An Exposition of Hosea 11-13, Exposition · Chapter 11 · Verse 10 – Verse 11
VER. 10.
They ſhall walk after the Lord, He ſhall roar like a Liyon.
THey ſhall not walk after their own inventions any more; nor after the luſts of their own hearts, nor after Expoſ. 1the examples, or the counſels of men, but after the Lord, they ſhall ſee God before them, their hearts ſhall be drawn after him, as they ſhall ſee God in his various adminiſtrations, ſo they ſhall turn this way, or that way which way ſoever God leads them; though in paths they have not known before, yet now they ſhall walk after him, though in paths that few others walk in yet.
Through fire and water, though in difficult paths never ſo dangerous to outward appearance; though God ſhould lead them from their deareſt comforts, ſweeteſt contents, though it did not appear to them, whither the way tended, what God meant to do with them; yet ſeeing God before them, they ſhall be willing to walk after him; they ſhall account that way God is in, the beſt way, the ſafeſt way, the moſt comfortable way, Revel. 14. 4. Theſe ſhall follow the Lamb whither ſoever he goeth, theſe were redeemed from among men, being the firſt fruits to God, and to the Lamb. They ſhall walk in a conſtant ſteady courſe of obedience after the Lord.
It is the Lord, the bleſſed glorious God, whom their Reaſ.ſouls love; whom they deſire to honor; to whom they have given up ſouls, bodies, lives, liberties, names, eſtates, whatſoever they are, have, or are able to do. When Peter heard it was the Lord he threw himſelf into the Sea, that he might walk after him there.
Thus the ſoul converted to God, loves to walk after him.
But this is ſpoken of the Church, as walking after the Expoſ. 2.Lord in times of Reformation, eſpecially that famous time of the reſtitution of all things, when God ſhall call home his people, the ten Tribes, who yet are ſcattered up and down wandring and groping in darkneſs; They ſhall walk after the Lord, the Lord ſhall be a Captain to them, leading them along as his redeemed ones, working by them glorious things in the earth, and bringing them through all oppoſition to places of reſt, and fulneſs of all good; God ſhall appear in ſuch viſible adminiſtrations of his, ſo as they ſhall ſay, Lo, this is our God, this is the Captain of the hoſt of the Lord, yea, it is even the Lord himſelf, we will joyn together and follow him, whoſe wiſdom, faithfulneſs, and courage is infinite; we will follow no other but him, and in subordination to him. The ſight of ſuch a Captain going before them, ſhall put life, courage, and magnanimity into them, whatſoever they were before. Hence note,
Obſ. It is the infinite goodneſs of the Lord, to be the Obſ. 1.Captain of his people.
Obſ. It is the honor, ſafety, happineſs of the Saints to Obſ. 2.have God before them, to be walking after him. He ſhall roar like a Lyon.
If God appears thus it will make them fly from him: Expoſ.No, they ſhal, notwithſtanding this, walk after him.
Obſ. That the majeſty, and terribleneſs of God, in his Obſ.wonderful and dreadful works, cauſes the wicked, guilty conſcience to fly from him; But the Saints ſhall follow after him, and cling unto him: Iſa 33. 14. The ſinners in Syon are afraid, fearfulneſs hath ſurpriſed the hypocrites. Who amongst us ſhall dwell with devouring fire? who amongst us ſhall dwel with everlaſting burnings? He that worketh righteouſly, and ſpeaketh uprightly. Act. 5. 13, 14. Of the reſt durſt no man joyn himſelf to them. And Beleevers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. Pſa. 46. (Luthers Pſalm) 2. We will not fear, though the Earth be moved, though the Mountains be carried into the midſt of the Sea, though the waves thereof roar, though the Mountains ſhake. Verſ. 6. The Heathen raged, the Kingdoms were moved; be uttered his voice, the Earth melted, The Lord of Hoſts is with us, the God of Jacob is our Refuge. Nahum, 1. 2. The Lord revengeth, the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance of his adverſaries. Verſ. 3. The Lord hath his way in the whirlwind, and in the ſtorm. Verſ. 5. The Mountains quake at him, the Hills melt, and the Earth is burnt at his preſence. Who can ſtand before his indignation? who can abide the fierceneſs of his anger? his fury is powred out like fire, and the Rocks are thrown down by him. Verſ. 7. The Lord is good, a ſtrong hold in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them that truſt in him. Joel, 3. 15, 16. The Sun and the Moon ſhall be darkened, and the Stars ſhal withdraw their ſhining; the Lord ſhall roar out of Syon, and utter his voice from Jeruſalem; The Heavens and the Earth ſhall ſhake; but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the ſtrength of the children of Iſrael. Hab. 3. 17, 18. Although the Figtree ſhall not bloſſem, &c. yet will I rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalvation.
Oh! the bleſſing of a clean Conſcience, it looks on th… Uſe.Terror of the Law, and of God, with comfort. Where there is neighing of Horſes, beating of Drums, ratling of Simile.Pikes, foaring of Cannons, yet if a friend be the General, we fear not. Al the terror there is in God, is comfort to the Saints; the wicked have the dark ſide of the Cloud, the Saints the bright. Deut. 33. 2. From his right hand went a fiery Law. Verſ. 4. Moſes commanded us a Law, even the inheritance of the Congregation of Jacob. Nehem. 9. 32. The great, mighty, and terrible God, will keep Covenant and Mercy. Pſal. 47. 1, 2. Shout unto God with the voice of Triumph, for the moſt high is Terrible.
Be godly, and keep Conſcience clean in theſe latter times; train up your Children in waies of godlineſs. Shall roar like a Lyon.
The roaring of the Lyon invites the reſt of the beaſts, Plutarch.there is ſomething for them.
Queſt. But when was this?Queſt.
Anſw. Many think when the Babylonian Monarchy was Anſw. 1.broken by Cyrus; then Belſhazzars knees beat together, and then the Captivity returned, and that divers of the ten Tribes joyned in the return. But this is ſpoken of the Rejected.Body of them; and if any ſuch remarkable return [had been] Ezra would not have left out their Genealogyes.
Others refer it to the times of the Goſpel, Heb. 12. 26. 8Yet once more I ſhake not the Earth only, but alſo Heaven. The voice of the Goſpel, Repent; and he that beleeves ſhall be ſaved; but he that beleeves not, ſhall be damned, was a Terrible voice. When ſecure minds (ſaith Luther) hear, that ſalvation Quid faciomus viri fratres eum ſevere mentes audiunt, non contingere ſalutem niſi Baptizatis & credentibus in Nomen Chriſti, verè expaneſcunt; et de ſalutemſunt ſoliciti. Luther.belongs to none but thoſe that are baptized, and that beleeve in the Name of Chriſt; they indeéd tremble, and are ſolicitous concerning their ſalvation. Junius when he read the firſt Chapter of the Goſpel of John [was terrified]
But I take this rather to be meant of ſome notable work of Reformation and calling in theſe ten Tribes to …joyn with the Church. The Lord will roar to terrif… the hearts of their Adverſaries, that they ſhall not be ab… to hinder their return. Hence note,
That when Gods time is, come for a through Reformation and Obſ.bringing in his people; he will roar terribly in the world, he will appear in ſuch Majeſty, Glory, and Juſtice, that he will make the earth tremble, Pſal. 102. 16. When the Lord ſhall build up Sion, he will appear in his Glory. It hath been his way in his appearing for his Church, Pſal. 76. 1. Thou, even thou art to be feared; and who may ſtand in thy ſight when once thou art angry? Thou dideſt cauſe Judgment to be heard from Heaven, the Earth feared and was ſtill … God aroſe to Judgment to ſave the meek of the Earth … 12.) He ſhall cut off the ſpirit of Princes, he is … Kings of the Earth. Iſa. 34. 4. All the hoſt of … be diſſolved, and the Heavens ſhall be rolled together as … and all the hoſt ſhall fall down as a leaf; for my Sword ſhall be bathed in Heaven. (Ver. 6.) The Sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatneſs. (Ver. 7.) The Land ſhall be ſoaked with blood. (Ver. 8.) For it is the day of the Lords vengance, and the yeer of the recompences for the controverſie of Sion. Ezek! 17. 10. Shall it not wither when the Eaſt wind toucheth it?
At the raiſing of Chriſts Kingdom, Pſal. 45. 4. Thy right hand ſhall teach thee terrible things, Revel. 6. 15. The Great troubls at the aaiſing of Chriſts Kingdom.Kings of the earth, and the great Men, the rich men, the chief Captains, the Mighty men hid themſelves in the dens, the rocks of the Mountains, and ſaid to the Mountains and Rocks, F…l… on us, and hide us from the face of him that ſitteth on the Thron and from the wrath of the Lamb. Dan. 12. 1. There ſhall … a time of trouble, ſuch as was never ſince there was a Nation all that time thy people ſhall be delivered. Lactantius Lib. Cap. 15. as then Egypt imitten, ſo now all places; as Lactant. Prodigia miranda per omnia elementae mundi. Reaſ. 1.then ſigns and prodiges, ſo now; admirable wonders in all the Elements of the World, [Earth, Sea, Air.]
1. Becauſe the ungodly have been cruel againſt the Saints, Pſal. 74. 4. Thine Enemies roar in the midſt of the Congregation.
2. The wicked will be ſecure; yea, his own people, [and will ſtand in need of roaring to awaken them.]
3. The Adverſary will be ſtout and proud, Conſundetur omne jus, & Leges perilunt. All right will be overturned, and Laws periſh.
4. The difficulties will be great, ſo as when Chriſt comes ſhall he find ſaith on the earth [namely that ever his work ſhall be brought about] Luke, 18. 8. There will Luke, 18. 8. eulightned.…ighty changes of things. Hence obſerve,
…ir not though wicked men ſtrengthen themſelves Obſ. 1.…uch, God can ſoon make mighty alterations. …. 14. Be not afraid; remember the Lord which is ve… and terrible. Deut. 7. 21. Thouſhalt not be afrighted at them, for the Lord thy God is amongst you, a mighty God and a terrible.
Again, Hence learn to prepare for thoſetimes. Obſ. 2. Text.When he ſhall roar, the children ſhall tremble from the weſt.
Amos, 3. 8. The Lyon hath roared, who will not tremble? There ſhal be mighty ſtirrings of heart: Mens hearts ſhal ſhake within them, ſo as there ſhall be way made for people whoſe hearts are awakened to come into the Church. There is a trembling of the Enemies, they ſhall be ſtruck with ſuch aſtoniſhment, that they ſhall not hinder; Their violence and rage ſhall be abated. They ſhall ſay … once the Egyptians, Let us take heed what we do, the Lord …ts for them.
And the hearts of thoſe that God intends to call ſhall Saints need awaking before times of Reformation.…wakened, the ſlightneſs, and vanity of their ſpirits ſhall be taken off; The fear upon their hearts, ſhall make them fear; they ſhall be rouſed from their ſluggiſhneſs; they ſhall make haſt to come in to joyn with the people of God. Fear cauſes haſt, ſo the word *foreign Turpidè accurrent. Tremel. Properabunt, Vatablus in notis.here ſignifies, [and is rendered by ſome] Men delay and trifle, till God ſtrikes their hearts with fear. Spiritus ſanctus neſcit tarda molimma. The holy Ghoſt likes not lazy laboring. Iſa. 49. 17. Thy children ſhall make haſt. The children ſhall tremble from the weſt.
Thoſe afar off [which were] moſt unlikely, Iſa 42. 4. Text. foreign Filij Maris. Expoſ.Legem expect abunt Inſulae. The Iſles ſhall wait for my Law. The Mediterranean, the Mid land Sea is in the weſt. Iſa. 49. 1. 12. Hence note that,
There are like to be great ſtirrings in the Weſtern Obſ.parts.
VER. 11.
They ſhall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as … out of the Land of Aſſyria.
BEing ſtrucken with fear they ſhall haſten, ſo the word▪ advolabunt, they ſhall fly.Expoſ. foreign Advolabunt. Vulgat. Expoſ. 1.
This ſome think to be fulfilled when divers of the ten Tribes joyned with Judah in the return of their captivity; for the Monarcy of the Aſſyrians was ſubdued by the Perſians, whoſe King was Cyrus. Therefore it is thought that the fame liberty was given in Aſſyria for the ten Tribes, as in Babylon for Judah. And not long after Cambyſes the ſon of Cyrus, overcame the Egyptians, as Herodotus, Lib. 8. Juſtinae, Lib. …. ſaies. And it's like he would be favorable to the ten Tribes, as his father had been to Judah.
But Ezra, as was noted above, in likelihood would Expoſ. 2.not then have omitted their Genealogies: Howſo… in the great Reſtauration of things, this will be fulfill… The Jews were ſtrongly ſet to go to Egypt; now they ſhall as ſtrongly deſire to get out, to joyn with the Churches. Fly as a bird, not come as a ſnail; get over all difficulties, [having] their ſpirits elevated, raiſing them from earthly droſſie things, they have no conſideration of them. Now all their deſire is to joyn with the Saints, that they together with them may follow after the Lord. And as a Dove out of the Land of Aſſyria.Text
1. Doves are ſacred there. Euſeb. Preparat. Evang. Lib. 8. 5.
2. They are terrified with the leaſt noiſe. Terretur minimo penae ſtridore Columba.
3. Doves fly ſwiftly, Oh! that I had the wings of a Dove (ſaith the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 55. 6.)
4. They fly by flocks, Iſa. 60. 8. Who are thoſe that fly as a cloud, and as the Doves to their windows?
5. It may be from thoſe Countries, Doves come at certain times of the yeer, as ſeveral ſorts of Fowls do to to us in their ſeaſons.
And I will place them in their houſes (ſaith the Lord.) i. e. Text Expoſ.I will provide lockers for them [he followeth the the former metaphor of Doves.]
Gods people have been toſſed up and down, they have had no abiding in their houſes.
But God hath his time to place them in their houſes Obſ. 1.in reſt, quietneſs, and ſafety; to deliver them from violence and wrong. 2 Sam. 7. 10. Moreover, I will appoint a place for my people, Iſrael, and I will plant them that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more.
It's a good work to be inſtrumental in this, that thoſe Obſ. 2.who live godlily and are peaceable, may abide quietly in their houſes and not be toſſed up and down, becauſe they cannot beleeve or practice what others do. This toſſing ſuch up & down, though it may be from a zeal for Chriſt, yet Chriſt will never own it.
Thoſe who walk after the Lord, ſhall be placed in their Obſ. 3.houſes. They were willing to leave their houſes that they might follow him; and now God places them in them.
Truſt God with your houſes, Reſolve to follow the Uſe.Lord whitherſoever he goes; he hath time to place his people in their houſes, when others, who dared not truſt God, ſhal wander in darkneſs. —. Saith the Lord.Text. Obſ.
This muſt be the work of the Lord, it's only He can do it. That mercy that comes beyond all means, it's the ſweeteſt mercy. No matter what the means be, whether any or no, ſo be it you have a Word of God for the thing.