JTB.SDG
Puritan Board Junior
Most scholars/commentators take this as: the King is coming, so clear out all obstacles for His arrival; something to that effect. Something about this thinking doesn't quite sit right with me, even though it seems to be the plain reading of the text. I think it's because it seems to make repentance the condition of God's acceptance, whereas we know repentance is the gift of God and that regeneration precedes faith and repentance.
But though it's true that regeneration precedes faith (and repentance), it seems it may also be no less true that humbling ourselves before the Lord/calling upon Him can indeed precede regeneration. Is this the way to think about it? "Draw near to God and He will draw near to You." That there IS a real role we play in coming to faith, it's just that that role isn't to try to change ourselves--but rather to HUMBLE ourselves and call upon the Lord to grant us the gift of repentance and faith. Thoughts?
But though it's true that regeneration precedes faith (and repentance), it seems it may also be no less true that humbling ourselves before the Lord/calling upon Him can indeed precede regeneration. Is this the way to think about it? "Draw near to God and He will draw near to You." That there IS a real role we play in coming to faith, it's just that that role isn't to try to change ourselves--but rather to HUMBLE ourselves and call upon the Lord to grant us the gift of repentance and faith. Thoughts?