrible day of the Lord in more fearful manner.Lt 45, 1891, par. 3–4+2 Its destruction typifies the destruction of the world when mercy is refused, and Christ's prediction pointed also to the world's destruction because people would continue to refuse mercy.Ms 105, 1894, par. 31+1 To the inhabitants who disbelieved there was a shut door, but an open door to the humble, the believing, those who obeyed God, following the same division as in Noah's time, Sodom, and Tyre, to be repeated at the end of time.Ms 17, 1885, par. 10 Sitting in pride and arrogance as a queen who shall see no sorrow, Jerusalem was fast filling up the figures of the reckoning kept with nations and individuals, while the things belonging to its peace were hid from its eyes and irrevocable doom came because it would not be gathered.Lt 45, 1891, par. 3–4+1

Every measure heaven ordained for peace and salvation was tried, with no means untried to lead to repentance and life with God, but determined turning from light and resistance continued until mercy exhausted her last resource.Ms 40, 1897, par. 41–44 There is a limit to long forbearance, and the same strong arm to support, shield, and save will execute the commands of a long-suffering God who keeps mercy for thousands yet will by no means clear the guilty.Ms 40, 1897, par. 41–44 That tenderness so mocked will be exhausted when restraint is thrown off, law is made void, perverted law is established, and consciences of those who honor God and keep His commandments are forced to trample it underfoot.Ms 40, 1897, par. 41–44

Had hearts opened to the Spirit to recognize Christ as fulfillment of the sacrificial offerings, the nation could have been saved from doom and delivered from Roman bondage.Ms 127, 1899, par. 61–62+1 He could have delivered Israel from Roman rule, and Jerusalem could have remained secure and become a source of peace to all nations.RH Feb 13, 1900+1 The same Christ had given Israel's teachings enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, and had the nation obeyed all those teachings it would have stood forth to glorify God above every nation and people on the earth.Lt 195, 1899, par. 6 Jerusalem need not have been destroyed, but destruction came because she disregarded the commandments of God while professedly regarding them.Lt 195, 1899, par. 6

Jerusalem chose its own course including choosing Barabbas, God permitted the people to carry out unsanctified purposes, heaven's protection was withdrawn, and the city was brought low.Lt 98, 1900, par. 31–33 Pride and rebellion rejected mercy despite warning and urging to return to God.Lt 98, 1900, par. 31–33

Jerusalem's refusal of repeated entreaties, warnings and light stands as a warning to churches entrusted with sacred things that pervert truth, disregard counsel and refuse the light given to them.8T 67.2–3+2 The same sorrow felt over Jerusalem is felt over such churches, and what was seen from Olivet exists in every church.STGC 38.2–39.1+1 Favored as the depository of sacred trusts, visited in its streets by One longing to breathe spiritual life into discouraged hearts ready to die, blessed by presence, pardon and healing gifts, loaded with benefits and blessings, and sent servants with messages of pardon and righteousness to be freely received, Jerusalem perverted the truth, despised all entreaties and warnings, would not respect counsels, perverted the temple courts with merchandise and robbery, and cherished selfishness and love of mammon, envy, strife, injustice, fraud, malice and passion, every one seeking gain and returning unrequited love.Lt 31, 1898, par. 9–12 The cry over the city expresses sorrowing love asking how it can be given up after all that could be done and light flashed before the eyes of the people so their sins might not reach the boundary where repentance cannot be felt.Lt 31, 1898, par. 9–12

Battle Creek moves in the same track as Jerusalem and has received even greater evidence of unrequited love.Lt 31, 1898, par. 9–12 By a long departure from just and righteous principles it repeats the sin of Jerusalem by rejecting present warnings and entreaties until light and truth, justice and mercy are not discerned.Lt 31, 1898, par. 9–12 It has turned the publishing house into a desecrated shrine of unholy merchandise and traffic.Lt 31, 1898, par. 9–12 Christ now comes to investigate it while sorrowing and weeping over churches and institutions of learning that have failed to meet the demand of God.Lt 31, 1898, par. 9–12

The ruin of Jerusalem warns the present generation, which has great light and opportunities, not to reject the light and be ruined.ST Dec 23, 1897+1 The refusal then was not inability but unwillingness, and the same refusal to obey the word and receive Christ will mark many now.Ms 82, 1899, par. 28+1 God's message must be proclaimed plainly, whether people accept or reject it, and must not be softened into false assurances of peace for those turning away from God.ST Dec 23, 1897

The verse calls for earnest decision to be wholly for Him, while men burden themselves with unsanctified projects and strange devising that Satan prepares though not commanded, retarding the cause years behind where it should be and leaving cities unwarned.Lt 177, 1904, par. 2+1 Persisted refusal brings judgment in which the idols of choice in beautiful buildings are consumed by fire and God-given powers of mind and reason are taken away.Lt 177, 1904, par. 2+1 Using all powers to the glory of God would have widely extended the knowledge of the truth and warned the cities far more widely.Lt 177, 1904, par. 2+1 Concentrating too many important interests in one center can bring serious harm if the danger is ignored, as Jerusalem's ruin warns.7MR 351.1

The covenant made at Sinai is for the Israel of God for all time and reveals His purpose for His people.Ms 64, 1903, par. 15–16 The Lord Jesus today still desires to draw His people close for shelter and care, but only as they cooperate and come to Him.Ms 64, 1903, par. 15–16 Meeting the conditions laid down for Israel by coming before God in holiness, worshiping Him in Spirit and in truth, and obeying Him brings the blessings promised to Israel, acknowledgment as members of His royal family, and honor above all nations.Ms 64, 1903, par. 15–16

His tears over the city were for the impenitent of every age, and His sorrow embraced the world.Ms 138, 1899, par. 37–39 Continued rejection of mercy places a person among the unrepentant and may leave no further appeal before judgment.Lt 51a, 1895, par. 30–31

The lament calls for the same tender compassion seen in Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jeremiah and Paul, with hearts beating with Him in longing, personal labor and watching for souls He died to save.Ms 139, 1897, par. 21–23 True laborers for souls under the last message of mercy will feel as He felt when they meet the same impenitence and refusal while they carry light to a dark world, working with zeal and intensity and the right spirit even when they cannot see the rays of light penetrating everywhere.Ms 13, 1888, par. 20–23 Those who serve Him should share that tender longing for unsaved people and that sorrow over refusal.RH Aug 5, 1902+1 To be co-workers with Him and see efforts crowned with success, workers must weep for those who will not weep for themselves and plead for those who will not plead for themselves, presenting truth in faith graced with humility while willingly bearing toil and sacrifice and reproach for the Master's sake.Ms 24, 1903, par. 11

He comes to the door of the heart knocking through His messengers with grace and salvation.Lt 30a, 1892, par. 24–29 Self-satisfied professed Christians in pride, worldliness, lukewarmness and self-righteousness keep every crevice sealed and shut Him out.Lt 30a, 1892, par. 24–29 If refusal continues He will leave them to the power of destroying angels and let them alone.Lt 30a, 1892, par. 24–29 Yet to all who will open the door He will come in and take possession with the gold of love and faith and the robe of His righteousness.Lt 30a, 1892, par. 24–29

Being gathered requires choosing to come to Him and cooperating with Him.Ms 64, 1903, par. 15–16+1 It requires cultivating faith at every step and speaking courage and hope.Lt 38, 1897, par. 13–14 It requires hearing His voice and cooperating with Him, using capabilities in His service and walking in all humility of mind before Him.Ms 106, 1902, par. 27 Those who hear and cooperate will receive His blessing, while those who forget His instruction and follow their own way are a dishonor to Him, and a time will come when their wrong course must be met with its results and consequences.Ms 106, 1902, par. 27

As Restorer He longs to bring back erring ones to their place, such as Brethren Miller and Woods.Lt 38, 1897, par. 13–14 But blinding unbelief and self-sufficiency keep those in error from knowing Him and being gathered, and cause them to crucify the Lord of glory afresh and put Him to open shame.Lt 38, 1897, par. 13–14 He does not compel obedience, but offers pardon and the Holy Spirit to those who repent and accept His help.Ms 13, 1892, par. 35–36+1 No one will be saved against his will, and resisting His warnings leaves souls in peril.Ms 13, 1892, par. 35–36+1

The refusal is applied to a person who, despite many privileges and warnings, will not humble himself, be truly converted, or obey.4T 188.3–190.1 Such a one follows his own ways to destruction, as the city refused healing and salvation from ruin and followed its own ways to destruction.Lt 16, 1895, par. 12 Others may repeat the same course.Lt 16, 1895, par. 12 The same unwillingness still holds souls by a benumbing power, so that even those who have had a knowledge of the truth do not come in full sincerity to receive their Saviour and cannot understand His great love.Ms 7a, 1886, par. 7

Peter and Judas heard those withering rebukes and denunciations against hypocrisy and corruption joined with solicitous and unwearied labor for the reformation of those denounced.4T 487.3–488.2 They saw that the lament was uttered with weeping over darkness and error and with yearning unbounded compassion and love toward those rebuked.4T 487.3–488.2 Obstinate unbelief despite powerful evidence that Jesus was the Son of God brought terrible retribution upon them.3SP 274.2–3+1 His arms around the people of the city are an example for the church's care for a city through mission work.5T 370.3