VERSE 6.
Seek the Lord and yee shall live, lest be break forth like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.
GOod things are hardly beleeved, and slowly practised, and therefore the Prophet here renewes his Exhortation of seeking God by true Repentance, and that he might the better prevail with them, he useth a double Motive.
The first is drawn from the danger which would ensue if they refused; the Wrath of God would break forth upon them like a consuming fire, so that all their superstitious Sa∣crifices at Bethel should not be able to quench it.
The second is drawn from the glorious and tremendous Majesty of God, with whom they had to doe; and this is ac∣curately set forth, vers. 8, 9.
In this Verse we have a Repetition of the fore-going Exhor∣tation to seek the Lord, that they might live, q. d. If ever you desire to be truly happy, you must forsake your Idols, and false-worship, devoting your selves wholly unto God.
2 Here is a Reason to inforce the duty, Lest the Wrath of the Lord break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour, it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.
Here the Holy Ghost seems to prevent an evasion, the Is∣raelites