Hos. xi. 4. / drew them tvith cords of a man, ivith bands of
love.
THE doctrine of Divine influences is generally considered as enthusiastic and absurd. But though we grant that there is much in it which is above our comprehension, there is nothing in it that is contrary to reason. We know not how mind operates upon matter, when we move any of the members of our body: but does any one, on this account, question the influence of volition upon our motions ? So, though there be much in Divine influences that is
inexplicable, we affirm, that to them must be ascribed all the good which we do. In fact, we have, in the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt, a very striking illustration of the way in which the Spirit of God operates upon the souls of men. In reference to that event God says, " I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of lovea:" and the same may be said of all who are delivered from the infinitely sorer bondage of sin and Satan.
Let us then consider, I. How God drew his people out of Egypt —
They were not of themselves seeking deliverance. On the contrary, when Moses interposed for them by slaying one of their oppressors, and proceeded to encourage in them a hope of yet further deliverance, " they thrust him from them, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us ?" But when God's time was fully come, " he drew them," as we are told, " by the cords of a man, and by bands of love" —
[He made them to feel their sore bondage, and to cry so bitterly by reason of it, that God himself was afflicted by their afflictions. He then sent them a Saviour, even Moses, whom he commissioned and qualified to effect their deliverance. By him he displayed his almighty power; and in ten successive plagues inflicted upon Egypt, (from all of which they were exempt,) he shewed them, that, under the guidance of Moses, they might safely go forth from Egypt, and cast off the yoke of their oppressors. Thus he drew them by such consider- ations as are proper to influence a rational being : for it is impossible for a man under the pressure of grievous affliction not to desire relief, and gladly to avail himself of such aid as promises to be effectual : He drew them, I say, " with cords of a man."
Further, God put himself at the head of them, and under- took to be their guide : and, when their danger became so imminent, that they were reduced to utter despair, he opened the sea before them, and led them through on dry ground, and overwhelmed all their enemies in the waves, which had just before been a wall for the protection of his chosen people. Here " he drew them with the bands of love," as he did after- wards in all their journeys, supplying by miracle their every want, and manifesting his glory to them, and giving them a
a Compare ver. 1. with the text.