The Mute Christian Under the Smarting Rod

The Mute Christian

It is true that all of Scripture is useful for promoting godliness in the life of a believer (2 Tim 3:16-17). Yet, it is also true that certain doctrines rise above others in stirring up true piety in the Christian life.

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680) wrote a book on a subject that, if received, would do much in the promotion of godliness. The book is entitled, The Mute Christian Under the Smarting Rod (and is available in Kindle format on our church's e-library). The book is essentially an exposition and application of Psalm 39:9 which reads,

I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.

This verse comes in reference to the discipline David was experiencing under "the hostility" of God's own hand (v. 10), an experience which always threatens to unsettle and upset a godly soul. Indeed, experiencing God's hand of discipline can be very painful as Scripture itself acknowledges (Heb 12:11). As a result, we often vex and rage in our hearts under the pain and seeming injustice of it all (even when putting on a placid exterior). But, taking Psalm 39:9 as a starting point, Brooks reveals to us that Scripture teaches,

"That it is the great duty and concern of gracious souls [i.e. born again Christians] to be mute and silent under the greatest afflictions, the saddest providences, and sharpest trials which they meet with in the world."

This might seem like a great and weighty dosage of unattainable law, but the genius of Brooks is that he holds forth this 'duty' as such a beautiful, desirous, and appropriate thing that it makes you cry, "Yes!" even as the book is simultaneously convicting you of sin. Additionally, Brooks consistently grounds the duty of silence in the goodness of God and His wonderful promises to believers so that it doesn't come across as a pure beat-down for failing to be mute. Silence under God's hand is good and also greatly helpful to believers when enduring discipline.

A Sample

One common mistake believers make when facing a trial is to misinterpret it. We are prone to assume that God is treating us unfairly, or that we cannot possibly endure the weight of the moment, or that it will last forever, or that it will never bring about good, etc. However, Brooks reminds us of the importance of being careful in the conclusions we draw:

"A holy silence takes in gracious, blessed, soul-quieting conclusions about the outcome of those afflictions which are upon us."

He then seeks to set the reader's mind upon the Scriptures in order to help us correctly think about the trials we endure. There are many scriptures that, when received into the inner-man, bring about a holy quietness before God, but at this point Brooks appeals to Lamentations 3, which reads,

"It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him; let him put his mouth in the dust--there may yet be hope; let him give his cheek to the one who strikes, and let him be filled with insults. For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men" (Lam 3:26-33).

He then draws five "soul-stilling conclusions" from this text which help lead the reader toward a God-honoring quietness before Him. One of those conclusions is drawn from the statement that God "does not afflict from his heart" (Lam 3:33), which tells us that,

"God's heart was not in [the believer's] afflictions, though his hand was. He takes no delight to afflict his children; it goes against his heart. It is a grief to him to be grievous to them, a pain to him to be punishing them, a sorrow to him to be striking them." 

This is then explained with an analogy:

"Mercy and punishment--they flow from God as the honey and the sting from the bee. The bee yields honey of her own nature--but she does not sting but when she is provoked. God takes delight in the showing of mercy (Micah 7:18); he takes no pleasure in giving his people up to adversity (Hosea 11:8)." 

Understanding this difference can be immensely soul-calming when the storms rage.

Helpful in Every Season of Life

Charles Spurgeon thought very highly of Thomas Brooks' writings, and having now read him, I can understand why. Brooks is insightful, biblical, and wise. The book is teeming with biblical support for his statements and is illustrated with helpful analogies along the way. He accomplishes all of this without coming off trite or simplistic, devoting the second half of the book to answering anticipated objections.

Discipline is indeed painful. If you're looking for a faithful friend during such a time, I commend Brooks to you. If you're not in a painful trial at the moment, I still commend Brooks to you as receiving his instruction today will help you when the Lord's rod strikes in the future. Furthermore, this book is helpful in all seasons as it promotes a quiet submission before the Almighty, which is a continual need in the life of the believer.

I am confident this book will be a great blessing to you!