October 9

"I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought." Hosea 13:5.

THIS "wilderness" means the vast desert in which the Jews wandered for forty years between Egypt and Canaan. It is characterized by one attribute, "A land of great drought." And this was enough to render it trying. But it was in every respect formidable and repulsive. Witness the language of Jeremiah: "Neither said they, Where is the Lord that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?"

But here God says, "I knew thee." It cannot mean a mere acquaintance with their condition and circumstances; for what can be hid from Him whose understanding is infinite? But it intends two things.

First, he knew them there so as to provide for them. Thus it marks his goodness, and forms a contrast with the conduct of many of our fellow-creatures. A friend is born for adversity; and to him that is afflicted, pity should be showed from his friend. But, alas, this is rarely exemplified. They who were intimate enough with their connections before, scarcely know them when they are in distress. The flower which, when fresh and fragrant, was put into the bosom, is, when withered and dry, thrown away. The garden which, while yielding every kind of gratification, is constantly visited, is deserted in winter. But it is otherwise with God. Though he never leaves his people, he has peculiarly promised to be with them in trouble. David acknowledged this: "Thou hast known my soul in adversity." And has he not known our souls in the same state? Has he not been better to us than our fears? Has he not proved himself "a very present help in trouble?" So it was with Israel. He found them in a desert land, in a waste, howling wilderness. The situation afforded them no supplies, but he allowed them to want no good thing. He led them by a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night; healed the bitter waters of Marah; fetched them honey out of a rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; rained down manna upon them; suffered not their raiment to wax old upon them, nor their foot to swell in travelling; vanquished their enemies, gave them ordinances, and sent his Holy Spirit to instruct them; so that Moses well said, "Happy art thou, O Israel; who is like unto thee, O people saved of the Lord!"

Secondly, he knew them there, so as to approve of them and acknowledge them. It is undeniable that the word know has this meaning, when it is said, "The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous." "If a man love God, the same is known of him." "Know them that labor among you." But did God thus know them in the wilderness? Not absolutely, but comparatively. They followed him out of Egypt, and not one lingered behind. At the Red sea they sung his praise. At Sinai they cheerfully and unreservedly acceded to his covenant. And though they were guilty of many perversenesses and rebellions, yet they never wholly relinquished his worship, and established idolatry and wickedness by a law, as they afterwards did in Canaan. While we dwell on imperfections, God loves to make the best of things. Sarah spoke unadvisedly with her lips, but she uttered one good thing: she called Abraham Lord, and this only is mentioned to her praise. Job cursed the day of his birth; but when James refers to him, we hear only of the patience of Job. And observe God's gracious testimony concerning Israel at this period: "Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. Israel was holiness unto the Lord, and the first-fruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend: evil shall come upon them, saith the Lord."

Adversity will not of itself secure godliness. Persons may be reduced, and not humbled. They may be afflicted, and God not know them in their distress. Yet, in general, if you observe others, and review your own experience, you will find times of affliction have been more friendly to religion than seasons of ease and prosperity.

When has God known your conscience most wakeful, and your heart most watchful against sin? "Before I was afflicted," says David, "I went astray; but now have I kept thy word."

When has God known your souls most weaned from the world, and willing to leave it? When all was agreeable and inviting, or when every thing conspired to tell you that this is not your rest?

When has He known you value most the communion of saints, the means of grace, the preaching of the word? When did your eye bedew your Bible? When, pressing the sacred volume to your bosom, did you say, "Unless thy laws had been my delight, I should have perished in mine affliction?"

When has He known you most frequently and earnestly addressing the throne of his grace? In their affliction they will seek me early. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. Even the Saviour himself, being in an agony, prayed more earnestly. "O my people," says he here, "you and I were better acquainted in the wilderness, when you were in a low condition. You were then left to my immediate care, and you lived daily by faith. Then you made me many a visit, but now we seldom meet."

Such is the effect of indulgence and of fulness. He therefore immediately adds, "According to their pasture, so were they filled: they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me."