Exposition of Haggai Zechariah and Malachi, Exposition of prophecy 2 · Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
IN this Chapter we have a continuation of the former Sermon, wherein, 1. He directs Iſrael to employ God for the ſupply of their neceſſities, v. 1. and not idols who do but deceive, as their fathers had found in Gods juſt diſpleaſure at their ſins, v. 2, 3. whereas God hath given proof of his love and ability to ſave, to encourage them to ſeek him, v.—3. 2. He proſecutes the former prophecie, concerning Iſraels reſtitution and victories, promiſing to fit them with all neceſſaries for their own defence, and for attaining victory, v. 4. to ſtrengthen them to ſubdue their enemies, v. 5. to recollect ſcattered Iſrael, and joyne them with Judah, and reſtore them fully, v. 6. to ſtrengthen theſe of Iſrael particularly, and fill them and their poſterity with conſolations, v. 7. and he confirmeth more eſpecially that promiſe of reſtoring Iſrael, ſhewing that he will do it eaſily with an hiſſe, and make them increaſe as formerly, v. 8. that he will preſerve them in their ſcattering, as ſeed in the ground, till the time of their Converſion and reſtitution, v. 9. And that he will remove difficulties in their way, ariſing from the power of enemies, or other impediments, v. 10, 11. unto all which is ſubjoyned a prediction of their being encouraged by all theſe diſpenſations, to be an holy people, v. 12.
Verſe 1.
ASk ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter raine, ſo the LORD ſhall make bright clouds, and give them ſhowres of raine, to every one graſſe in the field.
This part of the Chapter depends upon the cloſe of the former, wherein, having promiſed plenty, direction is here given how to obtain it, to wit, by employing God to ſend raine, to bring the fruits to maturity, with a promiſe that God ſhould ſend bright clouds, (or lightnings a forerunner of raine) which will poure out themſelves in ſhowres, to cauſe plenty for them and their beaſts. Doct. 1. When the Lord purpoſeth much mercy to his people, yet he will be employed, and put to it by their prayers, to do it for them, that they may ſee the more of his love in it, and acknowledge him for it; for, after the promiſe of plenty, ch. 9.17. Ask ye of the Lord raine, &c. ſaith he. 2. Notwithſtanding the eſtabliſhed courſe of nature, yet God reſerves the diſpoſing of all Providences in his own hand: and will evidence this eſpecially in his way to his own Church; for, albeit God hath ſetled a courſe of former and latter raine, yet they are to ask it of God, and Canaan was a land which eſpecially depended on the dew and raine of heaven, Deut. 11.11, 12. 3. Needy man calls for many things to ſupply his neceſſities, and many things concur to ſerve him, which only God is powerful to ſupply; however he be much neglected: for, fraile man could be ruined by the very clouds their denying their influence, and they at Gods direction, (who only can create and direct them) weary themſelves to water the earth for mans good; Ask ye of the Lord raine, ſo the Lord will m…ke bright clouds, &c. 4 Such as are neceſſitated to employ God for every thing, ſhall finde their labour not to be in vaine, having not only Gods call to employ him, but his promiſe to be anſwered in their ſtrait, in ſo far as is good: Ask ye of the Lord raine in the time of the latter raine, ſo the Lord ſhall give ſhowres of raine. 5. The Lord hath a reſpect to every one that ſeeks him, and to every one of the meaneſt neceſſities of every one that ſeek him; for, to an asking people he will give to every one the graſſe of the field, to ſupply their very beaſts neceſſities, much more their own, under that general including all the fruits of the field, fit for man and beaſt.
Verſ. 2.
For the idols have ſpoken vanity, and the diviners have ſeen a lie, and have told falſe dreams, they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, becauſe there was no ſhepherd.
Unto this exhortation to employ God, is ſubjoyned a diſſwaſion from uſing ſinful courſes to ſupply their neceſſities, and particularly, that they forſake not the true God, and follow Idols, Aſtrologers, and vain dreamers, reaſons whereof are taken, partly from the emptineſſe of theſe meanes in all ages, idols revealing nothing to be truſted in, diviners being themſelves deluded, could tell no better then they ſaw, their dreams being falſe for matter, contrary to the Word, and proving falſe in the end, and ſo they proved falſe comforters: partly from the experience of their fathers, who following theſe courſes, were ſent into captivity as a flock without a ſhepherd, wanting Gods care, and being miſ-led by their Rulers. Doct. 1. When the Lord ſeeks his people to renounce all other confidences, and only employ and depend on him, he is ſeeking their real good and happineſſe in it, and to lead them from their own ruine; for, ſo he declares here, Ask ye of the Lord, and he will give ſhowres; but employ idols, and the idols have ſpoken vanity, &c. and this is his reaſon why he exhorts them to ſeek him only, Ask ye of the Lord rain, for the idols have ſpoken vanity. 2. Whoever renounce truſt in the Lord, and the way of his ſervice, and embrace falſe religions or wayes, in hope of ſucceſſe and proſperity, will meet with miſerable diſappointment: and faire promiſes of comfort that way, will in performance prove emptineſſe and falſhood; for, ſo it is here, Vanity, lies, falſehood, and comforting in vaine, is the beſt that can be expected of idols and diviners. 3. Experience of the fruit of ſinful wayes, ought to make fooles wiſe, and it is a double ſin to fall over again in the ſin, for which we have felt affliction our ſelves, or ſeen others ſmart: therefore doth he warne them from their fathers experience, who eſſayed theſe ſinful wayes. 4. Renouncing of God, and cleaving unto idols, though it may ſeem to be a cauſe of proſperity, (as Jer. 44.17.) yet it will draw on captivity, deſolation, and ſore troubles; for, therefore they went away as a flock, ſcattered here and there, as a flock before the Wolfe. 5. Whatever people may think in their proſperity, yet their adverſity will diſcover how ſad it is to caſt themſelves out of Gods protection, and to have followed ſuch idols as faile them in their ſtrait; and how ſad to have wanted faithful Rulers, to do their duty for keeping them right: both theſe may be included in this, They were troubled becauſe there was no ſhepherd. They found the fruit of wicked Rulers Government, when they came into captivity, and what a plague it was to be left to their idols, and without Gods care, as a flock wanting a
Vers;. 3.
Mine anger was kindled againſt the ſhepherds, and I puniſhed the goats: for the LORD of hoſtes hath viſited his flock the houſe of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horſe in the battel.
In the firſt part of this verſe, the Lord cleares ſome more or his minde in that ſtroak on their fathers, for their childrens uſe, to wit, that in their captivity, his anger had been againſt the wicked goats among them, and eſpecially their wicked Rulers both in Church and State, who had been goats for inſolencie, Ezech. 34.17. rather then ſhepherds, and not againſt any that ſought him amongſt them: and therefore they would take heed, leſt he ſtill puniſh ſuch, and ſo be ſtirred up to depend on him. Whence learn. 1. The right underſtanding of Gods ſad diſpenſations againſt his people, is a leſſon of his own teaching: therefore himſelf expounds it here. 2. The outward ſtroak is not all to be looked to, for right uſe-making of afflictions, but eſpecially what is the controverſie, and whom God is angry at: for, ſo is here cleared, My anger was kindled wainſt the ſhepherds, and I puniſhed the goats. 3. When God puniſheth his Church and people, however ſtroaks and diſpenſations may be diſtributed, yet his ſpecial quarrel is againſt the wicked and ungodly, and theſe who have had greateſt hand in the provocation, and particularly wicked Rulers, are the chief but of his diſpleaſure; for, Mine anger was kindled againſt the ſhepherds, and I puniſhed the goats.
In the latter part of the verſe, the Lord confirmes that his quarrel was eſpecially againſt the wicked, and their perverſe Rulers; for, however he had ſent his people into captivity, to cut off ſuch a corrupt crew, yet he had not caſt them off, but had viſited, (and would yet viſit) them in their afflictions, as a ſhepherd doth his flock, and would employ and govern them, in defending themſelves againſt their enemies, as a Rider doth his horſe. And ſo gives another reaſon, encouraging them to employ God only, conſidering what he had done and would do for them. Whence learn, 1. The Lord will in due time give proof, that whatever deluges of trouble he let looſe upon the Church, becauſe of the iniquities that are therein, yet that he hath not caſt off his relation and affection to her, but will, when his work, and her trial are perfected, own her in her loweſt eſtate, and deliver her; this is given as a confirmation of what he had ſaid; For the Lord of hoſts hath viſited his flock the houſe of Judah. 2. Gods relation to his people, and his employing of them, is ſufficient to make nothing to be ſomewhat: for, He makes them as his goodly horſe in the battel. 3. God hath, and doth from day to day, let forth ſuch proofes of himſelf unto his people, as may ſufficiently convince them of the advantages of ſeeking to him only; this is a reaſon for employing God, and not idols; For the Lord of hoſtes hath viſited, &c.
Verſ. 4.
Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the naile, out of him the battel-bowe, out of him every oppreſſour together.
To clear this of Gods change of dealing, the Lord proſecutes the former prophecy, concerning his mercies toward Iudah & Iſrael, holding forth many promiſes and confirmations thereof concerning their victories, converſion and reſtitution, of which whatever performance the Jewes had before Chriſt, or Iſrael after the Spirit gets under Chriſt in a ſpiritual way, yet they relate further to the Converſion of all Iſrael.
The firſt promiſe is, that albeit they ſhould be expoſed to injuries, yet God ſhould furniſh them with all neceſſaries for their own eſtabliſhment, and prevailing over their enemies: they ſhould be furniſhed with Governours as corner-ſtones, to keep the building firme and in frame, and compleat officers, as a nail faſtening timber, or to hold all veſſels, Iſ. 22.23. & with furniture for war, and ability to prevail and make their enemies tributary. Doct. 1. Government and order among the people of God is ſo neceſſary, as a corner-ſtone in a building, and a naile in a timber-frame; that the granting thereof by God is a great mercy, and a pledge of his turning in favour to them; for, Out of him came forth the corner and the naile, is a proofe of his love. 2. When God ſees it good for his people, he can eaſily enable them to be Conquerours, and bring them in ſubjection who had been their oppreſſors; for, Out of him came the battel-howe and every oppreſſour, (or, exactour of tribute, as the word ſignifieth) together.
Verſ. 5.
And they ſhall be as mighty men which tread down their enemies in the mire of the ſtreets in the battle, and they ſhall fight becauſe the LORD is with them, and the riders on horſes ſhall be confounded.
The ſecond promiſe explains further their power to prevaile over their enemies; that they ſhould be ſtrong as giants, to tread down their enemies, and even to ſhame and put to flight horſemen, though not by their own ſtrength. Doct. 1. There is no power nor might can prevail againſt the Church ſupported by God, but when diſadvantages are greateſt, victory ſhall be moſt remarkable: for, They ſhall be as mighty men to tread down their enemies as mire, and confound riders on horſes. 2. The ſtrength whereby the Church is inabled to beare out and wraſtle with difficulties, is much and frequently to be obſerved and remarked; therefore is it again held out in the promiſe. 3. As the Churches ſtrength to go through, is not het own, ſo it is neceſſary that God be much exalted and acknowledged for it, when ſhe hath it; this is held forth for our uſe. They ſhall fight becauſe the Lord is with them, reconciled and in Covenant with them, and aſſiſting them in that enterpriſe.
Verſ. 6.
And I will ſtrengthen the houſe of Judah, and I will ſave the houſe of Joſeph, and I will bring them again to place them, for I have mercy upon them: and they ſhall be as though I had not caſt them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will beare them.
The third promiſe is, that as he will ſtrengthen Judah, ſo he will convert and aſſert the ten tribes out of trouble, and ſo joyne them with Judah, and bring them again not only to the Church, (which is imported in their being ſaved,) but (as appears) to their own land: and reſtore them to his favours, and take away the ſignes of his anger as if they had never been rejected. The cauſes whereof are his mercy, and the conſtancy of his Covenant, turning them to ſeek him, and hearing them when they ſeek. Doct. 1. It is a point of truth ſeriouſly to be believed by Gods afflicted people, that he can, and in due time, will not only ſtrengthen them to endure their lot, but enable them to recover their wonted power and ability, after they have been exhauſted with many calamities; therefore is the promiſe ſo oft repeated; I will ſize…g then the houſe of Judah. 2. Theſe who belong unto the Lord and his Covenant, though they may be long caſt off, and in a loſt condition, for trouble and captivity; yet God will ſeek them out, bring them again to himſelf, and ſet them free from all troubles: of this, his dealing with the ten tribes is a ſpecial inſtance, whoſe right to the Covenant is unalterable by any temporal rejection, Rom. 11.28, 29. I will ſave the houſe of Joſeph. 3. When God turnes his people to him, not only doth his favour ſhine upon them, but their priviledges loſt through ſin, are reſtored unto them; according to the tenour of his Covenant made with them; for, the houſe of Joſeph being ſaved, I will bring them again to place them, the promiſe made concerning their land (as appears this ſhould be underſtood) is forth-coming when they come to God. 4. Tender merciemercy in God will bring about good things to his people, where there is no other probability thereof, and it is an argument ſufficient to move him to perform his promiſes to them, that in ſo doing he will magnifie his own mercy; this is the reaſon of the promiſe, For I have mercy upon them. 5. A people turning unto God, however they have ſuſtained ſad calamities, and ſuch marks of his diſpleaſure, as it would ſeem, ſhould leave a perpetual print behinde them; yet they may expect that God can fully reſtore deplorable conditions, and is willing to do it in outward things, in ſo far as is for their good; whereof his promiſe to Iſrael is an inſtance. They ſhall be as if I had not caſt them off: and holds alwayes true in ſpiritual mercies, that upon repentance and fleeing to Chriſt, the ſinner is in due time reſtored to Gods favour, as if he had not hid his face from him. 6. Gods entering in Covenant with his people, is a bond which ſtands firme, notwithſtanding many temporal ſad lots, and will be forth-coming for the Confederate, after it hath ſeemed to be made void for a long time; this is another argument, why the Lord will reſtore Iſrael, even that he may give a proof of the conſtancy of his Covenant, For I am the Lord their God. 7. As it is a ſweet fruit of Gods keeping Covenant, when he brings back his people from their wandering to ſeek him and call upon him: ſo the Covenant aſſures the Supplicant of getting audience; this followes on his being their God, I will heare them, which preſuppoſeth that he will convert them to pray to him.
Verſ. 7.
And they of Ephraim ſhall be like a mighty man, and their heart ſhall rejoyce as through wine: yea, their children ſhall ſee it, and be glad, their heart ſhall rejoyce in the LORD.
The fourth promiſe is directed eſpecially to the ten tribes, that they ſhall alſo be made giants in the common cauſe of the Jewiſh Church, that they ſhall be filled with conſolation as with wine, and that their children who ſucceed them ſhall enjoy the ſame mercies, and ſhall rejoyce in God, and follow the Chriſtian Religion of their Progenitors. Doct. 1 In a time of love, the Lord hath a ſpecial reſpect unto theſe who have taſted deepeſt of trouble, and whoſe condition ſeems moſt deſperate, that they may be aſſured of his good will, and not come behinde with any; therefore Ephraim or the ten tribes get the promiſes repeated, and the ſame with what was given to Judah, v. 5. And Ephraim ſhall be like a mighty man. 2. The Lords appearing for his people will change their condition beyond any thing that their caſe in probability could promiſe: for, broken and undone Ephraim, being aſſiſted of God, ſhall be like a m…ghty man. 3. Albeit the conſolations of Gods people may oft times be under the clod, yet when he returns unto them, he allowes comfort upon them, which is able to refreſh and chear up their heart, as if they had the choice of outward delights, and it is Gods work to apply theſe conſolations effectually; for, Their heart ſhall rejoyce as through wine, ſaith he, undertaking to give matter of comfort, and to make it effectual. 4. The continuance of the Church from generation to generation, and the mercies of poſterity, are matter of refreſhment to the preſent generation, as if it were done to themſelves; for, this is a promiſe to converted Iſrael, and an addition to their own mercy; Yea, their children ſhall ſee it and be glad, or, they ſhall partake of the ſame mercies to make them rejoyce. 5. As the Lord will have a Church in every generation, and particularly a Church of Jewes and Iſraelites after their Converſion, till his ſecond coming; ſo the Lord hath reſerved for every genetation their own peculiar mercies, which may refreſh them; Their children ſhall ſee it, (to wit, Gods mercy, and the renewed performance of theſe promiſes) and be glad, 6. Right joy in the Church ought not only to ariſe upon ſpiritual grounds, but to be managed and expreſſed ſpiritually, ſo as the Lord alone, and her intereſt in him, and not any outward favour, nor any ſpiritual and good thing as it is an habit in her, ought to be the matter of her gloriation; therefore is it added, Their heart ſhall rejoyce in the Lord.
Verſ. 8.
I will hiſſe for them, and gather them, for I have redeemed them: and they ſhall increaſe as they have increaſed.
Theſe promiſes in regard they were incredible, and many difficulties ſtood in the way of performance, are amplified and confirmed, and every difficulty taken out of the way by new promiſes. And firſt in general▪ he aſſures them that he can and will as eaſily gather them, as a ſhepherd gathers his flock with an hiſſe, and gives a reaſon of his gathering them, not ſo much becauſe he had given that Nation of old proofes of his power, in temporal deliverances, (though that be true alſo, and was a pledge of good to them) as becauſe of the price paid for the Elect among them: and further, he inlarges the promiſe, that being returned and reſtored, he will make them to increaſe as of old. Doct. 1. Difficulties in the way of a thing promiſed of God, ought not to drive us to doubt of performance; God who makes the promiſe, undertaking to ſee to, and come over all difficulties; and it beſeems both the power, wiſdom, and love of God toward his people, to have difficulties lying in the way of promiſes made to them, that he may be exalted, in making oppoſition ineffectual. And in particular, no impoſſibility ought to make us queſtion the mercies promiſed unto all Iſrael, ſince God undertakes to performe them; for, to this ſcope do all theſe confirmations of the promiſes tend. 2. Such is the power and wiſdome of God, that what ſeemes not only difficult, but impoſſible, he can, and (having promiſed it) will not only do it, but do it moſt eaſily, and without any trouble; for, if he but hiſſe for them, he will gather them 3. Such as Chriſt hath redeemed and paid a price to juſtice for, as they are certainly known to him, ſo they cannot periſh, but will in due time be brought to Chriſt and ſaved, whatever difficulty ſeem to be in the way; for it is ſaid, that for the redeemeds ſake; (which Chriſt declares there are) Iſrael muſt be converted, and gathered, For I have redeemed them. 4. Chriſts redeemed ones are not only bleſſed themſelves, but are great bleſſings to the viſible Church and Nation to which they belong; for, it is for the redeemed and elects ſake, that the whole Nation of Iſrael is brought to the Chriſtian Religion, I will gather them, for I have redeemed them. 5. The gracious purpoſes of Gods heart toward his people are not ſoon told nor conceived; but as the fountaine is infinite, ſo are his outlettings, according to their capacity: Therefore at the repetition of the promiſe, there is a new addition to it; They ſhall increaſe as they have i…creaſed. 6. There is no work that God hath done for his people, but he can do the like again, and the beſt times that the Church hath had can be repeated again and get a parallel, when it is for her good; for, here a proofe of this is promiſed to Iſrael. They ſhall increaſe as they have increaſed.
Verſ. 9.
And I will ſowe them among the people, and they ſhall remember me in farre countreys, and they ſhall live with their children, and turne again.
Secondly, whereas their ſcattering among the Nations might be looked on as a great difficulty; the Lord promiſeth to turn that into a ſowing of them among the Nations and in remote parts, partly ſo keeping them as winter-ſeed in the ground till the ſpring-time of their converſion and reſtitution; and partly, making them ſeed to bring in an increaſe of the fulneſſe of the Gentiles at their converſion, as their Synagogues were a ſpecial meanes of publiſhing the Goſpel at firſt to the Gentiles. And further the Lord promiſeth, that their ſcattering ſhould not hinder their converſion; for, while they are ſcattered, the vaile ſhall be taken away, and they ſhall remember the Lord, and they and their children being preſerved, ſhall returue to God, and (as appears, it being oppoſed to their being ſcattered in fa…re Countreys) to their own land. Doct. 1. There is no hard lot lying on the people of God, nor difficulty lying in the way of their mercy, but God cannot only remove it, but turne it in a bleſſing; ſo doth the Lord promiſe he will order Iſraels ſcattering. 2. As the preſervation of Iſrael in their wandering or loſt condition, in order to their future converſion is a great mercy unto them, whatever it ſeem for preſent: ſo the mercy of their ſcattering will further appear, when the Lord ſhall make their being converted, as ſeed to bring in much increaſe of the Gentiles with them unto the Lord; this is imported in this promiſe, I will ſowe them among the people. 3. As the firſt thing that the Lords people get and are to ſeek of him, is converſion and reconciliation to himſelfe, upon which every good thing followes: ſo mercy and a purpoſe of love will ſeek out, and finde theſe it is ſent to, notwithſtanding all diſadvantages; for, ſo is imported in that Iſrael is converted, even in their exile and ſcattering, and before any other proof of favour. They ſhall remember me in farre countreys. True converſion unto God, not only ſets him up high in the heart, and makes him chief in the deſires, and ſtretches out the ſoul for ſuch further enjoyments of him as he hath promiſed; but will lead the ſoul back to be ſenfible of its prejudice by being ſormerly deprived of God; They ſhall remember me, ſaith the Lord, that is, call to minde what faire priviledges they have been deprived of through their inſidelity, and being now ſcattered, ſhall long to enjoy the wonted proofes of Gods love. A forme of ſpeech which is made uſe of alſo to expreſſe their exerciſe under the captivity of Babylon, Iſa. 26.8. 5. Whatever difficulties converted Iſrael may be aſſaulted with, yet the Lord ſhall preſerve them, and their families, in the midſt of all dangers, till he reſtore them and ſatiſfie their longing deſires; for, when they remember the Lord, They ſhall live with the Lord, and turn again.
Verſ. 10.
I will bring them again alſo out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Aſſyria, and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, and place ſhall not be found for them.
Thirdly, wheteas the power of great enemies on all hands, might appear to be a great difficulty; the Lord promiſeth to deliver them even from the ſtrongeſt, as of old he did from Egypt, and now of late (as ſome of them who were about the work in Zechariahs time had ſeen) from Babel and Aſſyria; and that he ſhould bring them back in ſo great numbers, as to poſſeſſe the outmoſt coaſts of their land, (as Gilead and Lebanon were,) all which ſhould be too little to containe them. Doct. 1. No oppoſition or power of men ſhall be able to fruſtrate or hinder Gods purpoſes of love toward his Church, but that, either by faire meanes, ſtirring them up to do his work (as he did with Gyrus) or by foule meanes, cruſhing their oppoſition, (as he proved on Egypt) he will gaine his point: of this the Lord hath given proofes of old, as pledges to his Church in all ages, and particularly to his Iſrael: I will bring them again alſo out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Aſſyria. 2. Albeit the Lords people who have intereſt in him, may be farre ſcattered in all the corners of the earth, yet he will want none of them, but will ſeek and finde them in all quarters; for, though they be in Egypt on the South, and Aſſyria on the North-hand, yet he will bring them again, and gather them. 3. Whatever decay the people of God may be threatened with through much affliction, yet God can make them wonderfully to increaſe, and be more in number at their delivery, then they were before their ſtroake; This is to be verified in Iſrael, whom the ancient bounds of their land ſhall hardly containe when they are converted to God: I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, and place ſhall not be found for them.
Verſ. 11.
And he ſhall paſſe thorow the Sea with affliction, and ſhall ſmite the waves in the Sea, and all the deeps of the river ſhall drie up: and the pride of Aſſyria ſhall be brought down, and the ſcepter of Egypt ſhall depart away.
Fourthly, whereas there might be many other impediments in the way of their return, joyned with the power of enemies, to oppoſe them, or keep them captives, (as Egypt and the Babyloniſh or Aſſyrian Empire did,) the Lord promiſeth to appear as when he brought his people out of Egypt to Canaan, and dried up Seas and rivers; and to deal with enemies as when he brought down the pride of Sennacherib and Belſhazzar, and when he drowned Pharaoh and the power of Egypts Kingdome. Doct. 1. However difficulty upon difficulty may ſtart up to oppoſe the Churches happineſſe, yet the Lord is ſufficient to do all his pleaſure, and to make his way and his peoples the more conſpicuous, that there be difficulty in it; for, He will paſſe through Seas, and drie up rivers, &c. 2. Whatever oppoſition is laid in Gods way, will not prove an hinderance to him, but brings trouble to it ſelfe for its attempt; this was proved on the Sea, which he paſſed through with affliction (or, trouble, alluding to the trouble of the Red-ſea, Pſ. 11 4.3.) and ſmote the waves of the Sea, and promiſes to make good the like on all oppoſition. 3. The Lord will not ſtand in delivering his people, to overturn the very courſe of nature, to cruſh mens chief excellencies, and whatever elſe they are proud of, yea and to overturne Kingdomes, ere his people be not happy; for, he will drie up Seas and rivers, And the pride of Aſſyria ſhall be brought down, and the ſcepter of Egypt ſhall depart away.
Verſ. 12.
And I will ſtrengthen them in the LORD, and they ſhall walk up and down in his Name, ſaith the LORD.
This Prophecie is cloſed with a promiſe, concerning their way and carriage for whom the Lord doth all this, that they ſhall be encouraged and ſtrengthened to be an holy people, and to perſevere in faith and obedience, which is to be underſtood of the elect and truly godly among them, who yet at that time will be very many. Doct. 1. When the Lord hath done greateſt things for his people, it is yet a new gift to give them the uſe thereof, to encourage and ſtrengthen them thereby; for, it is a new promiſe, I will ſtrengthen them. 2. As God can eaſily encourage the moſt feeble and faint-hearted, ſo their ſure grip of it is to have it laid up in God for them, and by faith and dependance draw it forth as there is need, I will ſtr…ngthen them in the Lord, ſaith he. 3. Encouragement in God is only well improven when it is made uſe of to ſtrengthen unto holineſſe and perſeverance, which is the only ſweet fruit of all mercies, rendering them comfortable to the receiver, when he is led nearer God by them; I will ſtrengthen them, and they ſhall walk up and down, or, inceſſantly walk, to wit, in their duty. 4. Holineſſe is then rightly ſet about, when we are conſtantly in it, when we adhere cloſe to the rule, when by faith we draw furniture out of God, and aime at his glory, and give him the glory of all our performances: for ſo much is imported here, They ſhall inceſſantly walk in his Name. His Name imports what he hath revealed of himſelfe for directing our way, and for us to place our confidence in, and his Name revealing himſelfe, is his glory, which every one by walking holily and confidently, ought to ſtudy to make more conſpicuous. 5. The Lord needs not be hindered to ſhew himſelfe gracious, by the unworthineſſe and unholineſſe of his people, but when he is about to do them good, be can be ſurety to himſelfe, that the fruit thereof ſhall be forth-coming to his glory; and can make them he doth much for, to be ſuch a people as his dealing toward them obliges them to be; therefore, after all the former promiſes, the Lord himſelfe undertakes to make them holy; They ſhall walk up and down in his Name. 6. The ſweet comfort and refreſhment of the promiſes will only be felt by theſe who dwell much on the ſtudy of God the promiſe-maker, and conſider how alſufficient he is, and how worthy to be credited for the performance of what he promiſeth; Therefore doth he ſubſcribe his Name to all this Prophecie, ſaith Jehovah.