Jacob shall break his clods

Jacob shall break his clods.

By Jacob, we must understand the ten Tribes. As if God should say here, That Judah shall be put to some difficulties, yet Jacob, the ten Tribes must be put to more; Judah shall be carried into Captivity; yes, but Jacob shall break the clods. Though Judah shall plow, yet the breaking the clods is worse than the plowing, for that's more servile, For the work-master he is the chief, he goes on in plowing, but it is his servant or boy he may set to break the clods after him. So, though Judah shall be brought to difficulties, yet Jacob shall be put to more difficulties; for the Captivity of Judah was great, yet it was not so great as Jacob's.

Or others thus:

Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break her clods.

That is, [Judah's clods] The expression we have here, with the reference it has to Judah, seems to carry this with it, That there shall be a time, though now you that are the ten Tribes, you are so delicate and proud above Judah, Judah is lower than you, and you despise them, yet time shall come that you shall be glad to join with Judah, and be as a servant to Judah, to break her clods, when God shall restore his people again; Judah shall return from his captivity and shall be taking pains in the service of God; and it shall be well for you if you can but come and be as their servant.

Those that do forsake the true worship of God, though God may have mercy upon them afterwards to join them with his people, yet it is well if they may come to be in the meanest condition among God's people, they should be willing to submit to it; those that have dishonored God and shamed themselves in times of trial, to forsake the truths of God, it's mercy that ever God will bring them to join with his Church again. But if he does bring them to join with his Church they should think it a great mercy and be willing to be in the meanest condition, what must those men think to be masters and lords that have forsaken God and his truth and have been very false for their own ends, to save themselves and estates in time of trial, shall they think in times of Reformation to bear all before them? Oh! it's mercy if they may be but admitted to break the clods, to join with those servants of God that have been faithful and willing to serve him through difficulties. It follows.