A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 1 · Subpart 9 – Subpart 11
God compared to a Lion.
Hosea 13.7.
I will be unto them as a Lion, as a Leopard will I observe them: I will meet them as a Bear bereaved of her Whelps: And I will rent the Caul of their Heart, and then will I devour them like a Lion.
WE have here a threefold Simile, which sheweth the fearful State of a wicked and provoking People.
1. I will be unto them as a Lion, I will devour them like a Lion.
2. As a Leopard I will observe them.
3. I will meet them as a Bear bereaved of her Whelps.
Doct. 1. God, in his breaking in upon a wicked and rebellious People, in a way of Wrath and Judgment, will be unto them as a Lion.
The Scope of this Text being to set forth the Anger and Wrath of the Incensed Majesty of GOD, with the consequent Destruction of the Wicked and Impenitent, we shall illustrate the Similitude in the following Parallels.
Simile.
I. THe Lion is a most terrible Creature: If the Lion roars, all the Beasts of the Forrest tremble. Amos 3.Naturalists observe, That tho other Creatures are swifter on foot than the Lion; yet when he roareth, they lie down.
II. A Lion when enraged (especially) hath a majestical, fierce, and an amazing Look; and how ready are all to run, and shift for their Lives, when he rises up to the Prey?
III. None can take away the Prey from a Lion, as the Prophet sheweth us; who, if he goeth through a Flock of Sheep, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
IV. A Lion is strong, and crushes the whole Compages of a Man's Bones at one Crush; he rends the Body of Man to pieces. And Naturalists tell us, That when the Lion hath torn the Body asunder, he loves to suck the Blood that is about the Heart; and as for other Parts of the Body, except he be very hungry, he leaves them to other Beasts to prey upon; but the Heart, the Blood, and the Fat that is about the Heart, the Lion loves to suck.
V. The Lion is a Creature (as Naturalists observe) that seems much for Justice.Seneca, in his Book, De Beneficiis, out of Gellius. No Creature more fixed or constant in their Love and Friendship, or more ready to revenge the Breach of Amity, than is a Lion; which is further demonstrated by a great Historian, citing a Passage of Eudemus, Topsall, lib. 1. p. 336. E…demus.who writeth of a certain young Man, that nourished together many Years, a Dog, a Bear, and a Lion; who lived in perfect Peace and Concord, without Breach, Snarling, or appearance of Anger. But on a day, as the Dog and the Bear played together, and biting one another gently, it happened that the poor Dog fastened his Teeth in sport, deeper than the Bear could digest; and thereupon he presently fell upon him, and with his Claws tore out the soft part of his Belly, whereof he presently died. The Lion sitting by, and seeing this Cruelty, and Breach of Love, Amity, and Concord, that had been amongst them, was inflamed to revenge that Perfidy, and like a true King of Beasts, measured the same measure to the Bear, as he had done to the Dog, and served him with the same Sauce, tearing him instantly in pieces. If a Lion be harmed by a Man, with a Stone or Dart, according to the Merit of their Hurt, they frame their Revenge.
VI. 'Tis observed of the Lion, that he will narrowly mark any one that wounds him: And tho there are hundreds of Men together, and but one wound him, or shoot at him, or any ways▪ hurt or injure him, he will observe and mark that Man, and keep the Wrong in his Mind a long time.
VII. Moreover 'tis observed of the Lion, that he sleeps but little, and with his Eyes open; or as some others note, he having great Eyes, and so small Eye-lids, they cannot wholly cover his Eyes.
VIII. The Lion will fall upon no Creature, except he be in Hunger, or is greatly provoked.
IX. The Lion (as Pliny observes) cannot endure to be look'd asquint upon by any.Pliny, lib. 8. p. 202.
X. Again, of all wild Beasts, it is observed that the Lion, if one do fall down, and prostrate himself before him, as it were, and petition for his Life, he will spare him. Take Pliny's own Words; The Lion alone, Pliny lib. 8. p. 201.of all wild Beasts, is gentle to those that humble themselves unto him, Corpora magnanimo satis est prostrasse Leoni. Ovid.and will not touch any such upon Submission, but spareth what Creature soever lieth prostrate before him.
XI. A Lion (as Pliny, and divers other great Naturalists tell us) is a great Enemy to Apes and Wolves.
Parallel.
I. THat God, that cometh forth in a way of Judgment against the Wicked, is a terrible God. Hence it is said, He shall roar out of Sion.Joel 3.16. The Threatnings of God are as the Roaring of a Lion, and terrify the Wicked, as a Lion doth the more impotent Animals.
II. When the Face of God is set against a Soul or Nation, or he be moved to Frowns, Indignation, and Wrath against them, let all stand clear: How ready are all to fly, when God rises up to the Prey? that is, to be avenged on the Ungodly.
III. None can deliver themselves out of God's hands, when he comes forth against them as an hungry Lion. God tells us▪ He will arise to the Prey, and all the Earth shall be devoured with the Fire of his Jealousy. Zeph. 3.8.Isa. 43.13.— There is none can deliver out of his hand; neither Power, nor Policy, Craft, nor outward Force, will signify any thing.
IV. The dreadful God, when Sinners fall into his hands, will crush them as a Lion: Consider this, ye that forget God, Psal. 50.lest he tear you in pieces. — I will arise, and devour at once, Hos. 13.8.I will rent the Caul of their Heart, and there will I devour like a Lion. Luther.A Reverend Divine hath an excellent Note upon this place: The Lord will do as a Lion doth; He more immediatly will strike out their Hearts, and punish them with spiritual Plagues and Judgments: And as for their Estates and Bodies, he will leave them to other Beasts, and they shall plague them that way. Their Hearts were grown fat, they had a Film about their Hearts, and Instruction could not get to their Hearts; but God will tear that Caul, that Film from off their Hearts. Mr. Burroughs hath noted further,Burrough ▪ on Hosea. That it denotes the sending Plagues upon the Hearts of wicked Men, and to leave their Estates, &c. to the Assyrians; confirming Luther's Observation; and for a further Confirmation, cites Arius Montanus.Arius Montanus
V. The holy God is just in all he doth: Just and righteous are thy Judgments, O Lord. Psal 48.1.The right Hand of the Lord is full of Righteousness. Yet he delights to live in Love, Concord, and real Friendship with all his Creatures; and O how fix'd and constant is he therein, and how loth that any should move him to Anger! But when once the Covenant of Peace and Amity is broken, and nought but Cruelty and Injustice appears amongst Men, and the great Ones of the Earth prove Tyrants, and tear in pieces, and devour the Poor; how is God thereby enraged, or stirred up to revenge the Breach of his Law? For the Oppression of the Poor, Psal. 12.5.saith God, will I arise. And he will retaliate upon the Wicked, according to the Nature of the Evils they have done. Rob not the Poor, because they are poor; Prov. 22.22.neither oppress the Afflicted in the Gate: For the Lord will plead their Cause, and spoil the Soul of those that spoiled them. Rev. 16.5, 6.And I heard the Angel of the Water say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus; for they have shed the Blood of Saints and Prophets, and thou hast given them Blood to drink, for they are worthy. God always proportions the Punishment, to the Nature and Quality of the Offence.
VI. The Lord narrowly observes those Men that fight against him with a high hand, who wound his Name, and abuse his People; and surely they must not think to escape amongst others; tho the Evil may be forgotten by the Sinner, being formerly done, yet God remembers it. Thus saith the Lord, 1 Sam. 15.2, 3.Go and smite Amalek, I remember what Amalek did, and utterly destroy all they have. These things hast thou done, and I kept silent; Psal. 50.21thou thoughtest I had been altogether such an one as thy self: But I will reprove thee, and set them in Order before thine Eyes. Consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
VII. The Lord that keeps Israel neither sleepeth nor slumbreth, his Eyes are always open, he seeth the Sinner at all times. No dark nor secret Place can hide from him; he beholds the Wicked when they work; Day and Night are alike to him. He that keepeth Israel sleepeth not; which is matter of Comfort to them:Psal. 121.3 So he that destroys their Enemies sleeps not, which is Ground of Terror to them.
VIII. The Lord, tho his Wrath be dreadful as a Lion's, yet he is not so ready to fall upon his Creatures presently. He breaks not in upon them, until he is greatly provoked, and there is no Remedy; but then he falls terrible upon them indeed,2 Chron. 36.16, 17. like as an hungry and incensed Lion.
IX. The Lord hates those that look asquint upon him; we mean those Professors, that have by and sinister Ends of their own, that have not a right and pure Eye to his Glory in what they do. The Lord loves Uprightness in all our Ways and Carriages to him.1 Chron. 29.17.
X. God is full of Clemency and Bowels to all that submit to him. When he sees a poor Creature to humble himself, and fall down at his Feet, and petition for Mercy, O how ready is he to forgive and pass by all former Treasons and Rebellions against him! Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself? I will not, 1 Kin. 21.19.saith the Lord, because he hath humbled himself, bring the Evil in his Days. Yet this Ahab was an abominable Wretch in God's sight, a Monster of Wickedness; therefore 'tis said, There was none like Ahab, who sold himself to work Wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his Wife stirred up. Ephraim provoked God to Anger,1 Kin. 21.23. but he bemoans himself, and repents with Tears, and smites upon his Thigh, with Shame and Confusion of Face; and what saith God now to Ephraim? Jer. 30.20.I will surely have Mercy upon him, my Bowels are troubled for him, I will surely have Mercy upon him, saith the Lord. I will not execute the Fierceness of mine Anger. Hosea 11.8, 9.I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God, and not Man; my Heart is turned in me, my Repentings are kindled together. Tho God is as terrible as a Lion, yet it is only to the Impenitent, and those that stand out against him.
XI. God is a great Enemy to Flatterers and Tyrants, which sooner or later will be the Subjects of his Wrath and Fury, whom he will tear in pieces, and devour.
Simile.
THe Lion is a proud and lofty Creature, a tyrannical and cruel Beast, a great Destroyer of Sheep, Lambs, and other poor, innocent and harmless Creatures; besides he hath many other evil Qualities. Hence the Devil and wicked Men are compared to a Lion; to which Similes we refer you.
Disparity.
IN divers respects God cannot by any means be compared to a Lion. He is not proud, cruel, nor will he cast off or destroy an upright and innocent Person, whatever the Provocation be; but He is, in the highest degree of Eminency, quite contrary to all these evil Qualities, as is shewed elsewhere.
Corollaries.
1. IS God compared to a Lion in those respects you have heard? then let Sinners tremble, for they are like to be the only Prey of this dreadful and terrible God. Art thou able to encounter him, or to stand before him? I will be unto Ephraim as a Lion, Hos. 5.14.and as a young Lion to the House of Judah: I, even I will tear, and go away, and none shall rescue him. Doth not this Lion begin to roar? Will a Lion roar in the Forrest, when he hath no Prey? Shall the Trumpet be blown in the City, and the People not afraid? Amos 3.4, 6, 8.Sure God is arising up to the Prey, and He will shake terribly the Earth. What will ye do, can you stand before his Indignation?
2. Is God compared to a Lion? let Sinners take heed, lest they awake and rouze him up.
3. See from hence what the Nature of Sin is; 'Tis only that which causes God to break forth against Man, as an hungry Lion. 'Tis Sin that provokes him to Anger, and fills him with Wrath and Indignation. God greatly delights in Mercy; and to execute Judgment, is called his strange Work.Isa. 28.21.
4. There is no way for the guilty or rebellious Soul to take, but to fall down before the dreadful God, to prostrate it self at the feet of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah: He will have Mercy on thee, if thou dost submit thy self unto him.
God as a Leopard.
Hosea 13.7.
And as a Leopard will I observe them.
Simile.
I. THe Leopard is the same Beast called the Panther; he is a great Enemy to Man, and so fierce, that immediatly he flies into the Face of him, and pulls out his very Eyes.
II. The Leopard is a very swift Beast:Hab. 1.8. Their Horses are swifter than Leopards.
III. The Leopard in watching his Prey is very subtil; he observes fit Times and Seasons when to come upon them.Pliny, lib. 8. p. 204. Pliny shews us, how they hide their Heads, and what great Policy they use in seizing their Prey.
IV. Naturalists observe, that when a Leopard comes upon his Prey, he leaps upon it suddenly.
V. It is observed of the Leopard, that he will sleep long, even three days together; but after he awakes, he is more fierce.
Parallel.
I. WIcked Men flie in the Face of God;Acts 5.39. Acts 7.51. they are said to fight against him, and to resist him; and now saith God, I'le be like a Leopard, I will as it were fly in your Faces, I will come furiously upon you in the way of my Judgments: I will not only as a Lion, tear the Caul of your Hearts; but as a Leopard, I will pull out your Eyes, and ye shall wander in Darkness.
II. God says, he will be a swift Witness against the Wicked: Swiftly will I (saith God,Joel 3.4. speaking to the Enemies of his People) return your Recompence upon your own Heads.
III. In this Scripture chiefly God compares himself to a Leopard, in respect of watching the Ungodly: As a Leopard will I observe them. This sets out the fearful Wrath of God against wicked Men. God sets his infinite Wisdom on work, to find out fit Times and Opportunities to let out his Wrath and Fury upon them: I will watch over them for Evil. Jer. 44.27.The Lord watches over his own People for good; but wo to them, that he, like a Leopard, observes, and watches over to destroy. 'Tis marvellous to consider, how long the patient God bears with an ungodly Soul, People, or Nation, ere he brings his sweeping Judgments in upon them. The wicked think God will never strike, because he defers the Execution of his Wrath, and hence they are hardened in an evill Work.Psal. 50.21. Psal. 10.11.13.14. When alas poor Souls! they are greatly mistaken; God is watching for a fitter Time, wherein he will get himself a greater Name, and more Glory in their Destruction. We have a plain Proof of this in Pharaoh King of Egypt; God, like a Leopard, observed him, and watched over him for Evil; and at last, tho it was not presently, got hold of him, and broke his Bones, and destroyed his Power, and all his mighty Host. God's Time of Executing his Judgments and Wrath upon the Ungodly, is the most amazing and terrible: In due time shall the Feet of the Wicked slip.
IV. God, tho he seem to tarry long before he comes upon the Ungodly, yet when he doth come, he leaps (as it were) upon them, comes on a sudden: I will come upon thee as a Thief. Rev. 3.3.▪The Wicked will be surprized, when Vengeance comes to be executed upon them.
V. God, tho he may seem to be asleep, and to hold his peace, and let Sinners alone;Isa. 42.14. yet will he at last awake out of sleep, and then let Sinners look to it.
God compared to a Bear.
Hosea 13.8.
I will meet them as a Bear bereaved of her Whelps.
THis is the third Simile God makes use of in this place: I will mee… them as a Bear bereaved of her Whelps.
Simile.
I. THe Bear is a very fierce Creature, very terrible. Two She-Bears tore forty two Children at once. His Voice is fierce, saith one, he is fearless in his Rage.
II. 'Tis observed, that the Bear will not willingly fight with, or set upon a Man, unless he be as it were forced thereunto.
III. No Creatures (as Naturalists tell us) love their Young more than the Bear.
IV. The Bear is furious, and in a dreadful Rage, when she is bereaved of her Young; as appears by Hushai's Words to Absalom: Thou knowest, 2 Sam. 17.8.that thy Father and his Men they be chafed in their Fury, as a Bear bereaved of her Whelps. In the Field let a Bear robbed of her Whelps, meet a Man, rather than a Fool in his Folly. Prov. 17.…2.She is fierce at all times, as was hinted before; but above all, if she be robbed of her Whelps.
Parallel.
I. WHo is so fierce and terrible as the great God, whose Anger is resistless, and whose just Wrath, when provoked, is unavoidable?
II. God doth not willingly afflict, fight with, or grieve the Children of Men, till their daring Impudence, and oft repeated Provocations, force him (as it were) to do it.
III. No Creatures that God has made, love their Young or Off-spring, as God doth them that fear him. A Woman may forget her sucking Child, Isa. 49.15.yet will not he forget his Children. His Love exceeds the Love of Women to their tender Babes.
IV. O how furious is the Almighty! how is he in an holy Rage, if any hurt his poor Children! They that touch you, touch the Apple of mine Eye. Zach. 2.8▪What then will become of the bloody Persecutors, that have not only bereaved God of his Children, but cruelly torn them to pieces, boared out their Eyes, rosted them alive, flayed their Skins off, and burned them at the Stake to Ashes, and put them to all the horrid Tortures they could devise? If God will meet his own People, if they sin against him, and provoke him, as a Bear bereaved of her Whelps; how will he meet Babylon, bloody and merciless Papists, and other cursed Persecutors of his People: The Day of Vengeance, saith he, is in my Heart, and the Year of Recompences: For the Controversy of Zion he will strike through Kings, in the Day of his fierce Wrath. Shall not God avenge the Cause of his own Elect, that cry unto him day and night? Yea, he will avenge them speedily, and come forth against their Enemies, as a Bear bereaved of her Whelps.