Section 1195
IV. The end of the Lord’s leading his people in this way
And that was to humble them and prove them, to know what was in their hearts, and whether they would keep his commandments, or no.
To humble them. This is the design of all God’s ways in providence with his people, that they, being clothed with humility, might be exalted in due time. This was God’s end in dealing with Job, and it was fully answered: so this is the end and design of God, in mercy to his people, that the pride of man may be brought down, and the haughtiness of man may be laid low, and God be exalted in their salvation, it was to prove them also, as God proved and tried Abraham: though it was in a very severe way, by requiring him to offer up his only and beloved. He complies: by this the Lord proved his faith, and love, and fear too. The Lord leads his people all the way in the wilderness to prove their graces: their faith, which is more precious than gold tried in the fire: their patience, their hope, and every other grace. Also to know what is in their hearts. As Hezekiah was left of God, to know what was in his heart, in the case of the messengers from Babylon; so the Lord leads his people in the way he does, to know what is in their hearts. Not that he hereby gains knowledge; for he is the searcher of the hearts, and trier of the reins of the children of men; but to make known to themselves, how great is the plague of their own hearts. Also to see whether they will keep his commandments, or no. Israel had at Sinai declared very strongly that all the Lord had said, they would do. “They have well said, ” says the Lord. “Oh, that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments!” Now he leads them about in the wilderness, and that for forty years together, to try this, to prove this, to let it be seen whether they would keep the commandments of the Lord as they promised to do.
But I shall conclude with a word or two. Upon the whole, let us inquire whether we have been led by the Lord, and in what way. Has the Lord met with us in the way of our transgressions, and hath he turned us out of the way in which we were, and led us in the right path, the way of salvation? let us inquire whether we have been led by the Lord in his way. As many as are led by him, led in that way which the natural man knows nothing of; as many as are led in the way of holiness and truth (and particularly in the way Christ Jesus, led unto him, and led in him) are the sons of God. Let us inquire whether this be our case, or no. If we are led by the Spirit of God, we may conclude, that we are the sons of God; and if this be the case, what reason have we to admire the grace of God in leading us in this way! He might have left us in our sins, in the wilderness in which we were; yet he has not done so, but hath led us in the right way to a city of habitation. How should this engage to a cheerful obedience to him, as well as to put our confidence in him! for he that hath led us, some ten, some twenty, some thirty and some forty years, and perhaps some more, in the wilderness, will be our God for ever and ever, and our guide even unto death.