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III. "Out of the house of bondage." Egypt and the house of bondage are the same, only they are expressed under a different notion. By Egypt is meant a place of idolatry and superstition; by the house of bondage is meant a place of affliction. Israel, while in Egypt, were under great tyranny; they had cruel task-masters set over them, who put them to hard labour, and set them to make bricks—yet allowed them no straw. Therefore, Egypt is called, in Deut 4:20, the iron furnace, and here the house of bondage. From this expression, "I brought you out of the house of bondage," two things are to be noted; God's children may sometimes be under sore afflictions. "In the house of bondage." But God will, in due time, bring them out of their afflicted state. "I brought you out of the house of bondage."
God's children may sometimes be under sore afflictions, in the house of bondage. God's people have no writ of ease granted them, no charter of exemption from trouble in this life. While the wicked are kept in sugar, the godly are often kept in brine. And, indeed, how could God's power be seen in bringing them out of trouble—if he did not sometimes bring them into it? How could God wipe away the tears from their eyes in heaven—if on earth they shed none? Doubtless, God sees there is need that his children should be sometimes in the house of bondage. "If need be, you are in heaviness." 1 Peter 1:6. The body sometimes needs a bitter portion—more than a sweet one.
Why does God let his people be in the house of bondage or in an afflicted state?
(1) He does it for probation or TRIAL. "Who led you through that terrible wilderness—that he might humble you and prove you." Deut 8:15, 16. Affliction is the touch-stone of sincerity. "For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs." Psalm 66:10, 11. Hypocrites may embrace religion in prosperity, and court this queen while she has a jewel hung at her ear; but he is a sincere Christian, who will keep close to God in a time of suffering. "All this has come upon us—yet have we not forgotten you." Psalm 44:17. To love God in heaven, is no wonder; but to love him when he chastises us, reveals a sincere heart.
(2) He does it for PURGATION; to purge our corruption. "And this is all the fruit, to take away his sin." Isa 28:9. The eye, though a tender part—yet when infected, we put sharp medicines into it, to purge out the disease. Just so, though the people of God are dear to him as the apple of his eye—yet, when corruption begins to grow in them, he will apply the sharp medicine of affliction, to purge out the disease. Affliction is God's flail to thresh off our husks. Affliction is a means God uses to purge out sloth, luxury, pride, and love of the world. God's furnace is in Zion. Isa 31:5. This is not to consume—but to refine. God gives us more affliction—that we may have less sin!
(3) He does it for AUGMENTATION; to increase the graces of the Spirit. Grace thrives most in the iron furnace. Sharp frosts nourish the corn; so sharp afflictions nourish grace. Grace in the saints is often as fire hidden in the embers, affliction is the bellows to blow it up into a flame. The Lord makes the house of bondage, a friend to grace. Then faith and patience act their part. The darkness of the night cannot hinder the brightness of a star; so, the more the diamond is cut the more it sparkles; and the more God afflicts us, the more our graces cast a sparkling lustre.
(4) He does it for PREPARATION; to fit and prepare the saints for glory. 2 Cor 4:17. The stones which are cut out for a building, are first hewn and squared. The godly are called "living stones." 1 Pet 2:5. God first hews and polishes them by affliction, that they may be fit for the heavenly building. The house of bondage prepares for the house not made with hands. 2 Cor 5:1: The vessels of mercy are seasoned with affliction, and then the wine of glory is poured in.
How do the afflictions of the godly, differ from the afflictions of the wicked?
(1) They are but corrections—but those on the wicked are punishments. The one come from a father, the other from a judge.
(2) Afflictions on the godly are fruits of covenant-mercy. 2 Sam 7:17. Afflictions on the wicked are effects of God's wrath. "He has much wrath with his sickness." Eccl 5:17. Afflictions on the wicked are the pledge of hell; they are like the shackling of a malefactor, which presages his execution.
(3) Afflictions on the godly make them better—but afflictions on the wicked make them worse. The godly pray more; Psalm 130:1: The wicked blaspheme more. "Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God." Rev 16:9. Afflictions on the wicked make them more impenitent; every plague upon Egypt increased the plague of hardness in Pharaoh's heart. To what a height of wickedness, do some people come, after great sickness. Affliction on the godly is like bruising spices—which makes them give off a most sweet and fragrant aroma. Affliction on the wicked is like pounding weeds with a pestle—which makes them give off a more foul stench.
Use one.
(1) We are not to wonder to see Israel in the house of bondage. 1 Pet 4:12. The holiness of the saints will not excuse them from sufferings. Christ was the holy one of God—yet he was in the iron furnace. His spouse is a lily among thorns. Canticles 2:2. Though his sheep have the ear-mark of election upon them—yet they may have their wool fleeced off. The godly have some good in them, therefore the devil afflicts them; and some evil in them, therefore God afflicts them. While there are two seeds in the world, expect to be under the black rod. The gospel tells us of reigning—but first of suffering. 2 Tim 2:12.
(2) Affliction is not always the sign of God's anger. Israel, the apple of God's eye, a peculiar treasure to him above all people, were in the house of bondage. Exod 19:5. We are apt to judge and censure those who are in an afflicted state. When the barbarians saw the viper on Paul's hand, they said, "No doubt this man is a murderer!" Acts 28:4. So, when we see the viper of affliction fasten upon the godly, we are apt to censure them, and say, these are greater sinners than others, and God hates them. But this rash censuring is for lack of wisdom. Was not Israel in the house of bondage? Was not Jeremiah in the dungeon, and Paul a night and day in the deep? God's afflicting is so far from evidencing hatred, that his not afflicting is an evidence of his hatred. "I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom." Hos 4:14. God punishes most—when he does not punish; his hand is heaviest—when it seems to be lightest. The judge will not burn him in the hand—whom he intends to execute at the stake. "Ephraim is attached to idols; leave him alone!" Hosea 4:17
(3) If God's own Israel may be in the house of bondage, then afflictions do not of themselves demonstrate a man miserable. Indeed, sin unrepeated of, makes one miserable; but afflictions do not. If God has a design in afflicting his children—to make them happy—then they are not miserable. "Happy is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty." Job 5:17. The world counts them happy who can keep out of affliction; but the Scripture calls them happy who are afflicted.
How are the godly happy—when they are afflicted? Because they are more holy. Heb 12:10. Because they are more in God's favour. Prov 3:12. The goldsmith loves his gold, when in the furnace. Because they have more of God's sweet presence. Psalm 91:15. They cannot be unhappy who have God's powerful presence in supporting, and his gracious presence in sanctifying, their affliction. Because the more affliction they have, the more degrees of glory they shall have; the lower they have been in the iron furnace, the higher they shall sit upon to throne of glory; the heavier their crosses, the heavier shall be their crown. So then, if afflictions make a Christian happy, they cannot call him miserable.
(4) See the merciful providence of God to his children. Though they may be in the house of bondage, and smart by affliction—yet they shall not be hurt by affliction. What hurt does the winnowing fan do to the corn? It only separates the chaff from it. What hurt does the lance do to the body? It only lets out the abscess. The house of bondage does that which sometimes ordinances will not; it humbles and reforms. "If they be held in cords of affliction, he opens their ear to discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity." Job 36:8, 10. Oh! what a merciful providence is it that, though God bruises his people—yet, while he is bruising them, he is doing them good! It is as if one should throw a bag of money at another, which bruises him a little—but yet it enriches him! Affliction enriches the soul and yields the sweet fruits of righteousness. Heb. 12:11.
(5) If Israel is in the house of bondage—if the Lord deals so with his own children—then how severely will he deal with the wicked! If he is so severe with those he loves—how severe will he be with those he hates! If those who pray and mourn for sin are so severely dealt with—what will become of those who swear and break the Sabbath, and are unclean! If Israel is in the iron furnace, the wicked shall lie in the fiery furnace of hell. It should be the saddest news to wicked men—to hear that the people of God are afflicted. Let them think how dreadful the case of unrepentant sinners will be! "Judgement must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of those who obey not the gospel?" 1 Pet 4:17. If God threshes his wheat, he will burn the chaff. If the godly suffer castigation, the wicked shall suffer condemnation. If God mingles his people's cup with wormwood—he will mingle the wicked cup with fire and brimstone!
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