Surely after that I was turned I repented
Ephraim's prayer was answered; as he prayed he might be turned,
he was; and when he was turned, then he repented, not only of sin
in general, but of such sins as he had been particularly guilty
of; not only of the grosser actions of life, but of inward sins,
secret lusts and corruptions; even of sins of holy things, having
now different sentiments, affections, and conduct: and this is
what is called evangelical repentance, and is from the grace of
God; springs from love; flows from a sight of God and a view of
Christ; is increased by the discoveries of God's love, and is
unto life and salvation; and this sort of repentance follows upon
conversion; there must be first a true and real conversion before
this evangelical repentance can take place: and after that
I was instructed I smote upon [my] thigh:
as expressive of sorrow for sin after a godly sort; of
indignation at it; and shame and confusion for it; and also of
astonishment, at the mercy, forbearance, and long suffering of
God, ( Ezekiel
21:12 ) ( Luke 18:13 ) ; and this
humiliation follows upon spiritual instruction, which is
previously necessary to it; "after it was made known to me"
F21; as the words may be rendered; what
a sinful, guilty, impure, and impotent, and unrighteous creature
he was; after that he became acquainted with himself, and his
wretched state and condition; when instructed either by the rod,
or by the word, and by the Spirit of God, in the use of both, or
either; when led into the knowledge of divine things; of the love
and grace of God through Christ; of the person, offices, and
glory of Christ; of the way of life and salvation by him; and of
the doctrines of pardon, and righteousness, and acceptance
through him: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I
did bear the reproach
of my youth;
in his conscience; the sins and follies of his youth being
presented and set before him, and he convinced of them, was
filled with shame and confusion at the remembrance of them; which
is a common thing when a man is thoroughly awakened and
converted, and is brought to true repentance and humiliation. So
the Targum,
``because we have received the reproach of our sins, which were of old?''