The Goodness of God to Israel
C. Bradley, M. A. Deuteronomy 32:10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him… I. THE STATE IN WHICH GOD FINDS HIS SERVANTS. "In a desert land, in the waste howling wilderness." 1. Their condition, therefore, if viewed as a picture of the original condition of man, teaches us that the people of God were by nature at a great distance from Him. The enemies of God by Wicked works; the willing slaves of Satan; tied and bound with the chain of a thousand lusts; with all their affections fixed on sin, and all their desires turned from God — how shall they find Him, how approach Him? 2. A desolate condition. Let us look back to the days that are past. We imagined that we had need of nothing, but what was our real condition? We were wretched and miserable, poor and naked, ready to perish. The world appeared fair before us; it promised us much, and we were willing to credit it. Fools that we were, we tried it; but what could it do for us? It gave us, among its briars and thorns, a few flowers to amuse us, but it left us starving for want. It brought us no pardon for our guilt, no peace for an accusing conscience, no deliverance from the grave, no refuge from hell. It left us destitute, forlorn, and wretched. 3. A state of danger. The territory of an enemy. II. IN WHAT MANNER THE LORD ACTS TOWARDS HIS PEOPLE AMID THEIR WRETCHEDNESS AND DANGERS. "As an eagle," etc. This beautiful similitude strikingly illustrates the tenderness with which the Almighty led Israel from Egypt to Canaan, and the loving kindness which He still manifests towards all who seek Him in the wilderness of this world. It shows us what He does for them, and how He does it. 1. It shows us what God does for His people. It tells us that He afflicts them, guides them, and preserves them. 2. But in what manner does the Lord thus afflict, guide, and defend His servants? He exercises His mercy towards them constantly, patiently, with delight. (C. Bradley, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. WEB: He found him in a desert land, in the waste howling wilderness. He surrounded him. He cared for him. He kept him as the apple of his eye.