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The "wilderness" became, for the Israelites, another word for trouble and sorrow.

I. THE AUTHOR OF AFFLICTION. God forces Himself on our notice as the source Of His people's troubles. Why this anxiety in a God of love to stand thus forward as the author of misery?

1. Because we are so backward in affliction to discern His hand.

2. We can get no good out of affliction, and no real comfort under it, till we view it as sent to us from Him. When we discern God at the very root of our sufferings, then the knee bends, the prayer goes up, and the blessing comes down. Then, for the first time, we are quieted and subdued. When we see that a Father's hand has mingled the cup of bitterness, we soon do more than say, "Shall I not drink it"

II. WHY GOD AFFLICTS US. The text discovers to us one of the most frequent causes of our sorrows. It is our forget fulness of God, and that not in His judgments, but in His mercies, a failing to recognise His hand in them. It may be you have lost some of your earthly mercies; but you know why God has stripped you bare, as well as though His own voice sounded it from heaven in your ears. You had forgotten Him in His gifts. You tried to live "without God in the world." In jealousy for His own honour, in love for your souls, He withdrew the gifts you had abused. He made you feel once again that you need Him. God never deprives us of things without a cause. But if you will not see Him in the enjoyment of them, He will make you see Him in their loss.

III. How GOD SOMETIMES AFFLICTS US. Gradually, compassionately, tenderly. Sometimes His judgments appear to come suddenly. This is His way usually with the strong. He carries the weak and inexperienced "into the wilderness." A mother's tenderness could not equal His. He shows them how much they need affliction, and how much good they will derive from it, Other men are driven into the wilderness, the Christian is allured into it.

IV. THE COMFORT WHICH THE LORD IMPARTS IN THE WILDERNESS. Others speak comfortably to us in our sorrow, but if that sorrow is deep, what power have their words! God speaks to the heart, and then everything comforts, for God speaks by everything.

V. THE SUPPLIES WHICH GOD FURNISHES IN TRIBULATION. He represents Himself as more than a Comforter, He is a Benefactor, and a rich one. He has promised vineyards in the wilderness. Such blessings as will more than supply the place of those lost. And these are actually to grow out of our afflictions.

VI. THE HOPE THAT GOD EXCITES IN AFFLICTION. Even when trouble came on trouble, and things seemed to be quite hopeless, God opened a door of hope. Learn the effect to be produced on Israel by the mercies vouchsafed to her.

(C. Bradley.)

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KJV: Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.

WEB: "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.