Moses Prayer, Exposition · Verse 17
ver. 17. And let the beautie of the Lord our God be upon us, and ſtabliſh thou the work of our hands upon us; Yea, the work of our hands eſtabliſh thou it.
THis verſe containes the concluſion of the whole Pſalme, and the end at which Moſes and the people of God aymed in all their former petitions: viz. The glory of God; that he would make himſelfe glorious, and take honour to himſelfe, in protecting and defending them, and in cauſing his favour, love, and kindneſſe towards them appeare unto all nations under Heaven.
In the verſe, they pray for two things.
1. That the Beautie of the Lord might be upon thē, by beautie they underſtand the ſpeciall favour, grace, and protection, of God towards them; for when the Lord withdrawes his favour, love, and protection, from his people, they ſeeme to be forlorne as a woman forſaken of her Husband. Nehe. 1.3. Even ſo when the Lord is pleaſed to maniſeſt his love, favour & protection towards his people, he ſeemes then to beautifie, and adorne them.
2. They pray for the Lords gratious bleſſing to the work of their hands, that he would direct them, bleſſe, and proſper them: but ſpecially, as I take it, they meane their journey towards the land of Canaan, that the Lord would goe along with them, and guide them in their journey, that they might in the end enjoy that good land, promiſed unto Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, that he would give it: Let the beautie of the Lord.
q. d. O Lord we have laine a long time in cruel bondage in Egypt, and now againe in the wilderneſſe, ſoaking in much miſerie and affliction, without any beautie or Honour; So as all Nations have contemned, and deſpiſed us: But now let thy Beautie ſhine upon us, let thy favour, and loving kindneſſe be ſo plentifully ſhewed towards us, that we may not only have comfort in our ſelves, but may alſo recover againe, that antient Honour, and glory, and reputation; that formerly we had amongſt the Nations.
Whence note firſt of all, How Moſes and the people of God crave that the Lords Beautie might be upon them, herein then, they confeſſe that they had none of their owne, but were indeed deformed and full of ſhame in regard of their Sins.
That no man by nature is decked with this Beauty, Doct. 1 We are deformed till the beauty of Chriſt be put upon us. Eze. 16.till the Lord put it upon us, but we are rather deformed with our ſins, and have no joy of ſpirituall Beauty, till the Lord put it upon us; and untill his Beauty, even the pure Beauty of Chriſts Righteouſneſſe, the Lamb without ſpot be put upon us.
Our naturall miſery is moſt lively ſet forth, by the Prophet, by the miſery of a poore diſtreſſed Orphan, deſtitute, and forſaken, and lying in its blood &c.
And that which Chriſt ſpake of the Church of Laodicea; Rev. 3.17thou art miſerable poore, and blind, and naked, is true of every one of us by nature. Miſerable, deformed creatures are we, till the Lord, beauty be put upon us.
What Beauty is in a poore naked Infant, polluted in its blood? We are all by nature under this miſery of ſpirituall Nakedneſſe, naked of originall righteouſneſſe, and we have nothing to cover our nakedneſſe, untill the Lord put upon us the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, to cover our deformitie.
Now it is only Chriſt that muſt take away this deformitie from us; it is he that muſt cover it with his owne white rayment; I counſell thee to buy of mee white rayment. That thy ſhamefull deformitie may not appeare.
If a man have but this garment upon him, Cant. 6.1though he be black of himſelfe, as the Church confeſſeth, yet he will be comly. Yea, if a man have this garment upon him, if he were in Hell, Hell fire could not touch him. It gets the bleſſing as Jacob did, that was covered with Eſaus garment.
This ſerves for matter of Humiliation, Vſe 1 that ſeeing that by nature we have no beauty at all in us, but are deformed, miſerable, poore, blind, and Naked have no beauty at all in our Souls but are full of blemiſhes, and deformities, and more filthy uncleanneſs; though thou art never ſo faire or beautifull in body, clothed in ſilke and purple, yet unleſſe thou have Chriſts righteouſneſſe put upon thee, thou haſt no beauty at all; but art a moſt vile, loathſom, and wretched creature.
O how may this humble us in our owne eyes, ſeeing we have no beauty of our owne to be proud of, nor ſpark of true beauty. And the more we ſee our owne naturall deformity, and ſpirituall nakedneſſe, the foule ſpots and blemiſhes of our Soules, the better it is for us, to humble us, and to make us loath our ſelves, and to repent in duſt and aſhes.
O then let us take the glaſſe of Gods law, and behold theſe foul, and deformed faces of our ſouls, and be aſhamed to behold them; be humbled for it, God lookes not after the beautie of the body, whileſt thy Soul is thus deformed, if thou lieſt in thy ſins in an impenitent, and unregenerate eſtate, know that thou art a moſt vile and loathſom creature in his ſight.
Secondly, Vſe 2 ſeeing we are thus voide of all Heavenly and ſpirituall beauty by nature let us labour to have the beauty of the Lord our God upon us; to make us truly beautifull.
Now wherein ſtands this beauty of the Lord? Not in a painted face, which is not b…autie of the Lords making, but rather of the devils, like a rotten ſigne poſt gilded over to make a ſhew, no nor in the beauty of nature it ſelfe, which is but as a flower which will quickly wither and decay, there is no ſuch excellency in that which is not only unprofitable, but often times pernitious; but in God who is beauty it ſelfe, and infinite in all perfections. And all the beautie that is in the heavens, in the earth, or in any other creature, is not ſo much as a ſtar in compariſon of the Sun in reſpect of him. And in thoſe ſpirituall indowments of the ſoul, and ſanctified graces of his ſpirit, humility, meekneſs, faith, patience, love, feare of God, &c. If thou wanteſt this inward and ſpirituall beauty, though thou wert as faire as Abſalom, or the faireſt woman in the world, alas thou art but a deformed and filthy creature in the ſight of God. It is the white rayment of Jeſus Chriſt, that thou muſt be cloathed withall, that thy filthy nakedneſſe do not appeare. Revel. 3.18.That muſt make thee truly beautifull in his ſight.
Seeing the Church is thus deformed, Vſe 3 till the Lord ſet his owne beauty, The beauty of the Lord upon it.
Then when the beauty of the Church is obſerved, as at this day, by ſects and hereſies, and for want of order, and diſcipline which is the greateſt blemiſh to a Church. Then it is time, high time, and more then time, to beg hard at the Throne of grace, that the beauty of the Lord may be upon his Church; that the Lord would take from us that ſhame and reproach that at this day we lie under, Eze. 36.26.amongſt other reformed Churches. That the Lord would be pleaſed to adorne Sion, and deck his Church with her perfect beauty.
That the Lord would take away his Churches mourning-weed, and put upon her her beautifull attire, fit for the Spouſe of Chriſt, that all Hereſies at laſt may be abandoned, the Goſp…ll truly preached; the Sacraments duly adminiſtred, and Diſcipline executed herein ſtands the beauty of a Church; which beauty of the Lord, Lord let it be upon us.
Stabliſh thou the work of our hands upon us.
HEre we have the ſecond thing they crave at Gods hand. That as before they deſired his glory in the firſt place, ſo now they pray, that the Lord would ſo order, direct, guide, and proſper them in their worke, and enterperize that they had in hand, that all might be for his glory.
Hence we learne that nothing that men take in hand can proſper, Doct. 2 Nothing can proſper without Gods bleſſing. Pſ. 127.and come to good effect, unleſſe the Lord give a bleſſing to it and proſper the ſame. Except the Lord build, the Houſe, they labour but in vaine that build it. Except the Lord keepe the Citty, the watchman waketh but in vaine.
It is vaine to riſe up early, to ſit up late, to eate the Bread of ſorrowes, for ſo he giveth his beloved ſleepe; wherein the Prophet ſheweth, that whatſoever is attempted, or taken in hand, either in family, or Citty, either for the good of one, or another, cannot be ſucce…sfull without the bleſſing of God.
When Nehemiah and the Jewes were about to reedifie the wals of Jeruſalem, how were the people diſheartned, diſcouraged by Sanb…d and T…b…ah, Neh. 6.16.yet becauſe the worke was of God, the Text ſaith, Pro. 10.22.That the enemies of Gods people were afraid, and their courage failed them, for they knew that the work was wrought by God. The bleſſing of the Lord (ſaith Solomon) maketh us rich.
And where this bleſſing of God is wanting, men put their money in a broken bag, as the Prophet hath it. Ye have ſowen much, and bring in little, ye eate and have not enough ye drink and are not filled, you cloath you and are not warme, and he that earneth wages putteth it into a broken bag. Meaning indeed that there can be no ſucceſſe in any of our labours, or indevours that we take in hand without Gods bleſſing.
And hence it is that the ſervants of God in all their enterpriſes that they have taken in hand, eſpecially ſuch as have been of weight and importance, have ever firſt had recourſe to God for a bleſſing.
Abrahams ſervants being ſent to provide a wife for his Maſters Son, Gen. 24.12.begins firſt with prayer to God, O Lord God (ſay he) of my Maſter Abraham, I pray thee ſend me good ſpeed this day, and ſhew kindneſſe unto my Maſter Abraham.
Thus good Nehemiah, when he heard of the deſolation of Jeruſalem, and intending to beg help of the king his maſter, Neh. 1.11.he betakes himſelf to prayer and deſires the Lord to proſper him therein; and to give him favour in his ſight.
Thus Paul before he went to Sea, and undertooke his voyage he kneeles down upon the ſhore and calls upon God; ſo that if we deſire to have the worke of our hands to proſper, and to ſee a bleſſing upon our labours, trades and occupations: O then begin with prayer to God, without whoſe bleſſing we cannot proſper.
See the reaſons.
Firſt in regard of that propriety that God hath in all his creatures; Reaſ. 1 The Gold is mine. &c. ſayth God. Hag. 1.9 Pſal. 50.And the Beaſts upon a thouſand Hills are mine; He is the ſoveraigne Lord of all things and it is he that gives them to the children of men to ſome more to ſome leſs; And to him they muſt one day be accomptable for their receipts and expences.
He onelyonly is wiſe, Reaſ. 2 with him is wiſedome and ſtrength, Iob 12.13.Counſell and underſtanding. He knowes beſt, when where, and how to beſtow his help and bleſſing, and therefore our dependency muſt be upon him.
And laſtly, Reaſ. 3 becauſe without his bleſſing even that which we have, and enjoy can doe us no good. Pſal. 78. 2 Reg. 7.VVhileſt the meate was in their mouthes the wrath of God fell upon them. And the prince of Samaria ſaw the plenty that was prophecied of, but did not taſte of it. For men to eate and drink and rejoyce in their labours, (ſayth Solomon) I find that this is the gife of God. So that in the getting, and inioying, of all earthly comforts, God is to be ſought unto for his bleſſing, without whom no creature can doe us good.
This ſhewes the wickedneſſe madneſſe and folly, Vſe 1 of many wicked and ungodly men, that ſeeke ſo earneſtly to increaſe their Subſtance by unlawfull meanes, as by lying, Stealing, oppreſſion, uſury, by deceite, falſe meaſure &c. Here is their miſery, they cannot ſeek to God by prayer for a bleſſing upon ſuch gettings but may rather looke for a curſe upon their ſubſtance and many times God doth viſit the ſins of the Father upon their children, that ſuch goods doth ſeldome proſper, but carry the curſe of God along with them.
B…ſides, here is the miſery of ſuch wicked men, they cannot thank God for their riches. What? thank God for thy ſubſtance thou haſt gotten wickedly, and deceifully; what is this but to make God a partner in thy ſin. Now God is not the author of ſin, nor partner with any in ſin; but his curſe rather ſhall purſue ſuch to deſtruction.
Seeing that nothing we take in hand can proſper, Vſe 2 without Gods bleſſing, this may mind us of our duty continually to ſeeke unto him, for his bleſſing, that he would direct us and bleſſe our labours, and indevours, or elſe, be our worke never ſo lawful, honeſt, good or neceſſary, if the Lord do not direct us, and bleſſe our indevors, we cannot proſper. What is the reaſon why many men, though they have honeſt callings, lawfull, and good, yet they doe not proſper, nor ſee any fruit of their labours. Surely one main cauſe may be this, they ſeeke not unto God for a bleſſing.
Thou maiſt ride and run, dig and delve, plow, and Sowe, riſe up early, and go late to bed, and eat the bread of Car…fulneſſe, and yet if God give not a bleſſing, all is in vaine.
Seeing nothing we take in hand can proſper, Vſe 3 without Gods bleſſing;
This lets us ſee the cauſe, why the VVord doth no more proſper in many places, Congregations, and families, at this day, we preach and you heare, and little fruit and effect followes. Men were ignorant before the word came amongſt them and ign…rant ſtill, prophane before, prophane ſtill, men are not, will not, be wrought upon. Surely, ſetting aſide Gods ſecret purpoſe and will, who will have mercy on whom he will have mercy & whom he will he hardens; And the word muſt be to ſome the Savour of death to death; as to others the ſweet ſavour to life. One principall cauſe is, men doe not begin with prayer, and beg not a bleſſing from God, we that are Miniſters may look that God will blaſt that Sermon, for the which we beg not a bleſſing from God: And you that are our hearers, may looke that God will blaſt your hearing, when you neglect this duty.
But do we not ſee that many times the wicked do proſper, Object. have riches wealth, and proſperitie, in a greater meaſure, then the very godly themſelves. As David obſerved in his time. Pſal. 73.12.Loe theſe are the wicked, theſe proſper in the world, theſe increaſe in Riches, this was ſuch a dangerous temptation, that David was aſſaulted withal, to behold that it made him to think, I have clenſed my heart in vain, and waſhed my hands in innocency.
David himſelfe ſhall make anſwer to this, Reſol. When I went into the Sanctuary of God, then underſtand I their end. Surely thou didſt ſet them in Slipp…ry places thou caſteſt them down to deſtruction.
What though God beſtowes upon wicked men riches, honour, proſperity and all things that their hearts can wiſh, theſe are but few giftes of Gods lefthand, and are often beſtowed in wrath, not with his bleſſing, but there goes many times a ſecret curſe with them, either they want moſt, that they ſeeme to enjoy, having no heart to uſe the riches, or elſe God gives them, to fat them up to the day of ſlaughter.
Yea, the work of our hands eſtabliſh thou it.
THis Duplication and doubling of this petition that God would proſper the work of their hands upon them, denotes the earneſtneſſe of Moſes and the people of God, in craving his bleſſing upon their worke, eſpecially now in their journey towards the land of Canaan, and now that they were to encounter with the Canaanites.
Teaching us thus much, Doct. 3 that war is not to be undertaken, Prayer before warre.but God muſt firſt be conſulted, and ſought unto. Now that they were to go out againſt thoſe curſed Canaanites, which God had threatned to root out, and to deſtroy, they intreat the Lord firſt, to proſper their indeavours. Exo. 17.13.When Joſuah the Lords Captaine fought with the Amalekits, that would have kept this people from entring in to Canaan, how fervent was Moſes in prayer, and at the time that Moſes held up his hands, Iſrael prevailed, and when his hands were let downe, the Amalekits prevailed, thus did Jehoſaphat, and Hezechiah, thoſe godly Kings of Judah and Iſrael. When they and their people were threatned with thoſe mighty Hoſts of their enemies they ſought God, and were heard of him, and delivered. And great Reaſon.
Why God is firſt to be conſulted with, Reaſon. and invocated before war be attempted, is, becauſe he is th… God of victory, to him belongs the iſſue of the battle. A ſmall handfull, as in the Hoſt of Gideon, commanded by him, ſhall proſper and overcome; And at his pleaſure the Horſe and the Rider, are overthrowne at the Red Sea.
This may ſerve for our Inſtruction, Ʋſe 1 that when we are to go into the field, and there to buckle with our enemies, that we goe firſt to God how can wee expect that God ſhould proſper us, and go forth with our armies, when we ſeeke not him, and call not upon him in the day of trouble? It is he that muſt cover our heads in the day of battle; for without his help A Horſe is a vaine thing to ſave a man. 1 Sam. 7.8, 9. 1 Cor. 5.20.Neither is the mighty ſaved by much ſtrength. Herein Jehoſaphat ſtrengthned the hearts of the people, Feare not ye men of Judah, and ye Inhabitants of Jeruſalem. Put your truſt in him, and ye ſhall proſper.
Secondly, Vſe 2 this may ſerve to exhort Princes and Magiſtrats, Generals, and Captaines, and all in generall that are imployed in time of war; As they deſire ſucceſſe, and to proſper, 2 Sam. 5.23.to aske firſt counſell of the Lord, as David did, when he was to go up againſt the Phiſtines, Shall I go up againſt them. And to take heed, that there be no Achan in the camp, for whoſe ſake the Lord many times is provoked, to hinder the ſucceſs of his people, and ſuffer their enemies to proſper.
The Lord knowes we have many Achans in our armies, that are ſo far from ſeeking God, and begging a bleſſing upon their undertakings, that rather Achan-like trouble the Army, by provoking Gods wrath againſt them.
And laſt of all, by this doubling of their petition, eſtabliſh thou the work of our hands upon us, Yea, the work of our hands eſtabliſh thou it;
Moſes herein ſhewes, that he did not onelyonly crave Gods mercy, and protection, for the preſent time, that God would bleſſe their labour and enterpriſes; But that he would keep a continuall courſe in directing, and protecting them: for unleſſe the Lord did begin, continue and finiſh their work for them, it could never come to perfection.
For if the Lord ſhould have left them in the middeſt of their journey, what had it beene the better, unleſſe he would bring them into Canaan, that good land. So that they confeſſe, that they were never able to perſevere, and hold on, in their courſe they had begun, unleſſe the Lord would ſtill direct them, and proſper them in their journey. Hence we learne
That perſeverance in any good duty is the grace, and gift of God; Doct. 4 Perſeverance in any good is Gods.and as the Lord muſt begin any good work, ſo he muſt continue it, and perfect it or elſe it will faile; And hence is it that they double their petition Direct thou. Even direct thou the work of our hands upon us. And this is no other thing then what the Lord hath promiſed. They that wait on the Lord ſhall renew their ſtrength as the Eagle, they ſhall run, and not be weary, they ſhall walk and not faint. They ſhall be like the tree planted by the Rivers of waters, whoſe leaves ſhall not fall
And this may yield matter of ſingular Comfort and conſolation unto all the faithfull. Hath the Lord begun in any of us the good worke of grace, and put it into our hearts to walke in the right way of his commandements, and to travaile towards the celeſtiall Canaan, let us bleſſe God for this mercy; And withall all intreat the Lord, that he would ſtill direct, and guide us and never le…ve us, but even bring us to the end of our Journey; And never forſake us till he hath put us into the poſſeſſion of that glorious inheritance prepared for us in that heavenly Canaan; for if he direct us not by his grace and by his ſpirit it cannot be that we ſhall hold out but muſt needs turne aſide in the broad way to deſtruction.