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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 32 X 1 2 3 4 5 6 SOME PRACTICAL STUDIES IN THE HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT GENESIS TO DEUTERONOMY. BY GEORGE HAGUE OF MONTREAL. ^SriXH PREFACE BY THE VERY REV. DEAN CARMICHAEL. " ll^hatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning." TORONTO: THE COPP, CLARK CO., LIMITED, Publishers. ""\0 I PREFACE, Mr. George Hague, the well-known Cajiadian banker, seeks in this vohime to make the living thoughts of Holy Scrip- ture speak profitably to the life of to-day. After a life- long study of God's Word, and of modern ideas conne ^ted with its inspiration, he takes the position that the Scrip- tures are the Word of God, containing in the strictest sense the will of God, and hence of Divine authority, de- manding from man unquestioning obedience to its pre- cepts and belief in its doctrines. , Mr. Hague's style is clear, concise and telling, and whilst he plainly avoids elaborate arguments on disputed points in the onwnrd flow of his .exegesis, he by no means leaves them unnoliced. appending to each chapter a definite "note" on each point as it arises, such "notes" plainly showing that the writer, whilst essentially orthodox in his teaching, is fully abreast of the times, and capable of speak- ing with authority as a well-read man. This work is the work of years, the printed harvest of the springtime and summer of a singularly busy and suc- cessful life. It is given by a busy man to busy readers, at the very time that such a work on the Pentateuch is needed, a time when men are surfeited by attack, and are glad to listen to a re-statement of the old views, written by one who knows well the dangers that are connected with modern critical thought, and the unreliability of the ever shifting and contradictory views that have been poured forth from the press on the subject of the Pentateuch. JAS. CARMICHAEL, Dean o' Montreal. January, 1900, 4- T N( CONXE^NXS. PBHFATORY REMARKS ''""^ ol T,.^^'^'"' ""^ things' WHC^EORl'oiN i's i^OWN ' " l" tTom« ^f C^^^TIES and APPARENT OONTRADIC: TIONS OF SORIPTURE ^^u^^ THE BOOK OF GENESIS. AS TO THE WORD GENESIS. . „ 3 ^of '^ ^^ ^™ HABITABli:' WORLD." .'. Jg oS.?r^o^^^™™!^! "^""^^™;/ - i As to the name of the Divine Being As to the periods of time desigimted days As to Geologic Foitnations, Of tlie Distiiljution of Land and Water THE OREATION OF MAN., .. ' ' ORITIOAlL NOTES.. ' " ^^ Of man being formed of the dust ..f the ground OF ,Jlt'lVrZ '' '^" '''"^^ "^ '' ^'''''' '^ ^yolution. OF iMAN AS MALE AND FEMALE. qq CRITICAL NOTE ']. As to the taking a rib from the man OF THE ORIGINAL CONDITION OF MAN IN THE WORLD cRmcL.'^?^":'^"::^^.^;^:^^^^.^^..^^^ i? As to the word Sabbath, and the Creatoi'resting 'the 'seventh day. As to the character of the Garden of Eden As to Marriage. OF THE ORIGIN OF EVIL IN THE WORLD « ORITiaAlL NOTES ," !! Of the uncivilized races of Mankind r Of the Angels who kept not their first estate, and the methods of Temptation. Of the possibility of wrong-doing in the first Man or Woman. Tim CONSEQUENCES OF THE CfRBAT DISOBEDIENCE 61 THE COURSE OF THE HISTORY OF MAN WHEN OUT IN THS! V70RliD NOAH AND THE MEN OF HIS TIME.'. .. .* *.' .".' .'.' .',' .\' 77 v»i Contents. FAOI THE OREIA.T FLOOD 83 ORinOAL. NOTES '..**... *'. *.'. .'. 89 As to tlie extent and depth of the Flood. The Caspian Hca. As to tlie Uniformity of Nature, Tidiil Waves. THE SUBSIDENCE OF THE FLOOD, AND THE COMMENCE- MENT OF A NEW WO'^'^n 93 THE TOWER OF BABEL AND THF OONP^OUNDING OP LANGUAGE 100 ABRAHAM 105 CRITICAL NOTE AS TO THE BLESSING '. HO INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF ABRAM 112 The j,'<)ing ddwiiinto Kgypt. Tiie Si.'i)aiation from Lot. Abram as a Soldier, Melchi/edi'k. ABfflAM AND ISHMAEL .. .. 120 CRITICAL NOTE ON THE LORD SPEAKING TO MAn" " 126 ABRAHAM— THE DIVINE COVENANTS 12S Circumcision and chan<,'(! uf name. The comin<,' Catastrophe! to the Cities of the Plain. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CITIES OF THE PLAIN.. .. 137 Tlie yubse((U('nt Conduct of Lot. Note as to the Dead Sea. ABRAHAM OFFERING UP ISAAC 145 ABRAHAM'S CARE FOR THE MARRIAGE OF ISAAC.'. .. 153 ADDITIONAL NOTES AS TO ABRAHAM 160 As to Uwnership of Land, As to Current Money. ISAAC 163 JACOB 166 The Twin Sons. The Deceit as to the Blessing, JACOB'S VISION AT BETHEL 175 JACOB'S RETURN AND NIGHT OP WRESTLING 183 JOSEPH 192 The foolish fovoritism of his father, and the wickedness of his brothers Note as to the word translated Grave. / JOSEPH IN EGYPT 201 His position as a Slave, Vrison Life. Temptation. Of Dreams. JOSEPH AS CHIEF RULIBR 210 I FAnE 83 8» 93 100 106 110 112 120 126 12S .. 137 163 166 .. 201 210 Contents. JACOBS L^T WORM AND PROPHECY;. . "'""'"■'""ftiH. iin,„f .i„3„pi,. : '^^ THE BOOK OF EXODUS. OR THE DEPARTURE PREU„,KARV 0ONS,0.R„,o™ ^s ™ ™b= M.RAoT' OF MOSBS AS A SHUI'lIBRo 261 OF THE NAME JEHOVAH ^69 MOSES AND AARON UEFORE PHARAOH ^^^ PHARAOH AND THE PLAGUES ot^JpT ''' THE LAST PLAGUE. THE PASSOVFr a xr^' n; ^^^ TURE i-ASSOVER, AND THE DEPAR- THE PASSAGE OF the" red" SEA ■■ "^ ^^^ THE FIRST JOURNEY THROirnw mux; '^ 297 Water Out of tlio llovk Tlie firjht with tl)(, Ainalukites. THE PREPARATION FOR THE GIVING OF THE LAW 316 CRITICAL NOTES On the word Poculiiir. " ^^^ ™^THi°^.""^™^..^«'^'^^^^^^NTS. THE FIRST CRITICAL NOTES,. ^^7 .mmcTLX^^^^.^^^^«-™^«^^^^^ 338 of,/^,'!HS'"r "•''' '" ''"'•"-•• Father and Mnthe"; "" ''' n.!r baviuurs Com.uonU on the Commandments Of the release of Christian from the Law ^ Omtmta. PAOK FTJRTHBR CONSIDERATIONS AS TO THE MORAL LA.W. . 351 Concliiiliii<; word nn to tlii) (Jrouiid of Moral ()l)Iicration. COMMANDS RELATING TO, THE CIVIL LIFE OF THE JEWS 355 Mastor auil Servant. Polygamy, Protection of jiersoii and property. Law of " Kya for Eye " as Part of System ] of punishment for Crime. | THE SAME CONTINUED 364 Theft ami Baileeahip Lending and Usury. Laws relating to Wumcn. Witchcraft. False Swearing. Tlie I'oov and the Stranger. Conduct to Knc'thieH. LAWS RELATING TO LAND AND HEALTH 371 Land to have lieat. The Law of Jubilee as to land in the Country. The same as to the Houses in a City. Release from Debts. Sanitation, viz.; In respect of Food. " Cleanliness. " Contagious Disease. CRITICAL NOTES 380 As to the Land being a Divine Possession. As to Bondmen. THE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM DELIVERED TO THE JEWS.. .. 382 The Tabernacle. The Ark of the Convenant. The Altar and other vessels. THE SAME CONTINUED 391 Priests and Sacrifices. The Dress of tlie High Priest. The Sacrifices and Offerings. The Scapegoat. The Festivals. Other Laws and Ordinances. CRITICAL NOTES AS TO THE DISCREDITING OP SACRI- FICES BY THE PROPHETS 400 THE EPFEXJT OF THEIR RELIGIOUS SYSTEM UPON THE JEWS 402 The attendance of Males at the Festivals. Contents. xi PAOE Free-will ofTerir.Ts Tithes. Purity, Piovidon for Toachins in .the family THE INCIDENT OP THE GOLDEN CALF THE SECOND GIVING OF THE LAW *^^ Critical Note as to the expressiou '" That will 'l.v ' ' " " *^^ clear the guilty." '^ "y ""^ '"eans THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. THE PREPARATION FOR THE MARCH Ihe taking of the Census. The Ordering of the Camp, betting up of the Tabernacle Offerings for the Tabernacle " The Uivine Cloud ALSO The Law of the Nazarite Hobab, the Midianito. **^ The murmuring about Food Eldad and Medad. Sedition of Miriam and Aaron THE MISSION OF THE qPTPQ axtt^ t,^^ The Brazen Ser| ent. MARCHES AND CONQUESTS BALAAM 'i he prophet's covetousneH.s. An apparent contradiction explained. Hie rebuke by the ass. BALAAM'S WORDS AND PROPHECIES ihe hrst utterance. 487 The Second. The ThiiJ. The Fourth. TEMPTATIONS IN MOAIi AND CALL «ud incuiug ,0 fonucatiuii. 464 465 474 481 THE .lOSHUi 8 -,;; Contents. * AOE 1 IE ALLOTMENT OF LANDS BAST OF JORDAN. AND AP- POINTMENT OF CITIES OF REFUGE ^^ Tlie command to destroy the CuimanitOH. Cities of Refuge not to be for Muvdorcvs. Marriage within their own Tribe. IHE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. ADDRESSES OF MOSES ON VARIOUS Sill,! KCTS.. . . -. •• »1» Summary of their History " Lest we forgot." On Enticements from religion, etc. On the administration of Justice. On Monarchy. On War. On the Prophet to come. VARIOUS PRECEPTS AS TO SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS ^^^ MATTERS The Seige of Cities. Municipal regulations. Fugitive Slaves. Hired Servants. Manstealing, etc., Punishment for Crime. Divorce. National Thanksgiving. „r r.ar*jn. THE BLESSINGS AND CURSINGS, WITH THE CLOSING CHARGE AND SUNG OF MOSES ^" FINAL BLESSING OF MOSES AND HIS DEATH 5J0 FINAL CRITICAL NOTES '''\" \' " V tU. As to the General Character uud Authorship ot the Pentateuch. „ ,, i As to the point where the writing of Mosea ond.'s. \ND AP- AOE 505 Y. 51S BLiaious 524 CLOSING 531 540 545 loi'ship of the ends. PREl^ATOEY REMARKS. The historical studies of this volume are expansions of lessons delivered to a class of men and women in t le Cathedral Church of Montreal on successive f^ .dav aftV '- noons. They have all been based upon th. .indple f alung the Divine word as it is, and endeavormg topen;^ trate its real spirit and purport, following upon the funda mental idea of Scripture being written for the spSju'l education (or learning) of men. The author has speciallv tiation of the incidents of the narrative, a long and varied experience in secular life, and a close intercourse with men of various degrees, capacities, and oc.upation.s in several ro lieinj; » Divine inbreathing in these Scriptures, the Imniaii inslrnnient by which the inbreathing or inspiration has worked out the results we see, is a very secondary matter compared with the supreme importance of a right appreciation of the .evelation itself. '"he Old Testament, by its very name, suggests the com- munication of a irill; and this lias been accepted, broadly and generally, by all (Miristian churches and people as the will, not of Moses, or Samuel, or Isaiah, but of Almighty (iod. Xow. the beueticiaries of an ordinary will, especially if its beiiuests are of a highly valuable character, rarely KlK'ud time in discussing what i)arlicular lawyer was em- idoyed in drawing it up. and criticising minutely its terms and phrases, in order to determine which, of various pjssible legal expeiis, might have been employed upon it. Thc'y spend their time and apply their minds, with such assist- ance as lliey can get. to the consideration of the meaning of the will itself, and in seeing how they are interested in it, or whether they are interested at all. And heni'ticiaries would be somewhat impatient, if th:)se whose business to explain its meaning and the extent of ilieir interest in ii. were to devote years of time to the tri ding (jucstion of whose handwriling the will bore, and what jtaper it was written upon. It is I rue that if such incpiirios as these were likely to lead to the conclusion Ihat the document was not the will <»f the sui)iMised testator at all, but was composed by some preteudei- or forger, the enquiry wMuild rise at once to the first rani, of important (piestions. IJut on the supposition that flic great consensus of opinion was that the will Wiis genuine, a beneficiary would resent the delay caused by an expert who iusiste i on a determination of the question in whose handwriting it was, before he would allow its benefits to be availed of. The above comparison, like other comparisons, is not absolutely accurate, for the Old Testament (and the New also) c(»ntiiin a great amount oT matter tliat is not at all analogous in form to a will. But, without entering upon curious metaphysical ques- tions as to the exact nature and method of inspiration, it is Prefatory Ranarks. ' 7 sufficient for the present purpose to note that the great consensus of opinion-or, as we un«ht better exp ess Tt the wnters being used as instrun.ents by Him who cuuml as .s expressed in a .ollect of the English Church, alZ^ ture to bo wnltai for u„r Imrnnuj • ^ JN-hich doctrine when truly accepted and believed, at once nuses these Scriptures into such a position of autLor- HHinf T '''''" ''''^•' ^li«Position to dwell upon tnfing questions of what and who were the human insfru- men s lor .h<.ir produ..tion (for, on the above supposition "t would not mattery, but would give supreme and Td wSed a tention to the great ,uestion, what has the Divine lu for For what is the chatf ,0 the wheat? Much thought has been bestowed, and naturally, and much has been wrUttn "1-ii the question as to the adaptation of wheat in iti vaiS ed'n .rr'?7' I'"'"'"' ""^' '"^''^' ^"^ ''' companies of learn- d men put torth treatises on the various possible or actual t^ie^wuighl haxe been better employed. • f ;^^;its- s-^L-rSf^ -Hot.scwptu.. ^criptrnV • ""■ '^ l"""^''"^ '^>- '""«' ^•'•'••t'lm warrant of ; 'y^l T^^\^^Z^Vit'^ ^^"-^ i^ that the pure God'4^wH?; °^ 'he Ohurch ia controversies Is limited by thP thril " ,T"\ ^°" ^« '« the authority of couucils^ JaL.l'tfors'SiS..^ ''^" '^^^^"^ "^ aufhoity^'uSs that every order of her ministrv mav h.vo o f ^^^ away doctrine contrary thereto l)e driven mui.i'^nf 'i^n aE^'v ' '" "''^- '*^^* ^^^her Protestant Cob,. t^rs respect: ^^'^"""t ^-'^'1 "»« Oliurch of England In Prefatory Remarks. It is in the full acceptance of this great substantive truth that the Cauonical Scriptures, as we have them, are the will and word of the Creator and Uulor of the worhl that those studies have been pursued; and the author states as a fact, that the farther research has been pur- sued, and the more thoroughly investigation followed the more assured the conviction has become, that this "founda- tion of the Lord standeth sure." As the various incidents of the narrative came under i-evievv, It becam.^ increasingly clear that from the time that men and women are stated to have been formed upon the earth, the actions and sayings attributed to them are eminently real and human, and not mythical and fanciful Men and women, in these old historical records, act and speak as men and women do, or would Jo, in similar cir- cumstances, in tliese modern days. Human nature devel- oped Itself in Adam and Eve, In Abraham and Jacob, in Moses and Samuel, exactly as it does amongst ourselves. And this is the special value of these narratives and bi- ographies, that they relate to men and women whose course in life lay substantially along the same lines as our own; whose joys and sorrows, temptations and sins, failures or victory, are such as we all meet with in our own progress through the world, a world which is itself, in no essential respect, changed since the race of mankind began to spread themselves upon it. It may be. and lias been, objected that the many mi- raculous occurrences recorded as having taken jilace in these ancient days are such as altogetiier to ditl'ereutiate Scri[)tui-e narratives from those of later tunes. Hill a careful consideration of these narratives will shew ♦ liat there is an element of natural ncsii and rcamuaMein'ss in lliese very miraculous events. They are natural, as being ascribed to the putting forth, for sutticieiit reason, and at exceptional times, of the same power that frai'ied the Tniverse. Ami some of the most remarkable of them scarcely differ at all from the extraordinary manifesta- tions of what we call "NATtRio" in the world we are fami- liar with. And the reasonableness of them will appear, when examined and more carefully considered in the light of the end to be attained by them, in the time and circum- stances when I hey (lanxpired. Prefatory Rrmarksi. ; g ».,dt ',;"::'.,""""-"" '^'" "<- "•"-- -.enea „p a, these been professed that transHtn..« « '^"man. It has never purpose, viz to I'e nrofiT hf '°. ""'**"°^ ''^'^'^^^^^^ '*« ^^^^^ conrs. to the .o.lerni.in, of old^^r anV^h ast'"'^' "' - is f..„, opened np iX;:!^- ^^ ^ :::^ll """'^^^' Hiapters of the Hook of Ex.,d„s L . t '.'^' '''•'^"'"«' said with truth that ihTTw " "'' '* •'''^" ^'" eiiheroftheOldT f differences between versions, Vet n ,' f /'•' «■'■"■'*' P"^'t>oses of revelation. ' ^^•ith reir-u5 o ttI ^ . '""•' P^^^^^^s of the word. Tin ^e^sTtv' Inv if ''''''"" ^irchfelder, of Toronto « mve,^s.t3. Any references to the original of New Tes tament texts he has been able to search out for hLself Ihe .vork IS Ha,s commended to the candid judgment 10 I'nfuloiy licMiurks. and prayefful considcnitic*!! of jill wl»<> (Icsiic lielp in the study of Divine revelation, it beiny liie purpose of the autlior not to draw away the mind of liis readers from the word itself, but to lead them to it. tluit they may the better, not only read, but wark, hvni. anil iutairdli/ diijcst it. for their souls' health and salvation. I'RELIMINAKY THOUGHTS, API'LICAIJLM TO THE WHOLE OF SCKU'TUKE. Tliei-e is no more preKnant seiitonci. in tiie whole llil)l(. V rI\TV,VVn.r.;y"'^'^^'^^^^^'^i^ THIX(JS were WIUTTEN AliOKhllME (lefoiriufr to tiio writings of tlu' Old Tostii- ...on.) WKKE WKITTEN FOK OIK LEAUXINO." Ihus s,,oko the Apostle Paul, writing as moved by the Ho 3 Olnist when addressing (h,> Christians of Home. The Hol.v (.host thus marked out and indicated the scone of l!Zn«"i T "J, '"•'•' ""'" «f "''^ <'""' "•'''••1' Imd l..-en composed unch-r His inspiration. The.v were written for our "learning," the orij-inal word ind.cat.ng an educating process, such as is pas ed . .' m school <,r cj.llego, or in the broad tield of the w r 1 /^ •h.i'cte'. Hi? "T"';"' ';'"»"'""<>f^" <•>• ««i^'n-'. l.u, io th. uaia< tei and conduct ot man. For the obioct of this o;r";ji ,;;:r z ""' 'V" •^^^'^""'^ .-ti^ce'j^ i:^c non and lioju-. — Komans 15- 4 forn^^ma^ KL^_the reading does not re sult in this the~renf vears after- wards. Tint a Divine revelation is not needed in such matters. JMen have found them out f r themselves. Hut thev have never, by searching. foun. obviously applicable to the case, is this— that any revelation of the operations connected with the forming of the material world, while so revealed as to convey intelligible ideas, shall nevertheless be such as to remain essentially true during the long ages of subsequent discovery. What that means may be conceived of by considering that of the numberless theories on the same subject that liave been broached in modern times, the greater part, one by one. have been shown to be untenable, as investiga- tion widened the area of what could certainly be proved. The theories of so great a man as Darwin are already being discredited, modified, or disproved, in their application in this direction and in that; and apparently, only a small I If Preliminary Thoughts. . 13 .•om'Jhl""v^ '''il^'V;' ?"'"-^' ^"'*^ ""iversally received will lenmin. iSow. if this bo m, in the course of a single yen- SL*"".'. M ''•• /"''v '^ ''': «»I»P"«<'<1. will be thought of Dar- win 8 philosophy four thousand years henre! Yet this is he tes (o which the Boole of Genesis is being subjected in • hose tm.es. And let any one who considers tlu- , , m t " judge whether the bo..k has not stood this tes» in s • a inanner as to prove r existed bef There is ory. a church, where (U'e tin Hut besides the men of handicraft who did the work ■re was one who ap|)eared fnun time to time giv directions. And he had a paper in his hand thing indeed, for it c(»ntained, bef( in"; a remarkable complete jucture and plan of what tli:' build Every stmie that was laid, iind >re a stone -vas laid, a ing w. t(» be. had its prototyjM' in that pi of before it was cut. It i'vcvy beam that was used. ]>lan. Tl le stone was conceived • iilated. and it w conception and calculation size, weight, and place were ared in the shape of drawings in the archit.'ct's ofVu-e it had appeared in conceptions and ideas of the archite.'t's ,ni,„1 HuL let us consider. Is this the ultimate (u-igin'' Must we not go l»ack another step befoi and ultimate ca V we reach the i»rimal nse? H<,w was if that the architect himself 1 i , " ' ' '" iirciiirec began to design and calculate? According to al ence, the architect moved because h( He had been consulted A purpose was unfolded to 1 which purpose iie was desind to "nrtlier bv d building suited (o fulfil if I experi- was nuived ui»on. lim. •■xifinivfj a }V<' liav«', I lion, lea. •lied, origin (.f (Im. l.nildiiHr. a ;| tlOIl, of H(>| ThhiiiH irlmxv Oriyin /.v know,,. IS J{cf. tliiiil. '•' mail \vli(. liaN an ol)j..(t 'iH 11 rcsnlt of u 8i-arcli into tl »'«ii'<', 11 conception, a delciiaina lie It' (in. dw.'iJiMK was ,.iaiincd 111 view. iiiK of iiN dcNlralil 'f nil, .sonic man wan wiiH wiJiiin his iiicaiiN i»to plii.v. and fonncd a'Tlct •'"•'NH, was cal.iilatinf.- wholhci' ;t H'l.i (iiiaiiy had brouKlit liis will dou( crniinalioii that it siiould 1 )e The iilfinial us IS soiiicihing thai •' ''iiiiNc. thfii. of thi> material (liiaK hefoi-e nnd will of || It IH ohvioMs K' |Hojer(oi IN i„i,„„f,rh,i, viz., (he mind piii'l/ose, more we shall I forces as I ••ml file more carefiill im|»ressed h.v it, that biive been at work < "ivc jiisl been trac.'d f y we consider, the some such mental o IM'odiice eveivll I'om ori^-iii to fiiKilmeiit roiiKlK oiil bv Ih.. hand II<'i'e IS a ^rea( railroad, si k It'll ..1 Ill ^ ■ of man. unj- wh; h has bee., '"X'.wns. and thai nol ioii- ll/k 4^ ■ w . . .... ■ ^ Hie time was, and tl of it was a menial tlio land, Tl "" liol loiiK !lKo. when tl., •'"'il.v in the minds of ,;,.,.( '<• Kcini ..f it was tli( nnd lorm of adivilv. Tl one of the {.lealesi for siderabi «' lime, a dream, a 1 agitated, dist nssed, 1111(1 poliliral aclivil •leteri what III The ■milioii, and mental wo noo. .V. iinlil (iiiallv tin iiinniiifr tin. (•ontin<'iit. The "go, when it was not. Hut ic conception iiKis or certain men in !-'f<' as a mental force »w •r a con- ion; menial ills enormous maleiial entity m 'ecs ill llw" W(.rld. was, f( ' ' lope, a desire, an ambit •■ontroverlcd. in the realm of cogitation becann loncepiion iH-came eiiilMtdied III oi igiii of this vast rail « origin we must pass from the real trace it to it _ material, and enter the real this we cannot go, for we 1 snflficient first cauHe way was in the Mind. T O . . 111 of (he m of spiritual forces. IJevond ve reached a reasonable' and la What was t| nihilating dist /lose of the owner lie origin of the swift stei iiee on the Atlantic? Tl liners that are an- (lesire, tlien '**• The steamers w* lie thought and par- ill conception, and finall line of the keel was laid. How came those marvell re there, first in .V in will, before a fliev worl ous machines to be wliicl l<. «eeni almost endowed with intell ii. as were invented, we sa.v ^■enius was at work" in „' Th igence? They •' >"imi of a man of mechanical Hie Idea was al h-iigth coiiipl will conception '•<>n<-eption of what mifyiit I «ml the machine was fash plete. Tonception then I le. lecame Tl thin ioncd according to (he iiiH. lit whatever we h)o|, things of which II l<. in tlu' shape of ably find th lie origin is absolutely know inanimal iK II can be traced l)a(k I u- igning mind. Thk Mi.vn OF ALL THIXOS ril.\l OP MAN IS Till.; oui 'I'lM'; HANK oi' MA n. we invari- o an orij-lnaling and te- Tlie dwelling Iwffot-* 'pokcii of is nur- poiiridt'd l»v a 'iiwii or farm. Hound about tlic lawn are trees, h1h'uI)s. and plants. These .ill canie to be \, lieri,' and what thev are bv reason of being planted, according to a conception or design, this slirub liere, that tree there, of the owner or designer of the jtliice. These were |»ro- duced In setting in motion certain forces i>reviousl_v known, inherent in the plant, according to its kind, which forceH, once set in motion, by seed or sapling, worked indei)en- dentiy (it the will of the originator towards the desired result, viz.. diver.-itied and beautiful giounds. with fruit trees, and trees for shade and ornament. The designing mind of the owner, working by means of natui-al living fofces. produced this garden, even as the same designing mind laid worked upon mere dead form .-v , '.;. . RD. T-Y A HlUHRR MlND STILL. ?^i UF THK OnsCUIlITIKS AND AIM'\F{KNT ('<)NTi{\i)RTi(>Ns OF .scuirruuE. Tlic obsniiiuL's llm( arc foiiml in Scriptiii-t' uiv lai-m-lv iimttoi's of the rclutivi" hit.'llimiic.' of llu' mul.T. T.. a I'laii (M imi- IvIiowUmIkc of tiiiii;,'s anciciii .,r iikmUmii. wlin liiis ii> ' 1,1" ' oxporii'iin. of iMiman luituro and lli.. wavs of mimkind, n.aii.v things will seem obscure, that to a man of WMhi- Iviiowicd^v and hiiKor oxporionco will seem plain uud int.-llioii.h.. JndtMMl. Ill," same things will appear i., the saiiir .nan (.l.s<-nn" and hard |„ nnch-rslainl in his .voun^.T da.vs. an.! .-asv enough to .•oiiipreluMid when his Knowicdjic IS enlarged. Sonn'tinics a dini.iilly is cleared np l.v roniparin}; wiili a paralh'i paHsa^e; Noniclinies l.v considerin}-- if the Iraiis- ation nni.v not he inaccnralc. and ol.lainin;-- inforniatimi from a scholar; sonietinie.s by considerinj; dillVrcnces of times, cirrnniKiances. ami men's manners; and sometimes by considerinj. that human nature, even in ".mmI men is seldom wliory consistent. With r.'oard to numbers, say (.f an armv. or of popula- tion, which j-ive rlHe to many dillicnlties of" comprehension It IS important to remember that in the transcription and" repetition of copies of numbers, it is ainiosi c(.rtain that errors would arise when I In- letters .d' ancient laimna-es siguityinj,^ numbers were .so much alike. While the orimi 'il record was undoubtedly accurate and from an insi.ired source, we are nowhere tau;-ht that copvists were infallibh' But It IS to be noted that no savinj-- truth, no truth in- volyint- the fjuidaiice of men in the way of life, is bound uii with the accuracy of numbers. With regard to statements that ai)i)ear "™ ot tlio aR„„li,., ;;-Fo.e ,r„:,!L-i;;;;;>-!:,--V';*;rre^;^^ :® 2(1 The OrUjin of the Habitable World. from auotUer source. Aud iu this we have tlie ground iiud reason of a Diviuo Uufoldiug — a revealiuy of that vvliiL'h cauuot otherwise be found out. Throughout the Divine Word this rule or principle evi- dently ruus; the things that cannot be searched out by the reason of man are revealed; the things that man by the powers of his own reason is capable of discovering are left to him to search out. The first revelation of the origin of all things is, there- fore, not iscientilic. None of the natural laws that govern the world are revealed, for law is Ihe method of operation; and method can be discovered. It is that wliich is beyond the sphere of law, which re- lates to the ultimate force, to the source and origin of law itself, — this it is— the uudiscoverable— that is revealed. This revelation, made nearly four thousand years ago, has been nuulo in such a way as to conform to two prin- ciples essential to any revelation: (1) That it shall be so made as to be capable of being understood; and that, in all ages, in all countries, and by all men, (2) That it shall be, in essential substance, true for all ages of coming time, and that, notwithstanding the progress of discovery. The reticence of tlie lievelation is as remarkable as its breadth and <*omprchensiveness. Nothing is revealed of what might have been stated to satisfy the curiosity of inanlvind or the search after knowledge for its own sake. What is revealed of Creation in this first chapter of the Mook of Origins is simply made known as the foundation for what follows, viz., the relation between the Uncreated, Eternal, and All-powerful Originator, and that being who was created last of all, and who is capable of knowing and obeving him, viz.. JL\N. It is doubtful if any revelation or any discovery of the origin of the world and the heavenly bodies governing it would have been of any practical value to mankind, so far as mere secular life is concerned. The whole realm of praciicnl science is not indebted for a single item of discovery to speculations about origin. Wha(, then is tlie object? What is I he end to bt> attained by it? The end to be attained is certainly of high import- ance, being no less than the cstdhlishiiiti a fouudntioii for Dirinc iMtr in the uphrrc of Hiiiiiaii Cmsj uct! lie who created nuin, "iifuT^TrTtmifnul developed the World for his habitation, and its productions for his food, clothing and sustenance — He obviously has the right to direct and control him. That must be accepted as an axiom. The Origin of the Habitable World. 21 of whi,^'riM'"' ''^' '"■''"> ''"^''^' *'''^"'^'' «f the ultimate matter ron'tV' T'^"*^"" containing ccumuands and requSieuts rut . tl?n< .?''"if' ^''''^^■' ^•'-'^''"^ l^^' '-1° unfolding of be It is in tiie liglit of these great principles that such a Eevelat.on as that of the tirst chapter of the Book Genesis ?"' in is'tZ '•;■"' t"'/^'^^^ ^^'^'^^ - most n'oSbfe' tkal '' "" Revelation of the Divinity in relation There is no preliminary affirmation of the existence the uttributes, the character, of the Supreme. For the D vine ?eh°^' W^l^' ";'^^^"°^^ *'^« *l'«»S^t «f man to con fcction Eut the Supreme, in relation to Man is con ceivab e m an absolute and perfect sense. He is concSv: able through the powers and faculties in wh^ch men are like h.m. Men are themselves originators. They design and concen-e. and order, and make They goyern cont?oi r^i^:T- '''■'^^' ''.''' ''''''^^'^' compreieml One w h o ?s woHd rfo '^"^■■"•''^'°^:' '"'-^'^i"^. and ordering a materia? and directs- a'l-^crnrr- ""''''''.''^ "^ ^^^ ^'^^ eommlZl J^Z^i:. col^il'^rm^el^ ''''^'''^ ^^^^-^^-' thJ^creat'on'of"?ho t'f ''"' ""''7 ^ ^^"^^«^ affirmation of Op t„e Cn„AT.v,: Development of the Eaeth eor the Service of Man. 00 t'lruticc DcLxlopintnl of tin; Earth. tlu'ouuli foitain periods of duration; from rudiinoutary or- j^anizatioii, to tliat perfectly organized eouditiou hi which alone it was suitable for the habllatiou aud develupiueut of a creature like num. Aud the heaveuly bodies, whose action is essential to human life, are placed with their powers in such relation to (he earth that they not only give light aud heal, but by their movements are signs aud marks by wliidi Inuuau time is measured aud all huuuiu affairs are regulated. Unorganized matter, formless, dark, and void, having been called into exislence, (he lirsl sli-p in the bringing order out of cluuts is the creation of LIUUT. God said — Let light be, aud it was. The second, the separation of the atmosphere, aud the region of clouds, winds, mist, and rain, from the gradually solidifying mass of the earth. Clod said— Lt't it be, and it was so. The third, the separa- tion of the dry land from the waters on the earth's sur- face. CJod said — Let it be, and it was. And now that the great divisions of the earth begin to assume shape, — the seas retreating to their bounds, the river systems assuming orderly foriuatiou — (Jod for the first time pronounces the work Good! The next step is the development of productive! power in the earth's soil. For the revelation is not that God created the grass, the reproductive^ herb, and seed-bearing fruit tree, but that He stamped productive poicvr upon the earth itself. So the earth became a producer, and has so con- tinued to this day. This was the beginning of LIFE; and it also was ])rou()unced Good. But the life was uncon- scious. These varicms plants, trees and herlts had no power of motion. Neither have they to this day. The fifth step is, not to crattr the Sun, the Moon and the Stars, as many have su])posed (for their creation is related in the first verse), but to perfect the relation of these bodies of the earth so that they shall give light; !hat the order of the seasons shall begin, with the regular procession of days, months and years — all which arise from the orderly motion of these heavenly bodies, and the earth's relation to them. And here hM it be noted that, though the roots aud foun- dation of all physical science thus far h-ive been touched, not a glimpse of scientific knowdedge has been conveyed. Of Chenustry, Astronomy, ^Meteorology, Hydrostatics, Pneumiiti<-s, liolany. as sciences — not one w<" ,t 1 , *^''^'^^' ''"' foli«>winji ing Power, we now see he t sfl ' '"'^•' "^ ">^' ^'-^'^'^^^t^ ness and power ofMo Hon p, "^^'«'"»>»gs of Consdous- huRo winged fo^^" to r^nl f"i,f •''^m ''■^^"'"*'"*^^^'^'« «»" «'nallest bird of th^a n| t^l "''''^•'<' '"•'^'^^t' '^^J th.- own life, and all can u.;. . " vill'""" "'"'f^r ''^ t"^'''" ones with an inconce " l, o in • ' T"" "*^ ^''^ '^•"'^^'cr sphere of their capacitlv ' ''"'' ''"^I"^'^'^'' i" tlic or^S^^l:^^?,:^^''^^ consciousness are another manifestati^^n of nimse,;; ''"''' ''' ''"' ^''' *^^^' been '-thinking th,*' ihlmolir ''l.f'.'':''', •''^''■ononier once .said. worki„gs„r;,n infin t, A r.^^^^,^ "'"''' ''^"^^ Wisdom, the the developnlen s o^ nm nntic ;"" '"""V'^^^" ^^'^^^"^ ^'^ nomic calculation. To ;,;/ A !h^'''*'"1^*1'^^ '''"^^ '-^^t^'o- Geometer, the great vlfrnf ^^^t^einatician, the grea^ e.oe, has' l^eJ^^^^^TZ^' ^rl:^'i^'''^ ^^^ >-- marvels. Cut thev all ni -W i^ "^- »"d producing these of one whose attHbut 's e u li ''" ''''''" ^^"^ outworkings tion The, might-;;:;t^;,;:?^l'"„--- ^-ce and cah.uh. P-reirth^ap;;:!^^::^^ -i;-f^l with consciousness ap- attribute of cZ^lu^Tn ts Tai-irV'"''^.'''^''"'^' t'^" Cxod gave BLi^ssrxG fo all (hese r,lnV """'"' ^^^^''^A-olence. soiousness, a happiness uclnsZ"'^'' ^"^ '^"-l^'-^' '" c«"- aftor their kind. The direciLUr^nf''^ '■•'''^■'^^^^^' "f' «"'^ thorn reproduce their k nS S fin fV '"."^f"* forth.-Let a.r and the waters. And it was 1 a "^M^ ''^'^''» ^t the pronounced Good "^'^^ ^''- ^°t* these also were Tlio nex-t step was to endow -..a. „.„,'„:-;: ^r;-:.- ™- r„-ra *:; 24 I'milirc I) c III op mint of the IJartli. Ilu'if liiibiliiliou ui>(iu il, hucIi as ctiunot live in tiie waters, ami fiinnol U.v in tlu' air. Tliere is liero tlislinctiou, siuiii as j'urres|K)n(ls witli wlial lias always oxistt'tl on the oai'tli, hc'twrcn llie crcalun's llial. are adacluHl dii'i't'lly to tin- .stM'viic of man i^in (lu' preparation of food, the cnltivatiou of (lie ground, aiul in travelling over the earlli), and those otiiei' crealures of varions orders, some of them four-footed, some manv fooled, wliose existence is bounded by them- selves, or lias relation only iudireelly l<» the service of mankind. The former are evidiMitly" designated by the generic word "cattle" (and the Hebrew word suggests it) and are all of a higher order of consciousness. They are susceptible of disci|)line; in them are the I'udinu'nts of undrrsijindiiig, liialis, jnsi so murh uiidcrsiaiidiug as maUes them capable td' service to num. They can know iheii' own names, understand directions am! commands, and distinguish between their owners and othei' persons. And these als(> were pronounced (iood. Thus, then, there has been originated: — .\ werld forming part of a general system (d' material things, titled for the dwelling of a creature like .Man, by being endowed with [)roductive capacity for all his needs, and tilled with creatures whose lot is generally subservient to his own. The nest step in the development of creative power is !he origiiiali thus far — but that Creation i-< marvellous beyond imagination, and reflects a glory iu- eouceivable upon Ilim who conceived and called it into being. ! [| xNOTES (JUITKJAL ANJ, EXPiANATOKY. As TO THK NaMK Ol- TUK J),v,XK Bkino. Uno ol' tlio ih-Ht (iirul iiarnilivc is ii m!nisi<('s((,a)niei,i,,,,(>eiatioii„fSc iJebrinv words Hi;r„ifyi„j, y,J ^ uiKkTHlaiuliiifT of (In. ,m rip- tiiiiii},' of th(- translation is dofect >iyin(' J{..iiif>-. Tlic KhfTl twoen tliose words, for, wj ive in not indicatin.r djn b« sinjrnlar a<'(iira('y in (i K'n examined, (here isli ('renc(>s be- in seen tt) used. A consideraiion of jh y."'" <• I'i/.injr. p,,,.| „f (I !'*' manner in whieh (hey an- «H would have i)reven(ed "some little hetler (1 K' so-called IiIl'Ik J'' i(s ignoriu}^ tl one pla( JJriier crihcism is •y words witliont f^ the reason win/ one ••' Jind another i the ( '■<'!" loi', or as the Moral < ''■'■'"W: (o the Supreme I? n anoilier. a^ • Mil! in/rlv Kxistin^r. or as (he \\ witJi mankind 'overnor. or as (he Kw-rl ■•'I'lfi wiio enlers into ,•„ as vsl In til l.i'^>^-<"l i« ELOHIM ONE, a t venani (trans- creative power at erm most natural when (I I i-eally signifies the MTdirTY It is noticealile that (1 nction is that of on(> Rn- e revealed. H> w le operations of s iwpreme oi' forees and pnirrrx that are behind all phenomena and tliat are the moving cause of them; they themselves being the creation of Him who is "before all things" and "by whom all things 'consist'" or are held in constituted and continuous being. As TO Tiir, Pkimoos of Tni;: pi:sir.\ATEr> Days. The word Day may as naturally signify a definite period, era. or epoch — in the ages previous to man--as the period of time which we call day. and which is measured by a sinolc I'ovolution of the earth on its axis. For time, in The Periods of Time Designated Days. 27 As there was no na wL se , . .' '-"'"""'^ "^' ^•'^"«<-i'^"«'H.ss. J'^'ve called a thousan,! mi.-.s f. . n .'h I!' 'T ^^""'^^ "'illions; for to the J)ivine Mind .1 , "".'"'"""' "'' '^■" i.s no succession no oeVi ' ^ '"''' "^ "•'"'• 'i''^''"'' wi.l. the J.ord !;s I and vo!^.r';'.r;""'?f- ^"--^ ^'^^^ '^ as one day. '<)u.sanu ^eais, and a thousand years Nevertheless, in wrilini- wli^it i^ < tcMu.8 must he use.l w InVh 'v n, !n"-n'-'^' '"l^'"i«^'"^'^. words indiealin;, tin <• , '\vo d ^ ^^ .''• '^"* "^' '"' sin.ple and tl,e most nro n ml . Z "* '•'^''* ^''^' '""^t pn-iod durinj.- wIm.'I Vh ear ,,...- '"' "^""^■^' •''■"'^''' t'"' course of opera! ions is pr<.,.,.edi,r« ^ ' " '^'''*'" conscious of it, r.nd even ,m. / , '•■'!''•"<''' ^^ho is winch to n.oasure i : p, lie i;","""" T- "^'"''"f-^ ">■ '".'usured l.v srnsalion i is , ■ 1 1 "■''"*; ^'""' """^< '"' measured l/v «ens " n, . ' '' ^, • "','"'l' '"'^ ^''"< ^^■'"'» to vary alniost n le i, . • f • er'."' "' 'T '""•^' •'^"^"" -cordin. to the cha;at l' o ft . e,^,^ ''^^^Z f"""'' a r a fe V d T i' "'"":""^^'^: "^ "^^v sensations, it seems As To (iKoi.ocic FoiJMATIONS. The process described in veises s. of the (luif of St. I.iiwreiice, of the Mastern coast of (he I'nited Kingdom, and of many other jiarls of the globe. It is doubtful, indeed, if the great currents of the ocean, such as (he (iiilf Stream and (he Arctic Current, are not the remains, by gradual subsidence exlending over (housands of ye;irs. of (he currents which once swepl over th(! globe, and which, along wi(li volcanic and ui»-heaving forces, detormined the form of the continents and islands of tlie globe as it now subsists. The same foro's \vliich would operate to I'aiise thes(» inconceivable rusliings of waters, would o])erate als(» on (he surface of the earth, upheaving, dei»ressing, compress- ing, outs])reading: — forming, in i)rocess of what we "an (im(> (for want of a l)elt(M' expression') the uumntain cha u'; hill f(U"mations. valleys, and plains of the e.'irth. And ihe action of tho waters after (lie gr(>at bod of (he sea had been foruKMl would naturally give rise (o (he river systems of the globe. The whole of (he river valloys of the globe present (he same ap])earance of nadiral formation (hat a limited area of (ho earth's stirfai'i^ does on the subsidence of a Hood. There is tho same cutting volvinading (»ut and f(»rmaiion of alluvial levels as tln^ ultimate waters are reached. Tt does not rorpiiro a very vivid imagination for hTio who has seen (ho o]i(M'ation of a trroat river flood and its subsidence, to trace out (he operation of (lie mighty forces described in the ninth verse, in (lie formati(Ui of (ho valloys of the St. Lawronco and (lio^IississiTipi in tho New World, and tlio Ganges, the Danube, the V 'no, and the Volga in tli(> Old. The galhering of (ho waKM's into one place, and the rising up and appearance of tho dry land, would be accom})lished by tho rising up of mountain chains, oorrosponding with the doj)rossion of (he bod of the sea, and of the river valloys of tho whole globe, A proper UvoliKjh FonimlioitH. 29 He'"t;H' hull"" i'"'""^" '•'^""" •"' '•'■"'^"'•" ""•• P'-ovi- d. nee— the l( tlli jrhcN. i„ n f.-v wonls. ilic .qviK w(. 1; '""Hl.T llH-.v Imsl.Ml „w..v. 77/. .,o.,;/„/.... ,,,™/ /a, , I h,,s dvxvnul. In ll,r ,,larr ,rlnr/, Thun ln,.l (,„u„l ,1 f,r ,n " was formed „« n,ankin*" »« r..™';„7rH,;,;'„ ;;r:';i;!;;,;;;;.' ■;;;r?','^"- '» • ,7 "■' ^ while the i)n,r.,.J ,.c ' ^'^""'^ "^ '"♦^"'^^ subsist verse 9. "^ movement descnhed in 50 IHnlribulion of Lund tiiid Walcr. Hut (lie proct'HS of prt-pai'iituui iiuihI liiivc bei-n Humoiontly fdinplclc Itcfoic llic crcjiiioii iiiul platiiij,' of ho lii^lilv <»i'- ganizcu, Hi'iiMidvc, uiul iiadirally (IcfciucU'SH n-caliii't' an luaii upon the eai'lli. Aiul all "(liiiiKs oljHci'valdc, on tin.' t'arfli and tlu' waltTs. iinlicalt" tlial (liis waH m(.. <)i- Tin: iMsi i!ii!i Ti(i.\ OK Lam. and Watku. The areas of (lie jflohc ocf.ipicd h.v land and by water respec lively have plaiidy been nuittcps -A Mallieniatical Adjiisliiieni and Cainilalion; ealcnialed indeed as slriclly as tlu' walei- supply of a cily w (d' a fai'lory is estimated. There has been Hie niiesl adjuslnient here of means to ends, so that llie area of water shall j^nve otV (hal exact amount of moislnre which will ensure a sulHicient rainfall and water su[tply. and ri'ideiiishment of si»rinfj;s and rivers for the service of niankiiid and animaled ci-eatures. as well as the sustenance of vej;ctable life. One nii;;ht ask. in sini|)iicity. why ther<' is so much of sea on the surface of the ;j;hd)e'.' Let' us suppose the relative areas of land and water so chanfred that there would be far nn)re land, and less of water. Is it not evident, in that case, that the rivers of the earth would shrink, that springs Avould dry ujt. (hal water supply bv wells would diminish, thai the lainlall would be curtailed; the etfect bein.ir a very larjje .••■ssation of ve}relable ami j.lant life, and the (urnin;; .tf larfic tracts of produi'ti\e territory into waterless desei'l? No. The y,ht)le matter was desij,nied in llie d<'ptlis of infinite wisdom, and desiuiied DKilhniKiticdUii. Hut if mathematically, who was the :\rath"ematician? If by calculation, who was the Calculator? A full and caicful consideration of this fj;reat subject will load to the settled conclusion Ihat the successive de- velopments of the formation of the earth must, of necessity, have been, in substance, such as are (h-scribed in this first ohaptoi' of tli(> Jfosaic Tiecord. and s])ecially that a MIND of infinit*' cai)ncity in d<>siart]i. -. Io.,,W,,Mhe,,„th itself to his own use. (4.) To enltivale for purposes of f„od all seed-bearinir plants and herbs, and all frn it-bearing trees '^ VertV"'A?nn''rr"" 'Y''' ''' ^""•^'-- --^^'ions:- material ns fl.ni ^f „ • ^ .^^ '^'■"'"^' '^ '^^ Pi'i'^'lv ronforniation of his bodilv fnnie-and tl nt o? fl f. t a2 The Ciratiuii of Mini. taliou of the cainibilitios of uuUtor. When we ihinlc of the powers and capaeity of the liumaii IkiikI, the human rijc, the hnman organs of speech, with the vesl of the Hlruotuir, of bones, muscles, nerves, arteries, ami the organs sus- taining life, we are constrained to sii.v— not onl.v, I am wonderfully, but fearfully made. Fuv ('erlainly, a consid- eration of the Avonders of the bodily frame o'f nam dues produce, as it proceeds deeper and tiee|iei', a senliment of awe, as if in the very presence of Almijihlv Wisdom and Power. Into this bodily frame was breathed ilie Spiril of LIFM, specially and in a manner distinct from Ihni of | he life of other animate 1 creatures. Man became n living soul. (There is, however, no special siguilicance in the word soul,' t'or it is used of all other animate beingH). What the Spirit of IJfe was. that was breathed inl(» man. must be learned from the capacities before referred lo. These are, in general, ihe capacity to rule animatetl creatures, the capacity to subdue the productive forces of Ihe earth, the capacity to spread over the surface of tlie globe. All this corresponds to all that is known of mankind in the i)resent age, in all countries, and in all stages of development, and also to all Ihat has ever been known of mnnkiiid, in anv former age, no matter how remote, in any count rv. and iii any condition, whether civilized or rude, from 'the verv beginning of any kind of chronicle down lo Ihe present. ' Putting aside, for the moment, any moral or spiritual development in the nature of man, let us briclly puss the foregoing under review: — Man is stated to have been originally crcilted with a capacity to rule over all orders of beings on the face of the earth. Men, as we know nmnkind, are great I v inferior in bodily strength and Swiftness to many orders df animat- ed creatures, and all evidence points to its having been always so. Yet it is a matter of e(nial cerlaintv that men in these days, and in all countries, do, as a mailer of fact —rule over and make subservient the creatures mIio are enormously sujx'rior in strength. The liorse. the ox, the camel, and even a creatui'e of suih prohdue the earth itself is of -i beiDR exhausted e 4u b n;.*" e™d ,, tbl^Z", "f ^"l "-T i-g r, and fisherman; more than a hunter and tiimcr of wild beasts, of the wilderness of nature, and of tlie waters. This is simply matter of fact. JIan can lift himself iibove his surroundings. He can recall the jiast. and dwell upon it; put on record its doings and sayings. He is cnpable of reasoning upon them, and so considering th(>iii as to frame rules, mottoes, courses for guidance of conduct. He can also anticipate the future by imagination, and carve out ideals beyond the bare actualities and prosaics of daily exMstence." He can sing, and iilay nu instruments, and has developed capacity for- music and musical execution; he can compose poetry, or, wlK-n he cannot compose, he has the capacity to be moved' by it and carried away beyond and above himself and all present pressure of life. He can develop art, in sculpture and painting, and rise to the loftiest conceptions of ideal existence throusrh it. *•£ The Cnvtioii of Man. 35 power of folh.win.- ,1 ■ J „.* k ■ n", ?r ' "^■^■'"•''"^^ "'^^ preme Origiuuto,. and [io^ ^ '^Z' ^I'^/'fl- '^ 1" stamped on tbon. a,usr wo,,,i,.r , l , ' "V t T '''^'' tion which move to awe and uoi.slliV ' ^^^^ ^' "'"' w;;n uli\fe\e t^,tf*,^: 'Jj;;;^' animalism. Ue might, consideml to b it^ e L '?'^''/'^. V-'"^ ^^'"^'^ "^"«t bo and is exercised at -ill Puu L ; * '^'"I''»"*^^l kv consciousness and spiritua acul V nor^^ ^o"-sc.ousness, so this moral spiritnalinrofereu4to(3 L f'"'^"''''""; *^' '"'>"' ^i"'^ of Cons.'ience which is no i. '•'^*'^'"l»«"i^''l l>.v the faculty in reference ; nor nnd ,n f T^^^- ^''"" ''""«<^^io»«ness man is the n o,-al sense^nd ^ ^!''' )'""«'• <'"»«i'ience in of right and ;: Jg ^oHv an Tnten^^^^ T' ^^'■«^'^— »^^ directly and by intu tiW h.J '"tellectnal i)rocess. but ^itdi pain 01" pleasui feeling. not by thinking, but by 36 The Creation of Man. Thus lluH, was num r.-piosoute.! in this Book of Genesis lo be con^liUited: Lusl and chief of a series of a."u»;i '-'d iK-ings: with a l.ifihe. an.l liner pliysual organ.za um than anv vH essentially composed of matter like them all. EndoNve.1 with the instinct and capacitj^ of dominion and rule over all animated creatures. Capable by mental and bodilv endowment of bringino M the capacities of the earth* itself into subjection. Also of -V^^fJl^^l^^ over the whole earth, and living under any ot its climatic conditions. Further, man being created lu the image ot llim that created him, he had the power ot desigmng and ,„.,.,iHaling; «•!■ un.hM-standing tlie operation ..t means, and how to fr^me them to certain ends; of bringing to pass that which has been conceived and designed; the power ot self-knowledge also; of knowledge and consciousness of the past and'the distant; of that which is above and beyond the earth, as well as of anticipating and providing for the futiu'e; the power of idealizing, and of imagination o ere: ting in conception things above and beyond that Wiiich "But"'above all this: The Divine I^age involves moral !;nd spiritual coni?ciousness, the discernment of the Cie. tor Himself, and the power of communion with nun as like con.munes with like; and the power of loving, honoring, ayid consciously obeying Uim, and of consciously undei- standing right, truth, and goodness as towards creatures '*'Thi's*irMai,'as represented in the first chapter of this hook of Origins, and all that we know, or have ever known, of mankind, in any age or country, or in any condition of development, rude or civilized, corresponds to it. .NOTES CKlTICAh AND EXPLANATORY. ].— The absurd tiititisui, that man is reiji-eseiited na bt'jug formed of the dust of the around n il !n . s^:sS"";:.^;;;";:r,::;i.,;^!;^;,;:r'- ^•^'"-" As TO Man ,„,,n.; •,,„ Kksul. „, ,v l.„„,,.»» „, Kvuun-.ox,. " Mw. n'"" PI''"™""' ''»"■""' >i"'""l..» iVue'woS \\'hon a manufacturer of 'ii.vs j(i a bystander. "Th II piec'^ of work in silk or cotton not (ho less be considered as its mal is is of my making." h licr if it wer( would shown m !( 38 The Cirolioii of Man. that he nevor toiuthed it, bill oiil.v .l('sijj;ued oue or iiiuie nuiohinos bv whose operiilioii it ;.Hn-nla,-s Thus, in a narra.iv. of tl,. ,an m "ns tiK m In , c. n. s,. snniniar.v. and sav. - Tliis famous .ai.lain . r .. ,(sH ol h,s ,.a,vn- j-ain,.! s^-v.-ral vi..f,M-i.s ov • , • ..■"'..sot Indian prinms; he then mad.' th,.mnarkahi.. IV u sulai- .-ampaign, in whi,d, lu- overthrew one a te m, , ^ o the j„-..al Marshals of Nap,. „. Hnallv .-n inJ I v v i, n r.,winK Nap.de„ii I s.-if on the field of Water 1. '• s:;:;:;;'d:;i.;v';oi;r^;;;;:]vrt^r,a:";;;;;.,^ Putting- aside then, as of no pra.ti.al int.Mvst ,„...,. ":::Zr:::;::'i:::r'''''^ • ^ - «>-'.;.st;.n;;r;.f As to fh,. fact of tlie (irsf fonnafion: the first tw.. w,.,... 'Toated. as ar,. all other animat.nl hcMnf^s. « a e andVenn e Hilt one male and one female ''• . '•''■«; manner of ereafhm of the f.Mnale is sinirul'ir Yet suan, ar as ,t i.s, it is fnll of profound nteardn^. tlii' ,' om ns" out the more it is reflected upon. ' 40 Of Man an Male and Female. I I l._Tbe relation bftweeu the man and the woman is not t(. he merely a physieal one, for the purpose of continnation of the species, as is the case with other animated creatures, but a relation of coiiiiniiiionshii). Both are created in the Divine image! The woman as well as the man, has the faculty of rule over the creation, has intelligence, design, imagination, moral consciousness, si.iritual apprehensum. She is created a companion. Introductory to her creation, a "reat fiindamenial truth is enunciated, of far-reaching' effect, applicable to man in all countries, ages and condi- tions viz V. IS, -It is not aood for nmn to be aloni: I u-m mthc him on lirlimeet for /liw." And this has refer- ence, not to male companionship (for man ot necessity will not be separate from men) but to female, llie being, therefore, through whom the race is to be continued, is so ereated as to be a companion and a help, suitable to his condition and circumstances. She is to live with him, and to be of service; a condition or position admitting ot an iiitinile variety of adaptations, but all bearing on the same '"lint the details of the narrative of the creation of the lirst woman are full of practical significance. That they have furnished matter for ridicule is well known, ihat even devout and faithful souls have stumbled at the nar- rative is well known also. But this narrative, like much i-lse in the narrative of the Divine ways as revealed in Scripture, when carefully h)oked at, is found to have noth- ing unreasonable in it ; nay, it is seen to be contormable to the highest Avisdom. The U)IU> (iOU caused a deep sleep to fall upon the first man, and took one of his ribs, and from this rib he nmde the female man. This sleep was evidently super- natural. . . . , , ^„ .. ..J. 1 __x„w, up.)ii this narrative, it is pertinent to sa\ that we 'know nothing, and can know nothing, apart troin knowledge divini' commiini. -That the creation of the first female man was in this manner is certainly not impossible. •{—Of the abstract reasonableness, or otherwise, ot tni> paVticular mod.- of cieati.m, we certainly are not eompetent to judge. But we are competent to judge as to whethei llu^ reas(ming of the first man upon the matter was wise and suitable t(» the occasion. , , , ■ This mode of creating woman out of a part ot his own bodv led to the first exercise of the reasoning faculty in thehistorv of man, viz., in this manner-If this being, now bro'ight to me. was fonned from my self, then she and I are one he is ''Bnnr of nil/ hone" and "FIrsh of Wjl flesh. Of Man (18 Male mid Fviiinlc. 41 And the rcaHoning iiiiiHt Hfi-ik-** i.v<.iv ....... i »""»o- ■•■I"- " «n.i .lu» ™ „ \ .. r "„e'''i,",';;:,;;'i'.,;.': sball, lu iiiiiiTiiiK'c, leave his fith,... • .wi .' Yi'' . """ est to liis lirnr/ Ti,; , i" ,",'"" "1 '"'HI, tlu' part lleill-- i» .'i».";';m"otHrv:,:;;s';;,TjtVii';.;if "'i^ """■'•■ "» «"■' nnd oo,.'r,„ll..,l oomli i|,: i!,'^;^;- "'S'^/' » fall,.,, sufficiently in liJatitW hi- .'''''''''' '"''"^''^' aptitudes, first Wo nan 1 s fni ; .?"'' T ' ^'" ^''^^ ^^«" »nl»e botl. luninrthe'im JS^''of ' LI \Te .t; ' ,'dT^"^ ''""^•"''"r- to rule tlu> world, and to s,n ..i\l !.. 'lavinp eapaeity tbnt course of InnnmM.K: ' ^Sft:: TT '^ ^ stran,,e devel,,p„K.nts as time 'roiled on '^'"'^ ^'^ ™^"-^- II I Dbjcctidii <'UlTirAI. NUTKS. has bfcu miidf t<> lli< narnUi V»' <> diu' I'll* from ma n lo form (lie woimin \\u' ribs of man arc symmt f the taking' I'l'oMi the fiU't Uuit Hut liical, and m)t dcfcitivi' u thai I'l-a of smiktu thi' rib might have iHiral occtirrcufi s at the bcninuuig, b..('n n-i.la«-»Hl bv an..th('r. and so t hc bodv made- perfect. but this by no means invo The narrative does uoi mention this- not so in Or, Ives the conclusion that it was ;;;. i;:,;(;";i'u.e tirst man mij^ht have contitiue- this imp'-i'fect condition w his descendants s hoW( ver, vain to spet itliont any necessity hould inherit tliat imperfecticm. nlate. NV«' l""^*' already see the mode of the creatum )f the woman that It is, that while neither im- •ossible oi' unreaso liable, was frauj ht with deei» physical uid moral sif-niticanc' There the narrative m ust be left, for it W( )uld make iis no wist w hich the bodily fram stored, or w at all. hetlier i( was restored, in ,,. t,, tell of the manner in ,l' the man was subscpiently ro- the case of the hr.st man. That the fon% oinj: <'oncei)tion <> the nmn and the woman resi tne nnivt'isal instincts whi from I he moment tlwy ea( »e( tiv» elves. Everywl'C-e and in a rheiiis man race, wo na turallv showing;' a fondness or nu f the proper sphere of ■Iv is true, is shown by h'icii'have been implanted in them. h befiin to act consciously as of 11 ('onditions of the liu lOUt tuition or example, lination for dolls. The find the child tiirl, without tuitum or ej nterest of the yo uni j-irl is drawn o It was Ji the inten I living child. Her heart "oes o St in it that a mature woman that is born to hH for dolls. Hi t. for a whip. Doejt down s the love of ,. ....ture of the future man i Is. the lov.' of labour by the hands, and the fi\c1 I hilt ivi- 15111 ('■••iiiniiig, 1(1 so the tioii this, at it WHS •oiitinut'd sity tliiit 11. " It is seen llmt I'itlicr iiu- » jthvsif'al St Ik"' left, uiuiiuT in ut'iitly I'O- f the tirst sphere of sliown by (I ill them. UHly as ef (if the hu V example, lolls. The (loll, as if ^he has all 1 tile chihl >■ Almi}ihty fii'l that is th or with- in en ceil by nature, the liiUl boy it (lolls. Hi'. l)eei» down the love of Is. and the "•'v CiiAl'TEU IV. Ok iMio Om.n.NA,, ("oM.niuN of Man in tiu; Wo.u.i., and OF TlllJ I.OCAM TV IN WHICH Hi: WAS l-LACKl) IIV Tin: <'K|,'AT01t. ntmoHiK II. |„ ,h,. „rsl chai.ter of Ci(.uesis we have a i.iFHd and coinprehenHivo sunniiarv of the uradual (level- opuieut^ un,h.r a (..(.a.iv.. wil,. .r t^.o earth ^if^Ut^^L t am ot (he I|(,,v,.Mly Modics. so far as they have reia- . u to (he worhl ami ,ts inhahiiants. lu th,. se((,nd ehap- ter bej,nns ()„. InsCry of ihe Hun.au Kace. and. as marking the revela lou of (|„. Supreme is of his niotion, and not of his csnemr) a cliaiiKc of name o,-,„rs • d'.'l.i'w.lrm lu^V ''''■''' '^•"•'•"l'i<''l with the formation V ' tV ■ '• •'"' < '■•■'K'l' IS simply the -All Powerful"— •"•'•thor Id,,,. tha( ..f Divine l'rovi(h-nce or (iovernment •ont.nuously operating. dir.,(ino. controlling. This new W IS Hiunahzed by (I .nployment of a nexv word. I i^ 1. the KiohMM HHnply. not the Supreme Power, but Joho- ' tii inu.T''; :;::' "; '''"^''•^''- -"-^vnat imperf^.ti., F^I II ^i , -V^'*- "'" "■'•'•'' -f'-l-ovah sif.■nifvin},^ the F:((n'ually KubsiHdnn One. (l,o Inchanf-eable I A.M. N.,th- .11- could he mon. a|)propriai.. to the bejjinninc of the relation of conHchnis beinns „, n,e Divinity they were to sorve. ne wan to irm.iin nnchanocable. while all IdnS For th r;' '">" ;'''"V" ^^'•"" "■•"••^ -oustantly (dianJi i',"'^' For tins w.Hild bo (he very sure foundation of that oon- id..nce or ta.(h. which is the essence of all true relations between nuin and (ho Supreme, and which la^ bee Z "fL'V" '^'r';""""!'"'"^- ""•'•'•■ "'^ 01 '"""i^'"'' of tnt the seventh of the d lest, but of Itejigion- ays was not only to be a day 1 day of Divine Blessing, set '% 44 The Oritjindl Condition of Man in the World. apart (sunttitU'd. meaniiiK scpaniti'tl) and made holy hy ihf Suprciiit' Creator, for all tiiiu'. The language of the F»turth (Jonmuiiidnient is eoni'onnable lo Uuh. F»»r Uial is not priniaril.v a coiuiiiaud to set apait the seventh dav as a day of rest". The roiuniand is to irnicniltvr what had been instiUited formerly; whieh Inst iliit ion had fallen into dis- use in the day of bondage, but whiih the people were now to observe, being free. The 8|teeial foree of the command is that the rest day is to be Uejtt Savrt'd. This is the lirst and (ddest institution established amongst mankind, and here we have the account of its origin. And He who so commanded, has made the humau frame, in its cajiacity for work and need of rest, to con- form to this primitive institution. The next act of t?upreme wisdom and providence was to assign to the man and tin- woman a suitable Habitation and Employment. As to the habitation, being placed in a climate where clothing was not need;'d, a park or paradise was prepiired, replete with all trees and plants needed, either for beauty or for food. In this I'aradis*' the niau and wt)man were to have theii' home, an order of things exactly corresponding to that whi.h .-.till survives in the instinct of mankind in nil idures. For, wherever man attiiins to such ii position that he tan do what he ])leases, live where and in what style he pleases, he naturally sur- rounds himself with just such a i)ark or paradise as is here described. The instinct is as old as the history of man; all our knowledge of civilized man in all ages and countries shows that in gardens, lawns and parks, men have taken delight from lime immcuKuiiil. The hangin-j; gardens of ]?abylon, the academic groves of (Ireece, the luxurious gardens of wealthy Ronuins, the parks and gardens of modern Europe, of England especially, all bear witness to the instinct of delight on the j.art of mankind in such scenes as those which were specially prepared b> the Divine Creator for the first man. Rut the man was not to live in dreamy idleness. Nor, as originally constituted, was he to wear out his lays in severe laboi-. TTis occupation was to dres.t and keep the gar d en ; an oceupation in which both the man and the woman could join, even as they do to this day. The delight of woman is with flowers. To dress and keep them she loves to devote time. From the beds and conservatories of the wealthy down to the cottage garden of the laborer, and the window of the dingy courts of a crowded city, we see the workings of the same instinct, planted in the heart of woman in the paradise of first creation. And equally, the civilized man. in leisure, loves nothing so much as t.t look after the jdanting of trees, the pruning of vines, th? Thv Oriifiiiiil CoiiilUhti of Man in tlir World. 4b litVlllf: out (.1 Kiuilllds, III.. illTH This iH tlic bciiii ideal of li but ii icprodiiclidii of tli fli'Ht Illilll. iim niciii of lawn and pailc. iiiiian I'liiidoviiicnt. Vi-l it in •liniiiiil work asHijr,,,.,! ,„ jj,g As (o tlio cxacl lo the localifv is this— through th piirled and l)ecaiiie four head 1 liver, which, after a t line was ie.se subsists to this day. viz.. the Kiinl Tlie name of one of to the head waters if tl phrales. It IS, th locality of KI)F^:.\- (his 1 IIS great river we iinist look for tl or i»ark. but of a traci oi M'liig (lie name. m,( „f t),,. (j.„.j •h'li was in (he region of coiin(rv. For (li en, le len the Eii]dira(es to its istern parC" of Kdeii. ' X (' gar- beautiful hi IP source Ararat. This moiiiK by the very earliest of the child ow. following? we find it springing up in tlie .M<»nnt x'gion inhabited H'gion in (h,. neighborlKM.d of nil is e\iden(l\ in the i ri'ii of the tirst ma the (lood. the ark tirst found a resting id N ow, we find that, at tliis v thi eacli otlu'r in this verv liill vc great rivers of Persia' and A n. .\fier . Jdace on its sides. t'ly day. (he head waters of the inienia almost touch the Tigris, which fall conn in the eleventh verse and ing. as siigg..sting the .ountry now .ailed bv that lead in the Tapper i word is rush, and is evidentlvth "e regh.iis in il,e neighborho...! of "'ih.'" "(" t'gions of the \ih th Sea.) pia. is very mis- name ■li Africa. The Hebrew .' an. ient name of one .if aspian or P>li The fonrth branches of the A phrates. for all the in many branches river may f fo„nd in ,me of the otl lier raxes, or possibly .)f the Tigris or E se rivers i„ their head waters are found The Develop.ment of Lan-.u-aoe. The first definite action on the part .»f man in the history of the race is stated to be the g ving of Names to nil tlVl animals and birds then existing "" *'"^ For this purpose they were brought bv the Creator— ;renc7o ^^h'rnrn""/:; T"" '^"'^'"^ tllem-^o'The 46 The Original Condition of Man in llir Wortd, I'l ■1, i It is tt) no purpose to discuss iu wliiit ( heaven's, at some future peri..d are clearly foreshadowed in the New Testament Hut the tiwr is not revealed. What( \Miatever othei- idea may b )nnected with the Creator resting on the seventh day. it is certain that H,. has made It the foundath.n f.u' tl rdinauce that is sfaunM>d on inans constitution, vi/.. six days of work and on., dav of rest, and also f.,r (!.,■ i.i,.a ..f sp.'.jal blessinf; for th.. irst liH 48 The Oriffinul Condition of Man in the World. The Chauacteu ok the Gauden ov Euen. The (larden of Edon has often been conceived of us a small piece of gionnd corresponding somewhat to the garden of a suburban villa of these modern times. lUit this idea is not in accordance with the narrative. The English word "Park," as meaning an extensive area of diversified and beautiful grounds, witii groves of trees, wide spreading lawns and foiest glades, and a meandering river flowing through it, ex{)anding into one or more lakes — such a jiark as thai of lilenheim. or Chatsworth, or Wind- j^„i. — this would correspond with the idea of the original nai-rativi'. Let it be noted that the Eternal Hupreme planted this jtark— as a wealthv father, in these days, may plant and lay out grounds for a favorite son. And the region in wliich it was situated is certainly mie of the loveliest hills and valleys on the face of the earth. .MAIUtlAan and woman. ' tl.^1s'^nch"mo;';l"' ■ ' T"' "' '' '•""'^'^'^'" '•' ^'»^1» ■ . !f , "^' ' ■■ ''•i;-«loing, more or less tlairrant- 'hin wlw!'"'"' T"^' ^^■'''^'^'' *^'""^''' ...useious V ewi him who c.mmuls u, jet does not injure anoth'er to nnf IK n and wonn^n ii all ages of history. In Christian timci* <;tim.g IS more striking than the fact that coi eisi of ; b;r'; •■ "''"t"- *";"'«'"• '"^^ ^"•^'"" -■« .onsta t • h 1 rfh ^y,'".'';i""'''<';.t!H' Christian faith. The ; .1 of Z"^''l" '•■ •^^'•"•"^^•"'>- ••"'" ^".d women from the ^"11 of wrong-doing, from lis iialural and ivvealed con- s.'.,uences. and also from the pow.M- of evil over the will ';•-;< .spoHiti,,n. Among non-Christians, heathen and ml •M'UM^ wrongdoing, ti.ongl, not universal! v acknow- l-l«.d as a^matter of ,uiU, is universally acknowl^g;>;i'*^ 50 T/r' Origin of Eril in the Wt'vld. Uow tills came to be is, of all mysteries and anomalies, the greatest and most terrible. If we theorize on the suu jeet we may imagh — , , . • ,i, .. Either that man v. as so created in the beginning; or I lai it has been a matter of evolution and development; or that the things we <'all evil are really not evil, but have no moral (lualitv at all, being simi.ly deveh.pmenis and mani- festions of liinnau natur.-. In fa.l. that there is m. more moral blame in a man being eniel ami murderous ihan there is in a tiger killing his prey. >:ature, u ina> be mainfaiaed, is always rigiu. NMmt nee,ls to be changed is not the human heart, but human cmceptioir^ ami judg- meuts-then there wil -ease all un.-harilalde Irett.ng about what we foolishly liiink to be the wioug-domg o the world. This theory, strange as il is. has been put torlii bv f< rtain philosophic thinkers. The tirst of these theories is not in accordance with ihe revelation as u. the origin of man. For man was H.clmled amon-st the things that were pr.m.mn.ed good. Imh-. . . a te the e,eatioirof man. the judgment was emphasized and ^ve read for the first lime, that (5od prcmounce.l a created things vcn, goo.l. And it .s only agreeab e i reason thai it should be s . We cannot c.mceive th U being created with moral chara.'ler and instincts. \s a S of absolute perfection, sluuild be created c.rrupt am de raved fr.mi the beginning. , Reason, however, ,s not hva s a sure guide in those matters. Hut revelation is , • T e s:ioml theory is as little defensible as the t.rst. Vo all evolution and development is but a l^'HI^'tual open ng p of what was in the genu al the beginning. 1 m.M ..orruption and propensity to wrong ^^ *^)-^'; ^ ,. ' > siuii'le evoliKi.ui. I hell the m-"al crruption uas th.n n Ui le-imiing, in germ and p..wer. Thus we arrive by a dfferen n to H'-' -suit which has alrea Msia It 1 if tlx'iv 1-nisos were broken into and heir goods slo e • if the hM„or of the family w.-re mvaded In ,he s d lion of a wife or a daughter; they .■ould not avoid si a ng " ^^'^>^" "''5-"'*^"^ *''"""^" "^ i..<]i^'""tion against n" S.ng-doer. of grief and anguish at ^1- --ng and of for ]»MnishiiH-nr and nnii-er^s \Mii< -i aj^ indeed, only grave trit- thiit deen (h'sire f(n- ].Mnisliii nn iversiil aiuongs I iiii'.nkind. Tt is. ii The OrUjin of Eril in Ihe World. 51 ling with a terrible subject to say that there is no evil in murder fraud drunkenness, adultery, or anv other oV tie 1 uf noH It being well understood that evil exii.m is ; inatter of fact in human natur,- and the world li' always has been so. s„ far as all historv Lak^.tn a a [ from revelation, and the record being Mat the i st , and woman were created very good a.ul perfectly nu.".; It becomes a question of profound interest, how an, ww-u sm. a change to,>k place, fr.mi t .ne .'ondmo t.. " n'loiutLr ^'"^^ """"""•"^ '<• '• '-ataslrophe and mor:^ The narralive of the ihiid chapter is the answer As a pivliminary it is recorded that a verv remarkable Tree was to be found in the gnrden^-,he tree of kn le W o good a.ul ev.l ami that to this tree alone of al fee Sti'! " ^" ''"' '"""■'""' -'' I"'«>''i'>i'i"" and a The man and the woman were commanded not to eat of Its fruit-not even to touch it-with the warning .hat }n he day th,.y ate. they would ■'bvyin to ,lir" (begi^to dte IS tlu^ fne translation!. It is vain to en-iuirt' "f • what reason he Supremely Wise and (Jood should insti ut, th1I tion thai they couhl not do wrong. To .-magim. reason.s for wl.at the Inlnitely Uise and t.ood ,hose to do. but the ..■ason for which lie did not choose to give, is onlv to darken couns<-l without knowledge." SuH. sp.Mulafions are as vain as would be tlu.se of a little child as to smue iir-reaching and impru'tant action of ;; father who was Prime Minister 0^ EHgland.-There are son.e things we must be content not to know, and this is one of them liut what we can. without diflicultv. understnnd is the nnnn.rr >n whi.-h this pr.d.ibition was used as an instrument temptation, by a being whose purpose it was to tempt, though, in their theoretical asi)ect. the things re.orded in 1 Ins chapter are imp<'n<'trably mvsteriims. vet. wh.-i. tliev are ivgarded in a ).rii.'tiral light, they are full of the deepest instructum. For fhift tnnpfufinii is in vssnicr (imJ HuUttnire u perfect tunc of all temptations, and of the iraif in trhich all lapses from nrtue and rectiliide are hronfjht alm'it liie narrative is of a creiitiire called in thi-i narrative a Serpent, who was the most subtle creature in exksit dice, and who. by his action, is seen to be ess-ntiallv 'vil and iintngnuisfic to the Supreme Oovernor of the wo"ld. This creature <'annot be conreixed of as one t I 52 fhv Origin of Evil in the World. of those who hail rerentlv beeu created, for all these had been pronounced good; and none of these mere creatures could' have had the subtle intelligence ^l'«P»';S '^ . . narrative. Manv of them, indeed, are now, and perhaps hva^?.^ have been, endowed with an instinct o cunning such as is needed to lie in wait for prey; but the mte h- gence of the narrative is specifically of that higher order that -s the projuMly of man alone, or ot creatures of a superior order to nuxn. That such a being had <^^^-'^^.^''''?^'^\^:'^^^^ expressly informed in the narrative Lut t u '<-ii" « in in the facts of the nanativc is irresistible, that tins .en ent wJ; no ordinary creature, but a manifestation of a r^iL^of mother order. As Scripture always thro>ys light ]^;il;^:i have, in otl.er.phues, TT'i^.itSi:^ -not such as t.. gratify curiosity or '" 'r^!'^^ ,X^^^„ l.nt to show that this serpent was m reality a manitestation "tha (Id SerpHit the niaholo.r Devil, the enemy o Uod ami num. tiie great tempt..- and ^^^^7^. of mankind. Here again. inU-llectual ly, we a^e m a ic ui.m ef profound mystery. How such a t'^mg as Uie fiabolos or Devil, of high intelligence ^"^^ profoim dissimulation, came into ^'^i«ten.-e, or came to be wh.^^^ be was we have onlv very faint hints of in Sciiptuie The cleai^st of these hints is that contained m the K ,\s, f Jude i.hHh. V. C... viz.. that there were augels V- o' kept not their tirst estate" (or ,.nnc.>dcmi as t e r eel- rither signities) but were cast down into dark- ness tn I the g eat day. Ibit how or why thi« oame to be he nolv (UK.st has not revealed. f<'l'^'"''\"'* ';.';.*';". Id Testament and the New. "eveals t_o us the J ii f o these fallen iu-inc,>s as being a'-.e .■> manitest himselt on the earth, tempting uumi to evil. .„.,„if„<5t Bu win thc^e fall.Mi beings were aUowed to » '»"'t«^J themlelves on earth at all is again an impenetrable nns- ^'^Knt when passing from intellectual speculation as to tlM nis, we ine to look at ai.d cmsid.-r what we know ^•, ;;;":,.^of cmmo,. experience and ^-tso history om- Unowledg.., and all authentic records «> J' '^'^ "^ '"'"■ harin.mize with the Divuu' rec(U'd as shewing. TItv Oriijin of Evil in the World. 53 "^iul '^n'^''^'' ''I^'"*^:i<''i^'«' to the harboring of evil iu- tcntion or tlio coiuuiissiou of evil deeds- tl.e1"w):r"^'';':'ir'n '"'^^ '''•""? ^l'« I'^ve fallen under Third.— Tliat when the habit of evil has been established the i.er.on nnder iis inllnen.o tends to beroVm a t mnt-n' These thinj-s are fa.ts of universal experience. oeslMl'l V /r "''•' '"'''^ '""•'■ '^^' <'^^' I'l'H'tical thought sug- gested by this uni((ue narrative. " And to begin, is tlieiv any reason in the seleeiion of •. serpent as the creature to be the nuHliuni of e„a , . '' b . titul. It we rid ourselves of associations connected and .rinrn"'f' ''" *'""""' ^"<^ «^^ i» the varioush o , ^ed and shining form a creature whose beautv is ren.arkalde in i^ioiV'Cn''" '""y •;'■'"' "'•' "^ approach silenraia insidious The curves of its niotiou follow the very "line of ..'Muty- of painters. Its approach through gm.s or^-a es ira "'';; u'sed'T''""'' "•"' '"'^ P>-overb^-a%nake in the ^ ifoi +r *" ''-^Pi'«^^«s an enemy in ambush. In all these respects the serpent is admirablv fitted to express and symbolise the manner in which evil is pre ?S? " M?'lst't!- " *'"'"n-"' ^" '^ttracti.Vl,:ni;'it tractne, that is, to the i.ropensities, i)assions, or tendencies of the person tempted. It generally steals nto i le ind insidiously; .luietly and unsuspected. And s as a yen omous serpent has a deadly bite or stroke ireyiruTs to the soul *' " '''" "''''■ ''' ^•^''"'^ government, is dcvadly Irooeed.ng witli the narratiye, it is useless to speculate or reason upo , he question, how could the sei^cnt sm^vk t h's^ notT"- '* " ?f''T ''' ''•''-' ''■'' ^^" '^"t kno^' f^ It has not b.>en revealed. And we have a right to say if we did know, we would be no wiser for all the m-icHen! ..sues ..f life and ..uiduct. IMt, if we cons der iifsV^ 'o how the serpent^ could speak, what this mysterio i ea u e sad, we shal at once perceive that very practhvil issues of life and conduct are before us '"tsor unio,? """'it^^'^ i« "^f /hV fi'-st woman of the race, who was nnder a Divme prohibition against doing a certain thini on penalty of death. The mode of procedure of ^ s Ltle and cunning being who was to tempt her to disobodknce Will reward consideration. "^ut-t. ^*:tl S4 The Orhjiii of J-Jril in tin' WorhL The lirst word was llic insimiiilion of Doubt! "An' you sure? tun il bi' wo; thai .you me proliibited troui catin},' of tlic fiiiii of lliis Irt't'?* Hoes il st'i'Ui rcasouabh-; that il:^ fniit sliould be thciv, that its fruit should be, withiu mudi, thai is should be so fair to the cyi'. and yet that you t auhot eat of it. Suix'ly it must not be so?" The answer of the woman, at liist, was a simple, open, and honest alliiuiation that the pridiibition was there, and in forci'. Even in tlu; first woi'ds siioken there was cunuinj; on the one side and simplicity on the othei'— an exurt [licture of tiie course of temi»tation as il has been in tlu' woidd fnun tlie beginning, and as it ])revails in oui- linu' and day. The Kvil ("■•eaiurt'. havinj;' opened up a onversation, and induci'd the woman to listen, pntceeds to bold «h-nial. The threatened conse(iuences will not follow 1 "Ve shall not surelv die!" On the c miserable restraints df conventiomil rule, and beconu' free, even as the gods and higher beings are free. Thus has many a son of Adam, and many a daughter of Eve, been sedu<'ed, and has found out. too late, that the knowledge of evil by experience does not tend to elevation bnt to degradation; that there are things it is better not to know by exjterieJice, the memory and knowledge of which would be better blotted out as if they had never been. The words of the Evil Treature were so sitokeii as to enter the woman's soul and jtroduce rellection. .Vnd then, even as it is iu)w, it was seen that "she who ]»arleys is lost.' This Insinuation of direct opposition to the Supreme ^Vill - Doubt as to the Divine will—as to wlictlur tlie Supreme did really speak in the Word is a common feature of the scepticism of modern days with those who acknowledge a Supreme Ruler of events. T/ir Orii/ii, of /Jril in Ihr World (Iircf-I'dl.J John (1st 55 tio'.!;"«,Si T";;ir,,,'.r!;,nt\;'''- '■"""'""■'■" ""-■ """> ■"- vini"''.r;;:;„;,:';;:,;'r'l:;;'.''''''' ""■ "■•"■"'"^' -" "■■■ '"'•" 'iiic udiiiiiii siiw (hat the tiw was— 1. (!o()(l for food. 2. IMciiSfiiK (o tilt' eves. •i. Desirable to make wise. Thes,. (|„.u-|,(s rorre,|K,n,l clos.'lv with tli. Oood f(,r food.-The lust (,f the flesh I leasant to 11,,. eve._Th,. l„st of the eves. Thnsfi! ..'""';•' T'""'— ''^''•' I"- *'f' life. Aim! alas! f +i, ^ , . l"*^*^ haps, of a chivalrous reso luti^"- i V th Z if 'Zr- were to he^nn to di.'— of -.ll i iJ -,1 li«'— If they thought tr^hispire,! ;,o. li I ^^LrVhe';;^ '""''" ''' i'ndthemantoolcandate "''"^'•"- T''^ woman gave, the Fvlrr,i".f ' ^^^^'"'!'>-^^''- T^'><1' allied themselves with >;()TEtS (lUTICAL AND EXPLANATORY. 1. Of TIIH CUNUmoN OK INrlVlI.lZKl. HACKS ..F MANKIND. TlH' iiolioii llial til- iinriviliztMl ract's (.f in.-n aiv in u venluic have made us aiquamU'd will. lUun. iind absoiuto want of huuiamlv. "'rcra"Sai^.L«L:n ;>,:'. i;:;i o, ,.,. poo*. a„. ^.^ f^Xt^Tti^^eZo^Va. wrought out scenes o, TItr «-'<'■■'■ ■■ -h°", n s ; o,' ' : "■"•'^"T.;x:'n,,;;,','',';,,::':r: "»■"■""• ■'"- -'-. "- - - y,^'!u!!!"l'" '" '■; "," "''" '" "''""'* «l"''lv """'It. \M.o The Oriii'm of Hril in //"■ l\'o/7(/. fj8 sr.m. ic.ul nf hiH wiles, devices, ami ...H l.u.ls t<. n.abl. I . to -uanl ap.ii.si ihcn.. Ami this niu.h llu' hui.m...' Uuloi of iiit'ii 111'- liillv ifVcaliMl. Iml II., onlv i.as ilr fally n-s..,!.'.! 11 in ll..- wn<.i.ti>^ -t pn.rlMls and 'wis.- men of oi.l tin..-. 1ml iW- i.as ^,Mvn u IIIhuU .■xan>,.lc., in tlu- n-vHalion of tlu> N,>w '»Vs anu-n how sii.l .•iinnin^-' I.MU|.(alions an' .. 1 e nut ami ,,,,,„„,. K,„, ,s Satan lrm,.i..l and ovcmime II.' i„,„„,„,, an.l sin>,.liritv of llw li.sl n.an and woma so ho t.'n.pl.'d. /../ n-os omr„n,r_, hv th.' w.sdon. ami n of Iho Sorond Man. Iho L(n-d from Ih-avcn! \nd as I laws of spiritual oxist.M.r.' appear, so far as wo l<"<';v 3' , bo as n-riain and lix-d as the laws of n.atejMal •'■^•^ •" " ; we tind that the n.ethod of f;''-' ^ ''-l Z' 'I'';,, ', ' sec<.nd case Lore a .h.se resen.l.lance to that m ' > ^Z' • When I lie nmn. Thrist -lesus. was led up to he tempted of the Devil: (.Matthew I V.I 'tI,' insinuat'ion'..f donht ! // thou be the Son of Hod? This addressed to the human nature of a weak and suhenn^ man su—esis the nnreas(.n of weakness and sullennji- as i eon.M,n7ilanl of a Divin.' Uein^-; and is therefore a suj^p's- ti.m of (hmbt as to hisbeinji' Divine in reahly. An ms.d.ous nnderminin^' of the ^creat fa.t of H"' I"''"''""""- /V' ' '• had it sneeeeded. would hav,' dest roved the power oi . I'SUS to a.Mon,plish n,i,hty works, an.l be ' ''^^^''f 7''^"^ "X" kind. Sueh a Ihinj: can s..ireel.v I..' eonee.ved of as possdde. Bnf this was doubtless the obj.-el of the subUe adversar.N. It corresponds ch.s.'ly with the d..nbt .u^t-vsled m Kve. Hath (iod said? Is it r<-as(mable to suppose that lie \\ tm loves von should debar y.m from ,mrtakin}: ..t such beauti- ful alid luxurious fruit as this? , , (•>) There is an appeal to the natural desire oi the th sii Thou art weak and hunj-ry. Thou ne.-dest food. Cmimanu then, that these st.mes become ioodl This was in etVect. a.i insidious temptation to self-in- duUl..nce (in a hij;hly raretied fornit. Althouoh „ was on y br,.ad. vet in a weak state of the body, the result of lonp fastins". the hmjiin- for simple b.vad may b...;ome as Sireat n inssi m and as puivlv a -lust of th,' ilesh as the lust af ;"whm in a mail livi\., in sensuality. A -- - J^"-- to the writer of a man who. at .'"ked, and as Inll of praclical instraction. It is by aj.pealing to tbe written level tti<.f tL> Diviue Uill:— ••Man sliall not live bv bread i,l (le," ;• nii-btv trutb revealed ibrougb (be same .M„ses wL • iv;..' au.sen to reveal tbe origin of tbe world. I'ra.tictil.y, tbis means (bat (liere ar<' bigber considerations, at times, tban tbe Hatistying „f bodily wants. Tbe fnllilling uf tbe Divine Wind ami Will— ibis ((mstitates tbe real satisfaction of man. Tbe Second tem|t(ali(in to oar Lord is of extreme sub- tlety, and is no( analogous to tbat -ber wisdom ill aj)|)lying i(. Jint tbe Tbird temptation is in exact correspondence. As Kve was seduced by tbe vision of ambition: "Ve sball become as gods."— so onr Lord was linallv temjded bv a vision of universal domini.m. M// the kiiHi a perfectly formed bein« oMlu- char- acter of man. that W should have the pmvor ol " '<;'H.ng Luif,' as well as ri^lit-that. in trulh. ho should bo mo far, independent. Such speculations do nol «'•"""/;;■ towards a prarti.-al soluti..n of the pn.b .mu. 'he truth si regard to this, as woll as to many other m.tl erH con- cernin^llu> life, constituti.m. and destiny of nmn. there are things which cannot be understood, or cannot bo r.-.M.r. od with what men do understand. But v.rpmnur si,„rs hat there is nosHbjeet with respect to whieh ,,reaier ''^ffl'^;^^' y„,,„„,jrjhan lh<,l o{ indiratin.j U'hut ''^ ^'/f^' ' J ,Xi sisteut or inconsistent with some tauwn farl or eslohhslicd ^''certain acts of the Supremo Bein- are record.-d in Srrip^ ture which appear to b.' inconsistent with sla omonls as to His instice. of His nuMvy. or Ilis un.-han,oablon..sK. The Two are dimcult to reconcile. I'.ut. the sin.ph- truth is. we do norposses the key to these hif,^!. and mysterious ,ues- ti^on" ind can onlv. in this matt.-r (as it is necessary to do wX're ■ rd to manv .dhers). fall back on tli.- fumlameuliil eonsideP^ti.U '"llATX ^OT THE .TriXiE OK ALL THE EARTH DO RKIIIT!" CIIAPTEK VI. Tin: CONSEQUK.NCKS OF THIO GUKAT DlSOllEDIENCE. Here, as ihroiigliout (lie whole narrative, we find an ab- solule c-onformity to luinian nature as we know ii. and as It always lias been known to the men and women of all time The first elVeel of disobew upon her the blame. Intellectually he was right. She did give him of the fruit of the tree." Morally he was wrong. He was not (onijudled to take it. His duty was to refuse, remonstrate^, and call to remendu-anc<' the IMvine C(minmnd. But the spiritual poison of the serpent was alreadv working' in the veins of both. Love, honor, affection, was changed into selfisiiness and hardness of jieart, the i-oot of all evil. The m'xt development was the shriidnbed by Milton rathor than tlic narrative of this hook. » 1 ^ ! 62 Thv Coiimjiienrvs of the (Ircat Disobedience. i\ i 1 1 I f avc-mie of souse (tr consciousuess — wc; know not. It is not needt'ul to know. J?nt we do know that tlieir condition rowiuds Ood was fliat of perfect love, eonfideufe, and one- ness of alVection. .Now. wronj"- liavin^ betMi done, as it always is and lias been; as a'cliild who has disobeyed instinctively liides him- self, so these two shi-ink from the fa enshrined for all time in the ]U'oidiecies of Jeremiali and llosea, and also in the heartbreaidn!.v lament o. the Divine Saviour over the follv and weakness of Jerusalem. In the answers of the man and the woman we have a perfect picture of the evasive, sulky, rebellious chilu ol (Uir own dav. Tln> man throws the blame upon both his wite iind the' Creator. -The woman wht.m tli.m j?avest me, sae uave me of the tree, an.l I did eat!" Here is a picture of seltish and .'owardlv nnmanliiiess— (he beKHiniu}.- of all similar nmnifestations in all subseipiei.t time. Men b amo other men, or their parents, or circumstances, or tlieir sclK.olmasters, even religion i»self, <.f the Divine liemg-- iuivthin- but themselves. Yet. in self-blame all anieiid.v.ent and iMM-manent reform is roobnl. N<. hop<' is theiv ior any man or woman until wrou}-- is realized as ot themselves In ail this the tirst man is a f the word of many of Eve's dauj..ht.Ms, 11. a fr.l leu condil.on, m .s and other au«'s. "1 v.as beijuiled, seduced, by these tiun "~M''izckicl :•.:". : IT. The wny <.f tlic T-nrd is not equal. a.«k \viiy «iod iiififli' of niarriaye and liome!" _ The lieoiillin;;- is always the same in ellect;, though dilfer- iiiji'. 1) may be, in iorn.. It is always a promise of uujr- pleasure, im)re knowledge of life, mon; enjoyment of beauty. The forbidden fruit is always set foi'tli as pleasant to the tasle. bcanliful to the eye, anil to be desired to make one wise: Ami the calii';-- always brings willi it the same results; a eallous selfishness and nn^auness, conscious self- degradation. e\asi\(" answering, hiding from ■ an, and c'onipleie alienation from liod. As r.urns sang — from his own conscious experience — of the ell'ects of wrongdoing: — It ]i(ir(lr,:.s a' the hrarl. An' [xirific.^i tlir fcrlin' ! Tin; Ni;w i;i;l.\i loxsme iuotwdkx thi; Sii'ukmk ami His ('iii;Aiuiti:s. i!ili(ielB Thus far the Sujireme as Fathku and ritoTKciou. a re- laticui he has ever slave sustaini'd, and of whic h the most maivelions mi;nifestati(*n was in the gift of His Son for the salvation and redemption of mankind — that "I'nsjjeakablo (Jift" as the Holy (Ihost terms it bv the moutii of the Apostle raul. r>ut now. wrong-doing and rebelli(,ii havo lu come mani- fest, and the I>ivine ("realoi- is also inanit.'sted in anotiuT form: that of .Irixn: ami SrruKMi; (mivkknou. What is no-w His coui'sc and ](osition? It might nave been inditiVr- ence. It might have taken the form of a Nemesis, which would blot lliem out of existt'ii-c. 1! nil these conc(']»t ifuis liavi- taken root in the thoughts of men in after times, (lod the Suprenu' and Intinile! He care for the little f(dlies and (what you call) sins of poor mortals? Absurd! The invention of crafty jtriests for the purpose of bringing men and Wfrnnui into slavery! The other extreme is of a Ju])iter striking dead with his will; or a pitiless sujierlniman monster and tyrant of Hindoo mythology, with many arms to strike and many lieads to devour. Hut l)oth are liuman inisroncei>lions. The Divine Itevelation is of a Heing at once just and merciful: of a reil reti-jiint ion wiii'ii was noi physicail,\ desir-uc"; >; the action, not of a blind Nemesis, but (»f a Su])rem(^ly Wise and k 64 The Consequences of the Gnat Disobedience. All-good Governor, dcjiiing witli the noblest of His works, even a Jlan and a Woman, created in His own Image. And as we have had in review before ns. the origin or first beginning, of creation, of the division of time for men into days of worU and rest, of tlie relation of woman to m,;n and man t(i woman; tiie, beginnings also of tlie mani- festation of an Kvil JSeing, of temi»tation. and wrong-doing; so now we havi' (lie origin and lirsv beginning of Ketri- bntive (iovernment ami du4 Adniinisii-at ion ; a moral goveiimient wiiicli lias liad wondei'fiil manifesiai ions in tile liisiorv of mankind in general, but ]iai'liculari,v in the history of one race and one people. We may look on, as the drama nniolds. and vfomler what now will the Divine iteing do? Wiiai is said to these three is maive!- lous. as coniaining the root and seed of connlless dev<'lop- nienls in futnr(> ages, as the course of human historv un- folded. First to the Skim'knt was (he Divine seiHence. In this we have a striking inlei'iiiingling of ihe Divine dealing with ihe nu'ie creat"i'e, the instrument, and that sublle, powerful Being who was the real introducer of evil into this hitlierto perfect world. To the oreatui'c there is the; ser.tcTK'c Su- preme has ])laced it there, and Ihere it is. Human beings h.'ive an instinct, deep down in their very souls, of hatred to the Adversary, even when under his influence When absoluttdy enslaved by him. they hate him and his works, the vices he tempts them to. the crimes he has drawn them on to commit. Th(>re is no hatred so deadly as between a woman and her sedm'er. A slave to drink or Inst abhors the wrong he is doing, even when yielding to it as to an irre-is'ib'e iidlnen' e. In the dee]> mvs'erions workings of the human mind we see love and haired working sinmi- taneously; a drunkard drawn to his indulgence Ity over- power! mr desire. y(^^ at the very same moment hating it as destiiictive 1o his body and soul. And. its a fiirllier develop- The Conmjuencis of t/ie Grout Disohvdicnoe. G5 that Hi,, A(lvtn'« 1 sj , , V* '""'-^ «eiiteucc. .suggvstiug with u,u-igl,i„eJ.s a" l«tr..H .-s r ' ''"''^ ^^' ^'^'^' ^"^ >valk heel, «tu„,bl"ou ^'.^^^'i^ ;rt'[' ""S^^'^^^ =' '^^■'■'-•l Hut now we cS to '. .1 '•• V"^' •"''^■^■'^•^^ t^> »'""■ tion of "Uoil iu the Fllsl, ■' vi ^ch • " ^''T' '"«"if^'«"t- auyels and JieavonJv Ji sti' ..1 '"-''*" '^^' "'"'Kler .,f the eou,ue.,a;r<^Mr^„;'s^-^ '::^;;;^'^^t« ^v ^^^v SHALL 1;kuisi; TFV JIKA,, t"' Tl" I ', .."''^ WUMAX'.S .SKEij ^vill. -'"-.prion; do.it •th.islmTS''"-'-"^''^^ '^^^ l'^^^"*'^'- oUl rimes ncT,. „ot nn W^t' ..1 . '"^^^^ ■•evcalcd in the used ;: ' 'thU JMS"r' "';" ^"" ^^-'^ ->-' ^o be not, undet.s;;;;.dt ^ 1 e s b;'t;;;"r:'^ '"^ ^'•'v'-» -- thoujili \\s va-ne id,>., ot ,w.!v *"* /"^^ "»'i" and woman, and their ieseend.^ ^^^Jn tlii'f:^,;^^^^:-;,!;^,^'-- forence to he^-omli^i:;;: . ul^^^^M iufv'^!^:'^"''^' '•^■ |J.at the sen,en,.e bea..;^l°^; tllJ woI^lairSlS'^tS^iSl^S ^ce:T;:i;;-;;;ysid::^ KS dan^rerons. To n,any it is the o-rusion of doat \ 'wi man about to pass tuis serions ordeal know, wl Mher The will sn, vne it or not. If js impossible for it no (o be lookea forward to without a shadow of apprehonl, for 'J '^ 1 I M II -*i;fl IfSfHl 'I II- m The {'(iii.siijiiciivix of llif (iiiitl ni.sDbi'ilinnr. (lit' shadow uiiiy jnovi' to lie thai of the viilU;y of dcutlil Tiiir, iiKlccd. ha.'< it l)<' heart- breaUinK .-Hr..\v of their early death. The lii-tiand slian'^ this worrou. i'.nt thi' h<>aviness -if the burden o( trainin<^ falls on iUv woiiiat'. ai.ij all know thiit the (U'alh (d' her !e sentence is in the wtinian's relation 10 her Imsband. Site is now t<. be snbjecl. lie is Io rule. The orifiinal cundiiioii was (U»ubtless e(|ualily. an .•(inalitv developed from abstdule love and alVeclion on both sides; an er.lire absence of sellishness, separate mter- ,.-( or separate aifection. With oneness there is no need ,,,{ rule Uut with di .(diedieiice came sellishness and aliena- tiu!. a c(.ndition which rendered rule necessary on ih.' (mo hiuid md subsi-rvieiicv on the other. And the rule was placed v,;ili the man. as now uiion him, in the altered cir- cniustai. .s (d' the world, devolves the hard toil ot pi'ovi- sioii Tlie rule, therefore, was not arbitrarily bestowed, it follows inevitably from idiaiiKe.l circnmstaiices .\ud it has conlinned ever since, as a ciMidilion ol all the lite ct niii'i and woman on the (-arlli. Th It IlK' condiiion of rule for the man and subserviency for the woman is a cons.'.iueii. c .d' a lapse Ironi love and iiietv towards (iod. is seen plainly ln:m tlu' taet that whe'rever the departuiv is more marUed, t u- rule be- comes more :ind more mere tyranny ami brutality; while wherever under Divine ^n'ucv, virtue and love mcu-e and more resume their sway, the ruh- b.'coiiies nuM-e and more irentle until it almost entirely disappears. NN n 1 a re- stored Divine Ima-e coni.-s a rest.u'alion of the condition m wliic h. as there is no self-seeking', and no alienation, there is no place for rule. The sontonre on the yv.xn c- -londs to his faculty and condition. The wife is to h.;v. .-..rrow in the family ano The Vonmjucur, of ihr Unal /}i,ohe,livnro. HI )• :• -■■<•»«••"„ i„i„„, lalL , .:,,;■,,';• ™»;7,;:";;'- I.N „ I;, I, :"".,,?,, '■"■'■>' ''•■!»'<■ ( i."i..ii"K, „„; », I. ,1 . I ;;"";":;■■, "r:""'"- ''"-"•■ ^"irrir !;;;'1i;- ;;i:,r r"^' '"^'-- til iiiii<'ii( sciilciicc.' .1 ;■■";:; ™;;;i;;,rsr;i;;:;;;;:,:i'; "«;.'^i''-n„".»N;;;. !'I ."iTS ".- '-""".^ -"'"i.. ..In.,,::';:,,:- „;;;;;; j ;: Tunc If was iri\-on was m )riii«,..nif t^ • '\''"i^ '"< wliiit oisalis/ar'ion .' ' '^"^' kingdoms iomidwl,-bnt 1 ' ,4 in ti8 The Coiiscqut'uvcH of the Great D'mbedienec. meuuiug amy be "J.ife.'" It is as il', in this hour of depres- siou, witb suiTuw bet'oii' liiui, iiiicl dwith at tlit' I'litl of BoiTovv, Ills tUouylilH luniL'd willi coiisolatiuii towards his wilL', a living bfiiig, and still a huliimoet and conii»aniou, and to bi' lioivalKv tlie niotliei- of ollior living beings, liliu liinisi-lf and like liei'. Then comes a signihcant passage, in which we have re- vealed another origin, viz., that of such clotihnu as comes bv handiirafl. The Eteinal Father made "Coats of Skins lor liiem— not necessarily, by simple crt-ation or miracle, but by giving them lac 'necessary understanding how to tiisiiKUi )>uiiaole inati-nais into a riMiuired h.rm.*' The In- dian tribes of our Xorlh American continent are all clothed I'leciselv in this way, and in the wool, hair, and hide of aiuinals'we liiid most of the materials of human dress iu all ages and conditions of civilization. The fad that the material was (he skin of dead animals suggests tlie pro- babiiiiv that at this time was also the origin of sacrifice for sill', in the shedding of an innocent victim as an atone- ment for the guilt of the person who otfered it. This, however, is only conjectural. But we do undoubt- edly meet with it almost immediately afterwards in the stoiy of the first two ciiildren who were born into the world. . , The hnal course of the sentence on this man and woman is in tiieir eximlsioii tiom the garden. "Paradise of De- ligbt," is the meaning of the original words that we traus- hite "(larden of Julen"; and until the terrible events we have been considering, a veritable I'aradise it had been "liul*^ mjw, the Divine Will was that they should live in it no more. , . , . , <. i „ The reason given is one of the things that cannot be understood. Why the eating ..f the tree of lite should reverse the sentence of death and ccmfer iminortality it is impossible to say. And speculation respecting it is a waste of time and energy. If we refer it sunply fo the Divine will, we shall reach as near to an understanding as it is possible for us, until we reach a scene where much that is now inscrutably dark will be made clear. La equallv, what is the exact meaning of the "Cheru- bim " and the '^Haming sword turning every way. to guard the 'way of the tree of life," is beyond understanding Wha't we can understand is that it is not deemed ex- pedient bv the Divine Creator, now that liuinan nature is wlv t it is and the conditions of life what they are, that the immortality of which man is undoubtedly sus- ceptible shall be an immortality in this world. * Clothing like this was necessary when they were to leave Paradise. al n( G The Consequence.^ of the (I, -en I Disohedivnve. fi9 Ininiortalilv is to be in no oartlily (ianlon of Delitrht S iiitn. 1 an.l iu-avcnly <,n,.; (l.a) I'anulis,. i„ whi,.h tlicre is no ncMl of (.Midily sun or moon, buf of wliich fh,- ul„rv of «od and Ihe Lainb arc tiio Ktoinal Lifri.t. ^ ^ 77ir/r, «or icd.riiiif sun, nor u-nnimj moon, Nor xlars irilli courftrs hr'u/ht, lint the Lniiih in tlitit lih'sf (Uti/ S7/fY/.v an ErvrUisfnu) hUiht ; There the (hnilUjIi; hrain.s for erer : Ml inilnoirn are Time and Night! i! CUAl'TEK VII. Tin; CouKSK c»k thi: JllSTOKV OK Would. Man when out in tuio Of tlic condifiou of Uk' uaith in {^t'lit'iiil, or of tlial por- tion of it in wliicli Mii- tiist man and woman found Uieni- Helves aflor boiny; «'\i)oik'd from i'aradisc, we have not ex- act Ivnowledge. • "ovcrcd witii iierbs, grass, and the smaller (lass of li'cfs, n)ii'- ' of ilicm viclding food, it pridialily \\;is. The earth, in its uitural eondition, as we n(»w know it, is either covered with forests of great trees, with underbrush, as was once a large part of North America, tiie Urilisli Is- lands, and mo.si of Enntpe; or it is in ihe (;ondilion of open grassy plains, with trees and jilants along the margin of streams; oi' of upland ])lain and hill country, covered entire- ly witli a smaller growth of herbs and plants. The lirst can only be bnmglit into a condition fit for cullivaion by the em])loym<'nt of shai'ii totds. like the axe; t'le third nniy be subdued easily to the purpose of nuin when the race is niulti]died. and men render help to one anther. lint the second is th;.! in which, at the very outset and origin of tilings, before tools wcic invented, or mntmii lielj) could be rendered, a single family, or one man and one woman, could most readily find subsistence. Th(> ])eo])le of a country like Canada or of the adjoining commonwealth of Stales, have an advantage in studying a jtroblcm like this, in the fact that they have seen large tracts of territory in an ab'.'iilely 'atui-al ndition :is f(U'med and developed by the <"riator. .Mong with this, they have seen men and women penetrating the depths of for- ests, siMtling down on some «me vpot, felling the trees and (dearing the brush around the., ; s' was ui,d(.ul.todlv the hilly unlaud en wiM r ^''''' /'"" "V^""'" '^^"^ ^■•^^■'"^'^' ^v""'" l^^' -V. Willi 1,1,1. li .,1 II,;,, „i wiii.h Ih.' ludiiiu UilH's „f iLi- vLn- n.u conniirni |.„i,hI Hiibsislencc. lor uyv.s a d in wl i ' i s 1. ;;:i:;'"i'i "'^^i'"" '"'"*^ ^ ^••""•^ aim::t ::„^ :■; '"••' '""| liicj,' oi-joi,, of'vll'mr ";"'•'/"'■ '"" '" '"' ^""'•'^- *^t"SO of the stoi-v o Adam h J. s ,.n(.v, we meet with u man of whom we laive ""• n.,n :,Ual,l,. HlaH-iacnl that he was "«// Vz/.s/n/f/or or jrn// »/7,Ar,r //, ///vm f weai-iuf.- disappointment. Jhe l,le ihal has Im-.m, liv.-d by all the!,- d.-seeadants has now M-iin. an. I alilaaiKh. in the oi-dei- of Divin,- wis- dom. }^.,o,l has h.-eii bi,.ii-lil .Mil of evil, an.l adv.-i-sitv made to yi.'ld lis •■sw,. l..il of slaves. When we think of all hat slayei-y has involv.-d. ,f the ., niie and bloodshed, the kidiiapi.iiiK ami Iransporliuf,', and then of the erueltv often dev.'loped by the buiHhi-re itself, men mav well wish that th.' laboi' of Ih.' w.mI.I had never been such' as it has be.ome as a direet fonHP,,i,em.p of fi,,. fall of man. Still under remedial intliiene.-M. <.f Piv ine oriirin. whi.di be>;an to o])er- ate from the verv l....rii„ii„(r, i.,},or its.'lf has b.vome n i-.d'inii of Ihchei' discipline. Xot only has it brought i i I 'p ' H 72 /S'/or// of Ailiini'-t >'""»• al.oiil miu-vellou8 ivhuUh iu the devi'Iupiu.'Ut of Uic powciH of Ihf .•:iilli aiMl 111.- s..;., bill il Iuih, in llu' niiml ol mau himscif, ai-v.-U.iHMl ...uiiinv. Pill >••-"<', iHTScvrniiH.' 1u)|H', a.s \Noll us timl a.livily of ini.-H' i oxpifS!^*'"' "O H"' 1"'>- Ncrb. "Ni'cfssity is ilu- iiiollicr uf invcnlion. Tin: Sioiiv <>i- Auam's kiiist t\v*> Sons. The iK'ninuiiiK uf Ilu- Famil.v hisloiv ..f tlir world is oiil.v Urn WW a pi.niic of ils .•.mliiiuatii.n. Moclilir.l as is ;lie ,„.o..ivss of luinuni ,U.vol..pi.i.'nl, by liiglwi' ii.lliu-nrcs l.-ml- „U lo virl.io land ihis u.i.si ii.'v.t l..^ lost sinlM ol m .011- HuUMini; 111.' .l.'v.-lopiM.'i.i of luii.iini naluiv m 111.' w.mI.I), w*' still s.'.'. ..nlv I..0 .dU'ii iH-lw.'.'., l.n.tli.'is, a nsin). up of i..alonsv. aii^.M', .'vil im.iM.sos; and. in jMnhrv.., it in.l m :„., all thai was .ion.' h.v llu' .'hh-r s.m to Uu- ymui^vv m Iho v.TV llist fiimilv Unit liv.'d in Hi.' woild. ,- ■ „. Tin. st.irv ..f tin- two tiist hrollnis is siniuli.an irlinious- ,v as w.'llas monillv. Tlu-so, two s.ms, the rUU'.- c;nl .•. rain or •• A..iuiml." th.' vounf,'.-!' Ab.'l, of " Br.'iith, f..l low...lwl.atan.n..waii.l Iniv.' always b.-en. the tw'' ^-'^l";;^^ bran.lus of th,' afiii.uiliintl mdustiy of t^he world H.lor .■ullivat,..! llu' ^:r..i.n.l. The y',.inf...r b.;..iiiu' a t.e^lei of sli.".'p. The upland phiins for tin- one---liU.' th.' dov us <,f s,nilhern Kntiland. th.' hill-sides of North Ur.tain.or llu- vast inland plains ,.f Anstralia; the lower W'!;'''';';^ ;'"; vallevs for the other, where a rhh.-r soil r.'a.lily .Melded . s I,, the simplest forn, ..f husbandry. Th.'ie eon Id be , , .ivalrv ..r j.-alousy b.'tw.'en them as t.» the.r ueenpalio 1, 1 pilte about boun.lari.'s ..r landmarks. On.- mi,ht supposl that th.'s.. iw.. woul.l liv.'out their "v/- ''U;; •;; ,.,.,> an.l harm.my. Hut. as so <.tten sin.-.', 't ;7^^ f i-ion that the o.rasiou lor .piarr.'l ar..s... And il is not 1. . - : bh and «u,st si^i.iifi.ant in view of futur.' deve opments) ; , t visnot in r."sp...'t t.. the hif-her niatt.'rs of relis-iou, '; 'as 1^ Hied.ui wh^m they >^i'<>"i'i-"-"H'';;;f -;;':; fonn their worship shouhl assume. )N -'^^'e/.. d t^>; he broth.'rs br.)U}.ht an .itlenns to the Lord. It i«/\'*' "^ At V t lis tim.. r.'lif,non had taken the form not simp 1. v o pra e nd prais.>. but ..f .>nerinj? and so. ;"d*>ed . n s o J. sinee .-on inned. in all forms of true religion, an. m n • m f" rms of false. Both e rea.o„ of Shtri) of Ailiiiii's Sunn. 73 IIk' (linVi-nirc wiiN lliiil ill Abel's ollViiiiif (lien' was an atkiK.wlrdt-iiu.iii „f the Divine Nciilcii.e of dealli as (\\u- to Min; aiKJ an accfpiaiicc ol' IMviiK- mcnv as icvcaicd hv Die Niihsiiiiili.iii of an iniKMriii viclim slain as an alom-nieiil. ram s ollcrin-, on ili.> oliici' jiand, h.-ais the aHpci-t of uii ollciinj; of iliaiiivSKivintj. made h.v an iniiocenl dciM-ndont (HNKim., snch lis lli<> liisl man ini^ilil have |.ivs.'ii(..(| in I'aradisc. Ainl i.rohal.j.v , lo Jndjfc l.v llic IMviin- anion. (Iii'i'c was a .iclil.cialf ignoring of [he nccfssily of the ollVr- in;; ot life in sacrilicf. l( is iiii|Missil.i(. not (o s(v dial (liis is a ivasc.nal.U- coii- cliision. All"), roiiiiii- as a sinful man. |.n'scnls his slain siiLsiiiirto as a i»io|.iiialioii. jiiid is ai-((.j)icd. i'n\n coim-s wKli an olVciiiig of HmnUs to Hir gn.jit fpoat..!- and I'l'o- vidi-i'. i;;noiiiig his own (M.ndiiioii as a wron;;' doer m-fdin--- niony. and igiioiing his ivliition lo the Siipicim- as Lord o? inoials and .oiidii. 1. Ahcl's oihTiii.^ was .d' th<' himl.s o well, and live; the rule of the Old Dispensation, is tlie rule of tlio \(>w ii-Jspcnsation also. ^ IJiit let lis nndersland. Do well im Ind-d. nnder the Old Testament, the acknowledgment of wning-deing. and the otrering of sacrifice. To do well, nnder the New Testament, also includes the acknowledgment of wrong and the cdTcr- inp of sacrilice. viz., the j.resenting with the mind and lieai't. before (lod. of the One Sacrifice otTered bv the Son of (iod for the sins of tlie world. The law of moral rignt- » * But the Holy Spirit in the Xew Tostflment ppeaks of Ahpl'o offerin? as of Faith, i.e., of belief in, and obedience to the Supreme Lord. i 1 ii Is .1 S. i i ■I ;; ? • 74 ,*sVo/7/ «/ .\d-<. '--" ""^^ /J ,,!■ .,„,.,.,, ,)u. li.st vioieue.', the l.psl nuinh-r. s not thH .. of bloo.1 the exi.lanatU.n of the wonls ol ihe i^reuL T.;;!i:e.-. that -the n'evH wasa M ,n;lnrr U.nu .heb-KM.- •'¥:i'll.at -.uMha, savin, be applied bat to M^^^ nf \bel inrited bv bin. in the ronsin;- .d anKi> paKHum Li e ili"l ha .vd in the elder brother? The .dd Herpent r, worhl n<.l onlv bv his devieen raiHin>i up :;■:;;;:: in ll:.U;;.-nJ;n\,.ainstn..K and usin^ ^Siirtr-iiv'ih^rea^ passu.us ol I'''"^^; ■ i ! ,,., .,,,,1 ,:,i..sls w.-r- Mlirred lo !^;;;;:r'a;;ai;;rn;;;!n.^^ """"'^ '■'Che Ul^of (^,in and Abel w.. see r.lleH..d the pers... ,.„ r nr le perseeuted ..f all tiu,es--tho saitilH and pro- r si h )ld Dispensation, th.' confessors and i-r hers • ,, Xe w. And as perseeutin,-. the s.ron,..r. I he nn.re tw ful in Chunh or State, inspired l.v jealoj.HV o «oud. :i^ -Jlousy of inliuen.e. t^■ar .d then- v-nnp le ha.m^ l.oir lestiu.onv. .h'termination t<. be rid o ll«'" ■" ■' 11,. .vil.'iillv .li»n-i.'"i'l''l ""■ "'""III""- '""I 'T""} " " ,-, [; ,."'„';.. !...«. n.- Divi,,.. w..nl .•....«.» I.. lm,l,.v » m:w whrnoe '■'''''"\^,/ "/ 'l'''V . ; .', fiin \^ Kud Ktill to ii.- nl )i im.u.'h door, ir pJlinW l^^i- t'iit i';;^U'i;Mnit,«l. ..... away, or forKiven. titovy of Adam's >S'ons. 75 (by pmieluny, muling, niouiliou ol' liieiuls, and what: nut), \yli() (lisifouids it, ignores it, and becomes more wiclced tlian l),>foie by tiiat very disregard. It is certainly true, as matter of fact, and not !sim]t|v ..s a doctrine of tiiecdogy, tlial I lie Divine word is (u so; i -savor of death, unto dealJi. ' And it comes iiaturall. > be. The disregard of warning and idnnmition harden, .he heart, and preoa.eH the soul for oven acts of wickednes.-i. It was the disrt'gard of tlie Divine adnnniition by the montii of Jesus ihal'iu'e- pared the way for Jlis murder by I lie chief priests. The J'rogi-essive Development of evil in the world is as noliceable in the d the Eternal Fatlier. The r<'ady li( leaps to the mouth. " I know not.'" The I>evil. by the nioiilh of the l)iviii(> Teacher, is char- acterized as the Faiher of all IJars. and it is t(MTibIe t(» see the development of his jiower in this the (>arliest family of the world. The lie is repeated, in another form, in the query which has ].ass',i ii,tri(»s. and it is expressed in the jiroverb in our language. Mui'der will out : The seiih'iice Avoiild doubtless have been death but for the consideration, who is to inlli:-t it? There migiit have been other ehUdren of Adam and Eve, I»nt there could scarcely have beeu any comp(>fent to take i)art in the ap- prehending and executing a senten<(' of di-aih ujion this despei'ate man. Instead of actual death, the sentence was a living death; a banishment fi'oin the society of father, mother, jind all hu- man kind. To become "a fitr/itirr and a rofjftbond on fhe face of thr riirtJi" was io bci-ome the lirst Outlaw, the lirst trans- ported ("oiivici. the first wiiose hand was to b-' against every man, and e\(>ry nmn's hand against him. So he went out— and, significantly, the land he went to was called Nod, meaning "wandering." indicating an aimless, restless, im happy lif(> — ev(M' s«>eking and never finding — ''seeking rest and finding noMi-." A i»lace for repentance may have be(>n found, oven 1 i Wp 76 IStoii/ of Adaiiin fions. lor sucli a doubltMlvi'd (ransgressor as Cain. At au} rate, it is auumgxt his (U'sieiulants thai we hmi the origin ot many tilings that liavc snbsislcd in thu ioild ever since, The origin of the Nonuul life, of tents with hocks and lieids. The origin of insti-unients of .Mnsic, the harp and llie pipe; the one the lirt^L sti'inged instniinenl, the otlier the iirst wind instriinient. (Jenesis iv., IG to li3. The oi'iiiin of Tools and ciilting instruments. And hiiallv, the origin of I'oetical and rhythmical com- position. Genesis iv., 10 to 24. The more closelv this book of «ieuesis is studied, in rela- tion to man in tlu'- past, and also to his condition in these times now pres(>nl, the more we shall marvel at its -^^•^■f'^\l correspondences; and at the number and variety ot t e things which took their rise iu the earliest perujd ot the dwelling of men on the earth. We mav notice, too. how ntleily absiMit is the element of fam-ifulness, or foolishness, such as tills so large a space in earlv secular writings in all the h.nguages ..t^ the ^^ollcl Kverv one of the incidents related, even where is t u, nmnifest immediate <>xecnti.m <'f »>'^i"'; l''»^'*\;J. f,'"" working of forces tiiat are not m tlu" world now. has a d s ti„..|lv^nactical aspi-ct. These i'-' t'"\%'"='\:!rr. in lif,> of men as now lived in the w<.rld. Adam. Me, Can Abel, are all tvpes of men and women as we see th«''"- ^^ « ,„ve known and read of them. The circnmsam.es that befell them, their temptati.m. their weakness. •'''''. ^<;;''- timi their fall; the retributive justice that overtook them, „.. ail instinct with practical instruction. And us .s precis.-lv what dilVereiitialcs these biogra|diies of Sdiptuie f,„n. Ih'e fan.Mful. fo.disii. and even absurd and l.cntioua m„ri.'s of the earliest mythologies, in which is found no l,>sson no example, no warning, nor anything that has the least bearing ose— that lie can approve, and llnd pleasure in the Avorks of Ills hands, and j)ronounce them good; how can the converse of this not be true, viz., that h- linds pain when his work is marred. What more according to sound reason than tlial the Divine lieing should be weary of the perversene.ss, the folly, the degeneracy of the raVe; and almost wish he had ncvei- cr('iit(Ml a being like man at all. This is how mei; tcci; und. let us remembei'. that this ap- proving the right and being vexed with the wriuig is part of wliiil is |M'(iiliar to man amongst conscious beings. It belongs exclusively to humanity. It is iiart of the Divine Image, tlie highest iind tiucst part, the truest and most perfect mirroi' of the Heing who is righteousness in essence. who lannot but ablior evil and ai)j>rove good. The exi)ression. tiKM'efore, that Cod was grieved tliut lie had ever creiUed man is agreeable to analogy and sound reiison. If it is said that the decliiration that'the Lord re- pent<'d that lie had made man is inconsistent with another declaration that "Cod is not a man that He should lie, nor the s()n of man tluit lie should re])ent." let it be con- sidei'ed that the 1w(» declai-adons ;ire made under wholly ditfeicnt circumstances, and that the UH'aning of the words is ditferent. The one declaration is that of a perfectly righ(e(,us Meing who "repents" that he has made man in the sense of l>itter sorrow foi' the wreck and ruin of the noble uiiture He has created. The other is that He cannot repent, in the sense of being a fickle, changeable creature who forms purposes and changes them without reason. Both these coi'resi»oiid with whiit is known (»f the working of the mind of miin. A fatliei' of high and noble nature, who has spent jiains on the education of n son. and labored much to plnce him well in the woild. if that son turns out ill. year after ye;ir. bringing dishonoiir uiion his father's house, cannot but be " gi'ieved at heart." and mmu^ shade of what is h»^> called "repentan-e" will undoubtedly cross his thoughts ai times, and a wish tii.it such a soi. had ni vor been born. On the oihei' )i:uid. th(> sismc mi'n. being ii man of perfect I 1 1 80 2\o(ih and the Men of h'hs Time. it. and tried pi'obity, Avliorii- wi»rd iss his bond, — should some doubt be exi)ivss('d as to wlicthcr he will t'uHil a promise, would undoubtcdlv exelaiui, " I am not the sort of man to repent and change my mind — when my word is given, it will be kept. Have I said — and shall I not do it?" Thus speak men, and it is through this mirror of human nature — the Divine Image — that we can understand what can bi understood of the workings of the inlinite niiiul. But if the whole conceptiut man himself has a lai' higher uiiiure than such a lieing as this. Moreover, the works of creation are full of suggestions of good will. The design manifest in nature is not (tidy of orderly as raugeu'.ent for existence, but of benevolence, and considerations iioiuting to (he hapliiness of sentient crea- tures, su'-h being jilanned for ju-ecisely as a good father makes provision, in his household arrangements, for the ha]ipiness of his family. It is inconceivable that the Originator and Sustainer ()f the world in which human beings are placed, should be in- ferior to His own creatures. That fundaiuental enquiry, -He that fiu'Uied the eye. shall He noi see?" api)lies to the higher facultii^s that are the glory of num. The lieing that ci'cated and sustains man must lie (Uie svlio can love, can have compassion, .-an judge rigin.'ously. can ]»ui-sue great and noble ends; and as it is a sign of a low and ignobh^ nature in a man to he indilTerent to wnmg-doing, and of a truly great and noble nature to hate evil, the Divine Being i.mst be conceived of as hating the wrong as well as loving !he i i,i':ht. And as nuiu has b"en created with a oapaHtv of governing, judging, and ruling, on a very large scale, even extending to the governing of great empires, all with a view to the encouraging of right :ind the putting down of wrong, so the Su{)reme Sustainer of all, by whom all things con-.ist, and are held in their lirm order, must have the capacity to rule in righteousness, by repressing and putting down wnmg-doing. And as men do all tiiis ac- cording I'l -^ Xmh and the Mm of hin Turn. jl c-onuected with au im,..nd " n". sTm n ' *'"'?;'''" '^'^'^ the (.jii'lli ilscll' "I uiii 1^, r ' "' •'^^'''K'l'ow uu ". "•"''"• 1 will dt'strov tlicui //■//// //;,. ,.„..fi." This, vvr arc tohl in the >-cn> lU ,, i., ' •''"' «'•'""''• sr"t:\-r ri- ^-'^'"v -¥^^^^ '_'""'• -Mi-n iivod tuu tinu-s as |<,i...- tlu'ii Tl.iv r tl»'lay ..vonid W e.uiivaleut to ilwrnt « 1 ^'""' ''^ ii' ii f...-i, «as ,iisii„^,„i»i„,, ,,„. „„,„i,;'. t H ' » „ i .."'!: df-f,.,ti„„. ■ *"""^" >^"""<^««ness and universal TH;^na;:l.„i'"th;:r: .:i'T;;^;:;';,;:='-';r^r'"^ r ^'^^^ ^^ of faith who b.H.v,.d ^.hl.'onsness. 'a -tv ;.nd ,o<.dness .,f Noah found <-^-'=» --S; l^, ship in a 15ein- whose riohleonsness. i.nnty and -..odn* ss were like his own— «)nly absolutely pert.Ml. 'he i.l- by [be to in oto nu', 'SS, (111- ('Sr4 CHAPTER IX. Thk (Jukat Flouu. Genesis 7. S<'V('i-nl lliinj;s ait" iii.pniviil in ilic Sci-iiiinir iiai rative of tllC i''lu(l(l. Fii-st.— Tlial (lie iiumi liviii}- at llu' tiiiif had aiiinl.- iiolin' or wliat was coiiiinjj;. SecoiKl.— That (hey irfnscd to believe in ihe possibiliiv of a catastroplie. and reliised io make i.i-e|)aial ion for ii. " Tliird.— Tliat (lie j-<'iifiatioii tlien living were irredeeiii- altiy wicked, a curse lo the world, and nnlit to live in it. Fourth.— Thai the swoepinj. away of all living cieatnies <>xce|it a small reinnanl. was (head of the Snorenie ('realm- whose ways are always riKhl. Though men of modern to fcdlow it. so far as the nonrse of particular events is concerned. Sodom and (io- niorrah were de.=;troyed for Iheir supn-nie wickedness; but other ])laces. of {-reat wickedness, have been sulfered lo conlinue to curse the eartli—TIerciilaneum and Tompeii had their developments of jjroKs wickedness too; but tli.v were not as variously wicked as Home. The Xew Testa nient, however, teaches us that many of the thinus that happened in these t'y])es or examiiles foi- the admonition of men of subsequent a^es. But it is clear that the Divine retribution has not always reference to the life iioAv present. Retribution for wickedness, as certain to come to pass in the eternal world, is plainly revealed, and also the possibility of reiientance and conseiiuent deliver- ance in thi.s. ^ / 4' '» 84 The (heat Flood. if I F„i- I Wis Flood, in nuuiv ii'spectH, was u Type. As to ,be Flood ilsolf, it wus evidently ^y^l^;^;;^^^ , .ataelysn. ot .ho sau.o -' ;;- ^ ^^^^i^i^^ ^ ^ ^ u.au was of laud and walfi- woiu lixod '" ^ \, -^^^r^ ' . ,,„, „^,u- ami created. The ua.mtive tells "^'^.^J'/^^Y/, duelxtia- .,„. ,n,ulo.r. of l''-'-X^Z7ZtnZpl^\^^U Deep rcere uvdnnny rams, hut that fhcl ""'"" , 'i' . .../,ii^i,,,baii.^e of Mca, ;//>.-This elearly "'^auates ^^ ^ '^'•:\\^ ^^i; ^w of the the relation l.etw.'en land aud «^,'^' ^"^^fbi ^X hi^ of the ^vaters of the o-van. It ^^^^}^^ "^.^^^'^ Z orld, hut ^veat .-ras of el.vat.ou ^;:;^ J^ w rthe Lck Sea, the operatiuj; only over th. i'"^'"" '•^. ''\\„, .,,is ^vas then ih,- ,^„siau .lnlfa.nl tl>e ( ^^-;^l ^^ ^^^ ^^^ u.:.y elVeot whole habitable earth. \) -^ s .' 'i j'^ a.-rsfod from what wU.n on a v..;y «'";^" ^i;^''^,"^ ^^ ""a; ISDt.. One of the hai.pened in New /''''''''"•\;^'\\'" .!,,,/ xJ,v Zealaiulwas the most interesting ot natural < >J ^^« ^^ ^^'^ %^^^ f^on. the H>ries of l-vely calaraet^s . led tin 1 mk ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ,.,,or of Ibo rocks around f^^ "• ^i" . , ^^ .,,„„, ^ j,, j.^^.-es .as so aelMvely ^.>k•ap.^ 1 a IK^ -'^^ ^,^^ , ,ivid was ho. '^7*;^^;;:,,:! V '"-.vith whh-h his party irav- deseription of the pr > ; ' i„u-rual hres were so nea..'. (.Ued over a distn.-. h„mv tnt iHe , convulsion Shortly after his book .a. P"^^ ^^ .h^al a^ ..f the W'ud shook the ^vhole region A ^ *;'\^^^^ ^.^j,^ t,u're are to.>k place; and -^^^:^^;!^l^'^XX^A^ro;^^^-^ while hills; where ^^'^V JJ-j^J^Sls ha^ disappeared, every vestige of the l.'"*^/ ;"V, „,,,^ th'. convulsion which Such, we may cniceive to 1^'^^ ;^» * " l^' fl,„ ^habited „„ ,,„. .1....... ■i;';-.-'-;;;,:. : ,^j; ^id;',..' i.» :..i.- ..>-• moveuK'nl. H "','•',7." '..,•„ it„ v-ist interior, not only pose was to tloat; holding ^^^/^ "" !^,;:; ^, ^ two of all the he family of the faithfu "'= "• ,., ting the earth. trib..s of aniinat;iven, lo liavi' built one twice or four tinu's the size. I'.ul, as the narrative describes the buildin^i (d' llie vessel lo have been under Divine direction, it is absoliilely cer'ain that its dimensions were sulticient, ant within a menaneiie, or in zoological gardens, we may form some concept ion of wlial miglit be done in the case de scribed, when it jh evident that a Divine Trovideiice was guiding the whole (([M-ralion. The foiindalion id' the whole narrative is that of a special Divine iiilerference, botli of I'etribuiion and dtdive'anco. Admit this fnnrt why should it not bo admitt(Hl. if there is Divine governineiil at all), itnd all falis into prope • place and [iropori Ion. 6 %. -ill IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 !?:» IIM zz iii m I.I 1.25 I|i 2.:! 1.8 lA. Ill 1.6 V <^ /} ^a # 'T^^'^ >> Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^1 -''^'' nn.l pose and 'honing fn sa V - /'f,':' l"?;"'"?^' ''' P"'" beast wlio were lierenfter t., ^ '' '?^^ ^* '"■'" «"d of warni,? Am as s^,'" ^1''^^^ *''"^ '^'" l'^>'^ of tliis world (and th, rh ni.?! f .''''' "'^ ''' «<'v«'nuii,Mit; tlio children "isJ. 1 1- '.. J'''*''' '*'" '^'"''^ ""'t ="^<'i- ''O. perishe,! with Those who had "" '""'" ••«"«^i«"«n'^^« believe it to be in sih^ nn / narrative to be trne. or tive to be n-ne and ■ t tW '"■ ^'''^''''''- ^'^^ "•''••^••'i- this. can men. 'w^^h am leZ T' ^ ^''"'''' "'-^"'l '" ^^" Supreme Judge as be?",' nn sf' Sh r'?' Z'^"'*'^'^" *^« all the earth do rigiu- R J'V} the f '''^' ""* t^'^^ 'Tndge of be false, criticism as to detonl ^'^V'T''^^"-^^ i« believed to of the Divine Re n^. nn ; >^;,; r^'"';'?^ *^" *'"^ character false, on the gro, nd t^nfa ner p 1 ' '' '^. * ''^ J"^^^'^*^ *« be lent Reing conld n, t hnl^^ *'"'' ^^"'^'^^^'"^ and benevo- more competent to iudire r* tim ^ •* u, •^'^•""- ^ ^^ are no of retribn ion thans H, a H i d Z",fJ'"7' "^ ^'"^''^^^ ^'^^ ness. let ns sav of a do'-Hr-it r' ' ■ '^ "^ ^''"^ ''^^a^onable- a father. ^ ''^'"'' "' ^'^^ '" the policy of such ' r, ! I t 'i i 88 The Great Flood. Sufficient to sav, that the revelation of God from begin- ning to end is that of ti Being of eciual benevolence and justice, and that there has never been any great act of re- tribution without some prospect of escape by repentance and amendment. And as it was in former ages, so in the Christian Dispensation. The wrath and righteous judg- ment of (iod are revealed against the wiclcedness of man, and that judgment will be executed. Hut for every individual man a door of hope and escape is open. The wavs of (Jod are not arbitrary and uneiiual. Men said so, in the davs of the prophet Ezekiel; and they say so now. But the saying was not true then, and it is not true now. II CmTICAL XOTES AS TO THE FLOOD. As we. in tlicsc diivs, mic not to U^ savc.l hv an \ik it is llH' (k'tails ot lis (•onstiiutiou Xoah i.ml,.,stoo(l UuMn, an.l had al.undanc-o of time to S is n ;;. 'V"i^';"'""''- '' ^"^•■•^ """ "-'" •'!>< "-"^ st.md and act upon ,s ,h. way of b.-inj, saved throngli » ; As TO Till-: EXTHNT AM. niOPTH OF TIIK Fl,0„U. There is no need, fn.ni th<. narrative, to suppose that the fl.md was ever over the wliol<> surface of tile f-N-ho The Divine purpose, in speculations „n this suhiect. has been somewhat l<,st sij,ht of. This was. for ri«h eo s r'^s ns he destruction of the race of men then^nhal.itini he Morld; and (.vervthinK that is k^o^^n or recordonl points to lid 3 17/" /I'-" ^''^ ''"^^'■"" *'^ settlement and habitation i ,.,^ fl.y /'"VW"^'^*'"'^ '•'•'■""•^ ^''*' '•"""•1« ^'f the four meis that watered the re{,nons now called Armenia and X t I SI cl . The idea tliat sudi a flood must necessarilv. from its depth, en^nlf all the lands on the surface of the earth is tonnded on an erroneous idea of its cause; which was 'as lias been stated, and as clearly indicated in the Bible'nar- rativo. a "breakinfr np" of the n^lative conditions of sea nnrt land in that region, a subsidence in one direction and an elevation in another; a cataclysm and convulsion like that ot seolofiic ajres. accompanied bv extraordinarv and lonp: contmned torrents of rain. Hut there is no indication of these convulsive movements extending bevond the bounds of the seas encircling Armenia and I'ersia'. All animated life then in the eartli was concentratt^d there, and there the urea t work of destruction commenc(Hl and ended. Tliis view, wliich is undoubtedly the true one of the ■,«„j. ■? I HI lit 90 The Cuspiun 8vo. <. covered with sea water. '^ Its surface and suriounding shores abound in sea salt, sea weed, salt marshes, and salt pits. And innumer- able shells, niostlv resembling (hose of (he sea, and such as are not founl in rivers, are to be found along its shores. , V>. Towards its east<'rn border the whole country has (h<; apiiearance of a disserted bed of the sea. 4 The Caspian Sea has the same ilsh, the same seals as are to be found in the Black Sea and the Sea ot Ara , indicating that in some reiiioti' age the water <»t all these were commingled in one. 5 It was evident Iv at one time much more extensive on thr.pearances are precisely what would naturally be found in a region once covered by such a flood as Scrip- ture d.>scribes, but where, in great part, the waters have subsided, leaving the Pdack Sea. the Caspian, and the Aral separate bodies of water, and the country between (Iumu o region of hills and valleys, with rivers fallen to (he channels through which they are flowing to (his day. Tidal Waves. As TO Tin: Umfokmitv or Natuuk. 91 The Uuilui'inily of nature is sometimes supposed to be smi, as lo preclude the idea of a great catastroplie like the Flood. i!ut such a conception of the natural world as that there have never been in it any such f-reat cataclysms or convul- sions as will alter the conformation of countries, the course of rivers, the height of mountains, and the depth of valleys IS contrary to facts as we have known them duriuj-' tliis very century. Such conceptions of uniformity are narrow and unscien- tific, comparable only to the notions of a West Indian, who treated as idle fables the stories lie heard of water freezing solid, and the covering of land by snow. In this verv cen- tury, there have be«'n convulsions in New Zealand (see an earlier page of this chapter), in China, in Japan, which have altered the course of rivers and the conformation of whole districts of country. There is the clearest evidence; that the ,,reat plains of the St. Lawrence were once a vast inland lake, and that the present expansions of the great river in the h. ;'S St. Francis, St. Louis and St. Peter, are the remains of what was once an inland sea. The Mountain— so-called— or wood-crowned hill, at the foot of wliicli Montreal is built, was once an active volcano, with streams of lava at times pouring down its sides. So were other mountains in its neighborhood. The earth, in all its ])arts. bears evidence of convulsions and disturbances. There is water where land was formerly, all along the coasts of Britain, along the shores of tlie Mediterranean, and of XorthcM-n Europe. The Zuyder Zee of Holland is a modern creation. There is land where water was all along the lowin- course of the Ganges, the Danube, the P(», the Yang-tse-Chiang. A thousand years hence, wlien the region of the Pink Falls of New Zealand is rov<'red with farms and flocks, a scei>tic may laugh at the story that the most beautiful cataract on the earth occupied that s})ot. just as narrow- minded sceptics do in these davs at the narrative of the flood. / I TiDAt Waves. A recent irruption of the waters of the ocean over many populous districts of Japan, with the destruction of numer- ous villages, and loss of many thousand lives, mav enable l\ ! 9: Tidal Waics. some idea to 1k' Umm-i\ of llu" n-al uatuic of llu- l|">«;;| "f thm- t'ailv liim-s, the .auscs aiul a.coini.aiuuu>uls ot whitU have bft'ji hu imuli niisai»i»ifliemlcd. The ellVits of the wavi— as we mid iu the .louiuals ot Septeuiber. lS!Mi, weiv felt from S.udiei; to '^/""y^'' .;'•,; |,^, tamv of over l!(l.) ...iU-s in len,,lh In a lew ""•"V*"^- j'^'';'^^. oeonle weiv killed, and V2m) houses destrou'd On he ■venin^ of the da.v of this terrible irrui.t.on ot NNaU' s iVree or fonr slmeks of earlluiuake were felt, and about alf an hour later a .lull b.H.n.inj^ sound was hear.l ronuuK n he s.a. IJv the n.osl of the people, l.ttle or no mmco ! St' ken of tlR' noise; but a few, a very few, suspected Us Ti't^^ni n and Ih-d inland for their lives The booni.n« b.e s .1 n piillv in volunu.. until it resembled the roar ot "n.;on Thl-n, hu.e waves, of thirty f<.. '» '-^ l!,;.-!-; thunderinii in to the shore, swc'epinj,' all betore thm am V y ndn in their wake. The province of Iwate sneered the most sev,.vlv, the nund.er of people killed m U, alone beinti I'stimated at "Jli,!**!*!. ,i.; ■ ciit .lapan is accustomed to violent c.mvu Isu.ns but tlu^ t-lal wave, in violence, was almost unprecedented. ,n^, Hible narrative of the Deluge suj-yests just some such irruption as this. 18- m ho I'S, tut 1>« its n« of me Liul rod )U0 dal 1110 , CIIAI'TEKX. Tin; SiiisinKNci; or 'nii; l''i,u(ii» a.\i> 'I'lir- ('o.m.mi'.nck.mknt' oi' A Ni;\v WuitiJ). Tlio Hood Niiltsidod, |Ih> liiiid ii])))o:irod, aiid Mio ark found !i rostiiifi- iiliirc. iiul "nil Mdiiiit Aiiirut." Inil "iiimii llic .]h)iiiihiiiis nf \ninil," not (in its suniiiiit. iis liiis liccii iih- Hiirdl.v sii^ip'slt'd l»_\ l>ilil(> iiirlniM's. Imt more likoly in sonio quifl valley in I ho iiionnlain cliaiii. The lii-st ad of Noah on scttin;^' fool on I ho |irosonl caiMli was lo build an Altar, and oiler a saorillre of lilood, tims l»asiiiji llie whole future life of the world on an arUnowlodyiin'iit : 1. Of wroiin' doiiin' lui I ho pai't of man. -. Of Divine .lusliie and Divine Mercy lhrou};h sacriflio. lie thus rocomiiized llie fiiiidaiiienlal distinction lietweeii the tliaiik otVeiiiiji' siiilalde to a jaire and innocent creature, , and the olVeriiij; of attuieiiieiit suitable to a heiii^ like man. All false reli;;i(uis. oven when ohservinj;- the rite of sacritico, fail (o i'eco;iiii/,e this. The W(UMlei'fully lieailtiful (iroek and Konian rites had llieir ol1'erin};s (d' fruit and flowers, their soiiys and harvest festivals; j-ood, so far as they wont. They had also the olVeriny of animals, and the shoddin which had their fruit in obedience lo moral law and rijAliteousness of life. And so onward, fhroii^th (lie nonorations of nioi, who wore under the o-uidance of (iod, unfil Tie came who fulfilled all those ancient ideas in (he sacrilh'o of Himself for the -sin id' the world. Those ideas are not mythical or mystical; and tlioy are not obs(dete; (liev linvo their root in the nature of man; they belonji- fo all lime. They need, it is true. Divine direc- tion; for (dhorwise, (liey have boon, and are. i)ervorted to the uses of ))rios(oraft and superstition. But, ritrhtly di- rected, they place liuiiiiinify, in its relation to the Supreme, on a proper foiuidaiioii; and (»pen a way to recovery of '(? / ■ Iili tl i! 94 The SHhHidcnce of the Flood. lighteoiiM liviug iu tins world, aud assured hope foi- the Wdi'ld wliich is elenuil. A linlil fouudatiou beiiiK thus hiid in the rehitionship of nuuiUiiul lo the Supreme in spiritual thiygs, we have a iTvelatluu of the tiue fouudatiou ou which the whole ttmise of events will rest hereafter iu the realm of natural lliings. Tin- ollVring of saeriliee was accepted. And now, in order tiiiil men iiiav enter Miou the work of life, cultivate the ground, and suIkIuc the eat!' without fear, tlie Supreme revealed Ills purpose with regard to the future lu the pregnant wtU'ds: " WniLK Tni': kaiitii im;.maim:tu, skkdtimk, and iiauvest AN1> •■OLD AND HKAT, AND SLMMIMI AN1> WlNTlOIt, AN1> DAY AND NICHT SHALL NOT CEASK I" This Covenant is i)refaced by the declaration that "///0H(//i the iiiKK/ination of iintii\s heart mail .still be evil from hi.s iioulh, the (jround xhall no more he cursed for man's nake, neither will Ood' ftmite aiiif more ereri/ Urinn thinfi^ This is the coveniint under wliich llie whole secular life of man has since continued. Thus we are reminded that* tlie changes iu the rolling round of the sidieres. and their relation to the sun. which bring aliout the i»ossibilit.v of ol)taiiiing food out of the earth, subsist not by forces within themselves, but are constantly kept in orderly being, by the Ciod of grace and redenijilion. It is by the Divine Son of and harvest, and cold and heat, and day and night, and winter and summer, all in their respective length and order of succession, bear evidence of the same design and calculation, that the various iiarts of a well ordtMcd ((mstitution of an earthly government do. It is not reasonable, but the li(>ight of unreason, to refer all to the op<>rations of blind, unknowing, unconscious force. For mere force cannot think, and calculate, and plan. It is the simple exercise of reason on what has been revealed, to acquiesce with profound awe and delight, in the revela- tion of an all-wise designing Being, who is at once Creator, Fiither, Kedeenier. It is the same voice that speaks to us in the orderly constitution of Nature, in the Ten Sacred <'ommanduients, aud in the revelation of love in the Re- demption of the race of man by Jesus Christ. The voice that rolls the stars along Speaks all the promises ! !l Tliv \(ir [fe(iiiiHinff of l/ifv in Ihr WoiUI. 95 This is sure gi-uuud, aiitl on iIiIh tlio I'liith of a nitioiial luind can rest. Tin; Ni:\v ]!i:(iiNMN(i di' l re(iuire the life of nianl" — Verse .'). A sacred ^uard is thus thrown around human life, in slrikinj;' contrast to the low estinntte formed of it a,mon}ist savant' peoples, and by j^i-eat military ('on(iuer(>rs. "What care 1," said Naptdeoii, to the Austrian Ambassar. who was remotis!' n^; against the f«'arful slaujihter of his wars, — "what cure I, if a million men are «acrilic<'d? What are a millioa lives compared with the aveom|)lishnient of the desijiiis of my einpirel" In the early days of the French Kevolntion, under the Rei<>n of Terror, ^larat and others like him were constantly elamorined(nn I" These had both thr(»wn (dV the resi rains of the Christian religion, and were simply indulniuK in the natural bent of a certain order of human nature. True it is, indeed, that men called Christians, and even ministers and priests of the Christian church. Imve ])ursned the same coiirse. and plung- ed nations and comninnities into wanton war and blood- shedding. Yory true.— Titit IheHc ar(> developments of human nature; not the fruit of Clirisilanily, but existing in spite of it. I dii The \(ir Itcijiniitng of Life in the World. m . w Tlic IMviiic will is thai (Ih- lilV ol'iiiiiii is sacicil; aiul tlii^ idea is ciiiltixlifd in llic jiiiispriidciKc (it all iihkIciii Cliris- tiiiii iialioiis, whose iiilc is that of this coininaiMl as ;;iv«'n t'oiir I liiiiisaiitl vcais a;;<»: ••Wiiusu siiimiuktu Man's Mmmii), iiv Man siiAi.i, iiis I'.i.diin m; siikk." — N't-fsc (i. When LcjiislatuifS, uiidci' I lie iiilliiciicc of ill coiisidcit'd tlicoiics. seek to iiiiprovc iipoii this iircccpl of l>iviuo wistloiii, tln'V oiilv iciidci- iMiiiiaii life iiiscciiic, and liicak down the safcjjtiaids that the hiviiic (lovcfiioi- has plact'tl around it. Those fnndanieiital featnics of the IMvine covenant with man are evidently fof ail lime, and fof all neoiiles. I'nliki; the se( iilar Laws of .Moses, which were fof one |ieo|de; that conlaiiu'd much that was not snitalde for universal ohe- dience, and were ahi'ojjaled. wIk'Ii a ieli;;ion for all man- kind was taiij,'iit by the Son of of hein^' universally oldijialory, in the fact that tiiey have in them nothinji local, climatie, or peculiar. The only other matter then made kn<»wn as to the I>i\in(> Covenant with mankind is the heautiful token or sijiii of it, viz., the '•lioir in I lie CIoikI," — the Uaiidiow. Krroneous- ly, and from want of due consideration, it has been snjtposed that this rainbow was a new creation at that time. S\'hat was really now done was to constitute this objecl, univers- ally jirevalent, whenever 1her<' was sunshine and rain, to lie a jierpetiial sijiti. •■/ tld .sc/ iiii/ hotr in llif cloiiil. for a ioJcrn of Ihv Corcntint for iwrpvliiul ncncnitions." So it was. and so. for all these lon<,' intervening;- centuries, it has continued to be. The rainbow has sjioken to more tlmn a. hundred }>'enerations, and the word has been sure. Turning now to the human side of the history, we tind the names -f the tlire<' jiroji'eiiitors of the yi-eat divi- sions of the jxtpulations of the earth; not indeed always maintained in sei>ararion, bnt substantially corres]MUidin and virtm beei; always and universally ]U'evalent; if. in- st<'ad of men s])enditiji' strenjith and inventive jicnius in stibduinj;' (tne anoll "r. they had always folhtwed out the Di- vine ])repept of subduinj;- the earth. The ccmtinuous deii'rada- tlliri iris- ivcn )nl). •led •cak ntli liko h;it lan- Olll- iiiiii irv. Til- .\r,r lUiihuiiiKi of Lift: in the Wuild. !t7 tloii of savaKv ia.i'8 woultl iIm-h Imv.- lu-cii iiiiUiiuwn. Tli.-iu v/(»ul(l (lii-u have luvn d i\crsiii»'M of lolor, from vjiiiclu's 0|)l|l<>lll ot flmiaic, and also divcisiii«-s of idivHical dt'vcl but lilt" dn-aiv «liidiiine mav en condition in liis tent. ( vintage wa.s of somewhat and wines dill'er in (1 un wine of that particular usual strength, for bmh grai some oci'asioii of gr<"at Ik an m MS respect; or that, in that clii )es iiate, on unusual draiiglii. Till' narrative d oral obli(|iiity, such as at laches t '•-at. and iinusnal thirst, he draidc (b'inks to exces vice. Fbit il «h) and continues until it hecon oes not necessarily imply o a man who kiiowinglv es a habit of siigg.'st a want of i>rn(lence and caufi< and this doubtless is the 1 Wine, and all liipiids of likt chara.'t esson intended to 1 »e conveved. with ii'e A daiig.'i- signal is li er. need to h,. used CJ ranting, for the sake of ung out in tills narrativ UMi' wlKdesonie us(>s and -.al I'gumenl. that wines nut voice sounding through I hi ue, how (dear is the 1) not drink fieely, ^\• care may bring' about did in th.s; patriarih. s narrative. F?(Mvare! e. v iiave iviiie an- vou no (annot be plaved with. Want of in you as deej) a degradati on as it V".* 98 The Xcic Bcyinning of Life in the World. This uarrative illustiates auother feature of life ami diai- acter, viz., that one single act of wrong-doing or impriuleufo o ■ tlie part of a good man will be remembered, when .yeari* of virtuous and honorable living are forgotten. So it is m thesi; times, as every man of aeiiuaintanee witli tlie world can testifv. And many features of Uld Testament biograpliy illustrate the same prineiple. This, and the whole tenor of these ancient histories, demonstrate their truth and value as records for all time. They are not mere fables and foolish legends, like mauv of the stories of old times that have c(.me down to us. The narratives of this Book of Origins, that run far beyond the foundations of the most ancient kiu«- doms of the world, are alwa\s instinct with the real life of men and women, as men and women have always been in the world. And thev are instinct with practical lessons of life even for us in these times of the Christian era. The narrative of the modest and reverent beluiviitur of Ihi' two elder sons of the patriarcli, and the want of it m the younger, is instructive in itself. An example in the one case; a warning in the other. And the short narrative (hat follows illustrates a principle of the Divine government. To honor parents brings blessing. To disregard and de- spise them, a blight and curse. The blessing nui.y not alwavs be in the form of the prosperity of this world, nor the blight result in poverty, lint blessing and curse llieiv are as historv and experience show. And very genera lly it does come in the form of temporal prosperity; especially when the honor is rendered to a widowed mother. .Most men of long eKi.ei'ience can recall instances of young men who. in earlv life, endured privation and toil, in order lo sustain one or both parents who had been stricken by ad- versitv; and who, in after years, in remarkable ways, ami to men's astonishment, had openings of advancement, and oi)portunities of wealth which resulted in placing them in a position far b(wond what any friend of their early yeai'8 could have dreamed of. The solemn words of cursing and blessing pronounced by the patriarch have, almost certainly, been much miscon- ceived; and it may be said, with an absolute certainty, that when the curse pronounced on Canaan was perverted, in these modern times, to the justifying of negro slavery, the Scripture was unjusiifiably wrested from its i)ro]»er use and reasonable meaning. But beyond doubt, there has been in these modern (imeH a singular correspondence and fulfilment of the words M I The Xew Be(j'mni\j of Life in the World. 09 spoken iu these far-off ages, by the second father of the rate. ' 'aking Japhet to be the progenitor (and probabilities point tor'urds it) of the races of modern Europe, it is cer- tainly true that he has been wonderfully enlarged. The whole of the two continents of America is now in his occu- pation; and by the conijuest of India and predominance iu the East generally, he, through the Anglo-saxou race, has certainly fulfilled the prediction that h(; should "dwell in the tents of Shem." I ;■ it ■ u V ■ ii { ■ ' ■ j ■ ; ,■' .1 yi OHAPTEK XI. TilK TuWEU .1' BaUEL and THK CuNFOUNDINti OP LANGUAGE. aciicniti xi.: 4 to V. The i.iuJL-.t iur Iho erection ol' u Tower of euonuoiis Leii-lil has moral aud spiritual aspeils which will repax cllnsideration. And tirst, it is evident that the descendants of .Noah were all keeping together, instead of obeying the Di- vine command to hU up the earth. How long they succeeded in doing this is not clear from the narrative; and the speci- hilions and calculations as to the early chrono ogy ot S.' p- ture are, as a rule, mere fanciful guesses. But prob.-.bl not mu,.h time had elai.sed from the days ot the tl"«»«J- Y,'": sidering tlie dillerc-nt manner in which the lapse of t e would be conceived of in the days of Pi-oUmged human 1 e^ Ke heaven; and let us make us a namel" In all ages, countries, dispensations, it has been that God abhomih the proud. Apart altogether from revelation It IS in the very constitution of nature, societv, and of man that the ju-oud are cursed! To take a most oonspicunus modern example. What but l)ride and vainglory was the ruin of that marvellous and nuiny sided genius, tlie first Napoleon? It was i)ride alone that impelled him to the disastrous Kussian camjtaign. Re- covering, almost by miracle, from the terrible overthrow- he had the opjtortHnity of ju'eserving his throne and dynasty by bemg simply content with France acoordin<' to its old boundaries. This, the .sovereigns of Europe olfered him Hut, under tho impulse of jiride, still unsubdutd even by the calamities of the Russian campaign, and the defeat of L.'i])sic, lie refused. After that came the Hundred davs "\Aaterloo, and — * ' 7 J I: • ;'tl lim iU2 The Tuiar of Babel and Confoundimj of Luiujuuge. •• J.iisi t^teue of all lliiit stiuuge, eveutful liistory," — St. iluUma. , Si. much fur the lui-u that maguifv aiul houor thomseives. IJiit Nvii.-n a },'rateful pooplo call cities after the uame of the mail who lias foumled the state, as the Aiuericaus have (ione (iK-ir Cai.iiai, or erect momuneiits to a great ^;;U>l|i'» >vho delivered it iu time of peril, as Kughin. did m Irahl- gar Square, the case is wholly dillerent. There is in this neither pride nor vaingiorv, but simple gratitude, and lumoi of un-al tleeds. A tower whose lop should reach to heaven, lo wliat a heighl did tiie pride and vainglorious boasting ot tUese ^''yiut there was One observing, whom they had forgotten suid ignored; the great Supreme, whose .Iwelliug was m tho^^i- verv heavens they spoia- of. Seeing that the people were set uiion disregarding his will, and retus-ng to spread .over the earth. He defrmined to interi-ose and compel them to do what they were disinclined to do, but the doing -of which was necessary to their weilare. This clinging and .n.wding fgether of a people in a «niall space? in cities. <.r in a small territory has been re- Tatod n these mo.lern days, ami always wi.h ey.l ellects So were crowded together the .uitiyators of the soil n Indand. until the land, divided and divided, and s.ii tur ;.,.,• subdivided, was insumck'Ut, under any system ot 1 iv n f a .vasonabl<. subsistence. Then the mighty ; . ^ f s;ar.-ity and famine -.ompelled a scattering abroad to the enorimms b( nelil of those who migrate.l. and llu tti ... w<-lfare of those who remained. So. a so but ,n a i^s ^degree, did the p..opie on the- Lower St. Lawrence o d tu..^her. refusing from (U.e generation t.. another to .1 ,t , cid until here, as in another si.heiv. th(> lores :r : a nd poveH y. and the impossibility of ob.ainiijg subsist !.n<.e from the land, for such increasing numbers, comnelteik a ccmtiiUKUis migration. '',h those movements were streiim.usly resisted, some- tin; sbvsh..siuht..d priests, sometimes by po ituians. th V n g t as well have atten.pted to resist the t.de^ ; : , :i.„.ent was in accordance wUh the w, and ,.f 11... 1 ord of the whole earth, that the earth lie and filled np. rn,n« then in those ancient times. Ihe forces of romtuil- .io^ ere ";ugVt int.. play, and a scattering -id «!-;;- -n^; pion ''"'I'l j: Tpnin'^t the will of these neonle. or llieir il j • Ill' The Tower of Bahd ami CoufouniUng of Lamjuage^ 103 IviImT/.vIm. ''' V "^,^''^'"'^'»l "f n-liihiuive puuisliiufut iu it A\uait\ii. \et It was most ertctlual for the purpose. The hrinj^ring about of uew (h'veU)piueuts (,f langi-ace ?^ -Hi! ns "i''^,;:^'^^"'"'-^- ^•"*' «;^ the uu.st reuiarkabU. mani- n 1, I .'• .^"^•'"^' I^"^^'"'" t''"f re of very sh.w developmen, has resulted in wliil; we "^(c. ^^hat. then, must have been the exertion of Divino power which c<,uld have brouohf: about su.di a stat<> of li.nj^s as ,s here described-the confoiindinfr of an.-u ffes ..V the creation of new t,mfr„es or dialects.^\M,et"i';M- fids >\as brouj-ht to pass in one day. or o-radual! v. in a period of ."oKs or months, the narrative does not tmike clLu- But nltoiit b\ a dij-ect exercise of Divine power Lxaclly hoir much chaiif-v was wroufjlit the narrative d.»es not inform us. The ordinary ruh- of the exJnMse of f'X raordmary 7 M vine jmwer is that sutticient shall be put J^ th and no mor.-, to accmnplish the needed result. W lat \NaH the one lan^iia^^^ that was si.olcen up to this evei t Ave km.w not. The narrative of Scripture is silent Hebrew Hcholars say that the proper names in the familv o A a,n '•■'•pine Hebrew words, and that most of th(. na es ..;'-.t.om.d up to the buihlino of th,- Tower of Babe] 'be aced lo a Hebrew root. They also point or that the Hebrew tonp:„e ,s one of extreme simplicity ol str icture ofnuH^'uit;.''"" '^"'"''''- "'"•'" '^ ''^'^y ••■-^' '" '-^ sHe this.'howover. as it may (and the matter is of no practical importance), we have arrived in this narrative at anefflcu.nt.aaseof division. The lauffuase of the i ,\bit mi s of th.^ worhl was so divided that m.t.d.ers o inen co 1 1 not und..rstand one another. I'robably three or fo,,; sepm'a- tions of tonftu." would be amply sumcMit for the desi ..ned I'.n'IM.se of s,.attrrins this multitude abroad. For ^X-^Zt iH'eded was that they should separate, not into a mult it do o small isolated communiti(>s. but into a sutricient number of parts to ensure efficient co-operation amouirst the tribes for th.v purpose of nrotection. and of industrial occujiation of he countries and lands of the Eastern nemisphere And this was accomplished. They were compelled to i •I ■ i| ^ I : 104 The Tower of Bahel and Confoimling of Language. desist from the buildiug of the city and tower, for no one of tlu> tribes into wliich lliey were (lividea .Viis able lo finish tlieni alone. So -thci/kftiiff tohiiihl llic Vitt/r "and from thcnvc did Ihc Lord scatter tlieni abroad niton the face of the earth.'' If llie place be looked at, on a map of the Old World, it will hv seen how it occupies tlie very centre of all the lamis of the old world. Eastward were the j;''*"»< i«'Ki»>»« that were afterwards the seat of the Persian and Indian Empires. Uound ahoul them the ^reat plains that became the seats of the universal . monarchies of Assyria and liabylon. Westward, to I In; north, was all Asia* Minor and Euroi)e. Westward and lo the south, I'alesdne, Arabia, and all Africa. So began the migration of the families whidi developeil into tribes, and tlu' tribes into races and nations, whicli. in process of ages, tilled the three continents of the Old World, and furnished the peoples who, by continued mi- gration, first from Asia, and then from Europe, are even now gradually filling ui> the New. The Tenth chapter of the book contains a very omdensed account of this dispersion. But there is nothing (»f special interest therein, except the proof it affords of the one com mou bond of kinship between all the various tribes of the eartli (for dod hath made them all of one blood, as is asserted bv St. J'aul when speaking at Athens), and also the very brief' notice of the first of those great Eastern i.tui- queVors whos(> histoi-y tills so large a space in subseiiiu'nt ages. One of the race of Ham was Cush; who was the father of XIMliOD. He, Nimrod, began to be a "miijliln o>\e in the earth; a Mightii Hunter before the Lord." an expression which suggests the capturing and enslaving of men; as is probably the real meaning of the passage. And this verv place, Babel, was +he beginning or principal seat of his kingdom; a place aftv'rwards to be so famous in its expanded name of Babylon. The kingdom began in tyranny, was continued in tyranny and pride, and in an hour of impious tyranny and profanity it was overthrown. \'ast mounds on the now desolate banks of the Euphrates still testify tf, the fact of great structures once occupying the spot, and very possibly some of these mounds may contain some remains of the Tower and City of Babel. ClIAl'TEK XII. Abraham, Gexksis xh. Hming many gcuenitions tlii.) intervened after the irreat "u '•/ woni'" ''"'' "'•^•"""^' ^^-^"^^^ •^^'^'•l^ were wortlh of lieient " ''""^ sentence was deemed suf- iini after tlie lai)se ef some hundreds of v.-irs th«M-P ;'I'I-ared a .Man whose iif,-, ...■ovvd,.! as it wasw nd ^T ha.n...re to do wuh ,he eonrse of histol-v in tZ u,!^ a^ s. both seenlar and sacred, than anv' man thai la .1" /'"'"' '•J'jx'Hi'ed on the scene of the w„ Id's affairs T """*'"/<' ••' 'I'i.- ...an Al.rahan.-s iifV, in.l'ed ; , liNM ^ i^a^inmie'f'-tSh-'''"""^""^ s a .Miiii.i, i.i ( hat his nam., is in...e \vi(h.|v lei/ n .... ',' "^■"■'••^""' wl.iHi has filled tl innlliimh «<'<'ded ridlll I I Ti id sonie.d' the islands of :',"•:'•;■•" •!":<•-■ The valley of ,h,' .lonh "'■■" Pliiiii, ri( h and hixi (he Sonth 111 and its irioiis heyond measure, had :::::;: 'V':''',''''- ••'!'•'" n. mid a style of wh^ o]»ed that 1 time. .Men had "-'••^ Wiveii an evil name to H • ■onie to he l< The CanaaiiKeN had ahead iiown by t filial d edness devel- le rejrion for all esi"nations. which tl '•' man Abraii ,y enme |(, occupy ,]„. |.,„,j semi-civilized peoples. tio| d I was directed t to ill'i o ;io; fierce, idolad'ous. nations that occupied Canada hr( iiii«' much from the Ind lai) /' man. Men had, however, whit civil land chiefs of I I'll ••I'e the advent of th izatnm in which moi come t(t tin loy was coined, barfjai condition of made and ralified by'fonnal deed Th M's recuyniz,.,] in warlike and lis as to covenants in tlie fi IS was the condition of the E oxpeditions. »f (I ii«, man. K.-Iif-iouslv, thoi istern world, secnhirlv. to have been a falling „ir fn.ni (1 and a deveh.i n( .d' various f, IS nadiral to mankind f would ai>peap service of the Supreme, orms of idolatry such as Sncl 1 was (h,. world, as .\bram had 1 I year, an ii^re e()uivalent to about fortv in tl soventyfifd •lays. Uy this ii„„. ,1,7. .iiira'tion'of materially shortened, but th.'v still lonH' as they bee called by a Hiv ivod in it till his lese I'"' vn , liiH f;i(I witli numeroHH others, had men's lives Iiad l>een oro nearly twice as •ram was Mid kindred, jsrobablv mifrrated from Armenia to tho line Miibseipienfly. Hefore .\1 ler 1 i .. ,J \i: 108 Abiahom. iiiii hill .M.unl'v still called l.v »1..' ui.ui.' llaniu, Ivint,' nmth ,,,sl of the' li.n.l ..f Canaau. TIumm- his h.th.-r .1:.'. l. IIh'U ciiiii.' thf Divine rail to proceed soiilliward; a call wliicli was iiccuinpanied bv extiiKudiiiaiv .-onditioiis siiid revela- tions. It is these that have ^iven this man his extiaor- dinaiv i.n- eminence in the world of sacred things. \ et Ahram was a nmn of the world in a very '*;"' ^^'f; "j' rednse. hermit, priest, or religious .■ntluisiasl l.nl tultill- iuKM destinv in the world that then was. and taU.nti his tMll shar.' iii iiioiildinf-' its allairs and doin^: the will <.l its <'reiitor in it. • ,, . i ,i r.ut the Supreme chose him oat specially t(. Ite tne le- cipient of such j-reat i)roniises as these:— ^ " I wim, MAKi: (IK •riir.i; .\ (iiu;at N.\Ti«tN '. •• 1 wii.L iim:ss tiii:k : ani> makk tiiv nami; cukat ; and •nior siiAi/r hk a r.i.KSsixG I" •• 1 WII,I- I-.I.KSS III.M THAT lil.KSSKTll TIIKK. ANI> .TUSK HIM ■j HAT CI ItSKTH THKK •>' FAMlI.ll'.S (IK THK KAKIMI ••Ami IN TIIKi; SHAM, AM, THK '''V'markab words, inde.-d. and iIh' lik.- has not been simUen to anv human bein^-. save .inly the son ami jrnindson i!( this man;'and lo these only because of their relationship to him. . , Of the fiiltilim-nt of two of liiese ;:real iiroiiiises. the most inveterate sceptic could not d.iubl. Th.it he beciime a o-reat nation, the history of the world witnesses, even douii lo our own day. That his name became jireat is equallv certain, as has been obcsrved already ' ml that the i)roniise of all the families of the earth bein- blessed in him has been fullilled in the past, and is bein},' more and more wi.lrlv fulfilled in tlies<- days, no Christian ever (Miter- lainedadoubt. This kind re Jerusalem afterwards was built), northward and southward, and eastward and Aluuhinii. 109 wt'stwiinl; fur {' a ^i-eat niimhei.i Finallv. as to these promises, or sliadowin;^' forth of ureat tilings m the fnlnre. we have, after that woiideifnl Hi..} (»t oliedieiice in eoniiectioii with his s(.ii Isaac, the '■re.ir |»romise that his sad slinll hr „nilliiil;r;l us llir yinrs „f lininn (tin) OS Ihr saixl hi/ thv .srii shnir: thai Ihn/ sho'l imssvsfi the ' '// Ihvir n,nni,s; (i,i,l thiil nil Ihv ,in:U„is shall be hlrsxctl III his iimlvrilii. And these last were prefaced hv that inex- pressihly solemn declai at ioii, -WW \ns|.;!.F IIW'F I SWOIJX :•' Ii is these nn>st re-iarluihl. \eminls atid promises that lift this man so liij^h al.ov.' his fellows. Itm ji is evident that they were n..t l.eslowe.l arhitrai il v; not without refer- • •iicc to the character of the m;in. Tli'e Divine choice oi a man to he the head (d' a race win. shoiihl pr(>serve die true liKlit <»f ivh-nm in the worhl. and Ihroii-ii whom should he prn,i,ii|n;ited eiernal laws id' iiK.ralitv and .nndnct— this ••lioire was 111 perfect wisdom, The man was himself a l>ait.Tn and e.\<-midar of virtue and p)dliness. \ man with one except i(.n, to Ne hereafter mded. of iinswervinff trust and devotion, fiililllin)- all religions ol.li-ati.ms: a man. too. of justice. Kindliness, consideral i(m. henev(deuco- it iiiau of c(mraK<' inid fearlessiieKs; readv to take up arm^ AVheii called cm fivine choice. I f *. % ■0- 1 CK'ITKAL NOTKS. What is Uiis jici iiliar "IMfHsiiij,'" wliitli so itiiinrUably chai-iicti'iizcs 'Ik- l»i\iiii' jn miiiscs lo (lie iiiiin Atnuiii'.' TliiH is worlliv ut liiK'Hil aih'iitinii, lor llif word ami tli.- itk-as coiiv«\VLd liv il all- aliiitisl jmi iiliar to tlif Idviiic rcvt-lntioii. TIk- oii<;iiial idea of Ulcssiiij;' is tlial of bcslowiiiciii of iHH\{\ will; anil ln'iicf. all llial can follow fiom llii' yooilwill of a Snpit iiK' and all powtTfiil iSfinji' lo one phircd ah mankind arc in ciifiinisiani'cs wlicro ilicv aic c.pusianth in n<'«'d. Tlu' ((pcralion o\' this j,'o(»d -will takt'H a mnliitude of forms, as the needs and wants of nuai aii' inliniii'ly varied. 'Iluis to .\lirani. il nndonMcdly rt'fcrrcd larp'ly t(» his tcmiMiral condilion in the wcH'ld: — lliat he should bo jirospcions; increase in weallh; he snccessfnl in his enter- prises, in tlie hrinjiin^ np of his family, that his thtcks and lierds should increase, and thai he should he at peace with his de|iendenis ami nei<;hlioi's. All this is involved in I he i(h'a u[ ihe lilessin^;. And such it has umhaiiiledly meant in a multitude (d' cases; in tile Old Tesianienl es|u'cially. Lord liaccni. anutn^si his man\' wise a|dioiisms. (diser\e ." (Psalm t'XIX.i is not the increase of this world's jioods. >r its );rea(ness. For in the same psalm we hav<' the contrast between such a man and tlie man who is lifted up in this workVt^ prosperity, and wlnt lo(d ■ j.eiid" of the Old Disi>ensation was umhailtt- edly mil h > ,. fan o'llward and temj)oral cliaracter tlian the b)essi;i;- .. 'he V.-^v. The blessin"''''^-^'''''^'^^ ^•'•' "'^■""• Iv. i;m^ '''■'^" "■ '"'"I'l-'i... will. .,vl ^exaiKui. tlial tins is .mlv too t.'iie flV l-n M " ""''■'■'"' "' ^■""<' ^vill is a l.lessi„o. i„ he V, , """""" "• ""^"?' "'■ '''"^^'"^ "^ ^""■'■^. "^'<'" e.\.iiii|.|( . radi IM lis own sphei-e oom'eled m';i"'";"'i'^ "■ "''' '^'"'^ "'"••'' •"•<^""'t.'.li v is . Ml • V V '''■••'"'■'•"•"" •" Ah.aham that '-in his s,.,.,l ..1 Me families and nations <,f fl,,. card, shoul.l be I 'sso,! •' A na(i(ms we,,. n„t fo jnhe.it the la.i.l of ('ana-m' .ll fi ni^r. :^r': '!'!' "^-.'•?' -in-'-pentv, Laith a;;;rv:.!;,;iK p,,i. . ., , , '■ .""•^■'"".\, Ilea, (11 ami weal "; /• '■';;" ;""' f''"'ili^"s "fail m.lions. spinlnal p.-o: .0- ..I V "." "■•""^<'"''^".^- .-'PIMMtain-an inh..,-ila....e i, a i'.'^'^ "'• J.;:'"""- ^^•''^^'' ^vet.l.l he ,o iiHM.. all a possessmu for evoi'lasiing aj^es. ! CIIAPTEll XIII. Incidents in the Life of Abraham. (lenesis xii, xiii, xiv. The life of this iiian is critwdcd willi incidents, and nil tlio incidents arc worthy of consideration, by men, wiio. like Ahrahani. are living out their life in transacting the liUHi- ness of the world. They are very certainly for onr "learn- ing." The tirsr /ncideiit is one of the most sigiiiticant of all, and it has '".ceii most sadly niisnnderstood. It relates to his ("lOlNG UOWN INTO EgYI'T The incid<-nt is set forth, not as an example, as some have nnwisely conceived it, lint as a warning. Ahram, moving southward hecause nf I'aiiiine. eiitei's on the borders of Kgyjit ; foresees danger lo hinirelf from the beauty of his wife, and is guilty of a subierfrgi- in order to iroserve himself. A very strange procedure, in a man of P» pn"»er\e loiiiseii. .v > er\ sii;iiij;e proceuure, iii ued the house of J'haiaoli f,.r the sake ot Al.rain's wife is lu, ar^nnient rliat the Lord ai.i.roved deceit. It was sinii»ly for the sake of preservin}-' Sarali in ]»iintv, and for iier salce. in preveniinj,' her becoming' one of the conciiltines of tlie rulei' of Kfivpl. It is notieeabie liiat tiiis nci'ieiie apjiolhilion I'liaiaoli was ,n use in tjiis early time. It is noiiceahie loo. I'iiat this Pharaoh lieliaved most just- ly and ^^eni'rousjy in the matter. A<;aiu and ayain. thron-hmit tlie Divine word, l)otli in the Old Testament and the New. we have broiiglit before us the just and iipnjiht coiiduci of men who knew not the (k»d of Israel, a remarkable witne.ss to the jierfeet truth and taiMiess of the record. For in this it corre.p )n(ls with what we know from secular history of the just and upri^jht character of men in many ages and countries, and specially ot men m the earlier days of (Jreece and Kome. What the 1)1 vine record tells us of Hiram of Tvre. Cvrus the i'ersian the Konian Proconsul Serj-ius I'aulus, the i'enturion Julius' who behaved so courteously to the ai)ostle Paul; secul.ir history also tells us of Hocrates, Aristides, and Marcus Auieuus. What then—may it be said— was the need of a Divin^ relij^ion if without it men could be so good? What need" Hvery need. For although in Heathendom a man here and there disi)layed a cliaiacier of justice and goodness, the great mass of the people— priests included— were tainted with vice almost irredeemably. We must look at the ten- dency of systems, n<.t at the rare excepti(ms; and, viewin-' matters in this light, who can doubt that Divine interven- tion has been necessary to save maiikiml from sinking deeper and dee])er into an unfathomable abvss of vice and of moral and si)ir;tual degradation. The'hisioiT of th" W(.rld. men being left lo themselves, is invariablv- that of continuous moral and spiritual degeneraev. The ek])erience ot the ages before the flo,id is onlv too true a tviie of the development of human nature in all places and times sub- sequently. At a later period in Abrahanrs life, a parallel incident occurred, when, in his nomadic wandeiiiigs, he passed iuto the region bordering on the Sinaitic desert. Tlie chief of the warlike tribes of the desert did then what the Hedonin would do now; he sent and took Sarah for himself and would doubtless ha'e followed it up. if needful, bv takin-' the bfe of Abruhau!. whose faith failed him a"ain Th'it ■f I: 114 Incidents hi the Life of Abraham. this siil)k'ifu};;(' \v;is not iiceiUul is proved by the fact that the Divine pfotcction Wiis a^iiin extended towards hiui, uiivvoiiliv ihoiij,^! lie was of it. in ihis inslaii/e. Aj^ain Ihe lesson is before us. lei not auv man think that a lonj: coiii-se of lionoiable and faithful eonduet will jire- serve hiui from I'alliun' into dislioUiU'. — "lie tiiat Irusteth his own heart is ;i fool." To the verv end. so louj.^ as men are in circuiiisiaiu'es wiiei'c they may !•<• teuipted. they neid to i'c on their ;iuaid, and to maUe tlieir tru.st, not in a past record, but in the iavinu' (iod. Tin: Si:i'AU.vri(iN vi' hor ruoM Anu.viiAM. The whole story cd' the relations between Abraham and his nephew Lot. brin^^s out sharply the character of the two men. In the elder, a disinterestetl kindness and consi- deration, bravery in inlervi nin^i to save from disaster, and c(UHj»assion for one surrounded by terrible moral d"jj;rada- tion and in iiuminent danyer of lieinji; overwhelmed in it. When. betw(('n the herdmen »d' the two chieftains (f.)r Lot was now a nomad iliief as well as Abrauu. dissensions, jealousies, and (puirrels arose about the best pasture, ou the hill sides of the country north of Jerusalem. Abram. as the elder ami head of the two families, mijiht well have calli^d I^ot to his counsels and insisted on the latter removiujj; to a part of the coundw he mifilit desij;nate. This ^vould have been liis I'ifiht. But. with a true sjiirit of forbearance and conciliation. like that afterwards enjoined by his j^reat descendant. Abram olfered to ^ive way to the (dioice of Li»t. Aware that the strife of servants often extends to the heads of families, and jtlanls I'oots of bitterness that may firow for years, and even jieuerations, he said to Lot. "Lit tlicrr hi III) sirifv ti'lirnn dh' and thiv — nur hiiirc.'ii mi/ hcrdiiivii and fJiiiiv: for irr lie hri tlinii.'" (Hei'e let us n;»te th'> use of this wy his relative. A wise ami consideral said to Ahrain. "No. H reasin and mice olfercd him e man would liavo to thee. Take thou wliat to thee i (•hoice of giound Ixdongs of right well content to take what mav remain." I lily seem g(iod; I will bi been to act thus, than siinjdv iir better bad it For the siMjiKd ]trov<'s tiial he w <) consuli his own inclination. a clioice. as is the case often enougli cm having Uieir own wav IS not wise enough to mak.? with those who insist Lot, looking down towards the jdain (.f dordan. and in s<-lf a S(»don iieijihl I most fertile and well watered see ('(Miiitry. chose for him- portion in the jdain. and pitched" his t<'nt bef apparently, lie uevei or(? Mus be would have; nor whether t • insidered what kind (»f safe (uie to ]»itch liis tent in nor the kind of inllu lie region was a inj o«lorevil. that would surround hisfamil, ., np. The iminediale prosjM'ct was all that h ences, y in th"ir brin for ir. but (b'arly bad be t had setlleiiient of this colli I) rue the follv of his cli many who have followed his'foidish oice I'onsidenMl; Lot ba> cxanii(h>. In th' nenl. under slm lar circumrevalent vice. . i-. i, . \\ hat Lot did. is s.'t ui. befon' us a-, a warnmg. 1m. In „„t onlv sullercd the loss of all his wealth m the war tha broke out. but iiaving recovered it throu^'h the bravery ot his uncle, lie was tinally involved in a catastrophe that over- whelmed the cilv where he dwelt. And though he seems t.) have preserved 'his own virtue and character, the utter moral deuradation of his children stands out only too con- spicuously. AnUAM AS A SOLOIKK ClKNKSlS XIV. The predatorv chiefs (called kings) of the region round about the .b.rdan Valley and the country beyond, had t -eir duarrels then, as chiefs and kings have had eyei- since, and at last an organiz.'d league, oliensive and defensive, w;!s formed, four chiefs against five. Kavaging. i.lundeniig and destroviig, these roving bands at length came to houo:i. ami (iomorrah, killing siune. and taking others prsoners. Vmongst the last was Lot, who. with all his goods, his wite and children, his Hocks and herds, was carried away . aj.- tive as far mu-lh as 1 iu- neighl)orh(»od of Damascus. One of those who escaped came and told Aliram. who hearing that his brother (again n« +i, «■ mad. 1„- tin. king of Sodom of a i^:;;^ i^ ;t?,^.^y ^'^^^li^ IS notuoabic. \ot ,Men the sniallest ,,<. -ti. n w( id L Kp In a 1 ,li,s affair his .-hara^.ter shinU eonsj^ 1 Jls ; braxe, generous, large-soulod man. worthy to be ehosei ,' the Snpreme JJenefaetor. as the ehannel of benefits an deliverance to all the nations and families of the afth I ti •* ' I :-il CHAPTER XIV. ;\beam and Ishmael. Genesis 16, 11, 18. The visit of Abram to Egypt had a remarkable result, not less on his own househohi than on the course of future ages and I lie destiny of nations. So it often conies about, in the deep and mysterioua workings of Divine government, as most men can bear wit- ness to from their own exi)erience. To how small a thing can men often trace the most momentous changes of their lives! The cackling of geese once saved Rome. A very slight event prevented Cromwell and some other I'uritans from following their friends to America. What followed from their staying in England all the world knows. So in this life Of Abram. His wife Sarai brings from Egyi)t a native Egyptian maid, a woman of another stociv and race, wlio became the mother of the man Ishmael, the head and progenitor of all that Arabian race who have? played almost as large a part in the history of the world as the Jews, and from whom, ultimately, sprang that extraor- dinary enthusiast, soldier and false prophet. Mohammed. What has followed, religiously, from him, the Christian world knows only too well. Ishmael, a true child of the desert, '"his hand again.st every man, and every man's hand against him," is perpetu- ated in his descendants, who, at this very day, and in the very same wilderness, display the same characteristics. Many an P^astern traveller knows to his cost that these wilderness regions are still full of Ishmaels. The manner in which all this came about is noticeable; — Sarai was barren. At her own request, and this is a point to be remai-ked. Abram took this Egyptian as a se- cond wife. Yet, though it was at Sarai's own request, the usual consequences followed; family jars and jealousies. In this case the fault was entirely with the servant, who, be- ing lifted up above her natural sphere, displayed a proud and vaunting spirit, a development only too common in the world. The mistress resented this, naturally enough, and rightly enough. The flight of the maid followed, and her steps turned, naturally, towards her native country, the route to which through the wilderness she well knew; a route followed to this day. Abram and lahmael. • 121 l.ad 'Im'Zl' ,:/;:;,;;•':; '" ''""'S^"- was not forsaken. She «un.o..<..l I M I V /, ' , .^':^'''° the Almighty Trutectur «oli(a.v wil.h.riM HN u ' •"^^'•'^«ted near a well in that tl'.Vl.il.l .ha, 'vnl ,0 1!:'^;;; ^^'"^ «^""'" '^mn-'u through to .lis,.,.ss, H, ' i ' i 'Tilln ''?■ ''^""'"•'^ '^f <^o..soluti<.n '""1 '"•'"". (<■» veh.,'" V, ' '^'""^ 'i">-''^-^- Far from friend. -i-roi,'- ..The hausted, dospairiiiL. ,. , .i. African desert, alone, ex- !-'>"«.'d ,0 one H e,',,^ ,^,?,7°'J^«. ^^ tijought, to die, was '"^' »'osid,. |,i„,. 'an h . , T\'f < 1'^'"^ '^"^''^'' bloom- cared for thatd, ver 1 Jm-ji ' ^^'i'^= ?'' ^^1^" ""xlt' and Tlu. .son was I o ■ . " « ^ °'''?^ '''"'^ w*" ^are for me." foretold of hi. . 'i^; „;;|;i r'' '"'«"<"^ ''^^ <'J'aract;r i.^ 'ondered. wl i.-l ,,i"|,; "/'' ' ^^ ""* '» "^ild man," as it ^'vvild ass of a n •' « / P'''* '' '"''' "*' savage, but a masterful, nn, i,, r, 'i^.//^'''^ '.'!f »«; a man of stronj in«' for none. |{ I,' .'..f7!^""V'"S *" °""^N «» born of Sarah, was to continue the line of bh'ssin^;. Mut she was old, Itrnj; past the time of bearnifi children, and when it was announced that a sou should be born to her, she laii}j;hed in incredulity. iJut Abram steadfastly believed— and Tanl the Apostle, wi'itinsi of him manv aj-cs afterwards, to Christians at Kome.'as the father of all faitiiful souls, testified thus:— "Wiio. against hope, believed in hope . . and being not weak in faith, lie considered not his own body, now dead (when he was about an hundred years old) neither yet the deadness of Saraii's womb. H<' staj;t,'ered not at the pro- mise of (Jod throuf?li unbelief, but was strong in faith, giv- ing glory to nl I pliiiidciiii I"'.'" Ill'' <■ Hiinie hiirdMiii|)s. and 10 Iteinir wiiH iiiaiiv years Itefoi ■l.iiin t<» lier faiiiilv in | r( eoiiiniun. « h(T Nlepn (hill,,.,.. sh,.'hj'i,l in view, ,<";<'» ill (lull eiirlv ,lav. il K.v|'l;iilii| Willi (he travel (hat WK)iild fall in widi h. was more than llkelvsl WJIS le its tlie broth, 'I's.if .Joseph ,ii,| ..nee,,ti,p„,,y ,,,,v,.||;,,^. t,,,.,,. to,.:j„st lint she tVII i "•any y,'iirH itft,'rwardi. vvandered oik -.f (I with no eoiiipaii'y,' and mI eriH'Hs Fa^nt. ^viiy. iind have IohI herself in H ha I Jtiithetie storv 1 \v,'ar\, hi'i e seems t(» liave le wild- "> th..,i- rtilderness to this d .V- and wididrew le.t sh- sli.mid lor ,'ves. .\tid (I Hie poor boy die befoV,. | laTvoi,-eandwep(;a(rn,.pM:iiir;.,;r('| hition; a slrikiii}. in these ni(id,'rii ( se(^ •IIS. she lift,Ml tip SC'l IK' Hull has eiiplivaled K' <'xtr('niily of de so- ., . ""<'«■ Kill II Is II ( extremity is (Jod's oi.porliinily," 'pi have lifted nji It 'heard tl '« vol,,, in pray,.r. for (h,. s( niiiny painter.s '•>"' sftyin-' that "man's K' hid Iiiiiis,. If seems to ory is that Go,! oiK'ninj. ||<.,. eyes. „„ ||„j, ^,| tore dis»,.rned, and r,'vealed her son. A wond,.rfii| (h 'nonj-ii. but partiv at the same monienc K' ^aw a w,.|| she lia.l not b,> ;vn.led(,, (h..|,,,,,|,,.,,,e destiny !^ "« indeed; in part. Ye( tural oharartf •^ H(ify(|ieputtinKfortli'oftho Th,. life of botl in an exfraordinarv wn lector of Ishmael and 1 1 was savi'd. Ileiic.forth (i wilderness. b( I'lN liio(li,.r. II,. Ki-ew. dwel 'od was a nro- Oft. fulfilled the ,-]iariic| and ■«ame an ar,li,.r. i^i||,,,i ,| t in the IK' pinie of the des- iirn. <''Hiven of him I, .fore he was b as a^ainwa«na.u,.ai,.mn,,,,bi ■-;;;— ,-;;;; t and f, il i\ 124 Abram and lahmael. found t'(»r him an EK.vptiau wife, Ihns iiiiiiKling for the se- coiid tiiiii' the bhjod ol the two gieut races of these aucient davs. i'roiii this union spiiiny twelve sous, who became the heads of triltes tliat spread tiiemselves over the great tracts of country east of Jordan, stretching over to Arabia and west ward' to the borders of Kgypt. whicii regions they have occuitif'd ever since. That they increased rapidly is evident from the fad that in the time of .)ost'i»h th.M were numer- ous enough to loim a caravan engaged in mercliandise be- tween the Kastern country and Kgypt. It was by a com- pany of "Isliniaeliles" he was taken there. The conduct both of Harah and Abram to this unfortun- ate woman Ilagar has been, and with apparent reason, subject to adverse criticism, as liaving the appearance; of harshness Jiiid cruelty to an unnatural degree. It is never well to justify what is plainly, on the face of it, wrong, even in nuMi and women of eminent goodness. On the other hand, it is reasonable to consider circumstances and times, and t(» avoid coming to conclusions from only partial ex- amination. It is fail', also, when a case admits of doubt, to give a man the benetit of doubt whose general character is one of eminent goodness. Now. the fust going away of Ilagar was voluntary. She was the occasi(,n of trouble in the house, by vaunting over her mistress in a matter that touches a woman most closely. Sarah was concerned anmewhat like her son in disi»osition), rebelled against^ Sarah's treatment; only provoking her mistress more and moi'e. and bringing down ujjon heiself more and more sever- ity' of treanunt. This is the way s\ich matteis go in the world nt present, and, as has been observed before, it is evi- dent that men and wcmien. in the beginning of time, had the same human natuie that they have now. The crisis came at last in Hagar's flight. She evidently intended — as a maid would do now — to make her way to her own kindred and country. The (Jod of Providence had a destiny in store for the woman, and commanded her to r^'- turn to her mistress and submit to her, a reasonable infc- ence being that Hagar was largely or wholly at fault. On her return, we hear no more of any vaunting on her side or of l.ard treatment on the other. ibrum and lahmael. i28 And ii},r„in our kiK.wlcdiro <,(' the world win f,.n i • .• i • °"*^ Divine fron, (I..M., rsoof ' :',tivo I"'<>t<'ction is .doar lad would l.o tlio oh ( 'f S1»EAKIN(1 TO MAN. From the tiinc of Noah onwardH, the scripturi' locoi'tl oonstanlly rctVrs to Divine coiiimunicatlons as ii\ahet or priest, save only MelchiZedek. IJut he is not represented as giving any Divine direction, or nmking any revelation. There must have been a commnnieation of a direct and immediate sort, such as was plain and intelligible. And, cer- tainly, all these circumstances have the gravest import , for their consetpiences remain to this very day. There are two very sti-iking passages in the book of .Tol> referring t(» Divine communications to men. The (irs| Im ill CL.ip. 4: 12 to LS. and is in a highly poetical form: — Critical Note. 127 Hl.^^ f f. H '■"'" *'"" ^''"^^ "f ^''^^ '"gbt' ^hen deep H (q, fa leth upon .nan: Vh.n a spirit passed before n.y thereof " ' ^"* ^ '•'""'^ "''^ ^''^'^^^^'^ ^'^^' f«'*'» 7'//(rc ,^r^s• ^^//r/,cr. . . . Thru / heard a voice .midna '»S7/ff// ;/,oy7«/ «,«,^ 6e more just thai, (lo,i " •' ^ ^' A prefrnant (piestion indeed ^^In .-hapter lili: 14 to 17, another striking description oc- "For (iod speaketh once, yea twice, and man j.cra-ivetii /'c Zvc ' r '/""' '" "'"'"''^'''"S-H upon the bed: 77.ri tic o/u luth the cars of meu, ami seahth their instnietioi, Thit hcjnai, inthOrau- „>„,. fron, his purpose. a,„l hidepHde frot Alu".'b'!n,'' 7 '"?^i?" "^•^''•^'"»« ""'^ visions in the life of ^u'd! and .H;::^: •' """ ^^''"""^'^ ■" ^^^' ^*"''^- ^^ Hut there aie other avenues to the soul besides dre.ma t n |„M d, ^^h(n. ben.}. Ion- tossed with d..nbt and fVar railed nMn..wr;i" ^" I'" "'■''"■ "^ " ^''"'"^ '"«"• ^"'I'^^'^'v nusMKss ot M-ry great nioniont, who, sitting in his c- bin on board ship b<.fore sailing, and thinking o -U It! t n.M befa I hini, was start led with th<^ force witii wlii I, hese words were impressed upon lii,n- "For I am with (hee, and will keep thee in all i)b,ce«. T^ e" iSl'wein " "'" "'r *"•"' "^""' ' " *^'^ '-'^i^ f'lm !■,? , . • ^"'^r"" '''"''^•' 'P«'^^" ^» tl^e vonng wav- V m .V ' '" "•'"''•' "''"''•"' Hrcumstances Hnt this . mig man was not reading, lie was not thinking ftim )n ne protection; he had never read that passag wit •mv mrfcular attention. Y.-t. the impression ta as vid "I fan actual voic-o had sj.oken. so vivid that h ^stmted f rom his seat, almost expecting to se,. some one. The im, .ssk was .so profound as to expel all anxietv and fo r s t S t happ™:"""" *" "'" ""■" '»"■' '■' -""■>■• "'.i-i; iidcoa .M There may indeed, and there have be( men have mistaken tlie ir own fancies and ■n. instances wliere imi)ulses for the I 'i i 4 <5» N 6 ? t li '■ El/"' W J 128 Critical Note. Divine will. And a man may fairly ask, in these days, how Kingdom of God in the world, or the protection and guid- bo Diviuf or otherwise. To all Avhich it may be said: — That no imi)ressiou can be taken as Divine which is con- trary to the plain teaching of the Divine word, and no im- pression can be taken as Divine which has not evidently, as a conseiiuence. directly or indirectly, the furtherance of the Kingdom of God in the world, or the protection and guid- ance of His servants. CHAPTER XV, Abraham —The Divine Cove> NANTS. Genesis 15 and 17. awe ^i^nSSu^^^^^^Ss'r Ti ''''T «"^ - --0"- Abram had vanquisLd a confed™ '1 *^^f biographies, had recovered spoils Bv th s he ivul in ^^^I'^^^t^ibes and enmity, and placed himself i,V^ -l^ mcurred their deadlv over a wide extent of mitmnl f^'''' "°^ ^'^^^« ^P^'^ad ever exposed to such in™w^^^ "^^ '"^''e ^han descrihid in the first cSeofffn' f *'i^^" «^ ^-^^^diy narrative portion <>f thT^na l-nll r'^*"'/"^- ^" ^he how bands of maraudinrsLb^^s tid rho^'* ^« /ecorded his camp; shiying his servants .v?fwl ?''^*'''"' ^^'i' "P"° and carrying oil' the whole^.n!;! ^^'' *;'^-'''^ ""^ ^''^ ^^oi'd. more or less exp.s^^l the !..r,f''f,° ''"^ ^■^™^'^- ^^l^vays ever, from mot'Sv 4 'of^L -eZ." .n th"'" ^f '^"''^ ^'^ t^'^" whom he had defeated S ^In ' ,P'"^ ^^ *^*^ ^'''ef'* wouhl burst upon him unawares^t kill hn '"''''T''' *^«'>^ Our own earlv historv irives o, iv V! ' ^"'''^ '^"^^ destroy, with the Indians oPfS Z74? u'"'-'' ^?™P'^« «f ^^is could not but fear. So walking ^h^"'*'?..''"*^^ ^^'^ ^nd .some night before reti nrtl -eft sc".n ^^'*^,J^^t^hful eye, the approach of foes an?tlu., n ' "^^''^^^^^ th<' horizon for eminently suited to^hlsTrct^.^?,';;^: ^^d ^^"'^'^ *« ^-- I'KAU NOT, AnRAM. I am tttv'Qtt.t^, XNG GRKAT RkwaRd'" t^HIELI. AND THY EXOEED- frie'iJdslnS'fnemSs'Sik^in'hlfb^'V"'''^*^ "^ -" --^ The idea of Divine protecticn uZ ^\f ^T^e will defend. in made permanent ?or al "me and't^if ^"'^ "^ ^ ^l^'^^^^' Psalm:— "y/^e Lo,w r^/Zo ^ " *^ *^ "''" "^en, in the 84tii Abram could sfeepsectrel; llZ 7' " ^''''''■'' Now then But more. The iTromTse wn^ .^ /"'^^^'^'^'^ ^'^ ^°emies tion, but of Divine ecomrenleL""/ r'j", "^ ""'''''' P^^*^*^' reward!" He had jusr^ennouishVd t^ •'' ^"""^^^'^^ S''^^''^* q»est; giving an examnle of -1 ..^^^ rewards of con- of disinteresidness-^f generosZ'fnrr^ °«*"'"-l ^^«'-- "/ am thy Reward " «^°Pr«sity, and God answers him, i * t spoils—far more — exceed- 130 Abraham. — The Divine Covenants. Jill III II i i . ing iiioic, he sliotild luivc in tlic love and .-I'lvice of (5od. Another giaiul and fundamental truth, continued by experi- eure of all goils. The rich always desire uiore. But lie had relinquished them. And now he has what our Lord ealls "Tin: Titri: kkiiks." There are three ways of j^aiuiug the wealth of this world, diilVring widely both in means and eonsequenees. The tirst is: — Industry and honest trade, whieh benefits all. The seeond is: — Spi( ulation. which enriches one at the expense of others. In this should be included all forms of commercial j^ambliuju;. stock j>ambling. and lotteries. The I bird is Kobbery and Fraud, viz., by violence and j;! under, by cheating, by dishonest handling of public moneys, by quiet and systematic embezzling. Upeu violence and plunder are regularly practised by the BeJaween de- scendants of Abram at this day, and apparently without con- scieiice of wrong. Ciieating and emoezzlement are «rime8 of our boasted civilization. "Thou shalt not steal" has been a command of wide ai)pli- ♦•ation in all times. Jiut "Thou shalt not corct!" this goes to the very root of the matter, and, were it only obeyed, would cure half of the troubles of our civilized world, ap- plying, as the tenth conuniindment does, to all the domes- tie relations of mankind, as well as to those of property. Yet. with all his strong faith, Abram is at times de- pi-essed and unhai»i)y. He is almost alone. Wife he has, but no child. This was bef(U'e Ishmael was born. None to inherit his wealth, but his steward, a good man. certainly, as apjiears by the seiiuel,* but not to be likened to an heir by blood. Thei! it was that the remarkable scene ensued which was reniembeicd nearly two thousand years after by one of the gieatest of his descendants, I'aul the Apostle of us (Jentile peoi)le, and set forth as an examjde to Christian souls in all subseipient generations. Brought forth out of the cam]), on the upland plains of -ludea. his eye is directed to the brilliant array of stars in the heavi'us: "Look," said the Divine voice, see if thou canst count the number of them. ^V) shdlJ thji smJ hi!" An unlikely and almost incredible thing. Mut Abram believed (iod: and why siiould he not? And now was made the .;'markable declaration. "He be- lieved in the Lord, and He counted it to hhn for r>(ihte(nisi>"Sft.'^ Strange that this phiase, which icpr^sents and stands for one of the keen controversies that have distracted theo- 'I- Abraham ~Thv Divine Covenants. 131 S;;;r:/;::;.inn'thniJ;;,.;';7 '""•'-•■' «'-- ^-md oe this, 11..W aflinnii, . ,0 . .n '"f ''''"*' ^^'™ "•^''"^11 of opposite si,l<.s. i7 is ,m, .,] . 1 Vr ^'''"'« '""^^''^^ ^'^ ^■^'•»"» ^■'"->- Kpi.r,. to kI; • : J; :,^^^ «^;;- A,>os,ie iu his wl..'.(Ms n..n,. are <„•,.. , i.l ,., '"' •'•••""'tahlo. that iu iiw, the faith of 1] ilimslmlil,ear.-ouiUedt;, on !'V''""'' ^^''" ft»«t in ''-■'^ a steadfast ^^i m<^'i ^ ^.Jlf '^"r''"T' ^''^ ^'"^^ Son. wh„ is set forth as .ivn'/f' ^'' ^^''''' t''^'''»«'' I^^ ;'5";" f<"- o.u. jUHtitielltl.' '^S "u^^who' M ' ":' '"'"^ <'od. th.ouf.h Christ is (h'el-,>.,Vw . ^ '^"'^ *i""«'^ i» l">t<'*I '"' >"i«li( wish o e hi. ' *' «'^'i'-^' or good-will, toin.s in sneh a matter mI ! '^'T"'^' "'"' ""'••logical la.-guage of u:!'^^^"^^^^^'' '''"'i '" the ordinary reasonable and natural (nd'o'iiti '''''''i^'^ ^o Abram i's "»»' Aj>,,s,le Vnd if U-, M ^ the application of it by -'<"^.Mi.I.^.mdn,^,l:ol,^n;lt'•■ 't' ^^' ^'-'^-ui; •"Hh'i-stand (hat lie v^ifo is t ii' "?"t''"^«''-'^3-. we might "'^'» n. i„ ;,„ ! ' v;;;'",7 "" ';i^^"ti..-r" of the loig •'"•1 wore lifted np , timos n .1 ''^ ' ' '■■'^■^^*' then.selves^ ;y-.>ught great dJeds ro^nod nd niTrth"' 'T'^"'- ''"^ ^;'/;/i;;r:ni^:^^.;;--'cS""r --'^-o.n Which nJ.;"i:;r^'^';-^:--t.^ i I 3 ,1 l» I'll 132 Abraham. — The Divine Covenants. eiiiiiy influence of this principle in the ordinary routine of the taslis of the world. Thi: Covenant of Circumcision. It was after this great transaction that two "signs" of the Divine covenant of blessing were instituted. But they were preceded by a very solemn command and sentence of obligation. The Lord appeared, and said to Abram:— '"Walk before me, and be thou perfect." The first carries us back to the days of Enoch and Noah, both men of eminent godliness of life, having the fenr of Cod before them in all their ways. These men must have been well known to Abram by tradition, and of both it is said that they "walked with God"; and of the last ii is em- phalically said that he was a "just man, and perfect in his generations." That Noah was also a man of eminent I'aitli has l)('on seen. And here we have, in the very first nmni- festations of faith as a principle of character, the same truth brought out that is prominent in the New Dispenna- tion, viz., that Faith towards (Jod produces justice and upriglitness towards men, and is tested by it. Anytliing ( ailed by the name of this much abused term, Faith, that fails to produce such results, is dead; a mere sham and falsehood. Abram. the man of eminent faith, is to be a perfect ma.i; the Avord translated perfect, bi>th here iind elsewliere, hav- ing its real significance in our Englisli words, "upright," "honest." "sincere," a man "in whom is no guile," a "single- minded" man. After this solemn charge as t(» Abram'a conduct, we find an enlargement of the promise as to hin posterity. "My covenant is with thee, and thou shait be ii father or a multitude of nations!" And as a sign of this enlargement, his name is expanded from Ab-Ram to Abllu- Ham, the first signifying "an eminent father," the second, "the father of a great multitude." That all this has been fulfilled the whole course of histor,? shews, Then there is instituted that remarkable rite of Clrcum cision, which brings these times of nearly four thousand years ago into close touch with the times now present. For the Hebrew people, all over the world, at the present day, most religiously observe this rite. So also, do others of the peoples descended from Abraham, but not universally, and they have not at all times. The rite of circumcision hm always been practised by some of the people of the Sfoham- medan world, but it has never been of universal observance Ahrahaiii.—Thr Divine Comiiinls. 133 or obligation witJi (hem. Some trac.-.s of found the Ahvssin ill Iho liislon- of the ancient J< it a IV ai (SO of a Divi liiiis. I!hI witii none of tl gyptians and also of subject of I)ivin( lie covenant. Willi Abialiaui. J lese was it evei- a pai'i thou to lie iind tin (it coniniand. 1)„ tiiis; keep my scendants in (heii- -eneiat lowever. it was ili, covenant; .si.un of tile relation to siibsi.st be ions. And this iv tween the Ali rht' ^.^^. ta.l.d jn the observance of this outward vei'v'stS""'" "• ^'^'----«" i" ^he Now Testament a,- .•uni^'on':i''sh/'iust ':;:f p:;':? " ^^•"'^•"^'•^^' ^-'-^ ^^ ^h.. it away. '' '' '" ^^''•^''»' '« '^ ^'«» <»f Hie washing, -simply a ign m/rthari , ..'"'"''""'''^'r'- ^'^^' ** was viz.; the blessing of the heir rr"^'**^l'*'' ^'^' *''*^ '■^^^^'t^- that circunicishm nl ih.T '• ^''''"^^* "« ^^'^^At; also, whereby thee en 'rntohU?-"'^^ "'^'^ "«* Ihe niea..; 'I ^lessini had come .,s."^/Tf' ^"'* *^^ «i«» that Its inipo.^tio on diildiU ^'^"^ ^^ ^'V^^ ^'"^^ obedienc . a natnl.ef.on. wbid' sfn'neeXd toTcut'o1t''o7 'f ''''"' as H had brSe,?orin'^r"^^'/;^ But «lu<-Ii this wi,s the s ni u- ,s L^^-'"'''' ^ ''It tb<' reality of the san.e truth - as s ?! w* , r ^'''•'"'1"'''"" ^^ ^'"* I»i'ai"'- "He is not a Jew " wHtel ^-^f ^Jnst's commandments: Paul. hiniselfrdJ-cZS^^^^^^^^^^ '^Po^tle /^^■.^/'. But he is a Jew whJ « " ■"""' '' "'""■'"■'? '« ^A'' <'i«ion is that oV/z/c w^f, /; ""^^nwardly; and drcum- whose praise i^Vo^ 0^.^^' bJt S'o^id^'?'^ "«^ '^^ '^^ ^^^^-- -pose Circumcision u^^^ ^Z Sitj^Z^i: 'i i ir;|;f ■0 i 134 Ahrithaiii.—TUc comlmj Catastrophe to Soilom. and ai)i)arentlv left it open to the Jews who were converted tn (he lailli of Christ (o continue to practise it or not. (Uir Lur.l, in jiiving the great commission to preac-h tho uospel of all mUions. imposed IJaplism as an obligation, but said no word as to circumcision. J.,hn the Baptist, be- f„ic liiui had (h'nounced the idea that salvation came b.\ „u-re lineal descent from Abraham, which, of course, in- cluded circumcision; and our I.ord liimself, more than <.nce, exposed, in scathing ami alarming terms, the lallacy ot such in'st as this in nu're lineal descent an.l circumcision and ivrnsed to aii(»\v men to be children of Abraham at all (cir- ••nmciscd as ihcv were), unless tliev -'tlid the works ot Abra- '''•dnch of what was said of our Lord and ills Apostles, in ili.-ir dav. t(. .Jews who wer<" not living a life of taith ami ..„.,dness, is plainlv applicable to Christians of the same Character in these .lays; who. though bapti/.ed. are not en- lillrd to be called Christians dn reality, not Imving received ihat s])iriliial ba]»tism which is of the spirit and not in the letter merelv. which is not of men, but of God. ■ The coming Catastuoi'iie to thi; Crriiis of Tiiio Plain'. And now. after these events, the shadow of coming judg- ment darkens over the wicked cities of the plain. Uod. the Supreme, in the depths of His intinite pur])ose, does, at times, permit wickedness to develop unchecked by out- ward repression, to a height that si'ems to call aloud for retribution. Such, to speak of a modern example, was the condition of France during tin' awful Iteign of Terror, the develoi)nients of which, as we read them, at (me moment make the llesh creep with fear and horror, and at another rouse up a passionate instinct of retribution and vengeance. So, in the case of these wicked cities, the story is that their crv — the sound of their damnable doings, had reached to the verv heaven, dod permits much, but lher(' does at length conie a time when the cup of ini(iuity is full, and wrath descends to the uttermost. The history of cities and nations proves it. The narrative is vivid of the steps of coming judgment. First are sent messengers, who, in ligur- ative language, air- to see and know the truth of the matter. One of these would seem to have been the Lord himself in human form. Here, and elsewhere, through the Old Testament, we seem to have a dim shadowing forth, a pre- liguration. of the time when the Son of God would be "manifest of the flesh"; where the terms ".\ngel of the Lord." and "The Lord'' are used interchangeably of the same person. .Un,l,«m.~m mmmj Catmtnfhe to Sodom. 136 li^i'r.'l"!;.::^", ',':,';'!',;'■'',' "■"""•" "' •"" tosLitality ot camp u^^^_n. II,. M.nn,. I' al Imm- ut,, II that: believe/' and -Fdend ^l.'t inni: :;;:;:;|;! '':;,::r ^'••^'^ted when the temble doom se. •,. r . ""•^< ••'t'L's WIS iiijHie known to liim. -The 1,(,„|. " '•'"• ''■' ^^^^ ^'^'^oiid Pt'i'^on of the God- of Aiinuul;;;" hl';;::;;:^!;: ':y.r';'"^Ti i^ «?--• to ti. view »'i« wif... s In,/ I . v"''',^^ .''"^ ^'J'^^""- Lot. Lot, lo.lu,^ thnt hns ,.een";.e;o'Sed In acrenirv^''""'^ ^"^■ ;'" <"<■ 'HyHie,.i..H o i, !' ;■!; ; "^^ 'i^^:^^^y applied, '»'■ i-ifili'. •).. nn.iie,. !|.J •,>'•! ^^ ^''»t Cod does must maybe. ^flKon w l,.'V;>\,, ;' .^'•V'"'J>r!V' •'<""P«"lH'nsion it fy the ways of ( Jod lo man ^ OfSn i •^'•' ^"'"'^^^ !-''"Mud or hnnn.n reaso v.w P,f*f. ^* ^« ""Possible, on the «'"•!»«• line or h.Mna !. 'so, is ?'"^' ''""' -^''"i'' t^*' mea- t'» ''^'^t in I'Milh. an/lw.. ,'",..'"''': "'''"Z^-"' »^e content P^-'n-'. and more J.eet wisdom wir^'7^' ^'''^''' '^■ wiial al presenl is d.iH . nj • ^^'' omxhlo him to see .'-'^•nen, as i,,„ '.lion " .?. "oTthir."^ tremendous ^ ^ i '1 t.-" ' ■: ">v. re\ f 131; AhmUum.—Thv coming Cutuitttoithv. to Sodom. ?5iivi(.ui' in iIk' iiiinibit' of llif rnjiisi .lud^-t'. Aii.l, llKHijih it did not siivc tlii- cilii's, of llio inliiibiliUits {•cucially, it did. aimosi (•(•i-liiiiii\ . savf lliai uiii'orluiiaic man. l.ot. and sacii of Ids family as wci-c williiifi to tleo fi-oia (lie danger witli biiii. <'II.\I'TKI{ Wi. Tin- JJESTiu.riuN ..k tiii; ('itiks or thk Plain. there wjin i i.-m i . i ■ ^ -^nd, in some respects, tl. ' , hU, am m s r '" '";;"" '""' '""'•''^' condition •) ti..-.y w..,.e »„„„.,, ,;,;:,,;.". ;, . ^!r" n,,'", ",';";vl?"''" *"■■'! «T liaic no r,,isoii i„ |„„l , ,„„ I, , ■' Bomc.an.l nivh... ii„l}: „ I |,-, , . I , ' . " ""■'■' '';■""■ .i» 1 spodiil Rom., ita.jf ,,.i,i..i, I. . .'."V"'"' "'""•'• liavc fallon anon i > i '.'>l Now Testament. ' ^^*^' Prefiguration of the Tlie eircunistanooH (ha( i)i'(.c(ifr^„°„^';: I ' i 13S The lhi>truvtii)ii of thv Cities af tin I'litiii. I i. a il Ihc (iiif •■iill«'(l "I lit' Lord" liatl tli'i>iirtcriii»hir ill its tidolity; line to naturt' and life, n-inindiiij; us of inol)s in Kn<;laiid suirctundinjf the house where some j-ood Mctliodist had lalieii lefii};*'; tii-. on this idiitincni, of the (■i'(»\vd siinoundinfi I lie dwellinj;' of s(»inc pcrsfciited nt'iji'o whom they wei-e determined (o "lyneh." The ciy of th'3 iiiol) i)\' Sodom. •'Iiriii;/ tliaii out." has resoumh'd aKnin and a^aiii in Kn^iish t.\ the wurninft- words of our Lord, -Jfeincitibcr L of's irife!' 'i I f i •Jl 1 ; i !!4 140 The Destruction of the Cities of the Plain. fShe "looked back and became a pillar of salt;'' a terrible consequence of what appears a very slight olTence. lliil il; is evident that she not only looked back, which was itself a violation of the command given, "look not behind thee,'' (indicating the urgency of the danger) ; not only looked, but lingered, her heart probably still in Sodom, thinking of her old home and her children still there; and that she w'iih caught in the outskirts of the descending storm of siilpliur and lire, which encrusted her round and round as she slood, until she became a lifeless statue of salt and sulphur. TIuMe was. apjtai'enlly, nothing miraculous about I his. That wliicli liaj»|)eue(l to this unfortunate woman was due to natural causes. She was caught just as some of IIioho who fled from I'ompeii were caught, and overwhelmed in the storm of ashes. Nor need it be inmgined that it wiis ii Divine Judgment that overtook her. Blamable she undoubt- edly was. and rash to a degree, considering the urgency of the heavenly messengers. But many a man in a shipwreck and in a burning building has done the same thing. Look- ing back has led to going back, to recover something of value; and loss of life has been the consequence. The warsi- ing of our Lord, "Remember Lofs wife," was a warninu; against delay in the matter of salvation when the signs of coming judgment were plainly discernible. Ilis word« might apjtly to tlie im])onding destruction of Jerusalem, or to the tiuiil ending of all earthly things at the coming of Christ to judgment. Tliey are a warning, too, against look- ing back into the world, and hfsitancy as to decision and repentance, when the call of the angel is sounding in I he eai's of men. But now. as to the storm of brimstone and fire from hea- ven by which these cities were overthrown, was it a natural occui-reiice. like the eruption that overwhelmed llorcilltt- neuu). oi' wiis it a sjx'cial miracle? It is not to much ])ui'pose that such a (piestion is asked, for no man. however learned and able, can jtossibly answer it. It does not answer the () nest ion to (juote the text that "The Lord niinal fire iipnii Sodoni," fiu' the word of (lod, speaking in the uiost rational and philosophical manner, constantly speaks of tlie operations of nature as th(» work of Almighty (!od, as they undoubtedly are. So, it was llu^ Lord tiiiit caused the eruption that destroyed Pctmpeii, nild in like manner, the great eartlaiuake of Lisbon in the hm century, and the terrible tidal floods, tidal waves and vol- canic caliistro].hes of Cliina, Japan and New Zealand witli- m the last few years. It seems to Iiave been a principle of the Divine prooediirfi from file beginning not to put forth extraordinary powom The Destruction of the Cities of the Plain. 141 c"mso.^''Tn;;!^-'^'''if ''•' '"",'^ ^'^ ^^■^"elit about by natural citSs -t i^ ''"P *^'^ f .?^ '*"^'°^ «f ^^"^^ t'^at fell on theso W s„H, J to be noted that the region is one in which .list suth a catastrophe w«ukl be likely to occur. It is i re^non ren.arkable in many ways. The plain of he Dead Sea IS more than a thousand feet below the level of th^ ocean, a spot unlike any other on the surface of Ihe globe ime ill s'n' ^nul sulphureous, its rocks are bituminous: 1 1, nl.n-n pf '"♦^^"^loned in the narrative as abounding in mu bonJ .f n''',"'P'''''*i ''^^ inflammable substance? all su' w^t, n. H ''■' ^"^tliepead Sea water is not like -m il , ' ""'^ sulphur, and naphtha. Ihe Dead Sea is now probably much larger than it wis b<'fore the catastrophe. Doubtless the whole Tea now K':^yt^^ f =''i'i^«Jvi«lIuded to as having taken place in ^cw Zealand, when the Pink Falls were destroyed and thl wliole aspect of the surrounding countrv wS cEi^pS vni •^.arr^' hills, and hills sinking iirptin"""'"' ""' Xoi- f..r^,., ^^1 '"^"'"i^'.S '^"f not ht to live on the earth tl ',; IrZlt '""'r'' *;en»us for his soul's liealtli, I'oi' that of liis family, and ofit'ii for his temporal interest, unless indeed he yoes amongst them as a Divine messenger, with an exj)ress mission of warniuy and call to rej)entanee. ■1. That when any people are called, by tiie Divine voice, to tUn' from coming wratii. liieir duty is to obey without lingei-ing, hesitating, (u- looUing back. Tile dilTereiicc between tliese events, and tliose of the overwhelming of llerculaneum and I'ompeii, the earth- qnak*' of Lisbctn, and Ihe tidal wave of Jajian is tliis: — that none of the latter yield any moral or spiritual h'sson, or, in fact, any lesson whatever, unU'ss it be that cities should not be built at the foot of volcanoes. .Men are perfectly competent to draw such conclusions for themselves, with- out u Invine revelation. ISut as to moi'al and spiritual nnitlers. it is a n;atter of common <'xperiencc, that the very men wlio are shar|twit ted and wise in the ordinary things »)f secular life, are often dull to the verge of stujjidity in matters (tf high im])ort. "Their eyes they have closed, and their heails they have liai'dened." +his is th.e true testimony of the Divine word of s\nh as iliese. An/ the Plain. -143 these verj early records, and all experience shows that th^ ^varnlnJ.■ js a pertinent one even in these modern davs of Christendom. As to the ((mduct of th.* daughteis. what can be said, hut tlia ,t IS a frightful instance of the workinj-' of cor rupt imlue..ces year after year, and o,.ing („i until moral sense IS los . "hcil com niunicat ions corn(i>t r/ood maiimrsr' 1 his proverb, (,noted by St. Paul to (he ("orinthians. is of oSu.^'fV'?f,"''/*"*^ 1' \'''^''^»^^^y ^vise and trm-. like maav others that the (Ireeks have left us. And it has never had a more terrible exemplihcation than in the conduct of those wo younji- w(.men. who. in their early davs were probably the"H,;S 'T'^'T^ '"'*^ virtuous life, when their father was the chief of a tribe, with flocks and herds feeding on the d ; l* twh 'V""i'";"""."; ^^^'^ «<'ntin.euts. and now <"<' tli.K ^\h . ..dered them infamous for all time. iiieie IS ' :,,''r reason why their wretched deeds •ii'.^ nu'ntioned in the Divine record viz.. that the chil rei b'ln Mvre named Moab and Ken-Ammi. the firs beirio^ the he ? of the great Moabite nation, and the other of thc> , a ion o he Ammonites. Both these were distinguished bvldr i«lolatry, and licentiousness, and both were enSes oh in'^ soj^trouble to the Israelitish people auriuTZ:^'^::^ ii 1 I I .1: ■ Ml! CRITICAL NOTE AS TO THE DEAD SEA. Ij ; ! i The Dead Sea is now divided, very noticeably, into two distinct paits, the northern beinj? of a very great depth, npwards of a thousand feet; the southern being very shal- low, being not iiore than twenty feet deep. The southern pail is marked off from the northern by a projecting penin- sula. It has long been matter of doubt and controversy whether the wicked cities were at the northern or southern end of the valley; but of late, and as the region became bett<'r known, the weight of opinion has been in favor of the southern extremity, and the remarkable difference between the great depth at one end and the extreme shallowness at the other, favors this idea. For it is easy to conceive that the whole of the shallow part of the lake was once dry land, a fair and lovely legion. well watered by streams from the mountains. The (tbjection to I he truthfulness of the narration arising fi'oni the entire abs«'iic(» of any remains of cities either there or elsewhere though the valley is entirely without founda- tion. For the narrative is that the cities were entirely destroyed by fire. Now. no nmtter how solidly they migh' be iMiilr, it is imjtossible that ofter the lapse of nearly four tliousaiul years of the action of the elements since the flery storm oveithrew and destroyed them, any vestiges that sur- vived the tire could have remained to be seen in these mod- ern days. And if it is said by way (»f rejoinder that th'' adjacent <()untiy abounds with ruins of very ancient cities, let it be remembered that these were all of much later date, certainly a thousand years later, than Sodom and (lomor- rali. and then that none of them were ever overthrown by yucli a catastrophe as overtook the Cities of the Plain. CIIAPTEK XN'llI. Abraham oIfehixg up Isaac. Genesis 22. teni^ u!r,h-n!!^ *n r^'i afror those things, tliat (iod did ieKllroved the <>a!leries nf fho k.,,-i "^ ^fe'c.irro'f "'"^ r,«^^^ ^-f ExbibitioVwas''^^M^ n / I 1^^ """^ ""'''^ '''^'■<^ to perform some nrduous dntv to bold some difficult command, it is rare tha lew ;.ne a man a task of unusual severity, far more than h^ is .,■■3 J U6 Ahraham offering up Isaac. ever likelv to meet with iu the course of his ordinary duly. It is thus that the temper, the patieuce, the couraye of u man is tried, in a manner «iuite ai»art from the proof that may be required of intellecfual fitness. It is rehited, whether truly or not, but it is liliely eiiougll to be true, of a certain Trinoipal of a Theological Training Tollege, that he would sometimes reiiuest a tandidatf ti) wait upon him at four o'clock on a winter's mornint;; that lie would keep him waiting in his study two hours without sei'ius him; and that, when the interview took place, he would begin by asking a number of tiuestions such as a very voung schitolboy could answer. Having thus tested the candidate's iiiorale; his obedience, his patience, hisdocllityj if the behaviour of the man were satisfactory, he would then proceed to an examination of an intellectual character. For. as a wise man, he well knew that other qualillcatioin, Itesides those of scholarship, are absolutely neix-ssary to pi'osecuie the work of tlie ministry successfully. The same principle is enunciated in the Kpislle ut ihe Ajioslle Tanl to his "son iu the faith.'' Timothy, wjioi'e, speaking of the setting apart of thf J)eacons to their olllce, he lays down the rule, -'111111 let tliiiii firal. he ix-orcd"; the (trigiiial word signifying a proof by trial, as metals are as- sayed before being stamped. Such c(uisidei-ati()ns may enable us to understand the !>l. vine i):-ocedure in this matter of Abraham's oilVring up isaac. TIu' Lord, who designed that Al)rah.un should be tor an ••Kxample" to all who should subsecpieutly believe and trust Him; and specially to such of them as should bo called 10 posts of higii service, and severe sacrillce, wtn pleased to put him to the severest test that could be applied to any man. For. when considered, it must appear to b«' such. This son, Isaac, h:>d been born specially by l)ivine< jiromise. and tlie solet.tn covenant of dod was that I he sa- iled line of blessing shouhl be continued through him, For- tius pur[iose, Ishmael. the strong and daring boy, wliom Abram favored, had been set aside. Yet now he was corn- iii.'inded to take this son of a Divine covenant, and put him lo death! How. then, co'ild this covenant of Ith'ssinti be fultilled? How could the sacred race be continued? NVu8 all this line of w«uulerful prmnises. that had sustained him ill leaving his own country, and cheered him in numberless (lark hours, to be broken off. and brought to nought? This edifice, so laboriously built uj) through many long years of faith and hojie. hoping indeed, ofttimes against liojie — wa.^ it all to fall into ruin? A dark mystery indeed I Then, besides, the horror of tho cojumand for a father to put his son to death I How can Ahniham ojferiiKj up Isuuc. HI dreidfnT/^^lV"*' J"«t^'«i" that? Still more strange an.l TnL/'^wLat • ?.' tf^'i^^'^'^.^^ ^S"": ^^°^ "P ^«^' ^ Burnt Offer. ..ml' r1 i .^ *'''' A mighty Euler and Father, my Shield an 1 Reward, become like one of the bloodthirsty gods of the ollS/:rhi,n •'''"'' "**S^^""«thave a hnlan sacrifice su.h liuMij-hts uuist have tr«,ul,le.l the breast of a man r 1 .;• ''''''",'^''■^''• '^^^'"^' "'■" "<^t rororded. Noll fn-^ d .'uc- here is no intimalion even „f such a vearnfn- as Hm,-a.- e,-,x,.l AhrMhan. in so n.a.kod a man .^ Xf h' ;t: Iv 'hn/'''^'"^''''*?'- ^""'^•-<1- Nota.howght i|'I>.iiniil\. I,ni „t g„nio' ahoui i„ „bev ihe JMvine oon. IK lots or lailli. iLe ''cJouif u inlncm's'' who are ni'irslmiip,! .'^f t">ff'- ^^1>r(>!nnn, whn, he iras trie^P (note the word ^.^ 'l^.j""., Mhen.e ;,Iso h. reeeno.! him, speaking fig„ra- of the same absolute ob.Xnn'S wim m ustT. '" '"'*"r" '"' .•'» order of absolute madness? * ''"'■'' "-'-^'"^'-' *" ••Theirs not to reason wliv, V . , , . Theirs but to do and die""' ^'o^ZnX^/i::^''^ in spheres-where men have <"l'"lare and g e ^0? o^^^^ '»"" must lead, must <<-ss or failure before them Xml U '*^«P"n«il>ility of su.- '•uernem. And others must follow; obov- I I- 148 Abraham offeriny ui> Imiac. •H U- iug iiuplicilly and without knowledge. It is impossible that a i'lt'sidi'Ut, a Ueneial, a Caplaiu, a Superiuteudunt, tho riciiiicr of a (lovoiuun'ut, the head of an enterprise, should disruss all liis i>laiis with suboi-dinates. aud that they should obey only when they appi'ove or understand. Tlie business neither of the world nor the church could be carried on if such a rule prevailed, ^o. Men must obey when they d'j not understand, ^ay, they must obey, even when they are in a position to form some judgment as to what is ordered to be done, and when their judgment ditlers from that of the chief. It is precisely here where the faith and obedience of a subordinate are tested, "I do not understand the reason of this movement," a loyal olhcer will say, "but 1 shall execute it." Nay, more, "I seriously fear this operation will lead id disaster," savs another, and an ollicer of higher grade, "but The Conimau'der-in-Chief knows better than I." fc^uch things as these occur in every sphere in life; in civil affairs as well as military, in the conduct of the church, in all its si)here-< of service* Missions, Parish affairs, Diocesan matters; but above all, in the sphere of Government. In that sphere, numbers of things require to be done for which it would be highly improper to assign reasons to subordinates. And, 'n(»t seldom, there are things that even to well-informed men, men of experience and intelligence, appear to be unreason- able in a high degree. Nevertheless, they are done, and done loyally and heartily. And why? Because there is perfect contidence or faith in the superior. Hut in Abraham's case there is stated to have been a con- sideration of how the command to otter up his son in sacri- fice could be consistent with the jiromise of a line of pos- terity through that son. And we are informed of the con- 'I' I "' I'lKlH'lic 1111(1 I •'lite, iis Abi'iihjiiii (lid It' Hill lire of ihiiiL's ofd'ii hi'i'i •I'li'T •»!' Hie hid. ••117/. Scioilsjv illl(ici|)||(i||ir ,1 iitiii/) ■" •'■"yifiilincidcnls of tin- jouiiicv h '■","'1""",;!''« ""; Tl,.. prompt (.bed ere is lliv J. !lVi' iciice. I 111" in- o result, "(lofl irill ,(iiitl>r till' iiiiswi-r. u IICOIl. '"' 'iliHWcr lluK coiitjiiiu.d 111 ^'» !»<• ciiihodicd jiflcr (I, f*ii|trfiiM'; ahovc „|| || CililM \ and II prolific himself ,i "s fvcni, ill one of the ji A-ci'v words that wf'( lUllCS of tiK ' \\i"i wliirli iliis (orrild i«' extraordinary and uulu-sit 'I'i'illy cxlraord •' i.;msactioii was |.r('i)ar('(l f I'laiy iiliiuissioii of th iUlIU OI-, -;vmKi.i.iiK(.|r,oiM. iio,ni.l.SvlH.nli. *^(Jii in al -'.scaped, form ii piclutv , ■ould so easily liav( Hi'i«iiliir riiHclnalion for faitliful •'' 'I'ldyiiifr interest, which has 1 liad iljies \\VJ1 did (I souls in all snbsecpicn rt'Hze (he IraMwacI '" "■'■'ler.d'llieEpi.stleK. llielFel Jiis father; | K'li as an actual otVer A bra I i«*l«liiitr him nt fhe n •"■ •^'"■li in etfect. it reall ''""•. when he was j.ut lo' th. >i'ews chai-ac- iii},' nj. of Isaac bv V was. -Hv faitli. ertect and iiitcnl liiid taken jdace . . test, (iffvnil Hjt' hilar •vM.e command, partin- wiih him in "»>' jnst as snreh as if the acinal sacrifi CO Tl wh( '•','""r:"''""<'f Ihe Divine H, " 'I"' liid wasacftiallv Iviim- 1 the hand of ih,. f„(| i'>K. ill the last m(,>nienl least I't'iiiurkable ,,f II '<■!• was raised to slav tl »'»"iid upon (he aiiar. and' tiv(\ Vol II h; incidents of th'is wond lie sou, is not the ;;,:;;•" y;,;;"«"'-^ 'n-M.urpose of the tn , irresistible con accomplished. liav(.' demons! ra led , tnro of the palriarcl, matter how (hirk and •^ible the I) i>lishe( trial of faith "' "■'I'in;"' Kiven for this int 'pi'ful narr. "annking,,f,iH.iad\sli;v would V "lilt more dearly the absol I s trust n nor his rt^ad ervention carries au was fully not ute Ha- rness to obev, no iriis much „iorr pn '.VHlerious. how utterly incomprehen- r,.„w. , . "^ being accoin- . i!!I J.'''.'';^'^"^': is taken off. -The or, , „;vnw-^.e,ui,.mentnii,htb,. That!. " 'l.-cto the words of the An s le pJ irrvioUH thini thn t,.;,.i ..-, _ , , ;VI>OSIK 1 et ,"•" ''"'" '/'^ irUa of gohl in th t...>"^a;::,i^L!'r;:'„;:'r..'i>ejad,^ , »<1; HI onli/ mil, from nir! ini/ thou hast not withheld th Thus s Another Hacrid (' /in iiow I know that '// son. thine Pilke (he Divine Ruler of Ab of tl ce ^Vl\ raham's life. nd Ahl-ntinm #.,11 n , ^ " I" «)t the patriarch'H noh n„ i Vk . "" **"<'r(' wii.i, SKF," that the name of the place "J, e (provide beinir ( ih iL J '''V '«; «ee to it. or 'HgageH. MttnyceuhiSaJSw ped itself on the heart of 10 ace find prn- i:hovah- see to it. or will pro- ■see). A succeed- nie (he "•ds, at the ti i^ f 160 Abrahdin offcriiuj u[) Isaac. book of hair ficil for nfiiiiv li, 1,1 If hold ,„i Ihv hn/i- s,l l„fiiir ««." And now, wlnit \h i lM>l|>niriinil Hij,Miiticaii((' of this w.m jiiMliil iianativr. Tlio Hlor.v lutH lict-n scotVed at l.v iin- bclifvcis, and made ih.. hint of Hanasni and .(.ntcnrnt if not au oc.asion of d.-op .■iiniil.v to ih.- Divine n-coid, and to llini \vii(. IS n-v.-aicd in it. for iiianv aKos. And it i« so »'v.-ii (h)\vii t., our da.v. ChiiHiiaiiH at this vciv time ai'.' launt.'d as holicveiH in a (lod who coinmaudcd a fatiier to nninioi-liis(.wns(m. Itiit as in ovory otii.f ol.j.'c. on to the j-acrcd naiialiw, ii is ..vid,.,,! that tla- ohie. tor. (Men if honestly (h'sirous to Jiidy,. i„ fnirneHs (,f what is recorded, has not bestowed |a'o|Mr a I lent ion upon the words of the' namitive. For the rerofd is. ilial liie (i,„| „f Covenant Blessinn. put this man lo ilie pro.d'. The transaction was a trial And m all irials. ila.re is a pie-.h-terinined course as to how lar the inal should ^o. The eoninniiid, moreover was not to munhr his son. not simply (o slav him, but 'o offer lull, up, to sacrifice him; i,, purl with liinl, t., yive him up t(. «.od N„w, Ih.' reasonableness or otherwise of this ean ..lily be (letermimd by consideriiifr what lessims for subse,|uent times and a^es ai mbodied in it; what stimu- lis. what consolation, wlial eiicouruir,.„„.nt, what direc- tum-(hat IS. It there ar.. any lessons t„ he found in it ai i i up to the s(.i-vice ot (Jod. of His eliiirrh. of mv country, mv on v Hon, the hope of my life, or my (h-Hrlv" beloved\laugS the crown and joy of our house. It was a dark al%nt the thought <,f this sacridce of Abraham, of the mightv e tul blessing that tlowe.l from it. lifted me up ouT of loub and darkness into the very mount of blessing so that I also eh certainly a reason in the ronnseJH of Divine wisdom for the course they are about to follow; and that tlie itatli of implicit obedience, in perfect contidence, is the patli of Idessing not ordinary blessiuf.', but blessing miilli|)lied and enlarged. Few men enter on a de, m,rn, whom shr td/Z." wrote ^wle Pa,^ o Ins ,,,,t,,eu i„ the city of Gorin.h, ^'hutZly^^t^^^^^ a m,>s s,Kn,flcant caveat; -only in the Lord!'Wl(l? " S) ril eTte^ /^'"^ '"^ ''''' command, in a subsequent pas n.*isrWI^'!;;^'^yPl'];^th righteousness with u righteous- Beauty, wealth, 'position, none of these are forbidden J lit to marry with the unj^odly the unbelievfni S nghteous-this is expressly 'forb'iddei. A^J a expld'ence m all ages, countries, and states of societ/ slew^the oer' %tl'::^TnT'- ^^•'^?-^t'l-"-« of this prSdb ition * Nofto a^^hti U-in "nd a^He f '"'"^^ ^^'''^^^''^" ^"^ ''' l^^^athen o? ?ha there should ?>e'' -^ '' ^^"•^'■^H.v f""nd inexpedient sums .,s to brmfc-mg up „, enildren, and tbe setting beTore n 5 '1 f i ]M' i 154 Abraham's Care for the Marriage of his Son Imuc. them of an evil example in vital matters. If one or other of the parents be not particnlarly in earnest, Hiieh a mar- riage is more likely to result in confirmed inditlerencc to religion, both in the parents and the children. The entering on the marriage relation thoughtlesHly, and with little consideration, is one of the evil signs of the (inion we live in. Marriage mav not be, as the Komau church makes it, a '•sacrament." But that it is a high and Holetrtn Ordinance, carrying with it most serious conscciucnceH for long continuing years, and future generati(»ns, is as li'Hiun as that it exists at all. That the only rational basiH of iriar- riage is that of an engagement for life; taking one another "for better or for worse, until death us do part," wilt be evident when it is considered how long it takes to bring up, educate, and place out children in the world; and how hu- premely necessarv it is for the woman to have the assuranci? of sustenance and protection during this long c(.urHe of The State, most properly, takes cognizance of thiH rela- tion, and makes laws with rega'd to the partien entering upon it. But it is a relation which can never be riglitly entered upon except with the sanctions of rclighm as the basis of its obligations. It was in this spirit of solemnity that the good piitrinn-h entered (m the business of seeking a wife for his son. And it was in a spirit also, of confident faith in Divine guid- ance. Sending his Steward, with a retinue and prenentH on the long journey northward to the land of his kindred, he savs to him: "The Lord (lod of Heaven. while in it. are under the cognizance and guidance of Hini wlio created it; what more reasonable, than that snbor dniale belnf Abraham on his lon^ jour- ney northwards from Hebron, over a track that, even he' had lonp been followed by traders .nd travellers froiiiL^ from Mesopotamia to Ejrypt.-the same tlurt was folhZd Z Abraham himself when he left his countrv and kindml the same doubtless, or nearly, that is followed bv t a elle.'s to this day. He travelle foUntr me into this land! Am I then to bring thy son to the land whence thou earnest?" This, certainly, would seem to be tlu- most natural course. Let the young man, in that case, go and plead his own suit. But the father would not consent to this; for some reason not given. But he had full confidence in the guidance of Divine Providence in this very delicate and ditticult matter. The steward, however, having come to the very place where his mission is to be fulfilled, is strongly impressed with the dilTiculty of choosing, and the danger of ma) ing a wrong choice. And, indeed, consiitality, he bows down, "worsliipping the Lord,'' full of thankfulness and piaise, testifying, "/, hcintj in the wall, the Lord hath led me to the house of my master's brethren!" The rest of the narrative is most dramatic and beautiful. ''The welcome of Rebekah's brother Laban (of whom we heai' much hereafter) 'Come in, thou blessed of the Lord,' glad sounds in the steward's ears, as indicating faith in the same Divine Lord; the excitement in the house: the refusal of the steward to eat until he has told his errand; the acknowledg- ment of the Divine hand by Laban and his father Bethuel; the reference of the great nuitter to the damsel herself in the words, "Wilt thou yo with this man?"' and her simple and direct answer, "7 vill go ;" the solemn blessing they bestowed upon her at parting. "Thou art our sister; be thou the mother of thousands of myriads: and let thy seed possess the gate of those who hate them" — all these combine to form one of the most touching ])ictures that has ever been drawn by the jK'n either of an inspired or an ordinary biognipher; a picture of simplicity, courtesy, goodness, piety, considera- tion, that is almost unique in literature. The damsel, we are told, "was very fair to look iipon." That she was stout and healthy is evidenced by her water- ing all the steward's camels. So. as it was with another, who. seeking for the best thing first, obtained other thing«t he did not ask, the steward had the great satisfai prince of nien»,, JNIamre, near Hebron, is still associated with Abraham, for rhcre is a ven(>rable tree on the heights above the city thilJ: t'fill bears his name. The chapter gives an idea, also, of the development of civilization up to that time, in the matters of coined UKmey, and the buying and selling of land, which are not materially reujoved from what pi'evails in our own day. The lapst* of Jiearlv unir thousand ve.ars has made little difference. '1 J hi Abraham himself never owned a foot of that land which was so solemnly assured to his descendants. So, when hig wife died, it was a necessity to apply to the people of the land for a place of burial. "He stood up from before hii4 dead," says the pathetic narrative, and said, "I am a stiantf' er and sojourner with you; give me n possession of a hiiriiing phicr." They answer, with a deference and courtesy, stlil characteristic of the East, "Thou art a mighty prince amoni; us; in the ehoice of our sepulchres bun/ thy dead." Abrah. UJ chose for the purpose, the cave of Machpelah and olfti- i for it "as wueh moneif as it iras wor'th." The owner, Eph'OVi, entreated Abraluim tc ' ke it as a gift, calling w. the fact of his ottering ; • property for nothing. ^ ; genei'ous offer Abrahaui refused, as he had ref\! once before, and insisted on pacing for the field a f{ '^ ... -^^t gifw ■J- ^» II AdilitioiHil XotvH «.< to Ahniliam. which the owner uamed as "four himdred HhekelH of sil 161 Th IS amount of ver. I'on. the 'foui nione^ huudre then, Abraham weighed out to Epli- hekels of silver, current m(»ui'y witli merchant." Then lie cave, and tl le Held, and all I he were made sure trees llierein, and in tlie borders about it .,.,. ,„„„, o,wo unto Abraham for a posseasion in the premice of the children <»f lletli." And there he buried his dead. Til lie whole of this is strikintiiy similar to the condition of things with regard to land, which prevails at the present day in our own country. It has already been iu,ticed that hu- man nature sub.^ists to-day substaniiallv as we find it in these narratives of a 1h<.usand years ago. But we could scarcHv exj)e.-t to find so close a correspondence in what may be called matters of busim-ss. Yet what Iiave we in this narrative? First, we have ownership of distinct parcels of land by UHlividimls. It is not a tribal ownership, but a personal; and an ownership that was secure; a freelndd. And the parcel of land was defined, and bounded, so as to sn^rr,,st that some survey must have been made, lines mark.Mfoni mid a plan made. Then we have the otf.-r of moiiev for a transfer of right of ownershi]), and a sale made with the cotidition of .sure po.s\sessio)i. iiJT^'?' Vv '""""■'■ "P'"'*' ''■•''" """■'• '•'^ ''-'^^ ''current wilh thi nmvhnxt.' a remarkal)I,> phrase indeed, in use at the present day in deeds and documents of title, and in con- tracts com.m.rcial and financial. Turrent money, v-hich nuist have been indicated by the coins called shekels hav ing been stamped or marked in the same way that silver is St .mpod now to indicate its genuineness, and possibly by weight."' ^''''""^''■•^^ ^^^•"f^' ^^^'-k*'! as of such and such a But the phrase "current with the merchant" indicates that there were, at that early period, regular meivant e dealings, and that the stage of barter h^d been passed! Iinally, we have a transfer of ownership, made sure in the presenee of intncsses, exactly as land is conveyed, for dtie comsideration, in money current with merchants, by deeds and acts duly witnessed, in this nineteenth century of the Christian era. Aiid that this transaction was respected, and ownership m Af)raham and his family recognized, is manifest from the mibsequeiit history. Abraham himself was buried there by his sons Isaac and Ishmael. And, many long vears after- wards, when the chances and changes of life had carried the grandson of Abraham. Jacob, down to a foreign land h" gave a strict charge, in extreme old age, as to his own buri- n ! ■••i1 i ,1** ■1 ': t J :ii l||l 162 aw- A'^ditioiial Xotcs as to Ahiiilmm. til in the vcr.v last words be spoke (Ueu. xlix., 2t), 30, 31.) "Jiuob charged his sons, and said: "I am to be gathered unto ni.v i)eoi>le. Jiiiry we irith mij fathers in the cave that is tn the fidu of Mavhpdah, in the land of Canaan, which Abra- ham bought with the field of Ephron the Hiltite, for a pos- session of a b\irying place." "There," he adds, "they buried Abiaiiani and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and KeU-Uah iiis wife; and there 1 buried Leah." This charge was religiously observed. The renmins of the head of the house of Israel were carried by his sous, with great pomp and ceremony, to the land of Canaan, and deposited in this cave of Maciipelah, a cave which has ever since been . n- sidered a sitot of the highest sanctity, and is still held in veneration by the whole Christian aud Mohammedan world. lAm\ 3 LI trei it is bra- )0S- ried and irKO (he )mp this ^ n- 1 In .rid. -'!J- tl CllAPTEK XX. Isaac, GnieNh 20, 2H, 21. Th.' life of iliiH .ii,i,.|. lioiiK'-loviiig and j>('Utle-soiil<-d man (K'iivrK ahiKiHl iiH sol<- iiiiix.riunce Iroiii its fonufc^tiou wit'i liiM Ki'.'al hi I her on the one hand, and hl.s two sons on tii<' oilier. To hJK ralher lie was a son hoin oul of duo time, in fulfil- ""•HI ol I M vine promise; and the subject of the most fearful trui (.1 tailli and eonlidenee that ever man was subjected to m the liiHloi'.v of I he human race. Kefi ill poHHesHion, as heir, of all his father's property au arran«emenl (hat excited no oi.posithm from his famous brother, iHimael, who could uot pretend to dispute the title Mild moHl happil.v married, he entere.l on his um.btrusive me an a dweller in tents, possessed of numerous fh.cks and iH-rdH, niaml.v ,n (he region round about the famous well the well ol him (hat seeth nie," Lahai Roi ((ienesis XVI )' iwent y .vears of Iif<. i.assed away before children were borii" then hiK wile Kebekiih bore him twin bovs, both of whom" l)vl,,.,„ „• ,va» ..av,. I, K. .,...1 ihii it was ncci'ssiU'V to adopt »urh a iii-asun loi iirt : • , • ; uM 1 n. .■cti..n. A similar ittstatu.. t,.ok p a*-, wit i " 1 F ren h tiavcil.-f in tlu- sai.u' contitu-nt, whose wul- ; w i. livi .« in I'aris still. U is said that havi..|. adopte-l .1 a Vi f. h... ht.sbanf herds, and a irrcat stori' of servants." •»;;.„" To which .'ecord ulde.l. .hat his ...ghbors -nn-icdhun, a true touch of hu.../u muure as ns<' find it ..nongst men and women even in this ai^e of the Christian era. Th^ st<.rv of the wells that Abraham's seryan s had diL^^ed. which the Ph-idtu.es in their j(>alousy had « ^'d "P. uf at Isaac's servants re-opened, ami of other uells that hcv diK^ed, inchiding another of the faniuus lieer-sheba '■ ii' urllof the oathr in the extreme Ko;,.h of the pastoral (M.uiitrv, c ose to the borders of the desert, all shows the hiih importance of the AVell in ^ hilly country, where all streams but the Jordan were, a: ah dried up in sumnier and wlu.-e a drier Kean.n tha. .su=, would burn up the 'rass and might produce famine. These famines, happily almost unknown in more northerly regions, are still amu....st the terrible casualties of the seasons in the East. And now. as then, they influence the course of history, and tho migrations of families and tribes. • ^, ,•* * The transactions that took place later on m the life of Iiiilfir, IG'i .„Ti •'.■; '"",'""" "'> «<•*''» ^vill 1 give all thes;j S m'/ f ;;"' I'7;i''"-". Hm- oaH, whi..h l swa.e unfo .Wee m.l 1^ . ''■• .""'■"""" *^'"^ Abraham oboved my Ml.KlOW Ot IJilS bicHMIIH^, Aftci' l.is s(.n8 liad kicwii k, manhood, and had both of wohV ;"'V'"^r'•! """ ^^■'' ' '"'^ >'en.m. ,^,rt f th/. Hd s historv. tl... lilV or Inaar iuovcmI on in .,ui,.tnos8 and an. p,.oson,,nK a s.HkinK •■....traHt to the itirnng liv' . ^as hunod Ihore by hiH (wo NonH, Esau and Jacob. J 'i i '% .11 11 CHAI'TIOK XXI. Jacou. Gvnexis 2') a ml 27 to 2D, Tlic "icai si.iKi' Kivcn in the Diviiu' recoi'd to this n'mark- al.U' uVnn indirah's tl..' i-xt.-iu K. whidi his camT lias i„llucn.-c(l th.' sul.sc(ni.'nt: liistory, not only ollus natural, l.ul of Ills s|.ifitnal c.'U(lant8. For. like Aliralian.. h>^ l.as liad his spiiilual dos, .Mulauls. Ih.' Ini.' Isnud, tho h.'ifs <,f spiiilual hlcssinjis and pnmiisrs; HrsI spoUon lo liiin, an.l then oxt.-n.h.d to ail lh<.sr who, like liim. li^'v.- risen as Tennyson has sun-i'. '•from their dead sflvcs to liij,rlier ^ 'j'vnui (or in its Kastt-rn r..rni. VAKunu. ir.eaninj.- a '"sup- Planler." beeanie. in later days Is ua ki., a I'niNCK ok t.ou; not Ihat. in his earlier days ho was wholly Iho ciatly un- smiiMihuis man of I he world he has .d'ten been supposed to In- for ho was not; l.ul thai, at one tinio in his lite, he did ,.ne thin-, whieh, as is ..ften I he easo. j-ave hini a name and a character which was always irmembeivd aKainsl liini. V,.| this a(ii(m and others resemblinfi' it by no nieaii^ iviursonlod the whoh- man. The .•.mrse of his life j-ivos the inlpiossion of a many-sided man. a man of e.mlradictory ,.len.ents of .-hara.ter. so .-ontradi.t.ny thai thos.' whoso arduainlanco with men is limited, have supposed either that ,1„: imr.ative is wholly true, or that daeob was a eonsum- mate Iivikh rite. , . 15ut surh contradi.tions an- so far from Ikmu- uncommon that thev are to be found in almost every man ot mark in t-verv sphere of life. The Idlers and corrcsp<.m Cnce of the ..T,.a't soldier .Moltke. the man so iron-soul.Ml. and unpassiv.-, That his associates would hav.- ((mclndcd thil there was not a drop of human sinupalhy in him. reveal a inan in pri- vat.- life of cxiiuisito tenderness and sensibility N\ ho, ,.,,in. .•ould have imagined that Lord Nelson the terribie ..ruins ..f desliucthm in sea-tights, would have been the man 7o oive T.ublic and devout thanks to .Mmi^hty ( oid when he irid -aiiied -reat victori(>s. and still more that he would l.aveleft behind him. in the cabin of the "Vic-firy " (found after his death) a t.-uchin- iirayer for success to the arms of En.iiland in the conllict imiiending; and. especially, toi Jacob, 167 Kiacc to h1i(»\v iiuTcy to tlic viiiii|iiisliftl. Tlio last a tni.; iinte of Hiiic.'iity; and it would U- iIr- shalli^wcMl of jiid« infills lo say thai tlics*' wen' oitlicr uu-iv foi-iiialitit's, or tliat lie was a liyptM riu-. An Kn^lisli lawyer of the past generation, known to tli<- writer, a man who rose iiinh in liis profession, and eoni- iiiaiided the services of enuneut elients l.v his aliilitv. in iiiiiiiers of relij-ion was us crediilous as an 'iinediu-aled'pea- sani. One could Jiardly inia-iiie it was the same man who during the weeU would l)e condiictiiif; cases wit!i far-reaeli- my sagaeily, weij-iiinn evidei.c.. with professional keenneas, and drawiiij; u|* deeds and contracts in a manner that evi- denced a highly discijdim'd miml; while, on th.. Siindav, h- ^\MlIld sit in a -jaiheriiij.' of religious enthusiasts, and he deluded, with oil.ers, l.y the va^iaries of p,.np|,. wU;, piv- X'lided to speak with ton-ues. and to work miracles Vet Ho It was. Was not Crim.well a man of opposltes? a master of stato- eratr, a great general and ruler, a man who could hold his c.wn with the crowne.l hea.ls of Kurope; vet a man of I»r.. found religious cnihiisiasiu, a man of nuiVl, praver and 7"""";"i..n with (iod? The ,dd estimate ui (JrolnwVu as a designing hypocrite has l„.eu exploded l,v fuller knowled-.' m this very generation. ||o was simply a man of o,,po.sit"s. J).i\Hl. the iM.ld Mild daring genius in war. •„ man of bho'l ' as llH. .scriplure il.self designates him. .oiild possil.h he the 'Jii'M ol such wonderful tenderm-ss, delicacv. seusihilitv, and devotiou. as he exhihits himself in the J'salms-' Jt is 'i shallow and uninformed criticism which judges that th^ same man could not have been both warrior and psalmisf a entic.s.u toumh-d on ignorance of the manifold develop- menls of human nature. ^ .\nd. to come down to our own tig,, and e.mtinent, we a .. s,.en in ,1.,. American (Jeneral Stonewall Jackson -i olim. and habits ot prayer and cununuiion with (Jod- de\out and saintly enough for a numk; vet. withal -i ,nn who ,1, war was a terror lo the eneniv bVtln: , d "v o hi mov..H.ntsaiidihetieirenossofhis;mslaugh>:Vt™^s w II ex,,..essed by the order he gave at a .risis in i^reat battle, -noH- ,,nr/, Ihv fuM >ri'i, il,r hm/OHrf' " ^ Ihe sam.. opposite traits were also" to be found in thit omicr tl,.,t tlio ,.c.™,,l „m„„t b'. trno, or th"t .",'„b wS a ,4 St , .. Icf to that wliicli lie liad not. For sn.h a foiirhiHinii Id be unpliilosophical, aiul (.'oiilrary to what Ih Uiiowii Thai .lacoh ^h^»llhl Im- ,it 168 Jacob. pri'tciH won of the thon};hts and ways of nu'U. Tliai onci" a man of most tender atfection and of i»rofoiHm eiutt. a man of far leachhi}-- phuis of worhlly advani-euKUt. Mtcad- ilv iinrsued tlironjih a h)n^- coarse of y<'ars, yet one wlio na'v wonderfnl visions, and dreamed niarveHons dreainK, ne«.d not excite either snrpriso or suspicion. It is the purl of wisdom to study tlie characteristics of this man, as opetiiMl up in tliat Diviiie record wliich never either "exleinialeM or sets down augiit in malice." m The two twin sous of Isaac and Kebocca jirew ii|) too- ther, and, as often liapiiens. they were of diameliiially op ]iosile cliaracters. "The boij^ (jirw; ami Enaii (a name H«ni fviufi' liairy) hv/.s- (/ ciDin'uin liniifcr, a man of the field.'* TliiT'.' are few families of hoys where out- is not f(»un(l like him. These are the sporlsu'ieu. the men who love lo no a Held with rod or yun, who know how to tiap or shoot t,'ame, hirn-- or small; the men who shoot timers in India, and lionn and «'lephants in Africa. Bold, hearty, enterprising;-, r'-HllesM, they are often true Esaus in bein^- careless of the fiiliii'e; l«'aiik in bearing, and jolly in manner and speech, they at'« licnerallv universal favorites. Such was Esau, a man, in s.;me respects of I elter morale. naturally, than his younger brother. Yet, n.ost incredible levity and f<.lly on the part ,.f the"elder er Tl!;. v :1%':"V'*'^"' .rafiiness on the pint of ti.e vouur- A'.w» (Hebrews xii. 1(1. 17) is llier." sfvled '•« nrofano />rr. .;, ' he word translat.-d p,.ofane. meaning a despise "f tamil^ and a double j.oiunn of the father's property bv 'I|"'ntance. That a man who bad .ome to veals , f Isc e- J.- meal. ,.ven t .ono|, „.■ were j,, Hw e.vtremity of hnnser ..hunters I„^ueh as these (lauahters of the hunt irhat i/ooil shall iin/ life b^ t^me But now.' returning to this matter of the birthright the narrative is a very remarkable one in its terms. Ksa-.i comes in from hunting, utterly exhausted, and tamt with hun-'er \sking his brother for food, the natural answ(;r w11 know, things s])oken in jest are sometimes taken in earnest. At any rate. Ksau so took it; and. veiy probablv to his brother's astonishment, he went on to say most re'cklessh and foolishly: / am iienrhi (1ea'. For Esau was not ignorant. Reckless and fool- ish he was, to the last degi-ee, but he knew perfectly well what he was doing. Yet it is plain that Jacob was wrong. And the wrona; w-as this, and a bitter wrong it was, in not having compas- sion and kindness towards his hungr.\ brother. Yet it is a form of wrong that is not nncoiiimon' with men of upright- ness and integrity, viz.: a strange insensibility to want and sufi'ering. There are many men whose word "is their bund, Avho yet never stretihed a hand to helj> the needy in their lives; nay, wiio make a sort of principle iidI to' feed th,? l.ungi-y and clothe the nakere were far darker leatures than the other, viz.: ■■«* .,■-< 1 ) i -'^•.■) Tin; DKcroiT as to the Rr.EssiMi. The prime mover in this disrej.utable business was not Jacob, but his mother: a foolish woman, with all her good •lualities. And the narrative is a terrible warning to mo- thers against letting flH'ir partialities and favoriti.sms wil'i their sons become so dominant as to blind them to consi- derations of what is h>'<>t 'iHich. it is evichMit. had worthy one. a*, for example, in the s])here (»f politics, the attain- ment of some important ol)ject for cme's country, or th(> fM'cvention of some {."-rear evil, a stntesmnn may be tempted, ;mu1 often has Iteen. to attain it by low lunl unworthy means, by deceit, concealment, inisreiu-esentation. or other impi'o- per influences. Hut the n'siilt is jilways the sam(>. The re- ipiired mnjority does not renniin faithful. The mensure is found unwoi'kiible. The dopositioii follies and sins of all'ection; the turning: of the choicest treasure of the Innnan heart — love— into the nu'ans of the most dismal downfall of which hu- man nature is capable. Let us notice ihe rapid devebipment of (he evil. Thei-e is first the consent of Jacob to a fraed. Then the rejK'ated lie. In versi- 10. "/ am Esau. Ihi/ first- hnr)i.'" Then, 1 f; ii si m Hi 'I^SEl The Deceit as to the lile^sinq. 173 Tl In verse 24.— "TAc Lord enabled it.'ii. "'I'."' Horrible profanitvl In verse 24.— Tlie sol inii iiideid thii .wn L It .•^11 1( . emu assertion wlien ('iialleiiffed '•/ IS a siid and sick<'i iin|i|(' of evil iin,n' pirHirc, indeed: a terrible ex- oniin- int., a man's soul like a fl(.od, and l.i-aiin-;' rapidly awa iiiiil (lie fear of'(iod. •\tid now follows tbc I •f ilic ajj:('(I fallier, wliidi. !,.( j't" 1 J">iai one '(I (Hi restraint of lutuor. conscience M'slowincnt of tlie solemn blessinf? »e noted, is piirelv a teni- the vitith, and itleiili/ of f/ire thee of the dew of heaven, the fatnvss of Jii lord over tin/ tu'etlneii. ( eon, and wine. Let pruple .serve thee lliee. and l)Ie.s.sed h 'iir.sed In ei I'ver// one lliat lilr.s.setli thee. power, tile three things tli(.> li ■f'V/ one (hat cur,Heth ^^'«'altll. lionoi-, ilways craves foi^ everywherertit "all ixMijiles. in all eirenii islaiices; these are what hav nnian lu-art times, amoiiifst all J'ominally bestowed upon .(acob. il siiivly be satisfied •' now been is mother and he should li'it now, as it is al w Jies i.vs, they experience the deceit s ..f the hires and in-omises 'hel'd o,ii bv i| eei\-er. They have "--ot what I Hni have thev? ful- ^leat De H'v schemed fo;-. aj.parentlv, Tl c'v luiv<' n(» more got it than on obtained what tl iiniiine'. Teat n-'ceiver promised 1 !• common ninther. Eve I'f at the bt Tl K're is no evi.hnce that .lacol eminence over his brother, or the d(Mible si pr<.i>erty. or the h.'adship of the 1 111*' mother and tl » ever obtained the pre- qiiemes of what thev had d II th I'.'irt of Ksaii. ami 1 liare.d' the family lonse. On the contrary, e conse- I on son immediately realized th one in the outbreak of wrati (•as« o brother who had so j lis expressed determinai ion to Slav wha but Fur the cliea t would l(ec(»me of the bl •lievously wronged him. In that xessini"' liscovered. 'I was discovered immediatelv It ( ^\ho heard [\\;\\ (|,e bl of an impulsive and leii comes the bitter otitcrv o ossing could not be re.alh'd; tin' r'rv ould not f V sau. :\vay in follv one piissiomite man. who Ims I '•' more the terrible j.osition ii all tl the remainder. SucI father i)ronounces also a bl ing, far-reachinc-. '•'■•It piirt of his inheritance, and real )arterod izes e would be in if he lost n'.v ••ould not but be lieanl. The ng on him; a prophetic bless- essi M should I e also should have t and looking on i,, hjs posteritv IS ditferent from his broth onipora! prosperity;" but his lot A^orc ;li^orse. '-7^/ //,,, ,,rord ..h„lt ihoa \i ■"'I-'' Ihii brother. And if .sh,dl er s as their characters ■e, and tliDu fihalt ha*'- the d nrr-sr. ominion that thou shall hreak h rome to pa-s.-t trhvn thou .shalt ;.«? yol-e from off thi/ (^ 'I < 4 1 i 0> ' 1 i 174 The Deceit as to the Bless rf. m The first and the last of this proithecy were certainly fill- lilled in the lifetime of the hiothers. There is no vfritvil, however, of Eb-au's life being subject, personally, lo liiM brother, and in that respecr. as well as in the otlier, (lu» object to be attained by this wicked and foolish plot vva» never accomplished. The subjecticm. however, cani"- i'l course of time and the deveh)pments of history. As a prophecy, reaching into far distant ages, it waw in substance fulfilled in their descendants. The conse(|nences that foli(»wed the shameful fraud of which the moliier and son had been guilty must be consi- dered in another clinpttM'. .Meanwhile (he lessons it c(Mive_\K lie on the very surface, viz.: t(» mothers, to beware how lliey allow partiality to a son or daughter to rise to a passion and lead to deeds of injustice and folly; and to men living" in the world to beware of listening, even for a moment. 'o dishonorable j)roposals, le.st the listening should open Ihrt diior foi' evil to enter in like a flood, sweeping away triirli and lioncu', and causing them to do that which will Itc r*- niembeicd against them after a whole lifetime of good j.ctions is forgotten. HH CHAPTER XXII. jAt'OIi's N'lSION AT BkTHEL. Genesis 28. It lias scniicd stninji*' tlint ai'tci' such a (iisroputab)3 coiirso of (((udiict as Jacob was j-iiilty of in connection wilh his fatlior's blessing, tliorc should liavc boon manifested !<» him sucli a wonderful vision as that of the anj,'els' ladder, and such wonderful promises of blessing- from I he Supremv' ly, by the course of events. Let ns mark the sequel of events in this case. First, with re^^ard to the mother, the prime mov(M- in tl 10 wronir. Kebekah had only two sons. Bv what she had d had utterly estraiificd Ksau. who was no louLM'r to her one slio as a son. How could he be? And. now that Ksau had threat ened to take .(acob's life, it was no lonek marrative would iodicate that i;ii»ent alienation between h her- o s])eedily did 'etribntion overtake her for the deceit f^he had instifrated. a retribution which had exactl • •■) i •"I Ri^l V eorie-«- w M\^ lifl^^ 170 Jacob's Mftinii at licthil. iMimU'd to her olloiuc. Her love to Jacob led her to commit the wfong. lieti-ihutiou overtook lier in the shape of per- jictnai scjiaratioii from '.liiii wiio had alwa.vs lived at home, but was now (■(iiiii)clled to tiy for his life to a distant ooun- irv. from whence he was never to retni'U in hei' lifetime. dacob himself, the home loving man, was ])ra(.'tica.ly ban- ished from home, compelled to go ont as a fugitive and a wanderer, to nnd(>rtnke a long and dangerous joiii'iiey; all vhich came home to him with bitterness as a consequence of the pri<'vous sin he had committed against (iod, and the Mrong he had done to his brother. The time of his setting out was n^feri'ed (o by himself afterwar many brief and incidental passages of Soriptiire. furnishes a key to what follows. For it is incredible, and contrai-y to the whole Divine ju'ocedure that such blessings and promisi s could have been given to a man of mere craft and covetous- ness. going away in hardness of sonl. callons and indifferent to what he had done. There was everything in the circuia- stances to bring about an entirely opjiosite state of feeling. ITe had I'allen into disgrace, he had endangered his life, he must leave the hcune where his wlnde life had been spent. And he went out. a solitai'y man. No escort accompanies liim. no train of cam<'ls as when Abraham sent to seek a wife foi- Isaac, no attendants, no presents for his friends, nothing has he \\\\\ t\ stillV and a wallet, and he carries his life in his hattd at (>very step of the way, for he must have liad UKUiey enough with him to carry him to the end of hi.^ jourm\v, ami so have been worth plundering. All till" was calculated to bring alxtnt a revulsion of feel- Utg like that which swept over King David's soul when his horril)le sin was ]tointed out to him by the projdiet. So as he sets out. and l(»ses sight behind the hills of the encami>- n\enl of his father .ami the tent of his nntther. pursuing bis way northward in ])ov<'rty and s(ditude. what could come < ver him but disfn^ss and anguish of spirit, riMuorse and bitterness of soul, leading tt» earnest crii's for Divine mercy f.nd ]>rotection. This was the 'Ulai/ of disfrcfts" that he rennMnbered so well twtMity years afterwards, and the answer to his cry came, as it is sure to rome to them who "cdU upon God in ihc daif of troiihlr " About the end of the second day of his joniney he arrives at the place where Abram. his grandfather, many years be- fore, had built an altar. There, on the solitary hillside, for he dare not go int(» the neighboring town, Le arranges to Jacob's Vision ut Bdlitl. \Ti paHH I he iii;r|,( j„ ,|„. ,,jn., jj, jj^j^ for tlicif \s a vciy safe proreediiii;. • •re wild l.ciisis about tliat ivyioii, i-uaiiiiu through llir. iiiils lioni llieii' Ii .... it WiiH, iiiHl JM, a rocky region. Choosing soi. whore he won hi he least likolv to b<- tlisiurhod th -; 11]) Hints in the valley of Jordan. no (jniet nooic he arranu< s HlonoM of I he place for his i.iUows and lavs d hleej., weiiry willi his journey, hut much more h.-a the miMeralde lolly he had been guilty of and the d the way lie wns travelling Hut he Miepl. own to leartsick at lugers of Th <'ii, III i( wonderfni dream, came (iod cry of diNiiiMs 's answer to hi.- an • umsijiii,,.^, II,. dreamed and luswer that wonderfuilv fitted 1 lis cif- oni e.iiih lo lieiiv(;n. and the me fi and deKceiiding on iti Ah even for siich a one as he.' And Viod terin saw a stairway, leachin;. K HpirilM, executing Jiis will sseiigers of (Jod ascendiii! I way from earth to heaven 's messengers, minis- L'uidmg. proHerviiig them that trusted II an angel iieconipiinicd him, all ui gels Were aMiending, — were th of the fiiiihfiil depiiried, an w on the earth, guardin im. And had not: seen, thus far! The a n- iIh* uiigelH currying I Wt'l'c no! Home desctending,— beiuing i» cummniidN ii wonderful vis ey conveying home the souls as revealed long afterwards, nil's bosom! And i\iiie iiiessiiges and .iizarns to Abrah ion indeed: And siifelv th« f II o I H loiiel.\ uiiiideicr liiiisl have been stirred U out, .«Mi, Ihiii one of these might atteml .m me on my j uey he w Km iMticI » vvy Olll"- I iiKire I linn I his. Ihiising his (.y,..s ujiwar.! 'OH iiifMie coiiHcious of the pr IliniKi-lf, IK, I Hill esence of Aliiiightv Wiis ready to help And (he woitlH (hen spoken, brief as th ins(inc( wKli p.nver, lo truly iipplicfible k, ij,,. , .._,., ,^^ ^,,^.,^ j, own busy diiy ,Mid jige, us they were to the lonel hini led wanderer on (he hills of the land of C K'y are, have been itil generations since, and are as circumstances of nun in this our y and di Tlie lirHl w(M tnaan. ginal proiniHe spoken to 1 ds were a conlirmalion to Jacob of the on- lejieated lo his falher I liH grandfather Abraham, and wh ubrodil Id llic innl. the cast a bl saac, of an inheritance in the land ;;•;';;"/ [»; hI<'|.», ami that his descendants shouhl _,.,.,, Ilic norlh and the south, becomiiii sprc'iil esKing (o all (he families of the earth. Th spreading jibrond is nn enl IS promise »f s])oken, and lis full genient of anything previous wlien the (lu,. meaning was only realizec spiritual ly owed (ii,. Divine son of Jacob in after foil the ;;re;i( coi tlon Hffiel, tlm faithful sou'ls w] o accepted and nniiNsion. and fulfilled it. of .. H- iind Mprcfiding abrojid over the whof idmgK by which all the families of the eartl bi essed ages, were giv3n i'oing into all na- e earth the good 1 were to ')« ■J '4 178 Juvob'd Vinion at Bvthcl. Hut now, bt'iuy tbus assured of his iuheritauce iu the iiuesiial Ousfsiuy, lurtlit'r words were spuueu lo him sy.- iiail} applicable lo Lis own circiiinslauies ami llie piessiui^ iieeu ot me lioui'. lie was aio!!'-, and witliuiit atteudauls aud proleelors. j|(»w pi'i-tVc'liy suilithle to his cireuiiislaiices was the as- surance from Uie All-1'owerful Sujireme, "iiiuiouj, 1 am wnii thi;k1'" "l am with theej'' surely ihaL couuls more than any number of au escort! "If Uod be for us, who can Of iKjaiiifit i(.s/" Frederick the Great, m a diUiculL position, calling- a council of war, found his generals very uespond- eut on counting up their small uumoers as compared with I He host of the enemy. The king, drawing himself to his full height, lookeil round the council table, and exclaimed, ■•.\ii(l how many do you count Mi;!" Just so. The Duke ol Wellington once said that he considered the presence of >apoleon with his army as good as forty thousand addi- tional men. So it was once well said that one man with Clod on liis side was in the majority, no matter how many might be against him. iUit the Divine word went further. The young man waa going to strange i»laces, to unknown regions; he might I'usily lose liis' '■,My, be caiitured by a hostile tribe, sold for a slave, as Jr uy. n sou was in after years, or perish with hunger or ttii!>!S before arriving at the eud of so long a journey. Aji.'ih v,e must notice the perfect fitness of the Divine jiK.tuiM', 'and I icill lacj) tlicr in all plans trtiitlici' Until iiorst." J :!'■ Divine j)resence would be the presence of a i/iianl. This is the true idea intended to be conveyed. No armed host could make his journey more safe. Hut further still. The young man jmritoscd to return. His visit w.is intended to be short. Yet it could not but liC doubtful as to whether he would ever return or not. The Almighty Protector then adds the promise. *'/ icill hriiifi line ai/aiii to this hind, and I irill not h-iire thvc until I liari' done thai irhich I hare spoJccn to thee of." All these arc wonderful W(»rds. Considering the time, the circumstances, the person, and all that was involv(>d in them, they are a wonderful manifestation of Divine goodness and wisdom. And the power of these words has never been lor.<^. They s]ii'ak as truly, and with as much appositeness nnd force, lo the young men of these times as they did to Jacob. This is an age of disperson. Men are obeying, as lliey never did before, the Divine oonnnand to replenish the earth, and to subdue it. Young men. in niultitmles. liave left the pa- ternal roof, to travel far abroad, to the verv ends of the Jucob'H Mm ion at Bethel. eurtlj, to struiigo mni imk 179 iiig daugor of pi nuwn coimtrieK, ufton eucounter- rouudt'd Jacob. And it •c'(iM..|^ III,. „mm. j^i„Q pages, how to on IL' H IniM ulifiidj been t as that which sur- laud and sea u, ulteih' unl '"•It, Willi a l.uig travel before h old, iu these im by iiig iu desi)ond.-nc.\ d,,*. p,,,Mj,e(i |„.i;,, camoasaninspiiaiinn ; ':i,„l h,l,oUU uull kcvp t/ivc III nil 1,1, known regions, when consider ore him, tln-se word.^ thee (I !/(iin to III in III 11,1 l>l'i /■// //,/,v />/,/,.,,' 77, Of (1 0,1, 11,1,1 llii.s i,: ii„. ,1,1 I,. ,^i II "'II II wakened om '"I'il.v. and a stran ieep be igi .-,euse of the Klil.v <.od. ".v«/r///," he said, 'x '■•< iiiniv ullirr linn, //„. /,y„,^,,. I.hi And rising in n iiirni. f*t;, selling up (|„. hIoi "■ '""cniii^ ,.j|,.|v, j, I""inng oil M]u,u ii, jind ICM le con,secrate(l flie ,"•1 which he lay for a i>ill: tlir H,>iii' imd l.Iessing wliich had iincc of Divine foi '""• ''"liveying. as these did. tl •glVcllCHK UtV (II.. Wl H» assiir- T\ ""/IM'^^'"' "I- i"'" " I'lir him I'liff lio had done. II IS tliouiiht than lie had tilb'd with such (lioii;.|,(„ ,1 fiMti.ui; not coldiv ni nwe and thankfiilncKK W( ' ifM- plane of spiritual <'ver known before, and it "'"I' '> Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 si If ," h ISO Jacob's Life at Haran. The whole toue of the piissage forbias the idea of a spirit of cold, merceuai y baiyaining. It bieathes the same spirit of solemiiily, thauktuluess and humility afterwards ex- pressed by oue of the greatest of his descendants when he sang: "What nIuiU I niiUvr tu the Lord for all His btiicfits loicurd nic.^ I iciU take the eiip of salration and cull «/'^*^'^Pt- frand, the world ins fnr^^f! V, ' *" <""ei'-i-each iind de- of «tron^ X'fio'r fo^hon :\nd T", V'''^'' •'^^"«'^•'■''^.-' order of emotion M'h ch nZ hn/l ^"^'''^' ""^^ ^^ '"^ '^'"f^'h capable of. """^ ^"* "^'^^ '^f ^ol^le natures are had'nm 'In I Sh" tSr'tSl^r^o/h:""' 'V' |- "-^'-'. Raohe, t-f emnc to mo, ilhn, TnT i ^? «''»8in'« arrival : .4«(f Laban all the ner^oMh;' far-off 'ZL o^r™ ''''''' "'^' mother Rebekah nn ^-i ; , *^ "'V.""^''-^ ^^ ^'^"•"'. and his remiTn;d";;?/T:nM';!';/d^:rif- '■" ^^^ *^-^-^ .^-^ he sounds stran^elytn our e.J«^l?r ""7' '""'^ *^^^'' ^'"''^^en there is not S Tn i? out ofwh?.?' ^T'\ •^"'^ '''PParently ered. But let us remeXr fW Jl'""^'"'^'"" ""^ ^^^ ^^*^ thousands of VearsT^ o. ?>f * .*^"r V'^"" ^^''^ ^"^^^n o^f people, in diVe^ n^JZ r '"".^^'r.t'"" of multitudes oiviH.ation. of difforenrennnr'^' '" '^'^''"^"^ ^'^''^^ ot and that what appears to T"' '"•V"^''^ «"'' "««J?e8. peared to otherr^nterTst^nJ n nTT^^'"'" "^"'^ ^"^^ "P" i« coarse and almost indecent.-to'men'^r^d women o? 12 ! 1 ^ 1 1 T.J i ■'■1 ll ii •' 182 Jacob's Life at Haran. ll ■ ^^^Hp 1 ■ H ^^^^^" ■ ' foimer ages, and even to those of different countries even in our own — is natural and proper. Especially let us re- member that the twelve sous of Jacob became the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel, aud that to all th6 members of these tribes, the circumstances under which the head of their own tribe received his name would be a matter not only of great, but of abiding interest. For names were al- ways signilicaut, either of personal qualities or of the cir- cumstances of birth. The birth of a child being in cir- cumstances of rejoicing he was called Judah, or Praise ; when in gloom and darkness, he was called, in the lan- guage of despair, I-cha-bod, "The glory has departed." The Divine Being Himself is referred to again and again in till' form of a Name, "77(c ;((?»((■ of the God of Jacob de- fend thee," But it is evident that Jacob early displayed what would be called a capacity for business, and that, in the course of a very few years, ihe whole management of the affairs of Laban was committed to him. and to Laban's great ad- vantage, Jacob did what many a cai)al)le manager has done in these times, he enriched his employer. Jacob, af- ter a time, could say most truly: "Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me. For it was little which thon hadst before I came, and it is now increased to a multitude. And the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming. And now," he adds very naturally, for he had married and had many children, "when shall I pro- vide for mine own house also?" IMost reasonably said. And the answer practicall" is to give him what would be calh^l in these times a sh a. the business, Jacob thereupon made an arran^i, ; at wherebv his knowledge of the breeding of cattle, sheep, and goats could be used hereafter to his own adAantage, as hitherto all his knowledsje. industry and experience had been employed to the advantage of Laban. The re- sult was that as the years went by he hicrcnRed excmlivqh/, ffHff had much cattle, and maid-servant!^, and men-servants, and caineU and asse.9. A wonderful change, indeed, from the dav when he had crossed the Jordan with nothing but a wallet and a staff, and made his way to his kindred in Haran. a friendless and homeless fugitive. CHAPTER XXin. JacoU-S K„TUItN AND XlUIIT UF WkeSTLINQ. UeNKSIS XXXI AND XXXII. tent nephew oi' i,,.,,.- relntil^^ , " '^^''"-^ '"^^ compe- And this Jacohno dKernitL tTl'^^^^^ ^" '^'"^•^• with his wives wh t n.V. '^''; -^*''^'' ^"O'lfi^iHug "/«^/)..' ."""^^ '"^"'^•"'"f?- Crossing the hill co,/„/.ro/ r^Lj f ^'''' ^' *'' ^''' f'"' '^>"-^"-^^« worn and we dfnown ond Z'""' '^"'l''^'^^^ ^'-^ « ^^''^'l- come When a pCTugltWe; Il^ne""" ''' "^^^'^ '^^ '"^^ app:Si;";irf:.;;7r..r f'o* "^n ^""^r-' '''^'' ensues he savs he hc,'^ if h.f^o' J^'"^ oollo.,uy which colloquy refers .n fit to J ''""'"' ^"^ "^^ ^""' ^""■^- '^^^ carried' off. o^V- • ^""'^ 'niiifros which Rachel hn a+„,-i ■ i Jike this incident in that relntod rf <-L. ^ Strikingly ono: the .a^p^iC Z^^'^ a^ftoT'LTtT™™'' ™, tftr •:7 ' II '^ it} i 186 Jacob's Return and Xiyht of Wn'stliiiy. , lllt^ By this time Jacob has entered tbe territory ruled by bis brothel', aud, with characteristic prudence, he sends mes- sengers to Esau. It was a somewhat indefinite message they carried, but it meant, doubtless: "I am now rich, and have the nieans of repairing wrong. AVhat ransom shall I pay ? On what terms shall we meet, and what wilt thou exact for my passage through thy territory?" -Fiicob must hiive Availed sonic days before llie messen- gers returned, but when they did return, they brought ter- rible tidings. Esau sent no answer whatever. Not a word had he to say. lint he was coming to meet Jacob witli an armed band — a company of four hundred men — sufficient to sweep Jacob and all he had from the face of tbe earth. The proi)be tl,(. sloppin- oncampniont. and ,.anso(l them in TIHH. llus l.,.inK (lone, lie passod over to the side f mm w .eneo tl.e dreaded troop of his brother w^is ap,^oael n^ And now (li,> narrative proceeds:— "Pl'roacning. "And Jacob was left alone- //* "'S.'"'""' "■'■'■'"''^ " "'"" '"■''' '"■'" «'''^" ''"- '"•'■^^•'■"V «f This niysterions event was. doubtless, a Divinelv-sent dream so vivid as to have all the impress on of re" iv the « xeir Tnent. Mentally and spiritnallv. it was a realitv Look.ng ea,.efnlly at the oironmstanees. thei is nofi il broS^Fs V' wlo' "'^'^"^'^'•" ''''' ^^ ^'-"^^'^^ '^ "- "i" •u Jf. : ■''•''^ enronnterinp: him. stopping the Tl';;, h"^'/*''^"""^- «^'""«fJ>i".^ to overthw him There wr,>stled a mau ,rifh hin, fnot Jacob with the m.T All throngh the long night, in vioh^nt conflict. Jac b's son IS wronght to the highest pitch of excitement npdsren'h ..,4 i in A i !1 w ■ i ,"'! ; i .^ , ;'i ^ ,.<* 1 188 Jacob's Return and Niyht of Wrestling. m iiliuoHt supernatural, like that of a drowninj,' man, bia antat'onist shUKKling to overthrow, he holtiiug on iu de- fence with Ihe tenacity of desperation as he thought of his wives and his children. This went on hour after Luur, until all in a moment the vision changes, and he becomes conscious, hy a single touch, that it is no mortal man, no J'lsiui, that is before him, but the very Anuhl ok the Cove- nant who had appeared to Abraham, to lii.-i father Isaac, and to himself. And now is jtroduced an intensity of longing that is in- describable. "Lc/ mc go," says the Heavenly visitant; try- ing his faitli. T" 'u(;h Jacob replies, crying out in an agony, knowing whom he it addressing, determining with the boldness of desjtair rather to die than be disai)])i>int.ed, "/ trUl not hi Hue //o c.rccjit thou hlis.s nii!" F(»i' lie \\;is now liel|>less. He had been rendered, by a touch, utterly un- able to wrestle. liut he could still cHikj and hold on. And then, crying and clinging, and holding on in the very in- tensity and agony of supplication f(»r an assurance of bless- ing, he obtains it! For now. for the first time, the Divine visitant speaks, nnd the word aj)nk(ni is one that recalls the past. Mhot is till/ name? asks Ibis all-powerful opponent. And he said, J.\(On. Jacob! the snpi)lanler, the deceiver, the man who has wronged his brother. Jacob, the supplanter! Yes, I must confess it; I am. indeed, that wretched and sinful man. I deserve to ])erisli, but if T perish, I perish at thy feet! Thus, long generations affd another of his descendants, the beautiful and patriotic Queen Es- ther, before the Tersian King. Ahasuerus. And as she obtained the desired boon, so did this man. r The question was. doubtless, intended to bring out, at |such a moment, all this train of penitential thought, and ^was antecedent to the l)est()wment of the blessing. Jacob had risen to the very height of herric faith and perseverance. As said the jirophet Ilosea, referring to this very circumstance in after times, ''ne wept, he made sui)j)lication; yc^a. he had i>ower over the angel, and pre- vailed." The answer came in a way that has been remembered in alt subsequent generations, viz.. in a change of imme. "77/;/ nntne fdiall hr called iin more Jiicnh, but Tshael (the word signifying ruiNci: of Gon); for a.i a Prince Jiofit thou power with God. and irifh wen, and haat prerailed! The names here clearly symbolize character. For. as a mere appellative, the name Jacol) did appertain afterwards to him; and he was only occasionally called Israel. "Rut the character of .wpplanter disappears. Ever after this, the , Jovoh^s livtnrn and M,„u of Wresfli,,;,. 89 '"■V";;;';!";;;;;! t:;^'.:;:''^'-, ^ar beyond the bio^smg o^k m.v „..! I'':h , „/i „ "^l^^^ only the answer, ir/i;/ ^•'••Hv k„.,w. \V "m. n "'1' imp ,es that Jacob .should f»l. tho Hu,..o, M , . ,, f 'u"' '"' ^'"' tl'e All-Powei- iiifr.' »» iiiu, tlie God of pi-ouiise and of bless- H-ne. b., „;",•; ; .;■ 3-^- ^i'; ;';^^'>t of this earthfy '">.'. ■•in.l i( w,,s tlH. uuvulJ f morniner was dawn- H.e nmue of (h. , ] . ! pZrl^^%}^l '''''' f"^^ '"^n .alls «"«. h. savs. (Jftrc ;^;^: '"j ^■'"■l.J'f.^od! for I have I'lnce of ( „' first vtinf ( ' fV"'^ ''/^'' '* />mn-mZ/ The «..;. nt.:'; :'::'i;;::r";,;?":';/'f^'V" towam; his company, the "Pon /^•»^ ' T w i-InSl ''''"^ " *'''^ J^'"'''^«^' ti.e sun 'rose in his winj,^H. '" of nphteousness with healing "Po" tl.; su.^ Tob ;L ?-n ''•'J'^':""" andSnbeansdid to his own <• n rv o^ tl 'I'T^'''"" f"'^ ^'^^ '^--^"^'"^ off !'•' of ^h'ssinL^ had tlfo /.n,. I'i' T/:*^ '^^^ V'"^"^ •'^-•"•^^'1 tnnied (Ii,> heitrt of E ntr. had tho hearts of all snu toward his bi-ofher men in his hand, and aftain. By 1 1 1 1 1 1 190 Jucnh'H Rcliini (111(1 .\i(ilil of ]Vicstliii(f. I M tht> tiiiic tliat tli<-,v nu't. all hustih- liiiiii^^lilH had puHsod awa,v. They nicl in peace. The account of the lucL'ting iH incxpi-csHibly touchinjj. .Jacob went on before his wives and children, iiiakinjj; (tbeisance in Eastern fashion, bow- iny seven times until he came near his brotluT. Uut Ksa'.i "ran to meet him, und embraced him, and fell on hi,'< tieek, and kissed hiiti." Fell on his ikmR and kissed him I A wonder- ful encounter, indeed. Where, then, jire all the armed men, and where tlu' visions of these men, with Ksau at their head, .smiliiKj the mother irith the ehitdren.' Surelv the revulsion of feeling to Jacob was as great as when he first found liiniKclf. a \hh)v and friendless fuj,M(ive, welcomed to the home (»f his ancesters in Ilaran. Nay, far greater. For the armed men weie ai'ouiid him. evidiMici' f h )stility and power. Hut the enmity was taken away, and the man whfim he expected to "smite the nntther with the children." falls on his neck and kisses him. the very wurd^ Im-Imja the same as those used by our Lord \vh(»n desci-ibin"!, tli" alVec- tion of the father wiien receiving home his lonu-lost i)ro diyai son. Is it any wonder that they both wept. In these tears was washed away the enmity of twenty years < n the part of Ks.iu and of years of i-emorse on the jiart ot Jacob. And now the generous souled elder brother, — one can- not help being drawn to him. — refuses the large ])resents sent by the younger, saying: "/ hit re enough, mi/ brother; keep tiidt thou hdftt unto thi/self.'' lint Jacob entreated him with touching grace, saying: "/ hare seen thif face, as thouffh I had seen the face of God! . . Take. I pray thee, my blessing. For Ood hath dealt graciously with me. and I have all I need." And he urged him, and be took it. If any person imagines these times as days of barbari3ra, let him read the story of this meeting between Esau and Jacob, of that also between Abraham and the men who owned the land he bought for a tomb; as w^ell as the j*^'^ ney of Abi'ahiim's servant to tlu' land of hii fiiMi.'vs; and say whether it would be possible to find more beautiful exami)leH of eoui'tesy. hos|)itality, and true refinement of f(Mling. in any age. or any country, even in those most highlv distinguished bv civilization, down even to our own dav. ' Like a true and courteous knight of the middle ages, Esau now otVeved to march with his band at th" head of Jacob's company. T irill (jo before thee, he says, obviously for protection. But Jacob felt instinctively the unsuit- ableness of so large an escort as this, or even of any com- pany of spearmen at all. For he was now close to the border of the land of Canaan, and considered that his own ./«'•«/>•« Hvhnn ,„„l .\ujht of WrrslUnq. 191 .'' 'V \ m I H, i f* '>iMflii CHAPTER XXIV. Joseph. Getmis 37, 39. After parting with his brother Esau, Jacob passed over and seitled. with his family, once more in the land of Canaan. There he remained, moving hither and thither as his fathers had done before him, seeking pasturage for his flocks and herds according to the changing seasons. Hut ther(.' is no record of any visit to the region where his aged father was dwelling, until the day when his brother Esau and he met round the patriarch's grave. As for bis mother, she has passed from the scene in silence. Not a word has been said of her since the shameful transaction by which her eldest son was wronged and his brother com- pelled to fly. She was left, apparently, deprived of both hei' sons, to reflect in silence on the wrong she had done, and to die unnoticed. Jacob's sons, as they grew to man- hood, exhibit strange traits of lawless violence, their lives being characterized by cruelty, idolatry, and licentious- ness that comport strangely and contrarily with the des- tiny that had been foretold of this family." The record of IJieii- treachery and xitdence willi Hie yoniur im')iic<' --.f Shechem. only redeemed by the indignant outburst of Si- meon and Levi at the dishonouring of their sister; the li- centiousness of Judah and the wickedness of his children; the cold-blooded, murderous dealing of the majority of them with their young brother Joseph, combine to form a picture of family depravity that carries us back to the days before the flood. The only redeeming feature in the story of Jacob's children is the romantic career of the youngest but one, whose goodness, indeed, shines out only the more conspicuously against the dark background of the wickedness of most of his brothers. The narrative, however, illustrates two things with great force and vividness. The one is, the absolute impartial- ity of the narrative, carrying, as all Scripture narratives of the kind do. to a fair-minded and thoughtful reader, an absolute conviction of its truth. If these stories were the mere mythical compositions of some Hebrew chronicler of after times, it is impossible to imagine that such wicked deeds would be recorded of the fathers of the race who t-tiB Joseph. jg^ 'I «''olL',S(iue fonuj, we have il,r. ,,. n ^""^^ J^-^^^y (except in '>'"» Judah, aiKl IJenionM-,. '''"'-'' ''^ «"ueori, and Levi "^' ""■•' ol\he ameTlooS\:"tr"'' "^ ^'^^ -ipellau'14' SPIXTCH of talent, ge fus 'i ; "'«'!'-^''^''^ i""' '" ^ 'nu.,, cun.n.s <.f tlu^s^' ,'.;f^\^" --^^^^ ^^all the civilized 'J»'«f'lf. not only in the sphere of ' ' ^''■"'^'^ "'""" f^'^' «l''P:'fKl. letns.isoil', ; '^T'^"7' ""d .slatc«>nau- vnlon.e. Strnnfro. one miv U ' ''^'••'-"•''•■''i-ted b.ui.- H'..uveH that, withCeoi vo^^'inf- '''""'*' l'™^'^^«^ ^^'o^^ owsly corrupt. exceptions, were so villain- f;;-;' ''-'"V^'-'' ••ons..,,„,,,;...f,^^^,,.^ ,,;;"<;« ^'-anspire that '"^•'l.'nu||ij,htontofda.a"e,s i^^^^^ «'*'"^^ «"* <^f <••- MS (hot IMvine ^n-ace s not n '.;.''''' ^f*"'^'^^"^ teach- ;";"•• <">..'r nnalitic^ and fa"" ,«e m 'v h ^^'^^?^'*^' ''^^■ ^iod are not '7^o/t(, of blood woV ./=% •^,^^ ^^'^ «"«« of K-MMl n.en n,a.y at times Ime ve;v b^'?*"''""'" ^'^«^« t^at <""■'•■- l'".>lish dauohters and it iL 1'''°''/'^"*^ ^'«^ ^^O" !'':"""• '""••! ..f ITovidence and VrnL ""^r P'^*'^'*^^ ^^^ S»- '^ -iM-'ilual realm tha he^lo^^ o? '"^ *^. ^^'^^^' ""^^^'^ ^^ His iil.me. The npw etE'oT w-^"- ''^^ ''^^^^«b' -'^-h tf one only excepted mu" Jon " of »"*'' ''''P'''^'t.^ whatever, i ^ ".!*«* I f , > ■ r'r uiinpH n the denths nf TTic . '''^"'^ ^'"•'-'i nam o should 19i Joseph. So, theu, uo Hebrew cau make any boast of the men viio were the fouiulers of his nation — with one exception. And, strange to saV; this one is the only one amongst them whose name was not perpetuated in a tribe. TJiere is a tribe of Keuben, and a tribe of Judah, and a tribe of Levi; bat there never was a tribe of Joseph. True, his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, each became the head of a tribe. lUit of these two men not a line is recorded, either good or bad; while Joseph's identity, so far as tribal relations are coucer.ied, is swallowed up in theirs. The Divine Spirit, who guided and ir.fluenced the pre- paration of these ancient records, took care that such a life and character as that of Joseph should not pass away unrecorded md forgotten. For it is told, and it deserves it. with more fulness of detail than even that of Jacob himself, and the story is universally acknowledged to be one of the most touching, beautiful, and iu.structive, not in the Scriptures only, but in all the literature of the world. The narrative opens out, and proceeds from one scene to another in a manner most natural, and very closely cor- responding to the developments of family life in our own days. And not only so, but the more romantic and mar- vclhms portions of it may be paralleled in the scenes and circumstances of many a life in our own century. But Joseph's life is illustrative, in a very high degree, of the wonderful workings of a Divine will, as it orders and controls and over-rules the ways and passions and sins of nun for the accomplishment of i)urposes Avhich, in their ultimate issues, are connected with the destiny of nations and the welfare of mankind. He is seen first as a younger brother, not much unlike the youngest son of Jesse many ages afterwards, mingling with elder brothers as they pasture their flocks. And he sees their evil ways. What these are the narrative only too plainly tells us. Licentiousness, lawlessness, and bloodshed; this is the evil report that Joseph has to tell ; and that, not as a mere tattler and tale-bearer, but as one deeply concerned with the dishonor they bring on such a father and ancestry. The story is instructive in another Wily as sho- ing how the forces of evil in hunuui naturi' i-ise above natural surroundings. These men are leading a pastoral life; their flocks and herds are about them; they live in tents, far from the temptations and sins of cities. Should they not be virtuous ? The inexperienced would say yes. But it is a delusion to suppose that a country life, a life spent amidst the scenes of nature, is more favor- able to virtue, or offers less opportunity of temptation than !i"l lis.' tl«ts VStvlrC ^^T"- ''^^-^^ the on- to devour, comes fom^n alike h?''> *^'""*^ ^^""' «^'^^^^<' Latin father, Jerome, S to t^fe wiM^' '''"'^ '"""^''>- '^'^^' »«ion, but it pursued^ tt ^-ts J^,i;?T-^" ^^'^^^ ^'^^^"Pt- .'" our own .juiet country lieelthr.^'^ li"".seif recorded, m HolitudoH or far-oir ,ia Hes wo .^ .^7" ^ ^•''^"«^'' «^' tamily dissension, quarrels brfw.r,,, )? ^^^^velopnients of ''"iglibors, «tc-aling\,nySi"m,]^n? . ■''*^''''' "««'^'e««ions of ''"•'"• li<<''''iousurvss dnn k .nt^^^^ removing of landmarks, as much of them the.-P « V t ' •'•"•'Ity; all i1h..s,.. ...ik atrocious crimes tha 'ha': Satd V. '^'"'^ ^^ ^^^^ "'-* have been committed in purel^^ ur^, tlie annals of Canada ^^■^.o had breathed al their Hvi"^.'^''*''''^'"''^ ^^^ '"^n u. farm and field. Tl is storv , Ml. -^1"'" '''' "^ ^'^'^^^'^''i an evil report home o the ft li^'-''"'^'!""' ^'^^ ^'^''''^'ns what is daily occurring, i nf , v ^"^•>' *«« «adlv like bandsouu. bo/and "fa 4i I -uid 1 l\, '''''' ''''' ^^'^^^ ^' that his mother, Rachel wVs/l.' \ ^''? "'"^'^^ ^<^''<^^ed <'f her passing away While 7.0,,/^ ^'''^''''' ^^ory it is wan seized with the pangs of cli 1 hi If •"^»'"^'.v'"«-. «he dicating the belief in thelifc of /h! "•|"';^^/""'<'"//, as in- tbe body) for ,/>e iUrd Ih.f Z ^n ;'?,' ''^^'''' t^"-' ut the fii'st !nii-]iose is to shi'- ihe lad oU'riglil. ciisl liis dead botly into a pit, and take his many-colored coat, sm(\'U'ed with blood, to deceive the father. A deadlj pur- pos(\ stii-red u]) l)y that old first liar and murderer, who prompted the first-born son of the human race to murder an innocent brother. Rut the elder son, Reuben, inter- Aen<'il, — intervened with some force and authority: "drUver- I'd the hid out of tlirir haiulH." a''d s^'id 'I et ii v >i l-i'l him. Shed no Hood. Cast him into this pit in the wUderness" do- ing this with the honorable purpose of delivering him when the rest had passed on their way. The party were in the region north of Shechem, near the great route from 'MesojxitjMuin to E "He is our this would have moved them not ?n i^.f S- ^^^' «"PP«sed take him out of the pit and le? Vi^ 1^'"° ^* ^"' but to Human nature, however, TsstrLt?/'*"^. ^"^ ^'^ ^^^her. they could go, in the wav L Iw^ '^ constituted. 8o far But the forced oftliouLL^'^''^ ^°^ brotherly feeline within them. Thjy co" Id Z, 7^^- ^^^^ b^^^rly stro/g They were determined Jiltthese'T^" ""'"^ ^ ^reS Julhlled by their coming under subl'nT' !\^^^ ^^^^ be was not to die, which wonH^I !"bjection to him. if he preventing it, he should b" sold/or'n'^r* "^"^*"^' ^^y o? to Egypt. They would then see L^,''^''^ ^^ carried'^off what would become of his dreams ^'"^ no more, and then so they purposed. But "He thS i?.*^*'^^^ *^«"^J^^' and laughed at them. (Psalm 11 ''**^*^ '° *^« heavens" in^ w:;?^:?i^s;ri::^^%r ^^t? ^uy, for it was Of Silver was ?Je pric^X^po"? lad '" '^l^'"*^ P^ h^^P'/' ^^^ ^^« «^« saved. But a diLT, 1'^^° «"* ^' him. f„„ i.„ ., . J5ur a dismal lot was before nhief, and already distinguished son of a powerful and vvenithv ■I 13 »n the family, was sud ' M 198 Joseph. deuly torn from bis father and his home, and cast down to the position of a slave. So, with this caravan, he slowly makes his way, doubtless in confinement to prevent his es- caiR', iiiul on f'.)()t, weary and foutssure, down through the laud he knew so well, proljably i)assiny neai- his father's eucampiiienl, but unable to make his condition known; then across I he desert until he reaches (he country wheie in so Wonderful a way his dreams are all to come true. As to the brothers, they added to their evil deeds the sins of lying and scandalous hypocrisy. The many colored coat was dipped in the blood of a kid of the goats, and brought to the father with the lying message, "this have icc found, know now whether it be thy son's coat or no." The t()?ie of the message is hard and cruel. The deed they had done had given them up to the power of the devil for the time, and they spoke without a particle of brotherly affec- tion, even of such a thing as their brother's violent death. But the poor father was heart-broken. He "rent his clothes in anguish, put sackeloth on his loins, and viourncti (or his son inanij days. The lying villains who had wrought this mischief pretended to sympathise with his ' grief. They rose up to comfort him, hut he refused to be comforted, saying, I will go down to the grave unto my son mourning!" In this gross and wicked deception practised on him by liis sons can we not see the retribution for deception which lie its a son had jiractised on his father long years ago. Surely the heathen saying is the product of a true instinct and experience of the course of human affairs, "the mills of the gods grind slow, but they grind fine." And revelation confirms experience, that even when wrong-doing has been repented of and forgiven, when its spiritual penalties have been removed and the wrong-doer is restored to divine favor, there are temporal consequences which follow in- evitably, by the laws which Providence has stamix'd upon the constitution of man. The divine government indeed is many-sided. The aspect of the Supreme Ruler, like that of a human governor, is different in its operations as the circumstances of men are different. The Divine Being is revealed "as a father pitying his children," he is also re- vealed as one who will "bend his bow and whet his sword, and shoot out his arrows against the wicked." The same Su- preme Governor, whose administration is founded on im- mutable justice, righteousness and judgment being the foun- dation of his throne, and who will by no means clear the gnilty, is also He who pardoneth iniquity, transgression and sin; nay, who sent His own Son into the world to establish an all-enduring and orderly system of righteous absolution by the offering of his own body upon the cross. All these HI Joseph. 199 cumstances of men in rHaS fn\^ the aspects and cir- wrath pronounced against the i'vTin'' *^''J,"-^<^'"tor of the and trusting soul He TnrZiZfanrf 77^^*^" P^^'^^"* Y% even to them who LllfZl^ ^"" °^ co/rtpos^jon. feres not with thosc^atm U i nv!f ""^ f^" ^^^^^ He inter- evil consoquencos boh?nd ti, ^ n^l ''\'"\''^''' ^^-^'.^.s k.ive tious. though r<'p(n ant *.nT"^ ^-^^ di'unkard and licen- quences of Sn wiS t^^Cn in flu /'''"'m- '•'^"■•^' *"^ ««°«^^- ^ess of e.ve, and in r"na u c' o ri'^'"^' S'"^<^^ >^ f'^eblc <'ou.,,le.v workings oC )i r. "ot ? ^'^" ^^ ^^ ^' '" t^^"^ ..,* if i ' II CRITICAL NOTE. It is worthy of note that the Hebrew word translated ifJZf"''^ ^y f^'^"^ i° hi« heart-broken lament-U°on f^r Joseph, 18 properly a word generally signifyinj; the " nn seen world/' or "the abode of the departed." The word ?8 ^Aco? and corresponds to the Greek word Hades of the l^ew Testament, which has exactly the same signiflcation! 1 ho Hebrew word of the Old Testament, alike with that of the New clearly implies life after death, and thus con- n/^, rn /^ ^^^^^^ *^*^* ^*^^^ ha^e promulgated, that in the Old Testament there is no revelation of such a life. Some obscure passages, both of the former and the latter revela tion, would be made more clear by a proper rendering. Thus, for example, when the Divine Son of God appear^ Zf^^Jl'' the Apostle John at Patmos, he spoke of him- self (as trans ated ir the authorized version) as having the keys of "Hell'' and of Death. The true idea of the declara hrH '% i ^^,!^ ^^""""^ ""^ *^^ ^«^'<1 «f departed souls, done evil *^''°*' ^'''"^ ^°*^ ^^''^^ ^^^ ^^^^ In the earliest creed of the Christian Church the belief IS expressed that Christ descended into fIrU. an oxpiZ sion which has been a great occasion of stumbling to many devout souls; and very naturally so. But the original word has the same signification as that in the Apocalypse, and TJ^'^Vu '' ^^P^^««^d that Christ, after death, passed into Mddcs, the great unseen world of departed souls. The Greek conception of this region is well known, a conoeD- tion which IS referred to with vividness in one of the most wonderful passages of Shakespeare, that, namely, describ- ing the dream of Clarence shortly before his violent death CHAPTER XXV. JosEPu IN Egypt, Ocnvsis SI) au,l j,o a gieat officer of State vfoxlmm}^} I ^''"^ «^ servant that a one visiting the slave mrketYn^ ^^? ''^'^^^t h'^- Such for his house, would natur.iw k ^*'''''^^ «^ ^ man-servant ^*'!>l'-« a,.,„„,a,H.e. anddS -^ ''^ attracted to one of jo* ga'n is made, doubt pI« it- t,''' '"'"^f^^*^ J"'"'- S„ tb^ i,,^ rnorohant-men an^the toun^i"^ 1" *^" advantage of 'tie Y'"^- The officer is caS fn^'^'"'" '' *«^^« *« ^is new nerited from h s father <^« „ i-' ^'^" ^as doubtiesq in master's house, he g adu^,"„^; ^'^ ^""^ «"' ^^^^^n^^^^^ But "h-"""" "■'''' '"■'"■ """ ^""^ tJ^at J "/ ^r /'«*^M-adinff snperstitions, that was worshin.MJ n tL ' -^'''^- ^'"' I^'in^ipal t^od n..bl,.s( (rn Mb s f n, . ': '•'"r"""^^ ^"'l'^- •' «<'"-e*l bull. The when ,b,. ' I, ■ s,i .,:"';"", ™ ^''^'^^^'l "-^t a time ■'"o^l r ••■ '''''"" T>^"''f^^^'-^' innocent, o.'n'ri..i ( „ r, ,f ""^•' ''^'^- ^"'' ^Ji^^f^ two men 1 ; ." 'V' '^^ ""' '^"iff in their handa everv dnv a f-.>..s..,,u<.,, ■ "h Tims ^ r '""'' methods and their bearer .. 1 • '^ ''*'^""' •'''>^"< ^''-'it the nflb-.^ of ,•„„- torn eirJh.fTlfe :«:,"' ""'^ >"-^\"nPortanee: the 'euL- "^ Hiar tuc ciip-bearer mu.st drink himself of that 'J i lit i ' i i fftl ill 204 JoHti/k in Hgi.fit, n J!, winch li«- |);iii(|r|,i is ilirowii on (he NJifcKiiiinlH by wliicli kinj,'H hmu^'IiI (,> miiTound i/M>i..H,.h..s. in Uih v,.,..v iiiinativ.'. Tlu- hiill.T'H olll.-.. wuh to tiifc.*' K'lipt'M from 'lu> vine, and in IMiiujioU'h own i)re- s.rir,. t,,^ ,„vsH (Mil the jnii'c uii«1 present 111.- enp lo ||ie iiid^' Tliis inii.v (lid n<»l cnNiji ilisoliMc iniinnnily from daii^, , for ii d."si;,'ninK' otlliial. li.-iivilv l>ril)('d, niiKht evon ininMlure p<.is..n to lli.. jni,,. of i he ^^i-m,. |,v h,,. picssiire «»f (lie hiiiKl. ItiK (heiv can be no doubl it diiiiinlHhed the unn;;er lo Hie HUiallest posNible dejrree. 'riiesc (W.I ollicer-s. however, were in prison nnder stis- pi< ion .lo'ihdess of desifxns on the kinfi's life, and each of tlieni in (he same ni^'lK dreamed a characteristic dream. DllRAMH. The philosophv of dreams has never lieen nnravelled. Most of them are disconnected, aimless, unreasonable; and' men wonder how such s(ra.nj:e combinations of famdful «'ven(s can possiblv pass throuKli ihe brain. ISiil some dreams afjain an^ clearly lh(> outcome of events aclnally exyjeiiciiced. and which have lefj an umisiialiv sironj: im- i'ies instances, even in our own day, a dream of an unusual kind has Ikhmi followed by an exactly corresponding event. A person li\in^' in one of tho •Mdes of Canada <,nce dnamed (hat a small brook (lowinm(>nt to a considerable depth. This dream > as talked ov(M' at breakfast n(>xt ;|MrmnL'. The month was duly; the weather was hot and iUy. and such a floodinj,' next to impossibl(\ Yet (hat very day. about no(m. by the biirstiufx of a dam in (he neifrliNor- hood. ov.M-y particular of that dre.am was fnlfdled. fiuch thinf,'s are utterly unacconntablt oy any known la^r.-i of niintl. ■ ■ The dreams of the chief cupbearer and chief confectioner were each of them natural enoujjh. And they must be taken to m\ in soiii(> sense. Divine^ premonitions. Jrt?Aph had had dn\'ims liimself. which we know now wen Mivine pnnnonitiona. But tliev w<-re far from ae- er r:T)u. . u at ""-• t'Tpivl (lu'in. >,«>«18— wcro the ixthojih t(» in- '-■"Vv;z!:;r':::;'v;:::;;:'r'Lr'^-v''""^^^ that on,,,,. ,o p„ss. 1„ S w^p "\""I"'' ^'^''■•'•'' •'^""t« "f <.tlu.f inc.- .,v(;.1i , „ ; ,T ' ""''"'"•t'^'»y HUHceptihle *i'" l>ivi.H. wi;;lo;.r ^ ""^''' *" "" ''"P'lrtatiou of Hpe- «"■ unto Phiiraoh un^JJn !' T' "'"' '""'''' ""■"""" of (lun;/ron." '' *''"'* *^'y «^«"W put me into the rinl.'r , f (I .. ■ IT, , 'nf ^"^ '"«t''»ni«^nt that the Supreme pnrpoBeH. """ "^ '"<'" ""'l'''^^^ to a<..o,nplish m^ -="<.i .o,^.;t .;T2.rs; ^"!i^,^"^,m>,t Oirrscns over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land in the seven plenteous years, and lay up corn under thr hnnd of iharaoh and let them keep food in the cities, and that food shall he for store in the land against the seven years of famine " llKMv IS siiifiular wisdom in this advice; lirst. in the recommendation to appoint a man with special powers to superintend the supplies of food over the whole land • next, m the recommendation to appoint subordinate of- ficers under his direction to see that the fifth part of each plentiful year's crop should be saved: and most of all in the recommendation as to this fifth part. For to take a fifth part would not be felt as an excessive amount to with- liold and would pn-dncc no dissaiisfaction ; while as cal- culation will easily show, this amount, added to the much diminished crop of the famine years (for the land would produce some crop even then) would carry the land, with reasonaf.,.> ceononiy. tlir<)n years of scarcily Tlins ler ll liesiij.piised that ;m ordinary ci-o]) averaf-cs tifteon bnshols Fnn''/''''^ ^° f^*" ^''^'''■^ ""^ P^^'^^y ^h^''*^ might be thirty (and we have known such things ourselves). One fifth of this would be SIX bushels. Let it be supposed that the crop in the famine years was only one-half an ordinary crop or seven bushels This, with the six bushels added, r>^ .rf" "''• °'^'''' ^^^^ ^""^ required, both for food and seed, that no inconvenience would arise The practical wisdom of all this so impressed Pharaoh n *^r ; .i.""T ''.""^'''^-^ that no man could be so fit to c ry out the domgn as he that had given the advice. So as this: a man m whom the spirit of God is*" Whatever he might mean by this, or thev understnnd if seems clear that they came to recognizi t?e workTnrof a Ingher than human wisdom in the matfer. the wisd nfo?s„ pmor d.vuW.es. or of One Supreme Lord of Wisdom For l sight. and Providence. That such thoughts have impress- face to face with evidences of Divine power and wisdom IS clear from the Book of Daniel-a man strikingly ™: cumslliTcJ ^'^ '° ""^"^^^ particular of character and Z- Joseph in Egypt ^^^g preafncss of the PvPn+« ^^^'^''^f ^^ being silenced in the should be lifted np at oZrr^;:-' '" ^h^'"'Hl,.t Joseph made, what we woSid caU the P^'' ^.^^^"'^ P««5«o°> and dom. "* ''^^"' *h^ Prime Minister of the King long before. The slave is lifted ^Z^'^T j^^^^^ed forth made ruler of all the land tt I? ^^^ dungeon. He is insignia of RreatnSs L Hdes In Ph^«^'*?/'^" ^'^^ ^"^^^'•d P^nraoh's signet rin^ has a ehnfnf'''? ' '^'''"'^*' ^^^rs while heralds cry before hfm''R ^P^'^ ''^''"* ^'« "'^ck. title is conferred upon him "7-1 "i," *^^,^"ee." Finally a words in Egyptia7 being Va^hnf/r'''''^/^'''-^^*"*^^ daughter of Poti-pherah ^he Priesf J'^'l"^^^' ^""^ ^^ Pnen him to wife. Ro thiJ „L "''^*. ^^ ^""''^ o^ On. is ^oomes the head of the corner • ''^'^^"^ ^^' ^^' ^""'1«''«. it mnv be «aid. "?t is the T ' 7° ^«°.teraplation of which in our eyes." *'''' ^^"^^^ '^ ^^«'nf?. nnd marvellous ■■I f ;■) ■1 pi CHAPTER XXVI. Joseph as Chief Ruler. Genesis Jfl, Etc. JonL'])h, prc])!U'('(l for liigli (k'sduy by a lou^' nnd severe course of diseiiiliiie, as well as by previous experieuee in subordinate positions, enters on the duties of his olliee when he is thirty years of age. His first proceeding was to pass through every district of the country, and put into opera- tion those measures of economy with regard to the extra- ordinary crops, which he had siiggestctl t > the Kin^. Ho would ap])()iut subordinate i.fflcers also to assist in w.rking onit his plans. In tiiis he would have need of Divine wis- dom, for the best measures, the most wisely de.~ign(lling the mean- ing of the dream), and such he doubtless h)oked for and appointed, as he was able to lind them. I'^gvpt had many cities, so calbnl. at that early time, probably more like our country cowiis or villages, many of theuK For the Egyptians were utterly unlike the_ no- mads of the desert or the plains, who never built, but lived in tents. The Egyi)tians were great builders. They congre- gated together. Even the cultivators of the soil lived in villages, as they do in India, and largely in England to this in each of these, then, Joseph established Government storehouses, laii'mq up corn therein, vnder the liand of Pha- raoh bv royal mandate, year after year, the means tnereof bein" a special reservation of one fifth of the yearly crop. This"could be borne without the slightest difficulty at such a time, and doubtless the greater part of tlie people would willinelv co-operate. But this was far too serious a matter I ' II Jo»ciih as Chief Ruler. 211 depended ou"i ' Sore o e W^ 'xlJoining co.uUnes mandate. J-"^r(foie, it was enfoi-.e.l I,, royal .!^"1;;!;.,'"!:^^J"':'«"— 3'ea,s the tw.. suns of , . , - Ji)se])h lt"» g.T,nK G,„l „l| ,1,0 prai,,. Jm" Were hovu wlio were (< '«// fullur's hou -'it ifunvrs Hoiixc, thus irivin.r <<, 'i „ T^ .■/ "^f uau nii advancement; the otlur r> ,7. ■'^^'..*''.'^ P^''^'-^'* «'' ''*« token of the. l.lossin^ 'niau; riS/n'^"r-'"^ '^^'•"''^'"' '» of Mantusseh we d.^not , a * , H V'"' **^ ^''^ ^"'''^ butihatofEnliraim nV ,o "i.>^ul'S."qu.>nt hisiory, the land of o, S^'J ! \'^,^": J^'^^^'^" i»_ ^1'" very eenlre o began. bv ih.se ]ai!l u, b p fv:d, ,S InZl '"f ^ ^ipplemented Arunhe event preveS Ihaf a U Ih^!::'"''' '" '•onnnuni.ies, d I ies. For (he scareilv' w'ls'nonn r' '"T*"' r^I^^i^-' ^'''i''' "«' ded. Srowin. lands'of Vhe ti n Wl' ,n"Y' "'"' '° '"'^ ^"^ ^'^•™- as head of ilie ( overn onT t « *^"^P'.".vn.eni of Joseph, distribution of i^o d d ],on w to 'n '?!;'''"' *''*^ ^'"•' ""^ deveZ;T^,v'.;'^ ^"'^ "'^' r'^-'-^'-i- And^ve^^. r; s to a eondition of deep h.uuiliation anTre.-.n -mee for o ThZ; r^'"/*''^' ^? '"^ ' ^'^"^''^ ^^^"^•" '^«"'^<^ n an e ev Uio,^ if :os:::i;:s\s::;?SaS^S: %-us^jt- ^s^ was th. , of b-.Sn •"' P^'^r ^^ *^'^ "^'^^t'^« "»^'r «'^'duct ^1,0/^; licentious an'' savage barbarians; in the latter that of men worthy to bo the head , of a nation thrS which the light of salvation was to be p.e^^erved for aiuie The scarcity affected the land of Canaan. It was doubt- less by a continuous series of hot and dn yearTaffec n'- all countries. To Egypt it meant a low rising of ?le NHe £V?ni'' ^T T^'^' i^'* '"'^^"* ^^ "^''^y u;derstanHt > -r, r v , ',.1 ''"^^ '" ^'"-^ ««*''^ *"« i^o^bf whi.h filled the , wth ,':;"'■*:::?/ "°"/''^'^ eircnn.stance retribution or otluMv..tn:,,-n' ?'T ^^*''*'''''* ^'''^^ s>me other, ''What /, /U /I, ;? / T,^';/";'^ ^^f'^' ^'^'^^ "»** <« ^u- «ee the working, o Vt/n n i f '' ^'*/ " ^^^''^^ ^^ viz., the moiinition of i.i \ "f ^"'''^ "^ ^^''^f* »o°J«. ''t/^^;.=:€ «E?'-™--"■""■ viz., that benjamin must to doti tH, ;? V,^'' '^ '"°*^^^-' not boar it, and broko out , h h ' ^'''^ '•'^^ ""^» could sons, '^)/e;r/,«^X'„ ;'V ,,^'^1/7^^^^^^^ '''^'^i^^t hi. he added wor irwhid /, ,,f ' f'"T:"i' ""'"■"■" '^"1 then exclamation of a man ahout\X,; f. , * T ^''^^^^''t-l-roken have settled so thic ly t in no / ' •'" "^ diversity words have in tl en '[ h sio ni *- \^ '? ^^ *'^''"- ^'" * th« the sequel shown /Lfh^ " 'i* inexpressible, for "showeks of Esing '^ '^''' ^''^' ^^«"^« ""^'^'^ f^Jl of eo^S"'^s^ ne ] of Canaau. What possible interest could this great poten- tate in Egypt have iu a family of strangi-ra and foreigners, who only came ou the same errand as aun.lreds of others, to buy supplies of corn to keep them from starsiug? Why should he trouble himself about thcin in particular/ But dire necessity knows no law. Judah again speaks: ^'.S'c«(/ iliv lad with me; 1 uill be surety for him; of my hand tihalt thou require im. If I briny him not to thee, let vie bear the blame forecer." Brotherly and filial affection U marvel- lously developing under the heavy pressure. The furnace of affliction is refining their character. Then spake the father, ''If it must be sn, take presents, and take ba'ck the money he returned, an 1 take your bro- ther, and God Almiyhty give you mercy before ih; man! ' The image of some cruel and remorseless tyrant was l)efore him. W'ith sore misgivings of the result he cried, ■"// / be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.'' For the second time they took their journey, and appeared before the man they so much dreadeJ. This man, tliis terrible Lord of Egypt. But now there is a series of still more remarkable events; a kindling of tlie r.flner's fire to even a liotter point than b 'fore, a more terrible applica- tion of the dicipline of suffering. Yet n )t at one. For they were lifted up, before they were cast down to the depths. Much to their astonishment they were invited to the house of the great ruler; and also much to their alarm (v. 18). For they concluded he would take occasion, from th 3 money they took away, to arnst them and reduce them to slavery. Btill they were haunted by the idea of bondage, as guilty men always anticipate from others what they have meted out themselves. But apparently their fears were groundless. Simeon was brought out to them, most 1 kel y a much changed man from the fierce desperado of former days. Tliey were ushered with much ceremony into th(» presence of the man they feared, who, to their gr. at relief, spoke kindly to them, again asked of their welfare, and said: "Is your father well, the old man of irhom ye spake? Is he yet aUre?" Marvellous words, indeed, to be spoken by this Egyptian I>otentate to them, through an interpreter. Then Benjamin was noticed, and he said: "Is this your younger brother, of of whom ye spake to me?" Then, the bonds of brotherly affec- Hon bursting through all restraint, h3 added, in a tremu lous voice, "God be gracious to thee, my son.'" But Joseph could bear it no longer. He hasted away, sought out a pri- vate chamber, and burst into a pa-*sion of weeping, (v. 30). But the meal bye-and-bye was served, and iu all ceremony Joseph as Chief Ruler. gls n exact order of seniority. sSvthP^^' ""Tf ^^' ^^^^^^^ tlii8 man is a magician am T^fi^' ^^ ^^^^ ^^a^e tliouifht E^'.vpt. But the^S p"ted S°h^ J,^^" «« t''o Lord of *^o far all went well ,',,7 ^"'''^ ^''*^'' '^"»" (v. 34.) practised on them, the obiect L^niT/ ^^'■''°»'' ^''"80^ wa« dust in penitential humiStiorfn h'"'* ^''*'^™ ^o the very strongest tension the corl ' . ' / m'""''' °"*^ ^o tiie very thm together as they nev r we JkoI^, f f^^""' *'^ bind and sons. An artifice it was ]L in f^^ ^^ ^'•««'^''« only defensible on the crom 1 nJ ^ *"" '^ stratigrmi in war, ^t; coming, indeed, perHoSvn'e * ?o'?hV\' '^^' ^^^'^^^^ f''««' good might come. But after nfi J ^ '^T^ ""^ ^vil that Zr.otV the encnias'^'i.CbTed"^* ^^^'•^^^^^^ ^"^«^ to the/oLer ^To ^s^erved ^hem' ^T;^r'T ^'^^ ^'•-" cnp of tlie great Piinm l\f njJl ^ . '* *^'^' ^'^^'^r dnnkinj?- of the .vo««?.,s.A;o / .' So then 'on."'' -^^^ V"^ '"^^ ^he sack all left in peace. But befSe he^^ S"^' ^" ^^^ '"«^"inff they S'aid to the steward- '•rofn/7.1?/'^'^ Proceeded far, Joseph 9oodf Ye have sMei m M^^^^ '''""'"''^"^ '''^^ lor cvif in so doinff.' " ^ ^' * divmmu cup. Ye have done thH?ricenr''^f r?!/''^ "^" P^'^^-*^^ ««J-nly silver, they-wh'o had'b Z'll^k alUh.*"'' ^^\'-^«t<^r'« en them? And they adSth ani * '*' °'''"^-'' ^''^t g^v- anpc and sate return ^^ °' "P'^'"''.'' 4e"''i="' demands of them rnimMx, «TT7».„* :„ .V//^,- (^- !+)• He •! ■ i| lughly, "TF/ifl^ /s #/„-s ^,e j,„^^ g^„^ ? Knr. ye not mat such a one as I can certainly find out?" Then If™ 1 I,, ■li: ■ i' u t 1 216 Joseph as Chief Itulei Judali, once more speaking for tlie rest, said, ''What shall ic»- say unto my hmlf What shall wr spvakf H(nr shall ice c'ear otirselreur' Then ho adds the im-xpressibly solemn words, ''f/or/ hath found nut th" iniquity of thy srvanls." Innocent of tlie present eliar^'c, as they were, the guilt of their villain- ous wrong-doing of twenty years before was now weighing down their spirits with anguish uiispeakaMe. *'.)/// .s/'// (.>• crcr before me," exrhiiined the great King and Psalnii«t of after ages, himself a descendant of Judah; and to these nieu had now come a powerful conviction of sin, doubtless by the Spirit of (Sod, working repentance unto salvation not to be repented of. Then he added, ''We are my lord's scrvints. both we an^l he vith whom the eup w found." JJut the great master leplied, God forbid; only the man in whose hand the cup is found, lie shall be my servant. ".Is for you, yet you up in peace unto your father." Had they been the men of twenty years before, they would have accepted this piopo-ial, which gave them their freedom at once, and, without a shadow of coin])nncti( n. left Benja- min to his fate. Hut they were changed men. The iron of disciplinary sutfering had sunk into their soul. Penitence bad dawned, and with penitence came tenderness of affec- tion and a brotherly kindness before unknown. 8o then, with a bursting heart, Judah once moie spoke, uud spoke in words of the most touching putluis that have ever been embodied in humaTi language. Nothing in all literature can be found so tender, so moving, so simjdy eloquent, as these of the rude Canaanite shepherd, pleading before one who was at once a great Egyptian potentate, anil his own much-wronged younger bi other. "Oh my lord.'' he begins, (v. IS), ''let thy fcrrant .'ipeak a leord in viy lord's ears, and let not thine anyer burn ayainst thy serrants. for thou art eren as Pharaoh." Then proceeding, he tells of the family, little dreaming that the ears of him who was listening were burning witli interes't as he went on: "My lord asked, hare ye a father or a brother F And we said unto my lord, we hare a father, an old mun: and a child of his old age, a little one. And his brother is dead." C\h! his brother is dead! but who, Judah, brought that about?) "and he alone is left of his mother, and his father Invcth him. And thou Saidst. Bring him down to me; but we juid, the tad cannot leave his father, for if he should lave his father, his father u-otild die! And thou saidst to thy serrants. Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye .KI him not to inro'frr,,,,,,, , ,,,, ^,,^ ; / '/^ • « . .,/ /.- n.t ,rW, n,e, lest "'•' llllI•(l(^s( J„ai't ^vnlZ t"^*'^ '''■'' f^fhci-r J"' N,„|,l,>„|v ,.,i..,l out rL':] J'' ''>'''''> to, ,0 out fnm me:' '•'■•''''••'''^l'i'-r"''nHn>f;ii,^' .'• '''"'" '^^' «lono will. hU ^^ l.iU iiiUHf h„ve boon „^« ,'"■'''''' ''^''''■*^- ^v .0,, (i.iN fr,,,„ EuvptL lo wlw. ',"' '""'" *'«tonished JI"N I..H( (,.,H.|, of affoo o :: "i l^^f^' '^^'' mucr yd live?- Y' 1." i..-.d bo,.n I.^aHni ? is f^th "* ';!":,'' ^ n"ostion- "'V ...roy you.'' On their coming near he went on. "/ ain, Indml, Jusepk. your brother, whom ye sold tnto Lyyptr Then, with tenderness beyond expn ssion, he went on to say, "lie not yricved. nor angry with yourselves, for God sent me before you to preserve lif-. There are yet five more years of famine. (Jad sent me befoie you to save your lives by a great deliverance, tio, it was not you, but God, sent me here, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of his house, and ruler over the land of Egypt." Were they not dumb with astonisliment, as men in a dream, when they heard this; and almost more so as he said. 'Haste, go up to my father. Tell him. thus sailh thif son Joseph, God hath made me loid of all Egypt. Come down, tarry not, and thou .shall dwdl in the laiidof Goschcn. and there uill I nourish thee, for there are yet five years of fa- mine; lest thou and thy household, and all that thou hast,— come to poverty." Wonder of wonders, they must have thought, as the e gracious words fell from his lips. But not a word could they reply. Then, seeing that they could not realize it, could not believe iheir very eais, he said, probably casting off some portion of his head-diess, that they might see him more as lie used to be, "And behold, your eyes see, and the ei/es of my brother Benjamin, that it is my very mouth tchich speak- eth to you ." Then with an exquisite touch of nature he goe» on, "And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen, and haste and bring my father down hither." Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept^ and Benjamin fell on his neck,— Benjamin first, the son of his own mother Rachel. Then he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them. — wept upon them. Up to this time they had not dared to utter a word. But now. they tailed with him. What a conversation tiiat must have been! but the Divine Spr t has not seen fit to have it recorded. But the fame of all this was heard in Phara"< such as were r^on^r ^H^>^o■(h Mi !,,''*'; "'•[''l'''^'"-^ ^""-S" «'f affairs. poH(ni(v wo„ soion / o, '?'^'"'^ '" ^^»'^"l'''"n that his land; W,.„I<1 Huff^T vv ,^'^ ^'"•^^'"'''''•""^ '■» '-^ strange led to this .niKr,m',ro /■/'•'"'' •'''''" "'^ "^'^'"^^ that and w. now „ VTlin nJim^^^ "^ '"' *'"' ^arth, ehoHon fan.ily fn n t , S"wl o!"^ 'h*^ «.>pa>-ation of this' throe K^'norations '^"' '''*'^' ^'^^'^ sojourned for w^'aJ 'f:;:d:^;uV^:^;;i:l\;^'';,:'"V,^^'^ t'*'* "---*« - se,.h. tha( (!,' h I b i f. "''i r''"^«"''- «Pof Book of Emigration as well as the Book of Origins. For example: — 1. We have the great movement of the whole pDpulation after the flood down the valley of the Eujihrates. But they moved in disobedience, keeping together instead of spread- ing abroad, and ended by the folly of the Tower of Babel. 2. Abram was an emigrant, leaving his own country by Divine command and going to a land he knew not. But hi-t emigration was a work of loiifldence and obedience, and was accompanied by an untold blessing. ."l. Lot emigrated, too, going down to a lovely country. But he asked no Divine direction. The inhabitants of the nerations, afteiwards the whole nation, emi- grated, going out from a land of oppres-sion, under Divine guidance, to tlie land of promise. But as i»reliminary to this, the old patriarch and his family break up all the ties and associations of a lifetime and are going down to a country as absolutely different from the one in which they have been brought uj) as it is possible to conceive. But this migration was of God. The first day's journey ended at Beer-Sheba. that famous "Well of the Oath," so often mentioned in these narratives. And there he offered saeriflces. At every sj)ecial crisis of Jacob's life he had betn favoied with a Divine revelation and promise of blessing. So it was at Bethel, on leaving liis old home. So it was at Mahanaim, when about to rae^t his brother. So it is now, as he is on his way to th's un- known country of P^gypt, in extreme old age, not knowing what may befall him there. He is at the very extremity of the land of Canaan, a land which he intuitively feels, con- sidering his time of life, he can uev< r see again. Looking back with the regret of an old man, he must undoubtedly have felt apprehension on looking forward to the desert Jacol and His Family go down to Egypt. ^ 221 Hi-" i."t ins ILa tti:^^ ':;:^^% '% "^«^"- -"^ Joseph l.iH'"wm"a;;d^^^r^ tl,c tram Thes., wU, Joseph, W«.-. fan„-„o, or .migration ! r'^' "\''!"ff ' "n.hookod by -A*^ to tho ob^ct t , f *'n ^'""^ '*'■ *'»*' Exodus. «iHy at< n 'so ',1 V'" ""'" ""'""'"'i' ^''^uld not po.- First, th t InUn ?o,P^/"'^ ^'* '^ ^'^ considored:- ^vidiont Kciontific basis o^ il If. Ti.-- ' * 'V ''"■'' ^'^^^^^' oonsidei-ablo d.-^nv to \ 1 l n-nn '•'^1''^'^'; ^"'^*^^'^' ^'^ ^ tlioso oarlv times vhir^, all clironnlofjn^al calculations of ''""■an es im t's and fo nf "^ '"^ ron.end.ered. a.-o purely wore (H>ncorned ThL J '^?. 'J^'^""- ^« f'"' ^' they <'inHT by war Vr b?S^^^^^ fi'n.nntion of numbers. tlH- Kf Jer paVrof%,rpcS,HlHn wen^^ ^"''^"^ oiiN. And even wlio.i +v„nJ„ • ^'*'* •'^"'^ pi'osper- rnr;^t fact which nolf^ '"""'''' ^''"^ »»'Hiplicd ami l.c In.o. "'"•^^'" experience conflrms as likely to y^yVi!'2^:^:^^-r^- 7-fny of people arnvin, in tile hind of r 'anaa ^ J: ;?.">'' ^'^-f ^ *^^^^-i' t has been out. in "1^ nearest to .u....n.utu.e,,,hetat;S;'ca„'.iral™,i the course of •A* '2 i i J 3 : ' .:SS , • I 1 M 222 Jacob and Bis Family go down to Egypt. which the British troops marched when tliey encounteretl and defeated the usurper Arabi at Tel-el-Kebir. In thTi land of Goschen the sons of Jacob pursued their occupation of shepherds and herdsmen for many generations. One may marvel that so much of the care of the Supreme Lord of the Lniverse should be with this little company <;f peop e, who were, all of them, so far as the civilization and cleveiopmonts of this world are ccnceried, so very far be- hind the people amongst whom thev came to sojourn. Hu- manly speaking, it might be thought that the Egyptians would be the favoured jeople; for their capacity for art, architecture, science, literature, learning, government, and social development, was, even at that early oav, far beyond anything known by these uncultured shepherds and herdsmen of the land of Canaan. But, even then as it was in after ages, the law of Divine procedure seems to have been, that not the wise, not the noble, not the great of this world should be chosen to exhibit and transmit a high order of spiritual development. (1 Cor., I., 20). For let us consider. What, of all this science, religion, learning, literature, phi'osephy of the Egyptians has survived to our own times, as a light to enlighten, or quicken, or direct the ways of men? Is there a single particle? Do men generally now read the lives of Egyptian leaders, or ponder the precepts of Egyptian sages, or follow the words of Egyptian devout men to express religious hope or aspiration? Is there such a thing known anywhere in the world? There is not. On the contrary, is it not a fact that tens of thousands, nay, on innumerable multitude of p' ople in these times, and for many generations back, have found in the records of Abraham's life and words, and also in those of Jacob and Joseph, a powerful stimulus in the way of righteousness? There can be no shadow of doubt about it. The Egypt'ans of that age have left no sign in the active spiritual sphere, marvellous as are their works in architecture and sculpture. These shepherds of the land of Canaan hare, and the sign is not of superstition, or bigotry, or credulity, but of the most rational faith i'nd hojie that have ever" been known amongst mankind. This, then, is the reason for the other- wise strange Divine procedure. But while the settlement ..f the family in Egypt was go- ing on, the famine incre-tsed in severity. "The faminp was vcri/ sore. There ((v/.v no hrcid in all ihe land. The land faint- ed hecanse of Ihe famine.^' ('hup. XLVII.. 1.3. The measures that weie taken by Joseph as administra- Jaml and BU Family go down to Egypt. 223 J^oi''„Vd1„lte?i^i:!,^;f ;;"'=-«» With much „n. for it was obvioii«li atn ° *" *^^^^*^ ^ho coiild pay and universal almsgivinff So J« "I ^f • Y'*^"" "^ g-^S^ntia be found. It is evident frornthf' f ' ^t^^^'^' ^^^ fault cou:d tive that the condition i?i '' '''i"''^ ^''"^^^ ^^ f'e narni- from that of Indh in thLl*" '?"*'•" ^''^^ ^''^^'l^' ^ifferert millions crowd tie iand ^f."""^"? */"'^«' ^^^« swarming? precarioi's subs tenee ' £vn?^."*,*^^.,^''* ^'^ ""^^« ^>"^ '^ populated and pSTv n^^S*' r"^^.''^'^' '^"'^« <^°'y tl""'y of a larjre and Si disfH.i^ SI '.,"';' '}^^' ^'''''' «'« fact free for the fam^lv of ifnoh . ^'^ ^''^J*'"^ ^^ Go. chon bein^ occupy with their flofk«nnS "^ '?'*''''^ themselves over, and then^^as much more liLJharo'^'j,,,^''^ '""•'^'•^" ^^ ^^'-^P* toba, where a small Vinmhl^r ?. "^" Province of Mani- over largftracrof lanTan^rl' •'^''■''**''''' ""'^ ^'"^^^ dotted would be defmed fneted?l leT^ farming of ihTklv^ Ponli T'^ accustomed to the EgyptifnculivatorVasw'fnaJIJrnr'? Y'^''^''^ *^^«^ in the settlement orThronnf '^* '"^^ "•" ^^'•Jy «t«Ke lated savings^-n monevU o, ^^'- '''^'"^ "^^° "^ ^^^^"'n"" asses and horses Sn n n w-'° '^.^^^'^ ^"^ '^^P --in^ only be deaTwith as frLTn • ih.?/-' land^owners^could This ca^r e^the pLnle ThrMr';^/'"7 ^"^"•^•^ ^* »iO"ev. on condition fharo'rfl th „'*'''' *°'»"°';'''' "' "" """' modern .in.?. ..nd'l^ IS^ctS^ In'^SetHnS i'l lllSI ;:f r .lit i ■^. m ; 224 Jacob and His Familij go down to Egypt. circumstances, the conditions of life in these earliest ages of clie world correspond with tiiose pievailiug now. The people of the land appreciated all these arrange- ments as just and reasonable. For they siid to ihe Chief Administrator, Thou hast saved our liv«'s; let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants. All thhs has been foolishly distorted into first robbing the people of their pioijerfy, and then of reducing them to slavery, a view of the matter which a reasonable consi- deration entirely dispels. For the crisis was urgent, and yet though a crisis, it last- ed through S'vcn long ye.iis Tne very life of the people depended on the nieasuies taken. Th; re were only two alternatives, the one to iuslitute a regular and constant system of relief by doles and gifts, which would degrade and i)auperize the people; the other to allow the people to make an honorable contract with the Government by which they would render, of what belonged t;) them, a fair equiva- lent for the subsistence and seed they required. The result of the whole was tliat, for a time at least, the whole agricul- tural population became t( nunts of (he State, the rent being fixed at a sum which the land was well able to bear. And as to money, it is certain that a large part of this must have be<'n again returned to its former owners in the shape of loans, for money, as well as liind and cattle, would be needed in order that agiii uUural op:'rati(ins might be cir- ried on and the kingdom kepf together. It is aimost certain that if a sMnilnr state of things were to arise in the present day, measures substantially similar would have to be resorted to, all which jusrities tlie fore- sight and wisdom of Joseph's administration. But in truth th(- state of things brought about by the measures he insti- tuted to provide for a life-and-deaith emergency, are verv much those which many theorists about Ian 1 tenure would like to see brought about now, viz., that ail the hind should be owned by the State, that its cultivatois and occupiers should be tenants at a fixed lental, and that thi-i rental should be the sole form of taxation. In the present condi- tion of the greater part of the land in various countries of the world this m a mere idle dream. For all land in a state of cultivation has been brought to that condition by the expenditure of wisely devised and long contiiijed private labor, as well as considerable amounts of money. The State could not in equity take posi.e;-sion of such land without payment. But paymt nt would involve tiiC raising of such prodigious sums of money that no country in the world could p isibly sustain the burden of it. The idea, may, tlierefore^ be dis- Jacoh and His Family go down to Er/ypt. 225 it is. ^ ' '^ '** ^""^^ ^ "1 posse.ssion of the State as reason assigned for the ■mclf.^f Ti ^-'^ ^^'"^- ^«i' the is stated to be that thei, l.ti ?k P"^'*" ^ ''"f^' exempt the King. .'Ta;; ;J ,j ;^ ."/^ I'aa b.en assigned them I y and Stite which hafe^ven .te to s n'!" ''"''''''' ^'^"•"^'^^ tions in n.odern tinie^ ?uv distim th .'i'^'/T^?*^"' '1"^'«- ass gnnient of InTul« +^ + "isnmtly traceabh> hore. Tlie ments with\vh Twe l^p fwr'' '''"^ *''^^^'' ^'^' '-^^range- and countr3^ And we aie Am'rf ?""^'' ^° "'"• «^» ^^ priests, acting tc" etTur in .n " ••^''?' ""'^^ *^'^ ^^ct that times able t? ^t i . Jd e a. ?v"thT '"''^f'' ''' «'""«■ strongest ministers that ?ule a .inntrv P""' ^^'^^'^^^ *"^' th^gra'^JSn^;? '^^ j:;;r"^"^i '^^ '« ^'- ^-tauce. or bringing influences to h,'^;^r ''''^ su].erstitious voters, well as tl,ose X have ^nn ^if ^ """• ^""^' ^"^^' *« "«^' «" bas generally been ab?e rhave'l,' f i" ''•^' ^*'~'''" ^^"'■«'' when priests and ecc es?nsL?i 1' ' ' '" '''''^- " ^^ «">.^ ambitious as to acnuire m miim ? nf ''"'" '^ 8™^P»^« «»'» ens the stability of t oV .fl ^^^ ""^ property that thr.-at- people, that n4s re h /v. h '^'^^ ??^^'''' ^'''f'^r^ of the prived them an ™ '^^^^^^ 'T'''"^ through which de- their property sub ;^Vn"*'' I^*^«' i«"' a"d made them and in theL Sern th :. F^Z" /;"'''?!% ''^ ^^"^^ -'«"«• of land by the Chirch'i v. •''**'"'*' ^""'^ "^ the absorption monaster eoom"nts a Sl/"JT-''""^*^^ «^ ^'"^^'"I'' become so sca^d ous .sfn L'-'""'f '' ''^"^ '« «"-'i''^<' restorations and d ,p Lrme ,?s tl?..?, J?""^ reyolutionary injustic*' This i^ iwT , "* H^*^ ^''"^^ elements of to the State wa. one tb£ ..uJn'^tilWl^^^nZtH ■.4 ■1 1.* 3 f •I 22<3 t7ocoS and His Family go down to Egypt. of the State, rather than the people. Hence it was not interfered with by Joseph, for it did not interfere with the great and pressing need of the time. Thus, year by year passed on. The people of Egypt were carried tliroii^h a period of protracted and terrible "scarcity, and the measures taken by the young Hebrew were justified by the event. ■Si PI ;* CHAPTER XXVIII. , Jacob's Wr Words Axo Pkophecv. ,■ Qencais ^8, 49. The Scripture iiarrntivo »,« • events that fulfilled The pronw;^. "'[^."'^^^ ^^^ ^^--ie. of tion to a strange land rehm « ^ *'' Abraham of a migra arch, who is Lthttn'l^^^^^^^^^ people of Israel, whose im hf. h'^- '^ "*"«^ '^^"d ot' th. the Jife of manv godiv m fn'n,^''''*^'. '^ '^ ^'emarkable type of beginning in mufh cfoml n. ' , ^''/^"^'^^ «^"'ants of Chdst 0/ •'^t'-on/uatural propens ^^^^ developments then hy a-ays of Di Wne S? ,*",T^' hghtened up now and goes on bearing, for thrmo^tl' r'sS..!?-? '''^' «^ ^^'^ "^"" after a tremendous crisis of sniS.i *!!^ upward, until ^erene plane of ntcvadfas^ il^? . w n'r?"'^' ^^ ^ '•'^^bos a deration, and love to man arJ Z V '■ *'""^^rness, consi- towards his God. So ^S sJen .hlf^''"^"' ^« ^^^^otion remarkable life, of which thecTose i.no^' TT^ ^'^ ^^^^t chapter of this great book of Orl'iL "■^*'^ ^^ *^^ ^^^^ days St^rSU^SSllVe 5:3;:^% <>^ ^-^'^•^ Cosin. -d^^sp^ed .,..,. thJir^i^i^^rsrd^fT^I ^^^^:r!jlS'^^^^^^^^yoM a word or mighty in deeds, but not ,n wn T*^?''^'"^- Abraham was i that have been recorded But I '^n/ ^'?'^' ^ ^^ ^ ' «^Vving! ful visions and passed throni^/v '•''"* ?"'-^' ^''^^^ ^0"der- Bitudes, but said things rttehis^H''^?"^'"^ '-^"^ ^''^^i- have become part of the Churp ,^« ;»'« closing days which all time. He was, in truth nhfsoM''^'" ''^ ^'''^''''^ ^«^ long line of proj.hets and see s tyJ ''*^!' *''^ ^^^t of the application~fi4t to the loca time nn J"'"'^^ ^"^^^ '^^ double all time to come *™^ ^^'^ ^'^'-'^t, and then to woTd^/ir^ptkfngTo'Zr^br^ °^ *^^ o'^i --'s Manasseh, cannot^but s? l?e one^'who'l^ nl?'^ ^P.?''^'^^ ^^ of Jacob as a hard-hearted cvlftvrJL ^^t^'^^ ^^'^ idea prototype of the crafty and cove^^^^^ of th^_ world, the supposed to be, in our own thne £0^ t^^' ^'°?''*^"^ last sickness. Joseph visits 1 m ut-^ • ^.^^ ^'^ '" l^i^ Bis father then recalls a«nr -^'1 ^''°^'»g his two sons, liien recalls, as an oU man so often does the .I* '••1 10 , # • t U 228 Jacob's Last Words and Prophecy. h'' II, i former davw. "CJod AlniijJtlit.v," he says, "appeared to me at Luz. in the laud of Canaan, and lile.-ised me." It is a vivid recollection not of the ladder or the angels, hut of the Almightv Uuler, who had been the guide and stay of hii* life. Ho*, then, tliinking of the promise oi increase and blessing, he proceeds to adopt the tw(t sons of Joseph as his own. 'Ms Ihuhm ami l^iimon," he solemnly declare.'*, ''they shall be in hie:' And so they became; for these sons of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, gave their names to tribes. Then, with a touching remembrance of Joseph's mother, the dearly-loved Kachel, who died between Jerusa- lem and Hethlehem, the aged patriarch proceeds to give a blessing to the two boys, couched in language of inimit- able tenderness and solemnity. With a hand laid upon the head of each of them, he utters the words: ''Goi., BEi'mm WHOM MV FATHERS ABRAHAM AND ISAAO 1)II» WALK, THE (.OD WHICH LEU ME ALL MY LIFE LONN; UX'l O THIS DAY. THE AnGEL WHICH REDEEMED ME FROM ALL EVIL, BLESS THE LADS. AND LET MY NAME BE NAMED ON THEM, AND THE NAME OF MV FA- THERS Abraham and Isaac. And let them grow unto a. MULTITUDE IN THE MIDST OF THE EARTH.'' What a WOUder- ful gathering together of the past we have h're; the long "walkins' before tiod" of his father and grandfathiT, the long course of providential caie in temporal things that had marked his own chequered career; above all, the great redemptive power which had wrought deliverance for him in spiritual things, making of the old "Supplanter^ a "Prnice of Gorf,"— all this comes rushing back to the patriarch as he puts the hand of blessing on these grandchildren of his adoption. . , , xi,^ti.*..; But in doing so, a curious change is made by the iativ arch. He puts the right hand on the head of the youngest, the left hand on the head of the eldest; and, when Joseph desired to correct what he supposed was a mistake .h'J old man declares that it is done with a purpose: >lhe younger shall have the j.re-eminence; he shall be greater than his brother, and his seed shall hccome a multitude of nations:' ( v. 10). ^ i,- , .„ This was undoubtedlv fulfilled in the subsequent histoiy of the tribes. Joshua, the great warrior and leader, was of the tribe of Ej»hraim. For many years the centre of the religious life of the people was at Shiloh. in the territory of Ephraim. And certainly, after the great disruption, Ephraim was the leading tribe of the kingdom of Israel, and is often referred to bv the prophets as representing them all Not that this stood for any superiority in goodness or wisdom, for it certainly did not. But, as the tribe had ob- tained for its portion the very central position of the land. Jacob's Last Words and Prophecy. 229 ouZTovto VuSm^ ""'''V' '^" development of the life y/i me people. iLis Mauasseh never had. nAiftl *.^''' *^^' "1*1 '"an gave utterance to an expres'^ion of taith m the contiin.ed abiding .,f the pivscnce of A thJextlr^'' HP IVl^' ''!' ^^ *"^« P«*^''^rch is sinking In nf «S rt" ?? gathers his sons about him, and in a seriPH *tiy signiacant, and the word spoken to tho fn,m,.^ Col never ceased to interest the discinleH of +hl n- ■ T^. '^^^ pute almost every other of such foresL lowinr^^. eve^^^^^^ T.t'?euZlTT//''7r'' ^? ^^^ MessiarbyTsusChHt Hio^^i'thf-uitr^fri: Tht-^sVst^;;^^^ especially of the miraculous oceurJenlfreSn 1^; ettlSf. that, if a Divine Creator exists it nil ^hl^u^i '^"'^«'^"i°Pf forn.ed . „„ivorao. To discJedrit^n^nrP. "ve „?rSl™te not have been written before the event i« i^n hi J i hi n?; -L /i^ X i^* meaning can naturally and rea^'onablv be attributed to them. Having spoken brieflv of Reuben Simeon, and Levi with emphatic reprobation of their^r^^r OMI doings, the old man passes on to Judah, the youn^st id d ..if ■' ,1 1 230 Jacob's Last Words and Prophecy. \ i son of bi8 first wife, Leah. But here the whole style of the language changes. There is no mention of his misdoings, flagrant enough though they have been; the mind of the patriarch is swallowed op in thoughts of exaltation, victory, and dominion. "Thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise ; thou shalt have victory over thiue enemies; thy brethren shall bow down before thee." Then, using Dold figures of speech, he speaks of Judah as a ''young lion,'' as a lion in his full strength, and as a lion in old age, whom it is dangerous to "rouse up." After this comes the remarkable saying:— "The .scEi'Tni: shall not uhi'Art fuom Judah, noii a LAWGIVKR FROM BETWEEN HIS FEET, UNTIL ShILOII OOMK, AND UNTO IlIM SHALL THE GATHERING OF THE PEOI'LB BE." Nt.w, then, we have a remarkable opening up of a great future for the descendants of Judah, and an equally remark- able close to such future. Various refinements of the mean- ing of the original words of this declaration have been put forth for the purpose of supporting a theory. But taking the widest varieties of interpretation, Ihey all point lo the idea of leadership, rule, and government in one or otlier of the spheres of life which the descendants of Judah would occupy. ^Yhether it is the "sceptre'' of a king, or, as some would have it. the "rod" or "staff" of a shepherd, the essen- tial idea is the same. And similarly fhe idea of lawgiver, or as SOL e would have it "teacher or interpreter," is but a variation of the same function of rule and government in the intellectual or spiritual sphere. Respecting the word "Shiloh," which is not translated, and which means giver of rest or peace, peace bringer, peace bestower, there can be no manner of doubt that some important personage is slia- dowed forth by it. For to him the "gathering of the peo- ple," or as some would translate it, "the obedience of the people," is to be, both conveying the same idea in substance, viz., that the rule of this giver of peace is to be wide and extensive, and, what is important to be noted, that it is to be voluntarily acquiesced in. But nearly all who have writ- ten comments on the original language of this passage, and especially scholars of the Jewish race, have concluded fhat the idea of the original is well expressed by the language of our own translation, and that the Shiloh is the Messiah that was to come. Thus, then, we have a prophetic vision with regard to this tribe, of long continued sovereignty, leadership, or rule, to be ended by the coming of another peace-giving ruler, to whom the gathering or obedience of the people would be. These words were uttered when the family of Jacob was settled in a foreign country, and when they were al! shep- Jacob's Last WorOa and Prophecy. 231 Canui.n „nder heL^uidmp/ f ^ >'ation to the land ot looked u,., iaiurX 1 h '' If °' ."'^° "^'^'''t ^'^^^ been if any n n hud I .f^ 1^^ °^' the right to he made king, ly ollic,. NnP ,ii I 1 • ' desinng ,„• {,s,sii,ning tlie king Ufcal hw. Im '7 -^ entitled 1o snoh a distinction for his ""i;;.:"t:„:"',"f "? '"« ''-^o'!,w''L'r,.' i'^'''' "^ (ho .. .."'rlfnl''" i* "'■IL'!'' ■•'■'*""■"■"-' hand, laeplng ofVho 'tr'i'o'nf S-"' ^^.^^^'"P«^''°' >bnt tiie first king .vas nfflnhv „.'m t ?^"jamin, the tribe which had so close an tior" 'can i' !f'I ""^^f *.*^^^^>S° «! I^-^^vid, became the na- nnd The K hi' Tf n ^^^^ '° Benjamin and partly in Judah, Ju al in t 1 J ^'°i']I"'" alone, of all the tribes, clave t. waM he tHbe of ?„l*h 'tff .V'^"'-*- ^^"* ''« P''«'iominan( canit .1 wi« t1 ^""^ *''"* *'''' original kiigdom, whose of In ,1. nni, "^"f'^""' ^^'^ a^^«.^'« called the k ngdom Of .1 iidM h, and has been so called ever since The f^ 'f H,° " broSn .f H, ^''>^'-^' ^"«' ^^ '^^ .'^>"'J "N tin,, whiel. h d be, /sD L^f ^.'r'"'^' "f the same '"«« of all lc.„„.nn,l weal h nowe,^ "^ """^^''f" ^'^- bless- :^Po^rZZ^'];^:;;:^-i^,^r^ -lem„ charge: to the belief that his peoX 1 pn'^'"'"^"';"^'^'' P«'°ts iHnae, xven- Hf,,, ,.^.. f-^^P'^. "« au^^stor^^^ ., with my fathers in ^he rave+w'- V^i'''*''*^""' "^-mv me the Iliitifp. In the oavet ,nf • '* '? "' tho iu-m „f g •j^^.^n the land of ("anaan ^W' e,V" he n'jS Vl] ^' ^''cP^'iah ?n ham and Sarah his wifo-Vi ., ^'^^^' the.y buried 4bra memories of the past crowd .m in If' ^^-"^'^ touching momentR. "And when hehoH^ ", ^'''^ '^''' "'"" 5" his last hlB sons. h,. gathered nnhi/V-V ^"'^ ^^ commandhig "P the ghost ^- ''An1,'??h^"„. ;:;'^titVn''n'"Vr'' y'^^'^^' ^TBEnR.) UNTO HI« PEOPf.,. " ^°'^"-'' ^^' 1 ii in Which Joseph was 284 Jacob's Last Words and Prophecy. \4 \'\' •Mh held is strikingly shown in the honors that were paid to the remains of his father. He was embalmed in the Egyptian manner, a manner that we are perfectly familiar with from the numerous mumuiit'S that have been unearthed in our own times. And there was a national mourning for him, as for a royal personage of our day. Seventy days of mourn- ing for this aged foieign chief; how strikingly docs this testify to the honor and respect which had gathered round this remarkable family; and how little could Jacob, when spending his early years in tents in the hmd of Canaan, have dreamed of the manner in which his life would close. But so God had ordained, who knows the end from the be- ginning. For not only was there a national mourning, but a public funeral. The remains of the old man were carried back to Canaan with great pomp and state; not only Joseph and his house, his brethren, and his father's house, but all the ministers of state and the elders of the loyal family, and a very great array of chariots and horsemen accom- panying them. The whole cavalcade halted just on the border of the land of Canaan, doubtless to prevent the idea arising of its being an invasion of the country, and a great scene of mourning and lamentation, lasting many days, was witnessed bv the people of the region, who called the place "Abel-Mizraim,'* the "Mourning of the Egyptians." Then, the sons alone proceeded with the body <^f their father smd laid it in its last resting-place, the cave near Hebron which Abraham had bought long before. So this great patriarch and most remarkable character passes away from the scenes of eaithly history; a history of deep sliadows and of bright lights; the liglit. however, ''sh'mmg more and more unto Ihc perfect day." And l.e left a name which stamped itself deep upon the religious life of this people, as the many references to the "God ov Jacob" testify, and the many more in which his name stands for a l»ersoni1uation of the whole people, while, as to their na- tional life, his new name of Israel has been the appellation of his descendants in all ages, even down to our own day. . t Eeturning to Egypt, a singular manifestation of distrust is witnessed on the port of the brothers, who feared, now that their father was dead, that Joseph might take retribu- live measures against them. So sensitive is an evil con- science, even when apparently all need for fear has passed away. They took counsel together, and, remembering the great difference in station between themselves and him. they sent a messenger with the dying charge of their father, to Jo- JacoVa Last Words and Prophecy. - ^ 235 terview, in which thej expreied S ."^ ^' ^ ^'^''^'^^ i^' liumilialion. -^ t^^pressed the deepest contrition and made a i-eplv whS inHn?+ 7?. *^''*^ ^'^ '^»'»-" And he an well as tL V^tZZ^LT .i^i^^^-^^^l^^^ generosity! / in place of (£d " in 7l?i« „nl^ * l^^""" ''^^' ^^ «a»d, "Aw of after times 'M:renlit^'; t/'-^^/"^ **^^ ^^"^«"« saving tliat i,s, and not ST ZaZ' 'ff }^^ Lord; i^inj', as It is this dav to oor^ LTi- ^ . ' *° ^"°S it to pass, therefore," he finally /aid "larZ"^ Tl P''P^''' "^ow afid pour little ones'' Si ^f -^^ ^''*' ^ ^"'^ "O"''^"*/* J'om Ivindly to thernT ""^ ^^ comforted them, and spake wJ-k'ICepS' '''' ''''''''^ ^-d« respecting the active The famine was still in tho inr.^ i»inis.ratlon were bef , e uL Tl.''''^ T''^ ^'^'^ ^^ ad- recorded. They belouffiJC; , T' ^^o^ever, are not Egypt than to the spir^t^naf istor^' i^. '''"^•'''' ^'''^'^ «' people of Israel. Jo.seph 1 v l V n i / * '^^^ ancestors of the 110 .) ears old when he di •/ .'u,'' ,?,'"" "^^^C?-. ^^ ^'«« gr<..t-grandchildren were ab.^t him ^"^ grandchildren and to 'ne/jf SSr^d lils ll^^Z '.' «=- ^^ -- about Cfti'e of Almighty aid wlrnw^^?*^ '" *''« presen.e and i- detail of the This beinff so, it becomes evident tl-at if there S idennnf^ the ordinary working of the Divine will-the so^e ouesLn for consideration is this-was there adequate reason fnS character and importance of the end trb^icoompi Shed and .n the circumstances of the time, for the Di X wi to depart from its usual metliods of operatio-^ *^ This must be conceded to be agreeai^le to sound reason For ,,„,„, be assumed as certain, that the S /whose operations ,n the natural worl.l bear such wondePfal e^! dence-o the working of the higher wisdom, Tr rea on and especially of the ordering of forces and powers w?S a'vLw 111* Hi*- :l4 1 ■ :;!'■: 1 1 ii|; 1;^ 1 a ! :■ ■; 1 il h^i I'l ■: 1: 1 240 Preliminary Considerations. hU tf rnV'''!^ ""^^ ^^"^"^' °^^°^^^«t t'^e working „f a «in. . profound reason wlien events have to be biouL^hr TZtZmlnrJ'V^'l "^'"■«' ''^"•^ ••spiritual de'ii^JpmtS or that Human race which is manifestly tlie crown and sum of His works. For all that we know of nItTre Ss7o the conclusion that all that is in the world has boeii cn^-S ed. and IS being ordered and sustained for the service of Mankind Our enquiries, therefore, will alwavs if thev ne S 2Z i V i^"" ''^" supernatural, or iTiiracuh.us, ar<. fj;n/lv A "f.^^^"'\'"' ^^ '' whole, or of som. nation, tribe, family, or individuals in it. It must, however, be borne in raind that we cannot always rightly judge, in the absence of express reasons given, what reison theTo was for unusmll operations m .'ircumstances and times so remote And we must also acknowledge-and a wise man will do ^.- w th becoining modesty, that the arrangements of a veTs ^7 J''" ?''".^ "' *" '''"^ ^^'^"<« "f *«"•• ^h'^"^^"^ .vears ago oven when the reason for them is stated mav be beyond the scope of our judgmrnt. It has al eadv been stated in these Studies that the child of a PiimfM nIsTer of England is as well able to understnnrl the measuros inaugurated by his father, and the reasons theref.,r, as w- are to understand the ways of the Eternal and Infinite God Every reasonable mind will acquiesce in the words of the Apostle of the Gentiles, when, in writing to the Romans, he reverently exclaims. "Oh, tJ,. depfh of the riclw, hnth of the wisdom and Jcnmrlrdge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out." the last words (in the original) having reference to the works of explorers and conveymg the idea that the paths of the Supreme are in regions beyond human exploration. •^*^^!i""J-^ ^^^^" heai'ing the^e fundamental principles in mind that we can be in a position to look rationallv Lt the supernatural events recorded in the extraordinary narra- tives of his Book of Departure. It is thus we can con^iier the supernatural gifts conferred upon Moses as evidences of his Divine mission fexpres< .y so stated), and judge whether the Supremely Wise did not understand what sort of pow- ers would accomplish the object. With regard to the great plagues with which the land of Egypt was desolated, terri- ble events as some of them were, we mav have some under- standing as to the reason why the judgments took the form Tliey did, in considering the pr('vi<;ns cruelties and barbai- ous oppression, the insolent defiance of the power of the Su- preme by the King, the shifty, treacherous and craftv Preliminary Considerations. 241 ianTtf^t^e^Tre^^^^^^ ^' ^^^ god. the Eg.pt- Jabit ot the whole people aid .1 !' , '■^- ''■^** ^^^ oommoi oppressed race. 'Hmt d J vp,t,iV 1^"'°^ ^^^-^^ "^ another Of thousands of meS the deSio^ J'' ''''' "^' ^'^'^*ir^'J« I'l'ovinc^s of the continent .n^ f ^""'^ "^ ''^« '-'irest "lonej MS to transcend ?l°;./ '"'''' ^^^-rmous sums of compared wi,h the awful^b o.iY. d n''f^ ^"^"^S' ^"^^ed. American Civil War. Yet bo? ^ l^/^"^ (lt-sohi.i<.n .f the the same result. ^" '''^^ ^'^^ same cauc^e, and l^^nniS^^*'- ^^g^^he Doparlure. it is douht but the operation of „at„..ij^,!^;^'« ^f^^^^d by anything were supa-naturai iLwlnlp . •- ^^"^ ^'^' 'l'^ passag! it, and nu.ch of tluU fo, ^ ; ■ l^ r:::,s n^"'^ ^'^'^'^ "I> '« supernatu-al power was pi t'fc rtl I* . o '^ "'*"''^^'- '^^^^i*^ gt^^ncy. it was only a ran of " exiraordiuarv exi- with a destined end if^ilw ti?';^/'/ '''''''''' ^P'^'"^"^^ i-eaeh and become inhabit' mt^ . J- Ih i'''^ P'''*^'*^' -^"lould So with (he events o'l^vr-^''' '"""^ «^ Canaan, was snpernatnr.U o so t Ind ; ! h'^'^-, ''''^'' ^"Stonance there lons-and. in dTv n, wi d ' 'l^'^''-'' ^^^■'^' *" remain enough (o be welded !n(o a j;,- ?„'"'' ^^'•' ^"^ •'^"'^'" '«-& ^".•ar ^nd^whv .:jo,atrs„eir ^'" ^7^ '^^^"•^ -p-°a- All that transpired n the wib p!!"^' "''°"' ^^^^'"^^ be so? cendant importance to tl^t ,en,T ,'''r ^^ ^"^'^ ^^«°«- . Plo to the whole human ace IDtl "''".^ J*''^"^^ ^^'^^t peo them, that wo ca.no? S.nl v rS. ^ ^' ^'P^^ ^^^^""^'^ '•ecord, as of events in wW h thi'L credence to the ordinary manifestatio'l.s^YJl^'gitiirr^iir"'^^ and extra- funv jtL'^/edT^'^""^' ^"^ *'- -d to be acomplished or^;^:^J!;i;;^^:^^:'E^-^Jing fanta.,ie, capricious, to the evidence'of thrseZs J, to",*'^'''*^'!««'^ 2 I I. ,9 'i f| Its. 242 Preliminary Considerations. It is well known that misconceptions have arispu with regard to miraculous events, and events alleged to be such, and that in two directions, the one the Sceptical, the other the Superstitions. These mark two opposite types of hu- man character, both of which have good clemtnts in them. But in both the good is marred or absolutely spoiled by being pushed to an extreme. The sceptical, for example, refuses to believe in any mira- culous event at all. alleging it to be simply impossible, as being a contravention of fixed and immutable bivvs; or, in any event, if not absolutely impossii.le. yet as being so con- trary to the ordinary course of events, "that no reasonable man can believe it. Now let us consider. A miracle, in itself, according to the meaning of the word, is an event to excite u-omlrr—i\ wonderful thing. Now the v(^ry idea of a miracle is that it is a contravention or contradiction of the ordinary course of nature or of events. For, if it were in accordance with them, it would not be a wonder; it would not be a miracle. This being the case, it becomes simply a question as to whether lliere exists any power strong enough to bring the wonder to pass — strong enough, in fact, to suspend or con- travene the operation of natural laws. And here the narra- tive must be admitted to be perfectly consistent. For the narrative refers all miracles to the exercise of that Supreme Power by which the whole universe was originatei, and by whom were framed for the government of this earth, those very laws which miracles contravene. There can be no ques- tion that here we touch a power that is strong enough; for the exercise of power required to suspend the operation of natural force at one period of time, and in one place, is infinitesimally small, compared with Ihf putt'ng forth of operative force on the earth alone for a single day. For no sane man could deny that the mechanical force required to roll the earth round on its axis for a single day is inconceiv- ably greater than was required to work all the miracles recorded in Scripture. The sceptical and critical spirit may fairly exercise itself in considering alleged events and their causes, with a view to sifting the wheat from the chaff; and such miracles as are connected with the Divine government of the world and the ways of the Supreme, from the idle tale«) by which the designing and crafty wonder-worker imposes on the superstitions and the credulous, for his own advan tage or that of his craft or order. For as there are men of the temperament that refuses to believe anything, so there are of the temperament that is ready to believe everything. And it is such as tht-se that IP Preliminary Oonsiderathna. 1, , 243 nave largely brought the word "fa,+v,>» • . conflict with reason, and led to the iSi^^^ ^ P''''*'*'" «' minds, of faith and credulity or fn'^'^^,*'^"' ^° «« °ia°y with gullibility. ItwasaSjnJstp^^^^^^ ?«^^ P'^^^^l that the magicians, soothsayers an/"--" temperament times found ready followe/s- and l„oi?™''T''« "^ «lp..l,.ti..n. TJ,e exp rienrf '? *"" "" '''^'^ ^"^rease of P"opl." illustrates fhi/ n a stril^Tn °'','^ French-Canadian t'"" of ih. negro popul.ikm iu h. 5'' H^^T' ^'^^ «« nre fruitful, and ,W?1\ , ',*^''V ^''"' ^'""'^/'•c" 0/ TliiM was bJfore the li Lh f 1.^ ^"'^^ "''^'^ ^''^'"•" ;y.--nt on for many gcS on/ B.K* ^P^^^^^'-^^- and it "•n was not good for Zl7oraSTt 'T'^ "^"Itiplica .V'»nd doubt physically, and ce -tn hih' il 'l ^'r'^^'^'^i'^^ bt> ''•">io, to a large extent mo.t nf f^ '' ¥' ^'*"' g'-adually be- of their fathers. LiWng ^the mirW nT^^'""' ^^ ^^'« ^^^ "ghor civilization than then^to^Jil'^^^ '' ^^^^^ I'Hp imbibing the spidt of thf .i^ "^ *,''^'' ^^"'^ scarcely "••"■n-zcd (bom. Fori w^in .^^'''!^^V'^«'''^'T ^^at oh.r- the grandest temple ever erected i^'jl'''''*'^,.^^ ^^^.^P*' that to the worship of'the meanest g'u" ' """"" ^"^'''^ It ^Is^ililt H^ ;^^r!S™ :™^^ over their d.tiny. aao powers of this world^l^^^^.^^--^ great j.^. -J * 4 ;,■*'! 246 Ereiits Pielimiiiaiy to the Great Dei)urture. ! hi', I vent It, jiiHt as in after a^os, oflen and in many fi.ims, ••//,« kiiii/>i of the Ktrth set tItewHclns (I'suini ii.i and tie rulers tnu'c coini.v'l toyrtlivr (i:,a nst the Lord and aijaiiisl IHh rhoscn." A kinn' of J':gypl ai.se 'Ucho knew 'not Jo>e/>/t"— as is tho w;i y (if I lie \v<.il(i Willi luaiiy i.f ilss boncfarlors. Juhi pli and his (liildiT'n, Un\^ sine-' dead, all be had done was forgotten; and there was only presmt ths <;r('at and increasing pec- pie, who coiiiinued foreign, and who, lioni a military point of view, might be a source of I'aiiger. Sn. taking ci unsel, the king set about to reduce i hem to a condition of absolute servitude, which, ai>|)aienily by military f.ir.c, he svas ia tiine able to do. the peojde ^ubmiltin,t( and not lebelling. Then great public W(»rlv,s were uinlertaken; store cities, of w Inch the r< mains ai e to be seen to this day, were ! lilt, and possibly also many of the great buildings— |,yraniHls, tem- ples, etc.. which have made Kgypt famous iu all ages. These all were on a gi-antic scale. Masses of stone were moved whose magnitude as(oni-hes even modern en;;ineers, it being evident that all this was doi;e l)y the severe bodilv toil of vast organized masses of slaves. 'This was ;ill done with a purpose, viz.. to lueveirt their mi liip!ical;on, and it: was continued for a long [»eriod. So the jiowei s of th^ woi !.l set themselves against the Lord. "/f«7 Ilr tluit aittelh in the hcarcns lituyhed ; I he Lord had Ihnn in der'sion.'' The more the-e unftu-lui-ale pi oi)lo were « ppressed, th'» more they multiplied j nd ^rew. S( eing thi-^, the rigour ( f their burdens was ineieased. '"J'ho Ef/i/ididiis mitdi: their lires hitter with hard hondiKje, 'n mortar aid brich; and in all manner of sirrice in ti.e fidd. All their ti< rrice u-as with rif/onr." (v. 14.) Oiu> can scaicely imagine the descendants of the powerful chieftain Abraham reduced to sucli a condition as to submit: quietly to all this, i'or they were not an iiifeiii r race; but originally fully e(inal in ]>hysii;ue to their oi)i)ressors. And their kinsmen, the dcscen eming power the world has ever seen. How long all ihis went on, we know not; but most pro- bably through a long course of years. Rut at length a far more stringent measure of destrui tion was adopted, viz.. an order generally, that a'l the male eh Idren should be killed as soon as they were born. The king's command wag promulgated, and if it had been steadfastly carried out. it would, in the courf^e (f a generation or Iwo, have blotted out the name of Israel frcm the face of the earth. '•^ 'n.VM r.x,e„ta,ir fha i, r. m m,';^ n^an thaf ...,■ Tved. ^av,o„rof f|„. world. Ov r , " o-- ' i"" "* '^'^^ ^°'' HiK'neo of Moses hns Hp « '^''^ «^vn race and n,>tin ihein- P''oneh..,l bin,. F r not on v"^i""*- • ^'' "'•'^" '^"« iP- "■•"ion.l spbero. l.ot'owe « o f',? o't.'^"r'' '/-''• ^"^ ^^ ^^^^ oonoorned. far above anv oihor o?fh. ^^'^""''^ ^'^^'P'*' ''^'"^ I"' '•-''.■o. ire was eho^e . oT ' , V, '"■'"'^ ""^'"'^"^ '"'^n of '>nndajro and to wVl.l them 1^nM''"'■''^"'"'^'■t•''''^^"tof .^poaI was not only the most strilclnfr oodo of a^V n ^vi^^n"* ''' ^'''' ^'^"^ «- Proat fundamental prrcoptVwhifh 1 '^' '''''''"'^ A'sf the tions of alJ men toVhe Cm '^ r ''"^ *'^ "''^'''" '•^^'''- other: n,en the whole of o^^T.'^XrA T •'^"- tioal organisation, worship, and Uu"l! ar^^'i^^'T 'I ii'l i«iP r' !■ 218 Events Preliminary to the Great Depart ure. I I Ii>i whole law relating to the administration of justice, and of every department of civic administration. ' The first of these has been held of perpetual obligation by the disciples of the Great Teachor of Mankind, in all ages and countries to this day. The >ec.,nd has bten seen to liave typical and spiritual meanings, wliich w.n-e fulfilled in the manifestation and sacrificial death of the Sun of God. and which are reverently regarded by Christian people all over the world. And the third, though it has absolutely passed away as a system of civil law binding on any nation or people, is yet carefully studied and reverentlv regarded for the equitable principles it lays down for the dealings of man with man in the relations of secular life. God the Supreme, the Great Founder of th(^ Uuiver.se who has stamped His own profound wisdom upon it; her^,' and through this man Moses, reveals Himself as the Great Lawgiver first of this p>cnliar people, and then, through them, of the whole human race. And now, at the outset of the series of marvellous events both of this man's life and of tlie people amongst whom h- was brought up and educated, let us think for a moment of the condition and destiny of the two peoples inhabiting this wonderful land watered by the Nile. Of the Israelites enough has been said. They had beon reduced to slavery. Tiiey were submissive. They had no national life, or spirit to rise up against oppression. Thev had been in Egypt many generations, and not a man had firisen during the whole dreary period who was worthy t<. be named on the same day with such men as Abraham, or Jacob, or Joseph. Humanly speaking, as a sepirate r'acp and people, they were doomed for all time to a condition and destiny nearly corresponding to the n groes of the Southern States, or the swarms of slaves that formed the balk of the population of the States cf Greece and Rome. On the other hand, without going beyond the Bible re- cord, which all experience is conurming as time rolls' on we see in this land of Eg. pt a people as far beyond the Hebrews in the arts of civilization as the Greeks and Ro- mans were beyond their slaves, as the Americans of the South were beyond the negroes, as the English at this day are beyond th- Hindoos. The Egyi)tians h id had for gen- erations an established government, a king being at its head, wlih regular line of succession, and officers, courtiers a military es+iblishment, and all that appertains to govern- ments in oui own day. They had an established priest- hood; and also, what ha=« appertained to all heathen organ- i;^pd societies, an on. ? of soothsayers, magiciaLs or augurs ^'^^^'^ ^rairninary t. m Qrcat Departure. 249 inents of mathemati?al sS^p f?®^ ?^v*^ evidently the rudi- "^«1 inore than rM.din^ S rnd L"^^' ^I *^^<^ t»"^' ^^ great develop that capaci v fm ni. -^^-^ certainly had boffun to tin.o resulted in^Sionswhiorif/""^* huMm.; which [n Tliey had the rudiiZfr f Sf-V" ««f«nish th. world. people of the wor d n alT tL/ ^''^''1^/' *^^^ foremost "ens of tins world ?uf i/e p 'r.*'*";*^ '^' ^reat- Of the deep mvslerie.s of f I f ,^P.Pt'« "« l<"<"w not God. to the origin of evT Hself tb^""^ dispensations, next tlie foreniost races 7, rt and .nf'"^"'"'^ ?^ «" '« that were, in religion, blind ad rS n«!i "'^^ i""^ civilization Pei-s of flodsShat weK. ;/o^^ 'If ^ ; ^""'^ f^'"li«h> worship- knowfJod. And vain it 11 ^^"^^J. V wi.don, should not are gone. Tl,:^^:^^f%:,:;;:^^;^^- The times p?sf But if anv m-m fi.^. ".!><'>> mue hod passed bi/. from wiuVh ofX.;e'p" pt;:t>u d'iT'r^f; '"''^ »^-" '-^^^ed world proceed-from^t e e do shei ^^''^ ^^ ^""^'^^^^ ^^^^^ P«f.vptians. or from the.e d^^^r^d^^ 'n f ' ''"^ "^''"'^^^ would 1... u„t have answf.r H^^: . V"!^ "PPress^-d slaves? from the Egyptians. '"*''^"' hesitation, Certainly intf la^;• g! v',"?,;;; ^;:,, ^^« ^*' r.ad the works of E-vypt- poets? ar<. we's ^^d' in"?„ ''^.fi^:^'^'' «-«« of Eg^^Sa powerful words of F-vrt on ''^'^ ""^ a-semblips l,y th.j K^yiXian ra,e tSat thi G;a^r^t*'• ^''^'^ ^* ^''"»' *''« Npning? No: ^"^'^^ IJedeemer of the world ;M"-:;;"<^^arS^tr|^:,^%t>- P-t. of anient J'istorian; ,yo ar,. st ri'ed iu o f f " ^\'\'^' '"^'-^^'^^'^' ''^'^ words of luigiuv prople s- hn^ V.n '*'"'^^'^' ''•^' ">^' Aerv who in the tiu.e n\,w I ei : !" 4' ^j: T" "^"^ "''-" ^•^^'' oppressed, and whose .'x m io, w . ^'^'e degraded and Kmttesf mona.oi. of tho Z']T Z'u '"'."^ ^* •'""'''' ^^^ ^hr^ ^'> it I.ns come to pass ' '""' ^"'^ ''<'''r^*ed. and It ■-;3 •ml ■i ^i* 'I "•^ i i» : :l ' ■ n i ( w !''. Ih iiiff ill CRITICAL .\OTES AS TO THE ]S'LMnEKS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. m-u-tTc-Ml ".,?';': '"/■J""''"''^.':^ ^''>' l'^''^<^" ^J'" '•»« l^atl mud-, cuu ons VT T '''"' ^'-" ^-^ ^^""^ aiitlnnelical oal- ; i.is sl.ould i.av.. rropi ,„,.) ilK 11,'hre.v t-.xt ..f 1 le Old Icsianient m ivspoct of MUinl.ors; and si ill inoro, that errors in resiK^t of nnn.hors sl.ould bo fo.aid i„ vnrimVs (ransTi tioi.s For it is wHl known ,u ihos. wh . ar co.veri^^^^^^^ wu h hj. n.afh.., that ...» wi,h ,1,.. most watchful 'a 'S Hos. ,t !„ almost in.possible, in the assni.o a niistranscripli,,,, of (ioure; does n..t ' Tins >r exaniplo, let the word m,n be transcribed i,is(e4l of tialf,) it Monld r.'ad, '-man a man has found ou," which would b- iifiuie. ..ii«l ihat a sonlon. e h transcribed Hie proi ceded on li"rnl.T Vr" r "^' '^ "'""•^""•^ <'Lario(s," there is nothing looall ihcattcninm of a subsequent transcriber to the fact that the number is erroneous. aUhoush llio word "thousand" ought to be ''hundred." for the word^.hous ,nd does not del troy the sense._ Even in our system of numerals, tJie ad- dition or omissnm of a sinj-hj o makes lie difVerence of ten niakes the dilforence telween iliree and the, and so in iiv- ; if 'mo !!! o"^' '"' ^''*^*" ■■'""•" •"' "'^ P 'P"I''^ion of a great asily be made ."Ol.OOO. And 5 00:) may easily be made 50.000. It may safely be said that i) i< hnimvbh' fo- any narra live containing such numbers to pass nirough the hands of many Iranscnbers without such errors bein<'' made And it may bo aftinnod, further, that it is al^o ab^olut.lv certain Ihat such errors in numbers in many cases will not be de- lected by examiners whose business is to correct the errors of transcribers. Transcribers trained to t^eir wurk who iietect and correct at once ihe sUghcst in:iccnracv' in a word, in a statemeni of a fact, in tlie name of a man'ii tlie announcement of a doctrine, are found t(» pas^ bv withoul Critical Notes as to Numbers. 251 frrrei'on.n^^ ^'"'"'^ ^'"'^ ^^ t''^' -^'^"-^ '•^'^'^^'^»«- and SmH VlS^^^^^ pBera.H,. to j;vneration to all time. ^.J^ifrn''''!'*'?"' ""''^^^' ^^''t is "owhero prom sed thvLC s a pi'ipitual mra.io feoi :g on io pn-e •- S idiuo- auwn of the sacred as ever had to do with iht' h record. KiTors in the transcripli,,,, of the nnni;.ers iu the H.br .w llurhi^n-^ e.xc. e.lmgly 1 ke one another, a mere dot oc «;::;:^=^:,;;f;te:,?Se:;''''^-'''' -^ It sluniid he said, howevr, that av>' are apt to mis-udff^ 1 e force ol numbers in th.-se ancient narratives ,.?ned]?v wiK^ they refer to the population of a tr?l e or d utr^^t '^^ veste-n sMn V 'V"""'":' ''^' P'P"!^"-" ''v modern ami Mestein siandards, (hou-!, they a;e (.bvi.uislv misloadinff it din"* h!nr> '"^ *" ^«"">' "'™' "«^"'"^- -n'be mi'fmif: i Jh!^tiel7i^S^ e mm.i.o: i, ;, ^' imag.-.o the whole prpulation of Canada c n pnsed ,n rlie space of a few of our counties, we can oas.ly undersvand from what Lord Roberts has tohl us of the swarms of tribesn.en that turned out to oppos ' him a Jf n n n'"'''' "' ' '"?'=''■ ^""^^t'^*" ^^ civilization, an armv an.i^Sih,"^;;Sd for rt^iin^^-'^- "^'^"* '■'^''- *"^^*^- orenfinto*'it''Ai'h'''''-'V' 7 '''*'''"" ^^''^ ' ""^ ^''^^''^ ^''-^ve lept into the Hebrew text or trans'alim wiih reard to e n?TVr- %'''''T^'^' r'^^"' '•" ^ "^^''^'ive of tife same eu'iit in two ditTer(M.t b:.oks, the one giv,>s the number of ohar.ots as seven hundred and the other as seven W.nS sum onTn"'^ '"' "y^' :'^"^* '^" ^'"^> "'•^'^'•^' •"■ i (I ^".^ f'l' 262 ulklxJ Critical Notes aa to Numbers. Granting that some errors exist in regard to numbr^rs tThiP fn.. i^'''?!^*"^^ ^e one ^h:t more profitable for doc- rSteou ne r.'^^To"; «^„««rrectlon, or for instruction in They wouM not w *^^'^ Questions is to answer them, worthy of nftPnVinJ 7 P^ss them by, therefore, as not woitn\ ot attention, and consider the things ihat are of serious concern. ^ ^^ "•• +i.I*i-''k'v? ^'^.^"id, however, before closing this notp thif SL S^''*-'' f tr«?«cribers or translators"to Sror in S case of numbers in the New Tesf^mrmt ic ,;,,, i, i than in the Old. In the gS of tJe'^New Tes^mont all numbers are expressed in w.rds which d?£r on f^om an tt^^n^^tll^^^tl.i'^'eLf ''''''''''' ^' -- - "-^1- CHArTER II. ] ^™ ^'"™' ^«"»™' "^ D,:..,.vv „. Mo,.s. ' Exodus 2. I'D aJl new-born male c^l hen °f '^''^ ^^^ ^een passed threatened by a tyrannio VI?* i'' '^''' ^"^' f^avioiu^s life born; and, liife P& He ^^d.V Z?V''rr^ '-^^ ^^« ^^' ^ej.ves Of numbers of i.^^^^;^ Z^^^^S ^^ 'Z'Z ^1 ^tTbrelc^uT^?, ,?L"-«', .\--' --ing he was '.-drawn" or 4fteToTv' fn '''^"'? '^^^^ ^^s »fp have been a "jroodlv" infant "fine .^^ ''"'''^' 'i" ^« ^^^''t^^l to a boy to be th. pride ofnVniV.l ^'"'"^ """^ ^«^'^l^by b-.v- ment, throwing light as it .^1? heart Tl,e Xew Te.sra-' tim (Hebrews xi. 23) as ^>oS -'^chMd V.'' ""''' '^'^'^^ "^ «'^. "proper" conveying the id/, o/)'/^^ '"''''^ translat child fit for the polished life nf . f °^«o°^^. beautiful; a would be the liteh rend r L %?.^Z ""■ ''f' ^'^ « ^^^^r the Sanhedrim (Arts vii onTf;. ?*" Pj'^ '» bis address 1o *«,9 /«"•/• the originarwo'ri' I S?' *^^ ^•^''^^^ «« ' ^^^^^^ might be rendered 4tHMn Ji k^ '^ '.'!''•'' '*''«°^' one, and such, child, con rtheTSt ^^«^- ^^ving edict and drown it iS a kit p'^'^^'^' *^^ ^'"g'« barbarous bad it. But there w. s a l^l^tJT'^,'' ^'""^'-^"^^-^ '^' child were among tlie t^wd^vnul ^' V'"^ r^^'-'nts of the faith in the God of I raelnnd n ?L n"' ^^''^ '"'^^'''^^^^ f'eir tectionand enlargement st p,^,^^^^!°^ P^^'i^es of pro- to his own countrvn/eTmebJews ^ •/'"''".^ '-I '"^Piration as people of ^Taill^" Xh f^ /^ .^ mo^odimciit' T/x?re"pnSror''* ^''T "^"- --^ They wore commanded bv the ;,^^ "./''"""'J^'" resolution. «^^o the river." They determinid^ V -f^ * *'" ^''"'^ "'^''^^ B-ne protection, t^ Jr"S!ii;S;r^X^^:^^;;^ 111 u , w^!^ Tht'.v placed The Birth, Training, and Destiny of Moses. inj? cia.ll<' ot bu.'riisbcs, iiiiidc watcrti-ht a i 1 oap,i!iL> o? being burno on tlio cuir.nt. Thov kn 'W no wb fi m'sht come ot lliis, and where ilie cnneat miglit caivv the ■ i ild to. Ihoy knew, moreover, Uwit in liie tiver, awav from the cities croooililrs abonnded, carnivur,'.(i.< creatuies, who would soon make an end of a helpless ( liihl. A jterilons oxiterimei;! ii'deed, and mw t'l.'if- mu'-f have been ronceivod and <'arri( d on in great fear and anxiety ai)avt from that cinm. faith in Almighiv God widih sus- tained ;]ieni. lild oil Lh'^ margin o^ I he ,s!rcain, and to the ii:i hi^ litil- .•^iste;- (die fam. in Miriam" of after days) "'^00^ ':l,(il iruiilii he (lone li> hi 11.'' TIvfQ, ihoii. hn m wateh too. And. walehing, w<: shall see I!k' woude t il working of Divine rrovidence, orderinr- thing.s in Wi.'vs I liar none could have thought ju. omJ,l;^dan<•nt of groat and fore ordain-d ends. Til.' r,laeo wliere the cliill was set afloat was abinv, and not far from, the gardens of one of Pharaoh's iiaLici :< w'lioh came down (o the river, and wh re, natiirdlv enonuh, just a.s ii w(.nld be at tl,is day. a suitable place for bathinr' had been pi-eiiared. Pharaoh's d lughler, with h^r mxTdena conies down to the river to bathe. She coined at tlie very time when the poor little outcast is floating alon'» the pki- cid current. " At that very lime, was it? And was th's bv chance? AA'as it a fortunate accident that the daughter of P.iaraoh slumld have chosen this parlicilar hour? and also that the parents of the child had chnscn it too. so that it came to pass that Ihe child floating along in this strange cradle was jsassing that spot at the very moment when this princess was there. An accident? Chance? Smne may believe it to be chance. Put. for my jiart. I hrdd it a far nice rational belief lliat there was a Divine directing in this business, an unseen but all-powerful hand controlling the Ihoughts and purposes of princess and peasant alike, and so ordering events, not mei'oly for the child's preservation, but for his education in all Ihat Ihe civilization of the world lial produced np to that jieriod. The f-trange floating cradle Avas. at all events sc a maid being sent to fetch it, the ark was open< strange to say. wa'» found to contain a baby boy of able beauty. "1 ' hehnld,'' says the narrar. < •, tccpf." What wo 'y heart could r.frain fi. «} i>4pathy wdth the poor little crying child, and such a iL, -^ ^s'this? One of the Hvhmo^s children," said the princes,-, v. Ing its 'nd, >d, nark- ^'^^^'■^''>^rai>nn,, ana Destin, Of Moses. ■ssanlp,,,,,iognomy. Hut l65 cliild kill,.,] iioc(»r,ling to the 1 now, wJiy (11,1 si, enot havf-tlie J' i*^ "Msy to ,sav th, w ,. ,:;"^' oo,i„„andm..n(? Killed ;vn,Id w],o, seeing a eh Id i' '? ,'"'"."'" '« '^^ ' ^'oman in (ho ^'J' if,. oven though the edlcJ;i^' "'""■" ^^'*''»''»Jiaa? To time, conios r^iW.^%!'X'■!: Z^?!! ^ '^ ^''^" watching all the <^,?f-1 t„ take i^ e ^trnng^'^;;^;;;: S'^"r ^i,:';^,i ^^t- ''"^ ""^- ^^- /«'• wp." said Pharaoh's dnn.Thto,. " ' ""^ '""-"''• "^'^irse It ""til it I.,oeame old enough ^ A ^^''T^^' ""^^ ^•>'- h^--, I^liaraoJi's household T-f, nlff ^^e-^ed with saftv into J^'-f'W, th(^ child reoeiv,d HpK ' '"°- ^^"^^ ^'^'^^^ ^ He? o-t." for she said, 4rmL^ /l^?'^^-"''"^ ^^^^o^^^' ^''li-'^wn And now he is'e.h catS 1/ n Vr r'' '^ "" '''''^■" ponies '7rrn-«r.7/„./,^/,;;;^,;j;'^^^.!^f. LP' ■"" pHnce. and be- dom was the fountnin 'ns is Te 1^'^^^^^ nn.l philosophy of the' m e ienT Irld r '^ 'V ^'"^ «^^^"«« '•' vf'd their pln-losopln- and Wn^eolr T7 ^''^ ^^''«^^^'« ^1« !';lvanoed students'tra;," I'^'^.'^'^n^n'^" ''''"^ Kf^.vpt. thei. 't« sehools just as men fom on ""''"'' ^ n.M^many for the same pu';^ '''° "'''''^''' '^ ^'^^r t' IhUS Moses rrypw ,'. ,' . «i.-ong charaet;^.^;;S;;rrS^jJ tS'^^''^'" ^ -- of nny"h;o;Tnin'Il'aXd''e-"' "^ 1" ^*^'^'' "^^^"- '''"'^ ^^n^r- to the .nakingc.f'^f;'^: •, cCe In'r'^ T?'' ^'"-h lea^ I'otween a life wholly for t le 1? ""'^^ ' ^^f*^' ^^'^ '^h^i^' world, or for hio-her obieet« n ""^ """^^ pleasure of this "mnkind. the adlanoement of'Vnr^-^."""'"^ ^"""^''•^ •''°1 of abuses i„ church ami sti^o + i"^ 'gion, the reforming ^onl. or what not? l-"oh a cboi ee -^^7*'°" ^'^ ^"^'« «^" .ental and spiHlual pjSu^h^^Sirrd^SaC^^i^g Ifli^ I] 1 ■■ ,1 1 1 1 l. ii ■Jk^ 256 The Birth, Training, and Destiny of Moses. iii. down to the depths of a man's spiritual bt-ing, leading to such enquiries, as whether I am us I ou;.ht to be, where I ought to be, and doing ichat I ought to do; con- science and spiritual fcrccs being aroused in the soul, and leading to an altogether ditTerent judg- ment of himself to any that lias evrr before beec taken. Such spiritual conflicts have been almost in- variable in men of strong temperament who lia\e, us so many have in Christian times, forsaken the way o' ease, honor, or wealth, for that of itrivatioii, obscurity, ac^ual or comparative poverty, all for the sake of higher and unseen objects, not to be aj)i)reliende(l by outward sense or earthly judgment, but by what Scripture terms "Faith," viz., a realizing of things hoped for, as if their very substance was present, and of things unseen, as if they were actually visi- ble. Thus th-" great apostle of the Cientiles wrote of that which he had actually experienced; a faith which made real to the soul the things that were future and unseen. (Hebrews xi.) Now, si)eaking of the oreralion of this mighty spiritual force in the minds of men, he traces its operation in the mind and actions of the yonns Hebrew Moses, who had been adopted into the family .f the king of Egypt, and was likely enough to become in time the king of Egypt himself. For, while the narrative in the Hook of Exodus gives u? the bare facts, as the manner of these old narratives gener- ally is, the inspired Apostle, writing for the instruciion nf a far wider circle, gives us the inner r<\nson for what trans- pired, viz., in the working of powerful principles in the minds of men. The lirst Thing reveahd to us in the comment of the Apostle is that Moses, under the influence of "faith." re fused to he ealled the son of Phuraoh'fi daiifihfer." Naturally, and according to the working of al' ordinary reason, he would be only too eager to be recognized as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. It was a great thing, a thing for any man to he proud of, to be one of the Royal Family of Egypt. And it argues the working of a ]irineiple of extraordinary force in tliis man's mind, that he should actually refuse to be call(>d what he had been briiught up to be; what lie was in reality, by the law of adoption; what lie was univ(M sally looked uj) to as being by the whole people, from the nobles and priests, down to the humble-t cnllivator of the soil. There have been many instances of men who by force, by intrigue, by fraud, sought to enter the royal families of the world. But there has never been a single instance but this of a man who had been adoptel into a loyal family in child- hood, deliberately in manhood (hrowing away the higH aiiu swaiminff inultitiiHp« i.o i '^"""'^y> roi- these onuressjprl ^•'.?im, as a oo,m/rv te fn l'"'/^.!^"*^-^' ""'^'«« t boy could "n.^htj Power had s^orn to .L J/f ^ • ^''^^'"''> ^hfch A f'"tL of this wonld annenr f,7?^^^'^'"^'^*^''f'"- But the '"^'Jorit.v of thenK a En,s .nTV*^'^ «"t amongst te w.^e inarching throngiT e jcs i^ tn"" "J*^" '* ^^''' '» ^be^ ^, >»o. it was not tl,e more!,- of' M T'''''^' *^"^ ^ery land '0 mere sentin.ent of pa triotis'n h"? ''''^^ '^'"^'•ed. and no •^ooJte7;;eS;de' were'Trnder'??."'''^* *''^^ ^^^'^P'^^d and per- nnghty riod, who Za^^t.^''^'^^^- and care of ^H ; le.r falhers. which proniis-s Ho .?"""' "<' ^>^C'ssm pe, orS"^' tt^ 1 ''''''^'"^ ^^^^-^ oFali •sufler aniiction M-ifh thU^cJl'ofr r'\'^ '^'''' ^""^^^ ^o very deed, abjuring th,> God of ' . "en'T/'''^ ^-^P^^'^^ i' E ;; e:^t^:^:^ -;^ 4^ -"^•' "'^^^^ ^ ^^^ ^-ould Moses ^^no^vXhen rZ^Ll'^'-'^T^^''^ ^"' ^vhaJ any special revelation Zd IZ^l^^lVV'^^^'' '^^"^ ''^^'^re ^ Ji"t let US consider Ch -is j? '^ ^''1'™' about Christ? Messiah, and Jfessiah sSnifies Pod 'I ^^\^^!«^'^ word for one. whicl, clearly indicat?stw?hon ''"•'''^^'^ "^ ^^^^'^^n I^aac and Jacob' as to tl ei. s^rV h^''''"'"^' ^'^ Abraham, all the families of the ear h h^d It 'T'"^ ''' ''^^'^sing to Hebrew souls, and of mZ^^^^^^^V^^^^^ into futurity as a t'me wSn 1. IIT ' ^'''''"S liim to look one of his own racrto aU tiJ nT^, ^^T^'^ ^O'"^ throng was that hope of a Comi /b'oS o.?i ''''r''^' This became a never-to-be-foreoftrn w '^' ^'^''"^' sradually of the Hebrew, and wl icS wn/rf "'^ '" *''^ ^^^''^^^"9 l'f« r:^ to seem far more t,^ L ? •''?"" '^'^''"S'l with Moses Kffypt. "/.. : ,TJ ,^^,% ^ e.u.ed than all the gloryTf looked on thdr bunlcns." ?v^Vtu^aI"y hi. l/''^' ^'''^^"''"- «""^ .^.iTuraiiy hjs feelings were stirred ■Iff r»rf* II' '■ -ja 7 i '^ "31 ^:^*<'''i^ ^!'! i t 258 The Rirt/i, Tra'nwg, and Dcstinif of ^foflcs. '4 'A ::; r3 when he saw ilieir hard lot jind tlie 1 pre.ssoi „ , , ^, yraiiny ..f their op- s. W I lie tlius iiivestigiUiufi, ^om(' ca>.e of more than ivo cojue iinder his notice, just ordinary cniolly soeniss to h as, dnriny (lie prevalence of n.'sro slavery in the Southt States, cases of brutal trealment hv +Viem(n and slave- drivers would occasioinilly ( ceir On ,■■■. .wjg tlii^', his indig- nation burst all bounds. Inder its impulse, he killed tlTr task-master, and tlien hid his b(,dy in (he sand. This act decided his destiny. 'For it w. s Avitnesscd bv o W( uld tliink a pc p'o so self-assei(ing, so read,, to resist even t!'e semblance of au(hority. would i:e\er have (•ubi iited quit tly to the o])- pi'ession they wr-i'o suffering. Bin heie (he singular contra dictions of tliei, diaiavter as^el■( (hen'sei\es. This man nnist have sien that Moses was putting fcrlh his strength as their frieinl and champion. Yet io him and to his re- monstrance he wo'i.I lot subm't f - r a memc'i^. v,hle not uttering a word oi complaint agaii'st the Egyptian task- masters who were oppressing (hem. The man who (bus ludely I'efused ^' ; eace-making inte"- vention of Moses ad;led words that ladicntr-d knowledge < f the deed of the previous day ^Tnlnidcfit fhoii tn Jcill me. a^ thou l-illcdf^t the Efij/pfian?" h'' \. 'lich seemed to suggest that T.Toses had probably nse ^om ore e in sepai'ating the men who were striving. It s u^gests. also, taken in connec- tion with the actual killing of the task-master of the pre- vious day that Moses at Ihis period of hfs life was a man < f strong pa; sions and impulses, a man with A\hom the blow would very quickly follow the word, when wrong was being done in his presence, and also a man of powerful p' ysique. Otherwise, the ITelrew could scarcely have said. "Dost Sit 'ii\f The Bivlh, T '"'"^"'J^andDestim/ofMoacs, 2&i> tllOII 111,.;,,, fi|i,(, ^ j.^i woiil.l Ii;m-,||v i.ii,,.. ,.„/",';;.,, ,. :^ '"••'•« verbal reiunnstrancf^ 'H '"..I a sMong,.,- (liMu tM-,i,, n^'i'?''''''^^^''e""J8tHv- t lat (lu. one wl... lM.o,m .e ,. 7^'-\' ,«"I^"'ate.s them. l^;^;i;;;li?5^'"^^-'''''-^'-^»n.;.^r;s^^^^^ '•••'-llv k.M.un," h. .snfd; ' /"'ill re , -ir ti;"''^' ^''7""""^' «""■ N'd t,. be th 'ir champion po'm; fat,;;^;;;:^;^;-,,^;-^^^ ir lie did tins: ^md he o.. ■ '■H-'ltod in bis lK.i, o/j, '^ .V '• ; « ''' ' »"t c Tlainly have For wli'ii H-<,»i 1 ", '''•"t'3' throAvn into prison'? M.I; ' ^! ; '^: " • iS? ;ien;r;;'^ "^?^'"- '^'-^-b-t tha. IV'Ii' |.oli,.y wE V ^ K n s j:.,^, '''^'"'^ V^^ ^^^"8'- tl"<",^', ,, i, , ,,,,,,^, ^, ... n-ifi . t^f f ■' r"i'^"e.i, , ven al- ii is iio( likelv that nvVo-'^ !'':'"'''"•'" "f^°f'i''t lives! or love ,0,. bis o!;^*;:; ,. ^ ;r'; :; 1;--! of I-tnot-sm. Hp'vl on i|ie],;n1 of IMrir ;], oA , ^ "'^^ •^"•'' ''"f'h r«- n form], bible file, of / i? ir "'1'^ P'*"''^"* J""> P"<«"S Ho i( appe.n-s eHVn t t ?*T>re^.sod people out of t '. v ^^ comn,n.dtop-:;^i!;iU^-^nir wnH Avb.;t a.dinllv di.i hnim,n Tl,l • 'r'^- .^'^ ''appen Hln.viiiK of o > of'bis .„S °', P"^ ^'"?' ' earincr of thh^ death -«l>jec(s, detorniined to pu( M.aes to Po^'on'"!fsav"^o^7nl^f' "^^f ^'^- «^' ^he nnrraliv.- "•n tl.e land ;;f E^'rnot toTeZnVor T '1 ^'''''''''' ^°" TliMu «,f.. ■ ^ear. '•"'(1 as a IiolnloHs , il,i\, r , ' ^'""^''^ hiaiself was car- to i\y to Huv o^h s Jifc t;. V h m/'' P''^;"*' ^^''^ compelled wny ti ,1,0 I'r„m,";',I ril;,! "''" "" '""" ""-' l""!'"" "" their ian cortainlv Mosos wn iW bo in ;fr« . f^^ An E-ypN will nfj to bo nsefnl, made a proposal for hi^ renminrn<^ in the ca.np, which ]\ro.o« was content to accept ^ TliuH he. who, when born. hvA tlie air of a ciVv oliilrl n„^ pnrod him for mn.h that was to folio wVaftrd^^^^ "''"• the Cnl- ?;' "^ ?.'^''' '''''^''^' ""''^ trained So S; John ftp T^npt.st bronprht np. a denizen of the wilderness To tho wilderness was onr T^lossed Lord led bv th-^ HolV Voir t that He mipht pnss through the great conflict which fmallr 17 6 1 It t SI.. ! I I I II ?G2 Moses in the Desert. ; I ^^?» ^' l^al^Je foieiunner of John the Baptist, the pro- Hnl,.'^''^V. " \''!« ^vilderness Moses married onlof^Z r llfi r'' f ^''' ^I"^"f> and l^ad a son born to hi,u, whom he called Gershoiu, meaning- -'a stranger here," "for," he said J Have been a stranger hi a siraiigc land." Here he spent oiie-lliird of his entire life. Forty years passed awa.y in apparent inaction and uselessness,while dur- theij cried. And tlieir cry ( ame up by reason of their bond- age And God hr^vd Iheir groauing." A sfid picture of helpless misery— sighiag, crying, groaning, but never re- sisting— i)robabIy because thoy felt it hojieless to resist successfully, while the attempt would only aggravate their misery. .-on But one may well wonder why the God of this people suf- fered th(;m to be oppressed so long. Ye.-<, we may wonder. ]\rany hfivo wondered in various ages, and have cried oat in anguish. "Oh. Lord, ho}D long! Honi Zm/.'" The 01in"ch of God has of ten cried in times of bitter pers ■cation— ho «r long! Indeed, one of the d"ep nrvsleries of the Divine government of the world is that for s> manv yca'-s and cenluries the world was given up to idolalry, to barbarism, to the prevalence of heathen systems. Why so long before our Lord came? "Why so many aiies of medieval darkness over the Christian Church? Whv have China, India, Japan been suffered through all tliese centuries to go on in spiritual darkness, wliile tlie light of the world has been shining for eighteen hundred years? Wliat can we say to these things? Wlio can solve these mysteries but One? And, after all, what belter should we be if they were solved, if we perfect Iv understood, if we were taken into the c:»unsels of the infinite? Would it affect our own duty, lighten our pithway, render it easier to do and to bear, easier than the asaurance-i and the promises now existing? We have tlie assurance that though "eloudsi and darkness are round aJmit mm, yet rv/hfrousness and pid'/ment arc Ike foundation of His Throve.:' What more do we reallv want? We have promises without end of support in trial, 'of light in darkness, of strength in temptation; and we have that great and comprehensive declaration that "all Ihing^ tcorh together for good to than that love Ood." This is surely sufficient. Here we can rest and be satisfied; and be con- tent to wait the time when "we shall know even as we are known." 3Ioses in the Desert. >e^S'S;fe^|;^--/--d on Without a single i 263 ;oag upon the I^S^J^'^ SiS'^^s.^r"'^''^"" ^^'^^ -^ he recehiug so, revelaUun of Sf, '^'''^'t ^^ ^'&^i^t, and ^v;i.s afterwards u. deliw, t,. ,i ^''';',^ '^"^ «'di''Hnoos lie «oiitude would be f'^ v r bh f i ^^' ^^•"- I'^^^-i-'ds of ••evelation. Jt i., however ai^!''"'^ ^'oatenipIa:iou and ;\ c. know absolutely no h ,',0 i* f ^'^"^^^^ «"d iuK.oiue. ^<^Hy years, a very reiT^,".^^; 1 ^h ^^^^''^^s the end oFthe that was iie turuig' po ,u ^ h^s'".?, 'f^'P-?'^^' ^»" ^'^^nt Hitherto, let it be uote rotl L I- 1 ^^^ ^' '' """"^ ''''^^^'• t""e of a miraculous iuSer^ i-ad l,,ppened in his life- I'evelations, or Uiviue coin nuuic.ti V '"^^'^ "^ "" ^'^^^^«"«' Peued that niioi.t not 1,7 v- 1. ^'' °" ^^'^"t l^'^d hap- i-om this peric^ .,^,,^d ^rifoM, ■' '''' "*""• I^"*' tiuued series of eveuts , f .1, , . ? ^''' '""" ^'^ ^'"<' ^ou' «t-iu,p his history as ,lnn.t n-'"'*®' '^ ''eniarkable as to '•aoe. Ana m.nA,^^,;^''^^^;i?^ ^" the annals of tho Character disdncdv supc'™ al f '';^;,"V"'""-' ^^"' '"'^^ ^^ ^ markable: thev avo nf +hn , ^^'^ "^"'^ »»oi'e ;han re- %'.ny deeniei mi?a^n£'; S:??"'^, '"^^"^-^^'^ '"«^=^ I'aj.peued without 11K> sped',1 in ., \*^-^^ '^"^^ ^^^ ^^ave Lo^-d of tho forces of tlfi wo,id° ^'^^"*^^° "^ ^^^ ^»I>^«"^e tbo riiJIlS'lS;^?-^ -^^1;^ *ho r.st of the u.iracles of rcasou. There is reason /Snu-n 1 *' ^''''' "^ ^^^ ''ishesv nyj.i- of surroundfng . vent ;, d \n' tr™"'r '" '^'^ '•^■'^^■ Misiied. and there Fs .'ea on in n '„^"*^ ^'^ ''^^ 'i«c"m. T>iviueinterventiou ^sbeltrexc vflTr^^^^^^^ ^"•^ ^■^'^'"^ of "nuh power is put for(h .t 1 ^ ' ^*'*'*^ ^^ '^^t end. So "^■andatsuehrUe^ is ;l"Vr'n' '''"^^ ''" •^"••" " ™«n- "'••n.ifestationon ™ortof i.l ^^ ^'^^^'^^'^• ^iere is no %-,rant .^ape an 1 sS '^J^J^'^'"''? ^^^^^ ^^'^^^ the draw forth the faith, he roArd Te lovo f^''" ' T^' ^' ^^ People towards ITin, wbn ;«,.:. i ^ '^' ^'!'^ '^''^^^'P <>t the otherhaud,lhofc . i,e ;;4% "'^T;!"''? '''"'^ "^' "» ^he "'•: or to demons ■.iV;^'"*^^''^'^'^''^o^ fn..,o„8 i„o,mtata Sin ni "' "'° '"^ '''^ »' "'"''' »'"» «" 'ow bush.. One „, ,Ue«o app'o^a to'K'Cf^'^ltLi'! '■H» »:') m It) f :i1 .^i" 264 Moses in the Desert. but as he kept looking, the bush was not consumed; a strik- ing emblem, certaiulj, of a people suli'eriug under the fires of persecution, and vet subs sting generation after genera- tion unconsumed. Turning to look more narrowly, Moses hears a voice out of the bush (but evidently no human voice), calling him by name, commanding him to put his shoes oft his feet (as is the taahion still in the East on entering a mosque, lemple or inner room of importance), ''For the ground whereon thou staiidcst," said the Aoice, "/s Holy." A marvellous message truly, and a fitting prelude to that which followed. For the awe-struck man now heard the voice proclaiming the immediute presence of the Almighty in words to w'hich he had long been a stranger: "1 am thp- God 01-' TiiY Fatiieij, tiiio God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and thi-; God of Jacoh.' And Mosts hiJ h's face, for he dare not look further upon that awful bush. But now the Lord announces a great puriio--e, viz., that the time of deliverance of the opprt'ss'd had come, and of the fulfilment of the ancient promise tliat they should have for a possession the land of Canaan, a land at that time swarming with many trilxts of warlike and partially civil- ized peoj)le, who had cume to occupy and fill the land of Canaan in the ages succeeding the dep.irture t,f Jacob from it. The message was one of sympathy and compasf-ion as well as of power: "/ have seen," I have seen the affliction of my people in Egypt; I l;now their sorrows! And now tlie Divine voice gives to this man a direct call lo a high olfice and duty: ''Come, I will send Thi:e, and Thou shalt bkino I'OHTH My I'eoi'i.e out of Egypt," Many a man, hearing this, would have recalled the past, his early history, training, antece.Ienis, wilh the < ircum stances of his fiight, and would have been lifted up witii the thought of going b.ick to Egypt, the laud of liis birth and education, on sr<„'h a great errand. Ii was like the call of a superior giving a soldier the coip.mand of a great expeditii)n. But Moses shrank within liiniself at lieing ho distin- guished. ITe had that true humility whcli goes before honor. "Who am /," he answered, "that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of If^rael out of Egypt?" Thus speaks the man who has a high f., t>re- clation of his work; and 1 ecanse lie lia-i a h'gh appre- ciation of the work, has a low opinion of bis own filncsis to undertake it. But these are the men who t uccted. There is hardly a man in the world who has attained gieat eminence either in Church or State, who, v.hen high offict; has been offered him, has not felt a certain shrinking from it under a sense of personal unfitness. To this there have, f'.r^i':Pl r Mosea in the Desert. 265 TotE^Lona^i "^^^^^^^^ excepUonn. But that i« the rule. ^\oio Lpisvopan expresses a general trutJi. iJiiuk highly ot themselves, and little of their nork th-it become egregious failures; and this by the er; tor'ce o uatural circumstances. .? "^^^ "a -n-.^u ^'-'''""^' t^^« i*^*^^ "t' nnhtness the Lord gave him the giea assurance, -Vcrtmnly, I tcUl bv with tl^j." A u-uth auv h'/uf ""v,fr\r^' V\' "^^'^■•'^ '^ '"^^ '^ ^^'--^ ^"J to di auj tiling. And Moses did apparently grasp it 1- or with a willing and obedient mmd, as to the main ed With' 'f 'r '' ^'^"^•^'^^ ^"^'^ ^ work'is tu be p -o'ed ^1. '^"'^ '^*''"^^'" difficulties occur to him, the tirst of irt i^senf"! r J^ """^"f ^^^^ ^'^'^-^^^ God whom he L ^ u-pieseut, a difficulty which would not readily occur to us wno tor many generations have been accustomed to the iden of one only God and Almighty Father in the universe. heXn 'i'm.r,''^ '"* ^''''' *''^'^ «"^'*' ''""^ the gods of the vTsfmn '« , ^'^ I^'^T^' ^' ''"l^^ter, Minerva, liaal, X shnu, Brahma, and what not. But in ordinary religious M ?r*^f h"' "*''''' F:>^ '' ""'"'' ^^' the Supreme Lor-I the Alakei of Heaven and Earth, unless it be in the form o^' the bon ot God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ. "^"^ " tue •nu.ULl'' ^^'*'^*\ ■ "*^f^^'«^^«' brought up for generations ; Z?"l t '' T7^'P. ''* ^''**^' "^'^^ ^^"^^*^' it would be most fnt!.:L '-'^^J'"''}^'' ''''"^*' "*■ tli«^ l^ivinity ihey were asked IvnuiTl ^°- To this we^would think a sufficient answer fZi 1^ "Our ^0(1 18 the great Creator of Heaven and H-aith He dwelleth not in temples made with hands. He canriot be seen He ha^ no name. He was worshipped by our fathers, whom He had protected and blest " • .Vi ""^m.^ '*'' ^^'""^'^ ^"* ^^^ '^i"*-^ 'i»t in a position to judge rightly. The answer of the Lord to this question was to announce a name indeed; but a name that no mort 1 man ( ould ever have conceived; a m-nie of inconceivable sublim- ity and majesty, the depth of which no human intellect has ever sounded. For God said unto Moses. '• I Am that I Am And he said. ''Thus shalt thou say unto the child- ren of Israel. I Am hath sent me unto vou " I Am! "^ The ever-subsisting. He who is from Everlas>ting to Ever- asting: He whose existence is the first necessitv and the last; who is before all things, and in whom all things consist; in whom we ourselves live, and move, and have our This it is true, tells nothing of what He is. He might be the I Am. jind yet impassive or unmoved: He might be cap- ricious, vindictive, unjust; He might be the terrible tvraut 1 i 266 Moses in tJi^ Desert. uf the uuivei-se, Ueliglitiug in blood and cruelty. All these nave been human conceptions of Divinity, embodied in poetry ol the sublimest sort, or sculptured in purest marble, iiut none ol these conceptions of u - apricious, or cruel, or unreasonable Divinity were eve- associated with the idea ui Uue everlasting- and unchangeable lieing; they all are parts ol systems of -yodis many and lurds many:' The same revelation which opens to our conception the I Am, opens up also the iieing wlio is perfectly just, true, goodj wiio piues, comforts, blesses; wlio forgives wrong and loves the repentant, wrong-doer; finally upeuing,up a wonderful reve- lation of a love manifesting itself in the sending of an oulv i>egoueu «ou, that all who believe in Jiim may have ever- lasting life. «uch ai-e the further revelations of Him whose name is I Am. But to return to the revelation made to Moses. 1 he name as given in Hebrew is almost perfectly ex- pressed by that mysterious word Jkuovah, which has al- ways expressed the idea of pure, simple, unchangeable, un- derived, and never-ending being. Of such a name two very important things are to be said: lust, that It cou d never be supposed to be the name of a god who w;^ like one of the gods of the heathen,— the whole Idea of it was absolutely of another order of thought- secondly. It was a name that precluded any possibility of fiTr""? '"^' '^ ''^^^'^.^ ^^ ^"^' ^™^g^' ^y^^^^^' «r outward figure of any description. For how could the Eternally Subsisting One, who had neither beginning nor ending, be represented by anything (hat human eye coald see. j j t> ...Sni'-*'* ^if"*! ^*^ ""^ *^^ ^^'■y foundation of the many ,lf^ f « ' ^^'^} ''■**^ *^ '"^ "^^^*^ t^rougli Moses of that awful Being who now spake such gracious words of sym- pathy and compassion, and who announced His intention of tttecting deliverance from bondage through the medium of this shephei-d of the wilderness. n«i^^'' ^?^? *^^ ^''^^"^^ ^'^^'^^' ''gather the elders of Israel, and say, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the Ood of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob, hath appeared unto me, and said. I ivill :ss Zdt:i^'^ '^"""^ '" ^''''' '' « '^^'^ ^--'^^ And the voice added. ^^They will listen to thee. But the king of P.gypt will not listen to thee; therefore. I will smite Egypt with wonders; after which he will let nou go free" ri.ns, m few words, was foreshadowed all that came to pass in that strange visit of Moses to the scenes of his for- mer life, and especially that the deliverance was to be bv a distinct Divine intervention, and not by the ordinary Moses in the Desert. - ge? «een xuany instances s^me succSstrrr '^! ^^'^^^^ ^^^ deliverance was not to C hv + h f '. ^^""^ ^«t- But this finger of God! ^^ ^^'^ ^"^^ «f "lan, but by the -^''^ZTn.i''^''^^ttT^^ "They will tl.e perverse aWooSicto"rvr -T^'i"? remembrance of of them forty years be o^eAJdE tTT^ ^^ ^^'"^ for doubting them the whnT« t 1 ^"^ ^"^'^ ^ood reason Divine BeinJ who^as choTen him 'f ?'^' ?'''^^^- ^^"t the ;-.'u.ry his eredontiaf^ w^^?h h.m ^7^"" '}''' ^^ '^^'^ nandr says the Heavenly voice Mo7el%J r!-'"i '\'"''' stalt in his Jiand "PnJ u I, ^oses had his shepherd's which, being done the rod be^mi' "'''""'' ^'^^ '^^'^^ «''^-; of the dangerous an'^po'^t'ou^TerAVnt^oTti. t"'?^^^ "°^ for :\foses fled from before '• "''J^^'^f*^°t« «f that wilderness, snake suddenlv appearing. nfnnf/T ""^'^^ ^''"'" ^ '■«ttl<^- of faith and confidence^ 'Wr t ;, ^^"° '^''^"^'^ *^^ ^'"^'a' Divine voice; certainfv a severe tH^, f '■''^''^^'' ^^•^•'" '^^ of his life that he ton^hJdTt Let Inv nT ^' ^''' '^^ '^' '^'^ rommand being given with'nXn^?J J^"" imagine such a its terrible fongs^^ffdv for tt^^o+fo- Z''-**^^'"'''^^''^- ^^'^^'^P nn5':^n:rhtTs;u?^;^rnt mr^'^^ n^ ^^« ^-<^ ^ Again the command cZo LZZr '^^^^7^'^ «t<-^ff- 7>a..^/' Withdrawing hi's hand uiJ.?/ '""'^ '"'" '^'?' ns snow. ^^ ^^^ leprous— as white "7?r^./rw. f7,;/ 7/y?«,f into fh,f lm,om " ^nid fh^ n,-^- On doing so. and withdrawineak with power. But Moses pleads his want of elociuent speech. "/ am slow of speech and of slow totufue," he says, words strikingly resembling those spoken many years after- wards by a prophet of burning words. "O/;, Lord," said Jeremiah, the priest, when his commission as a ])roi)het was announced to him, "/ eaiinot speak. I am a little child." But the last doubt of Moses was somewhat sharply re- buked. "Who hath made man's mouth? or who makcth the dtimh, or deaf, or the seeinri, or the hlindF Have not I, the Lord?" "Now. therefore, (jo. and 1 will he with thi/ month, and teach thee what thou .^halt .wi/!" Moses, how^ever, though rebuked, still pleads that some one more fit for the work than himself should be sent. On which the anger of the Lord was kiudh'd. and Pie said. "Ts vot Aaron the Levite. thi/ hrother. J know that he can speak irell. Thou. then, shalt speak my words to him. and he shall 1" thy spokesman to the people." On hearing this. Moses becomes silent, and prej)ares to obev. NOTES TO CHAPTER III. Of Moses as a Shepherd. sefu?ini^ spend one-thn-d of his life as a shepherd coSer '"'' *'"''' ''''^^ opportunity. But let us The occupation of a shepherd in the desert— wis if ,.nf we 1 calculated for training of another sort? "* ^i^ult^^s^o/w.^'", .*Y l"^"'"^"'''^ «f «inai would have his deve ontl L \^"'f ''• P^"«"dent foresight, and couraj--,^ ihl n^l / 'T^^""^ exercise. He would require to be on ha^ e to study the capacity of region after region of .ountrv for supplies of water; and not infrequently he might Hke .voung DavKl m after years, have to defend hfs^ock from ZliT^^- I'"-^ "" ''^" '■'^ ^'^^'^y favorable to the devoir ment of a hardy, patient, calculating, courageous charlcte? .lust the qualities, in fact, that fit a man. al^nHMth certain g=f ts of mmd, to be a leader amongst his fellows ZZZl was the discipline through which Divine Providence ed this man during forty years. uvmeuic lea As TO THE NAME JehOVAH. _ It has become a sort of fashion in these times (and there IS fashion in literature as well as in dress) to spell this time- nonoured word.-r.7,rr/,. and to insist that this is the tnie and .my proper mode of spelling and pronouncing it. Now as in the anciePt Hebrew, the words were without vowels! 1 is evidentlv the purest guesswork in these times to in- sist that thes<. vowels should be a and r. and not ?hJ\^^^\ "■ J.?'' ^^'''^ ^"" ^^ "^ possible proof tba< the two letters were the letters adopted in arci.^nt times to enable the word to be spelt at all- or tha. the name onirht to have two svllables and not three As to both spelling and oronunciation. is it not the fact, as oxperience shows that the verv same name will be both spelt and nronnnTi.ed diflFerentlv bv men of different Enronean nationalities, and that another set of varieties will be introduced if we bring in men from the .\sia(ic con- difrerently spelt and pronounced bv Englishmen, French- men. Germans and Tt-aliftns'' A . I I i1 ,1 ■jiii. ■* there not -iiffciY-iiej'R he- 270 Of the name Jehova. 2r3> , T^ ^''''^ ^°^ *^^ S^brew form of the same as Jsa ah/ Does not the familiar Jacob become Yacoub, 01 laijcoob, in the East, and Moses Mosheth? J^ow if names of all biblical personages into the Eastern form too? rn,7nf M « «,f-^?, ««"°d odd too-^to speak of the God of Ah-Bra-Haam, Esak, and Yahcoob. But it would not be one whit more uncouth than to change the name Jehovah into Yahveh. Indeed, do we not constantly fiml the same man's name spelt in two different wayn even in the Hebrew itself? This is not a singular thing, rruly, if we consider in how many ways the name Shakspeare has l>een spelt, even in England, not to speak of foreign rountries. Ihere is then no sound philological reason for the chance from Jehovah to Yahveh. But there is one reason of Jon sulerable importance why the change is undesirable. It has come into use, and is most insisted on, bv a school of cntics who have adopted the theory that the God of the Hebrews was only revealed to them as a tribal divini v a being on no higher level than Baal, Moloch, and Then o^h J^ow, as the word Jehovah has come to have inal em 1 e nssociat.ons for generations back, as expressing the \ - tions of the >God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob are to be lowered to d liim was that he could ".siwak ircli;' an important matter, indeed, when they had to plead before a haughty tyrant «uch as the 1 haraoh of that time was. But the power of , speaking well" is la very subordinate faculty t^mpaicd with the power of thinking well, and in truth is not seldom entirely dissociated from it. Moses was the I man who was called out to lead in the great wor?,, and ample endowments were conferred upon liini tron>. Hi., very beginning of the work in the presence of Iharriuh -u Egypt, to the time when he laid down his lite s:) , ,... f;u-*imsly on the very border of the land of pro- imse. Ain'0% however, wiis distinctly subordinate, and there was r-ip^on for it. Though a good man, he was weak, and on the only occasion when he acted alone, his action was lamentably deficient in faithfulness and courage liut in subordination to his brother, he fulfilled his part in the great mission. Before the arrival of Moses, he seems to have been so far free that he could leave Egypt and under- take a journey to the wilderness. There at 'the "Mount of Cod, or Horeb, he meets Moses, hears all tliat had tran- spired, and all the signs that God had commanded, and accompanies Moses to Egypt, doubtless giving him informa- tion as to its present condition, the condition of their own people, the character of the king, the best means of gather- ing the Hebrews together, and of approaching Pharaoh. And on arriving in Egypt, they were able to confer with the "elders" of the children of Israel. This is the second time that the word "elders" occurs in Scripture narrative as designating leaders, rulers, or pro- minent persons, and suggests that in the midst of all the oppression they were suffering, the people had never lost some semblance of orderly government amongst themselves, such as must have existed for many generations after the sons of Jacob came down to Egypt. The heads of the respective families of the sons, those families which de- Moaea and Aaron before Pharaoh. .>j^ «ojc.ur„ i„ the land And we'kL V if,':;''^^';.''''''^^ «< '^^ir opprcsHcd iind piTsecNted iu>nni« -^ °'" the expori-nco of tli<'vg(.n«.alJviiiJmeS,r^^^^ m moderu times,, tha^ thc^' look up fo. •^uidanco bo h L'^:;*!;'" '^P;?)- ^ whom Aaron was ld 'ow they coukl bo gathered Tc^^^^i^/^^tt'n'V';"'"^'-'^"^ words, as did the Covonnn «,« i ?'. "'«"'' '"'^ I'-'S^- ^cothmd. and Jfbr^\:!|;:;;!i^^^^,^;-,«ls°j; -d the poop,e of this a. »hip,,v,l. This b.. ino n o% V f '^ ''*'''■ ''^'"^'^ «"f' «'0'-- d(0;;Vrancew'is Sn 'niovl' r''*/t^J' ^" ^^■" ^o.k of (lolivernnce. that it w"; f.nn7f 'T'^ '" ^^" possibiiiiy of tbeir fa (hers, and was to h^bv^'fr"?""" ^'^ "'^ ^^^ «'' Moses. ^^ ^^ ^i ^^"^ inslrumentality of use reniaH'ihlv .iiV ''^'^'"'^tor and its consequences Tliev ITi^r}, (t-,d:who Ins t '.e f.^; I 7" "^^«^engers of the Most ':3 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 I.I IL25 III 1.4 d5 ilM IM 1^ IM m 1^ us u , Uuu m 1.6 Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 274 Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh. „im, m^ I ;^m not accustomed to obey. Who dares to sum- J ™i 9 ? .t^ make such an unheard-of demand upon I haraoh? Let the people {-o? I know nothing of tins God. and I will not let Israel go. ' i,n?i!!in V'""^ '^'^^'\ ^"'''' ''^^° expected. It was wliat they had been forewarned of. The natural working of V,e mind ot a despot IS here seen, as it has been seen in scores of instances since the time of Pliaraoh. And yet, while the mind of this king is working now, and will continue to work, according to its natural impulses, ho Eni', . Tl,I f ^or]iln^ out the designs of the .Supreme Kile . llius It was in the great and stupendous evc^nt bv which the redemption of mankind was accomplished. In that event we find the chief priests of the Jews fo'Jowing out the luipulses and purposes of their own mind, only intent on bringing about events such as tliev thomse'ves wished for. Yet their plans, purposes, and actions were made subservient, all unknown to themselves, to the hieh- est purposes of Divine beneficence and goodwill to man- kind. Iheir plans and purposes were bad. ^rlfish, wicked and cruel, and they were justly held accoun.able for them, Jis such. Although what they did subserved a Divine pur- pose, It was their own purpose they were called t-. :!ccount tor They had no beneficent intention to mankind in plotting to bring Jesus to death, and hence the terrible arraignment of Peter the Apostle when he addressed them' alter our Saviour'.s death and resurrection. "Hm. heinn achvcred hy the dcl-rminale coumcl and forcliioiolcdqp of Qod' Vc have taken, and hy Kicked hands have crucified and slain" iho guilt of murder was upon them, for no thought but of murder ^\ as in their hearts. Thus it will be found throughout this remarkable nar- rative of the steps by which those Israelitisli peov/.e were wrenched from tlie grasp of Pharaoh. Ills actions insulted in morveilous manifestations of the power and beneficence of the Hupreme God. But he never intended this. His purposes and actions were all in puisuance of his own thoughts. He followed his own inclinations. And bv these he was judged. So, when Moses and Aaron still urged that they were acting under a Divine command, the king became jealous and suspicious; a true toucli of nature this. Thepe men have another end in view. Under pretence of this message from their Divinity— whoever he may be, I dor't kno*' him— they really want to recover their libertv, and work cnce more for themselves. The great works they ar.^ build- ing for me and for Egypt are to be stopped, and tiicy suf- fered to spread themselves again over the land as cultivat- ors and shepherds, displ.icing our own husbruidmen. Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh. 276 right have yon ^i^ilj. i^'S^^^^^ij^'^ll'/'V^"^ feojug on Willi their work?" (Chan v if ^ ^^' ^''°'^' wi^h .V iletternu'h on the terrible slaughU^ of iTs b ^ les Vnd how Enrope was being dreucd.erl with boo 1 bvit'onm ovSeerror?Joi7nw!f"^ '" '^'f ^ ^^'^''^'^^'^' P^'^PK'- '-^"^1 the heai^ ^ rthei^ai^ts^;;;^ssF^;:ti^^ t.^r.^^-t:r.^^r-j-rj.^^ torv Tt^-"^T° "° '-^ plantation appended re ?a " toij, or inclined to reinonstrale, or sh wed lh(' len^ Kl:l!:5^"*riei^^TTl '""''^ ^-^en,; wri^'intea/ed; tney ^^ele subjected to 1h.' most cruel treatment- thr-v c^:.sii:.,«™jf°c '^""■"" '"'"">- '^"'■"^ ^'"^^^'" the task-mastors. "Go and wort. Find \'o„" „wn kraw. ;4 ,■« 'i I' * i f ' II i! 276 Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh. realize f lie Ivum^ot /uch n S J ,1°°'' °''° "9'"«0 can befdXTra' "^-'"-"y -W™ .be JudgSSf.'tb'at iM.iL"''*""'^* be wondered at, that at this time th.. peoDle »^«t'Si,.^;;;a^:i^ orpts" ''™'' """ "^^^ '° bt.^t'Jra\tt.ztr- Tlius i,asBed tlie iirst stage in tliia stranse worl; of re tSZ-Jtk'o?ft''°' "," *!f '""""^ c^dr^il't dark. «iea tiie patli ot this people, it was towards relfmnfinn liat all was surely tending. He that sittlth in thoC^Z XrarrdSprp^^^'"^ '^ ^^^- *^^ -^«^-- 0? ]-n?rno?°^T/ nLr^^*'"'" of increased exaction lasted we know not. It might be spread over a considerable Ppace of time, months, or even a year or more. But there graduaUv came on a new order of events. graauaily Moses received new communications from the Lord indi iiand. ami that a time was coming when Pharaoh would be impelled by an irresistible force to set eople free Tilth a strong hand he shall lot them nd with a stiving hand shall he drive them out." (Chap ri 1) lEHov'I'/'i'ff 't ''^l'ti"°« shall know fhh.hH^'' file liardening of Pharaoh's heait? One would thmk It needed no special hardening after readiiur the nnV lunsuitung. Was it not hard enough? Hard enmifrli pop r^/', ^^^^«P^^^ts inflicting oppression 15 ttwf 'it ■ despotic sovereign to have full scope; airowin^lL in Cnhl^ ^'T ^' T" '''^>'- Tl'is cannot bu be the d^; i God's hardening the heart. For God cannot tempi n m-in to evil, cannot induce to evil, cannot lead on i^ "^il But God may for deep and wise purpose, in the Counsels of infinite wisdom, allow a raan\s evil prope^si v to iTe fuH scope, in certain circumstances it n n.tfo.-J .• " checked, until great fore-^/rdaSd '^ncfs Imve beenTccom" pl.shed. If unbelievers cavil, let it be conddered thnt tr« narrative s the only source from whence we havla^v know hafthe ^-' T'' -li^""- '' ^^'^ statemennVtrm "r" S L Wt^f T 1'-' '^r'T^'' ^'' '"t^"*^'^'^ '^f hard.' oning riie Heart of the king (and it is onlv on the snnnnsi tion that it is true that fault can b/ found witlfm then that action, although we may norfull? unng!>f th'^Tlvaicr' "'" ''''' ^"" "^^''^ -'^ --^ t-Se a's ..^Sir-/"""*' ?°^^^^^' ^'a« no<^ terrible at all. bein- onlv i exhibition of supernatural power in turning a hepherd's i^z.. a .serpent. The magicians of Egypt (for magic :.1 It 1 V 4< 278 Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh. was well developed in Egypt by that time) imitated this, as I'liisteni magitiaus can at this day, and their rods also liiriii'd into serpents. ^^ hereupon Aaron's rod swallowed up all the rest— a symbol of the power of Jehovah being far I cyuml the power of all other so-called gods. This produced no impression whatever upon the king. He d.mljtless considered it to be only a better exhibition of magic than his own sorceiers could furnish. This, however, was a mere prelude. The gieat judgments that went to display the power of the Uod of the whole earth Jiow began. Let us remember that the conception of an all-powerfui lifing Avho could control the forces of the '^atural world was utterly foreign to the heathen mind. Tlie greatest of 111!" gods of Egypt was nothing but an animal; far below man in the scale of being, and at be»^t only a symbol of cer- tain powers of nature. And other gods were as far below this animal as he was bt low man. Tiese gods were never dreamed of as capable of doing anything great and marvel- lous, and that any of them, or all" of them together, could control the forces of the natural world, the river, the air, the winds, was beyond imagination. But Pharaoh was now to learn. The first judgment was upon the river Nile. This river, then, and now, as has been already said, was the very life of Egypt. Indeed, the river was the very origin and source of all the cultivation of the country. Without i(. the whole area of Egypt would have been desert. There would, in fact, have been no Egypt. There would be no Egypt to-day. The land and cultivatable area of Egypt, that which alone makes the country of value, or ever has made it so, exactly coincides with the extent of the annual overflow of the Nile. The moment this area of overflow is passed, the sandy region beyond begins. The first judgment, therefore, was a Ferious one, and eminently calculated to induce reflection in the ruler of the country. If this mysteridus Divinity whom these men speak of, the God of these Hebrews, is a Being with power <»ver our river, what may not the extent of His power be? If he can alter the nature of the water of the Nile, has He not our life and destiny in His hand, for without the water of the river we must die. Such would have been the course of reflection with men in circumstances to reflect calmly. But they were not. The pressing necessity of the mass of people was to get water, and the narrative is true to fact and circumstance in repre- senting them as bestirring themselves with energy, and digging wells to find water fit to drink, which apparently they did, and found sufficient for the few days during which ug. He tion of This, ts that p earth Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh. 279 the Tisitation lasted. For in this instance judgment was tempered wuli mercy. The time was caleulltefi t o^?^ vcS fZ'V'"^'- 1^"*^ '^ ^'''''''^ '^»°S^'^- ^^'^ ^'^^^^ people AAould have been in danger of perishing H;mn-?''f!f '''"'^.^'''''^'''*"' ^^' *^^*'°^*^ t« Ji-'^^e considered the , 11 f n^ the water as a mere piece of enchantment, and c. lied upon his nmgicians to ellect a like wonder. Thev seem to have been abb,, to do what satisfied the king, for we next read that his heart was hardened. He refused to ]'^'l7nt.T>>'' T^''''^ ^"^^^^'I'osilion, but '^turned and went into / s house. I he whole suggests m attitude on the part of the king of supreme indifference and contempt, considerin- the miracle as a mere piece of jugglery, not worth further This is precisely what might be looked for in a despotic Lmg who was determined that his purpose of retaining this peop e and using them to prepare vast monuments <. I glory should not be thwarted. Kings who were accustomed to the terrible realities of war, and to the sacrifice of the lives of tens of thousands of men, and to the desolation of whole province.s by fire and sword, all for the furtherance of plans of extension or conquest, were not likely to be moved except by something which would come very closely home to them, causing great personal discomfort, or endan- gering the rise of a rebellious spirit amongst their subjects A^ e shall see then, as the narrative progresses, how ii ?he deep counsels of Infinite Wisdom, and in furtherance of the purposes both of retributive judgment and of deliyerancp a series of calamities was brought about which it was iml possible for any king, no matter how mighty he was to disregard or despise. fe .> "^ wcs, xo ■■0 :M and II' riiAi'Ti:ii V. PiiAnAoii ANi» Tin: Plagues or EoYPr. Exoiltis 8, U, 10. In conHidtTiii- thcs,. i)|;i^nio8, while assuming the narra- tive as true s.,..,,, hnv- sti„Mbl,.,l a( the „leu of a merciful n , ' r r" '*'"""^' '•""'"^' '^^'ll^ l>^''-^' to torment and pl.ioue .lis rrealiires. -Tills surely," they sav, -in more ^^ciJ^s SV" '"""• ""'^ '"^ •^^ -"^ «f =^'^-'^ and th?<"t%ri''-"' ''"'''.<.^''/''''", '^■•' '^»"^^' «i- ^'I'o informed us, that (.ml IS iiiercilul, k.n.l, „nh each of these visitaUons pr.xluced 'is mnniw?./ -1 lution returned, Lis heart was har(lene,], and ho ef ^/d as It IS mterestuig, also, to notice what mnv he ea ', 1 the natural element in all the supernatural events Sad in this book. They are all such as arise out of tl e natura° conditions of the country, and also out of Ih/cireumstancea of tiie time. Thej all are calculated to ac onipl "l^ e end To. n ' Tr "" ?f°^«nstration of the power of Aln fghty God as well as the deliverance of the people and wit f ho fftrtt'^^-^'l^'i?^^- T-etuslook^itth'moSeby^^^^^^^^ Pharaoh ooln'^'''^"''*'^".^^ ''' ''''^'' «^ '^" "^'^r. which i^naraoh looked upon with contempt, a creat placue of FnoGs swarmed over the land, entering into eve?v honse and covering the rooms even of the roval palace TlieFros trtli?s°d.'v fc'n"- "' ^^P*''^^ '' Egypt. a^idthereTsexlan? to this day a carving on one of the raonum-mts representins swS Ko^ ^""^'^^ *" '-^ frog-headed monstmritv This dTvs^n nSMT'' ^^•''^™^ ''^'''^ ^'""'^^ be called in these aSitment .von^-^°";f^^°''^- "^^'^ Penetrated int(. ever7 rJvni ' ? '^^ "'*'' ^"^^^ chPnibers of the women of th^ sS fr?h'r'''- ^"^^F.rfl^-'^^t ^^ this visitation mijSt seem, for tht-re was qeither sickness, nor loss of life, nor K' ►Ml ;:>■ ^y .•J :h t(0 J) ': m 'r: 1 ! ' ^ ' w ; I • i Spo Pharaoh and the Plagues of Egi/vt. lack of food connected with it, we have only to considr !■ the plague in detail to see how it would render tlie daily lif- of men, and especially of womeu, utterly unbearable. This brought I'haraoli to reason. He sent for Moses and Aaron, and entreated them to pray to tlie Almightv Ruler to take the plague away. And he promised to let the i.eoole go. TJ— look him at his word. Their j)raver was iieard; the frogs died cut of the housi's, the villager and the flelds; they gathered them in hcajts, and thei.' noisome odor per- vaded the land. 15ut the king did not keep his word. It is an old maxim witli despots— we have had it in our own English history— that a king is not bound to k^ep his word with his enemies; nay, we have had the ^ame principle in a certain development of Ihe Roman Church, viz., that there is no obligation to keep faith witli hi retics. The Plagues of Lice and of Flies were of the same char- acter. They did not endanger life; they did not even tend to bring on sickness. But tliey would certainly tend to render life intolerably buidmsome. The plague of Lice, like the two preceding, demonstrated the power of the (lod of the Hebrews over objects heM in leligious reverence by the nation. They were i)roduced by Moses aud Aaron smit- ing the soil, that soil which was a product of the river, and reverenced as the river itself was. This soil was made to bring forth small insects resembling our black flies, or mos- quitoes, which became a torment to man and beast thi()U"-li- out the land, as we who know of these insects mav well understard. The Magicians endeavoied lo imitate tins but they found it impossible, and so confessed to Pharaoh sav- ing, at length, "This is the finger of God," an expresslon'indi- eating that they had come to understand Pomething of th"' great and all-powerful Divinity worshipped bv th-^ Hebrews. (Chap. viii. 10.) But this plague produced no impression on the kin"; doubtless because it affected him and his household less than it did the mass of the people. The plague of Flies was one which converted auothe? divinity into a source of torment, the air itself beiii- an object of worship with Ihem. But the Hebrew word trans- lated "Flies" suggests rather a kind of beetle ttan our common house-fly, and has been supposed to be of a species which bite, as well as incommode by flying in swarms. This plague proved an unbearable torment, and the kin" was moved by it. Calling Moses and Aaron, he proposes that they shall be at liberty to hold their festival and oifer their sacrifices in the land of Egypt, to which Moses natur- ally answers that the cattle that would be offered were held Pharaoh and the Playucs of Eyi/pt. 283 Z^hlZT'''}'^,'^''' Egn)tiuns that the sacnflce woul.l I'l- lit'ld by tlictii fo"l being stoned wliilc oH H' an ••altoniinalion, tlio AviMfrncfs i'riujx tlieiii. N( on wliicli, I'liai-aoli parlejinf;'. as it and lend to tlioir ia-y uiuHt ''() intt) i!n tiino, aial evidently with no st were, to thei n no iit all, says, "J will 1,4 n ous intenlion of letdnjj hat ,s. they nught go, hut not beyon.l hi you go, l)iit nor far awav powei s jurisdict'on or wore ..omovo',,, I'li^.i;,, .iiroll'ili^/t S"'"''' """ I'l.-lKiiva r„ul ,l„nn no ival (hnnnt-i. to lit,, or nrorrlv V, , lurst their tattm.; were to ho th'> victinm of Vlm^pv ,« joun-ain, and to die in groat nund,ers/ Wo iftli' tin " Icnow the terrible olTor-ls of cattle diser. e \n d s d^^the present inhabitants of Egypt. ,vlnoh has boon tn visi ^on to n ovont ' ^^i'"* «t''i'ig<'"t measares of prec ni- Sr worso fn^ -^ *'^2, "\"*1*^^- This plagno, howevor, ^vas lar ^Aoise. for it affecled not onlv horned cattin l.n- oninTV; , • '^ ^ "^ <>nltnators while it lasted, and tlireat- uSont I'"^ T'","" *'"""^ •''"• Tho oharaeter of t f. "Sof thrT^''"V''\™''^"''''^^^ f''"'" the fact Ihat the Th^nr^o? il!T "^'■"'^^^■"*«'^ ''-^'^ left unharmed. Ld .!;?He:^\rhap:;x"ro'' ""^^ '-^ '"^'■'^^«" ^^^-- -^^"" Pharaoh, how^over. was .amoved; a fa,, whieh reveals Ins ehararter as one of the heartless despo s who have no shadow of rare for the welfare of the peoj'i^^o th^v rn e honiP+oiil ^"'^•f*'''^ ^^-^^ ""0 which came more clearlv voTi^*" ^"'^ipt'ii-e narrative does not mention whether Pha- raoh and h,s household wore aO-eeted along with the reJt of the people To jmlge by thefact that he^ars nfobdm. ate, one mieht suppose they Mere not. if it were not tit men, w-hen finally set upon their own way, and wh,^? pHde nud passion are aroused, will undoubtedly pursue their sXr^r" '^^"^^ '' '"'* ^^''"^ ^^' ^ *'™e 's'-ievous bodily '.9 1 f .? ■ 1 A J 1 rK 1 «a i 284 Pharaoh and Uic Plagues of Egypt. It .8, l.ow.nop. c.x,>,oHsly stated Ihat "th.. niiiKidans could not stan-l bo oro Moses because of the boils," lor t!ie boiU ueiv n,„)ii I ,eiu. as well as ou the rest of the Kj,'vi.(iuns. Am after fh.s we hear of the ninj-icians no more. .on. n-m^'nl'l' ',''*' ''^'f^ *"""""'"*' '^' I'^'^'''^'^'"' ^'^ '^ strenuous oiiima.M ami ,.rnhl.. waini.i;.. vi/., thai M.e land should be eut olt from the earth. This thivat, for some re.v.ou no^ Kiven was n..t cnirird out; for, thou-h ihi> land ha margin gives a dilTerent reading; and this marginal reading is snid by Eebiew scbi.larn to b^ the correct one. It is not that Cod had create,! him to be Tv, X tI'^ jas not that Tie raised him u]) a, from birth, but that He "madePlaiaoh to staiul." that is. to stand out pro- mwentl.n: laised up on high before the world; conspicuoualv working out his own .haracter of cruelty and obstinate indinerence, the blame being wholly his own. although it did result in ^vx)ndel•fl,l di-p'ays of Divin.^ power, such as should be renn^mbeird. as ihey hive been, .u after ages. Ihis truth has been enlarged upon already. The visitation of ILvir., accompanied by Violent storms of t-ainder and lightning, is not of a supernatural character in Itself (nor indeed were most of the other.s)— what wa=3 supernatural about it was its unprecedented violence de- structiveness and extent. We. in this country, and especial- ]y in he region of the Xorth-W(>st. know only too well the deyast.ation that a single hailstorm may produce, and how the whole crop of a farmer may be destroyed in a sing! - day. But such storms are invariably partial. Such a thinc^ as a iiail storm devastating a whole country and d.'stroving its crop IS unknown. This storm, however, was universal throughout Egypt, with the sole exception of the land of Goschen. That region was exempt. And t, singular feature of the narrative is that some of ' Pharaoh and the Placjurs of Efjifr*. 285 it the servants of Pharaoh, and sonto of the Egypti-iii people be levod the warning voice, and got their cattl." oi;.- of tho ields juto a phice of shelter, with everything that could br housed, including their servants. For tho stoiiu when it iaii:e, swept everything b.'lore il— crops, oaltle, men, and M-onien; breakin^r down trees, and (earing up herl)H. exactlv as (he severe c.vclones do witli which at times the western parts of this Continent are devastated. This visitation produced a striking ellect. The kiiij^ oent for Moses and Aaron in the midst of the storm, and while it was raging, evidently in great fear 'as well he mi}>ht be. for the storm was even (hen raging vviih unparalleled destructiveness), confessed his wrong and the wron;; of his pe(»ple. This is the first and only time when the Egyptian people are identified in wrong-doing with the king. Pharaoh may have had little ground for thus speaking. It mav have been only the natural working of a mind conscious of great wrong, for men, nlniost invariably, attempt to shift some portion (tf (heir wrong (l(»iiig to others. Or it may have been true (hat his ueojdi' generally, or (heir leaders/at any rate, fell in readily with his plans of outrnge and -;.pi)res. sion, and took part in (hem willingly. In this case. Divine chastisement, as affecting (he people generallv, would be most just. Pharaoh not only confessed his sin, but be^j^ed that Closes and Aaron would interc(>de f>'V the stoppage of the plague, giving now an ui!condi(i(inal promise to let them go. (Chap. ix. 28.) ^foses, in promising to ofT'»r prayer, spoke of the storm as a display of power of '"the Loi-d of the whole earth" fand thus above all the divinities of Egypt), and sent thai the king of Egypt and all his people might know it. And did not all history and experience tell us of the treacheiy and deceitfulness of the heart of man, we should judge it to bo impossible that Pharach shuuld not then hnve submitted, in humble acknowledgment of Divine power, just ao an- other great monarch of futuT-e ages, Nebuchadnezzar, did, "when warned by the prophet Daniel. P.ut Pharaoh, when the visitation had passed, resumed his old attitude of defiant indifference. There is an old couplet of medieval times about Satan being sick, and what he did when well, which expresses a too well-known truth as to wicked men under the pressure of calamity. The pressure taken off, they return to their old ways. The narrative now proceeds to record another plaguo. And its w^hole course is consistent with the working of human nature and the course of historical events, as well as with the conditions prevailing in a country like Egypt. ■HVVFi J ^^■tf-' ( I' i i ■'[ 1 i i ^^^B ) u J 'Jl J 28(3 Pharaoh and the Plagues of Ef/ypt. Moses was iigain sen(, aud again there is a strenuous ni.?r • ? "-; V'^'S"^ threatened was LocrsTs. This pla«ue was doubtless well kuoAvn i,. the leaders „f Ej-vpf and the people ahout Pharaoh's court, and even in ils o^diu: I ry nnnu c-stations they well knew how it was to I'.'dread- ch^roet^M *^T,^="^ ^f ^•"^'^* ^>y tWs tinn. that the peculiar character ot these plagu..s was a .onditiou of severe in- tensity-, either in the ordinary annoyances of liS. o''the raisfo.tune that alTect an afiricullurai coninninitv. The iigyptians weie accnstcmed to be anmrnd by Iroi-s and mosqu,t..es and beetles. They had, no doubt, the .^xperiJnc. of nu rraui in their cattle, and hail scoruis in the r tields en?nt,nn'' '"'^T "^ f""'"' '"'^^^ ^'''^'''' ^"« ""i" «f '"'il^ and FZn^.wV^'%1'^'''- ,""' ^'^^^^•' "' <'"^ experien... of Egvpt had these things b( en (xperienced in sT terrible -i form as now. The annoyance was never so intnleiable thS stonn never so dreadful and destnu.tive. So when a plaoue of locusts was threatened, they knew what t.. expej vi" such unheard-of swarms over the surface of tlTland as would destroy everything in it; a wav.. of deslrucdon, in It was no wonder, then, that Pharaoh's servants took a very strong step, a strong st.^p considering the .•!. ra.?er o1 «uch despols generally, and how reckless the! wer. In ordering to instant execution even their most trurted ser- vants who dared to dispute their pleasure. Anciei- liistor/ gives us niany examples of tiiis; so does the historv of the Ottoman Em,.ire, even down to these verv times.' Thev remonstrated m strenuous langupg,. against do kinrr's On •■' if ' '""^'^^ ■-" ^^''^ ^'"•'' '""■^' ^•"•'^•f' "'^' T^'>'''l their .01. Strange and unaccustomed language fur a Pharaoh to hear from his servpnts. 15ut they were wrought up to a pitch of anger and desperation that made ihem careless of consennences. For thev ad,led. "Dost thou not know\/4 that Egypt IS destroyed?" as if they had said. "What mad- iiess and folly. O king! to contend with this terrible Divin- ty longer! Have we not had sufflcient proof of His power m the storm, and the murrain, and the diseases that have overtaken us? What rashness to bring the land to utte" destruction by a plague of locusts!" (Chap, x 7) Moses and Aaron were now sent for. and* the tone of 1 haraoh s communication shows bitter anger and vexation, rro, he said, sullenly, "go, and serve the Lord vour God.'^ ^^^ ^s"ddenly bethinlving himself of their numbers, he adds. 'T^ut who are they that shall go?" To which Mosea replies that they must all go, young and old together, and Pharaoh and the Plagues of Egypt. 2S7 ^i take tlieii' flocks and herds with them. Thou Pharaol-. adds, though in somewhat ambiguous lauguagi', invoking theif God, tliat he will not let the little ones go, nor the women — for mischier will come of it. Look to it, he says angrily, you men, you can go. This is what you want. Go, and serve the Lord. Then he ordered them to be driven fi om his pi'esence. This was not the sort of answer to avert calamity, and the threatened visitation came. The Lord brought up. by a Strong east wind blowing from the desert all that day and night, such swarms of locus^ts as had never been experi- enced in the land before. *'For," as the narrative says-- evidently the narrative of an eye-witness — "they covi'red the face of the whole land, so that the land was darkened;, 'and they did eat every lierb of the laud and all th( fruit of the trees that the hr 'lad left. And there remained not a green thing in the .and. (We who liave known of visitations of locusts in our North-Western prairies in for- mer days, will recognize here a very true description.) And again we have a I'pentant king, or ratlier a king who pretended to repent. I'ut when the miglity west wind blew the locusts away to the l{ed Sea (a very natural o])era- tion, natural and supernatural both), and the plague had passed away, Pharaoh was as before. The next visitation was of intense Darkness; but this did no damage at all. It was rather a symbol and a warning of what might come, and of what actually did come, than a means of actual damag(\ Thi! only terrible thing about it was the uncertainty of its duration. For if by day and by night there was to be continued such a blackness of dark ness over the land, they might as well be banished to the infernal regions at once. And again we have the sanu^ ex- hibition of angry submission, followed by the same ob- duracy on the return of light, and finally a fierce defiance and refusal to let the people go. Moses and Aaron too were now banished from his pr sence on pain of death. This threat was met by Moses with a firmness and spirit that became a messenger of OJod. "Thou hafit well spoken.'' he replied, "/ will see thy face again no morc'^ — evidently unless Pharaoh earnestly desired it. (Chap. x. 29.) 11 ■'3 If e!i Ii , GHAPTEE VI. The Last Plague, thi^ Passoveu, and the DEPAnTUKE. I I Exodus 11 and 12. Hitherto, iu this bistorv of events leading up to the De~ panure, we have not met witli luxj that are connected with ?^onr/Lr'' ^"''"'^*- ^^"^ ^^■^" ^^•^' °«^^- ^bout to have bi ought before us an event of a chai'act.'r so remarkable that a permanent memorial of it was instituted. And it is one of the most striking of the many lemarkabh^ events of .scripture that the memorial of it has subsisted to this very day, ftnd has 1 een carried to all lands throughoui the earth whtrever the, descendants of these oppressed people are found. For, found they ar., on every one^of the continenls o the g obe. our own included. And within les, than a week of the time when these words were writ- ten m the very city where they were indited, congregations, of Hebrews, descendants of the oppressed of Egvpt, havinr n^'r'''/n"': «»«"«ands of years, have celebrated the deW the Passover ^'^''''''^''^'^ ^^' o^'seiving the striking Feast of :N'ay, more. This feast of the Hebrew jieople lias been fZT^uX^ '" nnother form by the greatest of the Hebrew race, the Son of David the Son of Abraham, the God-Man, hrnlri n"'''r^f T3^'' disciples, on the night when He cele^ brated llisjast Passover, to observe forever a similar or- dinance in i-emembrance of His dying for their deliverance from a spiritual bondage. Thus, hy Hebrew and Christian alike, the memory of the great redemption from bondage A^ fi "i'l/'T ^^? Christian is expressly taught, by an Apostle of the Lord, to look upon the Supper of Communion as a spiritual feast of the Passover. »fT.^%f f * judgment which accomplished the redemption of tiie Hebrews was a judgment of Death. H was the death of the hrst-born of Egypt that accomplished the life of the Hebrew nation, this being one of the manv parallels between tlie outward and secular events of the Old Testa- ment and the spiritual realities of the New. It was pre- ceded by a more solemn warning than had been given of any previous plague, and also by serious preparations for ?f KnfV * !? 'T'-^?^' ^^'""^ ^^' ^^'^ *''"<^' the people of Egypt, froin the highest to the lowest, Pharaoh alone excepted, had been so profoundly allected bv the calamities The Last Plague, the Passover, and the Departure. 289 that had overtaken Ihe land, that they were willing to sacrifice anything that could lie sacrificed in the way of property, in order that they might hasten the departure of a people whose continued pusence was destructiou. H('nc(> their willingness 1o give to the people jewels of silver and jewels of gold, for any idea of borrowing and lending in the usual acceptation of those terms is precluded by the circumstances of the case. Those who were able to part with jewels must lune been persons of position and property, and they above all others were interested in a cessation of the calamities which were destroying the pro- perty of the land. They might very well consider, as doubtless they did con- sider, that jewels of silver and gold, including money, costly raiment, and other forms of such property as appertains to the wealthy, could very well be parted with in order to save the land itself, and that which produced wealth in the land, from destruction. It was a case resembling the throw- ing over of cargo to save the ship. Let it bo borne in mind too that (his transfer of property from wealthy ICgyptians to the Hebrews was reallv of the nature of restitution of what had been wrongfully taken. For two or three generations the Hebrews had been op- pressed. From being a free people, occupying a portion of Egyptian territory, and contributing by their industrv to the building up of the State in the way that the inhabitant.^ of a country do under oi-dinary circumstances, they had, in great measure, been reduced to a condition of bondage. Forced labor had been exacted. Work had been done, day by day, during a long course of years, for which no proper recompense had been rendered. The Hebrews were "V/ peo- ple robbed and spoiled:' and fhe giving them large and valu- able pre.senfs was only a mere acknowledgment of an enormously larger debt. Thus, the preparation for the great journey was made. And it becomes evident, as the narrative proceeds, that this down-trodden and enslaved people had been gradually pre- pared, through a long period of striking manifestations, foe the great step of leaving a country which they and thei? fathers had inhabited for centuries, and plunging into an unknown wilderness on their way to an unknown land. There was, in fact, gradually developed in them, in some degree, that great principle of Faith— faith in the unseen God, and faith in an unseen land, which is opened up to us in the Epistle to the Hebrews as the very life and spring of all that was best and noblest in the development of this people. For, without such a faith, however heavy may have been the Egyptian yoke, they could never have been per- 1^! li ! 290 m The Last Plague, the Passover, and the Departure. suaded to take such n dangerous stop as to leave behind a certain subsistence for themselves and families, and en- counter the dangers of such an exodus as was before them. A\o, on this continent, have much knowledge of what such a step involves, for tlie western praiiies have been whitened with the bones of emigrants making their way in large or small companies to the regions in which they ex- pected llually to settle. A veritable land of promise" was betcre them, and such it tlius proved to their descendants. Bnt the way there, o\er trackless wastes and treeless plains was a way of untold hardship and privation, of attacks of Hostile tribes of Indians, of sickness and miserv of which the half has not been told. The Hebrews of Esjvpt could not anticipate all of what eventually befel them." "^But they knew that a terrible desert region had to be crossed and within the borders of Egypt itself, and close adjacent to the region in which many of them dwelt, there was suffl- cieiit of desert country to give them a vivid idea of what Avould be the perils and privations of crossing it. It was needful, then, that they should have some mightv moving force impelling them to action, and inspiring them with courage sulTicient to act with Moses when he called '•hem to forsake a country of certain subsistence for one that was utterly unknown to them, except bv tradition from Ion" distant ancestors. We are well aware in these Christian times, that the faith spoken of is a force mightv enou'^h to accomplish this, for we have witnessed its operation in ou" own days. And, so far as Moses himself was concerned the testimony of the Epistle to the Hebrews is decisive. It was By I'aitit he forsook Egypt, xot fcarino the wrath oii' THE KING," for he (Mured as seeuu/ Him. "who was invisible." And haying this powerful principle constantlv operatinc W'lthm hira, he succeeded in inspiring the leaders and elder-s ot the Hebrews with it also, so that thev became willin<^ t) take the r!sk of plunging into the great and terrible wilder- ness, and leaving the glorious land of Egvpt behind. For a glorious land it was, chief and foremost of all the countries oi the earth. So, then, when the supreme crisis came, we find tt^ra' prepared to act. They had been gradually preparing for the -leparture during many months, and tlieir courage did not fail them when the hour of action came. On a certain most memorable day, which lias left an im- press that has survived the changes of thirtv centuries of the world's history, the people were convened, and there w.ns delivered to them a message direct from their God- IIIIS JIOXTII SHALL 1!E UNTO YOU THE BEGINNING OF MONTHS The Last Plague, the Passover, and the Departure. 291 It SHALT; BR THE FIRST MONTU OF THE YEAU UXTO TOU." (Chap. xii. 2.) Iloro is clearly hidicated the b; ginning of a New Era, a nt'w dispensation, like that which Clirislians liavc observed m ihe rcclconiug of time from tlie IJirth of the Saviour oC Maiddnd. who delivered from a deeper and worse bondage, 11 bondage (»f the spiritual man. The message went on to command that a young Lamb, a male of the lirst year, should be tak^n out of thf flock, kept separate till the fourteenth dav. and then killed in the evening; then that its blood should be sprinkh-d on the outside of every house of the Hebrews; and linallv, that the Lamb should be roasted and eaten with bitter herbs, and be entirely constiuied before morning. And to this command was added another, that it siiould be eaten, not as is usual at a meal, but in haste, with loins girded, stalf in hand, and all preparation made for a journey. To this command, s<. caliulated to assure the waiting people that the day of d.-liverance was at hand, was added a premonition of the last terrible event, the final stroke that was to break their fetters and set them free, viz.. that in the same night, at the hour of midnight, the Lord would i)ass through the land in judgment, smiting all the first-born in the hmd, save onlv the children in the houses where the sign of the blood ap- peared. The command was finally given that the day was to be kept as '-a Memorial day for ever, a feast to the Lord through- out all generations.'" What an astonishing force in this Divine message! How far-reaching the influence that has kept alive the command through inconceivable changes, s that it is a living force in lands that were absolutely unknown for thousands of years after the command was given. For even where there are no Hehrews to observe the command in the letter, there are millions of Christians who keep that Feast which grew one of the Hebrew Passover, which is, in spirit, an observance of the Passover, and which, like the Passover of the He brews, is observed in obedience to Divine command as "an ordinance for ever." It brings these times of thousands of years a-^o verv near, when we find Hebrews whom we know, with whor; we have daily intercourse in the affairs of the world care- fully observing the time of year, cleansitig their house.s from every sign of leaven, preparing unleavened bread, and sitting down to a sacred meal in which they recount to their children the wonderful deliverance of their fathers And we Christians can only sav. would that tliov nndc-r- stood the spiritual significance of the Feast, and observed hi* ;;? i;3 1 ^ 1 '■ u.M 1 $ : • 1 ; ■ 1 1'- 1 ^JH^^H 1 I, 292 Tito Last Plague, the Passover, and the Departure. it ill iriiiembrance of that yreat woi'ld-redemption by Ono who, atHMjrding to the desli, was of their own race, the true I'asi'Jial Lunib, who ollered Iliinself without spot unto God, and wiiose blood, si)rinkled, not on tlie house, but on the heart, eleauseth from all sin! This command was given by Moses to the Elders, and by them coimnuiiieated to the people, who recf.'ived it with awe and reverence, and obeyed it univer.-ially, iheir faith and h(»pe being now wrought up to that paint where they were pre| tared lo act an might be commanded. That night was such a night as men spend who are in prej»aration for an immediate journey to a dislitnt land. It, was not a night of sleep, but of obedience and i.reparation on the part of men and women, and of wonder on tlie pari of childnn. HiK it was a night of terror and alarm throughout Egypt. At midnight tlie angel of dcaih eiitere.l everv Egvptian hou.se and smote the lirst-born: "from the first-honi of Pha- raoh who mt on his thronv lo Ihe first-horn of the captive that n-as ni ihr (hainem." Tliis terrible visitation broke down tlnally the obstinate spirit of the king. Ir was no wonder that he rose ,ip in the night and called for Moses and Aaron. And now, he does not promise and permit that thev shall "-o but vomniiinds: 'BUe up." is his 1 uiguage, "anil get you' forth fr<.m among my i.eople. Go. and serve the Lordj' as ye have said; and." he adds, "take vour flocks and your herds with you and begone." iv. 32.) Thi' language indicates liolh anger and alarm— tlie changing mood of a man of imperious will, who finds cir- C'UnistaiKes too strong for him. Ibit the last word he speaks to Moses and Aaron, the parting word, the word of farewell (for he never spoke to ilieni again), is an entreaty for a blessing! Strange, and it might at first sight se -m unaccountable. But it is'' after all niost natural. It indicates the extreme pressure of calam- ity on the soul of ihis proud man. and the working of a superstitious fear and feeling. That there was an f^xtraor dinaiy power of inflicting evil connected w^'th these men was only too certain; might it not be well to seek qood from Iheni? ^ May v.e not also imajjine that these words of eutreatv indicate a shade of remorseful regret for the hardship and opprossion inflicted without cause on this Hebrew people, a people who had never given the slightest cause for it,' who had obeyed the law. who were peaceful cultivators of the soil, nnd had never been guilty of riot or tumult of any description. Might not the king think of a possible Neme- ''■.: The Last Phiijuv, the Passocei; uiid the Departure. 293 sis or retribution that biid oveitalvcn Mm and hLs land, remt'iiibiriiig tie rutlile^ss edict that all the male children of the Hi braes should bo slinij;hleied as soon as tliov were boMi! And now a terrible jiowcr. nioie inij^lity tlian auv rharaoh. liad appeared, causiuf,' ilu- dealli of thousands of the first born of I he KgvptiiinH. Two {reuerati( ns had pissed nme llie i)roniul;;ation of t.ie edict of desiruction against t! e Hebrews, jind LMviuo retributicui had sluinbeied, as it so oltuch a cond tion could hardly arise. And a close examination of the Hebrew text gives a meaning to the words which makes them much more conformable to the circumstant es and the reason of things. Instead of borroicuig, the word leally signifies requesting ov asking; and instead of lending, we liave (jiantmj or givituj. It is (juite conceivable that the Hcbiews migl'it ask, and that Egyptians might gi\e, in the circumstances that had arisen. For the Egyptians were, by that time, most ur- gently desirous that the Hebrews should leave them, and only too ready, as is most evident, to do anything' that would help them to go. There was thus no deceiving on the one hand, nor being ' deceived on the other, for both i)ariies knew perfectly what they were about. Much unreasonable criticism on this pas- sage and that which follows has really no foundation. An earlier tian lation of our !«"c:ip ur s, that of 158S, gives the true sense of the original, and so does the Revised Version. In both the words are: "77tr// < shed of the Egvpt- ians jewels of s Iver, etc, and the Egvpti; ns tjave them ichat thcij asked." As TO Spoiling the Egyptians. The word "spoiling" is just as much a mistranslation as the words borrowing and lending. For a moment's con- sideration will show it to have bei n impossible. To spoil is to take the proi)erty of another by force, and is generally used of the goods captured in war"; Now. it is absurd to suppose that the Hebrews could take anything from tho Egyptians by violence or force, for they were the weaker ;;i CJ 3\ I I 1! f !;■ 206 The Last Plague, the Passover, and the Departure. party by far; any aUonipt at sjioiling by violi-nce would Ji;m' been crushed at (ince. Tlie l':j,'yi»iians,'voro nnt like- a conqiiered armv or a cajt- tiired nty. They were enorniou.-ly superi/.r to the depari- iiiK Mebit ws in imiiiberM, and in e\ery attribule of plivsical MrriiKlh The Hebrews « onld not, if tliey would, have'niade spoil ot (he Kfrypliaiis' goods. The true nua.iiii- ot the phrase is tliat thev rcfovcrnl from 111.. Koyptians that of which they had been f<.rnierly spoi h'd Iheinselvcs. And what they thus recovered was not a titJieoI wha( they would have been entided to had a iust account been lendeied and i aynient made fnr services per- fornied with.ut n mune a ion Turirg two generations of iMindiige. CnAT'TKIf VII. Tin; 1'assa(;i; oi' tuc Rki. Sea. Exodus hi (iHtl I'l. Alil...u{;h. wlu-u (be final nisis c.nno. (l,e dcpartnio of the PFcbn-ws from Eg.vpt was in (.n-i-at haste, it is (.yident that tlicio had boon much proj)ara(i()n for it. Oid- riv arrango- iifnts as 18 evident from the nar.ativo, h.- d boon made ''••t<"<.hand, as to the place whicli every family and com- pany was to occupy in the long procession of" march ar- rangoments such as take i.lico wb -n an army has to move. Without such carefully planned airangnnonts an orderly jb'ljarture would hayo been impossible. 13 -fore a single daV had elapsed the whole multitude would hayo been involved ni nioxtricable confusion. Any peison who is familiar with the arrangemont necessary even foi- a small pu-tv of per- sons in these days to take the s.me joi.rnoy. the suppW of tdts food utensils change of .d .thing, money, may under- Stan, what would be required for sn -h a iouraev as the migration of such a large company of people invoiyed. «„;.. n "^T} *'''\* miraculous p;,wor.s were about Ihem, suf h as^ w-ould render any such careful planning unneces- sary let It be remembered that miraculous power was as « rule, never exerted when the ordinarv powers cf man were sufficient for the purpose. This principle will bo found to accompany nearly all displays of Divine power a«» recorded both in the Old Testament and the New ^ ' "- hnfir; '"/'''•\^«*'^- f'ei-e is evidence that there had been both careful planning b. forehand as to the order of march, and the actual ordering of the h .st^ in accordance with th-^ plans when the time for movement came. Tents utensils as great a supply of food as coul 1 b' carriel. clothing,' nJnHlv';!"" '''■*'!' ''T' ""'"^ •''" provided, and the great siscipiSrst'- '"' '" ""^"^'^"' ^"* -'^'^ *^^^ -^-- -^ « It is a great error to suppose th;it those Scriptural fvont.s were in their oharictcr and moyeinent altogether unlike those of the ordinary history of mankind Such a supposi tion is not only false in itself, but it deprives the events as narrated of their value for instruction. Mi;-acles undoubt- edly there were, in certain circumstances and at certain times, when they were needful. Hut. for the most pnrt, the events are lo no wise ditferent from th( s- whicii Mv "J ! ) ■ "' 1 •J ' ■■■! , r B' 1 Bi' 5 1 ^t'\ 298 TItv PiiHsiujv of the Rcil Sea. been the .xiibject i»>f Iniimin exp-rleiice in nnnmirnculuim iiges. And rcrdiiiir; the uu'ii iiiid I lie I'lianicU'fH, and their sayiiigH iiiid doings i-.-veil h luiaii .uatiir.' in ils deveU)it- luents ]»n'(iMt'iv as it <'xiHl8 to diiy and has exiuted horn th(,' eurJit'Hi ages. This ^'leat exodus, therefore, is nol an event \t\ itself in the world's history. There have hem many niiji'rations of tlie same (hiiracttr, though probaMy none oi' them on sneh an extensive scale, or where the iy marvellous sui»ernatural manifestations, by a pillar of tire and cloud, but still by manifestations such as devout and single-min-led .souls could apprehend, and f(dlo\ving wl«ich they were led by sure stejis to their wished for des- tination. It is on this princi(de Ihil t'le greit Jcpuiui-e of the children of Israel will i.e studied. A.nd, following uj) what has be(>n sai(j !>ef<.;c, il is to be noticed that the phraseology of the Scripture narrative of the Exodus suggests arrangements like that of an array. It was a departure of the ''hosln of the Lord:" tlio children of Israel went out '"by theM' armies;" —"/Ac cliilihrii of Israel iceut up iKirnesxnf out of Ef/i/pf," 1h • marginal reading being ■ mrunkN of fire." or in mnis'ialled order, probably in tive ;.Jvif. OS. Tims ihey went oul, i-i an orderly "fashion. j; »A'S at their i„.ad. all on foot, but with all things needful foi' camp lif* lii the wilderness. And th y took the bones in Joseph v,.th them, as ihey had be n strictly charged to do. ' " The Pamifje of the Ral Sea. 299 Tl K'ir (iiwt (Iny'N nmrch Im.nnht them (o Hi,. hnnU-v (if the (■ultivnted couiiln; -tie cdyc of Uw ttlldcnus.^" us it • iillcd, a pliiiisc w'hicli hI lows <'X)ic( Idciil kiu>wU'(l>,'c. for a IN iiK.r,. n'uiiirkul.k' in K^ypt tlian tlu' sliaip 1 iiiin iilKiii lM'tvv«'»'ii III.' Kivcii of ciillivar no- iMe of ion and tli. sand lii.v well lie compared lo an cdyr. tiiin ,1.'! illar nf fin: lo ,,irr Ihnn IU,ht to .,0 h,, d,n, a„d „i„/,ir And it is added, the narrative I»Iinnly r,.adiiifr |,ko fh:^ story of an eve-witn. «s. 'V/c too' l'J!t">n,„ Ihv i,,n„r of the rloud b„ da„, „or Ihe plln- of Hrv h- H (,hl. from hrjorv the people." / - ' " Anythii.fr niore o m.pl tHy ada-.tod (« the purpose of puKlonc,. It IS inii.os.sibl(. to .onoeive. For a cloud, in that o in.ate. IS a rare object. It could not fa'l. therefore +,. sib e dispute or cavil as to the direction indicatonl bv it 1.1 lilt findinfr and unrea on^ble outl uivts of distrust and I temper, th. re were in abundance durinf? the j.rof-ress of tlie people throu^^h the wil 'erne^s; bn m-vcr in a sin^rle lolak-r ""'''' ""•'' "''"'''""^ '*'"'"^ *'"^ '*"'*'^ ^^'''y '^"si^f For, pJain> an 1 beyond all disimle. tlieir Divine Lord was poinp before them' to "show tl. lis pillar of cb ud and of fire Tl lliose remarkable outwai. of spiritual things l:uei':,ra]i lem the way, was almost the first of majjea become s'> vents that ^ types and lime, til., are to i-' *i 1 'i * ;■ ■». 1 'l IP 300 The Passage of the Red Sea. abundant as tlu.' nar.ative iiiovt-s on. Tliit lh;nv is Divine, guidance in the all'iiii's of men wliu seek it, is a trnlii that has been deeply engi'av( n on the hearts of faithful liien, or men of faitli. in all siibsi'(iue.it times. And it has often found expression in seizing an:i adapting this incident ot the pilku' of cloud and fire as an image of the manner in Avliich the steps of men are ordered, often in ways they know not, to a high and deitined end. Ho, in the" sacred ])netiy of the modern Churcli, we have such aspirations as these: " Guide me, Oh, than great Jehovah! I i ' Let the fiery, cloudy pillir Lead me all my journey through." And again: '• Captain of Israel's host, and guide Of all who seek the land above, Beneath thy siiadow we ab'de. The cloud of thy protecting love." And still further: '• Round each liabitation hovering, See the cloud and fire appear, For a glory and a covering, Showing that the Lord is near. Thus they marcli. the pillar leading. Light by night, and shude by d lyV' And many a man, weary and heart-sick in the manifold troubles of the journey of life, has lifted up his heart in hope on thinking of that wonderful guidance of Ood bv day and by night through the wilderness, as he came to' read th» solemn and inspiring wor.ls (Numbers ix Vi-'^H)- "When the eloud iras taken „p, ihen after that the'children of Israel journciied: and in the place tcherc the clmd abode, there iheji pitched their tints. , ^ ^o#«. "And so it n-as. when the cloud abode from even unto the morn- nei'cd ^'^^'^ *"*"' ^^' '" *^'^ >"^''"^'H/, then then jour- "Orirhelher it were tiro daps, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried ui>on the tab made, remuininr, thereon, tlu child- ren of Israel abode in their tents, and journei/ed not : but tohen It was taken np thei/ jou nei^rd. The Passarje of the Red 8va. ' 301 "At Ihr com maud III cut of the Lord thci/ rcstrd in their tents, and (It ihv commandment of the Lord th)j jounieiicd." But the first indications of guidance bv the cIdikIv pillap were iK'ri)lexing in the extieaie, and soVelv trvin-' to the taith and coui'age of the jieople. It is often so noNV. indi- cating liow true the narrative is to the wavs of a Divine goveiinneiu, which is, in principle, "the same vesterdav. to day, and forever." Tlie o-reat Imst was not led bv the shortes* ami most conimonly-trodden way ronnd and past I lie northern liinitd of tlie Hed Sea. but was d recti d to turn si.utliwaid in a direction which would brin^' them directly in front of the sea Itself, and necessitate eitlie:- a crossin;r it bv scne means, or a retracing!: of thfir steps. Had thev pursued the beaten track and followed 1h > war by which their ances- tors went to and from Canaan to E-ypt, tli >v would soon have been l)eyond the jurisdiction of I'haraoh.' Thev would have been out of Egypt altogether. I!ut the dire'ction of the cloud would keej) them still within the borders of the land of Pharaoh; and. a^^ tliej tr,i veiled on, it bx-ame evi- dent that Ihey Avere getting into a most dangerous position. ''JhPi/ were cnltnifiled in the landr as Pharaoh said for the contiguration <.f t!ie country was such that tiiere was onlv one way by which they cnuld proceed, viz.. a'onn- a plain with lulls on each side which were impassable fol' a host while the plain itself ended in the sea. The Avay by which good men. individually, and companies of them collectiv.'ly. are led. is often as dark and perplexing as this and at times it s-ems as if they are shut up to dire calamity or drslrucfion. Even so was it with these pef»ple: ''The intdrrncs-^ had shut them i:i." Pharaoh now heard that the people had fled: and. as before, when calamity had passed, his mood chang(d He was angry that he had let them go, and resolved to follow them. And follow he dil witli an aim-d host, pursuing with chariots, and captains, .md horsemen, and an armv- coming in sight of them as they were encamped on tlu^ plaiii bordering the Red Sea. and doubtless exclaiming, as Napo- leon did on the morning of hs final ov(>rthrow. ''Now ! have them." It is at this point there begins that series of querulou-^ cavilings on the part of the Hebrew people that reveal their I ntt.^r want of manliness anil courage as a whole, and how 1 generations of degradation hud u'ldermined their faith I A,"; ^r!'-'' ^'"^ '"T'" ^"^ ".n ^ The army of Egypt being in sght, the children of Israel cried unto the Lord. But it was not the orv of faith, but of de.spair. And , onsequently it did no g od.^ It produc ed no quietness and c n:iden.e; lo • they immediatelv turn to -Moses and upbiaid him for leading them out. "in bitter sarcasm, they ask if l,r has brought tiiem out to die and be buried in those .^ands -bmiusc there iccrv no graves in Enuntr' alluding to the tact tiiat ail int.'rments in Egvpt were in tombs hewn out of th. ro.ks, as these r<>cl. (Ihis piece of sarcasm is an incidental witness, by the way, to the truth of the narrative.) ' ^ he difl.culty that Mos, s h k1 in prevailing upon Them to eave Egypt at all. -Did ice not tell ihc," tliev sav "in J-^gi/pt, to let us alone, that we may servo tlie Egnntlnis'" ' Be'- terror us to serve the J'Jgi/ptians, than to die in th n-ilda ncss " Moses rejdying. sh iws hi ijusejf in this emeigeurv tli- nff.",..v .M /f'-^ '""'''«*'• '''"'■"•'/ t''^^ P^«Pl''- «« was said altii wards of his great sil.cessor J<.sliui: "/V«r not," hp said; -stand still, and se^ thr Lord's drlinTancrr (\ot<' that 1he word translated s Ivalion, as in th s passage, and generally n.,a;iing deliverance from sin. has some- times a secular a p ct, ad denotes deliverance from danger. We are so accustmud to think of salva- tion HI Its spiritual aspect that it is better t.. use the word deliv. ranee when the meaning clearlv is a saving from some threatened calamitv.) Stand 'still ^rnd Moses, and th- L.rd shall deliver you.' Wise counsei; ndeed. tor r«>sis'a..ce w.>uld have been hopeless. S„me of them were arm.Nl. undoubtedly; but to tight aganst such a disciplaied Hst as rh^ raoh s w ul 1 have been madness. f // ' / ;" ■''"'" ^'"^'^ f'"' ■'''"'• ^•'^'•^ f'''^ """' «f faith, and 1/e shall hold i/our peace. ' So ihe first nf many tumulis and uprisings was Quelled, as all of them were quelled affrwa d.. one bvoneas thev 1 nf ' Tf " ^ '^'"f ''■^''*^ ^•'^^^ *o Moses "of a strange Kind. It IS. perhai.s. the only instance in th,' IJible v h.-re a man. or comi a y «f niea, a e fo: bidden t pray. "Whi; people tliat then march fonrard.'" Th-M'e is then a time to pray, and thee is a time to act. And n ,w (he time of action his come. I5ut what action? Command them (o go f.Tward'' Whero are they to go to? They ca-i only march into lh> s-.a, if p' The Passage of the Red ,^ca. 303 tliey move forward at all. Are tliev to march in, and b<' drowned? No. Divine power, exerted naturally or supornalurallv. shall make a way for them through th ' s.a. The waters shall be divided, and the people shall march through as oa dry land. The PASSA'iE THnouGii the Sea. Very great niisappiehension has arisen, and this has been fostered (as so many otlic e ror< as to Scripture events have been fostered by picture; panteJ in times of ignor- ance) by imagining that th ' p-ope p is^'d ihrougli the sea as it is now, and had to travirse a passage of some fifteen to twenty miles in width, and of very great dei)th. ^'o^'' ^e "vvell know that "nothing is to;» h:ird for the Lord." And if such a passage as this had b en needful. i»- could liave been accomplished. But sucli a passa-c was not needful. The Scripture narrative makes U plain that the passage was at a point considerablv noi'th of where the Red Sea becomes broad and deep, as it of Is -a- J. and it was a J H^ois 'h w.iat was n eded m th- cii-cumstanoes. ^^o then, with this 1 j.ht about (hem, th, people of Israel as night wore on moved forward. Th' tide was on and stietched his hand over th' sea, a v.tv strong east wind be.Tof^h?^;'r^ "'^"^^^l *l-,^-t< ^s to ree.de so tha S bed of the sea tor a crtain distance was d v. A Derfeetlv na nra agen. y, a ],.'rfe.tly natural eff.,t, and a e • eot i nuural movement of the great host, who ,assed o in the night until the other shore, the boundarv of the hiXst tide cm the eastern side, was reaohe,! in safetv. The arniv o^ Pharaoh meanwhile was (>nvelo}.ed in a ti.iek mistv dar?^ ness that obstructed both sight and hearing T^dL ant ncross was probably not more than two „rilcs. and as ?he s rr-d its 1 '" f''^, "^'tended far enough for the ho t to „ !; ti :/ '*"^' ^}' P'^^^'tf^'^ ^«"''l n«t occupv more at most than three or four hours. •" 'it, ac Th.. words of the narrative that "4he waters were a wall ynto hemon the right hand and on the left," do not mean .^ js often thought, that the sea was raised up 1 iJ a\Viii ?o lie north and south of them, and the waters mir cnlous y K.i t from flowing over them, bul that the waters north and south were a protection, even as a wall wouldl • the sti^ng east wind charing a dry spice of a few mi es in extent so that the host couid all pass over together hnv\y ,n the morning, i.b:,ut bieik of dav. the cloud and darknes. having been removed, th > outiving pid e s of Pharaohs army dscovered that the last of t l/ls ae ites h Hi .lust passed over. The alarm was given, the horses ami chariots hastily made ready, and the arniv mt i " mS There was still sufticient of the space uncovered v ," e sc^^ o allow them to f,.Ilow in (h. very track of tl e Heb^w>; ]{ut the ground was heavy and damp. Driving si^'h ve i^h s n.s chariots over smh san.ls was extiemelv difflcult T le W'\^ The Passare of the Red Sea. 305 heavily-aniicil diar O winds .mhc nil' nmks iiud i)aiiic lic-craii to siipcrv, np. wind haviiij.' .eased, tie tide came streiiotli. Tbey were .aught ly its 1> ■< rdcr liiled 11n> For now. the east lushinji- on in its ,,,1,,.." , " — , »""^ "^ J Jio onoonuny;, and over- who wen. able fled here, and fled there, but a^fs th; av. v of them tWr. "r""^ "';■'.' -tercepted\hen,!aiVei;e le. lat r*?h ev^.n^f i"' "°^" «"^i»^ '"to dee ,er and Lit- w.ircr, riie.v sank down and were lost ilSii defied the power of tlie Supreme Ruler ..f tl.o i-,!- hardening his heart, refusing to let the n U „,' f, i\ kJ™' necessary to wrench thefn fron. h s Trasn bv m I tv '•'™*-' and wonderful works su.>h •.« i,... , ' , "^ mighty signs and havo neverTeen Vei^ated si^^e ""' '"'" ^^^^ '^^^"^■^' :d :3 ill) ?- 'MB J-*: 1 ; 1 '. 1 'r : CHAPTER VIII. TlVi FlKST JOUUNKV TIIUOIGH TIIK WILDERNESS. Exodus J') ami Hi. It cannot bo wondorod at that after such a great deliver- nnce, and the destruction of their oppressors and tyrants, their ftelings should he wrnust ./on tney inr.ugh the Wildevnrss. 307 «outh. TlTepat, viz., the dis- eases of the body wliirh Hi)iint>- from lii.xiirv, from indul- gence of the sensual i nssions, from want' of self-denial and self coiiiioj. (he disoi se-', in fact, wh.ch have alwavs accompanied a ImkIi y ler( this place. Mai ah, where they had been tried and pn.ved. for the first time, and came to the delightful grassy va!e of Klim, where, amidst palm tree.s and numerous fonnlains, they remained and rested a whole month. This lovely spot is, in many of its features The First Journey through the Wilderness. 3O9 the same in these days, and is well known as a restinc-place to travelers proceeding to the region of Sinai from Egypt But the cloud moved on from thence, and thev moved after it, away from Elim to the ban-en rocky wUdSness stretching thence to Sinai, a wild and cesolafeT-egion Tn 'nd'as befor.*th/"^'P'i^' "H P''"^'«^«"« became'eXsted; and as before, the people began to murmur when thinking l.?'' ^'f -/r "^ Egypt. The lea.iers of the people wer? weak as children in faith and manliness; but thev werelw and again and again in this journey, won(lerfull7bold ki' protesting and remonstrating-types of manv men whom we have seen and read of in these modern days. ^'wZmZ ^ftrT ^'"\fV ^^yP'^" '^'^' miserabl cowards said there we sath,, the flesh-pots, and ate hrcad to the /»H." Then addressing Moses fiercely, tliey added, -Ye have brouahtus forth tnto this wilderness to kill this whole assemUyZhlun. A fickle, ra.sh, and restless multitude indeed, the levela- tion of whose character shows the profound wisdom of nor taking them directly to the promised land. Ihey were proved again and again, and thev failed eich TmeS whVtl ?'^'^' notW strengthlnd Ifam na or men who were to enter on a life of national resuonsi- in the wilderness, a penod long enough to permit of a new generation of men arising, who had been b?eS and trained vprv Vh ,7 ^' ^°? privations of the desert, and who by Tese very trials had developed within the^ that faith and BTi^J'^'^fT. '^I" «°^*^^" ^ continued national We But the want of food was a serious matter indeed and would have justified these leaders and heads of families °n having serious consultations with Moses and iHarnest •7/°?wt^^*'L^"-P°^^'"^"' Redeemer. For it was fmpos STherdetir^e^-r *^^"^ «"^ '^^ "^^^ ^^ Nor did He. The Provisiox op Manxa. r,.:^"^*^^'' "marvellous development of Divine power an' bt-* gHthered up. in s ^^as iljat lu.uous "Hkkad fuom IIbavkn" which the K-op e raJIed 3Janna, u word signifying Whut ilitv and aeoAhe!;*';'^ ''• ''" ^""P'^^ '* i Lea dunng the whole charge ol pi-ovisiouiug tliis multitude, .•onsistiug let us •eniember. largoiy of women and children, ihey cou d not possibly have devised anything more perfectly^mtable to the^u-cumstances if they had had the whole world Lo draw Yet, had not He, who had the charge of fcrdu»« them t... resources of tiie whole world, y.-a, c.f all the orces cf th,. universe al His command? Indeed, has He not in ffls S^no' hnd .? li'^T '^'.^;1'°« ^^" 't^e worhl now'and ha m not had at all times? How is it that there is always with rare exceptions, sunicient food for all the inh.'Snts ot the world every year? It is certainlv not bv any . rneral arrangement amongst the food producers of tl.tf conHnents and islands of the earth. Yet it is inconceivable thi^^t wTth out some supervising agency the sfin>iy of food foi^ alTthe nf .n r 1^''''^® '' '''}'^^^^ «ufllcient, practically speak- ing, and never too much. If the provisioning of a grea* amy were carried on by a large number of suhordfnato agents, each ac.ing independently, none of them knowfn. how much was required in all. and each sending whatTver quantity of whatever kind suited his convenience can an J Se montl^lT ''''' """^ ^V^^^"" -^"^•^ work for a 2- tm se agents, and no commissariat officers to direct them IS It not cer ain that chaos would ensue befor^ th' lapse of many weeks. Yet the supply, not of an army of a hSn drod thousand men, but of a world of a thousand mniion. of people, IS maintained by tens of thousands of food grow- fhL H^ •"''''^:]°*' •■'" ''^^^"^ independentiv, and nofe Jf them being under any earthly direction. Yet there is not chaos There never has -.^en chaos. Famine and sea rc?tv .1 IS true, there have been m isolated cases in cer ain yeaS and in is^olated districts; but there was always a sSJ ready, notfar off, available for relief. Doerth s not ^S^. frest with irresistible force that there must be a world whfo and eyer-acting silent superintendence at work^ contromng directing, and moving upon the minds of men TsuS tendence ever calculating, weighing and regulating ^w7th infallible accuracy, the forces of production,;-o hat aHWe iii The First JoHvncy through the Wilderness. 311 woi|,i iiiidui- its charge Hliall Ig ( i ino i • . Is it nor. !,';osV, .!.;■'''' ^^" ''^""^'«« wilderness »""a.u,al t. u^^^e i "^ t"^^ it not l.e n.ost d.ny i(s p.ssilnii;;.''''^ ^" Hl.<^^cula.e, and equally vain to cise'^if^nisi;:^ :^:^^^i;!;r,;^v"? "^r^ ^^^^^-^ -- history of the luin n r,c. i1 /, ^''' ^'''"'•'^Pi''^"d iu the ol I ho i>ieat Flood of <).,. flo,^ ., ^ ^"° ''^' ^^^'^ even the IMan,, and of' i,".,,!^,^^} l'^;, """ ''^ l^^^' <^'^ie« ot But by no .-anse lunnvi ton, ,n in t?' ' ? ''"? ^^^^^^ shown, this extraordinary snpn y .nla Iv f '.7 '''' "^ "^tur. could a pure exoroiso of iFJ I it!^- ^'J!^ ^"^ Provided. It was and thar is a suficfent cau'e '" '"" ^'^'^' "' Pi-ovi(:ence, ke^r V' afv'.".rMd''lftr'""/ *^^^ ^«"'^- ^* --'d not day s supp?/t spoiled S 'SS l^o"'!' /'^"' ^" ^'•^'°^''>' constant exercise' And cm even xth dav'^V'^nr '^P* 1" W'as found, so that no work iniVht f , ^ ^ ^'^"^'^ ^"PP^^ day. This was be ore the S\^nl ""/^^r 7' *'^^ '^^'-^ ^'^^t Jinai and proves Sthsfn-? It the'" *^".?'^"'^* dav of f-ac-ed rest h^^,^ h«,.. "• ^ . ^"^ seventh as a preserve (he niemorv o m J'TT}^' '^'^'^"•"- ^^"'^ *« manna was direcled to h !^°"''^''^"^ pr-.vision, a pot of ^^^ronAoho^ZtUn^^^^ ^'^"•' P^^^^rved bv be provided. ' ''^ "^ Testimony when that should VTArr.n ovr or thr Rock. same wastes in ihe^oTn^^ FJI "'i^''-'' sellers across the Ihe jonrnev And LfTi ''*" V'''* *'^^^*^ '^ ^«ter for The hoi of itfei h^ 1 ^ '"'^ "^ ^^"^^^-^ Caravan. wells or fonntalt td ;Ur/'"'''^ ^'V' -^-'on wi ' nnn Dpgan to experience iha r^-,; hout experience the pains of :3 : i. " i h° ■r. ' I ■"1 . i ,tl I r, ill t 1 i I'l'i' I': i! 1 • f i; U 812 The First Journey through the Wildemeas. thirst. And again, instead of quiet contldence and waiting upon God, (lor suri'ly the gift of Divine food was su Amalek prevailed." The lifting up of holy hands was always an action (;f supplication, and the extraordinarily close connection be- tween prayer and Divine help was now strikingly exhibited, for the instruction of faithful people in after ages, even nntjl now. And the artificial help rendered by Aaron and Hur in the holding up of the hands of Moses, curious as it may seem, was acknowledged by the Most High. The mere outward act was nothing. The significance of it, as indicat- 1 .m "$ r < 314 The First Journey through the Wilderness. iug dependence on Divine help, and a steadfast expectation 111 it, was evonthinfr. And it was lionored. The close of the day saw the attacking force completely routed. The defeat was so complete, that the Amalekites molested Israel no more during the long sojourn in the wilderness. The victory was so irajiortant that Moses Avas commanded to make a i-ecord of it in u Book, and to rehearse it in the ears of Joshua, doubtless to stir the heart of the soldier Avith the recollection of Divine help in the AViiv of conflict. And Avith this i»romise was pronounced a judgment upon Amalek. that was not fulfiiled for Imndreds of years after- wards; another instance of the manner in which Divine re- tribution moves slowly. On this battle field of l{ephidim .Aloses reared an altar, as men have erected monuments on famous battle fields of these times:— Waterloo, for example, and Gettvsburg. And the name of it was called Jeiiuvaii-Nissi (the Lord my Banner), a devout ^acknowledgment that victory had been due to God alone. Yet Joshua and the chosen men had fought, and fought well. But the spirit that animated them was Faith in God. The spiritual significance of this conflict is worthy of note. That the life of a Christian man while in the world 18 one in which spiritual enemies abound, and in which at times conflict has to be maintained, is an old and well- established truth. There are Amalekites round about us all, m the shapes of false doctrines and principles, viciou» modes of living, infidelity and scepticism, luxury and idle- ness, and sometimes open opposition. And temptation from without finds only too luuch encouragement from within. But the Christian life is not one of incessant conflict, and it IS not Scriptural to represent it so. Yet there is always danffer of conflict. Hence the necessity of having arms ready at hand, and of knowing how to use them, more especially the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, also the Shield of Faith, wherewith the fierv darts of the wicked are quenched, and a readiness to pra'v, always and everywhere. But the principal parallel of the narrative is with Chris- tians in assembled bodies. The Church of God is marching too. And it has its enemies round about, who occasionally make bitter attacks. Sometimes the secular power perse- cutes, as of late in Central Africa; sometimes false and un-Chnstlike and un-apostolic doctrines are broached from within; sometimes the deadly miasma of luxury, ease, wealth, and worldliness snrenrlH nv«t. +h" nnn^^ ' -- - ~X. — "•'•■ ' '^^^^ ^'^^^- ^^^ burden thee so ;i,Pn tin 'M K^ *^'l' *^'"^- "°"1 G^d command rnee so, then thou shalt be able to endure and all thi< people shall go to their place in peace." When reading such wrrds as thee, we find it hard to realize that we are not listening io some wfse PerS o? bSnt the fTii. tT' of the g?eat Greeks or Eomans who mint the fabric of the civilized states of the old world- or it^may be to such a one as our own Alfred the Great o,' he wise Burleigh of Queen Elizabeth's time; or to one of tlie founders of the American Republic who lave had the glory and responsibility of shapiig the destiny of one of the chief countries of the modern world ^ °^ That a man who was no more than the chief of a half civilized encampment '.t wanderer- ov. r the desert should e^e^ate our whole conception of the intellectual and moral ^nJ!' T?""}^ "^ ^^" individual man. bufof hose Time antecedent to secular history which are someZes ^n- ceived to be ages of ignorance oumtiimts con- dor let us consider further. In this scheme of divide i The Preparation for the Owing of the Law. I his mountain of several peaks is easily identified as the scene of the «rect occurrences that took place upon it and about It. It would be a striking object even to men accus- tomed to mountain scenery, for its sides are bare, risinc iu I ocky abrupt masses sheer up from the plain, its summit jan«ed, rough and precipitous, piercing the sky at a height ol seven thousand feet above the sea. But to men who had never seen a mountain in their lives, the towering masses of wniiii, many colored, at times cloud-capped, piercing the very heavens in solemn grandeur, could not but inspire feel- lugs of mtense awe and solemnity. It was in the plain at the foot of the mountain that the cnnip was now pitched; in a place where all the circum- stances of majesty and grandeur that iccompanied the de- claration of the Law could be plainly seen by every maji and womup in the host. It has, however, not been suffi- ciently noticed that all that transpired was not of a nature to inspire terror, or even awe. Bel. c the law was pro- f claimed, gracious words of covenant, and promise, and bless- ing were pronounced. Let it be noted that these words ' came first— the law followed after that; in fact the Law ' was founded on the covenant of Blessing. Moses was the inedmm of communici'.tion, but the words were addressed to the whole assembly. "Ye have seen," said the Lord, what I did to the Egypt- ians and hon- 1 bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself r Word«, these, surely, of wonderful tenderness and beauty. There is nothing of the terroL- of Sinai about 1 hem although the people were right under the shadow of the Mount. They are like the pleading, not of a father, tint of a mother, "/ bare you on eagles' wings:'~does this not remind us of the pleading tenderness of the Divine Saviour, When, mouini..ff over Jerusalem He exclaimed: ''How often wonld I have gathered you. as a hen gathrreth her chickens under her wings, but ye ivould not." Then the Lord went on to say: "Noio, therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall he a prenlmr treasure unto Me above all people. For all the earth .H mine. And ye shall be a kingdom of priests and an holif nation." A wonderful prospect indeed for this emancipated peo- ple; not a prospect however of houses and lands and silver ond gold, of health and wealth, and all that makes the prosperity of this world. Blessings of that sort had trulv been promised to their fathers; but these were of a far high- er ot-der; blessings to be apprehended bv faith in the unseen and Almighty Cod. To be valued and guarded by Him as a precious treasure was surely a great promise' for this The Preparation for the Giving of the Law. 321 designed to be to the natioi, ^tl, th.^ * '"'°'"? '*"•<•' kin^fri',;«s,r„^.Koun?pii'x"S,*-''"'""-' ■4 >^>i n : .a lit 322 The Preparation for the Qiving of the Law. I Ml' I;;: ! I and estoem. That miicIi wa^ the position of the Priests of Egypt m the (iiiie of .Joseph has already been seen. But the whole kiugdoiu could not have consisted of such Priests, Jis IS quite evident. Some otiier meaning must be sought lor the term, therefore, and it is to be found in considering what IS at the root of the whole idea of the Priesthood. The root of tli(> idea of l lie I'riestliood is that of consecration or I lie setting ajmrt in the service of God. This idea mav take many foriiiH, and he developed in very ditfereu,- ways"; but all these dillorent forms and methods when traced to then- loundation ai(; found to rest upon a consecration or setting apart. Tliiis. then, it can lie conceived how a whole kingdom may be priests as respects the rest of mankind, by being conseeratcd and set apart to obey and serve the Ojie Eternal ( iod. And this was evidentiv the meaning and intention of the Divine Covenant with tiiese Hebrews. They were to be set apart from the rest of mankind, thev were to be consecrated to His service, obeying His voice, and keeping His eomiiiands; and so exhibiting a constant light in niatters of religion, to tlie rest of mankind. And in this service the whole people were to be engaged. This by no meauH precluded the idea that when the time came for an or'nifipqnf t,'':..o.+ .i iiianded a solemn nnrmpnttT, i .'^* ^^"^^'^ '^'i^ com- '•PaitthepeS ^iPJu'ofin^^^^^^^ bv washing, and a setting them ready^o aDnear n ffl' '""''^^'Jy'^i^ them and makini Doubtless ^his S V L indT/"'*"' P^^'^^"^*^ ^^ ^ol n.ind, and to a ^^"n'/emSn fe^^^^^^^^^^^^^ of words just spoken Xe^t twf ^ ^ ^'^'^ ^ ffracious about the mountain' audTch^Z 7'^' 'i^ '^*'"'^ ^^^^^^ ity forbidding them ?o Iro n eo ^^ . ^ '''i"* P"""^''^'* ^olemn- of it, on penllty iJ miS^dS io.th ' V'"'.l; '''' ""''^'^ was, for the time to Hp < j!! /i i" ^^^^ *^'' niountain fi'on whence He wi,tn t^ i^'i^""^ ''^ ^''^ ^'^'"^ Majesty, all the world tl!ron4 'hem '^ ""' ^''" *" ^^'« P^^-^P^^ ^°'^ ^la^art^^o.:::?^) nrunrr:^sf /^V ^" ^'^^ ^'^^^^ they were all to nsUnVh 1 T^ i ^'\V°" ^''"^•^^" ''"'•I 'o"der. •>ml to roceive tlie w„rS,1r.l ''•°'' '■°°»'''«'' ""■• way^!. THf,t?^^L™ -:v;rr^: & V' -'- ">-*• 0,'r.rr' -^ "-^ "»---!:?i,^^reS-?«'s M /> ;}■ si •^ 1* • II f 1 Jl-rt ! St 9«( I t,ri, i : It 324 The Preparation for the Giving of the Late. were thundvriiigs and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount"— i\U perfectly natural phenomena. But in that re- gion, doubtless, the rolling and reverberation of the thun der from one rocky height to another, in one of the wildest luountain regions iu ihe world, would be grand and awfuJ lieyond imagination. But the voice of the Trumpet was supernatural, and as It waxed louder and louder, it was no wonder the people trembled. So the whole mountain appeared as if on fire, the lightnings blazing and flashing, being altogether on a mioke, the f^moke ascending like the smoke of a furnace. Doubt- less the rolling masses of vapour in the great thunder storm would have this effect. Then the Lord came down from tU Mount, and called Moses to ascend, charging him to warn the people not to come near, not even the priests, but Aaron alone, even as, in an after time, the High Priest alone went into the Most Holy Place of the Sanctuary. It was amidst such oirenmstances of unparalleled gran- deur that the Law of Mount Sinai was given, and surelv every feature of the solemnity of that day was calculated to deepen the impression on the minds of the people, that the Lord Jehovah was a great king over all the earth— a God of Gods, and not merely one amongst many. ir. i upon the in that re- the thun he wildest ami awful a1. and as he people if on fire. 'Mer on a s. Doubl- der storm I from tlie V to warn tut Aaron lone went led gran- id surely alonlated )ple. that earth — a CRITICAL NOTE TO CHAl'TKTJ IX. On the woud Pecuijau. J.'S .» Ulinst an. t„ h,. „ot,.d lor o.W a-i,U , ise f?,', ,, B ; ;:;r4r,o ''«;,';' ti:;':""T'7' '"•■" ""-■■'■ "- °^'^!Z- •"<"<' senio. liiii tlic words liavo no audi meaoin/ Tli..r i'!";'"™' »,*'■«=«"■■« ot a special' and highl.yvaa«ik?:^r ^one of those passages have anythin/whatevor to io ^vlh no loriiial orn;anization of ale order had as yet taken place. 10. [li^li (Jo(|, counsellor, ■!■ '•prifHt" lorj-anized vlio arc so line fl'Olll icy are in >f a Mfjmi'- CIIAI'TPJK X. liiK Law ( ii.' 'I'm- 'I'l.v / 1 '" mi, IKN COMMA.ND.MK.NTS. Tm: Fin.sT Tahlk. M'lwn Law is snoknn ,,f '^°" ^ili iinciuestionably be _ In this unique narrative nf n,^ n 'S no mortal man who is ir^l ^^ ^P'"' °^ Exodus, it fellows, but the ^up erne rrrnd?. ''V' ^"' "P"'^ ^i. But He is im,,osinrHis win nn"^'"^"';?^ '''"^'""««- people not so 'much as tlS (K ^''^^ particular tains that relation to all men nof "■' ^""^ ^^ «"«• TWuIer. for that also r" is' t° .,,7"; " '' 'i'" "'-''^ he has risht to give Kws wui i l\ "'^^Q' «nd as such men. But here Re annonn '""!,.«''''^'"' «'<> obedience ef mi liverer from '^avevVlnTthThi'V^ '^ l^^^^^ supernatural power i;'?fkin'/L^ ™^^^^^^^^ li::,n I ii i the desreTidants of thest people sang in :. rli (ff'H i ,> 1- I I.HI ■| if » 328 The Law of the Ten Commandments. after uj-es), it is thus that he claims the right to give them commands aud exact binding laws. It is because He lias mad^> a nation of them, has led them with infallible guidance through the desert, has provided, and is provid- ing them with food and water, and has enabled him to de- feat their enemies; this, along with the covenant that they shall always be the object of His love and care — "a peculiar treasure to Him" — is the ground on which He claims obedience. And it is impossible to deny the rightfuluess of thisi claim. AVhen he begins the declaration of His will by the solemn words, "/ am the Lord thy Ood which brought thee out of slavery." we instinctively acquiesce in His words of com- mand as reasonable in ihe highest degree, so far as that Hebrew people were concerned. But, so far as mankind in general are concerned, whrt is the ground on which the God who has called ont thes-» Hebrews claims the allegiance and obedience of the whole human race? Why do we, Christian people of another race and time, acknowledge the obligation of t'tese commands, rehearse them in our sacred assemblies, and teach our children to observe them? We. have not been brought up out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, nor have we been delivered from any Pharaoh, or led by a pillar of cloud and fire, or fed, with manna in any wild'U-ness, or supplied with water out of a rock. Whence, then, the authority of the Law-Giver over us, and on what ground is obedience based? These questions are reasonable, and if they put us upon an enquiry into our relations to the Supreme Law-Giver, they will be found highly salutary and useful. Have we not, then, and have not all the people in the world, been under the care and watchful Providence of an unseen and All-Powerful Divine Creator, all our life long? Who brought us up and cared for us during the long years of helpless childhood? Our parents? True. But who sustained and fed and watched over them? It is said, tee have never been fed with manna from heaven, we have never drunk water out of a rock In the wilderness. But by whose supervising and calculating care lias it been that supplies of food and water have never failed to us, and to the rest of mankind? It has already been sliown that th'ie must have been an evcr-operaling, and infallibly wise supervision over all the nalural forces of the world that have resulted in giving us food during all our days. If wo have not been fed with manna direct from hcavon, we certainly have with a variety The Law of the Ten Commandments. 329 to give jause He infallible 9 provid- im to de- hat they peculiar e claims i of this* II by the t thee out s of coui- L" as that ed, whrt jnt thes-' he whole ther race mmands, each ouv ought up iage, nor y a pillar ild'U-neaa, then, the ground is : us upon aw-Giver, •le in the nee of an life long? the long But who ana from c!c in the iting care ive never e been an er all the giving us fed Avith a variety of food which has been produced by forces with the crea- tion of which we have had and could have nothing to do, and which forces must have been Divine. If no water from a rock in a des-ert has been for our sustenance, whence, but from a Divine and ever-operating power, has it been that the water of springs and wells and rivers has been constant ly available to us? A pillar of fire and cloud, visible to the bodily eye, has not guided us in any journey we have taken. True. But what of the guiding hand of a Providential Ruler and Friend that has manifestly been about us. showing us the wav in which we should walk. Has that not been visible to the eve of the soul? If we believe in a Divine Creator at all, and how is it possible not so to believe, we cannot, if we follow on with any rational process of thought, refuse to acknowledge also a Divine Provider and a Divine Guide. This much even a wise heathen like Socrates has concluded as an intellectual truth, though, strange to say, he never worshipped the Divinity he had concluded to exist, but continued, even to the last hours of his life, to be a heathen in practice. But now, with the light of a revelation about us, having apprehended the Creator as Supreme Ruler and Provider, we must see that it is for Him to direct, control, and give commands as to the course of our lives. But Christian people can pioceed further than this. To them there has been a real deliverance fr(»m Egypt, from a house of spiritual bondage, even a bondage to sinful ways and lusts, and to Satan, the great adveisarv and tyrant of the soul. This deliverance has been effected bv the shedding of blood, the blood of the Son of God. the tru'' Paschal lamb, who "bi/ the Eternal ^Spirit offered Himself without spot unto God, as a ransom for all, 'o he testified in due time." And to them, there is a feeding on bread from heaven, the spiritual manna, even Jesus Christ, the true "bread whieh giveth life unto the irorJd.'' And there is also a water of life flowing freely to all who will receive it. And this also is the same Jesns Christ. So, then, not only as Creator. Provider, Guide, but as a Divine Deliverer. Redeemer, Saviour, does the Lord of Christian souls have the right to direct and command. And this is gladly acquiesced in by all faithful ones, tln^ verv essence of whoso spiritual life is obedience in heart and soul to the requiremenis of llini who is honored with the highest regard of which Iho soul is capable. Under (he Christian order There is not merelv an outward I " re 'i ill :.• 3M The Law of the Ten Commandments. and apprehensible declaration of what is required to be done, but an inward puwer, working upua th<' mind and conscience, disposing to a beaity and gonorous reception of the commanduunt, a power affecting the intellect, that the law may be disiernod to be "holi/, and just, and good," and obedience to it to be a ''reasonable service," or a service of the understanding; and atlecting the heart, that there may be a genuine love of the goodness inculcated, and a positive dislike to the opposite evil. And all experience shows that such an internal power is absolutely necessary to the working out of the command- ment in practice. The wisest of the heathen or pagans of former ages have framed .systems of ethics, which, in regard to the relations and duties of men to one another, are al- most perfect. I5ut it is one thing to say what it is right to do, and another to induce obedience. For all the instincts, desires and passions of men diaw them stronglv in an opposite direction. Hence the utter powerlessness of the mere promulgation of ^^ystems of virtue and goodness. Men will not obey them, for they do not love them. It was then, with profoiinil and all-wise knowledge of h>iman nature, that the promulgation of those command- ments was prefaced by declarations of tenderness and love, calculated to draw out the affections and to work upon the heart of the hearers. The CoMMAND.MENis tlieuiselves are universally known. Their mo.st marked characteristic is that thev are not simply a code of Ethics, but a code of Religion. Their foundation is religious. The duty of man to man is made to rest on a religious foundatiim. The first comuiands do not concern the duty of man to man at all— a very striking feature, that makes them difl'er from all codes of moral con- duct that have ever been promulgated. Yet this is most natural; for how can it be otherwise than that the Creator of man, his Provider, Hustainer, (Juide. shall require, first of all, a hearty loyalty to Himself. And this especially in view of a tendency, that experience liad proved to be d(»eply rooted in human* nature, io frame theories of other Divinities, to pay them homage, and to "mbody ideas of them in carved and graven images, the Mkeness of various things in heaven and earth. The First command, therefore, is that no other god is to lie served. Supreme honor, allegiance, worship, is to be for ihf Creator alone. The Second follows naturally ujion this. No graven image, no likeness of any living thing of air, of earth, or The Law of the Ten Commandments. 331 water, is to be worshipped or liad in religious honor and reverence. Aud the far-reaching wisdom of this command is realized oil irmembering what debasing, demoralizing, and scandal- ous things have been and even now are carved, and lifted up. in heathen temples to be worsnipped and adored by the peoplr. ihe people who first heard the law hpj seen much ot iliis m l-.gjpt. Aiid they saw more of it in Canaan, wheie the images of Baal, and Ashteroth, the queen of heaven, were to be found with debasing and demoralizing inllm-nces flowing constantly from them. In the Second Commandment, there is the mention of a sancrion and a penalty. ■•/, the Lord, thy God. am a jealous- Ood. ,s a word that has been ignorantly criticised as bringing the Internal Jehovah down to the level of a narrow- minded and suspicious man. But how could it be otherwise with a Being who was wliat ho IS represented to be, viz., not a mere impassive and ..nooiiscious force, but a living, thinking, living Creator ■ ail Redeemer, loving the right and necessarilv hating the v.rong; loving the creatures wlio are so much like Himself and for whose sake the very world itself is sustained in being, all the tremendous f„rces of life and energv in nature bemg kept constantly in operation for His sake' , How could such a Being not be jealous? Love ia alwava jealous. A love that is indifferent to desertion is no love at all A father who cares not for his children's affection is not worthy of the name of father. If. then, God loves any man or any race or community of men. He must in the very nature and necessitv of things be^^aIous of any tendency on their parL to stra/away from With regard to the declaration that the iniquity of fathers IS visited upon the cliildren to the third and fourth gen.Mation of them that hate God, this is evidently, in its primary sense, intended as a strong incentive to the doing ot good on the part of parents, and a deterrent from doing evil, lest they should bring harm upon their offspring. The love of parents to children is appealed to, to preserve pa- rents from fallmg away from the Living God, to the debas- ing worship of idols. But it u certain that the perpetu- ation of evil from parent to child, generation after genera- tion. IS stamped upon th.' very nature of mankind Men v^ho refuse to admit the Divine origin of thf se Command- ments are compelled to acknowledge this as a Lvw of human existence; and this must be so. It flows naturallv from thp l^'l ''Iftlf ° ^^ P'"''^"*^ ^« ^'"'*^- The idolater Vill bring nphiH.hildron to be idolaters both by example and direct .* .--t 1 ■ 'li ill \. '■'. t IS* -*. ■ ■ ■1 • 332 The Law of the Ten Commandinents. ■I >. precept. The men who in these times and in Christian countries, live in wiclvedness, and are "liaters of God," ex- ercise a demoralizing inlluence on their children. The de- graded and criminal poimlation of tlie ''slums'' ol' cities bring up their children in vice and crime. It is not so much, generally, a matter of pure physical heredity, for neither grace nor vice come by mere descent of blood, but of immor- al examples and speecii, coiitiniially < perating to ])oii<(Hi the moral atmosphere whicii children breatiie, and so to inten- sify and aggravate that natural tendency to evil which is common to all men. But there are undoubtedly certain sins that are connectt^d with abuse of bodily I'liiutions that (end to jterpetuate themselves by the force of direct heredity. And this is particularly tiie ease witli drunkenness and licentiousness. These sins atTect the; bodily constitution, and are carried on from generation to generation by the laws of natural descent. And this warning comes naturally as a sequence to the prohibition of idolatry, seeing that the idolatry of ancient times was demoralizing and debasing, religion itself being an ivstritment of defilement and corruption. As we proceed with the study of these Commandments, we cannot but notice how each of them is directed against some practice or course of conduct to which human nature is prone. The first is against the forsaking of the true and only Supreme Being for other objects of worship. These may be material or immaterial. For example, money fame, power, may become divinities to a man. Mammon is a word whicli embraces them all. and in the teaching of the Divine Saviour is put in direct opposition to Crod, "Covet- ousness is idolatry." is another saying of the New Testa- ment. These are divinities which cannot be represented by material forms, the devotion to which is prohibited in the First Commandment, But others can be represented by graven images of wood, stone or marble, and had been so represented for ages at the time the Law was given. The devotion of men and women to this form of idolatry has survived even unto Christian times. The TniUD Commandment deals with that proneness to make light of the nivin(> Name whicli has characterized some men in all ages. From I lie grosstM' forms of profane swearing in which nien of passionate natures indulge, to the light and frivcdous (rifling with sacred things that distinguishes others, all such are embraced in this prohibi- tion. As the Supreme Being is, in Himself, worthy of the highest honor, adoration and reverence, as no being or thing is to bo conceived of in comparison with Him, so ilis The Law of the Ten Commandmenls. 333 very name is to be pronounced reverently, and not lightly; still lews is it to l)e used to accentuate forms of words which express (he wicked passions of malice, hatred, and all ui:-;,'harital>leness. This pi'ohibiiion has by some been considered to extend to those oaths which are required to be taken in courts of justice. liut this pesition cannot be maintained witli rea- son. For tlie essence of the prohibition is against irrever- ence and liffhtnesn in using the Holy Name. "Tiiou shalt not take the name of tlie Lord tliy (iod in rrnV— that is, fool- ishly, lightly, and irreverently. But an oatii in a court of justice is a tiling of solemnity in itself, and it is adminis- tered for a very serious and sacred purpose, viz., to ensure the speaking of truth in a controversy between man and man. It is a calling upon Ihe Supreme Judge to intervene and see that tlie right prevails, and that justice is don.'. Yet it must be said that ihis very solemn act is at times performed lightly and irreverently; and whenever so i»er- formed, there is a breach of the Commandment, and the incurring of guilt. The last of the Commands which refer to the Divine Be- ing is that relating to the Day of Rest. The scope and character (")f this command "s often mis- understood. The FoT'iiTn Command is not simply to ah stain from work, and to make of the seventh a day of rest. It is evident that at the time of the giving of these com- mands the seventh day was well known to be a dav of rest. The strong impulses of human nature with regard to the day were of two opposite kinds. TL.-y were so then, and they have been so ever since. There were the impuls( s of u grasping, money-loving disposition, desiring to go on work- ing and earning or making money all the days of tae week, and to hav(> their servants and employees work also. ^ To this class the command speaks stronglv and pi-ohibi- tively. Six days are for work, and in these six days all work must be finished. The seventh dav is for resi' from work, both for man and beast. _ The other, and generally by far the most numerous class, is that of persona who desire to make the seventli day a time (»f pleasur(> and amusement. Thev do not desire to work, and they do not work. But they do not desire to have the dav as "a rest of the Lord Cod." but as a day of (!rdinarv pleasure. The oomm.nnd begins, therefore, with the emphatic word. "Rkmemrki?," a word whicii ..hews how prone men were in former ages feven as they are now^ to forfjet that this day was set apart by the Creator as a time .sacred to Himself m-mpvAhcv to keep this day sacricd. [i is a holy, and not I ^':i ;: 1 1 1 " ill: ■»' ;:;■' II. r i |H 1' 334 7'/ic Law of the Ten Commandments. a Hoculnr rest, that is onjoinetl. Its purpose is not merely that the bodily frame of man may he conserved, or that hit* mind may be jirevented from beinj? overtaxed, but that men may be b^oufilit, once in every week, to remember their Creator, and all they owe to Ilim. The very object of tho command is that rej^iilar and systematic opportunity may be alforded for worship in concert, for meeting together, to praise the Lord of Creation and Eedemption. And this, in view of the fact thai human nature is now estranged from Ilim. and would, if left to itself. emi)l()y rest and recreation days in debasing pleasure (as is w(>ll known to be the case even in countries where Christianity is professed), or would take no notice of the need for rest, and continue working nnd compelling others to work in the ordinarv occupationh of life. The command above all others is fur the welfare of the large mass of mankind and womankind who are employed and controlled by others, and who, in the absence of such a provision as this, would wear out their lives in an increas- ing round of toil. , m CRITICAL XOTES TO CHAPTEU X. tlu^'VT"'''"^';'^*'"; '••"'■ ""^ SOiH]nc'Hs, the hatml -..f evil, 1 ,1 •F^Pn,?! V/„f ^«'*^^*'i«"c^' <•" tl.e part of the Supremo in u nfifi • . '^''' ^*;^"ff"''g*^ ™"«t be use.l that conveyn mlHhgib e Ideas; and these w..rds do convey such ideas- and the ideas when exan.ined are found to conlpoi t wi h the iifil.est attributes of justh e and righteuusnesi It should however, never be forg.,tt..n that all our knowledge and ^^■bat the Supreme Heing is iii th.- abstiact. or in His essence, no man can know-not the profoundest philoso- phei' any iiiore than the untaught peasant. But we can know, and do understand, th,- Eternal God in His relations to mankiiid as Creator. Provider. Redeemer, Guide, Con Wd Wo!;f ^"^''- -^"' '* ^^ *•'"« ''' - revealed in the ^J,^"^''^-/^'' J.'"' ^H'.'' '■"'"••<">'' to onr understanding of the Supreme God applies to all huinan knowledge. Ont of the grea est original thinkei-s of this dav, Herbert Spencer Ins feht ive.'tb'.;'"' ""'T'' ^"""^ ^^'^'^ «'l our knowledge ] T ;i!r ^^^ ^t^""^'^ "f'*'" ourselves a..d other things. T • ■/ T Jt-."" 'Objected that we cannot conceive of an Infinite Inteliiget.ee and Supreme Cieator being affected snv'"fltt thnf ir.r^«^'- ''''''''T ''^''''''' '' '« Bufficfenl^to sa.A, hi ht. that it the Supreme Being were revealed to n^ as a Simple. imi)assive embodiment of Force, He would be n it u^ri "toT't"'-'-,'."^' '''' ^'«^^^* ^levelopment oi human nature IS to love i-ighteousness. hate iniquity, and be ieal- mis of the infraction of law; and second, that whatever mav k i on'Jv bv'^"' the thoughts of the Eternal God In essence! t s onl.v h^ uescnbing them in human language that thev can be made in the slightest degree intelligible to us As TO THE SlXS OF TIIK FaTHI:US BEINO VISITED UPOX THiC ChILDIUOX. This declaration of the Second (^ommandraent is bv no n cans inconsistent with a st.-iking passage in the nro pheries of Ezekiel. where the responsibilitv of everv man for his own sins is maintained. There is no inconSenc. for this reason, that the commandment expresses ibrond and general truth as to the effect of th? s ns of mrent^ upon their children, a truth which al! experience cJSs I J' ■II nl 336 Thv Law of the Ten Commandments. ■ : h But all tnilli, all (lo(;trliie and commandments mav be al)iised; aH, iov cxairiplc, arc ihe doctrines of the grace of God, as unfolded in the New Tt'stamont. In the tinn* of Ezekiel tliiH irutli of (he Second Coniniaudment wasabnsod Men who well Unew (hat Ihe.v were doinjr wronfj, and break ing (iod'M cornnuindnuntH, when called upon to repent, caviled and trilled, inakin); light of (Jod's messenger, blam- ing (heir pareiilH or ancestors. (|Uo(ing the Second Coin- mandiiieiit. and alleging their helplessness. Our fathers have IV ten Hour i/raiirs, naid (hey, and wr the ctiildren hare our teeth net on edije. IJul (heir very attitnde and words showed that (hey were not lielj)'"ss viclims of circumstances Fov such vicliniH are unconscious of (heir position. Kut these men were fully coiiHcious of it. They knew thev were doing wrong, and voluntarily persisled in it. Then it was that the voice of tin.' Huprenu' Law-Giver and Judge sounded in their ears by (he month of the prophet; it is vain and wicked trilling for you to evade responsibilitv. You will not be i»uniHlied for your fathers' sins bn( foi- voui own. The Houl that nlnnHh, it nhitll die. Thus, lIuMigh through a i)arent's fault and bad example evil tendemioM arc- intensified, and so the sin of the faiher is visited upon (he son, there is, nevertheless, in the etm science of every man (ha( which wilnesseth to the fact of in- dividual respotiHibilily for actual wrong-doing. And in that very conscience (here is (hat which will lift a man out of his father's evil ways and enable him to take hold of the great remedial measures which are found both in the old dispen- sation and (he new, and which were being stronglv insisted on by the prophet himself. Ov Tin: (UiMOATioN ov THio SAnnATii as Interpri:ti;i> iiY Jksus CiinisT. ^ It is somedmes Hii|»|iosed (hat the teaching of the Divine Saviour ii'spee(ing (ho Sabbath was contrary to that of (he lourth (^<»mmaiidnient. This supposition has rested, first, upon His working miracles of healing on the Sabbath; next, on his reasoning that the ox or ass must be taken to water, or relieved in case of accident, on the rest dav; next, on His allowing His disciples (o phick the ears of "corn in the fields on ihat diiy; and finally, on His declaration that the Rest day was made for man and not man for the Rest dav. Rut none of (hese were contrary to the Fourth Command- ment. They rortainly were contrarv to certain phnrisaical mterpretadons of i( by the men whom Christ declared to have made Ood's commands of none effect throuqh their traditions. Rut (o the Commandment itself they were not The Law of the Ten Commandments. 337 contn.iv. For it is evident tiiat tlio "woric" so strongly mv n.; 1 .iT'" ;•^' ^^'' ''^•■"''''" ^^'^'"'^ "f tile business of ^. ,:, r -^ '''^"*','' ""'" •'"'■" t**^''" 'iveliliood or acquire jye.ilth m various calliiigH uiul occupations. Now, the ro ■enn^tl.e necessity of I he side is not such work,' neither tlie feeding of animals, who are un.ler our care neither .1. H^i^f'S"!..^' 7 ^°'T^ "•* ''' ^''^"«-'' "oS'rTs the T f h?s-nn n ""^ ^«'"" b.v *i pMssent-er through a field. lli.it (lie Kibbalh was mnde for man is an undeniable truth f/nce'of"iT. r.r'T''^'?"^"'^'^'^'^'*^ *^"* ^ revere'it oSJv-' aiue ot t as a sacred day is conducive; (o the best welfare of .Mankind in all conditions an.l circumslan.-es. (H. nmn I;!"*''"/'* •^*'''' ^"' V* ^^"'* ''^ *''^ '"'OPhet Isaiah ((he prophet, let it be remembered, who seems to have anti- c.p.-.ted he limes of the Christimi dispensation) is aDivine commentary on the Fourth Commnndment ih/Ii ''^"^' *''''" ^T^ *''^^ f''^* ^'0'" *''« Sakath-from doing ihu^f ■ '"'""'"•"''''■•• f'X'l shall honour him, not domi thne oxen ways nor fmding thine own pleasure, nor apeakimj m>,e own words-then I will cause thee to ride upon the liiKh place.^ of the earth. (Isaiaii Iviii. l.*^ ) ^ tli"J!Vo,./^M°'^.,""^^^^'°^ ""^ *''^ ^'""'■tb Commandment, the remarkable thing ,s the emphasis laid on not takin- fZ 9ohi° r/'*' i"'T' t^"' l^^Pl^atically reprobating a view o^f the Sabbath which has obtained much currencv in modern days, and whidi, sad to s.-iy, has been approved by a certain section of the Christian Church. ^ < «-rtain m ?i .111 m :l I » i I' ;t L, If CHArTKK XI, Thk Tkn Commandmknts. The Hkconk Tabli: oi' Tin; Law. Exodus >(). lu considering tlio last of these Commandments, viz., those reJating to the duties of nit-n one to another, it in to be noticed that these arc sucii as obtain the universal assent of all men, in all places, and in all ages. The Ethics of all systems and nations are in theory very similar to one another. For it is a fact that the conscience of mankind is mu'ch more alive to breaches of this class of commands than to those relating to tlie honor and worship of the Creator. And the reason is not far to seek. The fall of man (and the inherited tendencies that have ll(»wed from it) had reference primarily to his duty and obli^;iition to the Creator. Conseciuently, the world has ever been prone either to false religions, or to corruptions of the true, or to an aban- donment, either formally or essentially, of religion alto- gether. That men are naturally alienated from the Su- preme God, that they are averse to Him, and to the doing of His will, is an undeniable truth. ''The carnal mind" as it is expressed by the Apostle Paul, ''is cnmiti/ against Hod.'' The term "•carnal mind," or "the minding of the flesh," as it might be translated, is but another term for human nature, which is "not mhjeet to the law of God, nor indeed can hr." unless Divinely changed. But to practice, in at least some degree, the ordinary moral virtues, and to restrain from many vices, not to say many crimes, is a necessity of human life. Without such restraint, any organized society would become in course of time, simply chaos. Such virtues, therefore, have been almost invariably inculcated. But the world has seen, in these modern times, on a great scale, in the history of nations, the carrying out of theories of absolute freedom from restraint on the part of indi- viduals. The French Revolution, in its civil development, was a strenuous assertion of freedom from the restraints of a Divine law. The movement was in form against the tyran- ny of an arbitrary and despotic government; and, so far. it The Ten CommandmctilH. a.-jg had good elements in it. But it was ecmally a revolt against religion, as embodied in a form of Christianity that was c,.rtainlv most corrupt The northern nations of Ku- rope had revolted onto before, viz., in the time of the Ke- formatjon, against the corruptions of the Roman Church, botli in doctrine and practice. They had dom- so, however ST ^'i'" '''^"'' }""■ '■ *"^" *" '' ^^^'^e authority as embo- d led n (he very Divme word that we are now studving. of- h. -f ''."^ ?"'*" ?^ *^*-' l'''*-'"^^ IJevolution had',-ast of! belief, I'ot only in the unlawful pretensi.ms and false doctrines of (he Roman (Church, but .nail Divine auibo, (y Jn.r\r^T f*'''i'"' restraint professing to be fiN.m at.ovi, and asserted independence of Divine law, and of all rules of conduct having a religious basis. This theory was not long in working itself out. As mitrhi: the only law. These, having cast off restraint, murdered all those who were in their way. A reign of error ensued of mutua destruction. One after another of the leaders was^murdered by the res,, until at last scarcely one re \eisal liability ((> be murdered without redress. No man's Me was safe, and no woman's honour. For also, as might carnival of licentiousness. Thus it was demonstrat. d that a moral law of some kind was absolu <>ly necessary to the holding of society ?o. 'ether But another thing was also demonstrated, that the sane" tions and restraints of religion are the surest -uarant m> for the observance <.f morallaw. Even so c.urup 1( fo m of Christianity as that of the Roman Church has preserve travention. ho^yever grievously it has d(>parted from tl e M.rvT n- *''",^'''* '^^'' ''■^' ''^' -^^^tailon of th^ Virgin Mar.A to Divine honor, and by its gross violation of the command respecting graven images. Ihe Christian religion is the surest support to moralitv Its sanctions restraints, and Divine influences ipoi 1 1 soul of man have all the effect foreshadowed by one of 1 e ancient prophets, viz.. that the Law of God should le "tPrittm upon the Henrt and the Mind " Otherwise why should not men indulge their passions wi*^V'^'''\'' -P'^'^^'"^ t'» l"'"i"» nature? Ss in' truth the restraint of the Civil Law, whatever form thar may take, in this country or that. But there are n-r^n£s « I i I i 340 77m; Ten Cominandinrnla. >■■■♦■ of thingH that are not touched by the civil l.iw, and cannot be; which things, neverthelesH, deeply concern the harinoni- ouH and hnppy relationw of men to one another. Thus a man may behave with gross disn-speet to his parents, and wear out their lives in grief for liis rebelliousness and folly; he may plot mischief against a neighbor's j)roperty, reputation, and in some cases even life; lie may indulge a bitter, re- vengeful, ,ind mnlicious spirit; may lie. slander, and calum- niate; he may indulge the biiser passions of lust and drunk- enness; may indulge, in fact, every wicked passion and propensity known to man, and yet, in running the whole course of wickedness, never violate a single human law. And. apart from the overshadowing and restraining pre- sence of a Divine Law-tiiver and Rulei-, men raav sav, why not? It is thus we come to see the plac( »f the tlrst table of the law as related to the second. The f(>ar (»f iioii, using that term in its proper sense of high regard and reverenci', is the true foundation of man's duty to man. And. as a preservative against wrong-doing, how absolutely sufficient is that great thought so jtresent to the mind of Josepli when tempted, "how can I do this qrcat wickedness, an'h sin against r.oi.:" If the precepts of duty inculcated by the second table are examined, they will be found to gather round the central thought of doinfj no injiiri/ to an;/ man; not to his Life — as in the sixth, not to his Domestic Peace, as in the seventh, not to his Property, as in the eighth, not to his Reputation, as in the ninth, the tenth being a summary of preceding ones, but going deeper. The Fifth, the only one that is posit? vf, has its root in the same thought of doing no injury, but takes mankind at an earlier stage, and inculcates that haliit of respect, sub- servience and obedience which is the surest four tiation for subsequent moral discipline and good conduct. The honor to be rendered to father and mother is not mere obedience and outward conformity to rule. The command goes deep- er; it requires honor and respect; the cultivation, in fact, as a child grows into consciousness and capacity of self control, of a habit of looking up to father and mother with so high a degree of regard as will ensure obedience on the part of children when young, and a readiness to help and support, if needed, when parents have become old. The command is calculatcMl to ensure domestic peace, and is the first link in the chain which binds all human society together. For society largely consists of families. Amongst communities who have not known Christianity, The Tni Commundiinnts. 341 or with iiHlivKliialH win. have n-jcctod it, (lioorics of nooietv Imvi' been fraiiH'd whicli wi.nl.l ij.|ii.r.' tlic iuslitutioii o*f tiK' fjiiiiil.v iiltoKt-tlici-. In I he ideal slai.- iiiia;;in.'(l by tli;it J.'i<-'«o|»lu'r I'lato, and (lUllinod in his "Hejxiblic,' thfic aro no faniilicH. Olnldf.-n arc to be all bron^'lit nu HI public inHtiludoiis, and know nttdiinj,' of fallicf or uio- thiM-. Sonic n(»n (;iiriHiiaM |diilos(»|du'i'H of modern tinicw arc also inclined to adopt this idea, and some have tried to JMil ii into pracli.e. The religion (.f the falHc prophet unihT- mines (he true idea of the family, bv allowing' a plurality • •1 wives to one husband; and bv the low ideal (.f wcmiaii- luxid which is iu-e-.aiable from liiis practice, and which peivades tlie w.'.i ie i".iiimiiinie(laii system. All this is (intrary l» the instincit implanted Tioth iu women and ebUlreu by ;he (Jreator. and which has mir- viven,, in tin land vhivh I hi] Lord I hi) God (jivrlh thee." Whatever may have been the force of this promise so far as the Hebrews in the land of Canaan were concerm'd it is undoubtedly a fact that in these modern limes unusual ]>rosperi(y oftiMi attends the wav of a ; n who has shewn unusual honour and resjiecl to his i.arents, and especially io a widowed mother. The promise seems still to be opera five in s(.nie sense, and "the blessinp; (hat maketh rich and a(ldeth no sorrow therewith," nndotibtedlv follows the man who iK.nours his parents when yoiiii- and'c.ires for them in old age. The Sixth Command is founded on the high respect for the L]f(> of man which f..lIows from h^s being made in th- image of ({od. Disregard for the life of its citizens is always a mark of degeneracy in a State; while to protect them, both at home and abroad, is its highest function the command is but a continuation of that nrecei i ■H J *)•> precept of a very 342 The Ten Coiumandments. • : :j. early age: "Whoso slieideth man's blood, hy man shall his blood be shed; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man; for in the image of God made he man." The command not only prohibits murder arising from malice or desire of gain, or desire of high place, as in poli- tical murders, but the gratification of private revenge. The Divine Creator thus throws round every human being the shield of His protection, by making it the duty of every man, not only to refrain from taldng the life of another, but to protect him and defend him when his life is in danger. This is also in accordance with tiie instinct of f elf-pieserva- tion, which is inherent not only in individuals but in or- ganized communities. And certainly, in these Christian times, however far men may have forgotten their duty to- wards their Creator, they are generally not slow to exert themselves, and even to endanger their own lives, in the endeavour to save the lives of others; as, for example in cases of shipwreck. Are, or accident. The record of our own country is full of h( nc urable examples of this. _ The Seventh Command is concerned with the preserva- tion of the honour and purity of the Famihf. It is essentially connected with the family, inasmuch as its violatior js the most deadly injury that can be inflicted on family life, botli physically and morally. The taint of evil blood and lawlesn character introduced into a family by this moral crime is an evil, in some respects, worse than death. And death, as the punishment and penalty of adultery under the civil code of the great Legislator, is but an expression of the deadly character of a wrong-doing which affects innocent ohiidreo and future generations. There are other forms of a breach of this command which, though not connected with family life directly, are so indi- rectly, in the degradation of womanhood, and "the rendering of marriage impossible or fruitless. And God who ha^ created the human frame so "fearfully and tmnderfully," has stamped upon V ■? natural constitution both of man and woman a reprobation of this deadly wrong-doing in the shape of a te--ible penalty of disease. The Eighth Command, "Thou shall not steal" throws the safeguard of protection over every man's propertv It re- cognizes the right of property, a right which has been denied ^y certain theorists of modern times, who are as a rule however, persons who deny the Divine law, and repudiate r+{! H?i!*!T.^ ""^ '■^''' Christian religion. If the sanction .>f the Christian rfligi(n is invoked to denv the right of property, and the condition referred to in the'earlv chapters The Ten Commandments. 343 of the Actfi of the Apostles is quoted in support of it, "when the disciples had all Ihintja commov," and no man considered that aught he had icas his own (Acts iv. 32), it must be remem- bered that this was an exceptional condition of things arising from the fact of large numbers of people being de- tamed m Jerusalem beyond the time they had intended and provided tor. ind the necessity of making unusual pro- vision for their sustenance. The same conditions would bring ab • it the same results in any Christian community in these times. But that these are not normal and ordinary conditions is manifest from the tact that there are no precepts for its continuance, while there are many that recognize the right of every man to his own, while appealing to him to bestow liberally and generously thereof for the relief of the poor and the support of the Gospel. (I. Cor. xvi. 2, also I. Timothy vi. 18,19 ) Ihe right of property is plainly recognized by the Eighth Commandment, which forbids any man to deprive another man of it against his will. Stealing may be by violence, or Dy traud, and it is a much more common propensity in some communities than others. There have been times when whole communities of people practiced stealing with- out compunction of conscience, even while nominally Chris, tians, as when the Highlanders of Scotland raided the Low- lands, or the Borderers the adjoining counties of England. Scrupulously honest among themselves, they had no respect whatevei- for the command not to steal from their neigh- bours. The rondiiion, in fact, was one of perpetual war, utterly anti Christian in spirit, though practiced by those who were Christians in name. The organized bands of rob- bers m the mountains of Soulhern Italy and Greece are also Christians in name, and, in their way, devout, for it is well known that they invoke the protection of the Virgin on their wicked enterprises, and cross themselves when passing shrines. Thus it is seen how men can be Christian in name and form, while setting its precepts at deflance by stealing and murder. The Bedawoon Arabs are men of precisely the same character. Honourable and just in their dealing with each other, they plunder without mercy all strangers, and if they meet with resistance, thev do not scruple to murder. But, passing by these examples of the contradictory tendencies of human natu-e. and of the inefficiency of cor- riipt forms of religion to restrain it, lot us consider the developments of stealing amongst the civilized societies of the modern world. And the first thing that strikes an ob- server is the constant outcropping from society of number*. Of men to whom stealing is an occupation. Many of these ■ i 344 The Ten Commandments. have bcM^ii boru of criminal parents, brought iip in criminal surroundings, ami have never known any other mode of living than stealing. The petty pilferer of the streets is of this chiss. So is tlie daring burglar who goes about his uefurious business with deadly weapons, and is always prepared to use them. The practice of constant stealing develops a superior aptitud(> and skill in its exercise. Thus in the case of tJie professional burglar there is as much mechanical skill exercised as would enable the thief to earn higli wages, and obtain constant einph)yment in an honest occupation. The same nniy be said in even a liigher degree of the professional foigei', whose skill in engraving and handwriting Avonid ensure hiiu a high place in any business establishment. All this points to tli' fact that many miMi are criminal;? because tlx-y lorr to Ix- criminals. They like the life. It ia a Hie of nt'pi' freedom frtmi moral restraint, and, for tiie most part, a life of idleness. Th ' piofess^ional oriminal is, in thi- very iiatiiieof things, an outlaw, lie knows no law. He feels himself at liberty to indulge his passions, appetites, propen.ijties without restraint. And he exercises it. Society, of course, organizes a system of (U'fence again^st all this. And every criminal is liable to be laid hold of, and jjlaced where he can do no haiui. For a longer or shorter i)eriod, and sometimes for life, such men arc shut up. And thus society ])rotects itself from depredation. Yet with the full knowledge of an almost absolute certsiinty of imprisonment and piivation, si» stnuig are a criminal's natural prop 'Usilii's to idien 'ss, lawlessness, and vicious indulgence, that he Aviil ctmtinue to steal even though, as a penalty for it, the greater part of his life is spent in prison. Almost all the j»ro])erly of the world, including money, stocks, bonds and land, has to be committed to the charge of others, I*ersons placed in p'>siti(ms of trust have tempta- tions of Jheir own, and sometimes fall into the snare of the evil one. To all such, the ever-pn^sent voice of the Eternal Law '■ ver sounds in warning: "Thou nhult not steal." And happy are they if they heed it. The Ninth Command relates to another class of wrong doing which does infinite mischief in the world, and to which some are exceedingly prone: "Thou shalf not hear false vitnexs affainst th/t neij/hhour" strikes at that ]iractice of slander and calumny, of lying reports and wicked inven- tions, of false testimony in Courts, and whisperings and back-bitings in secret, by which a man's reputation is in- jured, sometimes beyond repair, or his property .".wnrn .nway ' fl The Toi Comma ndiiuntii. 345 aSTftnTI'1 ;:^^'^^»'Ption. Lyi„g reports and slander aie often bejond the power t)f law to punish. It is oulvr ^vhen false testimony under oath can bi pro "-d ^alns? r^ man or when caiun.ny can be shown to be nml c ou" a„; calculated to injure r.^putation o,- (h-pdv^M^f piw'^^^^ the law will intervene and punish. J5u( bv far he H 'iier number of cases wher,> this connnan same m-im-iplc. e.xtended to th atlairs o nations would <.nsuie i.eace.\a,Hl prevM^^ for xvrestniff territory from others. pit-^uii ^aw It would not prevent, nor is it intended to prevent xvi tions ex (Miding their bounds by taking un ccupie"te it tory, or by purchase from states'willing to sell. Cwou I L'jrrLf iTi!: i:'!^-''-'^ ^-- ino,...sing^th;irp:^^ P< last, have in v le same wav »es.' (omniandg, from first t< lew the one great object of th e prevention of 346 The Ten Commandments. S aggression on the rights of others. Do no wrong to thy NEIGHBOUR is the one dominating thought; not to his per- son, not to his family, not to his property, not to his reputa- tion. The Almighty Sovereign who has constituted society knows what are the evils that mar and spoil the enjoyment of it, and He has set bounds to the actions of men in every direction where wrong would be done. His will is that men shall be just, true, self-restrained, honouiablo, in all thei: ways and relations with one another from childhood to the grave. And these precepts only need to be fairly carried out by all parties in all conditions of life, both private and public, for the life of earth to become like the life oi Heaven. ilf lit CRITICAL NOTES TO CHAPTER XI. BoMK Considerations as to the Command to Honour Father and Mother. Tlie wisdom of the selection of tlie word '•iionour" instead of "obey" will be evident on considering how the relations between children and parents inevitably change with the process of time. Children are wholly under the care of parents up to a considerable age. During this time the rule of simple and unquestioning obedience is natural and reasonable. A time, however, gradually supervenes when the child ceases to be wholly dependent, and becomes more and more able to provide for itself. The helpless child of former years becomes the apprentice boy, the boy the youn- man, until the time comes when parental care and support are no longer needed, and the child who was for so many years wholly supported becomes a sui porter himself. Along with this change of capacity for support comes enlarging intelligence and power of iud"- ment. so that in many matters the child of former days receiving implicitly everything taught him, becomes a per- son-capable of investigating and forming opinions, and able to determine with more or less intelligence courses of his own. This change, like the other, comes about gradually, but it comes io every man and woman as time passes on But with these two changes, viz.. the cessation on the part of the growing young man of parental support, and th^ acquiring of the faculty of independent judgm. nt, there comes of necessity a change in the extent and cmiracter of the obedience that can reasonably be required. Nature itself, as in so many other cases dealt with in this second table d.-termines the matter. Nature agrees witl. cbe com- mand. Though the period of ohedicncc neoessaiily passes away, the obligation to ^icunur and reupcct can never pas.s away. And the obligation to honour and respect may in- volve the obligation to support, or to asr, v in supporting, as IS so often necessary in the case of the ooor, ^ This brings us to the case cited bv our Saviour, as prov- ing that the Pharisees set aside the commands of God through their tradition. A young man who was under obligation to support his father and mother, might evade acoovding to the Phaiisee-s that obligation, by saving to :.:*^- ' t m m^ 1 348 I'A«' Ten Comniaiidmciits. thcni, "The rnoncy by wliich I sui)poi't yuii is lu^tv glvt?u to . God," ami be fire Iroju the coiiiiiuind to linnour i'leui. 'Mat- tliew Y.V. 5, ().) This opeus up a que!•«' Olid ( a>e. tlie e(unmand of God is plain and nia-an^ount, '■"■Honour thii Fafhir and fhi/ Mother," ami < annot b'> !• J asside tty some dediealion of mean:^ to God at a man's own will and i)leasure. However piansihle may be the apjxtrnif duty, the command of (iod is clear as to what is real duty. Tliere has been a good deal of teaching like that of the Pharisees, and a good deal of lu'ac tice tot-, in the Christian Church, where zeal for religious obligation and for conse- cration to God's service has Minded devout souls to thu plain obligation of tJod's ccunmands. Occasionally it may be liard to see what the way of duty is; as, for example, when a man conceives himself called to the ministry, or to go abroad as a missionary, and his ])areuts object to it. In that case, a num may fairly see whether the teaching of our Saviour abo^e referred to (Mat! hew xv. 3) applies to the case; whether, in fact, he will do his parents injury by diverting his means from their supi»ort. If so, he ought not to go. Hut if not. it may then be a question whether the other rue applies, "ire iiiiisf tjhc// (loil rotlier Hkiii hkiii,'' TJut inasmuch as the rule of honcuir and respect to parents hulds precedence, it ought to be a very > ■' tion from the ue Church. o make the com- tdition, and it is still f 1 ssitv for a Christian mu' :;isi:;d .ncrainst it. I' ii. il 'we The Ten Commit mlnu'Hf>i. 349 Of ouu Saviour's Commknts on tiik Commaxdmknts. ^ Tho nianiHH- in which the fireiU Toucher dciUc with these ConiuiaiKluieiils is exactly in tlie opposite direction to tluit of the Pliarisees. They einphasized the outward, and the ceremonial aspect only. Tlu- Divine Savionr tmi^rht that the command reached to the will and the intention. Mali- cious anper is a breach of tlie comsnand to do no niurdei', for it has the root of murder in it. Th<' lustful look is adultery in essence. Tlies(> words open np to view the riuthod of Divine judgment, viz., that it is not so miicii the outward act, as the tliought and intention tliat is repirded. In this the fjrounds of the Diviiu' and human judfiment are diametrically opposite. For it is obvious that human law can take no cofjnizauce of a man's Ihouj^hls, nor even of his intentions, unless nuinifested I)y outward act. \\m He who rules the spiritual world hto'ks at the thoughr and intent alone. He who is Hpirit, deals with and judges the s])irit of man. Of the Release of Christians from tiik Obligation.s OF TIIK Law. The profound questions as to this matter are fullv opened up in the Epistles of St. Paul. And ceriaiulv. few Ihinus have given rise to more misapprehension ami controversv. For a careful consideration of the scope and intent of tlie Apostle will shew, either that the law which \w taught that the Christian was fn e from, wjis the Ceremonial Law, i.e., tlie obligation to be circumcised and to observe the festivals and outward ordinances of the :Mosaic ritual; or else that the Christian was free from the condemuatorv sentence of the law by the righteousness of Christ appropriated bv the Christian in faith. Rut so prone is human nafure to misunderstand, or to misuse the best things, that the doctrine of freedom from the condemnation of tlie law has been perverted to mean that a Christian is under no uhlif/alion to anv rule or com- mandment of Cod at all. Certain teachers have taught this, and have referred to a condition of obligation, as a condition of bondage from which Christ had s ^^ ••111 ,, Ills (oll(,\vivine •.« f« <^ ■ •. " "^"•"^^^*•l*'llM^ and cremon es. and also poopk. i„.r.u,. ,i„, ,,,t,.„.a ,1," 1.,',;;',;'; ptnlisr """ "-" A Fix-AL Word .,» ,0 nn: Ono.M, „,. Mo„.u. Om,,.MT,„v ,,,,,, f, "■'","" *"'" ' of .■""■•,11 ol,Mj;„ti ,n ,,.sts »„ he fact ad tnend „. who,,, we live, and move, and have on be£ 1-1.1 ts i(,suiea m tune of sjuritual peiil J' -i .""'"/'"'';; ^he capacity to appreciate the Divine ill p lA 4 I 1 ■■'' .! 'r I*'' I 111 J" ' " J' :-* I 354 Some Further Considerarlions as to the Moral Law. And this love of a luun to God is tiie surest foundation for tbe love of Ills fellow-men and his fulfilling of all obligations to ilini. For as Uod loves all luen, and id ceasek'K \y working for their welfare, both in natural Pro- videnci-, and in the realm of Cirate, no a man who loves God will imitate Him, imbibe the same spirit, follow the same thoughts, and live so as to do all tlio good in liis power to those who are like himself, God's children. But previously to the declaration of precepts relating to Civil Life, a word was spoken wliich was fundamental as to the religious life of the nation, though not forming part of the precepts relating to the Tabernacle. As this was immediately followed by the precepts of the Civil Law, it may be ai>|)ropriately introduced here. The woni was this: — Ax AlTAK 01'^ EARTH TIIOU SUAI.T MAKE UiNTO MB. (Chap. XX. 22 to 26.) The mere material is not the vital point, as is evident. But the promise that followed is vital indeed. M'^ i-:|| CIIAPTKK XIII. Commands of God Rklatinc; to tuk Civil Lirti OP THE Jews. Edodits 21, 2i, 23. SinIi''7nV'u'^°Pl?.r'"" e"t''<-^''^^d at the fool of Mount .Mm , Cod, (liroufih His servant Moses, spoke of this -rreat Loid a H(.l.v Aatitn!" They were hincefortl. to be ii people nnited t,.getl:er under a delinite foiiu ..f sove nmen observmK a evil p.lity, wi.h a .„untry of the^r own and ""'jeml^K-r' S^t^t"^-- r^'"-^ to Lcular l/fj'^j:;u?i^r >o iliemse vos. They weie to be a nation. This tl ev m vcr iiad been in Kf,ypf. A Naf on they we.e. we Ide Toge Jm by long discipline in tl e wilderness, when they entefed or t en- mhentance. an,I a nation ih.y continued to be nn? the t.n.e when the Messiah can;e, the Shiloh to ^^■ham 'he f/athcnrnj of thv people iras m /.' Me true "Kin. f iZ oMh;'p':f •"?''' !"* ''"" ^'-^ '^"'^ «%/ «a/.o^"^ad onl of the rsalnnsts -Lcsf the Ifomavs takr mm,, our place and m,/,o« ' said Caaphas the High Pdost. speaking o th. need that Jesus should be put to dealh. Aad so the Komana AiT\Z'V^': ""''"f '^""'"^ ^-^"^^^ and took rr saleni. lor Ins triumph was tie end (f the Jews as i nation; and tl:e n.enioral of it is to be seen in Rom^ graven on the arch of Titus to this day. Marvrllouslv Ts they have b.en preserved as a racr, th. y have never -x is ted as a nation since Jernsaleni was captured. h J^"^ .TTV "* ^''^ l^*^'"'"'^ "°'^*-''" i-'O'i^i^lt-ration. encamped before that famous Mount, the first steps in the ^reat forma- tive process are being taken by the deliverv to fheir Leader of Divine precepts i dating to their civil life. Immediatelv fn .L T P'"^/«Pt« «f tlie Law had b.rm announced, in circumstances of such tremendous majestv. th.' people Tho'fnH '^' '7?/^" ^"^^ '^'^^'^ ^^'' to Moses alon^^ nf \? , ""■" ''^ ^'•'^ ^''^tion had built altars since the tim.- of J.oah downw.ird. in almost everv place where thev^- jonrned. The altar in that dispensation w^s of t u'Very essence of the worship of the Supreme. No altar no accem able wois hijK For on an altar 'had been offered lie sacr - thl'b;g!nniiS:^ ""' "'''^'""^ ""^ *"^ ^'^-' «^ blessingTom ..f^A""'''^- ^'''^^r^'^'""'*''^ requirement was given a great Promise which is still a living force in the ChHst"an Id'H '■ 356 Commands of (Jod Rduiing to the Civil Life of the Jews. Cliuioli. The altars and the otreiin}j;s are no more. Their puijtDSc was I'liltilh'd in .Icsus <'hiist, tlie one pevfcct sacri- tice and oblation for men, the true "Lamb of (Jod who taketh airay Ihc Kiitu of the irorhl." liui the promise still lives and will live to the end of time. "In ai-l tlaces wiikue 1 uecokd ]MV Na.MI:, 1 WILI, (OMK INTO TUKi;, AND I AVILL ULESS THKE"' Through all elianjies of (tulward form this great word of covenant abides the same, (lod meets with His people at the jdaee where His Name is recorded. And He ineeis them in Blessin;/. And the words are confirmed to us in these Christian times bv the Son of (.Jod in Jlis remarlcable say- ing, '•^^■^KRK TWO on THKKE AUE GATUEUED TOGETUEU IN MV Name, tiieimo am I i.\ Tin: midst of them." Why is ih' to be /;/ ihc iiiidsl.' Because in tlie New Dis- pensation there are to be no altars, and no sacrifices of slain animals. For Christ Himself has fulfilled all, and gatliered to Himsidf all these sacrifices, by one offering of Himself on the CrO'Ss, that altar to which He was bound, and on which He died. When His true disciples gather in His name, it is in His name a< th ' J.aml> of God, "In whose hlood is redemption.'' And Ho is present wlierever and when- ever they meet, as thi' Divine otTering and sacrifice, that tliey may still come to the Ktei-nal Father in Hi;i name, and receive the blessings that flow from the New Covenant of Peace. Immediately aftei' this command as to the Altar, and the covenant of blessing c(mnected therewilh, are the many i)rece))(s and laws relating to (Jivii. Liee, which laws are expressly stated lo have be.'U given by the J^over-ign Lord as II is '■Judgments" to be set before the peo])le. The Avoid '•jiuhjiiiciits" is noticeable. It lias been incorporated into our own language and mode of thinking, as expressing that final decision which has be^'u ari'ived at after full con- sideirili'iu of the case by conipetent and recognized author- ity, which authfU'ity must b:- obeyel, as it can be enfn are suniinoned to at tend it, the judge sits as the Sovereign's repre-sentative, and the decision is given in the Sovereign's name. It was even so on this great occ ision, when t'le p^-ople were assembled before Mount Sinai. The Lord God ap- peared, not ouly as the Lord in the sphere of mor ils. but as^ the Ruler in all civil matter.-!, and the Head of th > Nati'^n. And though (his r.d itio;i b 'tween the T ovd of th ^ Unt- but as people For 1 with tlU; inc. liowe, Commands of God RclaUwj to the Civil Life of the Jeics. 357 verse and the people of the world generally has ceased, being ey])ressly abrogated by the S( n of God Himself, who declared that His "kingdom was not of this world" (John xviii. 36), the laws as to civil life gi\en by Him to this i_ .. , ^^ studied with profit. will be found, (n examination, lo be inslinct ■incipk's of (quify belw(en man and man; bear- er, in mind, the ciicum.staiices of the people, the times thoy lived in, and their capacity for civil development. The Great Teacher, in afier ages, enunciated the principle that these civil laws, in one important respect at least, were imperfect, and acc' mmodated to the condilinn of ti;e peo- ple. "Moses," said He, spenking of divorce, "because nf the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put awai/ your tcives:' (Matthew xix. 8.) Civil laws, in tlie nature of things, unlike moral laws, must be adapted to circumstances and times. So, .-.s the precept respecting divorc;' was imperfo( t iind temporary, others of the same kind may be found nlaling to other matters. .\nd it must always be borne in mind by us of the Christian dispensation, that these laws of civil polity all came to end when the .Jewish polity itself came to an end by the destruction of Jerusalem. The position of thes-e people with resptct to surrounding na- tions has also to be considered, for although they were to be absolutely separate in religious matters, and for that reason forbidden to many amongst them, yet in civil life there must have been necessity of intercourse. All this bears upon such questions as Polygamv, Slavery Divorce, I'unishment for Crime, and other matters. The first precepts relate to the relations between Master and Serv.\nt. These have the appeaiance at first sight, of instituting or sanctioning a system of slavery. But it will be found, on examination, to be little or nothing more than that kind of servituc'e which is common m all countries, even in republics wher ■ all are declared to be "free and equal." Men in these countries make contracts or engagements to serve others, as artisans, clerks, managers, superintendents, and to these engagements they are bound. So long as thev exist, the paity who has made the eng.igement is not ah absolutely free man. He is a servant, under orders, which he is bound to obey. Now this servitude of the Hebrew is of this sort evidently. No contract for srrvi. e is to be for longer than six years (Chap. xxi. 2). In the seventh, the 23 i,t!;t |;i iji I ? ^ ■; !; i I'l ' "1 iin 1 ■Il< ' 1 ,^. > r,"P' It' (« 1.1" Ml !li?i 358 Commanils of God Relating to the Civil Life of the Jeics. servant is to jio tree, liut the service is not to be that of a slave. In the book of Leviticus we find the following significant jjassage (Chai». xxv. 39) :— "/f ilni hrothrr that dicdieth hy tier he traxcn poor, and bo sold unto thee, -hou shalt not conipvl him lo serve o.s a lotid- so'vant, hut as an hind-serrant, as a sojourner shall lie be tilth thee and shall serre thee unto the year of Jubilee. Thou shalt not rule orer him icith rigour, hut i^halt fear thy (Sod." Thus, when a person is sold to another, the Iransaotion is utterly unlike the selling which makes one man the abso- lute property of another. The puri base is simply a (Oni- mutation of the vahi(> of the labour for a teiiu of years, not longer in any case than six. If the year of Jubilee inter vene. the service must end then, whatever the time of ser- vice h;is been. But the cliaratttT and ((oality of the service to be ex- acted are most noticeable: — "Thou shalt not rule orer him. tvith rigour. Thou shaH not com /el him to s rre as a bond- servant, hut as a hired servant.'' The people who had come out of Egyptian bondage and the hard trcalment it involved knew perfectly well thi' meaning of tlie di.stinction. What it was to serve "with rigour,''' they had had only too bitter an experience of. (See Note, page 381.) But a servant might, if he pleas- ed. mnke a contract for life. Before noticing this, the rule us lo a servant's wife and children must be considered. The law provides that if he were a married man a+ the time of his entering into ser vice, when the service ends he can lake his wife with him. But if his master giv(>s him a wife dniing servitude, and she bears him children, when the service expires he can go out by himself, but cannot take wife and cliildien with him. This at first sight seems harsh. But now let us see what follows: — "If the servant shall plainly say. T lore my master, my wife, and mil children, I vill not go out free, then his mastir shall bring him to the judges;" {V. 5) and by the significant cei-^- mony of boring his ear througli and fastening him tor a moment to (lie door post, tlie contract shall become that of servitude for life; not, be it again said, (lie servitude of a bondman with ligour, but the honourable service rendered by one who is hired. The whole iiriangemi nt is evidmtly deHiVned to bring about that kind of long service on the siim<^ farm, in the same business house, to the same person of distinction, thnt is, reckoned amongst ourselves to be so honoui'able on both sides. Who dots not know these old servants (if a great firm, a great bank, a great house, who are trusted and re- spected by the head of the house as if they belonged to hUi Commamh of God Rdathuj to the Civil Life of the Jeivs. 359 own family. What mistress docs not stiv. with pride if she can SUV it at all, '-My servants st,,y With me as Ion" as they livel" And who dees not know these sei\a!iis, wl;ether in a lower or higher capacity- and in some cus. s the s rvice is of a very iiigh order indeed; who aie proud of their position. proud ot the house fhey serve, and proud of the long course of service tliey have rendered? This is evidently the soit of service ihat would br fos- tered by sucli regulations as those. The rule as to maid-servants has .several provisions that are most considerate, together with some that are not easy to understand. It seem- to be implied that the engagement to be a maid-servant implies marriage or eoncubinage, Ihis must be conceived of as one of the cases where a temporary evil was allowed -1 ecause of tlie hardness oi their hearts. ' But tliis being so, the re^ulaiioiis ivspecimg it are hu- mane and considerate. The uiasfr shall have "//« power to sell her to a str„nf,r „ >fioii:' but. in case of disagreement must let her be redeemed. And if he innr hetroUnd he, unto hw son, Khe .shall he dealt with a.s a damihter. i llfw differen* this from the ccmdition of a female slave in rlw- house of i master in the days of slavery in the St.utli.i POLY&iJlY. The regulatifms as to tliis matter are most noticeable, thus:— If the master take another wife, he is bound to maintain the tirst in all honour and comfort: "her food her Z""w\' '""'' '^"'^ "^^ marriain. shall he not diminish.- She must retain her place in the house and not be put aside ov neglected. Thus the h.w. while permitting whn: m those early times was ui; versa 1. ,h.' taking of nion- than one wife, was .so framed as to throw dilli.uhies in the wa-, of the man who desire.l it. for lu^ was boun to ireat the hrst wife with as much honour and respect as if there was only one. The effect of the law in the wav of ijrotectin.. the woman IS most evident. ^ i ^ Under such regulations, imlyganiy is made diffiiMiK it i^ shorn of Its worst evils, and a state of things like thai prevailing under Mohainme^cale was practiced, alas! in former days, hv men of British blood and race; and still prevails with all its horrible accompani- ments of cruelty and murder on a gigantic scale, bv Arabs of Mohiimniedan faith. After the otVenccs iigain^t life, iind against father and mother that are i.unishable with death, come a s(n-ies of another knid. But it is noticeable that in all th('s<. i)enal- ties there is no mention of imprisonment. Moses was fami- liar with the prison sy.stein of Egypt, and might have been expected to introduce something of the samo'kind in legis- ating for his own people. But let us remember that these hiws and judgments aiv expressly stated to hav(^ come direct from the Almighty Ruler. Tliev were not devised bj Moses, but by ITim who knew what jm.s- //; man: who knew what was suitable to the cii'cumstances of the people, and what was not. Moses was the promulgator of this bodv of hnv, not its author. And history has shown that th- whole system of imprisonment has given rise to great abuses, and has been a scandalous instrument of tviannv and arbitrary power. The people of England have devised express safe guards against this in the famous "Habeas Corpi-" \ct But for centuries after ihis, France, to mention no other instance, was subject to the awful tyrniinv .)f the "Lettres des^Cachet," whereby, at the mere will of the monarch, a man or v.oinn?? might be Hei^^t-d. lodged in ihe Jiasiile, never '<^inriTyau!f-t*tm l.'t til ll '1 Itlf* [ T I' urpos(» of preventing what wo in our day and country call ''breaches of the peace.'" Vs. 2G. 27: Another precept as to the dealing of a master with a servant is that if he shall so exceed the bounds of reason in chastising him as to cause the loss of an eye, or Commands of God Relating to the Civil Life of the Jews. 363 a tooth, lie shall let liiin go free. A very effectual deter- rent, and most e(|uitable, and another striking contrast to the usages of masters with slaves in modern times. Vs. 28 to 3(1, and in parts of Chaj*. xxii.; Ir. these we have an interesting and curious series of commands very pertinent to such an agricultural community as the He- brews were meant to be when settled in llie land of Canaan. And in spirit and essence, they are just as applicable to a farming community now. In those days, as now, some oxen leveloped, as they grew up. propensities which made Ihem dangerous. Sucii an ox, if a man or woman was gored by it. was to l)e killed, and its flesh not eaten. If the ox had hitheito been harmless, "the owner was to be (juit."' But the law goes on to say, "if the o.c were wont to pmli, with hix horn, and his owner knew it, and had not Jcept him in, then, if the ox killed a man or woman, the owner was to be held guilty of the death." A most equitable provision, one that would make owners of cattle most careful, and render it more safe to go about in an open country where fences were unknown. The death penalty, in this case, however, might be com- muted by a ransom accoiding to the circumstances of the case; another equitable provision. Again: if a man opened a pit and left it uncovered, so that an ox or an ass fell therein, the owner of the pit was; held to make it good. // one man's ox hurt another, that he die, the live ox shall be sold and the ])rice divided, along with the body of the dead jx. But if it he l-noion that the o.r hax he v usrd to push others, and the owner has not kept him in. then he shall surely pay ox for ox, but the dead beast shall be his. Two great principles plainly rule in these enactments, the first thai in the chances and changing circumstances of the people, human life is to be surrounded by every pos- sible protection; the second, that blame for wrong-doing is to be apportioned and puuishment awarded according to strict equity and fair consideration of the circumstances of che case. J -, l-l ' .&'* CUAPTEK XIV. Tni: Mosaic Civil Law.— (Continued.) Exodus 22. * The preceding chapter of Exodus contains laws respect- ing TersoHH, in which far-seeing wisdom, justice, and equity are strlLlngJy iiiunife.-(t to those who attentively consider them. The same principles will be seen to pervade the laws foi* the protection of property. In the absence of any system or practice of imprisonment, the law of rcHtUution is invoked, and made to assume the form of penally. Tiius: — "If a man sliaU nival an ox or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it. he ■ shall restore fire oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep" This is Huftlciently deterrent, no doubt, and it would have a better result (lian imprisonment. There is not a farmer in the world who would not pre- fer to have hJH Htolen ox replaced by live other oxen than to have the Ihief ptil in prison. But tlic dlMtinction is immediately made between theft and burglary, lU'ccisely as there is in modern juiispru- dencc. And (he cuMe is anticipated which so often arises in our own day, where a househt)ldor resists and wounda or kills the burglar. "If a thief he found hreakinfi tip. and he smitten that he die, no hlood shall he shed for him." Equit- able, beyond doubt. But immediately afler. a reasonable distinction is made. Th«' immunity for sliiying m burglar is only to exniid to what is done in the night. If a burglar attempt to Itrcak in during diiylight, and a householder slay him, then the householder in to be punished. For, obviously, he has the opportunily during daylight of obtaining necessary assist- ance, and ought not to use such violence as will result in death. The thl<'f, in that case, comes under the operation of the law of reKtitution. V, 5: Further, "If a man cause a field or a vineyarC, to he damaged hjf puttinff his oun heast into it, he shall make full reparation of the hest he has, of field or vineyard. So, if a fire Ihnt he kindles causes damage to a neigh- bour's corn in field or stack, he shall siireh/ make restitution. These are all the penal laws relating to direct stealing and spoiling another man's goods. The Mosaic Civil Law. 36» In the following vei'SLS aie found rules as to property placed in the hands of another. And her*.' we have precejit:^ which touch the coudilions of mitdern life very closely indeed. For it may be safely said that in all civilized coun- tries of modern days the great bulk of the property owned, whether it be by individuals or by corporate bodies, is ia charge of others than the owners. By contidential servants in the case of private individual-^, or by trusted oflicers. t)f various grades, acting for corporations consstitutod for the purpose, all the actual money or representatives of money, or property easily convertible into money, such as bonds, stocks or merchandise is taken care of. The laws of modern life with regard to breaches of trust, or embezzlement, or making away wit'i property by persons in charge of it are generally weli known, and are of a mos: elaborate kind. The Jaws as delivered to Moses are not elaborate, but: very simple and easy to understand. Yet they are sufficient for the time, and their equity and reasonableness are ap- parent. Thus, in v. 7, and following, we have the provision: ''If a man shall deliver unto his neifihlumr monei/ nr stuff to licep, and it be stolen; if the thief he found, let htm ii'iiji double. 15ut if tlio lliief be not found, then the master (»f (lie Iioukc sli/ill be brought to the Judges." Obviously, tln' allegaliun of (h.' fuslodlun (hat (lie properly has been stolen from him may be false. And if no tliief can be found, thi' presumption is that it is false. And if he cannot pi'ri'eclly dear himself, after a full hearing (as in v. 9) of both parliew. ho whom the judges condemn shall ]!ay double. If the property to betaken care of consists of an ox, nii ass, or any beast, and it be lost, or if it die, or be driveii away, no man seeing it, the custodian shall be put upon oath; and if he can clear himself, no restitution shall bo exacted. But if he cannot, he must make restitution. So of property borrowed; if it is damaged, the owner not being there to see, the borrower shall make restitution. If, through a man's carelessness, a fire hreak out, and catch in stnhhle, so (hat corn in stick, or standing grain in the field be consumed, he that kindled the fire shall surehf make restitution. Some precepts follow in relation to the lending of money and the taking of vsun/; which prece))ts, like many others in the Divine word, have been misapprehended for want of consideration. In this chapter the verses that relate to the taking of TTsury come immediately after those relating to the vexing and oppression of Strang, rs J the cruel treatment of a Hi 366 Thr Momic Civil Law. .. .1 7A- widow or an oriduin. Tbey have yLiiiily nothing to do with those loans of money for purposes of business, which constitute so larj^e a part of tlie coninicrcial life of modern iiati(ms. They refer, on the contrary, to the loans whose foundation is beiiev-Jince and kindness, and wlicre tho tlcment of commerce and business have no place. Loans of this class, made to I he poor of the people, or to any one in distress or otlu-r adversity, shouhl not bear interest at all. And tliis is reasonable on purely economic grounds, for there is no I'und in cases of this sort out of which interest can be ]iaid. J'.ut it is i)recisely in cases where money is borrowed by the poor or distressed, that the tempi ation to act the part of the usurer is prevalent, and interest at rates utterly unknown in business transactions is exacted; and hence the sti'inji'ent hnvs ajfainst takinj-' interest at all in sucli cases. The placinfi of money out at interest, and the receiving and ])aying of interest, when connected with business transactions, are distinctly recognized by the Great T. acher in the parable of the Talents, and the serv.ants who were entrusted with them. J4ut tliis class of 1ransaction3, and thop: which are of the same churacter as the (»i)pre.«.-iing of tb»; vdow and the orjdian. are wide as the poles ii sunder, Til'! one is recognized as usual and reasonable; the other ii. t'icounced and reprobated. And practically the same dinrutction prevails at present. Careful consideraticm for the poor and needy is strik- ingly shown in the i)recept that if a neighbour's raiment is taken in pledge, it is to be delivered to him by the time the sun goes down; the I'eason given being that he will require it as covering for the night. Eastern habits to this day would involve the same requirement, and passages il- lustrating it are to be found in Homer's Odyssey. In the Book of Leviticus is a precept relating to perfect honesty in buying and selling. Lev, xix. ."iS. .30: -'Ye fthall do no unrighteousness in judg- ment, in mrtei/ard, in iveight, or in measure. Just balances, just tveights, a just ephah. and a just hin shall ye have. And this precept is with the impressive sanction, T am the Lord your Ood, which hrotight i/ou out of the land! of Egypt! All this is strictly applicable to raodein life. And its application reaches out to forms of injustice not known in early days; by which governments in modern times have forced unjust coins and currencies upon the people. As the Mosaic law prohibits unjust weights and measures, so it would in principle prohibit unjust pounds, shillings, and dollars in our own dav. The Mosaic Civil Laic. 867 and obvious remedy for ■'iterfere, and refuse to i^n the sodueir shall ,u' virgin would amount A very reasonable alter- There are other precepts relating to civil life which are well worthy of attention. For the otTence of seduction, which is found so diflicult to deal with in modern jurisprudt'nce, it is ordained that the feeducer shall marry the woman, and endow her to be hU wife. That is the natural, reasonable, the wrong. liut if the father of the woman allow the marriaj;,*' to take pla be fined as much as tlie dowry oi to according to her station in life, native, and of a very positive character in tlie way of a deterrent. For if a man has the prospect of such a heavy fine as this before him, he will surely beware, ordinarily, of yielding to temptation. -Another precept is one that has been sliamefully abused in these modern days by men of miicli faith and little judg- ment, viz., that relating to witches. ''Thou fiholt not ituffcr a iritch to lire" is the prece])t; and it has bciMi so interpreted i.nd acted upon as to be a terrible engine of persecution. Conscientious men have sujtposed they were doing God service m harrying and oppressing ])oor women who were supposed by ignorant and superstitious neighbours to be possessed of powers of witchcraft, and able to do them harm at will. Without entering at large upon a subject on which volumes of curious literature exist, it is sutTticient to point out that the obligation of these civil precepts of the Jlosaic law has passed away with the .Jewish polity. Christian peo- ple of modern times have no more to do with them than they have with the obligation to ]iresent themselves three times a year at Jerusalem. This surely should be obvious to every thoughtful person. But with regard to the time then present, and the condi- tions then existing, and the precept that a witch should be put to death, it must be i-emeinbered that witchcraft in women, and sorcery, necromancy and the pretended dealing with familiar spirits by men were parts of the idolatrous systems of the time. They were all founded on the forsak- ing of the Living and Ever-Present God, the Deliverer and Ruler of the nation. The connection between all these things and idolatry is very clearly brought out in the Book of Deuteronomy. In chaj). xviii., vs. 10, 11, and 14, we read: "There shall vot he found among i/ou ani/ one that maheth Im son or his dauqhier to pass through the pre." This was a form of worship of that hideous god Moloch. Then immediately follows "or that vseth dfvinn'inn, or is an ohserrer of time?. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET {MT-3) 1.0 .'rli* IIM I.I '^ |IIM 1.25 1.4 IIM 1.6 A V m^. ^P ^ \\ ^>..> # ci^ '*b Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 368 The Mosaic Civil Law. li ♦s r ■ it •■ ' It or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulto loilh ramiliar spirits." For these nations which thou shalt possess hearkened unto obscrveis of times, and unto diviners. It has been so in all ages, and not only amongst tbosf practicing the grosser forms of idolatry, but amongst tho polished and civilized communities of Greece and lionie It IS a deep-rooted instinct of human nature, that in depart- ing from the Living God there shall be a seiking aft<>r supernatural guidance in other foiuis. The witches, then, as well as the sorcerers and diviners were all really traitors to the covenant under which this people had a national existence at all. And it is as sudi they must be considered, when we read the severe penalty imposed upun them by Divine command, under the Mosaic l/aw. I'or witchcraft and sorcery were treason against tiio Divine Ruler of the State. The penalty for false witnessing in court or otherwise is worthy of notice. It is found in chap. xix. of the Book of Deuteronomy. In v. 16 we find the following: "If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; then he 'shall stand lefoie the Lord, before the Priests and the Judges which shall be in those days; . . . and the Judges shall make diligent inquisition. And behold, if the witness he a false xoitnei's. then shall ye ao unto him. as he had thought to do unto his ncinh. hour.' ■' A very clear precept, founded on the righteous law of retribution. And the object of all punitive legislation hag never been more clearly stated than in the next versf And those which remain shall hear and fear, and shall hencr- forth commit no more such evil among you." In dealing with criminals, and considering criminal legis- lation, this fundamental point has often boon lost sight of in these times. Tunishment is that men may take warning and commit no more such evil, whether it be an injury to^v man s property, his person, his reputation, or his life ' Jalse witnessing in court, or perjury, is a very difficult tning to prove, inasmuch as the essence of the' crime i's wilfulness. A man may make a mistake in testifyinir and say what is false, believing it to bo true. That is no crime. And the difficulty in case of perjury is to prove that the false statement was l-noirn to be false. Such a of a common owner- ship of land, or its continued ownership by the state, but of the preservation of inheritances in the same famili/; the same end, in fact, which is songht to be attained in modern times by the law of entail and primogeniture. The second principle is, that land in process of cultivation IS to have a periodic rest S-x years it is to be worked, the seventh year it is to lie fallow; a division singularly corresponding to the days for labour and for rest on the part of man himself. All experience in dealing with the cultivaticm of the soil m modern countries shows that this necessity of a period- ical rest is stamped on the very constitution of the earth itself. In Great fJritain, where so large portion of cutivat- able land is farmed by those who pay rent for it. the almost universal custom is for stipulations as to the land having periodical rest to be inserted in the lease. Experience has proved the necessity of it. And it is interesting to note that on the very first occasion in which an organized com- munity under Divine direction is placed in possession of cultivatable land, directions are given which correspond, in principle, exactly with the rules which men in these davs '•f! : 11 ■■ If 372 T//e Mosaic Civil Law. In i'?ir 3 'M have found it necessary to adopt from the teachings of experience. A nd experience on this continent in the same matter haa carried with it some bitter lessons that abide in disastrous consequences to this day. In Eastern Canada large traota of land that once pioduceil regular crops of wheat, have had their productiveness destroyed in tliat direction by per- sistent cropping, year after year, without rest or rotation. The same state of things has been brought about in certain parts of the United t»'tiites. There is, however, one country, and a wheat-growing country too, that presents a striliing exception to this neces- sity of rest for the soil. Anu that country is Egypt. But this is an exception that proves the rule. For the soil of Egypt is unlike that of any country in the world, i. that it is annually renewed by the inundation of the Nile. Now, it is noticeable that these regulations as to the land having a rest, appear in books written by a man whose whole experience of cultivating land had been in the one country tcherc it is not necessary. All the early years of Moses were spent in the country annually renewed by the Nile; and when absent from Egypt for forty years, he was a shepherd in the Peninsula of Sinai, and had no experience in culti- vating the soil. Yet when he is leading this great army of people towards a land where they will be cultivators, he gives directions with regard to it that could not have been derived from any experience he had had. Whence, then, had he this wisdom? Is it not most natural, most rational, most in accordance with the order of things, to acknowledge that its source was Divine; that the Supreme Being who had created the soil of the earth and knew its capacities and needs, revealed to His servant the laws by which while it was being cultivated, its powers could be best conserved. It certainly is. But the most remarkable regulation with regard to the land is that which requires that it shall be restored to th? family that originally possessed it every fiftieth year. This ordinance is unique in the history of the world. And, like the seventh day of rest for man, and seventh year of rest for the land, this is an ordin mce of sevenths. It is found in the Book of Leviticus (chap, xxv., v. 8). "Thou Shalt mimier seven Sabiaths of years tinto thee; seven times seven years. Then thou shalt cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound; and ye shall hallow the fiftieth year; and ye shall return every man unto his own possession, and every man unto his family." This is repeated in v. 13; "In the year of the jubilee, ye shall nturn every man to his possession." And The Mosaic Civil Law. 373 seven what followed plainly inditiitis that be is to return, not merely to the occupation of the family inheritanee, but to its possession as owner. For it is immetliately enjoined that when land is sold, the number of years that elapse until the jubilee are to be counted, ;uid the price regulated thereby. •'According to the number of i/ears after the jubilee thou shalt buy of thy neiyhbonr. According to the multitude of years thou xhalt increase the price thereof; and according to the fewness of years thou shalt diminish the price of it" And it is added, with emphatic asseveration, by the Al- mighty Ituler: The land shall not be sidd for ever; for the LAND IS MINE. The marginal reading of the authorised ver- sion brings out the meaning still more clearly: ''The land shall not be sold to be quite cut off'': i.e., permanently alienated from the family. The IJevised Vt'rf.ion reads "shall not be .sold in perpetuity.'" But the literal meaning of the Hebrew "shall not be sold to be quite cut off," singularly corresponds to the phrase "cutting otf the entail,' when "land is alien- ated from a family in England. The reason given for this, viz., that the land belongs to God, has been used as an argument against private owner- ship of laud at all. The l.m.i, ii is said, should be public property, the property of the Slale. Hut it is surely evident that if the fact of the land belonging lo the Supreme Ruler IS to debar its ownorship bv individuals or families, owner- ship by the State is eiiualiy debaiT representa- tives, or those who claim to be the representatives of Gol upon earth, viz.. His Ghurch. The Church of CJod, in its various forms and manifesta- tions in different lands and countries, miglit thus lav dairr. to the possession of all the land in the world. It is well known that a gradual approximation to some such condition of things was taking place in some countries of modern Europe, bringing numerous abuses in its train, and that stringent legislation has been enacted to prevent these abuses growing to such a height that not only land but nearly all other property would be in possession of a wealthy priesthood and religious orders, with peopip sunl- m poverty all about them. The theory of communal ownership of land in cultiva- tion, or of the continued ownership of such land bv the ^74 The Momiv Clril Laic. 1 1 III i I'M ■•I) :\r f fit m i i'^ ■ : Ooverniiiont is, in truth, entirely unworkable in practice. And He wlio i^nows I lie conditionH of land and labor as tlier must exist in Hie world, when lie set apart a certain j)or- lion of (he land of the earth to be cultivated by this Israel- itisb people, ordained that it should be distributed amongst tbeni by families who should have the right of posst'saion, as their own property. And so strongly was this idea of family jiossession inculcated and enforced, that it was or- dained that if temporarily alienated by sale nr mortgage, it Wiis to come back to the family by force of law at the year of Jubilee. Two things must strike any reflecting person with regard to this most peculiar arrangement of the fiftieth year. Its operation would inevitably be to prevent the acquirement by w.ealthy individuals of large tracts of land, and so, of the devdopiiient of a land d ari. tocracy. The whole arrange- ments of the civil law as revealed to Moses, were such as to favor a reasonable equableness of conditions, and the avoidance of the extremes of either great wealth or great poverty. It is probable, indei^d, that the prohibiticm of usury was intended to operate in the same direction; for. naturally, when wealth accumulates, there is a tendency to employ it in loans to poorer neighbours, and with this, the temptation to oppressive rates of interest begins. But a second effect of the system of restoring land at the Jubilee, would be to necessitate something like a system of primogeniture, the land always being the inheritance of the eldest son. For if all the land was apportioned amongst fanulies, and no land could be permanently alienated from the family, how could the sons of a family be provided with means of subsistence after the first generation or two. The family land might be divided up once, or even twice, but after a time further division would be imi)ossible. No new land could be purchased, for it all belonged to some family or other, and could not be alienated. Experience has shown the great evils of an excessive division of land, on both sides of the Atlantic. Some arrangement would therefore be inevitable like that which has obtained in England for generations, viz., that the eldest son shall in- herit the land, while the younger sons shall seek out other avenues of employment. There is. however, one exception to the operation of the •Tubilee. which exception shows the profound wisdom which dictated these enactments, viz., that it shall not apply to property in walled cities. V. 29 : Tf a man sell a dicelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it tcithin a whole year after it is sold. And if it The Momic Civil Law. 375 he not mlienivd wUhin the ftpavc of a full year, then thi house that 1.V ui the mtUed city shall he cstaldished for erer to him that bouj/ht it. It .shall not (jo out in the Jubilee. Uerc is ii (listiiwtion, founded on the very naturt' of llnnfjH. wliicli is fully operative in these davs. but is con slantly lost Ni},'Lt of by theorists in hind. ' For the land lha( IS cultivated or houses of the farmers or cultivators, as is the case in England to this day, and would theiefore be a. necessary part of a farmin" inheritance. " But tlH- proj.erty of the l.eviles in the cities they inhabit IS to be subject to the law of the Jubilee, and for a natural reason. They were a .s.'parate class, and their iK.uses v e all tlK' hxed j.roperty they had. Xo lami was allot teu . ' them. Ihoir houses .-ould ik.i be permaneiitiv alienateci without injustice to the whole commiinitv of Leviles Huch was t(. he the law with regard" to land wlien the Jsraehtes obtained possession of it: and one cannot fail to be strmk with the profound foresight and wisdom iu- yolved in the regulations both with regard to its ownership Its restoration to the family at a stated period, and its CHltiyatum according to a regulate-., plan of work and rest. The more the subject is studied, the more evidence shall we see of theso laws having preceded from Him who is "won- derful m counsel, and excellent in working '" The land, as is seen from the Book of Numbers (xxvi. 52-,%) was originally divided, not onlv amongst the tribes— Jvevi only excepted— but amongst the families of the tribes- and the division was by lot; the only equitable mode; and that wliich would alone prevent caviling or imputation or lavouriiism. } I 1 37G Tin: Mosaic Viiil Jaiw, Aud tbiH iiiheiituucc of the land In faiiiillcH wiih doubt- less the I't-asoii why, even in the Divine i-ecoid ilMc'r, such ua amount of space is devoted lo laniilv j;encal(»K.v. Vuv the family genealoj,'y was Ihe registry of the ownership of the laud. It is hnaliy (o he noled lliat I his seNcnIh year of rest for the land was eouuected with a provision for (he poor; apparently that they might have rights in (hat year Himi- lar to the i''''his over the "eoninion" lands of Mnglaud en- joyed by lue poor.^r inhabitants of the villages. ICxuctly how this would work it is impossible to su\ vith certainty at this distance of time. But the iiitenllon of cure for the ])oorand i)rovision for them in such n way llinl a pauperized class could be prevented from arising, was sullU'lently mani- fest. Provision for the poor has been made in varlotis ways iu these modern times, and it is confessedly the most diflicult l»roblem in th > g )verMment, eiiher of a city, a iiiunieipnlity, or a country at large. In medieval Knrope the inou'isteries were largely Ihe channel of care for ihe jioor; a system that had something to lecommend it in theory. But it developed great abuses in practice. In Ihe land (o which the Israelites were going, the poor were to have special privileges during every seventh year. Bui the whoh' (cudeu- cy of the Mosaic civil law was to prevent the foiiuution of a class of poor at all. The Ykar of Relkasij. But in the Book of Deuteronomy is found (Ohap. xv.i another remarkable provision indicating e.\trenie care for the poor, viz., that at the end of every seven years there is to be a general release from debts. Yet it is'evldenl from the text (vs. 8 to 11), that the loans roferrod to are those which are made from motives of benevolence mid not as matters of business. It is such loans as these upon which usury is not to be exacted. In fact, when such loans are made in our own times, it is rare for inter<'sl lo be exacted upon them, and no one who had made such a loan would be much concerned if the debtor were released bv law after a given time. But if sucli a law were applicable to business loans, the effect would be to bring about a system of gradunl repay- ment so that nothing might be due "at the period of release. And if that period were near, it would certainly be Ihe case that some special security would be taken. But the whole tone of the passage, and et^pooially the Thr Mono if Civil Late. 377 ninth, teutli and t'loveuth verges, clearly point to loans of benevolence made to help the poor and needy. There in in the Book of Leviticus a ciirioiiH vet most wiwc provision with regard to the planting of orchards, viz.. (hat fruit Hhall not be gathered fnuu any tree for the owner's use until it is five years old, though the fruit of the fourth year may be gathered for the Lord. All this evident I v has in view the permanent produetivoness of the tre<'s, and cor- responds with ni(dein mcthiMis of Hdrticulturc, Sanitation and Caui; of HRAi/rii. This was a marked feature in these laws as delivered by the Supreme to the people, whom lie had called out, and whose existence was intended to be preserved, for purposes of grace and blessing to mankind, f.ir thousands of years to come. For this purpose, sanitary laws were of essential importance; and it is interesting tr) note their development These law.s had three main divisions:— Those connected with Food. Those conneclc.l with Cleanliness (.f person, dwelling and camp. ' Those connected with the treatment of Contagious Disease. The laws conmcleil widi Food divide all animals, fishes, birds and reptile s into llie class.'s of Clean and Unclean- of those that might be eaten, and those that were forbidden. And the very wording of (he division shows that the ]»er- mission and j)rohibition concerned not taste or enjoyment, but health. Some were rl,a)i: evidently in the sense of being wholesom»>. suitable, and promotive of health. Others were unclean, being evidently unsuitable, and provocative of disease. Of the latter the (lesb •: swine was the most noticeable. And, considering that ti.is flesh is perhaps the most uni- versally used in modern > ivilized countries, one mav wonder at the prohibition. But this very prohibition is a proof that the Mosaic civil polity and law was never intended to b(^ for all people but had a partial and temporary use onlv. For in the cold'laf!- tudes of northern regions, the flesh of swine is the most suitablo that can be found. But it is otherwise in southern latitudes. And in such a latitude was the land of Canaan Another curious difference was put between fish that had fins and scales and those which had not. The last were forbidden, and doubtless for the reason that their flesh is generally a mass of fat or blubber; higlilv unsuitable to a southern region ; though, as we all know, the fattv flesh of I : I '¥\ ;:(^ 378 The Mosahi Civil Law. If! th.« = f ■■"■ liiR*" tlip wlialc iH a chief article of diet in the regions of the ex* treiiir nortli. Tlie (iiJTerences between one kind of featliered fowl and anotlier arc founded in the reaHon of IhiiiKK, and ficncrally I»revail even now. Tlie same may be said of reptiles. Buc it is singular to llnd that such insects as locusts, beetles, and f^rasshoppers are allowed lo lie «'aten. Tlere, certainly, there is a wide divergence between Mosaic law and modern civilized usages. j'.ul with respect to this, and many other (h'tails of the Mosaic law. both civil and religious, it may with truth be said that while it may be ditlicult. at this immense distance of time, and in wholly changed circumstances, to assign reasons for some partic ular enactments, the general spirit and i)rinci[>le of the laws can be traced clearly enough. In the case «»f Keligi(»n it is either to secure reverence and awe in worship. <»r to symbolize greater things to come; or to guard against the idolatrous rites and customs jtrevalent around lliem. In theca'-eof (Mvil law. it is l»> ensure sub- stantial justice between man and man, showing no favor ei^^her (o poor or rich; also to develop and preserve the idea of the fiimily. and to jirevent S(tme from permanently accu- luulating wealth, and (dhers from falling into i»ermanent poverty. In the ^ise of measures /or the preservation of the liealthOf individuals, ami of the peo})le generally, it is to ensure thai wholesome food is eaten, that cleanliness shall be strictly observed, and that if the seeds of contagious disease rijx'ii, the <-oniagion sliiill be jtrevfuled from spread- ing. In short, the whole spirit of the law. as delivered to Moses liy the ill! wise framei' of the body and soul of man, was to develof), in that country, at (hat time, aiid in those circum- stances, the highest degree possible of jdiysical health, and social and moral welfiire. Hut the enactments .... mselvrs are for that time. c(»untry, and ])eople only. Tlwy are evi- den+^ly no( suited for application to all time, and to all coun- tries, and people. The time came, therefore, when they were all abrogated, viz., when the Kingdom of (lod was set up on eiirth by the Messiah. P>ut, and it is important to observe this, the spirit of these «'nactmen1s still survives in that very kingdom, for it is a kingdom of righteousness b<'- tween man and man, and of personal purity of body and .soul, and in its solemn charge to the rich of the world, t<» be rendu t'> d'n'ri'uifr. uiUin' to ro')imun''<' >!<■. an<\ to circ for the po'ir. there is a }^ro^•ision which if stea Uly carried out would prevent many of the evils that afflict modern society from the great inecjuality of conditions. Thv AloHiiir Ch'il Lmr. 37<» It is ill the litrht (»f tills obvious iiiic I iiat IliLM' ttnictils Imvr lo Im- n>iisi(l»'t(.(l that it'sptct in'isoiial ch'aiiiiiH'ss. Soiiif of ihiMii soeiii ovci-sl rained, sudi as the proliihilioiis to touch llic l.od.v ( f a drad person or lieasi, or to loiiih aiiv j.ljysicallv iiiicleau tiiiiij,'. wiiellier of man or lu-ast, or to touch llie tiesli of birds and heasis thai are not to be eaten. toKelher with (he ordinances aitout breakiiij,' the vessels they may fall upon, iiiid of washing Ihe clothes of anv who Lave to do with Iheni. iSiit Hie laws as lo purilicatioiis are evidenily pervaded bv the j»rinciple of care for absolute cleanliness of person and dwelliiijxs thouf;li we mav not be abb' to see the reason for (he piirticiilar eiiactnient. ' (Leviti- cus xi.) And t!ie pr.ivisions for cleanliness in the <"amp when journeyin},' are exactly such as in principle are curried out in the caiiii)s of armies lo this ibiy. With respect to 'Jonla^'ious disease." amidst a multitude of detiiib-d directions (I.evilicus xiii. and following) tlia( are iMV(dved in rej»e(itions and are dillicuU to unders(and, sev- «'ral ;j;eneriil ideas are plainly discernible in rlie wav of direction as to what is to be done. First. That when any sifjii that lins the appearance of a conta^'ioiis di.sease. s.ich as leprosy. <-onies out upon a person, he is lo be immedijife y imlutil Un- a period of seven days— i)re(!iscly as be would be in these limes -or lonj^er. Second. Kxtreme cnre is to be aUcn (o disi in},Miisli be- tween an ordinary and harmless eruption, and the simtH that indi(a(e Leprosy. ThinL If (he case prove (o b«- b'p.osy. tlier(> i-« lo be con- tinued is(»Ialioii. The j.erson alllicted'is to be placed with out the camp. wit?i marks to indicate his c(mdiiion. Fourth. All the garments that have been worn by a leprous i»ers(m are to be burned. . Fifth. The house in which there has been a plague of leprosy is to be thoroughly cleansed by scraping the plas- ter from the wall, and in some cases taking out the stones and beams of the house. In other and more virulent cases, the house itself is to be lorn down. And in ev«Mv case all That iH scraped olT or torn down is to be carried away from tlip abod(>s of men and destroyed. All ths, ill essence a'd princ'ph'. remarkiiblv corres- I)onds with the manner in wlfch sinitary measures are car- ried out in modern (iin. s; in fa. f , it U only in recent days that in the treatment iiid EarthP (Gene.'^is xiv. 19.) thus asserting a claim not to the land of the Canaanites only, but to all lands, and in all worlds. This claim is asserted more definitely and largely in the twenty-fourth Psalm, in the words, -'The Earth is the Lord's, and the ful- ness thereof;" or, as otherwise translated, and all that therein is. Thus the Lord proclaims His right to the whole earth and to all its fruits; to all corn and wine, all fores1» and fields, all gold and silver and precious stones, all that is on the surface, either in the realm of nature, or of civili- zation, or beneath the surface, or in the air. "Everif heast of the forest is mine," it is asserted in another place, "and the rattle upon a thousand hills." Tlius there is no absolute, in- dependent, and ultirojite ownership of anything by any man; for, in the ultimate issue, God is the Supreme Owner of all. And so it must be; from the great conception which Revela- tion gives us of the Supreme, as Creator, Disposer. P<*:i- server of all, hif tchom all thinff.'i consi.<^t, and in whom man himself lives- and moves and has his heinff. Yet this does not prevent a subordinate right of propertv on +he part of States and Governments, of the territory they occupy, nor the right of "eminent domain" of the State as against the individual citizen. p<'i- Thc Mosaic Ciril Late. 381 Nor does this right of ''ominent domain" or sovonifinty of the State over all within its bounds, prevent the exorcise of the rif>lit «if property by individual ^ over whatever they have aciiuired or inherited lawfully. Individuals may own lands, houses, forests, mines, and all that comes out of any of them. Yet all is subject to the right of the Stat>\ and that itself is subject to the sovereign claims of (in.l. the Almighty Ruler of the whole earth. XoTK AS TO ])OXDMi:.v. — (Page :',~)S.) There is, in these ])recepts, a brief indication (»f differeuoo between the servitude of a Hebrew and that of a stranger. The principal difference is that, the Hebrew becomes free? in the seventh year, and at thr -^ar of Jubilee, while the stranger does not. His servic j for life (Lev. -^.x^■. 40). He may also be called on for harder service than a Hebrew. But it is expressly enjoined tliat lie shall not be oppressed. (Ezodus xxii. 21 and xxiii. !», et a1.) A c(mipre1ieiisivc en- actment, and designed expressly to prevent such e:''actions ae the Hebrews suffered under Pharaoh. (Chap, xxiii. 9.) 4ti if.- ' 5 ;: CHAPTER XVI. Tin; Ukmoiois 8ysti;m Dklivkuek to Mosks for the Hkbukw Pkoi'li:. J'Jxodiis ,i.J. (//({/ forwiird. Tlio Ki'ligioiis ohsci'vanccs deliwred to Moses by the Su- liicme Itiilci- aic iiuicli Jieflci' known tliaii the hiww us to civil and secuhir life, and for tliis /easou. that niucli of the relifxlous observance proved to be a shadowing fo^th of great spiritual realities in the Christian dispensation, and lience iiavel»een c'lnsland.y brouglil before Christian assem- bli( s. The Law, it is affirmed in the Ejiistle to the Hebrews, had a Shadow of good things to come. And how much this is the case is opened up in that very Epistle, wh, re, speaking by the Holy Ghost, the writer opens up the great spiritual ideas that were symbolized in the Priesthood, the Sanctu- ary, the Mercy Seat, the Sacrifices and the Offerings. And we know that one of the great Festivals ordained as binding on the Jews was expanded and enlarged into the great central observance of the Christian faith, the Supper of the I^rd, the Holy Communion; which is plainly founded on the Feast of the Passover. , ^. *-'*'. well as (his religious system is generally known by Christian people, there are numy most interesting point's therein tliat are at times overlooked. And it must be con- fes.sed, that in a (pertain method of commenting ui)()n, and expcMinding of, the numerous details of this system, and the endeavour 'odraw out some symbolical meaning from every jot and tittle of its observance, the sound and rational in- struction to be derived tlierefrom has been buried under a mass of conceits and fancies. The inspired Epistle to the Hebrews, however, is short, j)ointed, and eminently easy to uiulci-stand ; and f.iliowiiig its indications, liie idea and meaning of the whole system of the Mosaic ritual be- come^; ap])arent. .\nd lier<', more even than in what has previously bepu commented on, it is necessary to remember that while we may not te able to understand the reason why there was such extraordinary detail in the directions divinely given to Mos(\s (for he was expressly (charged to make everything according to the Pattern shown him on the Mount)', their general scope, spirit, and object, become apparent enough . if we carefully consider them. Bearing this in mind, then, The IMUfiouH Si/sti'in Delivered to Mosen for the Jews. 333 lol lis pasB under review tlu," directions given as to the followiuf?: 1. The Sanctuiiiy or Tabernaeie; 2. The Ark of the Covenant; ;{. The Hijjjh Priest, his dress, and functiouH; 4. The Altars, vSacrifices, and Offerings; 5. The Tireat Festivals and the annual Day of Atonement; with resjM'ct to all whieh, we shall see how that which they sliadowed lorth has been fulfilled in the Christian dispensa- tion. Thi'. Sancti auy ok Taijkrnaclk. Heeiiiff (hill tin's Saixiiiary was for (lie use (»!' a jx-ople who wero (ravellinji and moving; about from place to place, themselves dwelling in tents (as the inhabitants of the same i-eji;i(»n t, giving directions to tlie builder in modern times. The whole building was to be ere ccd, and all its Divinely-ordained furniture to be constructed bv men spe- (Cha ) xxxu'''** ^*"' *'"' 1'"'"1'"«^^ ^vith practical wisdom. '■Anrl the Lord .yndr ,n,to Moses, .wi/inf,, S!ee, I hnrc called :iT''-lTJrl- /'"■ •■'•''" ""f '''■'■■ ■''"' ^ ^""•'' A'^-'/ hi,>, with the ^pvntof (iod. ,n wisdom, and in kmwledqe. and in 'ill man- ner of workmanship. To devise cunning works, to work in oold, m silver, and w brass, and in cutting of stones, and in carv' wq of fimbrr, to work in all manner of workmanship '" The house and all its furniture was to be of "a Divine pattern, and the workman was to be filled with Divine Whsdom. And, if it be asked, how, in that wilderness, did that multitude of peoiile, only lately oppressed with a bitter bondage, obtain all the ,-ostIy material for this magnificent tent and its splendid contents, let us recall what took place Mi I '"Nit *»»Jhi '38t; The KclinioKK Si/stciii DrUrrml to .J/o«es for thv Jews. uf llic liinc vvlicii tlu> pcopio were Imriicd away out of K},'j{>t. It was bv DiviiH' direction that, as wo read in thi." twelfth ciiapter. they borrttircd of the Ef^yptians jewels of silver and jewels of }><)ld. and raiment. The true character of this so-called liorrowinff lias been opened up in a pre- vious cha]»ter, and w«' now see what the object of the whole proceedinjf was. The people of Israel recovered back from their K}j;yptian masters some part of what they had been deprived during years of bondage. And th's recovered treasure was now consecrated t(» the service ')f their Sov- ereign Leader and King. TllK AkK hi- Tin: COVKNANT. One of the most remarkable things about this magnificent Tent, was the great curtain or v(;il that divided it into two distinct ]»arts. The whole tent was a ccmsecrated place. lint the inner jioition was Most Tidy. This vail of separa- tion continued to bi' a feature of the Temple down to the time of our Lord; when, in the awful hour of the Cruci- fixion, when the true atoning sacrifice was being otTered of which all that went before was a shadow, this vail was rent in tiraUi fn)v> top to hottoiii! This terrible portent was a sign: and what it signified was the end of the dispensation of shadows, now that the great reality had come. And, as we know, the whole came to an end by the destruction of the Temi)le itself, in fire and storm, at the sack of Jeru- salem by the Roman army under Titus. But for many centuries this vail separated the Most Holy riaoe from the rest of the Tabernacle. And within the innermost sanctuary was contsiined what was by far the most important part of the contents of the Tabernacle. The Ark of the Tovenant (chap xxv.) was simply a chest, made of tine wood, about four feet long and three feet high, gilded both within and without, and with a crown of gold upon it. thus denoting the presence of the King. It was never to be touched, but to be carried by means of staves through rings. Within this ark was to be placed the Tahlof of the Law. the testimony of God; and also the Rod of Aaron that hudiJed, together with a pot of the mered Manna, the food of the wilderness. Highly significant and marvellous repre- sentations of the power, the (forernment, and the care of the Sovereign King. But the most significant thing about this Ark was its covering. This was of pure solid gold, and it was named the Mcreif Fleat, a name corresponding almost exactly to the ''Throne of (irnee'' spoken of in the Epistle to the He- JiWS. ay ')\it of cad in th».' jt'\V(.'lS of cliaracter in a pro- the whole aack from had been retovered their Sov- affnificent 'd it into ted place. f>f separa- i\'n to the he Oruci- offered of vail was rtent was pensation And, as 'sti'uction i of Jeru- tost Holy ned what its of the V a chest, reet hifjh. n of j?old It was of staves he Tahleti of Aaron , the food »us repre- rrr of the : was its LS named sactly to » the He- Thv IM'ujiotiH i^j/ntvm iJdirvral tu Mottcs (or the Jacn. 387 brewB as that to which one may approach and lind help from the Most Hij,'h in time of need. The chest contained within it the greatest manifestation of Divine Law that has ever been mach' known t«t the world in the two Tables of the Covenant. ,But a Uiw, to those who are continually cominy short of it, and wh<., conse- (pientl.y are only condenmcd by it, must be a>i object of dread in the absence of any provision of mercy and forgive- ness. With the Divine \\isdom tiien was it ordained, that Die very same ark that eiislirined the Law, should be co\ cred by the emblem of Mircy. A golden seat of Mercy; this was the place of special Divine manifestation. "There:' said the Sovereign Lawgiver. 'Ucill I meet with thee." And not as a Judge, not even as a Sovereign, but as a Frieml, for it is added, "and I u-Ul commune with thee;" evidently as to forgiveness, favor, the Divine blessing, com- munion with (iod. The very highest form and manifesta- tion of a sanctiti(Ml life, as unfolded in tiie Christian oi.^pen- sation, is here revealed as possible, even in this earlv age and dispensation of foreshadowing. The Mercy Seat had bending over it two carved figures of solid gold, with outstretched wings, called bv the same name as that given to those remaikable creatures' ap- pomted to guard the garden of Eden after man's exj.ulsion from It. They are called Cherubim, a purely Debrew word and from its root apparently suggesting Divine Majestv and 1 ower. What was their form has been the autiject of laborious (and it may be added) very foolish conjectun- and dispute; for the form of these creatures has no possible significance. Hut it is much more likelv than not, that thev were of human form, with wings outstretched, and bending over the Mercy Seat in an attitude of profound rev«'rence suggesting the worship and the service of the angelic world in the great work of the manifestation <.f mercv to mankind. This Ark, with its golden cover, was placed within the vail. And there, from time to time, the Divine Presence Avas manifested aiiioiigsl the ]»e(tj)|e. So ])erfectly was the idea of the Divine T'resenoe as-so- ciated with the ark, that the ark itself is spoken of in Num- fin^ii''" i^'l^'V^ '^ .^'''■'' '• '^""f^' ^^'"f^'- When the piM)ple finally left the neighbourhood of Sinai, and bc^gan theji- long journey through the wilderness, "the Ark of the Coven- ant of the Lord went before them in the three days' journet, to search out a resting place for them!" And the words were added which were evidently the marching orders of the whole journey. "It came to pas- when the ark set forward, that Moses said. Rise up, Lord iS' •r '' Li f 388 Tin RvHiiioim Si/xtiin Delicvred to Mosch for the Jiwa. and Id thine enemies be scattered, and let them that hate thee Ilee beloiv the*-. Aiiti wlu'u il rcHicU, ii suiu, liviurn, O Lord, to the many thousands of Israel!" When the journey was ended and the land of Canaan was plainly in view of the people, it was hefore the ark, that the waters of Jordan were cut off; before the ark, for where the ark was, there was Divine Power. When Jericho was lt('sit'«,'ed, il was (he ai-k of (he covenant Tliat was carried round the city. (Josh. vi. 6.) "80," as we read, "the ark of the Lord compassed the city . . . the priests going on and hluuimj iiith I rum pels." i'he tabernacle itself was a tent mainly lo enshrine the ark of the Lord. When King David purposed to build the Temple (and it was as much David's temple as Solomon's) it was to tind a permanent habitation for the ark, which had hitherto dwelt tcithin curtains (2 Sam. vii. 2), this marvellous chest having been preserved throuph all the changes and wars of four hundred years down to this time. When a superstitious use came to be made of the ark, and, without Divine authority, it was taken away from its rightful place in the Tabernacle to be carried about with the army, victory did not follow. The people had forsaken the Living God, and thought only of. His uiaterial repre- sentative. The ark then was taken by the Philistines. The aged High Priest Eli hears of the defeat, and of th'" death of his two sons, with comparative calm. But when he hf f>id that the Ark of God was taken, lie fell to the ground stunned and heart-broken. And a child just then born, was named by its dying mother Tohohod, moaning "no more glory.'" for she said, "The glory is departed from Israel." For the ark differed from th(> altar, and tlu^ golden table, and the golden lamp-stand, in this — that they were only glorious by reason of the use that was made of them. The ark was glorious in itself, as having within it. and upon it, continually, the sign of the Divine Government in the Tables of the Law, of Divine Power in the rod of Aaron that budded, of Divine providential care in the i)ot of Man- na, and most conspicuously, of Divine Mercy in the golden covering of the ark, overshadowed by the wings of the riierubini. No Temple in this world ever had an object within it like this ark, and it finds its true fulfiinu'iit in connection with Christian worship, not in any outward and visible thing, but in the Presence of the Divine Son of God, in all the assemblies of His people, whether small or great. He in Himself is there, having all the Divine attributes of rule, power, providence, and mercy, to the end of the dispensa- tior where providence and mercy are needed by mankind. JlWS. hate thee lieiurn, O f Ciiuaau ark, that for where picho was IS carried the ark of ng on and as a tent ng David h David's abitation irtains (2 preserved [•ed years the ark, from its (out with forsaken iai repre- nes. The h*^ death when he e ground len born, "no more 1 Israel." en table, Tcrc only em. The I upon it, t in the li Aaron I: of Man- le golden gs of the (vithin it mnection (J visible [)d, in all ■oat. Tie s of rule, 3ispensa- mUind. Thr Nvlighiis System Dclinml to Mohvh fur the Jews. :i89 The romaiiiing cniilviits of the Tabernacle are referred 1o \erv biii'tlv in the Hook of Kxudiis, and need not be dwelt upon at length hero. Chief of tlu'se was the .\i.tai: kok UritNT Ori-KuiNt;. The various ollciings Micicupon. tlit-ir value and aigni(i(;ance, will be iilluded to later on; suttlcient at ]»re»ent to say that i) was s'luare in shape, about seven feel in length, seven in breadtli, and f(»ur feel high; made of tine wocul, with pro- jections ati(tn. for none hut jtriesls couhl enlei' it; it was not a phice of preachinj,', teachinn, or inMlniclioii, for it Avas entirely wanting in adaj.tati.n lo hih'Ii purposes. It was not even a phue of united pra.ver of the conjrn^- gation. Its ]»iii])o,se was pnrely saci that the priests did wjis lo inii behalf; to appear, in fact, foi mighty Knler and (Jovernor. And it is t the Al- CHAI'TKIt XVII. Thk Kkligious Svstem 06' TiiK Jews. (.Continued.) PuiEsrs ANi» Sacbipickh. The Religious system divinely prescribed to Moses had IhiH KicjK peculiiinfy. lluil flu-ic was only one phu-e of Haenhc." iind sacred worshij. in Ihe land. Instead of ■. inul- Ufude of l.-niples as in Kfrypt. Gi.'eco, and Pome, tl ere was (>nly on<-, viz., tjie movable sacred Tent for nearly f(.ur hun- dred years, and after that the Temple at Jerusalem— per- manent and maKnili.ent, ami last ng about a thousand. Bat there was only one Temple, as there had fc.en only one lahernacle. And this carriid will, it importaiK conse- quences; principally that the .irdei- of priests in the land was compo.se(l of cimii.aratively few persons, a wise and far-sighted provision indeed. Its wisdom can be appreciat- ed when considering the abuses that have arisen in many countries ioth ancient and modern, from the large and unreasonable multiplication of a I'riestly class. The Priests of the Jews were wholly confined to one lamiiy, the chiluren and descendants of Aaron. The manner of the setting apart of these Priests, their dress and their duties, is all set forth with extraordinary particularity in the books of Exodus and Levicicus. And they will well repay careful consideration on the part of Christian peoide, for they all have a direct bearing on the great and abiding realities of the Christian faith The Jewish priesthood. Temple, and Sacrifices, with all apper- taining thereto, have passed away; and were intended to pass away. But the realities of whrh thev were tvpes and object-lessons were intended to abide. Aild they do abide and shall so abide, until the end of the Christian age Fov He who IK set forth in shadow by the High I'riest of the BehrewH uhideth a Prkst forever. iie.. oi ine 1. The setting apart of the Priest to his office was mainlv by the solemn ceremony of anointing, the prototype of ail those anointings by which kings and priests were set apart for many ages, and which finally culminated in the mani- festation of the Messiah, as the Anointed One For the name by which the Son of God is universally known is the (nniST; «mply a Greek form of the word Messiah, and" both nieaning anoinicO. u\ 392 The RdKjinm Syntvin uf u^r Jcicn (continued). (This smiif leinoiiv of iiimiiiiiuji was used f(»r (lie Uiv brew UiiiKs. iiiiil it is iiiltii'slirij; In iiolc lluil il hWU hmv- vivi'K ill the oidei' lor tlic < inwiiiii;; of tlie Soverci^uH of l^aulall(l.l \ .solciiiii ininliiiiti was also jiarl of the ot'reiiioiiy of in- (lui'lioii. aloM<: with ilic olVciiii^ of sacrificial atiiiiials. Upon till' licud of I III' chief aiiiiiial. liic prUsI is to hn/ his hnndx, a ceroiiioiiv portiliar to all sacrifices for I lie pui'j;iii!4 of sin. Then finally tlic blood of aiiolhcr aniiiial is (o be taken, uikI with it is to In' tiiwhid tin rii/lil tar, Ih' rifflil hand, and the yujhl i'lot of ihe jiriesl ; ceienionies of which the Hi^niti- ciince is most clear. The cleansiii}; blood is (o atlecl llie ear that takes in kiiowled};*'. the hand Ihal execnies purposes, and file fool thai carries I he ])riesi aboni amongst ili(> peo- ple; and il is a HiLtniliciti'.f reminder to one vvlio exectiie8 the ollice thai his whole beinj; is consecrated to the service of tile Liviti}? (iod. The I>i!i;ss of Ihe llif-li Prii-sl is of a no less remarka'de character than the ceremony of induction, anil is significant in a high degree of the "{/ood things to come" in a higher and permanent disp.'nsalion. A whole chapter (cliai». xxviii.) is tlevoled to this dress, and nearly every jiart of it is full of significance and fore- shadowing. The dress iirincipally consisted of an Ephod or Tunic (the word Kpliod is llelirew and nnlranslated) of rare and costly materials, "w/ tjold and litue, nv.d purple and scarlet, and fine ticinrd linen.'' IJut the significance of the garment was not in its beauty or costliness. On the shoulders of the Ephod were to be fastened ttco onyx stones, on which were to be engraved the names of the tiwlve tribes of the children of Israel, six names on one stone and siv on the other, accord- ing to the order of their birth. With the toork of an cwfraver in stone like the engraving of a signet shalt thou engrave ihe two stones; thou shalt make them to be si't in ouches of gold for stones of memorial. "And Aaron shall hear tin / • n"n:€8 before the Lord upon his two shoulders, before the lord for » memorial." Thus, whenever the High Priest ministered ueioie the Lord in the Tabernacle, he carried the whole people with him, bearing their sins, their prayers, their thank-offerings 5n his own person. And surely, without any straining of inute symbolism, we can see in this beautiful arrange- n.; ^^ a T«refiguring of the great Higli Priest that was to Cit'iv uiho li' fwclvo liibcH «.f llio cliihlivn of iMat'l, "nvijf onv irith liis naiiir sliiill Hint Uv, accordhni to the tirdir tiihts" Thi> pun»nsoof iliiH is sc( foiili in tli.' I wcnl \ niiiiii v.-rs.'. which caiiic.-, wilhii a sin^-ular touch of' pathos and bcanlv. "/!«(/ .\,i,on hIhiII hciiv fhr iiinnrs of Ih clnllutv of JHihiiitnil iroN ms iiKAiiT, wlu-n he jr«"'>'» it unto I he holv jilace. for ,i nimioriul l„fon II,, /,„nl vo„ timiitllji. TliiiH tile lliyh I'li.'si not onl.« bofe the wliole Israelii ish nation in syniboi upon his shoiildei', he had them pr^ssini; Hose upon his licart ! An ex(|nisite pi. tnie of loving aller- tinn in itself; and. as siibsistinjr foi- fourteen linndred years until the time of abrogation, must siirelv have drawn out tlie attection of. devout Isia.litisii souls iowaids theiv great l.oid and (,n his heart hefore the Lord continualht. lint in what manner this .iiid}:ment was to he exercised, the revelation to Moses dees not make known From the few passages in the Old Testament where the.^e are referred to, it would appear that, whatever was their form and substance, they could l)e used to obtain und<'i- Plandinjr of the Divine will on special occasions And. certainly, they admirably i.refiRure Him who was the Ltpht of i/,e irorM, the Perfection of humanitv. and with whom IS iho Judgment of Almighty God. The remaining portion of the Iress of tlie '^^iffh Priest re is uiidoublcdiy very significant teaching, which teaching is as applicable to tliese Christian times as to the old dispensation, viz.. that there may be iniquiti/ even in holy things! The service rcndei'ed with the lij) m'av not be with the heart: there may be formalistn. hypocrisy, irrever- ence. The ollering nmy be utterly unworthy and insufli- cient; (here may be, indeed, what (he J'ro])het in scathing language calls, -'rohbcry for burnt offering:" that is, the gifts I)resented to (he cause of ( Jod may be the fruit of di.-ihonest practices, or the spoiling of the goods of the poor. This the Lord hates. Tliat such a warning was needed, tue his- tory of medieval Christianity makes only too plain. That the foregoing description of the dress of the High Priest cannot be rightly taken as a model for the dress of <^hristian ministers, is plain from a consideration, first, that- all j)arts of (he dress are symbolical and tvpical; Shadows of good things to come. Second, that the office of priest under the old dispensa- tion, was a totally diffei-ent one from that of a minister of Christ, even if he is calhd a priest. Third, (hat the service of the Tabernach^ and Temple was for a wholly different object from that of a Christian church. Every part of thosf services belonged to a system which has passed away and been replaced by a sj)iri(ual system founded on better pro- mises. The SAoniFicEs and Offerings. The great business of the Prie^^t was to present tlie sacriflcv^s and offerings brought by the people. Respecting these, certain great leading principles will be found per- vading the minute, numerous and complicated directions given to Moses on (he Mount, and which are mainly found in the books of Exodus and Leviticus. These principles are as follows: 1. All atonement for sin is by (he shedding of blood and the taking of life. It is not (he mere shedding of blood, for blood may be shed, as we well know, without the taking of life. The animal offered in sacrifice must die. Only as a sign of death is it that "the blood nialeth an atonement for the ■soul.' ■4). i a plate of Loud" eu- forehead, (, tvhivh the s. And it be accepted iij? ill this, ng, which H as to the fjf oven in lily not be i.V, irrevor- nd iusuttt- 1 scathinff I, the pifts dishonest r»or. This d, the his- II. the High (' dress of ion, first, i tvpical; dispensa- linistor of he servio«? different t of thosf away and otter pro- 3sent the especting )unrt per- lircctions ily found of blood of hlood, lie taking Dnly as a ■nt for the The Religions .S'//>(/r/» of the Jewf< (conliniird ). 395 r. ^ ^}^ ;'^i,'".^'l /•tfered in sacrifice must be absolutelv pel feet of their k.nd. A male, without blemish, is the onlV acceptable sacrifice for sin. One of the sins of the people in after ages «-,.s that tlioy insulted Divine justice by bringing the hJtwl o))(I the lanir for a sin-otfering. Kvcn uhen the wri.ng-doing had been invc.luntarv, or by inadvertence, an olleriug of blood was required. Rut for ?!1!™m7' "'^ " **^""'''' '''""'* '"" accepted, only toithout 3. There were grades of oifcrings. Those who could not hniig a buhock or goat inigl.t be allowed to bring a lamb or a pair of turtle-doves, or young pif^eous 4. Thank-ofVerings must be sprinkled with blood to be accepted. And all offerings must be purified with salt, salt being the groat instrument, then as now, of preservation from corruption. 5. All offerings for sin (except alone on the Dav of Atone- sinned""''' '' ■'*''"■ '""'* *""' ^''''''^^^ ^'^ *'«' P^i'son who has This person must lai/ his hand upon the head of the animal, ^^lio„ prosent.ng it to tl.e Priest, the laying on of hands bemg then, as now, the sign of transmission Tnissi.m'' 7'^?5 t'i^^«i»"e'> il was the sign of the trans- ssion ,,-f g.uit to the animal, which was then slain as an atonement for the soid (.f the j.erson offering All sacrifices wore to be made and offerings offered at the Tabernacle only. ^ "uere.i 7. In addition to these offerings by single persons for tl.o.r own s.n. a lamb, perfect and without blemish, was to be oHerod every morning, and another lamb every evening throughout the year continuallv. " '-'^*'"'"^ 8 And, once a year, a great and solemn act of Atonement is to be niade (Leviticus xvi.) On this dav alone is the Tin lloor'tV'l^"/"'' ^'^'"" '''' ^■^''- ^^ '■« there to Offer '^, 1 « V "^^' :7^ "" '■•'''"• ^''^^ f"r *^'e «'"« ^i himself -uul Ins house, and then for the sins of the whole people- off erins^' '"''''^•^ ^''"* ''*'''®" *'"'^^ ''''^'' ^^^ ^'""•^ ''^ *h^ Then -follows the striking coremonv of the Scapegoat which goat has boon previously .dioson for the purpose To upon the heM of the Iwe tjoat. and eonfess over him all the Si?.? //''• '■'''''''' <'■''•"''• ^"^ '-^^ their transgres' sions, in all their .sms, puttivf, them upon the head of theqoat, the wil'donZ' '"" '"""' ''' ^'" ''^"'^ '' '^ ^' ->" "^°t« '/^Jiiwnrjft; !«•'' I*' 388 27ic RdUj'utm SifKfcni of the Jetcs (continued). This whole day is to be a day for affliction of soul, a Sabbath of holy rest, and to be on the tenth day of the seventh month. And on this day an atonement is to be made for the holy sanctuary, and for the labcrnaclv of the Congregation, and for the altar, and for the priests, and foi* all the people; thus again making prominent the idea that there may be, and probably has been sin, even in ihe offering of sacrifices, and in tlie service of the holiest things by the consecrated priests. It was to be a rule of perpetual obligation that th;. priest should tfiJce no tciiie at the time «if his ministration. This ordinance was tirst made after the transgression of the sf Gilead ie of Dan extreme. 'tlinitarilii easy and times to lent from L child in 1 bv His the most a record beinff in- Lir of the The Rclif/ioiix Si/sfviii nf the Jnrx (cmt tinted ). 397 world, having been peipi'tuated by Him in the form of .i sacred memorial celt-bratiou for His disciples, binding on them to the end of time, and iinivfrsallv celebrated wher- ever Clirislians are known. F(ir Christ.' our Passocer. savs St. Paul, speaking by the Holy (lliost was sacrificed for iis. And, as is well known, wherever Hebrews are to be found throughout the world, the Feast of the Passover is celebrat- ed still by them. The Ftjisl ill itself was a fmiiil// onliiiaiice. (inhiiiied as such from the beginiiing. as we read in chapter xii. to be observed by eveiy family jiiittiiig away all leavened bread and all leaven for seven days, having the feast of a lamb with bitter herbs in (he house; one of its objects being the instruction of the childien of the house, who are to be en- couraged to ask the meaning of the service, .ind to be told of the great redemption it commemorated. But beside this family eelebiation, there was to be a great gathering before the Lord, in. the place He should choose as the centre of the nation's worship. This gathering was to be. like the other Festivals, a Ifohi Conrocation (Leviticus xxni). During the whole week offerings bi/ fire were to be made; burnt offerings, moat offerings, drink offerings, everything ujk n Ins day." the whole carrying the mind backward to the night when thev were delivered from bondage, while their tirsf b(un. by the sprinkling of the blood of a spotless Iamb slain, were saved from death. How significant all this is in a C'liristian sense everv disciple of Christ knows. And surelv when celebrating onV great Christian iiiemoiial feast. Christians mav well think of the ancient jieople Israel, and prav that the" vail may be speedily taken from their hearts, that thev mav see Jesus Christ as the true l'as(hal Lamb, slain froiii the' foundation of the world, for the Jew as well as the (lentile. The second Festival is one of National Thanksgiving, and was celebrated af{<'r (he gathering in of the Harve-a. Ii was what we would call a Harvest-home feast. Then the males of the land are to journey to the jilace of convocation each bringing a sheaf (or as it is in the margin, a handful) of the fruits of the harvest. This handful was evidently of Ufieat in stalk and ear. for it was to be waved hefoie the Lord by the Priest, as the essential feature of the cele- bration, which nevertheless, like the Feast of the Passover was to be a week of continual burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin. It was a strict injunction tliat no broad was to be made of the new crop of corn, nor any parched corn or green corn to be eaten until the day when thi,-4 offering of IhankN had f- i m, i 898 The RdiffioKfi l^i/iitrni of thv Jvirn (continwd ). i? been made to tlio Lord of (lie Harvest. This Feast was not comiuemoraHve of a past event of histoiv. like the other two, but for a yearly callinp: to mind of tlie groat truth that the fruits of tlie ground in every shape, whether of corn, vine, w olive, were from the ev«'r-operating power and ps-ovidenee of Him who ordered the seasons and the soil, and made both to be eo-operative with the labor of the husbandman. Tiie three Festivals, in fact, were such as to impress on a thoughtful and devout soul the great facts and wonders of ('real ion. I»r,.vidence. and liedemption— Crea- tion III the Festival of Harvest, Providence in the Feast of laheinacles, and Kedemption in the Feast of the Passover The third of tties ' Festivals was the picturesque and beautiful Feast of Tafiernacles or Tents. This was a eom- ineiiK.riKioii of the long ])eried when the whole people lodged IP Tenls during the march through th«^ wild^Tuess- and were fed with Kread from He aven. This Festival, like that (»f (he Passover, was observed l)v everv family at home as well ;is by all the males of the familv going up to Jeru- salem, ,ind spending a week in a Holv Convocation It was to be obs-'iveil by every family taking "b;uf/hs of fjoodhj trePK hranrhcs of Palm frce^, a>,d th" honqhs of mcl< trees, and irilloirs 01 thr hrnoh-r Of thele. the other the deliver- ance of the nation in the time of Qiieen Esther. 1). it was not the other 'cat truth 'httlier of ng power s and the hoi' of the jiieh as to facts and on — Crea- ' Feast of Passover, sque and as a com- ic j)('oj)h^ ildcrness; tival, like at home, 1 to Jern- ition. It ! of ffoodlif trees, and s booths in a citv) rbors the before the )wed and •icings of hrjorc the part, and minfi the veil '.sly pillur of modern vs of the J that it ! be more with the as a few ti the hot "estivJils. ;ommem- i deliver- The IMh/ioHs Si/stcm of thr .fcid (cmtinurd). 399 Otfier Laws and Ohdinanoks. Scattcicd IliroughoiK ihc books r»r l.cviHcns. Numbers and D(M]teronoiny are to be found many laws and ordin- ances of a religious or semi-religious character. Of these, nearly all that are prohibitive rei'er to the scandalous vices and wicked ])iacliccs of the people of Egypt and Canaan. And the mere prohibition gives us an insight to the debased luoial condition of (lio.se people, jtroving. us the history of fircccc and Rome cnnfirmc^d, how a low depth of moral' de- basement might CO exist in the same people with high de- vdopiiienls in ait. liteiature, and civilization. The general rule is given in Leviticus, chap, xviii. 3: "After the doingn of the land of Etjfud wherein ye dwelt, .claration that by these the land is defiled, clearly intimating the clo.^e connection between these practices and the scandalous vices before mentioned. M , -i ■ 1 ; 1 CKITICAL NOTES TO CHAl'TER XVII. of wiV..'\^" ^T "^*'''?' "«* ^^'^*^°"^ ■-' certain amount ^L 2 Z' ^••"■/trcniio.isly, in ages subsequent to Moses, Iml Zt'til '^'; 'l^^'^''' '^"^"^''*^«" ^«- discredited am put aside i.s valueless, in oomparlsou with obedience Mos.ii ^eHfirJ"^^'V\'""'^'-^. ^"'"'»» «"J^in to both the Mosaic sacrces, and the writings of Prophets and Psalm- S-; ^ <'»Pos«iblo, ,t ,8 argued, that the same Divine Being can have .r.lained ti.e sacrifice of lambs and buU^ and goats and yet have declared that he did no? care for such sacnflces, as in Psahns r.O and r.l, that he d?d not X^irc as in I. .saniuel xv. L'2 and that su of .ircumstnnces will TiVuK 's "either cont.adic(i..n uor inconsistency in the last series of Divine declarations. For thev are all Son" i^ o,;tw?^'''^r't ^^ ''yP"«-^ieal or forma/celeb a- tion of outward r.ies by disobedient or wicked men. In of DavH thf'"' ''•"■'" 'T, P*'-'^" disobedience, in the case of t^ApLi T 1^- :?'"!^-'^l«»« wickedness, and in the men. of the Prophet Isaiah's time there was both. The language employed shows that it was not the .sacrifices in themielvis nfftVVr '^^^Pl^-'^r"'^^: but that kind of sacrifice which was offered by men who drew nigh to (i(„i with their lips while their hearts were far from him. When the lu-ophet : sacrifice, ofl"ei'in«.s a.iah i, 11 IKPS will nsistency jy are all 1 celebra- men. In the case the men. language emselves hich was ips while ''(',v was th which he merit M'(lipn<*e, declares in burnt fit when ^ pleased •inq, and bullocks I observ- ich ther lispensa- drawing 'ar fron< T/H Rr1i!,lo„s %v' ■„, of f,,, j„,_, (eontiniivd ). 401 Him. And the Apostle Paul, speaking, by the Holv Ghost st.ll more emphatically of the great rite Scircumdsion and of descent from Abraham, declares tZtkeTZaTrl^ who ,8 one outaardly, neither' is that JrZJi^iZZkicht oulward ^n the flesh. But A. is a Jno who is oneTL • %a J '^;;^^nc>.'on rs that of the heart, i„ the spirit and not in the obl';.vS.s'oJ''?Lr.'".*''' ^ry^""'''^ *« *»'^ ^o'-^l'iP and l\nu Jv • '^'^Ciinst.an faith is obvious. TI.o repeti- tion ot hturgical pray.-rs. h.wevr perf.-ct the fonn raav be, IS offensive to God unles.s the heart is with the Ban ■niti. on, ifiV^ni ?^ '' ''^.*^' ^'"'*^- ""^««« observk place. Effvvl of Ihv IMiffioiLs &>/,-//( viwu the Pto^th. 403 il^**«.!i''V^"'''-^ w."^*^ ':'^^^^ t« '^'l t^at transpired within the sanctuary What is ihe mmnin<, of this killing of aui- uials and the burning of their bi.dies? V\ hy is (here a vail s retched across the Tent/ What is thei/inside the vail and what is its object and meaning? Why this incense' «^v^n r '\'"1 'r''' °° *^'« gilded table? And why thi^ seven-braiKhed lamp-stand, and this great basin of iash- ug.^ Ihe answer o these questions revealed great spirit- ual truths as to the Divine law and counsel, the D vine goodness and mercy, the Divine glorv and honor- all of "v tl e wM'f '•' '^ '•^'""^•^^^ b^^^^ -'■-^ a^'J accepted woiS Zv ^"^ spiritual benefit could come to the «ic?tlii* r'^ "'"^ ^^''' '^^'^ '"''^^°^' "t beautiful, and glorious sights, but a lecepdon by the min.l of what they meant, /Sr;';, ;,"''; ?r' ^^••'^■«^'PP^r to he a worshipper in spirit and u, truth. It there was much to se<", there was more to W o7;iw"w !r! ' '''f "P^.'* ^™^' their typical foreshadow- mg ot the reahlK's ot another dispensation How the heart of the devout Hebrew was drawn out to «anf be-mluni'"'""'''^^ ''' T''^"*l' '« «^'''l^'"^ from tho e ThnnLl! i l^ passages m the Psalms which have become ^Si/dLS:!;;^,;;! ^^^^-"^ ^-""^ ^- --^ ^-^^ ^^ the Thus we read: Hosts! Fhf sinmmv and the sxcallow make wsts for their youmj; , so are thine altars to me, my King and my Ood ' For a day m thy ,0,1 rts is Iwttvr than a thomand' nf^hl '■ ^/'^"*'<""y ^^'' Psalmist pictures the journevs of the men who come to k(^ep the solemn feasts : Isaim M.—Thcy. itasxiuy throuqh thv vale of irceniiia it strength: every une of them appeareth heforeilod in Zion' Aud again: r.nS^'r ^-■~~-^f *^"' ''«''^ panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul, after thee. O God' fnJ^i^T } '•^"^^"'b';r the.e things I pour out my soul in me; Z ^fi,«;?°^^V*'• *''^ multitude; 7 uent with them to the Again : +w'''"1i^t'~^"^*'''"^ ''•'^''^ ^ *^e«"'*^<^ of the Lor.l. and Lord all the days of m„ hfe. to behold the beaut,, of the Lord and to enquire in His Temple. ' The very prophet who so sternly denounces the hypocrisy of the false worshippers and the emptiness of mere cere- i« I fC il ' 404 Kffcrl of the l{v}Ufn)UH f^i/Htviii kjhiii llir I'coiili. monies, cries out in a deep tiiiiisi)ori of lioly I'cverence: "Ijouk iipitii y/ii)ih Ihv vili) of iiur sDlniniitiis. . , . ihinc eye .s7»/// m; Jfriisdhhi a quivf hiihilolioii, a tuhvninvir llml shiill not be tnkrn down!" — [saiiiii :!:!. And to the mind of this threat pi-ophet all I ho gloi'loH of a oominj: dispensation, yea, of (hi' heavenly worM itself, were sliadoweil foilh by tlie «l(irie.«i of the h(»ly Temple (for (lie Tfiiiph^ of Solomon was tlie>i slaniliiiKi' and Hh flur- roiindiii^- conrls. Vet it is easy to sec (ha( a rclij^ioiiH s,\Hleni like this, witl; so nuu'li lliat apitealed to tlic eye, wo much of that which was cer.'monial, mighl easily, as liuniaii nature i^, constituted, degenerate into a most I'ortual and I'lnply style of observance, without faith, affcclinn or inKh-rrttandinu. And this, as we liave seen, was the case; and to a greater extent alter the Imilding of the Temple than during the time of the Tabernacle. This is the well-known tendency of modern Hystcms, or developments of systems in which worship Is observed in costly buildings of beautiful architecture, and where the accessories <»f ai-tistic (h'coration, piclnres. slalm's, elabor- ate ceremonies, robings of ]>riests, are employed to charm and interest the worshipper. In every one of these, as expeiienee in WUhh vn times has demonstrated, the tenden(\v is towards a niere dead and formal style of observance, exactly corresponding to that of which we read as denounced by the prophets of the old dispensation, and the Divine Teacher of the New. The "(Irnwinfj nifjh with the U/r while the "hmrt is far niraji:' the burning of incense and the oll'ering of a so-called sacrifice by godless priests, and even what was denounced as "robbcn/ for burnt offering,'' are nil de\elopmcn(H that have been connected with the costly and nnigniflcent shrines of Christian lands. So. then, all the (lilngN written of the misdoings of the worshi]»pers of Tabernaeh' a'ul Tem- ple are for our admonition too. The Attendaxcr of Males at thk Fi^ftTiVALH. The requirements that every m A<^ should go tip to Jeru- salem at the three annual festivals was calculated to have n far-reaching influence both nationally and spirltuallv. Nationally, it would develop a spirit of' broad patriotism, such as a constant visit to the centre of nnilonal life and government could not fail to bring about. The requirement would lift men out of the narrowness and meanness which a constant dwelling in some country locality is apt to gen- erate. Especially it would tend to prevent n regard for a J^'lfcct of the ReliijiouH System upon the People. 405 mans own tribe from overshatlowing his national citizen- snip, and lead every man, on arriving liome, to (tai.i up the whSe'' "^ '^ ^ ^'^^ ''^^'^^'^ ^'"* ^'"^ country us a Spiritually it could not fail to develop u spirit of rever- ence for the religion he professed, the services and outward forms of which in the tabernacle and its priestly services ZIZ n? ^r°n ''''^ r Po«\°g- ^'oT, as thete was only one place of sacnlice and worship in the land, it can be seen of what high importance it was to attach men to it. Fbeb Will, Offbuinus ane Tithes. The Tabernacle, and afterwards the Temple, were built known ^ r^'M'' 7''^^* ''"'^ costliest erections of tl e kind knoun. For though the Tabernacle was only a Tent yet considering its costly contents, there was no tent like t for beauty ami splendour of n,.,-,-ss',ric.s in the worM Ttothl Of sSfi.T, ,! nf.?' ""^ """^""^ f ■'^'^ *^ ^^^ historical books Of huipiure, of the amassing of rare and costly materials by King L^vTd without being convinced that it was unique for splendour in all ages. Y,.,. for ,1„. eiv.tion am? lurnilh mg of these, no tax was laid, no contribution exacted There was not even a general es.iniate of wi.at .-a.h man's sha^ might fairly be. The only appeal was to each mai^ regaM »;^ IT^^""' *^^ ^"^^^ ^^^°^ ^^« was ^^ once the Eedeemer and the Governor of this unique race of people. It wasThe highest possble appeal, and calculated^to^draw Tt the highest possible virtue. And it did draw it out. No tS or levy, no tixed contribution, could possibly have d^- veloped such results as were attained by the applal to each man's heart and honour. it , 1 ■ • ' i 'l i i i%* iMi, 40C Effect of the Rd'ujioua System upon the People. Leviticus 27, 30, 32. — All the Tithe of the land, whether of the need of llir hind, or (if llic fruit of the tree, is tlie Lord's. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of ichataoevcr passcth under the rod, the tenth shall ie holy unto the Lord. Of tills system of giving a ';enth to the Lord, through the medium of His priesis, we have the well-known ex- {Miil)k', ill such iiii ciii'ly liiiif as thai (if Alu-aiii, svlio };iiv(» ii tenth of the spoils of war to the kingly priest Melchizedek. In like manner was this system of tithing perpetuated in these ordinances delivered to Moses. It should lie borne in mind that these tithes were in lieu of an inheritance in the land. The Lord spake unto Aaron, thou shalt have no inheritance in their land. 1 am thy part, and thine inheritance ainony the children of Israil. And behold I hire given tlie children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for the ser- vice of the Tabernacle of the Congregation. (Numbers xviii. 20.) There was tiius established a fixed and regular contribu- tion for the niainteniince of the men who were separated for the service of the sanctuary. This contribution, unlike the other was not left to free-will and voluntary offering. And there was reason for the difference. There was no absolute necessity that the Tabernacle, or the Temple should be costly and splendid. All that was done in them would have doubtless been as well done, and have been as acceptable to God, if the materials and furnishings of both had been of the plainest description. Tiieir costliness and splendour were the signs of a high order of devo- tion, evoked once for all in each case, under highly quickening circumstances. ISut the maintenance, year by year, and generation Jifter generation, of an es- tablished order of men who were debarred from an inheritance in the land was a necessity. And the necessity was to be a constant one, subsisting, age after ago, through all the changing circumstances of national life, in war and peace, in prosperity and in adversity. It was right, then, that as their being debarred from a ])ortion in the land was by statute, their maintenance should be by statute Loo. It is to be noted, however, that the Tithe did not con- sist of the tenth of every man's income, but only of the tenth of the increase of the land and what grew upon it. Thus it was not one-tenth of the whole crop, but one-tenth of the augmented quantity that was reaped over and above the seed sown. And a fair interpretation of the passages relating to tithe, would suggest that a farmer in estimating what was due should dednot not only the aeedj hut the Ic. whether of the LnnVit. ik, even, of I holy unto [, through cnowa ex- lio ^av lie laws ot .K.ture .s di^iinguish.d iron, uhat is the re- l.il.(.i 1, sovui,-. planhn;:, lending, ;ind ivaoin.- This imp.;smon of lithes would ll.e.efo.e hav.. wlu.lly he asi eot of dnertly rcntbTing to .he Lord what had been d ireotly Tce'Ib^e n,>';'f''''''V ^'"l '''' -''angemeMt bears S 2 ticeable air of ((juity and reasonal.leae.s.s that so remark- ably characterixes all the law. delivered tl?rou"h Sose. an.M imji ti,,, res,.iiii,i,."'ali.y. It is to be noted inf;; -'i' "V,^"^'*"'", ^^■•'^^ ox(ra.„dinary, the mode of ineet- loo ^Vr"/f"*^i''"'^^'" ^^'^^"^ guidance, was extraordinary fnviZ ^® '"'^ amongst them gave up all their property for the common sustenance. No man counted anythin- he had as his own. All things were common property And theij was a ,l,nl,, administration hv the ApoEof th Sdd:,ft*'?V' *-'"^ '"'f^''''- ^'^^"^ ^« welearnTrom he incident ..f Ananias and Sai)j)lii.a (Ads v.) even this wa" purely a matter of voluntary ort'erings. The Apostle Pder express y told Ananias tiiat even aft^er he had sTd his pro perty, the money was at his own disposal. ^ Ihis slate of things has been made use of as an argument for community of property as an ordinarv rule of life bv all persons and in all places. But it is evident from fur thei narratives and leaching in the New Testament thai the conclusion is erroneous. After the people dispersed from Jerusalem we read no more of communitv of goods own ^'^?/lf• •''' ^''^7 "'"'''' I^''oi'erty is considered as his ?o S;n,l n ^^:ir'V''^. '^ »^«eil (I Cor. xvi.) was for a special purpose at a certain season, viz., the relief of the poor saints in .' time of scarci ? at Jerusalem. In the many and detailed directions with regard to the ministry of bishops, elders, deacons, or eVan gehstsMluM-e ,s not one command or injunction to provide funds for their support. i-i -'viue Il <♦•«*» n 410 Effect of the Religious System upon the People. The only word on the subject is the general assertion by the Apostle Paul of the principle that they who preach the gospel shall live of the gospel.'' (I. Cor. ix.) It is however most curious to notice that though the argument by which this principle is maintained is drawn from "//tc /(/((• of Hosts," not a word is said of the Mosaic precepts as to tithing', as would havo been naturally the case if tithes were to be a rule binding upon Chrisiians. There would seem to be in this matter a most careful avoiding of anything approaching to the creation of a legal obligation on the part of Christian disciples. This was beyond doubt, of the Holy Ghost; the will of God at that time being, to all ai»]H'arance, that whatever was needed, in any place, by any apostle or other minister from time to time, should be provided by the hearty love and zealous affection of the people. But, indeed, the majority of Christian disciples were poor themselves, and there seems reason to believe that with the exception of the apost les and their companions in travel, the uflficers and ministers of congregations were men who pursued their ordinary avocations, and required no support. The narratives of the Acts of the Apostles would lead to the conclusion that the elders who were set over congrega- tions, were from within the congregation and never left it. And those Epistles of St. Paul which refer specifically to the qualifications and setting apart of bishops and deacons suggest the same conclusion. That the Apostle Paul pursued a secular avocation and earned a livelihood by it, even when travelling about with "the care of all the churches" upon him, is one of the most Striking facts of the New Testament. But in spite of this, he strenuously asserted his right to a maintenance should he at any time call for it. Further Thoughts on the Religious System op the Hebrews. Two other aspects of the religious system instituted by Moses, under Divine guidance, may be noticed. _ 1. The absolute frei dom of the whole ceremonial and ritual either of tabernacle worship or of national festival from incitements or temptations to impurity. The utmost care was taken in all tabernacle arrangements, in the dress of the High Priest, in the order of the sacrifices and offer- ings, in the ordering of festivals, and particularly of the Passover, to prevent the slightest approach to those grave and terrible impuritiog which have been associated with heathen forms of worship and religion from time immemor- oplc. I issertion by preach the though the ■d is drawn the Mosaic it u rally the hrisiians. lost careful n of a legal the will of it whatever ler niiuister hearty love s were poor ! that with IS in travel, e men who no support, uld lead to r congrega- ever left it. jciflcally to ,nd deacona (cation and about with )f the most lis right to r OP THE stituted by fionial and lal fostival ["he utmost n the dress I and offer- irly of the hose grave iated with iramemor- Effcct of the RelUjious System upon the People. 411 ial. No man or woman could attend the temples of the gods of the nations round about, without having the mind and conscience defiled. The very worship itself, the rites and ceremonies of religion, were acts of impurity and scandalous wickedness. So it was indeed in many of the developments of temple worship even in the days of high civilization in Greece and Kome. But everything in the Mosaic ritual was a suggestion of the necessity of purity. The sacrifices were to "cleanse" from sin. The Laver was an emblem of the washing of the soul. The Ark contained the Law of Righteousness, and its golden covering was the Seat of Mercj. The worshipper confessed sin upon tlie lie^id of ilie animal to be slain. The greatest festival of all was the day of national atonement, when the sins of the whole people were put upon the head of the scape-goat, and borne away to a land uninhabited. Everything seen, everything done, in the Mosaic worship, was calculated to strengthen righteousness and to weaken the force of evil. In all this a profound contrast is presented to all false Hystema of religion. The sacrifices of heathen teniy)les, even when tlie rites were not 1t\ipure. were not to bring about the forgiveness of sin. or to develop righteous conduct, but simply to propitiate the arbitrary wrath, or obtain the arbitrary favor of a capricious Baal, Ashteroth, Jupiter, Mars, Neptune. Righteousness and moral conduct were profoundlv stud- ied indeed in Greece and Rome. But these studies were by Philosophers, and were unconnected with religion. And in whatever degree any modern religious system, whether it be wholly false or a corruption of the true, departs from the system revealed in Scripture, to that extent there is always a separation between religion and the practice of righteousness. The last characteristic of the Mosaic religious system is the entire absence of any provision for Teaching or Preach- ing. The Tabernacle was entirely wanting in adaptation for an assembly to gather together and hear spiritual truth unfolded. So was the T<'mple— +jiat is to i-ay. tin- Temple proper; though in its many surrounding coiirts there was abundant room for such exercises. But they never formed part of the worship or of the order of the Tabernacle service. It seems to have been intended that; nearly all religious instruction should be conveyed in the 'famili/, for strict in- junctions are given for heads of families to be diligent in studying the law for themselves, and in teaching it to the li 412 Effect of the Religious System upon the People. children of the house. The striking exhortations both to study and to teach in Deut. vi. were not given to Priests or Leviic:!, but lo ihe wiiole people: ''And these words, which 1 command thee this day shall he in thine heart. And thou shall teach them diUf/entli/ to thy children, and shall talk of them ichen thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the iray, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." These are i)re('epts for every head of u family amongst the whole people. And such heads of families were evidently to be held responsible for the religious education of the nation. The contrast between this absence of provision for preach- ing or teaching in the services of the Temple, and the re- markable prominence given to both in the system instituted by our Lord and His Apostles, shows the utter unwisdom of taking the services of the Mosaic system as a model for •5 Lose of a Christian Church. ■ iSfc ji.Li.. _ ji ilv. 18 both to to Priests rds, which And thou lit talk of m tcalkest risest up." ongst the evidently >n of the )r preach- 1(1 the re- nslituted iiiAvisdom nodol for CHAPTER XIX. The Incident of the Goldhn Calf. Exodus 32. Considering the events of unparalleled solemnity that had so recently transpired, and that the people were still encamped under the awful Mount, this narrative of their conduct might be deemed almost incredible. Yet its very unreasonableness is the strongest proof of its absolute verity. For no man making up a story would ever invent such a narrative of folly and wickedness as this. Like many another narrative of human depravity, it is too bad to have been invented. Truth, alas! in tliis respect has often been stranger than fiction. And the narrative of unreasonable wiclvcdness is a strik- ing proof of the absolute impartiality of the narrative, and of :t^. being written under Di\ine guidance. For it is hard to imagine that a patriotic writer would not draw a veil over such an outbreak a^ this, and refuse to record his people s shame. • "^ll^ P,'^'"'^ narrative, however, is always "for our Learn- tnff. Ihe record of wickedness is there given as it really was, standing out as a beacon to warn men from falling away from (Jod and truth, even when it seems most un- likely that rhey should do so. The lesson is thus used by the Apostle Paul in writing to a people— the Christians of %"""*ir.^^''^ose temptations were precisely similar to those of the Helirews in the desert. (I. Cor. x.) While Moses remained day after diiv, dehiving to come down out of the Mount, the people, and especially the eh-, rs and leaders amongst them, might surely be waiting in quiet expectation and in prayer. Only a few dnys before, they hmi entered mto a solemn cov.Miant, apparentlv with all their heartland soul, saying, -all that the Lord hath spoken, ice mil do!" (Exodus xiv.) But this narrative only shows how utterlv devoid of sta- bility in righteousness and good purposes these people were and how deeply ingrained was the love of the idolatry fIvK '"", "^^ *^^ licentious frerdom which accompanied Eg^ptlan reigious festivals. It ],as within it. also a sha- dmying rorth of that reaction after religious excitement which has been only too frequently notLd in our own time-s. From an absolute and hearty acceptance of their iCfi: *»■•'*»*«•«*««,■, ■ »i !if "' 414 The Incident of the Golden Calf. position as "a l-htfidom of priests and a holy nation," given when lii'st the awe of the f;rwit mountain was first upon them, tlit'y full otV to a defiant outbreak againsf God and His servant, and aWo of siandalous licentiousness. For the dancing and the "ph.y"' in which the people indulged, was evident i.v the licentious and wicla-d dancing that formed part of certain heathen festivals. If it had been mere innocent mirth, it never would have been reprobated and held up for warning by a Christian Apoijille. In this naiiaii-ve, and in subsequent ones of what trans- pired in the jyilderness, we can see the influence of men who were leaders and spokesmen amongst the people. Such always arise under similar circumstances. Men of strong character and able to speak, come to the frcmt and are generally able to lead the people, especiallv when tney are proposing to rebel against a system of religi. us restraint, and to strike for liberty and indulgence. Moses delayed day after day to come down fr.om the Mount. There was then a gathering of the people towards Aaron. And the leaders cried, "C/>, make us (/ods, to go before lis. >" the style of language indicating previous con- sultation, and a determined conclusion. They went or to deride Moses, and showed plainly enough that they had already begun to chafe and fret at the restraints -f a re- ligion of holiness. Moses! cried they. Moses has ^one we know not where; let us have some gods to lead u^.. And there is implied, though tbey were too shrewd to say it — let us have some gods like the gods of Egypt; who had flo severe laws of lestraint like this terrible God of Sinai! The weakness of Aaron Avas extraordinary. No remon- strance, no outbreak o: indignation, no command to remem- ber their allegiance, burst from him as one might have ex- pected. He was evidently frightened at the determined aspect of these daring leaders. They were sei on mischief, as he said to excuse himself. And he did a scandalous thing, as men sometimes do in an hour of weakness, even though they be good men on the whole. Calling on the people to bring their golden ornaments, he cast them into a mould prepared after the image of the chief god of Egypt, the sacred bull. And after finishing it with graving tool, he delivered this golden image of a young bull or oail to the poeple. The leaders then shouted: "these are the gods that hrought thee out of the land of Egi/pt!" The words were not Aaron's words, as has been supposed by some. The text says plain- ly, they said, i.e., the leaders in this audacious rebellion. But Aaron went on, probably now under a great con- The Incident of the Golden Calf. 415 that straint of fear. Having' failed at the outset, the power of evil has ihc mastery of him, as is lommonly the case. Facihs dcceiisiis avcrni. lie has al-.nost at once fallen. x\ud he stands before us as a conspicuous example of the truth that "the fear of man hrimjelh a .snare." Aaron builds iin altar iind makea proclamation: To- moriotv is a festival to Jvhorah! These words wire piobably used by Aaron on further reflection, sinceiely de-irinhH-n," says the Divine n.17.' ^I'-'/^^'lj^ i'='^'e becon:£ corrHpt! Thei, hare turned aside ,i,iirkh, out of thv wu,,, and hare made a Golden CalfT It IS noticeable Ihat the Lnrd, in the verv manner of his speaking, has disowned these peoph>. ir is not as for merly my ,,eople, but ihy people whom thou hast 'brought out of Ljiypt! And tlien come the terrible words, ''Let me ?)ri f'n T' .7""""'. ^'^'"^•" ^^ '^ 'Tehovah had said, Do not pray for them; tliey are irredeemably bad. This monstrous iniquity is past condoning. I have cast them Off. 1 ^Mii make a great nation of thee. One may marvel, considering the boundless grace ami goodness of the Most High, as revealed in that ven system then being delivered, that such words could possibly b" spoken. But we are bound to receive them reverentlv ^and naturtt oftT '^ ^ ''''''''''' "^ ^ P'^'-^^^ «f «- S-^"« We .non? / '"^-.^ prominent, but not the less real, dent W? .1 m«"y-«ideJ-^d;°g/or the perverse aSd stupid iifuTtUudt tbe Hi/, T''^" ^^?T .^'»*^ '^ *-^"P^ «"raypr; the thoughts are just such as would occur to n man like Moses, who had a name in Egypt -such as no other Hebrew had, yet Avho was intensely patriotic, both nationallv and spi- ritually. ' ^ Yet we niust not imagine that such arguments were needed to move the All-Wise and Supreme L .rd who was guiding these events. All the revelations we have of Him, in the various, manifeslatiims of Iiis character in this sacred word, show that He often, in the depths of His wisdom, placed men, or ordered so that thev would be placed in circumstances calculated to bring out to the higlu'st degree, whatever of faith or consecration, or love, or patriotic devo- tion there was in them. So it seems to have been here. And the Lord repented of the rril which Hethouffht to do unto Htfi propl". His peop'e! {y. 14). The intercession had pre- vailed, and the people were acknowledged to be the Lord's again. As to the expression, 'Uhe Lord repented," what has been said before in the cour.se of these le.xsons can be said again, viz., that the expression is one of those in which the ways and thoughts of the IMost High are brought within the comprehension of the multitude of men. although in themselves, and in essence, they are incomprehensible and past finding out. All men can understand liow a father, righteously indignant over the rebellion and profligacy of a son, would threaten to oast olT and disinherit him, and how he might be induced to change his purpose by the ear- nest intercession of a generous brother. Such is the picture before us; first, of outrageous rebel- lion and wickedness, second of a threat to cast off from an inheritance, third of earnest pleading and intercession, and last the announcement of a favourable answer; all of which is perfectly consistent with all that has been revealed of the Divine Being as at once merciful and just. Moses descending the mountain with Joshua (who had been all this time waiting upon him there) had the two tables of the Testimony in his hand. 1 vl.ole oartl. to iiKlir.',,!' Uis righteous ways as against a disobedleni u,„l' hvpoeritlcul people. These two tables, like that I'Halin, a,,-' Ihe Testi- mony ol the Suijivme (JMveinor agaiusi Hi,. l(h,lui,.v the spiritual treason, the unrighteousness of iho race of man- i^w , 1 '^^'^''^^ /«'•"* "f the Law is a i)im(..h|. ], i,„„|i(.s plainly that great and crying evils had become universally z^^^^iJ^:;^ ''""' ">f '"'"''" ''"'■'• '•^'"'^- 'j'"-^ «^«« not wioiiff lliji feiloir man.' This is tl.e Diviiu' Tesiimony ihat has been coiilinuouslv sounding oat Ihr-.ugh the uorM fr„m that day To Ihi"! ^ divuH In; /^ifT^'.'f •''■''' I-'^^r'^ divinely given, it was r le f .f -7;/',' ^^Jf l^'l':^''"'^'' " '^'^" abHolnlely unique. Ihe fact IS staled with the utmost paiil(!ii!avii\ ; "Thp lables were tw.., they were <.f slone. thn, wnw. wrillvn on hojh tlmr .uhs (this is contrary to the go neral .• n -e ^on V. lo! IG)/ ^ ^ ^''"''" "^'"* ^''' ^'"^'''^ («'"^J'- ^^^»- There is nothing unreasonable in this rovelndon of the testimony being the actual writing of the i^nnreme or Moses and Joshua between them, palmed oif a fable to this effect upon the people; but there Is every probabili ty against it. And there i« every Iiing to justify the reasonableness of these co„rt.m boinK Divinely written, which before had been Divii ely Bpoken Let the unique solemnity of the occasion bo o 'Lffered* These commands were to be for all the peon 'of the world and to last to the very end of time, an e expres sion of the will of the Supreme, the Eternal he Lord of the whole eartn. That they have endur.- f r more than three thousand years we ourselveH ar./w mreT If It IS urged that it was more probable tlm( MohTh irved or caused 1x) be carved, the tables himselUha Ihnt Ihe Almighty should stoop to become a writer en itonU It niav be asked why should not Ihe Almighty l.av.Tx^r'ted Ss power to caryo the writing on these Tabb-s? A « kno le exercise of will would accomplish it. And c erlnlnl the occasion was worthy of it. '"»'ruiini.> tne Moses coming down with the Tables in his linnd Tnaimo' ti" ^';^'^i'i»^t'»e shouling of the riol ,s ,t 1 it,* ul'be low reached their ears. Joshua, the soldie,^ « ^ /L !* a mm of tear in the. camp. But Moses, listenl g niore af tentively, replied, "No; this is not th^ 8hou 'of"Srr The Incident of the Ooldvu Calf. 419 nor is it the wailing of defeat. It is tlae suuiul of singing tliat wt' lu'ar." Tlins. wondeiinjr, ilie.v descend; and an they approacli the ciiiin), th<' scandaldUH tniih liursts u\u>i\ lln'i'n. There is the golden calf— well rcnicmlieicd idol of Kjryi)t— and there i.s the crowd willi their licentious and wiciied dances, for they were voktd (v. 25). (The word nakeci must evidently be talien literally.) Can it be wondered at that the great leader hurst into a very storm of righteous indigna- tion. His aninr imxed hat, and he cast down the tahlcfi out of his hands, signs of a broken covenant, and brake them beneatli the Blount. Then he proceeds (o verv strong mea- sures, measures which reveal the energy ot his chaiacter, and his ascendency over the jjcople. This .alf had been, in the madness of that day, extolled as a god; now will he shew whether it is a god or no. So he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder. Suflacient demonstration surely, of their miser- able fo';iy; this god ground to powder before their very qyes. But this is not enougli. lie takes the du.st of this golden idol, scatters it ovcm- the water, and then actually makes iho people drink of it; the peo|de, overcome with awe of this terrible leader, swallowing down in the evening the very thing they had danced before as- a god in the morn- iLg. Could human wit have devised a method more calculated to develop a shame and horror of tlieir wickedness! But it was not human wit, it was Divine wisdom that devised thi« extraordinary method of humiliation and punishment. This being done, after a word of colloquy with his bro- ther, in which the weakness of Aaron is strikingly con- spicuous (excusing himself by reason that the people were lent on mischief), Moses, casting his eyes over the crowd, many of whom were still naked, took his place in the gate of the camp. From thence he issued a proclamation that rang through the whole camp. The day had been a day of treason, a day of rebellion; now the people were solemnly challenged to declare themselves. Who is on the Lord's sidr? the great leader called out; WHO? Lkt him come unto me! And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves unto him. But, let it be noticed, the invitation was to all the people to return to God. Then was opened one of those strange commands of judg- ment and punishment which seem so terrible as the work' of a beneficent Being. But in considering these we can but see in them the manifestation of the Supreme as the Judge and Ruler, who while He loves righteousness must 420 The IncUkiif of the Ooldvn Calf. also hafe imqiiity. And it is unqueHti<.n!ibl.' that at times the actions of caithlj rulers who are at once beueU( f-nt and just, are Iiard to ui; lerstaud, unless we consider tliat for the welfare of a wliole coniniunity, and fop the salie of future tienerations a just |.unishment lias, in times of crisis to be unreservedly carried out. So it was here. The retri- butive command against those who were still rebellious went forth. Sword in band the Levites went through th« canji) and slew that day about three thousand men, the leaders in this scandalous treason being certainly included. One iniKht wisli (o draw a veil (.ver these strange works of judgmeut (for judgment is (iod's stratK/e work, Isaiah 28. -1). But let us reflect. This narrative is a Divine revela- tion, and oiiens up featured of the Divine character which are undoubtedly necessary to a complete compreheue-ion of it. Kighteousness and judgment are the very foundation of His throne, but the same Scripture adds, "mercif and truth shall go before thy face' (Psalm ixxxix. 14). The re- velation of Jesus Christ is in no wise different. T'^e same voice that spoke in pitiful tenderness to the weary and heavy laden, spoke in terms of a really fierce wrath against the hypocritical and hard-hearted Pharisee. And it was in the very lifetime of some of our Lord's Apostles that the dreadful storm of wrath broke over Jerusalem, compared with which tills judgment on the rebels of Mount Sinai was mere child's play. CUAl'TElt XX. TjIE tSECONU GiVINU OF TUB Law AND RevKLATIONS Connected Thbuewitu. Exodun 33 and 3'/. After tlie storm, a calm. A severe judgment had fallfii on tiic lenders of lebellion. The slaughlcr related in the previous ciiaplcr was not au iiMliseriiuiuute uiiissacre, as .some might suppos-e, hut a punialimcnt meted out under Divine dirceiiou. Three thousand mm, let us note, were slain. Uut uo women; the reasonable suppusiti-ui being that women only took part in the outbreak as tliey were consti Jiimd to do. Jiut judyment has done iis work, and the people, being now disposid to listen, .Moses reminds them of their hein- 0U.S fiht: Ye have sinned, he said to them, a girut sin; but he adds, I will go up to the Lord, and peradrenturc I shall make an otoncmciit for yon. \M\n\ was exattiy in his mind, we know not. But it is very jiossiidc, as we may infer from what followed, that he if necessais 10 offer up his own life as a wor' ^1 'radventure" suggests that he was (|m'.>tiilaiion, Imping, yet Jearing, he adds: "But, if not'' (and how can there be forgiveness without atnnementi "if not, blot mc 1 prat and noble spirit, woiihy to he the I .uler of a great nniion, and to be (he medium of a Divine revelation to mankind! Worthy j.rodecessor of (he great Apostle to the Gentiles, also a great patriot and lover of his own people, who de Glared, in a passionate burst of fervor and concern that he could wish himself "accursed from Christ< for his countri/men icho were Israelites:" ready, like Moses, to have his name blotted out from the Book of Life, could he only bring salvation to them. Nay, .-an we not see a foreshadowing of the Divine Son of God, who became, in very deed a curse for us, that he might obtain eternal redemption for all who believe. 2t was prepared sacridce. The pondering the better (lian he a sin oll'eiing. I J tiki t?U' 422 The Second Okmg of the Laio and llcvclations. TI e ansM-er Wi.s lanil.v what might have been expected ■ font was an assertion of the eternal rule of Justin- 'Jl/S h.Hh sumrd ai/aiHst mer .ai.l the Divine vok.-, "/,//. ,7/ Uot out Of nn, book.'" A ve.v a..p and abiding t • h The soul that sun,ctl,, it shall die. Y.t, withal, th^^iv is a wav j:!^;^ is f;^i ^tt:""'' ^^-^"^^ ^^-^'^^ *"- ^-^^^ -veaieS Tills "/iV>o/.vy which it is declared tiiat God has written Ks tlie hrs. intm.ation that within th. outward Isnu'I S TNas anotlier Israel. Tln-re was a voU of th.- naturil do .cendants of Jacob. Tho roll was roliftiousl kept a n ly be seen troni the Jioolc of Numbers. Uut there w^s-n,,lher ana ijus ^\as in the Ivccping of (Jod. ' This is the Book of licmemhnnivc spoken of bv the last oro ph..t of tlu- Old I.ispensafon (.Mai. iii. lO), and thV//oTo/ L/A; reforr<-d t<. I>v tl.e Apostle Paul (I'hil. iv. :;).'md l?y the This no(,k of Life is the roll of all faithful souls. It is the .Uem but'tho'l'^'I"' ='"^' """" '-'"^ ^'"'^'^' '"^''H'avenh- en : fealem but tliose whose names arc written therein. ^ Tliere was no formal de.laialion of foij-ivencss for thP peopo showed very little sign of that pc^nte c^'vithiu? M Inch forgiveness would be a mere abrogation of justice wi?il'*;-/i'' ^'^•'i*''^.«^"^ ^•'»''. tlx're was a mingling of mercy with judgment; just, as in the case of a PebeTlioVs aS I rofl.gaie son. who has been severelv dealt wit, bv lis f^ither and shows some signs of reforming his ways here would be a course of leniency adopted; not, owv t with out fe.r and with care that leniemv s uu,] 1 m T' o I'o S and so give encouragement to a renewal o wi Id w vs So here, the Supr.-me Leader, th.mgh sen.li g .so„ 'kind character, gives the ,uomise (an all-important prou ise n the crcnn^tances) that He will send an Angel beforr,! em ^°e lam to'wril'tl''''"'' "" ^^'.' C-anaanitl^lVtH^^Vfrom' Tue laul to which they were going. This is mercv Tiut jusfce, according to which thcv would be?„ dansor Sj The Second Oiviiifj of the Lmo and Revelations. 423 being consumed; wliile tlie disi)ens;ition of mercy would be through the promised Angel, or Divine Messenger who would l.-ad them. Here w<' touch the border of those mys- terious hints of ii Divine dispensation of mercv throu<>h a Messenger sent fioui Ciod, which appear her^ and there throughout (he Ol.l Testament, and whi.Ii, when all put together, correspond so marvellously with iho life and death of Jesus the Divine Son, the embodiment of God's mercy in the salvation of the world. One thing had been re.iuiicd of the people, as an out- ward sign of submission, and, it might be, of penitence, Tiz.. that they sliould fifHp off Ihrir ornaincnts\ This com- mand was obeyed; in fact, the f(>ar and aw<" of the Mighty low.T of (!od was now upon them; and apparenllv the'y had no desire for gay clothing. ' Tliey nionnmf when they heard that God would not ac- company them; and esjiecially, when the withdrawal of the presence of God was brougl.t visihly before them bv the removal of the Tabernacle beyond tlie bounds of the camp] This measure was apparently designed to mark the differ- ence be ween those who sought the Lord in earnest and wiZ I n^ ""*• T^'' *''^ ""'^ ^^'""''1 S" ""^ ♦" tbe place, while the other would not. Rut when tlH> clou.ly pillar, sure sign of the Divine pr^- sence. appeared at the Tabernacle door, far oti' as it was the awe of the Divine presence fell upon them, and all the people ro.enr"e, and directs the removal of the Tabernade from tlH> eople, after all, might do, — and what would b"C'»me of them. The answer to this was noteworthy indeed. It is to an- nounce a solenni <'ovenant, a covenant on the ])art of the Su- preme to do tnarrcllous and terrible thini/s, viz., to drire out the tricked witions that inhabited Canaan, involving an ob- ligation on the nart of the peiiple to niakr }io covenant with these peop'e, lest ii lieeoiiie a sniirc, but to destroy their altars. The Second Givimj of the Law and Revelations. 427 hreak thdr innig'S, and cut down their groves, lest the people be bej-uiled and seduced to fidlow their gods; and specially lest by iiiariyiiig aiucnf-st them, the sons and dau}j:hters of these chosen people should ^^o wandering' after these hea- then Hods, and become like the corrupt and degraded peo- ple tliat woishipped them. Does this sieiii se\eie? Does it not seem inconsistent with the art of the Divine word is the fact of the (iod of the Hebrews being the Lord of the whole earth nioi e stronglv emi)hasized than in the books of the Old Disjiensation.' -The (lad of tJie whole ftrth, shalt He be called. All nations wlioni ttioii hast made shall come and n-orship thee.'' Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ife lands. These and very many more sliow that the revelation of CHAPTEK I. The Piti:PAHATiuN loit the Maboh achoss thh Dbshbt. Numbers 1 to 10. The great host of the children of Israel uad been on camped for more than a year about the duster of lo??; mountains near the centre of the southern part of the inSfv c \ ' 'i?^ ^^'^ ^^"^ manifestations of Divine \n^ tV' T^.'^ *^^ ^^'^^ ^^^ °t'^'er before witnessed tin Thev h..'.''" " f'f'^ "' ''''''^'''''' ^' ^^^'1 as inst ruc- the God of fh J ?"!*'*^ ^^,'*''"'^ ^'^^'^^'^^ examples that God, the God of the whole earth, who had delivered them from ondage, was not to be trifled with. He had a r^ght t^ exacr vl ?K •^^'"^•'' ''^f *^^* obedience He^wou 3 exact, let this was no hard condition. For the obedi- ence required was simply to do what, by the universal conscience of mankind, is adjudged to be r/^M "S commandment teas holy, and Just, and good." The service was reasonable. To obey was to prove how Ld and perfect the will of God was. (Romans xii 2) ^ And probably there had been some measure of military discipline as well. The host were certainly armed when they came out o Egypt, for they had a serious battle witS thP w-n '^"^^^'^^T ^'^"''" *^^^' ^^^d ^^^^ '^0 mouths n the wilderness. They came out of Egypt in marchin- order; harnessed a. our version has it; armed, as th^ revised version gives; but the original suggests in ranks of fi^. The encounter with the Amalekites made it plain that thrv S"h nn'ff'Pf '? to fight their way to the promised land! n,hL^ /. """* ^^r *^'^ T^'^""'^ ^"'-^"^^^ "f tl>« young man Oshea, afterwards so highly distinguished under his changed name of Joshua. But after the lapse of fourteen months from the great departure their Divine Leader deemed that the time had come for them to set forth on the way which would lead them straight to the land of Promise. Hitherto they had marched in an entirely contrary direction— for wise nur- fS,!?;;ii f ^^^/ ff °; ^^'^ *^^y ^"«t set their fices steadfastly towards the land of their fathers. But before setting out, certain preparations were necessarv. The fir"*- of these was " . M I \H !" f& 434 The Preparation for the March acros, the Desert. The taki-nq of the Census Mucli. cvciv way. T .n . V ''*"™I"^'l •* as wise, and riyht/aud good the Book of Numbers ' ^"^ **"' ^^"^ **^'°{?' hS^ nfl; I- i ° '^ revelation of God's will to mail But let us consider. These records of the census, and of the hends nf trih^c Di'viJf * "'. '\^'''--y of a people who were ,Sosen by th.Tn T'^'"' ^." P'"'"^^^ *^^ knowledge of God for more than ca thousand years. These particulars were of hi>h interest to them, for they had to do with the mies to l.^d when they settled in Canaan, and with thrpreser^atU o^f at The Preparation for the March across the Desert 435 them tliesc l„nu lisfl It \ ^'^•'' ''>' '•'lii'iiinjr in th.rv have I,,.,.,, in ^ J"^^^^^^^^^^^ ••'•)•<•.< u,.„|,l to Christians? An k .',*'"":'*' ""V" '"' ^'^ i"<-''<'«t or what ho,Iv <„• ;;t; . .; ;X I?"'*;^ "-";";■<'. who. Christian wrik-rs ,„■ an v r. -n i / "^/""^ *'* f''^' ''"^Ij bave thought of 'such i th.' ••" t, .'r' l'"!'' ''' "'''"•'"' <« do with |)nn)ai.atin!r •, .1 i f;', ,/'"'.\ '"''l loo nunl, („ from these lists. An f u • h ^ tl '"' ''i';'''"" "^' """•^'« I"'.- with ixH.onis wS. " , "'1-7^^ Y^" •^ ^'^'■^ t« tarn- Ti>oy have heen Ic-l. nt ..t b' ; I'' ''''f "'' V^ ^^^ ^''^i"^? J.ul^m,.nt of the wln.ie . „• h Mr,"! l"""" 7*'"^'"" ""^^ inuch may be learned fro n thorn « '•^'"^'''•'*'«- And tyi.i.al thmaeter of much th.t u^J i ^"-^^iberlng the aud thron.h then,, and t 'tl ei ,r Cor"'v\ '' '''" ^"^^^•'"^'' stand that, in the Christi-., l.i, !• ' ^•^' ^^^ •"'" ""<'<>r- ber the names aiul w, .] i ' f^.T/T^'f r"', ?"'' ""' ''^^'''^-m- and .speeialiv tlu.^^^.Tho ,,,,; I , t'"thfnll, serve llim, the ficl,i:' fiH. anost e Pmi • '^i'l''^"'"* ^/'^' /"'.'//' plotr.s of tbe Hook of Life.-rChal!. iv T"' ''^°'' ""'"^''^ '''' '» After the census came The ouderi.vg of the Camp kou the March. orderf'tiat reSd" m oT^J'VZA rK-""^ marching great commanders have ^h-Pn .f V^ ''^ directions th^it paign. In the li.'s.t; , S Wellington S^* '\ "^ ^"- passages that strikinglv corresDond to .i ^''^I''''^^"' ^'^'^ rections for the march nAhff^r ^? *^'"' chapter of di- derness threfth'u'and yelrfa^l^'l ' f/^^'^"^ ^'i^ narratives; as well is of SI! n^ - J '^ *^'"^ ^^ Scripture they seem' y.^v Zlan^^^^^ that in these narra tves of Mo es t .er-e'""^: J^. '^' '''^^'^' able mingling of hunlan effo fl^i J. • *]'''* '■"'^' ''^"^«»'k- Bight, human courage, with SZ^'^T' ^'T'''' ^''''■ times and when unrentTv n.lJT .v^^'P ""^ ^"ti^al pected in a storv th"tT*il ^''^f' ^^^ ^«»ld be ex ' '" ^^^ ^'-'O foundation professes, io ,, .'If « 1 '■ 43G The Preparation for the March across the Desert. tell of a direct Divine interposition in huuiau affairs. There is never help from heavon when the courage and wisdom of man is sufficient. The miraculous events re- corded, wonderful though they be, are all manifestly rational. They are the working of a mind and a power of infinite wisdom. They are thus in absolute contrast with the silly tales, and "oW ivives' fables" which form the staple of all myths and miracles of false religious, and of cor- ruptions of the true. Let any comparison be made, for example, between the miraculous events recorded in these books of Moses and the legends of the Brahminioal faith, or the Mohammedan, or the medieval miracles of the Eoman church, and it will be at once apparent that there is a fundamental dillerence between them. The one are true records of the working of a power adequate to the production of the events, and wise to intervene when help was needed, the other are mere grotesque fancies without reason or object, save to exalt some church, shrine, or saint. Thus, then, with all due consideration of needs and cir- cumstances, this host of adult men was organized in divi- sions like an army, in the form of a square, three tribes on each side. Every tribe ]ia. 49. There Judah is prefigured as a Lion, Benjamin as a Wolf, Issachar as a strong Ass, Dan as a Serpent, Najilital. as u .S7a// ,• all of which have reappeared in modem heraldry' The striking reference to the Divine Son of Gtod as the Lion of the Tnho of Jnilah in the A|)ocalv|isp (Rev. v., 5) is doubtless a sur- vival of the tradition, of these standards. Before setting out, there was a very formaT Setting up of the Tabernacle, and a rehearsing of the minute directions relating thereto. The part that each principal family of Levi was to take in th ordering of the sacred vent is care- fully gpt forth; e^ y man's place appointed there, exactly as the place of every tri e was set forth in the encampment. The Preparation for the March across the Desert. 437 "f tlK' <;iiristian .■1,,, ■ " .' l,^^'' "'^*'^"^->' •"•ningeuieuts /-/..•• in t,.a?".^;r sp,.o4'^;,^? Air ^^r^T •'oniiiiiiiKl is ffivon Miil -ill fi,;, . V'";, ^"•' •J^'iO), and the It tioii Thk Xazauitks. '^;!;!^'l!' 1:"!!:.^^^".^^^«^? t^^ ««tting out, that di s wore jriveii mspocliiiv- t| the V„\y of the N 1<)S(> rec- Tl la I'l K.,i ifsc were jk ii>;iii-it('. (riiap. V 1.) who took upou the 111 i-isees of subse(|uent Jewisii ti "iiii or (ireek cimirh. Anv I separate oi-der of i)ei'soiis. Jik (he iiies. OP tlie monks of the ouuid lake tlie v til lif eii- own discret •>w (»f a Nazaritf-. and f j)erson, man or woman, •'• iis in tli(,' ion. A]»i»arentlv. witl or a (h'finite time, at ease of Samsc sejHiration from ordinary pur.sui )ii. Tlie I some it was for ^<)w was a vow of ij,nnns ].nrposes. AU fl,r dai/s of h tx, and it was certainly for re 'Kiifi, the Lord. Tl. ,.„, Th.' /irst. tliat he shoiildtal. ;.s' le eondilions of rhe separated separation he is Jioli/ ife were two. itiiral. eorresp(indini>' as it d ke no wine or stnmg drink IS stinciice (if oni '/ante went far I frci •»wn day. ISnt Die j,bst s to the pledfjc of total ab- M •■veryliiiii"- that ( "'.voiid this, and included tlu inenee of the Na- mil/ lii/iior of f/raprs, or i/i tliiii-:- was to he taken' •a me from the riiir: fi separation Th ■apes themselv oin ruicf/ar, or e reason for tliis extreme tl unless it be that tl pered with. K' vow must on no n oroujihness is not es, or I'aisins; no- Jcs! eirii from the kernel to the hml apparent, msideration be tam- Tl le second condifion was tl upon the hea'e of the reli s requirement is the lonks a jious orders of liristian times of 1 liv head. This coiiditicin of arbitrary. When the days of his vow were accoin])lished. the ^-xv-xv. t helnh'Trn*' ' • ■ "'""" f''''^ ^"'^ 'aerified hi wS the hair that has -rown is burnt with the sacriflee. I friars shave the greater part otiing the ha'r grow seetns purely Tiiirin tiful g (his time (,f preparafioii for the journey, a beau- 28 i:-! h f ,'■4^1 438 The Preparation for the March across the Desert. FoKM ui' JJlkssing was ordained that lias siii\ ived to these times: TuK Luiut HMoss Tiii:i:. and ki',i;i' thee. Thk Loud makk His face to shine ui'ox thee, an'd he GnACIOl'S UNTO THEE. The Loud lh^t ui- Jlis cointenance ui'on thee, and gu'e tihm; peace I (Chap, vi., 23 to 26.) Hon- liave these ideas survived tlu-oufJili the changes of three (housand years I B.v tlu'se very words. Christian congregations arc still blessed in their cluirches. For the ideas are eternal. It was at tills time also that an extraordinaiy example of zeal for the house of i'.od was manifested in the' sliai)e of CosTiA- Oefekinos Fill! Tiu: Taheunacle. The details of these are in ('hapier vii.. ,\nd Ihev till the mind with astonishment at tlie ahniidame of silver and gold that Ihe.se ])eople had brought with them out of Egypt. Truly the ages of bondage wei-e rece beginnings of the montiis, and at the time of the'burat otlerijigs, and o-er the sacrilices of {)eace offerings. The greatest ;»f all the occasions lor the blowing of the trumpets was on the morning of the year of jubilee. Then the trumpet was to sound hnidlji ihroiif/h tin' hind: Jjihcrlif ini.^ to hr. proclaimed to all tin inliabitdntu thermf. and every man icait to return to his own possession, and to his oirn famihj! (Lev. xxv., J).) All being now prepared, it remained only to nuike the whole host understand tli.il they were u'llder heavenly guidance, viz., that of the Cloud of the Divine rrescnce, and that the cloud was to be follt)wed in Journeying or in abiding during the whole of their journey. A cioud by day became ii fire In night; iind wliatever sins, and grievous sins did Ihey commit, were chargeable to this people, they do seem to have been, on all but one or two occasions, faith- ful in this matter of following the cloud. Tlu re are few more i)atheiic and beautif.il j)assjiges in .••il Scripture than that in which their obedience in this respect is recorded. fThe passage was evidently written towards the close of their long wilderness wanderings.) In Chai)ier ix.. v. 15, and on. we read. — "And on the dnif flitif the Tnhvrnacle vas reared up. Ihc, clond rorrred the Tnhernaelc. "And lohcn the cloud was taken up from the tahernacle. then after that the children of Israel journejied. and in the plaee where the eUiud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents .... and when the clond tarried lone) upon the tahernacle, according to the commandment of the Lord, thei/ ahode in their tenis. . . And .lo it -as when the clond abode from even unto the morninrj. and that the cloud wa.9 taken up in the morning, then fhcif jonV' 440 m «'i)i J'W'IH I' t^ ?7/c Prcpanifinn for the March across the Desert. neyed. Whetli^r it was h,j da,, or 1)y night that the ciotia loas taken up they journeyed. yr whether it war tiro ilayn, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried „i>u„ thr tahvrnarlv, rcinaininq tlirrvon, thr childrn, of Israel abode in their tents, but when It was taken up they joiirneifcd. "At the eo,nmandinent\)f the Lord Ihei, rested in their tents and at the eonnnandiiient of the Lord theif jour, neyed: they kept the eharye of tlic Lord, at tlie eonimand- nicnt of the Lord by the hand of Moses." Well would it l.avo been Jh.d Ihoy kept tho "charge of tlio Lord in Jill tilings. Note.— Of all the events reviewed in this chapter, this one of the cloud IS the only one that is supernatural All else was such as was natural under the circumstances The census the ordering of the camp, the offerings, th^ provision of Si ver trumpets, the setting up of the tabernacle were si ch as might have taken place, or. in fact, have taken place, Tn the setting out of Pilgrimages, or of a division of Crusaders or of a great corn^ pany of Emisrants to some land of promise, in these modem dT. But it IS very striking to note the spiritual significance of all the events, both natural and supernatural. "LauLc. oi an tne Almost every feature of the life and histoiv of this people is a type or image of some spiritual reality in the individual soul o^ in the organized body of Christian disciples. We. in these days ' speaS of oui-selves as having left an Egyptian bondage, viz that of sin we have the promise of a heavenly land of corn and 'Wine. Tndw^ tSrnL,?" ^'mh"^ ''^' constantly singing of it; we are marching thiough a wilderness on the way thereto, and expect to meert with enemies whom we are prepared to fight; all Christians are organized, under one standard or another, while thus marching, the aE,ge-at(^ making up the Catholic church. Of that march, tco and what'' we expect on the way. we are constantly singing: " Like a mighty army Moves the Church of God." Both individually and collectively we are fed with bread from heaven on the way, and we have the pillar of Are and cloud for our It Is this spiritual eignificamce for ourselves and our own day which gives life and pawei' to theae ancient narmtives They are no curious stories of a time, long past, interesting onlv to the hJstoncal student or antiquary. They are of the present" They are real. They are instinct with power. Thev are in 'a word IJio/itabk' for tni. X.) That was the m.nnentouB s gnal they had waited for. Word was now pass.Ml throngh he camp K very man took his ,,lace. Hvery fan.ilv ranged Itself nnder the banner of its trib... Tlum the standards weiv untnrlec!, and the vast h..st began to move rheir faces were now turned northward, and the land of pronuse was before then., distant about a hundred and twenty nules. It was a stony and sandy wildern<>ss thev naa to traverse ,„ pbiees mountainous, intersected bv deeb rovmes. and difficult even for a small caravan to tr verse as travellers find to th.M,. g.eat disc<.mfort in these times' Much m.Mv then was it to a host like this. Hut thev mi-ht reasonably expert to eon.pass th.' entire distanc-.-Mn.fbe on .he b(.rd<'rs ot Canaan in sixty or sc^ventv davs \nd doubtless their hearts beat high at setting out. "with'ev- pectatKui of so doing. Little alas, c.uiid tlu-y Imve dreamed of what was before them; little eould they think thai thev would ivacli the very Ix.rder of (\uiaan. and then, throngh cowardi.c ivfus,^ to enter it; above all. they eould not divam that the hor.t would be condemned to wander Uuly years in this wretched wilderness, and that non<' of the men whose names ^ad been enrolle,! f«>r war would enter th<. land, save onlv v ■. fajth- fn! ones. This, however, was what (ame to pass. HoHAn, TUi; ^riDIANITi;. They had not proceeded far befoiv they met the encamp- ment of H<'bab. ti.e brother-in-law of Moses, and son of thit famous Midianite Jethr.. who had given such sagacious • \ 442 Murmurings and Sedition on the March. counsel. (He was called indifferently Jethro tiud Raguel, tis we see by tlie (...ok of i:x()(lus.) The lieait a good irilh ».s', (1, 1(1 ire irill ./■> thvc qood! But Uohal) rct'nsed. JJe wanted, apparently, no better land than this wilderness, wi(h iis freshness^u^d iis wiU'. free- dom; just as its denizens of 1h.- jtreseni day, the Arabs, do now. Closes, hi.vvever, press-d him, saying thnt Hobah could !»< .1 r:ical US.' to them on their journ*.-*, ht-ing a.-.- customed (o caniping in the wilderness, and to ket'idnjjr a walihful t\ve on pnemies ■ onnd about. Thou maifvsr be to us in, said ilie great leader. And he added, pteading stil! vHji a l,,v]ng (>arnestness, it shall hr, if thou s.half ;!i> irilh um: imi. it .yhiill he. that what r/oodnefis She Lord fihitl! unto us', the mmc toitl ice do unto thee. Ajiparenny. this plea prevailed, for we know, ftom the book of Jndgcrs (i'hap. I.). Ihat the family of noi.tl) was with the Israelites when (hey crossed the Jordan forty years afterwards. ITow strikingly lliis incident typifies what often pasaea into exj-erience in Christian times, when a minister or godly relative is endeavouring to persuade some wanderer to turn his feet towards the heavenly Canaan! saying, as Moses said to Hobab. Coiiir thnu with «.s, and we ii:ill do thee flood! And how often it is that the message of love is at first refused, but that by loving entreaty, and the power of the Spirit of God, the obdurate heart is softened, and the wanderer's steps are turned homeward. * I^ 's ai this point that we have given to us that famous watchword of tla^ camp, which survives in one of the most striking of the I'salnis (^rsalm Ixviii). For it came io pass when the arh- set forward that Moses said, "Rise vv, Loud, and li:t Tiu.m: knf.miks mo scattered:" and when it rested. Return, <) Lord, Id the luanif thousands of Israet. The Fiust MuifMuui.\(;.— Chap. XI. It must strike .ui attentive reader that in till the previous narrative of the march there is no mention of any prov >^?<-in ♦ Note. — This incident Is uoMceable, too, as an instance «? viu.. exercise of human fore-^^'i' t and Tvisdom wbidh went al" ^? v'l' ' .<•-;« with trust in Divine ■ . r, that characterized the ^ , i of Bible times. Moses ki hat God was to guide then, -v . nid. Yet ha said to HobaO—oome, for thou mayest be to i, i -istead of eyes ! So it is in these times. Pray, said Cromwell at ">>; r, but keep your powder dry. Murmurhiffs ami Sedilion on the Marcli. 443 intw .1" ""'i;^-^' '•.'"•^ tliing- indeed, and stamping the march as unuiuc in liistory. But liad it no Cuniniis.saiiat? indeed it had. For He S\^'m! ^•'-'•^P^'^^il'le for the p.^ovisioniny of this army was the Supreme J.ord of all the harvests of the earth whose care it was and is. to see to the fc-edinj, of a m'a 1 nd. Iron. n,m they, had the Manna, a n.ost ^uitahi,. food h y bA day. And havinj.- tiiis. ihey ronld not lack. ^ bnt It was respectino- tHi^ that the iirst of the creat mnmunngs broke ont. J.et ns hear in mind, in eonsideriu- this, iliat they were an army on the nuirch, and tiiat thev had a and Howni}- with milk and honev j.romised thein. whieh land was at no j,n-eat distance, and to reach which surely, an army could submit to some .^inall deprivation of the luxuries of settled life. It does hot seem that the women and children comi)lained. It was the men, doubt- less, let they suffered no such privations as numbers ot armies, in both ancient and modein times, have had to submit to, for they had a sufticiencv of a food that was suitable. They were only deprived of meat and , oftetables ' surely a small matter when they had other food— and suitable food— in abundance. Rut previouslv to the great outbreak, there had been a sort of muttering before the storm, a comjilaining resjjecting we know not whal. But it was iiighly displeasing to the Lord, and was i)unished by a fire breaking out. This, however, is told in the briefest manner, and it seems to.have been confined to the outside boundaries of the camp. (Chap, xi, 1.) _ But now arose a great murmuring about the food, and in a very noticeable way. There was a "mixed vnilfitiulr" about the camp, a riff-raff of various nationalities, gathered from tlie cities of Egy])t doubtless; the scum of tlie popu- hition. There are always such in the track of an armv, and of both sexes, camp followers of loose life, seeking piunder for the most part. Such a multiiude went out with the great Crusades, and their evil ways of licentiousness and plunder brought disgrace upon the enter])rise again and again. Why this mixed multitude was suffered to remain about the Israelitish cam]) we know not. Doubtless it was because they could not be got rid of. For if banished, tliey could return, and hover about the outskirts of the host as long as they could find subsistence. These people had no moral stamina, neither faith, nor hope, nor courage. For they had no part in the i)romise of the good land. Living only for pleasure and self-in- dulgence, they now broke out in open revolt, lusting for flesh. And, as is so commonly (he case, their evil ways 'f ' ; 444 Infected t' lli that to Murmurmg. and ScdUio,, on the March. at -evil conmunicatL/ron^^^^^^ / *" """' ^^- '^'•'''- -'^^•'' «ay, the Israelii shr^r^,^!^^.^'^:''''""';^^-'' ^'^^""•^ful pi-omi.s.,1 land, f.,r«ot i . , . ^^kS'''"^'' I"'"''"''"' *<^''f-"»t tl'^-' wretched and \.lM;d sh 'm J H .^'n^/'y^l*'"^ •"" "'^- the melon., and //,c /c'a- '"ff'f'^l'^y'theeuvuwher.and Miserable troa res vL ""u^^^^^ ''"' •""■'''''^• tl.em; at heart s/av's slill ""^^"'"'^^- "^ ^he .lestiny before infinite nai,.s nn'» .,^.^"!il,^^"./''''?''3} ?vho had bestowed people was wroth with them i;it\!;:;;*^;",,:s,/';;i?-:,^:;;Ti,r^^ V, • "'^*^' ^^<'>'^- a'xl become like other i leir*' uwi \..f Abram-s faith fail twice? Did not th r. 1 ii-. . . oru. behave like a sick ,irl.-as \^.J^.X't:v^ Moses under the guidance of the Dinne i^nirir thus Erted ir "'7' "'"'"*^'"- ^'"^^ "eak-hearted so ^^w la^ pl r ""^''' •'^'"^^••f'-'" after days mav be .on.fort d For (,od was not anfjry with Moses at this tinu' th l," He .J.1S snbseqnently. lie save a most ^ ac r^aXfr For He knourth our frame. He rememherefhtlTtTareTln't He romn,anded that seventy men be looked onj me of we.Kht and mark amongst the people, who slumld assist Moses m bearing the bnrden of the people ]Z lin- to From this ,t may inferred that Moses had not aoTed tipon the w,se counsel given him a year before bv his thus fa t her Munnurij,;,, ami Sedition on the March. 445 th» ;;;■;;- ,Kx.K.. xvili... ...ui ...,1 .tm end. I'<'<»j>le itloiic. II l»i<»keii down in,,] h'volve iinrhoi-ii V u <" was not the 'avored to rule er s only ruler wlio h is th re« •' <;<'innion teiupfalion of "••I. »n attempt, for Ihr .1 •on others, and fh.- love of ru] US ■<'nt Kn^'lish liistorv I 11 ill hijjh posifi of its con ^^•quenees. "IS yiven us exiiin]»les of d islike to iny alone \'ery lis. and ion. tl I ':;k. ::r'7!:v'':^ «^vi' '"i Hut w Testament.) (Acts v. 34 now a terrible j.unishnient a de.serv<.d punishmeni. and ihey were allowed to Inive tl awaited the •'I'H, of which et al.) one well fltt niurmurer! at times, the verv U'lr own way, which iny the otTen ce adult yet llcsh which, wliil worst punishment th is indeed. or child. They Inst,.,] f, >r tiesh. Flesh i( n,es great fiooks of birds winging their way rom Arab! to Egypt m annual migration. This was the agency rand use of by the Lord to bring the supply of flesh they c™yd i ! M"*' :p 446 Murmuri»f/< oid f^cffifiou on the Maroh. for. The birdH .^mu^ in rsMaordiiiai-y luni.lM.rH (IIm-v wore ii gimi.. bird ^^ou.owhiu siniiliir to a pui'lridm.i, v wore lieir K n"-', ''"; """! *•' "'"""^ *"^' ••'""•» '" -"'""'-'^ '^'-" iK.is .18 llo<>k> ot corUHii sj)oci,.s of birds do .MTHHinimliv n,.r ."'y° /""'''• .^'''' ""'"'' iKM.MninK oxhunHl.-d by long tii«lil. i.'8t.Ml on 111,- j.T.,uiins f<. order, ..tn to .M.r^oM, and (old him of this, and .T<.siiua, then in attendance upon .Moses, with a true niiiitary instinct of "ordor," aiiMwercd. and said J/// Lord l/fwcs. ^.r?'/ Ihciii. A perfect type Is .Joshua in this, of those, .vdio. in moder.i days, ulhi; with a well-meaning zoal for order. hav«' ii'peutedly for- bidden men whose names ''were not v 'Ken in (lie roll."' but who were, beyond (piestion enu' .xl with (he spirit, and able to prophesy, if not in tabernacle, In the camp. The reply of Moses was thai 1 ge-hearled and gen- erous soul. But it was more. le r y was of (he Sjiirit of God. For Moses said, Enrk<< thou \iit' wji mikef WDuhl God that all the Loi-d\s people leere prophetn, and thai the lord leould put His Spirit upon fheiu! (v. 29.) In the ver.; same spirit (and how could It be otherwise) was the reply of the Divine Teacher to certain zealoiiB dis- ciples, who sa^\ one casting out devils in (lie nntue of ^ if Murmur iiKjn and Sedition on the Mai'h. 447 Christ, iiiid forbiul liiin. bwaiiHi', said thuy, he fulloifdlt not Kith Hs.' Here, alsu, was one wlioso nanu! was "'not writ tea in tlif roll." But what said otir Lord? Forbid him not; for then is no man that shall do a miracle in My Same that ean lii/htli/ sinal: ecil of M<\ (Mark ix., oK.j Thus is the uuitter put on the true yruuud. If tlu' men who prophesy and preach, can only shew the I'luil of devils Hpiritually cast out, arid miracles of salvation wrought, through their means, by the power of Divine grace, the word of tiie Lord is eijually to-day, as it was in olden times, Forbid them not! The Sedition or ^ imam and Aakon. Tlie jx'oide journeyed from the scene of disaster at Kibroth-llattaa\ah for a few diiys. still facing northward, when a very strange and unlooked-for occurrence took place. The spirit of murmuring seems to have become in- fectiouH ISO easily do bad examples spread), for it now actu- ally broke out in the family of .Mose> himself, a family that might well ha\e been (ailed "the holy I'amily" of that people. Miriam, tlie sister of Moses, was some years older than !nniself, I'or it was she who was set to watch the floating <';.dle on which the infant Mo^es was placed on the Nile. It i-i probable that Aaron was older to<». They ;id been, as a fnmily. jierfectly united in the ser- vice o, .d from tlie time when the great call was given to Moses and Aaron to delivr the peojile from Kgypt. Moses and Aaron together went before Pharaoh. Miriam it was who led the women of Israel in their joyful songs after thcMM'ossing of the Ked sea. Aaron, indeed, had miser- alily failed in duty in the mutter of the golden calf, lint he ha»i been forgiven'. And sini • then he had been endued w'th the great office of Tligh Priest, and it had been ordained that the luiesthood. for nil time, should appertain ex ni- sively u> him and lo his descendants, lie. then, had no cause for envy or jeii lousy. r.ut the spi it of jealousy broke out in this family, never- theless, and it was maiufested in a manner that shows onlv too plainlv how these eminent i.erscms were subject to '''like iiassions irith niirsrlrei^r Foi' the quarrel arose iirimarilv fi-om the jealousy of Miriam towards her sister- in-law the wife of Moses. \\\w had joined him in the desert, ^'ow there is not. in the niu rative. the slightest appearance of auv assumption on the pMi't of this woman, or of any favoritism towards h.-r diildren \.iM tMd,.ii(l.\ the m..vmjr spiiit in ,|,is „iabn.«k and slio cr':',;:^;;,'''''''''r-^''''''''''j'--'-'- ••^-"^-^ mu, as lie l„l on a Umxwv .MCiisic.n. as a w.-ak ni ihI.mI diu'dion. And h,. was iM-rs.iad.'d in j„in in (his atli.k u woman wl ., was not an IsiiK-liU.. .she is ralh-d an Lthioinan. which word, both he,-, and in oth,-,- places is DJ s oadinK to us, who havv been aecuston.ed to the modern Efh.op.a on (he Nile. The on.nnal w an assault upon Moses as the s.demed.nn, of eonnnunicati.m from A .^htv (lod to the people. ■■•^.m.* //«/// //^c Ar>/7/ /«,/m?. the- p,,id. i>„h, xfmhlt In, \fo.vs? Jiot/i He not .•^/tolcni also hi/ ,/,s/ There does not ai>pear to have been the shadow of foun- dation for this assumption. bn(. as we know, jealoiisv and envy do not j.ror.-ed upon m,s,»,. There is no si-n what- ever that these two ever received any Divine comninnieation apart from ^fos.^s. And the Lord very speedilv viiidiraled His servant. We may notice, by the way. the statement here made, that tl,rm(ni Unsn:, ,n,s rrr,, ,nvik. uhurv all the mm upon the face of the earth: a statement which, boinfj written bv AFoses himself, has been assailed as a piece of sin-iilar V.mceit JJnt. in reality, reim-inberinj; that :\roses wrote, as lie cer- tainly did. under Divine insi)iration. tliis verse indicates not the jndjiinent tliat Moses formed of himself but the" Divine judgment of liini. Siicli he was in tlie sight <.f G.wl.' But now comes tlie act of vindication, wliich is certainlv Rtrikinjr. The Lord spake mithUuhi (a reinai'kable word indicating the strennousness of tlie Divine purpose), to all three, commanding them to appear at the Tabernacle. The occasion, indeed, retpiired strennousness, for (he authority of Moses was assailed, and disaffection migln asilv spread MdXf'x? MurmuringH and Sedilion on the March. 44, if not at ourcHtoppod. Wliui t clt'iiilv whal cIciiifiKs of (lishirl raiiHpinMl iiftt-rwurdH sIkovimI caini), MlllCf (llt'l'C Wl.TC ill Illy Uli.'ii I lie tlin'c apiM'iiivd, (h,. Lord rallnl Aaioii lo appeal- before him; to appea iiavc tht'ii' nllciicf rclicjiiscd. And tiic. they surely Iviicw. tlial llicir l.rntla-r, al.ovi-ail || t(l WllOlll (iotl llild Spolc<'|l, ilild ilild .Mirii iin and r as culprits, and icy \v('i<- told, what <- piojthcis , , , . ■. ' wondi-rfu! nt-arucss of ac.eHS to the Divine I'lvsence. l.ein- spoi;eii iu fare to raee. ejearly. and not in visi(.n, and lielioldinn Hie very simiiinide of (Jod. so fill- as any siiiiilitnd,. eoiild 1m' showli jo niorlal man. Miiiani and Aaron well j mercy was ex«>rcised. Vet tliere must be judjrment. and that in si^'ht of the whole host. :\Iiriam was of necessity ])ut mitside the cam]), but the pei'iod of her sepai-ation was limited to seven days. Then slu> was healed. But wlule she was thus separuti'd. the ciimp moved not forward. Doubtless sorrow struck the hearts of the i>eo]»le at tliis judfinient on one so eminent. T?ut when slie retui'ned to the camp, thev moved steadily on. dny by day. till they rcsiched the borders of Canaan. \\ll\ I*:-' in tl ClIAl'TKJi lil. TUK ,MlS.S10\ Ul- TJIIC Sl'lKS i, AM) ITS <-'0NSK(JLE.\CKS. Numbers, Chap. 13, 14. A\'Len tbe liosi had near to the border of C ])roLfL'dcd forward iiiuil it came t/ic iveu to Moses by the J.ord aiaaii, a reiuarkabk' direction w '. iz., to send out as ■ch men to sea) CO sec at fai^t sight, for no matter what the search revealed Lri' nd "m!r' :;': -i,^'""^' ''" ^'""^ p-pose"; ^"'11; ut\is(. t(,i Ins servants to obev. It is so evt'ii in il... smaller sphere of ear.hly authmMty, as h ,s' .^ oadv b^ n reasoned on, in these studies. ,See the (^h pter on he onermgoi Isaac., -Much more. Uieniu rhe Divine ihc command was to send picked men, one of every tribe except Levi, all of them leading ,,en in' the' .mjt^TW i.M-n w,Te. Iheren.re. looked ou(. and their nanu-s n ■ given in the record. Joshua, though then a young man M.as one. And it was then that his name, Oshea, ias InkrgeJ I Sr^n":;ir^; i'''"' 'S'''^'"^- saviour) whh.h bt^cai,-^ shoitened to Joshua, and ,s. in the Creek ton-.,n.,., the gra- ei.ms name o( our own Divine Saviour. -Jesus. (I is to be ^■^fo^V T'ln ?'" ^^" 'l^<--ueut the word jes!;; is u.,ed tor Joshua [1 ebrews ,v.. S| which much obscures the sense. The r.'vis.-d version c(UTects it I The diivrl ions given by the great leader to these men -ye d.svmgmshed by as much sagacity and foivthought as It there had b.-(Mi no Divine promise to give lh,'m tl.(> land So It ever is. with all the dependence of (iod's servants on His promises, they are bound-f.u- this is the Di\ ine order- to use their own faculties to the utmost. IVav as if there were nothing but Divine help; but work as if it did not exist at all. Thus, then. Moses directs the search to be made exactly as the search of men for land in theso davB would be made. And here are his directions-— See the la, Hi what it /.s. ami the people that' direll therein r^hethcr thei/ he s-lroiif/ or weak, feir or many. The Mission of the topics, and its Consequences. 451 And ichatthc land is that they dwell in, whether it he mod or hud; and what eitirs tlu„ he that they dwell in, whether m tents or stromjhohis. And what the land is. Whether it h , >t or lean, and whether there be wood itierem or not. Tims inij-ht the president of a laud eompauv, .u- the h^id ot an eA-poratu.,, speak to a seaivlnug pa.'. v in om- t me wl^.n sending them out to some unoceup ed reu ,u i of the dark eout.ueut to seek out a place of settlenn-nt. Jtndlnr' n,:'-;^:; ^'"^'''"«' ,*^"»'^''1''"1.^ of the men he was f^i^d ny^ j,,,,^.^ ^1,^,^^. ^^.^.,.^, jj^^^ clH.ieest nu-n of their tribes ""The f uY T/" ™'"'"'''' "'"' '"'"^ ""f ""' f'-"l^ "f '/"■ lo"^! e p.n(y then set out, cross the border, and jmoc...! H-^^'LlP J^'f T' '^""^^' "^ f"" ^^''^ <'f (inliUv ;o sto f 'm''? t^^^ borders of Syria; then, returning, they sto at iiebron, and ....t down an .•xtraordinarv*'clus,er ot gri.pes. which they hnd in a valley there, called Ksiuoi i^v d"if /\^'"'''' "*■ ^'''^'''' ^^^^ "^^"^^ being ^de- mcd from this event. Th.- search occupied fortv days They passed ,n safety through I he land, which had c I, a .'id marve luusly since the days wlu>n their ancestors. Abraham and Jacob had pastu.rd their tlocks therein. Vnv it wis now a well-peopled country, wi.h many wahe.l towns, d Milages, and ta.-ms, and vinevards Ke.u,-ni.ig. ihey mak,. their Veport to (his elle.'t. address- ing themselves to Moses and the Congregation, (v 26 ) i.oiKth ti ,tl milh- and honey, and thi.. /.s- thr fruit of it i\h' oe.. (he d..s.Tiption Mas ortainly true.) The iu-arts of tie people now beat high with e.vpec.atiou. when suddeuiv their topes are dashed to the ground. For the spies go on: Ac..;7 c/c..,-neverthelessV What is the d.invlS' Aanthehss, the ,„o/dr l,r ..Irony, and thr cities are walled and rery ynvt. And we saw the children of Ana', .'here! \i these woi-ds a st.-ange teri-or filled th<' hearls of ihe iK'ople m.ich as some prosi.e,»iv<. selth-rs in a region o. Vupied b.v I.-o,,uo,s in the old lime might hear of this formidable r.b" ...habit.ug II. and be af.-aid to venture into it. Vnd !t e hecHl was paid to the ,-est of the report, which t..ld i«^./ ' -V""'*''^')''^ '^^■'""" "'".^- 1<"''W as bitfr e.iemies. dwelt lu t li.^ sou h near the wilderne.ss; the Hittites, ai.d the ,l.>bu sites, and the Amnionites occ.ij.ying the ...ountains, vni. A'^""T"'^r ^''' ''•*"""'^' ''•^' ""■ ""''•'' <"'•" 'i'«o the valley of the Jordan. There was now rising a spirit of excitement a..d alarm .n the hosf. but Caleb, who was ji^obablv spok(>sn.a.i as repfosenling the royal (ribe of Judah. went on to (luiet the n..nds of (he pe..ple. ai.d to say: Let us <,o up at once, jilt!'* 452 The Mission of the trnr in our . J !\ \,Z. hop/H'rs. uHd so ,re were in their siqht' ' K\ Klcntly tliosc aio not tlu- mon who aro fi( f,„. il,p <'"i.-rpnso of oonquorin^^ ll.,> !an<1. For. iUtho ,..-1. I, ,il tv ami ,a n^ ^ ■ ,?i "••;n.-. faifh in Divine stm.j,!!,. an.l of ,] is 1 hm/w ,s an on I lie absence in (liese men Hleption did these contra- d.ctory reports rec-ive from the people? Did thev beliovo n.iloi T- 't? '"' '"Vl ?•■• "I'-' "" SO. f..r (iodhas pro-' imsed It. Ihis would have been a course agreeable to sound reas(m. as all Scriptural faith is. of tin' \ew TeHt-i- nient as well as the Old.* _ *NoTK.— An able writer, some years ago, wrote a treatise entitled Re.a.son and Faith, their Claims and Conflicts." But ther« is and b> QUI Lord and His apo-'tles, or th? faith of Old To^tampnt -lint", and h-v 03. The tru- conttlrt is between reason and suwr^ntinn or reafio.n and vrPiiuUln. Superstition and credulitv rest on the' iBventi-ns of men, too often in the Church itself, but faith on the solid rock of the- word and power uf Aimishty Gnd The Mission of the Spies, and its C 'onsequences. 453 all that had Iiwiuc'd sfaJe Sv^l .^r "' ''''""'^"> '''^''^ it mu«t be said \hat uubSief S b'lind .^^'^'n ''"'' "^^'•"' ^Vo were as yrmshonpersl^^ulth... •^'^^''f^'^^^oW'irilU. liost, instead of tSin?ivomH.t?'.1" '^" ■'""' '^*' '^^^' li.-arted leaders beSSem"^,.^r''r"''^ "' '^"^'^ ^'^*'"'- JHss. m this last pravei- tliev were h.^u-.i ti. .. i i .Lieu '^' k/ ,;:rau; r„ Th " wr,"f ".""l^K """ ^"'' Ui^ l..nnt jmongst the people, and they said one t^> ..i the- "Y •, et us return." Bold to do wrong; for to re rn was .;: more difficnlt and dangerous than "to go forwar To be 'h with they certainly could not have found The wav Pi J next the^- would have no provisions for the ou-n^n'Thev S;ealen""whe;;"tT '''* ^'"' ""''^^ ^'^"^^ ^'^''^ -^ ^ S3m« ^>'^>- ^er*. marching in defiant rebellion against His command and will. And even if they got back safely to Egypt, what then? What hut t< be condemned to a harder bondage than ever. So short-sighted soThu hamTd'Iw? '^v "'^ ---^-^-"^- But the God o? Iva! ham had better things m store for His descendants, -xne children of these rebels inherited the land, promised long Moses and Aaron were simply confounded at the mad- rod t T ^''^''' "'' f''' '"^ ''''''' ^«^-' doubtlessbe^o ; rTi J K '^f •'■'''■' .''"''"^ ""^ '■" '-^nfjui^'i- R"t .Toshua and '^aleb broke out in strenuous remonstrance. The 1an earnestly Glory op id of man! lis prayer, int for the r the sake have par- I live, all isfied, and times that e glory of The Musion of the Spies, and its Consequences. 455 But this people-what is to be done with them'' Thev r fuse to carry out the Divine purpose. Thev Var mot" return tru^eit:tlShS:i^;nLl^ir"'^^^"' -'''' "'"^ ^^^ thJv'th.'^n*''"''''/^'-'''^?"^' «^^^« ^«^^J^' that for Forty Years they shall wander ni the wilderness, a vear for ever^ (?iv of search.ng; until all the adults amongst them have beS consmued and die. save only Joshua and fVileb these fa. Th ful ones amongst that faithless host. The chihh'n then shall go in and inherit the land. i una. en tQen Another marching order is now given. Tomorroir turn Ihese silver trumpets were to sound a retreat; the saddest note that can break upon the ears of an army But on hearing l„s, a perverse spirit breaks out again The very Wen'n ,?" "'?i''^'*'^ l'«««"«'^ed them in this wirderness ! / '^^i It afterwards be called ^dered to i(J eat. IheA made a show of acknowledgment of sin HnV'"" Ti "" ? ^<^/<'''Jninati..n, now, to go up and possess the land. Ihe developments of human nature aiv strikinir enougli h.^ro. It is certain that their confession of sin was in word only. It did not come from the heart for all genuine repentance leads to obedience. Hut, as thev re- fused to obey the command to turn, thev refused to listen to the M-arning of Moses not to go forward, and in their self-will presumed to advance into the liill country that strcitched between the host and the land of promise. They seem to have becm utterly incapable of understanding th*»ir position as a people divinely guided and protected Th^-r were, in truth, a godless race. Though warned that the Lord would not go with them (and how could they expect it?), the} pushed on in rash- ness, the ark of the Lord nnt being with tbem. .vnd the ii /i'Sf'B ! lU' 456 The Mission of the Spies, and its Consequences. uatural consequence followed. Amalekites and Cauaauitisb tribes were round about. Doubtless tbey bad been bover- ing about during tbe wbole journey. But tbey dared not attack a bost so perfectly disposed for defence as Israel was. Now, bowever, tbe poople went up witbout tbe military guidance of Josbua, and probably not in good marcbing order. So tbey fall au easy prey to tbeir foes wbo occupy tbe bigber part of tbe bill side, posted in an advantageous position, and wbo come down, as tlH> narrative says— cbarging down, as we would say in modern military language— and .smiting and discomfitiiag them, chase them back to the camp. Thus ended this ill-starred and rebellious expedition. And now, with sorrowing hearts on the part of some, hut apparently with a smouldering sulkiness and rebelliousness on the part of most, tbey turned their faces away from the land of milk and honey, a land which, even now. had as its government is, charms the eye of the traveller bv con- trast when emerging from the very wilderness where these perverse Israelites were now encamped. What happened to them afterwards we learn from subsequent chapters of the Book of Numbers. /■M^ «r.* fences. Cauaanitish been liover- t they diired defence as without the not in good their foes, )osted in an he narrative ern military chase them expedition. :>f some, hut 'belliousnesH away from now. bad as (Her by con- where these happened to chapters of CHAPTER IV, TuE Rebellion of Korah, Dathax, and A Numbers, Chap. xvi. BIRAM. mmsmm '.no member of a family a-ainst anoth.-r \<^ < " , re ! with bro r' '"' f-;".v ..'-'■•els. Tho oonterltions of ro h r ^ith brother arc :;K-e the bars of a cmfJe, said the wise !< i - iXnhimth'Tlffi" '^V'^'^'f ^r'^^'^y ^-^^o^^tc!^i^^ nZ ^^ '^""^ ^''"^'^- •"^'^ ^*^*^° refused (as how could It be other .,,se when it was contrary to the Divine law rhroffic^e^-fol^ii;!;*^""'"^^ '^^ ^^""-* -^ -««-• -d 'tSi In cf.mpany then, with these two hundred and fiffv "men of renown." Korah and his companions. Dathan ml \b ram. jjathered themselves tofjether. and in an interview with Moses and Aaron stated their case bitterlv and forcibly VJa'I'^ "'"''\"/'«" ."«"• they said to the two leaders.' And they support this complaint by a false application of f»tW<* ■}ii. 458 The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abm am. a truth revealed; than which there is uothiny more common m ecclesiastical controversy. Now, as then, God's revealed truth some sentence or sentences of the teachings of Jesus Hwpf,i ''^ • ^^P,''*^^'c«' »''^' *-onstantl.v -luoted to impu-n lawful claims, or to support unlawful ones, to bolster up some false tradition, or some denial of the analocv of faith For what is it that these men said? They (iiaJte the de- claration made to the people when encamped before Sinai, that they should be a kuujdom of priest,, and a holy nation, (^xod. XIX., G.) All the congregation arc holi/, crrrii one of tjie;,,, they say; an undoubted truth, in the senne that all the congregation were a separated people from the rest of the world. But from this truth they drew a false inference and one plainly against the rest of the Divine revelation by Moses, viz., that, because all the congregation were holy, none amongst them should be separated to lii-'h ottice, none should be leaders, none should be priests Wherefore, then, they say to Moses and Aaron, 'lift tie yourselves above the congregation of the Lord? It is hard to conceive such a pitch of hardv defiance of God s own appointments, as this hyi.ocritical reasoning im- plies. \V hy, was not Korah himself a Levite. and "lifted un above the congregation," by being set apart to the service of the tabernacle? And did not the same Divine word that declared the whole nation to be priests, ordain and set apnrt Aaron and his sons to exercise the office of priests, and to serve as such in the tabernacle; the most careful (IirectionH being given as to the manner in which they should serve, the dress they should wear, the sacrifices they should offer, and this to the exclusion of all others? And had not the visible sign of all this been before their eyes every day, in the cloud resting on the tabernacle, where this ministry was to be exercised? Was not the tabernacle set apart from the rest of the camp, all the tribes except Levi being disposed round about it to guard It; the tribe of Levi being separated and released from military service for the purpose? But, as has been observed alreadv, the passions of jeal- ousy and envy are not governed by reason, and, filled with this wicked and unreasonable spirit, these men rushed on to th'^'*r own destruction. Moses, hearing all this, and seeing the large number that joined in it, again "fell on his face," bowing before the Lord carrying this trouble to Him as a sure refuge, appealing to God to vindicate His own choice of servants for the execu- tion of His will. He then arose, confident and calm. While he was in prayer, God had spoken to him. For, evidently, what he says to Korah is not of his own devising. It is the ram. ore common d's revciilcd igs of JeHns I to impujin ' bolster up )gy of faith, note the de- efore Sinai, holy nation. •:rery one of i«e that all the rest of le infereme, ? revelation :ation were ed to hinake himself altogether a prince over flM-m. Dathan and Abirara surely forgot Aim ghty (xod had done by him. Then, their spirit of insubordination growing still more unreasonable, thev go on Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that flmnfh wm milk and honey, or giren us an inheritanee of fields and vineyards!" What? Dare these nn^n say this, after their own cowardly refusal to enter and possess the land'' Was ever such a iiitcli of blindness and perversitv! How thev do heap condemnation upon tiiemselves. and justifv the Divine rejection of them as unfit for the promised inherit- ance. They cap the climax of tlmr folly bv exclaiming at last to Moses, "Tr/7^ thou put out the ei/es of these men " We will not come up?" Can we wonder that on hearing such out- rageous words, even the patience of Moses gave wav for he said, addressing the Lord, Respeet not Thou their off'crinq; I have not taken one ass from them, neith " have I hurt one of them! That day passed; a day that ought to h . brought reason j'l !H 460 rh> Jtemiim of Korah, Dathm, mul AUmm. of fht- nations (,f ilu/yvorlVvv ."'•"'''' '" ""' '''«''"'.v of the chiefs <.f the ^on:i:'^^:'l^:';^\;,^\^X''''''- "'" iu.idnidTs;;;nrthe't^i"';;'"'' '"'^ •:'-i-^ >-■ .i.e came with their censers thns oi • "" """' ^Ik-.v priests' omee. '^.e^ . «r^' tre?,^'''^,,"''';? "'7" /'"^ tile door of the tnbm aele-defl.t;..,. '^ .'''''' "'"'"^ ''^ Moses to do his worst ' ""'' "" " ""*''''' ''"••!"».' siKht of the whole co,rmiattn ^ ""•"'■ruHle in (he w..>io was now ,athi:.;f^TiJ':i !r ;'K;s;'!;nV'hi: iKiiK (iisis ..,.< :\roses and Aaron in(er.,..l,.,| f,„. tlu> ,imm'£„:!;;,^!l,;?f »""• ""• """ ""« '""» '« «;™'/. lii.-.oo.nau. j^i.jnaKo. but its very inn <;„■<,■ .In-wini- it, wilit.v, an'/r.//?lJm^^^^^^^ .9ervo» up from ahout Ihr irnfs of Korah, />otlu,v J ^ram -touch noilnm, of fhrir,. Jr.t „o he oo,m„„r,l in (Mr 2",' Ihe command is obeyed. The three rebelHonH Inen re left standinf,' at their tent doors, the wiven and children of T>athan and Abiram by them. The sons of Kornh how- ever, were not there. (See next page) ' power of Ood from ^Nfoses. and a challenge (o (he whole congregat.on:-/7nT7>.// .'ene,oi*'«''''' ''''"'^ .^'r'"' '' ^"''^'''Tient riiapter (Chap. xxvi. 11) haf thejo,. Of Korah dial not. There is an indioatio,i of vhiirDaihn",frV\V- ^^''" ''"• '' '^ ^«ti,.eable (v. ^Jj^that r « "*^ f ^"'•'"^' 'tood in the door of their tents nil, then- mrr. and children, before the convulsion Korah alone is mentioned when the narrative speaks of h m His sons, doubtless had refused to follow their ?a?her! Thus perished these three dangerous traitors to God's o.d.nance and appointment. But this was not the end Z?^ fiff^ u '" ^^'"^ ^''''''^ "'■'"'•' ^"t "P^'n thP'f two hundred and hft.y followers, most of whom were doubtless Levites, oven w^iiIe they were offerinp: incense, and thev, too I>onshod. • ' ' The censers they used were taken out of the burninir, and of them, by Divine command, were made broad plates for a covorinff of the altar; that all men might see. when worshipping, a memorial of the wickedness of men nnd IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V ^ //„. ^m 1.0 I.I I'" IIIIM i ■- |||M ill 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 — E ^ 6" ► p /a ^ /a ^;; >^^/ ' >v^ -^'> 'V' ^ V 6^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 462 Mi The Rebellion of Korah, DatMn, and Abiram. history of the pi?,ple '^'" P^'°*' ^" '^'^ subse.iHont Thus ended this terrible ; 1 the living and the dead, and' staying the plaj Uf U f Dl Vine 464 The Rebellion of Korali, Dathan, and Abiram. J.- i* ; f. ; m"uTiU. ™1i,°i.*S; .""^"""^f »f -ieliverance abroad with spiritual power ml Pv^l"""'''''' 'i'"' '"' »'' '""i-rt ^.rco,!:.eoti„„/a7/f;:T„'',t!:,S1''riS::^^^^^^^^^ Notes ox this Chapter. (1.) If the the infirlont r^t +i,„ swallowing up of Ko IhL? his oomnr^ ,°\*^" ^^••^^' ^^^ 't^ us remember that surh a nLn "^^""P^ny be hard to believe let one in that rej on tho.f^-h ft w'^f "'^ '°"'^ "«* ^^ ^^ unnatu a All the supernatural events relaTel Z^i:""^^^'^^^^ brought about. characf.r and surrounding as foPv.,^nt!'^!f ^'^ ^^^'"•al '° their in Egypt.-as has been seen In ^.^^^"^P'^"' the whole of the plagues strange that such a violeu? Ustlirhir/ '^^P'^'- ^°'^' '' ^t seem be brought about merely to nniJhthf /^ ■''° earthquake should the very great seriousness of ?hfn*^I ^^^ °>^°- '^t us remember ^ncw and strange thingthou d Se done for•th^^'^^ "^.^^^^'t^ ^^at servants " "^ "O"^ tor the vindication of God's alive^s"too teV\^^?'aEt*;^y'"o^it7^.'^^ '^^-=" -^"-ed up death would not be nearly Jo minf.flnr; 'f V^ remember that this iorms Of disease, or a Krin ° wv> if authority and clalir word. But this styfe S^reaJni '^ ^Tn ''^^'"^ «^ the Di who dissent have nn ^Lirt , ^ ^"' "^t hold. For 1 «'^v Christian comLSfon^ To minTsfe? ''^^ ''^'^ "^^ "''''^^^ '" of priests, or to perform anv of t^^ffn^K^'^^^'^'^f"*^ '^^ the manner appertain to priests ^ *^° functions which are supposed to lt.-ttoey are so far from do^ng thi fhL .^^' ^"'^ "'^^''^ claiming «t all. T^e Sin of Korah, tKore',' il'not thei?^ "'^^ ^"«^« ^^^ " CHAPTER V. The knd of the Foutv Yeahs of Wandeiuxg, and Incidents connected tueuewitu. " Numbers 20, 21. .•.btolutVblar^io^fa.' ^^.^'^'^f ^-^ -f I^--al^, there is au iee'n CeS "" m' .T f ^ *'*-^ '^^"^^^ were'conceSd had ueen lorteited. All that remained was that thev ^1 n.,wi The record of their encampment in the various neriod^ pUcked at mmmon.Pere.r' and^sol and ron irr afZ year, in unbroken monotonv, until thev come to the final encampment at that famous place, Kadesh Barne a wS ch was near the spot where they had turned back some fo -^v years before. During this time they seem to have w«n dered over a wide stretch of country, ^o n^s farsoutH; Ezion-Geber, on the eastern arm of the lied Se i famous moHaiS." ''' ^"' '^""' ^'"^'^^ ^'- «^"P^ «f ^ing "oT But when the forty years was nearly over, they sot them selves forward to the promised land once mm'e ' "" I he first mcident recorded is another outbreaJv of the spirit of murmuring, and under the same pretext There was again a scarcity of water, and again an utter foi 4t^ fulness of who they were, and what help thev cou d reIv"ou l^^l' ' tS ^^''^ ^•"*'^"''^' ^"^^ creatures of sense, and not of faith. There was no calling upon God, in confident faith 466 The end of the Forty Years of Wandering. i m |H 9 'I'nw I^^^Hh^ IS' ■, jJ|^H^ Wi 'jniJI fj^SrPi 1 \^ [H 1 \¥^ ^^B Ij'f'' -9 I :!' m n?«f hJf ^*v -f/ r '•^^^'"^g of the deliverances of the past, b.it a chi dish, peevish, petuhmt complaining against Moses; almost m the very same words as of old.^ "fS Qod we had died when our brethren died! Why have ye brought ntZT'^^'^VV^''.^''''^ ,„<« tms wilderness, that we and n ZJ ''Ti^ ^'' ^T'- ^''^'* ''^ P^"''-' It i^ no plaee of seed, 0, of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates! Neither uJ!r^z;z ',:)"'""'" '° "" """ """"' '^^'^ Now occurs- that scene that forms almost the sole blot on the memory' of Moses. Yet one can sympathize with him m It all. For it is very human. Th^se men are men "of like passions with oursdres," as was said afterwards by an Apostle of himself and his companion, Barnabas. And so the^narrativo approves itself as a real one, and no mythical Moses and Aaron fall prostrate in praver. They are commanded to take the famoys rod, to gather the assemblv, to speak fo the rock before their eyes (thev had rocks a"li around them), then the rock should give forth his water that the congregation might drink. Now what did Moses do? It is necessary to note particularly that we may see in what the offence consisted which led to his being excluded from Canaan. He gathered the people before the ledge of rocks that encircled the valley. But instead of speaking to the rock, as he was commanded, he calls out, in a very human outburst of passion, "Hear, now, ye rebels;— must we fetch you water out of this rock." (Note here the tone of self- glorihcation.) Then he did what he was not commanded to do at all. He smote the rock, and then smote it again evidently, all the while, in a state of passion, entirely con- trary to his general character. This, however, did no<^ prevent the coming of the blessing. The wants of the people and their flocks were really urgent, and the Divine com- passion and power were put forth; the water gushed forth abundantly: sufficient for the wants of the people and their flocks and herds. But the Lord was deeply displeased with Moses and Aaron. Note the perfect truth of ihe narrative. It is most natural under the circumstances. These two men, Moses and Aaron, are not set forth before us as a kind of superior beings, exempt from the possibilities of wrongdoing. The story of the life of Moses would have been of little value to us had it been set forth in that way. It is almost certain that it would have been so set forth in a merely human chronicle, or if the story were largelv mvthical. 'But no The Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Wisdom, with a view to the The end of the Forty Yearn of Wandering. 467 f-diurrof'^VhrH''' -"".""H ''^''^^ ^"^^"^^d t" be recorded the and fram nt W f.^ ^^'*^ '" *^^'^'J'*' ^^^^ ^""ble dealing mitbre ,^ nf Ai ' t^^««7"rdi^'« ^f Aaron, this passionate oiitbieak of Moses, and above all, the lus and crueltv of 1 avvid, and the ahno.st unbelievable folly of Solomon In all these cases, there was failure and fall in the^eiT ele iiit,u Birongest. llius is explained the euiDhiific wirninrr :let n,n that thinkcth he .taLih t,ke llctCleZt'^li s, If any man /Am/, that he is particularly stn-ngn some grace some virtue, some trait of Christian cSacLrTt him be particularly on his guard there. "^•t^ier, lei It seems to our human apprehension, a hard sentence for what might seem to be a light offeree vi/ tlnf n .S^! . rr^'r^r'"" f^'""'^ ^"^^' tl'« proimsed1anS''Bu 'in "ngs Sv '"SSd n'"" "'^ n *'^^ '^"•^^'^' He doc"h al uungs iigntl.v. And there is not a word to indicate anv murmuring on the part of Moses and Aaron at t lie sentenS^ •md "tr/''^'' 'f"" P"'^*"^'^ ^"•^ character be cUske?ed mfuired!" """ '""'"^ '^ ^'^^^'"' ""' ^^^^^ ^^^^ >vin be The words in which the sentence is conveyed are most n..ticeab e: '^Because ye believed Me noi, tomnetfy Xle S?he T'l- /^? .^" "^^ ^^^^^*^ ^'<-' tlJ"s see to be an action of unbelief, that is, he doubted whether a mere ipeaking tl .P !.'?. h'"''"''^ ^' Bufticient, though this was precisely wha he had been commanded to do. And, evidently the pSe knew what he had been commanded to do/ so tlilt The Ing tSem. '' ^^' dishonoring to the God ^ho was lead But now all was ready for them to move forward to the land of promise. And, apparently, the intention at first was to proceed due northward by the same route th it thp «pies had followed forty years before. Tha route woSj have led them to the border of Canaan within a few weeks at most, for they were distant from it not mo^e tlTan Tftv miles. But a Canaanitish king, Arad by name he?rd S their intended movement, massed a for^-e^ opposition made a raid into the Israelitish camp, and took some of TW s'orhTthe VZ ''1 'T' '/ t'^' P-P'e was'rTsed' iiiey sought the Lord, who heard as he is always readv to hear them that call upon Him), and gave thm victory oyer the Canaanitish king. They destroyed his host and t::^i^:^:i,t ^-^-^^ ^^ ^'^ ''-' formal;:?' w^or.i iJ^T ^^^''1 '^'!'"P •'** ^^^^^^ it might have been expected that the victorious host would now move on to cJSrm. 1 1 ill i',' i 1 •, I ft, 408 The end of the Forty Years of Wandering. But no. That was not the Divine counsel. What mlslit have happened J^ad they j,one forward at oncrnonr?an at h.vetr..' ;"^'" would certainly not have happeS tiat Have left a permanent impress upon the history of ,^',i"i'-' 'TV ".""'"^ " ■■'^'""'-' '<"■ directing a course o a.t.„ll wliiil,, hke man,- other l.iysterious nrovidoa.es ,°, ..o'f f liira r„™' Vo°„";K;"'rx; ;', ?!,T4r and shape the course of the host eastwu-.l wiV . +i '-'^°*^*'"' I ts tuan an> they had encountered before Fven «f thJterHtor;"!f''E![c>n?^ '"'* ^•'?^ "«^' ^^^^^^^^^e, tbrou«h Ttie terim.iv of Edoni, then occupied bv the descendnnt*. nf E.au. Th.se were m, r. cl. selV allied to the Lraeli^rs than any others on the face of the eortl Rii/k ![ thouf^h they were, thev were no friends ^ LoH^'^k'^" foretold of Esai^ their progenitor^'J/"' . J4 S S t^," and true it remained so long as Edom was recoen^z able as a separate people. They took a hostile posftiof in his their very first meeting with Israel since the parting ot Jacob and Esau; for. when Moses sent them a f??endW message, desirng liberty to pass through thdr territorv they replied, "^AoM shalt not pass hy meSlTomout against thee with the sirord." *" Yet the request of Moses was couched in such terms as The end of the Forty Years of Wundei'ing. 469 should have eu^ured a friendly answer. It appeals lo the tie of relationship: We are brethren. Thou knowest our sad history, how our fathers went down to EgyplTwhe^e we and they were sorely oppressed. But our God thrGod of their ancestors as of Israel'sj heard the cry of our on ouT^e'C' TnV" ""^"'' '^"^ ''''''' bro"j/ht"urfor?h part'of'^t.^bord^i^ ^'' "'' ""^' '" ^^'^^^' *° *^« ""^^"^««t pa^ftZuThi Tr! ^'''''//^'-''^ff^' tf^y country. Wc uill not ue dnnh the tratcr of the wcllti. We uill no hi the kin&a u£'^V''i "■' "■'" "f ''"•" '' "'' *-'i'"^ hand no/ to he Ten until u-e have passed th,, borders. (Chap, xx., U to 17 ) ' Dicin, s 't'.;" ""'" • /^*''*^ '^''''^'^*" "^ the desert weii sus- The istrnir. "T'""'^ "" ^t'-^^g^--^ ill their territory. fVi' •\'^t'"«f''' ^-^^^^^^-y abounded luoie I nan in otlier placets. n^S"^"Ar '"''^'''^'''t 'l<"<"liiveran(e, it had eome lo be an objeet of adoration in itself, a process exactly similar to what has happened again and again in Christendom and which prevails extensively now. Ilezekiah. a great and good king, did wonderful things in restoring the worship of Crod in the land: He removed the hif,h places of idolatrouB ) 'V?.'"'*- '^"'^ """' ''""■" "'^ r/'"''^" connected with them (2 Kings, XVI li.) Aiid, as part of the work of roofing out idolatry from the >or to such a height liad yeneration of this relic been carried that the people had come to hum ineense before U as If It was a divinity. The action of the k ng was tho rough, and a true forecast of the action of somrima^e- breakers and reformers of Christian times. He not onlv took ,t down, but he brake it in pieces, and he cXjif ring. le iicconiiiigly :\nT ill Isiat'i, •rnvsx, ill a so locvcr btikvclh ('. Thus, in the bitf of a ittl. Ill both aliiiy, in both ! nutural, and :ht' ellrct waB 1 ami el final The end of the Forty Years of Wandering. ^1?, In ffuik'nipt, Nelnislitan, a /ntro of brass. His actiou evidently had the Divine approval, luid the men who pour obloquy on the memory of (JhriHtian i.oiu.rlasts and re- form.-rH and call them bigots and fanatics, may learn a esBon .foin the manner in which this great reformer of fhe ,U.wi8h Church i8 spoken of in the Divine word. M tii i souls in all •f the Divine ity. or IT. its purpose, issage in the gine that it ason for pre- iture (»f the be kept and le Jews, like lod oy doing pans to have rved it was ntly, by that Froiii being me lo be an y similar to tendom. and ii great and the worahij) >f idolatrous with them. f I try from the rf>ereof the IZd tTc': Xr^Ti^r' '"""'' ""'""'' ""' ' "■'" ^'^« Then Israel sang this song:— i^prin,, up. O well ,sin,/ ,/c unto it. The princes difiged the well; The mhles of the people dlf,ged it. rith their staves J tie law-i/irer leading them on! A j.icture of joyful and confident co-operation, at God's lo^Aest of the peoph> all joniing in the work, princes and m.bles shouldering their mattocks like the rest, and all X it"""T'^'"r '' <'"^\''"r'-- -^l>'-'"!> "/'- well. King ye people. •■ " ^^'""'^*'''^"' ••'""-'^ J»«« '^ome over this For the whole action was one of faith. There wns evi dently no well in that spot before. And thev 1 n^w not thlt !u u ^^V , "*^-^ *^'^' gather. Thev believed the word they obeyed the direction, they 8et to work heartn/^^^d j-sraji-ig ,^1 i|u-4| I I " 476 Marches and Conquests. ivjoicingly, they were coutident of success. Aud success came. The water sprang up, the whole congregation was refreshed, and the incident was recorded as an example and encouragement to the church and people of God in all subsecjueut times. After various sojournings, still jn-oceeding northward, the host came to the border of the Amorites. Thence the same message was sent to the king, Wihon by name, as had been sent to Edoui, ''Let me i)ass through thy land," with the same promise of keeping to *he king's highway, and medd'ing not with wells, or fields, or vineyards. But Sihon sent a more pronounced refusal'than Edom; for he did not merely threaten to UKe the sword, but gathered his forces together, and made an attack. But he was defeated with great slaughter. Not only so, but all his territory was subdued. His to' ns and cities and villages were occupied by the victorious host, a welcome change from the life of the desert. This ter- ritory formerly belonged to Moab. but had been wrested from that people by Silion, who had made Heshbon his capital. A powerful iind warlike chieftain evidently. Again there is a breaking out of triumphant song; and snatches are given of the rough and warlike ode. in which is celebrated, first the victory of the Amorites over Moab, and then the victory of Israel over them. Come into Hc.shimn; Let the city of Sihon be huilt and prepared; For there /.s a fire gone out of Heshbon, A ffamr from the city of fiihon. It hath ronsumrd Ar of Moab, And the lords of the high places of Arnon! Woe to thee, Moab! Thou art undone, people of Chemosh : He hath given his sons that escaped. And /((.s' daughters, into captivity to Sihon, ling of the Amorites. Thus far the conijnest of Sihon. Then conies a sudden burst of exultation, brief, but powerful, representing Israel's triumph over the conqueror; Lid success ;atiou was a example God in all lortbwai'd, I. Thence by name, thy hind," highway, •ds. an Edom; word, but k. Not only o' ns and ious host, This ter- 11 wrested shbon his eutly, song; and , in which ver Moab, '?, Iditff of a sudden resenting Marches and Conquests. 477 Wc hare shot at them! Heshbon is perished, eren unto Dlhon! And ur hare laid them iraste. Even nnto Xophah, which reaehelii unto Medeba! Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Anioriles. But, good land though it was, it was not the land pro- mised to their fathers. Thus, after a brief sojourn, they moved furtiier nctrthward and eastward to tlie border of the rich pastoral uphiuds of Hasiian. a region well known to their fathers, for in it was the valley and ford of Jabbok, and tlie regi(»n of Mahanaini, celebrated in the old-time history of their father Jacob. It was now occupied by a Canaanitish tribe over whom ()g was king. This Og, with- out any provocation, marched out against Israel, and at- taclvcd them. But the voice of the Lord was heard, speaking words of cheer and enc(»uragement, "Fear him not. for I have de- livered him into thy tiand. And thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto AS'jfton, icinfj of Ih-Amorites;" all which came to }.ass, for the i)eople were inspired with faith and courage. Believing (Jod. they fouglit in faith, and conipiered. Thev smot.' this Og. the king of Baslian, and his sons, and all his people, and possessed his land. These two conquests made a lasting impression upon this Israelitish people. They were never forgotten. We hncl then, referred to in a stirring address bv Jephthah to the Ammonites. They fornunl the inspiring theme of songs and psalms of after ages, in which psalms these conquests were ranked with the great deliverance from the power of Egypt. Thus in Psalm 13r, beginning with a Hallelujah, we have the words: Who sent tokens and u-onders into the midst of thee O Efiypt: Who smote yreat nations, and .s7c»- miyhti/ kinffs: ^^ihon, kiny of the Amorites, and Oy, the King of liaslian, and all the kin}jdoms of Canaan. And in the next Psalm, which is a glorious outburst of lercy. n-hieh endureth for ever; after """ "'^ ■< • ation, od II ■" •■' -VI 10,11111. »viinii IS ji fri(),.,Q,]f) outhurst praise for that Divine mercy, n-hieh endureth for erer • aft recounting the marvels of powei- and goodness in creatif the insjiired jioet goes on to celebrate the goodness of V, in redemption: To Him that smote Eyypt in their first-born, and nrouyht uul l,srael from among them; i'v«.'Ji m\ VSi-l h) %t < ■ h ^78 Alarelnn it ml (Umquvsts. To Him which tunotc yrciit kinys, and s/or famous kings; i'/"■'•'■/. >rhieh i.s the woi'd of God. (Kphesians, vi.) But sad to say, there are hindran.es fr,,,,, within. Ihere has been, in ages past, a turning away from spiritual of tho'sV.7' ''' r'"'''""' ''" '"-"''^^* ^^'■••^'^' «" the power of the st-AUK and (>ven ou the force of arms. Conquests for the truth, so-called, have been won bv 11... movements ot armies compfdling an outward subjection when there was no yielding of the heart. And along with this, and working out the same result there has been a persistent mov^Miieiit in the din>ction of weakening the force of the soiritual sword bv joining AMth it other weajions of inferior temper (some of wliich are of a contrary char.Mcter), i;nd ,>::al,ing these as emial in force and autlM.rily to that' which is Diviiie. Then in the opposite direcfioii. we have had a mov.Mueiu on the nart ot those who profess to regard (he weapon as Divine 'vet spend their strength, not in using the sword in conflict with the powers of darkness, but in interminable examina- tions of Its outward surface and its handle; also, i^n dis- putes as to the i)articular armory in which it has been forged, a 1 which undermines faith, destrovs powei waste" inenls hon there I lie result, I'cction of )y joining wliich are ! ciinal in en. in the I the part Mvine, yet n conflict examinn- ■teu VI. 479 The manner in which these tirst couiiuests are referred to in the farewell address of the great leader is very worthy of note. Let us turn to the Uook of Deuteronomy. (Chap. ii. and iii.) After recounting the commands given that the xMoabites and the Ammonites were not to be disturbed, they being descendants of Lot, Moses recites the Lord's stirring ex- hortation to the people: "Rise ye up; take your journey, and pass over the river Anion; behold, I have given unto thine hand Sihon the Atnorite, the king of Heshbon." (v. 24.) It was, therefore, with confidence in this Divine promise that they met the attack of this warlike chief, and Moses adds that, having defeated him, they took his cities, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones of every city, we left none to remain. (\. 34.) Here is the beginning of that work of exterminating the Canaanitish people that has occasioned so much cavil in modern times. The matter will be fully treated of in the studies on the book of Joshua; but it may suffice, at pre- sent, to say that this extermination was a work of Divine judgment for long-continued and predominant wickedness. For the iniquity of tlie Amorites was now full. Then the recital proceeds to the entering into the region of Bashan, and to the Divine promise and exhortation with regard to Og, its king. Warlike and powerful as he was, the people were not to fear him, though he was a giant in stature, as the Lord would deliver him and all his people into their hand. And so it turned out to ■ -. The people when attacked fought in faith and conquered, takin'' three score cities, of which it is said, they were fenced with hiqh tcalls, gates and bars, a statement which may help us to understand that these countries at that time were not inhabited by barbarous tribes, but by a people of a some- what advanced civilization. But we know, both from ancient and modern history, tliat advanced civilization and abandoned wickedness often go together. We learn also that tlie Israelites pushed on their con- quests northward as far as Mount Hermon. And the statement is made that this mountain is called by the Sidonians, Sirion, or as it is rendered in Chap, iv., 48, Sion. (This may explain a passage in Psalm 1,33, which has perplexed commentators; for the mountains of Zion there mentioned are evidently the hills about Mount Her- mon, and not the mountains about Mount Zion in Jeru- salem). All the region now conquered became part of the in- 480 Marches and Conquests. heritance of Israel, and was dividod amougst three of the tribes, VIZ.. Roubeu, and tJad, and Manasseh. And tliese contjuoats were put before Joshua to quicken . ^•*'!1' .'" *'"' I'l'^f-rP'-ise entrusted to him beyond the dm, unto thci^c two km,is; so .shall thv Lord do unto all the kmqdomx whither thou passestr A lesson that was wjH learned. ) . M ^^1 !e of the quicken oud the hd hath all the CllAJ'TEK Ml. Balaam. Kuuibers 22, 23, 24. iulhe^^S? f^ ^*igi^'i'"i« liave phijod a promineut part u the .iHairs of many nations and kiu-doms; and secul'ir h.Hforv conHrms all that the sacred record W^ tes is to their conferences with kings and Kovernors uTn. portance attached to their'utte.tn'ccrT mit" o'Z posed that people of snch high development a the SreS and Koinans would rise superior to such superst tTons war and the movenientH of armies p.f.. ♦^'^^''-'t'on of DothiDB. • """ <""'"•"■"> would have bec"u near th.^ en nf ti • ^'''''" ^''*-' Jsi''ielites were verV Si'Ld'sai l1efor"ui^^;;'th''' '\f ''"/'^^^^^ «^ -^^t ";. of Ntimbers " *^''^''' ^'"'^^^^ ''^''-^P^^''-^ «f the Book i.o^!?isl:eiZ^^.;;!:;;r''^ 'r '" ^^^^ '-* ^^-^ter, the Plains of MoLHf t£^;^r ,n ;s^*;:iJV'-" ^'^r^"°' wall to the eastwip«l- wi.i-.i. V ■' ^^"'*" use like a striking a o feet v ien o '""""^''^."^ ^'^H forms so wester,! side Lftte^ii^^/.tS"''" " ""^'"^ ^^'^ *^- m^^;;:i^,^;r '"' '''•' "•'''"''•■^'^ '^ --- of very re- of'^sni!;;"?;:^;;;:'!;!,;;^ am/fr""^^'"' ^^^ ^^^^^ ^'«p«-"<>" command tl.^t L U" t o JT^^^^^^^^ '^ *^*^^ ^'^'"^^ ''im, became alarmed and assumed n"/''/","^ ""* '"^'^-^^ In the farewell -idd .e«« if t T *! ^'^'^^'^^ attitude years afterwards eTs sHteH ?' ^'"^"'*"^ ^"™^ ^^^^^^ are reported Numbers, no actual conflicts }l 482 Balaam. r But wliiU: is mentioned is tliat tlie king of Moab, Balak by name (notice tlie word Baal, as forming part of the name of this king}, in liis need! 'ss alarm, conceived the idea of invoking the aid of magic and ciiarms in his warfare, an idea most natural to a man in his circumstances and condition. There was a man living at that time, whose fame as a soothsayer or i)rophet had spread far beyond the bounds of his own country. He lived in a far Eastern region; ap- parently somewhere in the wide Euphrates valley. He is described as dwelling hi/ the river of the land of the children of his people. To him the king of Moab sends for help. The I'ecord concerning this nmn, Balaam, is indeed a marvellous one, not only for what he did but for what he said. For many of the things he said have become a part of the preciom heritage of Divine revelation. Yet he was no true pnti»het. and not a true man. but a sooth- sayer, practising liis craft for money, and imposing on the superstitious fears of the chiefs who consulted him. He was a heathen, and became an enemy of Israel in the end. Yet he had real Divine communications, and he ])ronouuced real Divine blessings on the chosen people, all under an irresistible Divine intiuence which carried him on in spite of himself, and, in fact, against himself. For when this intiuence was withdrawn, we find him relapsing into his former self and dying fighting against the very people whom lie had not long bt^fore blessed in some of the loftiest strains of poetry contained in Scripture. Certainly, the Divine ways are at times hard to unravel, and past finding out. Why the Lord of all Wisdom should choose to put Divine words into the mouth of such a man we cannot tell. Suffice it for us to consider the words themselves; and also the deeds of the man that uttered them. The king of Moab sends to Balaam in order that he may curse this people and blast Iheir enterprise. Tlis mes- sengers take the fees in their hands which diviners and soothsayers were accustomed to receive, and for which they would either curse or bless any one who might be named; exactly as some lawyers rvill undertake to serve the cause of any client, or a physician to undertake the case of any patient. And it was then as it is now, that the more important the case the larger the fee. Balaam, in ordinary circumstances, would have taken his fee. accompanied them at once, performed his incanta- tions, and pronounced his curse. But it is evident that some strange and unlooked-for power had begun to work Jill Urn III. 488 in ' power, and therefore to be <-omilH ecf.n: V "^ ,'"^'^^'0^* thing whiol, coneorned the.e J //,;'! '»\^l.«»'evt>*l m anj- bable that when he sLl n, ! ^^ ''" scarcely pro- l.e meant nn'c than ^;hh ''' ""^'•^''^' "'"^ ^^^^^ '«/«U" irpIexiJy. ^'^' '•;'"«"J^''''it.on may help to clear up the For here. a.s is so oflen the case, the New Testament throws l.ght upon the Old. The Apo.stic P:ter!rn iT^ tecond lLJ rjr.; •,, tl,.!'! 484 Balaam. MpiHtIc (- IVlcr, ii, 15-lGj, refern to liiiluaiii as a uiau who lined lliv waijvH of unriifhtcouniutis, and bad goue astray (lu'i'chy; and was rebuked for his iniquity. The dumb aas, Mixakiuij with a mann voice, fe^'bad the madnain of the proi)het. It \« c'vidcul, tluMi, that wlieii be weut witb Ibesu piiuces, bi' WJ'Dt witb bis buart set upou tbe wages of unrigbleous- ik'Hh; be was astray at tbat very time; outwardly comply- iug wi(b (lie Divine direction to go, but inwardly bent ii|Miii Hecurin;,' tbe reward and bouor tliat ilalak bad i)r remarkable still. An ass speaking with a man's voice; that has been found hard indeed of belief, even by some wbo have not foinnl ditliculty in giving creden e to otber narratives of niirnctiloiis events. For it is unJoubt»'dly mucb like some? of the "old irire.t' fables" of med eval time's. Tbere are also stories like it in tbe old Jewish commentators, but nobodv of seniK' believes them. Tan we then wMth any sbow of reason believe tbis? hut why not? It is imp(»s8ible to deny that tbe wbole narrative is one of Divine intervention on bebalf of these Hebrews, Ciod's own chosen people. Wben Balak desires Balaam to curse . rn, , ^ '^""' Pl<^'"^"iv. sl.ould 1.0 -Wiser 1 .'m h tn r "''; "l'""-""'^ 'i l»i-ast: Jus master- eo Id ; ^ n,? :;;;!:" '^''"^'^'»' ^'"^1 «^^' ^vluit blind. Koneai-esc ind -IS ', « i I';''''"'''"''"'-'**'^ '"^"i^' 1'"" madness of many men wJ.on + L „ '• """ ''' ""' "I'es of sin. And th s u^.s t .e ' "'i Persuing the pleas- spoken of bv S? IMe, *^^ ''"ladncss of the prophet," were so formed th-if it Vv. 1 / , •/'"' '"""t"' ^'^ '^i" ass time MS actios in dclianc.. „t the poL; „j ", , ♦"/LF ■>, S"f5''^r"t '.''°!'<=''' °°'-'' a few hoars before ieh^i professed submission to Him. "<;'oie, ne nad 31 -.!« m 480, Balaam. i.*lV ill 1 i"t«.'m,o„ wuH f.. bmik duwu hiH prido and #*K«ill IS c-VKleut. For wy," the uhh wuh in he act of M« ,.Ki„g I .. anKvl Haddcil^- .vveiU.d Imuself wit a draw, ?MHn '". "r '';""• '""'^ ^'I'lH'ai-auce wan «o Hulldcu and •■"•'bio that il.c> uu.u loll Hat on his face. Sudi a de- ■i.unsiralion ot power was like that which ovorwholtuod S. I I ot larsus, when he, too, was on an enand ut madness m. opposition to (Jod. And as did Saul, so did this man lialaani, lie hiimhlid hhimlf uinlcr the mUjhi,, hand of God, II. leter, v. ii), acknowledKed that he hail sinned, and ollcred to return home again. This is the turning part of (he whole narrative. Balaam henceforth, so long as he is with the king of Moab, acts as an obedient servant of Aliuight.v (Jod. There is, for the tniie, neither covetousne.ss, nor pride, nor self-will about hiin; hut the word which God puts into his mouth, that word he .speaks (v. 1}S). And truly, a remarkable word it is; not only in the matter, but n, the highly poetical manner of its utterance Doubtless, lialaam was a man of natural poetic genius" and had become known as such amongst his own people' which poetic genius, doubtles.^. had gradually developed into that sort of soothsaying! which is so nearly allied to genuine prophecy. If all that had ever been written had been preserved, it is most probable that poetic composi- tions of Balaam celebrating the praises of Baal or Chemosh would have been found amongst them. It has generally been the method of the Divine Spirit in revelation to talic the natural faculties of men as they were found, and to turn them into a Divine channel; not to create tliem, where they did not before "xist. David was doubtless a man of poetic genius, and would have been a bard of his nation, even had he not been filled with insniration. Solomon was of the opposite temperament, viz., that of the philosopher. He does not compose psalms, but appears as the Itiinkcr and teacher. So with Isaiah airi the propliets. And -^o v-i^'i the men who wrote the histories, in this case fu" DWxoy- Spirit directing the mind to sift the true from the false, the important from the trivial, and that which was suitable for the great purpose of Divine revelation from the mass •■f '^vents which had no bearing on it, highly interesting a^ ';ey might be in themselves. 1. \ *'.en it was, that God, having ordained in His wiPJio. ti.at '; .portant truth should be given to the world thvi'ugl- r.ii'. man, Balaam, took hold of his poetic tem- percui^rr. iiiumined \i ,vith a Divine light, and directed it Into a I'ivine chanri;]. Under this influence he spoke the things which must be considered in a subsequent chapter. CHAPTEU VIII. f. Bulaaiu. Balaam's Ay'onos and PaoruKfiEs. Numbers 23, 24. and have as iinnv h..'.. ^V "'"^ ^^^'^'■*-' ^« pleases, And whtt Mas this irio«.s*nrro'> Tf ^"'feO"en. but several n li t^n f ^ , ^^ ^'■'^** "^^ «ne message, .littwnif ^ ' 1 distinct aud peculiar to itself It is tops'" o?\°h1s^Sf" .1^- ^^'""P^.E '". ""^ «^ t''^^ ^igl^ 'fountain ,K i:t -^ '^^''^" «^ -^^oab; (on one of these Moae^ del). Here was a temple of Baal; here were built sevS +hr^'''M^''?.,™"'^ '^-'^''^ ^-e° ^i« vexation, when from the mouth of the prophet proceeded these words™7'to ToT: From the mountains of the East Saying : ' Come, curse me Jacob, And come, defy Israel! How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed' Or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied! Ah^! Is this the message? might well think the kiny i'Ut let the prophet proceed: — m m !■ m ! ! 1 ' ■4-'*^ 48« Balaam's Words and Prophecies. "For from the tup uf the ruclca 1 sec him, And from the hUh I behold him; Lo, the people ahull datll alone, And ahull not be reekoned umony the nations' Who eun eoiint the dust uf Jueub, And the number uf the fourth part of Israeli A striking forecast, indeed, of the destiny of a people, wlio, to all liiiman api.eiuaiue, wcre dimply like the rest of the many tribes and nations inhabiting the world. Yet, how- certain il has been that both in ancient and modern times this people did dwell alone; that they were a peculiar and separate people, unlike the nations around them in religion, law, customs, and hopes; and that they have preserved their separateness, e\en to this dav, as is wit- nessed before our very eyes in these modern times. A mere random guess of this necromancer, mav a sceptic savl A random guess, indeed. Why that would be a greater mar- vel than the supposition of a Divine guidance, if by a random guess the destiny and character of the most' re- markable people that ever Jived in llu' world were so ac- curately set forth so as to correspond to the facts of the development of thousands of years. >s'o. These are no random rhapsodies. iJeason and experience tell us that this nmn's words were by the S})irit of Him lO whom th»i destinies of all peoples, for all time, were as open as the day. liut the closing words of the propliet are not prophetic; at all; and they do not relate to Israel, but to himself. Yet they are equally remarkable Avith what went before: "Let mc die the death of the rii/htcou.'i, And let my lust end be like his!" says this man, who certainly was no righteous man himself. The words betray a vague longing and yearning; the tri- bute of a hard and selfish man of the world to the beauty and excellency of righteousiu^ss. such as has been ]>aid again and again by men who n(>ver submitted themselves to the obligations of righteousness. Hut does it not mean more? Why should this man de- sire to die the death of the rigliteous? The death of the righteous, considered in its merely human aspect, is like the death of other men. Disease gives tliem the same weariness and ]>ain. accident or sudden death the same torture. Why then this longing to die the death which thi^ righteous die? Is there not here one of those intimations, Balaam's Words and Prophecies. 489 in which itis',e/^^?/?f;f.,7r of this ,nan, b4an ! i'wo, d h'nf;""' r.' ^"^" ^^^*^ '""^^h and to his ,,oo,)l(. Vl o w. ""''^^ **" ''' ^'^'^^^^^'^^ I^ing of tliat heritage of Ll'.'n.iTl '/ .•^''^>">^1 '•''''ome part inatelv took form h/tn If- '''^''r^ '" '''''''' ^^'^^'^-h ulti- ^n el^sium J^ b .^dm^f "":^ /l"'^ I'^-^^^ imaginations of torture for the Ivkkei? ^''*"'^' '"'*^ "^ I^"'" ^""^ This is a reasonable view to til-/. <.f ^i • teranco, whicli luis -is m C I-^. ^''"' remarkable ut- (ventlv uttere -i „n .. , "^ "T' '"'^^ '"^^■^' ^'^ '''^ Ver- mouth of this n n of h e.\, '*" t-^' '"' ^^ ^'"^^^ 1" the derfullv d^these Sori, rpVl "''"'^^ •'^■^''^ "^^■^- ^^ ^^•«"- and bosoms of nK-n'' in 11 n?'""^ ^'T"^ ^ ^^ *^^^ ^^"^•"^^^ civilization ' '•^'''' ""^ ^" «" conditions of b/llLtiiy^:/^::.!'^ -^^I-f-f interest, was heard tool- thee snirl Iw. /I * ""^ disappointment. / that proved how great waTthe S'^ V ^^'^^''f '° ^ '^^""er heed' -to speak that M> ^lIt ^1"^ expression, "to take Most true. 1 dee f ef it '^ '!"^" ^'"^ '"^'^ '"^'^ »'««^^-' was at the Po.^:;?",^^;ik^ iL^Kl^^^^^^ ^^'^^ '' The Second Utterance. "S.L"ory7r''/?77T"';,"^'"" ^'^ ^'^"^ top of that ?ery Mosel himself soofn/r i*'"; ""^^ ^'^Sn^.^), from whenco there as befnr. n,?! ' '''"''^? *'''^^" t^^^ whole land. And offered ' *'''' ''''''*^ ^"'^^' '^"^ burnt sacrifices ^ml'he Tter^^l Tt -1 word'"J T^" the prophet's mouth. «^n 11 ""^^^"f" 'i^) fi word of force and power that hn<« ro ed down the centuries, and speaks to us at tir^ day ?opod For B. ,.;' r;"';^' nialedlction, as the king S anJ i;^r WWd'^ ' " ^1"^ ^^« «*-'-' ^^ '^-ke out in vid poetic stra m: t 490 Balaam's Words and Prophecies. "Rise up, Bulak, and hear, Hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor, God is not a man, that he spould lie; Neither the son of man, that he should repent. Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or, hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to hless. And he hath blessed! And I cannot reverse it! In these pregnant words the propliet sets forth the fixed- ness of the Divine purpose, the absolute truth of the Divine word, in contrast with the deceitfalness of man, and tlie changeableness and fickleness of his plans and counsels. Men make promises and break them, but (!od never. His word is "a rock." They that trust Him shall never be confounded; a truth that shines through all the dispensa- tions, and most of all in Jesus Christ. But it is objected, or perhaps, noted with perplexity, that there are instances in Scripture itself, of a change of purpose in God,— as when He threatened Ninevel>, and then spared it; or promised Canaan to the Isi'aelitish people who went out of Egypt, and then condemned them to wan- der forty years in the wilderness. What is to be made of such facts as these? What, but to give a clearer insight as to the ground and foundation, both of Divine promisi!^ and threatenings. L'or all through the Scripture, wherever llic conduct of man, as a free and responsible being, is concerned, there is an unchangeable! purpose in God. viz.. of evil to the wicked, and reward to the righteous. So that, if judgment is threaten- ed against a particular course of action, it will surely fol- low thai course of action, as certainly as that fire will burn, or water drown. But if a man witlidiaws hims(>lf by a change of coTiduct from the operation of this retiibulive law, that is, if. iu technical and theological language, he repents and turns from his evil way. acc(>pting of the siicritice God has provided for atonement, then he is out of the way of the i\vo tliat burns, or the water that drowns. He is safe. Or. as we may otherwise put it. he is sared. And conversely, the promises of good to the righteous are just as sure, either generally, or as applicable to some definite course of conduct. But if the righteous man fall into the way of disobedience, he forsakes the realm in which reward is operative, and passes over to the other in which evil will certainly pursue him. (Ezekiel, xxxiii.) Tliese are the eternal principles of Divine action, and they ,nre nnchangenble. For tlje Divine Ruler is not fickle, nor arbitrary. Hath He said, and .thall Fr not do it? Balaam's Words and Prophecies. 491 metaphy«k,ans of ChrS tj ,^1*^ T'"' ^^«»l«ffians and port a doctrine which 1 is h^ n n^'^""' '1"^*'^^^1 ^^ to sup- on the one side as it has been uXld'/'Tr"""!'-'^'^' ^^««'»*'^d prophet went on to s-n- ^ '''' ^^"^ ^'^^^i- I'^or the -\e/me/ /j«//i /,c sen( pcrrermiess in Is, ■ad! clothed with 0...:;^ ^:s;-o^^ : 7; z'^tirs This is a bold and plain mode of statino- an extreme do^ trine of an ultra-prede.stinarian school; whid'ortHne,. seldom openly avowed, but has certainly been ■ic?ed o n hv some whose wish was father to the hSt • nd -Im flxmg their eye on one as,.ect of Script „r"^oco b ind I?u i'l''"' •'"^' "^ ^^^'^''■'* ""'^ "'« '^'^•^«''^^« '^ a whole For Rut these words of the prophet evidently will not benr the mcMninj, which has been imputed to them. Th^ i ^ ?his '^^''.f.^f \''^ P^<^Pl^^ at that very time demonstra e this, lor ,t IS plan, that while they were in that very rej.on. God did see inir.uity and pervei^seness in Tli peopi ' d,d condemn them for it. and punish them severely n con- sequence. The incidents related in Chap. xxv.. and nume"- ous incidents of their subsequent history demonstrate this wordf tl.!?'"f ii""''./^'*''^ ^"'-ds, and the strikins avoids that follow them mean? It is evident that the words are intended to carry the mind back to the be- ftinninff of the history of the twelve tribes when tlio patmrch. Jacob, surnaiiied Israel, was beinji marked out by Divine ordination, as the hend of that race throu"!i whom all nations of the earth were to be blessed Jacob was separated from Esau, he was passed through long and severe discipline, whi.'h. by Divine -race, purified his char- acter. He became an einin(Mitly good man, worthy to be the head of a chosen race; faithful to His God. redeemed from the iniquity and perverseness of early years. And it 492 Balaam^s Words and Prophecies. Ik mainly to bim porsonally, and to liim also as the head of this chosen rate, tliat the thought of the prophet was mined when he is directed to ;e history of this man, and his family I Uow they grew to be a mighty nation, who were once a family nearly starved for want of food, and then a swarming multitude of oj)pressed slaves; how they, through the mighty hand of (idd. became like a great lion in strength, able to crush down their enemies, until their destiny was accomplished. All this, which we read in these days with profound interest (for it applies spiritually to the true Israel, the Chni'ch of the Living God) was nothing but gall and worm- wood to Balalc, who now entreats the prophet io say no more. Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. But Balaam ansicered and said unto Balalc. Told I not thee, say- imi. all that the Lord spcakein, that must I do! Thk Third Uttkranct:. l?alak then dete'iiiined to make a last attempt. As before, he ( liauf^ed his position to another mountain top. And again there was the utterly vain ceremony of ie building of altars, and the otl\ ring of sacrifices on th_m, God apparently permitting them that he might pour con- tem])t upon them. Then, as Balaam, leaving his old enchantments and charms, turned his face to look at the Israelitish host encamped on the plain below, the Spirit of God came upon him once more. Note. — Here, in tliis expression, we have tlie liey to tlie whole of Balnam's utterances. They are by the Spirit of God; hence their undying interest, for the itonl of the Lord cndiiivth for crcr. He describes himself as faUin-^iiJ, as tlie head prophet was Divine ruler ess in Israel; hat by God's lat no nia}?ic, n iiarni, and Id be said of hat hath Ood \e to pass in w they grew iimily nearly multitude of ;hty hand of ble to crush oniplished. 1th profound e Israel, the ill and worm- et io say no ) at all. But not thee, say- ittempt. As lounlain top. mony of le oes on thjm, ;ht pour (!on- iitments and •aelitish host td came upon to the whole of >d; hence their • cccr. •e, but having order of the f poetry of — e sees in his e conquering (ucludes with R, and cursed Balaam's Words and Prophecies. 493 phot though he was Fm t'.is w.:V ' '" '•'.'"n*^'' I""*^" Tin: FouKTii Utti;raxck. Though Balak spoke in such threatening tones, the proohet was unmoved for he was under a Divine restraintYet that f.^'vMent' " W -rPted the king-s uu>ney anVhono IS evident from the words of his reply: ''Spake I not to thu ;..w»,e.. said he, //.,/ if Balal- nllt ,//. IhThlZ the Lord" '' ''"""''^ ■"' ^"'^""''^ *'" f'«""""»<^'»('»* of temnJateir!?' r1 .1 ^f^ '"^^ '''''''' '^"^- ^''^^^"'.v l>e con- templated It! But he dare not venture upon it. The com- mandment of the Lord, he had found, ias no command- nient to be trifled with. The covetous disposition was sdll iewT;d rf/' '"'''r^^^ '''' '''''' '-^ '"'■^^''>' »''^"^^' «°*i the reward of the covetous man he could not get But now, again taking up the note of prophetic utterance strnin^'^inTf-'' '"' '''''''' '^ ''"' '^"'^' '^' ''^'^^ ^^^o a loftier strain, and h,s eyes are opened to a wider range of vision. 1 f/o to my people," he says to the king. "Come I will the latter days! And thus he begins:— Balaam, the son of Beor, hath said. And ths man whose eyes are open hath said. He hath said, which heard the words of Ood, Ana-knew the knowledye of the Most Hiqh, Which saw the vision of the Almighti// Fallina into a trance. But having his eyes open; What might be expected to come, after such a preamble as this, but something far transcending the mere temporal destiny of even the favored people? What but something 494 Balaam's Words and Prophecies. 5 i rmj'fl.o^n?-'^ corrcern the higher .lestiuy of all maukiud, tht- ""'^■*^^"!'|il »"J siuritual kingdom of Uod? And thus It came. For he went on to say: "/ shall see Him, bul not now, 1 shall hohold Him, but not nitfh. There shall come a ;Slar out of Ihieoh, And a iieeptre shall arise out of fsnirl, And shall smite all the corners of Uoab, And dcstroi/ all the children of ,shcth, And Edom shall he a /lOssession. i^eir also shall l)e a possession for his enemies; And Israel shall do raliantli/." ''Out of Jacob shall come he that shall hare dominion, And shall desire)// Jrim that remaineth of the cit/jy Now, what is a reasonaMe interpretation of (his re- markable utterance? Who is this personage whose existence at some future day is thus revealed to tlie i)ro]>het? Whom he is to see but not nem-; to behold, but not niars after Bahmm. But at length one did arise, who corres- ponded to this description, viz.. David, the son of Jesse, who did arise like a star, and did wield a scei)tre in Israel, and who did smite the corners of ]N[oab. and destroy many of the children of Sheth, adding their lands (o liis own do- minion. And even if the scope of (he ])ro]>li(M'y eiide" and through i-eign of the MessSh wL ViL 'otT^'' "'^' ^•"'"•"«' ='"^ Did not the Divine Tea -her ,ft^^ 1^- to His disciples that I lit] ini '" T'''''''^'^'' «I>^^^k Psalms, concerning him? (Lnke x'xfy 4^ ' ' '' ""'' ^'^' undZaJ^ ;j j? !;^'!;zil::;^:'f T.} "^ ''^^''^^ '^-- plying the need of a i ivfne ' "f/'"'' *'" ^Scriptures, im- import and value t ^ "LSt ^f^jr^l*^'''^ ''^' ^^'"^ apprehended. aucient forecastings might he themselves had to l^rnh .IT * '^^ ,*^'*' ^""''^ I'l'op'iots ing of their oln^poptces Tnd'lhJ'lf "'" ^^'^ ™--- that it was for a condn^^e and o ^^^1^;"" '"!^f'^* present that they prophesied are?ei- ? \ou)''"lnT^, of rt .<-o,- f„i. it „•»« one. nf tl „ ,„. ^ V '1 itaai wo,.^,ip, „„ dieted aud"L°;uio°uV t ■ -p e/°;;::,i ;; Moab at that time. And, as we loam from the wo,.]. fZsii'TLzr'"- '''"''' ''■>■ "" "'^» »™ "'™«;"' ';- Need it be wondered at that the on^e^- of tho ^ f^r,^ .v . . kindled against these Israelites, and that the command ^Ja: V w 4(18 The Temptations in Moab—The Call of Joshua. JhhiiciI (o put to death every man who had joined himself Id lliiN deteHtable idolatry. In ihiH a harsh sentence, and cruel? Death, for merely uKt'iidiiig idolatrous worship, and falling into the snare of licciidouHncHS? Mm let IIS remember the time, the occasion, the danger, iiihI III*' nhwolute necessity for lvith condemnation the ZS. "t '', '"^'^^^ ""S^"^ bring into «« they do, an iuS.Z,f<, ''•''''-' '"'"''^'"^'' '"''^'nli'ig. along with the la V ot I., '' ^"' "^' l'^''^^"*-'- ^^t IHW tf sacrilccVtle ^J^i^^TT'T}"''' ''''''' ''•'' ^he aUs was to uia'ke Ik^icu t d -iio In, "' f ^'^"^'"^^^"^ "ud in a time to come, ttc^ fa/ dVst- mt n.^.^'" ''"'"'' r''""" ^'*' by tlie blood of the Cross! ' ^ "' ''''' ^"^ ^"^ "^^^« ^Ijdianites in battle (Chap, xxxi 7 ^/Ai " f ^"- fc-.n to put to\J'"^ora lof'o^T'^'nZl .uult^, but all the grown-up ^omen. For ' ^^ great leader rem uded them it w'i*< tlx.v /;.,,/ , ., children of Israel, through .^1; l^d of S,/^ T^LnU trsinm aganist the Lord in the matter o/n ^ '///'c^ "«. " /'%«c anwn^the eongrcyation of tlie Lord! (y 16 \\hen considering the severity of the measures t-il-Pn wi h regard to the Canaanitish and M?dlaSl people Tt IS too Often forgotten to what an abandoned depth of^4%k edness these people had descended, both men and womJn Previously to this war against the Midianitish tribes (the word Midmn, here, and in other places, evidently being sometimes used as a generic name for all the tribes east of Jordan) a new census of the people able to bear arms was upward^* ""' ''' """•'' ''""^ ^'''''''^ ''^'' «!•! ^°d *NoTE.-The fact that the whole male population from this age and upwards was expected to bear arms, and go out to war wfu explain how it came to pass that the number offhe IsraelltTsh cS batants in the battles we read of was so enormous We are X gether misled if we judge of these things by modern sttndaJds' The Dominion of Canada under the same r^e could place an army of ejght hundred thousand men In the field; an utterly imDossihie th^nJ under the conditions of modern warfare, but qSe mslffi if iuf whole population was embraced within the area of^Tw Mf ou^ larger counties, and every man of twenty years old and nnwardi was enrolled in the ranks. J' J'^u s oia ana upwards 00 The Tmptutions in Moab—Tlte Call of Joshua. ■ i m^ ■3 J It wiiH in this war ugaiust Midian that the HootbttajiT Halaaiii \va» louiid in the ninkfs ol tiic enemies of Israel, and mix sluin with I he stconl, a nieianehui} ending to what might have been, after such experiences and revelations, a lite of high elevation, bringing lijht and blessing to all the tribes of the East. IJiii, alas.' When the experien.es and revelati(jns were past, he sank to his own native moral level, and was destroyed. Thus this />//;//// (ind nhiiiimj light went out in utter darkness. This was the last of the great enterprises of Moses. His days were drawing to a close, and the command was given that he should ascend up to the Blount Abu rim [,i geacrib name to the .Moabitish range.i, from whence he should ncc tilt land given to Israel. Then he should be gathered to his people. (Chap, xxvii., 12.) Thi: CaIvL of Josuua. lint who should succeed him as leader of the peopUf, and how siiould lie be chosen or appoiulcd? It was iinpo.s- any sible, under the circumstances, that there could be but a Divine appointment, a iliiwt Divine appointment, and not merely an indirect, such as any appointment ma^ be conceived of as under Divine Providence, either express or implied. There Avas no recognition of the hereditary prin- ciple in the secular leadership, as there had been in the priesthood. The honor did not pass to the sons and de- scendants of ;Moses. The hereditary system was not esi:'!)- lished till uuuiy hundreds of years afterwards, and then only in fullilment of prophecy, and as a special reward for faithfulness in the case of David. As to the elective system, so far as the chief leadership is concerned, there is hardly a trace of it in the whole history. Even in the unsettled times of the Judges, the leader was always called out by a Divine indication. When it was made known to ^Nloses that lie must shortly give up his charge, the narrative indicates that his spir't was most deeply stirred as to this all-important question. The Avords in which he laid the matter before the Lord are verv brief, but most emphatic, most weighty, indicating a heart almost overwhelmed by the consciousness of the issues involved in it. They seem to indicate thoughts such as these:— I dare not, I cannot, I am not wise and far- seeino- enough to i)resume even to suggest the name of a successor. "Let thi-: Lord, the God of the spirits of ALL FLESH, SET A MAN OVER THE CONGREGATION, iOlucll lUajl (JO out before ihe))), and which mail go in before them, and ua. BOOthHUJOl' i ul' Israel, jg to what 'L'velations, isiiig to all 'xpei'ifiKxa itive mot ill ml sliiiiiiiij loses. His was given [A goacrib he should e gath'Jied he i>eo)il(', was luii>o.s- 1(1 ue any Imcut, and ut ma^ he express op litai'.v prin- eeu in the us and dt»- , not esi;'.!)- , and then reward Lor lie elective !d, there is von iu the vays called ust shortly t his spir't t question. i the Lord , iudicatinjj; less of tho •ughts su(;h ie and far- name of a sriuiTS 01^ icliich man them, and The Tm,it„ti,.,„ h, Moab~nr Call o, Joshua. m Which ma,, Ivml thna oni, ami whivl, ,„a„ hri,uj than in- that s |. And ho ,H m.l lo 1,,. (Im- arl.ilrarv ruler, hut he Sh,i,h,nl canng fur the people, living foV them not con' HHh-nng h.s <,wn ease, hut his p,.,.plo-s welfare re iv liko a shepherd ,o defend M.en. if a..a,|hrr,l. II is In. ,lnU,. " said he 'vo «• S 1h„t In. „.n„l, nm„ lirr in .afrU, ami .,inrt. /„ ,,„nlrn hiw 'if ,h uu-,,1,, ,„nl r,ur.s. Ilmt ,l,.„ ,na,, hr rrnn,^ from linn,.- o Z • ,/ / -^ liyht ,n s,n,„i llinn innra.r un,l y„ulti,,lii. niul niUnnI „ vximVhlf-n Tn answer to this solemn appeal Moses received a re- inarkal.l.. dir.M-(ion. vi/.. i„ tukr .Inxhua. a man in whom i.9 to si't him before . . , . . itrvfjation, and then in fiirf hull a Hian/f in their siijlit. \a'\ us note (he variotis particulars of this, the first in- stance in the Divine records of the appointment of a s)ic- oessor to a great office of government and leadership. For we have lioro the germs and root of ideas and practices which have survived through innumerable ment of the idea in the times of our Lord and his Ajtostles. Even thus early it can be seen that the Spirit of fiod. filling the mind of a man, quickened and strength- ened every faculty in him that was needed for the work he had to do. whether rt was leadership in Moses, adminis- tration in Joseph, skill of handicraft in Bezaleel (to build the tabernacle), generalship in Joshua and Gideon, poetry and prophecy in Balaam. And even to this day, no man 32 //" Siiiril: to hiji hands u/ion him. and to set him before hieazar. ttte jtriesl. and before all the eonore< 502 The Temptations in Moab—Tlie Call of Joshua. is accepted as eligible as a oaiulidate for the Christian ministry, in any coiumuniou, wlio is not believed to be "moved by the si)irit" for the work. (2.) The next point is that :Moses was directed to lai/- his hands upon him. The lirst instance on record, and the ])recedent for all those snbseiiucnt layings on of hands which form so striking a feature in the setting apart of men to ecclesiastical office in these days. The idea of transfer of character and gift by the laying on of hands was fully recognized in the ritual of atonement revealed on Mount Sinai. The man who brought his burnt offering to the tabernacle was directed (Lev. i., 4j to put his hand on the head of the burnt offering to make an atone- ment for him. Hut it is in the significant ceremony of the Scape-goat on the day of atoncmeat that this transfer by the laying on of hands is most strikingly set forth. The liigh-priest, having offered one goat as a sin-offering, takes the live goat, laying both his hands on its head, confessing the transgressions of the peoi»le, putting them upon the head of the f/oat. And the goat sliall Iwar upon him all their iniquities to a land not inhaJiited. (Lev. xvi., 22.) Thus were the Israelitish i)eople familiar with the idea of the i)assing of either demerit (»r merit by the putting on of hands. And it is significantly said of Joshua in the last chapter of Deuteronomy, that he was full of the spirit of ivisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him. There is very little more of this rite in the history of the Old Testament. But how large a part it bears in the New is familiar to all its readers. (3.) Then, in llie presence of the High Priest and the congregation. Closes gives to his successor a solemn ehargc. The charge itself is not given in the Book of Numbers, but the substance of it is fpeared, c-oniing down from the caiKu Tia \alle\ ot Jeshosliaphat, he bein-- the kinn- of fealem (afterwards Jeru-sak^u.) at thi. time. nt hese patH arclis „,.v,.,. ,nov,Ml aeross the Jordan, and none of tl.e m((img between Jacob and Esau at the ford of T-ihlml- and 1., mvsterious scene of wrestling tlpnVede, Ut' fhif i, "[■''''"' '■'"''^" '''^'' ''""• "^"'l if i« noti"'^ "«^ >t ^^-'^^ »'»'^'>''al that the Wh le.. / r""r "^ ^^'V/'-"^''-^ "f I->'aH slHH.Id ..onsid.T WlHthe. these lands wonhl m.t be suitable fur them H!l III to oOi The Allotment of Lands East of Jordan. :% 3 And thus it ciiiue about that the people of Keuben and Ciad, liaving been over the region, and seeing that it was a phice for cattle, and having a very great multi- tilde of cuttle, made petition that their portion might be in this territory. Moses, however, received this petition very suspiciously. He had had experience of the waywardness of the people so often that he might almost be pardoned for thinking ill of them now. And think ill of them he did; though the sequel shows that in so doing he did +hem injustice. He suspected that they wished to escape the troubles and perils of the war, so he warmly and angrily remonstrated with them: — "Hliali fioitr brethren (jo to icar, and shall ye sit here? And wherefore diseouraye ye the lieurt of the children of Israel from yoiny over into the land which the Lord had yiven themf And he goes on to remind them of the cowardice and per- verseness of their fathers when they turned back at Kadesh Uarnea; and accuses them of doing the same thing. "Be- hold," says he, ''//e are risen ni) in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to auyment the fierce anyer of the Lord towards Israel. For if ye turn away from Him, He will yet leave them in the loilderness, and ye shall destroy all this people!" These words were evidently spoken in haste; prompted by a zeal for (Jod, and a warm love for the people; but it ^Viis — as the event proves — ''a zeal not according to know- ledge," leading to an arraignment of those who were not purposing to do wrong, and who did not deserve reproach. For the tribes who were accused had no intention of es- caping the toils of war. and so discouraging their brethren. They came near to Moses — evidently deeply moved and grieved by his reproaches — and said: — We will huild sheep- folds here'for our cattle, and cities for our little ones. But wo ourselves will yo ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brouyht them unto their place. . . We will not return unto our houses'until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritancr. (Ver. 10 to 18.) :Nioses. thereupon, was satisfied, and said, If ye will do this, i/e shall be yuiltless before the Lord, and before Israel. Yet he .^dds. with a touch of suspicion still lingering in his mind: "But, if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned aqainst the Lord. And hk smn your sin will find yotj on-!" . This last most pregnant utterance, though it contained an undeserved reflection on the people it was adu.-essed to, is yet one of those mighty truths that abide in full force through all ages and times". It has been presented to Chris- tian congregatif assuming a? once that they desired to do wrong; and sharplv reproving tiiem tor it. ^ .^ 1 » All this is but a confirmation of what "has been noted before that the best of men need to guard themselves against that which they might think themselves least liable to. It is on that very side where a man thinks himself to be strongest that lie has to take heed lest he fall! Note.— It is-, however, noteworthy that every one of these out- SnatVt.Z'\ °' ^''^'T .^"^ '"^ '''' ^^^ «* ^-^' ^o^^^l an^ do n?- Thi= ? ^''°"?-^''"n^' «'• ^vhat he thought was wron^- aoinfe. rhi.s is a form of pa.ssionate outbreak to which men of "a womd^'tv^' ^P"-'^"?' 'ty and goodness are peculiarly liabl? Mos4 would have scorned to be anjrry because of any wrong-doin- to himself. He could bear that with all possible calmness So cmi d many good me.n in these times. i"i'^»s>. 00 couia But. when dealing with wrong-doinsc to God to His cniic.e ctnA kingdom, or His people and Church, It is needful to "e ca^efut tha righteous indignation does not become mere animal Son and 508 The Allotment of JmhiIk iJast of Jonlan. The end of this incident was good on both sides. The people of Reuben and Gad aj-reed with readiness to lake their full share in the war. "Tliy servant-^ will do as my lord commuKdeth. Our little ones, our xcires. our ftooks, and all our cattle, shall be in the cities of Uilead. Hut thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the Lord to battle, as my lord saith." And thus it came about, that for all time to come, so long as Israel occupied the land as tribes, the tribe of Reuben and the tribe of Gad (and with them also a part of the children of Joseph), had their territory on the East of Jordan, in the country often called the land of Gilead. Tub api'ointmext ov Citiks or Rki'ugk. Towards the close of the Book of Numbers lliere are several directions as to matters of importidice, given through the great leader in the dosing days of his long life. Amongst these the most prominent are the directions to set apart six Cities of Refuge. l»reviously, however, to this, the nuindate had been given forth, that, on entering the land of Canaan, not only were the then inhabitants to be driven out (as has been noticed already), but that their pictures and molten images were to be destroyed, and their liigh places plucked down. This is the tirst menti(m of jtietures in the Divine record, and it is evident that these were such as are cusfomary in many heathen temples of the p]ast even now, viz., in- decent and shameful representations, naturally enough connected with the indecent and sluunefnl rites of the worship of Baal and other divinities. The molten images were, many of them, of the same character; hence the injunction to destroy them, an injunction only partially carried out, as is evident from the subsequent history. Even in modern times, and in Christian lanus and cities, and by artists who have worked under the patronage of Christian potentates, art has not seldom been degraded to the production of works whose effect can only be to stimulate the lusts of the flesh, and stir up the passions of sinful men. And in defence of this tiie strange doctrine has been put foi-th. that art has nothing to do with morality, as if anything that men do or say can be removed from the sphere of right and wrong. As well say that trade, or politics, or handicrafts, or farming have nothing to do with morality. Here, however, in this Divine record, we may learn that pictures and statues may be highly inimical to the best interests of mankind, and that it may be a duty, in certain circu'ristances, to destroy them. sidoH. The ness tu lake :iU do as my tr pocks, and t ihij servants : llic Lord to to tome, so the tribe of I also a part on the East of (lilead. IS tlu'ie are taiice, given ! of Ills long he directions id been given lot only were been noticed images were 2d down. )ivine i-ecord, I'e customary now, viz., in- I'ally enough rites of the lolteii images r; hence the nly partially : history, as and cities, patronage of 'en degraded n only be to e passions of mge doctrine vith morality, )ved from the liat trade, or iig to do with ay learn that I to the best tv, in certain The Allotiiu'iit of Lands East of Jordan. 50a The injnnction is then given to divide the land h,, lot to the several ta.nil es of the tribes, a wise and fai^edng provis.on designed to prevent those jealousies and en -t S J^t^'X.TrVf.}'' ""'"'^ ^'^''^ the division Jo S in an.^ other way. And the .ommand is given that creru mms mha,tanvv shall l>c u'lurc the /./ ^./fc//, , pn ti a ? Ls i'/'f. Ifi't' T' ^'^■^'••V""f /""^t be content with the lam as It falls \u him, and not he hankering after any other. The final command was viiiat when th.-v had obtained should Inue a space round about them of half a mile in to tin iV'' ;;;7'-^"''7V^'T" '^'" ^^""^' ^''-^ ^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^i^^^oteS ne t hei the Le^es nor the Priests were to devote their whole time to the work of attending on the Taber.iacl.. P..-« f "' m'", *''''^' '''t'' t'"' '"•""'^''*' <'x<'('Ption of the High of the peojile, and to be in no way distinguished from the Kei,.?/"''-^ !",^'"' **''"-"ti">' ^" l'>-<"-ml to the Temple in their appointed courses. And as the work of the priest was argely outward and mechanical, no special training or education was needed or c<.mmanded. Still h-ss was It in the case of il,e T.evites. Hut it is evident tliat the Levites were all to be dwellers in towns, and to follow such occupations as townsmen devote themselves to; no doubt princiimll.y to trade and handicrafts. The land round about their e. les was not large enough to enable them to Ine by agriculture, but must be conceived of as given for garden imri.oses, and for such small pasturage as town dwellers often hud it convenient to have. These cities are to be forty eight in number. But amongst these cities of the Levites six are to be set apart for that notable use of being CiTIRS OF ReKI^GE. The object of these cities was not to shelter the mur- derer. A man who was guilty of wilful murder was to 6c sard,/ pal to death. (Chap, xxxv., 18.) But if a wan thrust another, or cast a stone at him. without eitmiti/. that he die — then the congregation was to judge the matter at the de- mand of the revenger of blood. And if it were found that there were no enmity or lying in wait, then he should abide in vhe city until tlie death of the High Priest, and there be protected. This institution of the manslayer and ^he revenger of blood was not originated by the hn\ of Moses. It was doubl less a long traditionary custom, suitable to a life like that i 510 of th Tlic Cities of Refuge. he wildenu'ss, where there were no courts of justice, aud each man was bouud to defend his own family, and to execute justice on any wiio did tlieni wrong, llow liable to abuse sucii an inslituMon was is evident from a con- sideration of (he passions of iuiman nature. The blood- feud between families lias survived to modern times in certain parts of Kuro[ie, and lias been fruitful of dark deeds of revenge and bioodslied in countries wiiere it prevails. Now, while the Mosaic law did not originate this custom of each family exectiting justice upon its assailants, it did not abolish it. J5ut to prevent its abuse — such abuses as we have seen even in (Miiisiiun coun tries — and the i)erpetra- tiou of blood-feuds, which are considered a matter of obli- gation, this setting apart of cities where a man might And refuge was ordained. And that there might be a final termination of the blood feud, and to pi'event its being perpetuated, as it tends to be, from generation to genera- tion, it was ordained that after (he death of the High Priest every man who had taken refuge in one of these cities might return in ])eace to his home. All this legislation is foundebey. reminds us to this day how this custom once ob- tained in that venerable fane. The closing chapter of the Book of Numbers deals with a question of the very n;reatest importance, viz., as to how the identity of the separate tribes is to be preserved, when they all formed one nation, speaking one language, and were so contiguous to one another that very close inter- course was certain to arise. Marriages would— in the ordinary course of thing.s— take place between members of one tribe and another. Thus the inheritance of land in one tribe would pass to a family of another tribe, and so. in course of time, identity would be lost. A case of this kind was brought before Moses. A man of the tribe of Manasseh had no sons. His land would then pass to his daughters. If any of them married into another tribe. 012 The Cities of Refuge. \\\\\{ ;r':'''''7 no on,i.u„ account aiHl were nuking realv'oL ,,:!.?'''' T'''''.'^'' ''» •^^''''-•••o. as I..I10 as ihev did is of ,. t f"V ''^" I't^'mnning there on.uiy u w,-;;X "„u.v , ,:" iz .Z'.';';;', '?;■'■'' ^ '■'" i..-.'i..,™rnlv' o7 :« \ ir;.";:;' re ;."'v " ■; '^;" -■■»•■« ■•' have been «iven 1 eW w * . 1 "I'V<'^'*^" "^ I»-<'< <1.ts lliut together u'll) a e^ \T iSrex-'r ?"!• '''"'J'''"^'' ' '""«' ;n.,^nd a reca„in. of hLtS^ ^i:';;;:^- ^ ;-^ fo^Xei^s ;!;;^: r sf^,^^^^^T "^ ^^^^^^^^ the Old Testament m.ors%lnt ;,."'■' ',\^"''^''-^' ^^"^ ''^ the New, or tliat nvil hTZnn '":, '^"'''''''^ to so often in these over and rt.\- years le of the ;h we can 1 over an- than the Dntain an king pas- Kord eom- n the last licable in V. 12.) ex- >f God to would be ; is being its (Chaj). 3ses was ible suni- LL THINK HY MIGHT outward its of the ip. vi., 5, dialt teach hem v'hen / the way, And thou 7/ shall he 'rite them Address on Natioml Wealth. 517 iren^mfh rr ' ^"^"'"'V- "':* '' ''^'V^'^'i-^on of that most striu- natio r"«f '"";f "''^'^'V^^i'^^' ^vith the (Janaanitish t lir ri's :^ ^li.ff -^ •^' "^''^"'* '""^■^■^<^Oes with then., tiiat ^\as so distmj-iiishing a tValure in tlio revelation to t lat tlK3 M\()iMl ot Divme jiul-meat for long continued -ind .bandoned wickedness was about to des.-caul on e ^ ir^ tions, through the instrunientalily of these Israelites! . The Addresses beginning at the Eighth chapter are most nnpressms and refer largely to Israel as a n!/t in! andTo ire to^o^cup"-!" ^"'^' "' '"''"' '''' '''^^ ^'^ *« ^''^ ^^^^ ^l^^'-V "i^/- ^/ic Lo/vZ thy (lad brinycth thee into a good land, a land ofJrooJcs Of water, of fountains and depths that sin-i no 3 > alleys and lulls: a land of wheat and barley and vfne\nnl trees and pomegranates: aland of oil oliri and h ne,i Ian <<-hcre.n thou shalt eat bread without seareenesllZ^sha^^^^^^^^^^^ laelc anything m it; a land whose stones are iwiuTou of whose hills thou mayest dig bras.." (Chap, vi i 7 8 9) A description largely t.u- to this div; fo^ i„ snite of long ages of neglect, abandonment, oppression and scan dalous xmsgovernment, it is still a InnS^of ZufuTval ev° a land of corn and wiii^, and oil olive and honev capable iold'^h.nt';?^'"''?'^''"^ .overnn.ent of produVing^f >t ui\.nl . ^"''1 '^^ J"'^"*'''*' «"'^ «f sustaining five times Its present population. But the people hnve been roS iootr: t r" T''-.\^*' '- ''^^ lisl^t of prophec^'wet V look for better thuigs in davs to come wnrS. .T;/'' <'"\"o'^inion of Canada, can recognize in the ^[h^tnn;?l'■7''^J•'^^''''^.^'^"-"'''^^•'•^■ fa'^^^f"l'^^«C"pti^ of ho goodly land' in whic]. our own lot is cast tl.o Sir 7"" ''VVVoeuMo the force of the warning that in the days of prosperity, "when we hare eaten and are Ml'' and have built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; and onr herd, and onr foel-s, and our silrer and our gold, and a/TT/mTf. Mmarenmltiraie^,---M then our hearts b^tTip:\^ ad the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth' B, I 1 ou Shalt remember rhe Lord thy God; for it is H thIt GUETII THEE POWER TO GET WEALTH ! (y 10 to 17 ) ,,.?i;r* pregnant saying,-profound and philosophic: con- stantly forgotten m these days of national expansion and 33 518 Address on National Wealth. h^' increase of wealtli; — days when men ou this continent, ourselves included, are in the habit of pluming ourselves ou our wealth and progress, comparing ourselves with others who have not done so well; as if we had created the soil, and planted the forests, and placed the coal and the silver and the gold in the mine, and created the rivers and the seas that are the habitation of the tish. To hear some people talk, one would suppose all these to be the creation of men. But, even when we are ready to acknowl- edge a creating Hand in all thia, how apt we are to glorify ourselves for all the results of industry and mechanical skill, forgetting that even these are all from Him; that the contriving brain, and the skillful hand, and the seeing eye, and the persevering will are all of Him, as their ultimate source and sustaining strength. He it is that gives men the power to get wealth — a mighty and far reaching truth indeed, but how seldom realized; rarely thought of, and practically never given thanks for. It was a profound knowledge of human nature that led to this warning of three thousand years ago, a warning that has been so elo- quently brought before us at this very time in that pathetic lyric, "Lest ice forget, lest ice forget." Further on in the same address the boundaries of their future possession are declared to be from the Wilderness to Lebanon north and south, and from the Eiver Euphrates to the Mediterranean Sea, east and west. The first was real- ized during the days of Joshua; the last only after the victories of David. (Chap. >.i. 21.) Tlie address then reverts to matters of Religion and Wor- ship. After a repetition of the command to destroy all the altars, images, and groves of the Canaanitish nations, there is the injunction that in one place, and one place only shall burnt offerings and sacrifices be oll'ered; and that the place shall be Divinely chosen. And the injunction is repeat- ed: — with the command that their times of sacrifice and fulfilment of vows shall be times of rejoicing. (Chap, xii., 5 to 12.) This injunction that there shall be, in the whole land, only one place of sacrifice; one tabernacle, one temple, one altar, is perhaps the most remarkable feature in the whole Mosaic system. It seems to have been designed to wold the people to- gether as one, to develop a high degree of national, as op- posed to a tribal synrit, to develop in the young people of every part of the land a love and admiration for their re- ligion, by seeing it in its most hp.nntifnl manifestation continent, g ourselves lelves with Liad ^'reated iie coal and i the rivers u. To hear s to be the to ackuowl- 'eto glorify mechanical im; that the seeing eye, air ultimate t gives men chiug truth ght of, and a profound warning of been so elo- hat pathetic I'ies of their ilderness to Euphrates to ■st was real- ly after the on and Wor- st roy all the ations, there cc only shall lat the place m is repeat- jacriflce and . (Chap, xii., whole land, temple, one in the whole le people to- ional, as op- ng people of for their re- lanifestation Address on Religion and Ceremonial. 519 three times a year; and also to make them acquainted with the dillerent parts of their country, as they traversed it on the way to the chosen centre, again and again. And it did answer this purpose for many generations, viz., until liehibT ^''^^^ separation through the folly of King The address then turns to the subjects of enticements from their religion. If by a pretended prophet, he is to be put to death. If a man's ijwa brcthcr, or son, or wife, or dearest friend so entice, the injunction is equallv severe. Itime eye shall not pity, neither shall thou spare :—(Chn]). xiii., The offence is capital, because to turn away was treason against God and the State, and struck at the very founda- tion of their existence as a nation. And all their after ex- perience shows that the temptation to fall awav was enormously stroll * The addrf s J p 'sses on to repeat the injunctions respecting Clean and r.-- .'«■. animals and birds; also as to the i/car of release; aiv.;, uad particularly, as to care for the poor; a marked feature in this legislation; and the foundation of that care lor the poor which passed on to Christian times, and has been perpetuated even to this day.(Chap. xv. 11 ) lor the poor shall never cease out of thcland; said the law giver, and our Lord repeated it when He also said The poor ye always have with you. (Mark xiv.) ' The injunctions as to Gleaning from the field or the vine- yard, or the olive grove, are all of the same character, as well as those which allow a man walking through fields of corn to pluck the ears as he passes— evidentlv with an eye to poor weary way-farers. There is in these addresses a good deal of reiteration, ^^hlch shows that this book was not written as a man of v^ir-T V'^^'^ ^^''l^% '■" ^'^^'-'^ ^^^^y«' ''"t that its contents weie spoken, on different occasions, at different times, and strictly 111 an extempore manner. And one of the most striking repetitions is the injunction to make the groat religious festivals times of rcjoicinq—xiot such rejoicing as Ihat of the heathen festivals, which were ♦NoTE.-Sucli passages as these have been taken to justify per- nf/^J^ in Christian days; in utter forgetfulness of the differe^nce of times and c?rcumstances; and of the fact that the Divine Saviour No' rStL^n'^^f.f T""'' '° '^ ^^'^'■'^ ^° '^^■f^"<=^ °^ Hil T,vSol No Christian state has ever been divinely established in such cir- cumstances as the Jews. To profess a different form of the Christian religion from that of the head of the State Is no offence aSS P-ff", , . ^^^/ ^^^l ?° analogy whatever to that of the enticements TO idolatry referred to in this address of Moses, 620 Address on the Administration of Justice. times of i" )tiug aud druukouuess, as indeed those of the Medieval • limcU became too ofteu, but of that joy iu the Lord Avliich became a holy aud consecrated people, which would express itself, in the joyful singiuy of psalms aud hymns; aud in kindly words and de:»'is, and mutual con- gratulatious as friend met with friend, aud walked to the ItoHNC of Uud ill eoiiipaiii/. And in these rejoiciny> It is in- teresting to note how all the members of the household aud the poor and the stranger are to be included. Thou Shalt rejoiee in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daiKjhUr, and .hy inan-sercant, and thy inaid-servant, and tlie Lerife, the stranyer, the fatlivrless and the u-idow that are 'Within thy g ties. Our great Ohuich Festival s?asous when properly observed, are but a coutinuation of ths'se ancient leslivals, as ordained by God through the hand of Moses. (Chap. xvi. 14.) liui th'e.-e, it should l,e remembered, have no Divine authcrity. Following upon this is a striking injunction as to the Administration of Justice; which administration is viewed in the ilosaic economy as a part of religious duty, to be done in the fear of God. Tliou Shalt not wrest judyinent; Thou shalt not respect per- sons (V. 19.) (Here is enunciated the true doctrine of the equality of men; so profound and wise as contrasted with the sltani and unworkable doctrine of equality, as it has been put forth in modern days.) Thou Shalt not take a yift; (another far-seeing direction striking at corrupt practices wdiich always tend, aud every- where, to creep into the administration of justice), for a qift doth blind the eyes of the icise, and pervert the icords of the righteous. The wisest Englishnmn that ever lived. Lord Bacon, was a sad witness to the truth of this. A system of Appeal from a Lower to a Higher court is outlined in the direction given as to matters of life and death in this chapter. After directing that nothing shall be determined ex- cept on the testimony of more than one witness, two or three being necessary, the" command goes on (Chap. x^;ii.) : — "If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judymeut, be- tween blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke (how expressive, how modern, so to speak, all this sounds), being matters of controversy within thy gates, then thou Shalt arise and get thee into the place which the Lord thy God shall choose. And thou shalt eome unto the Priests, the L'vites. and unto the Judge that shall be hi those days and inquire. And thou shalt do according to the sentence of judg- vtent. ... ' ' ■ ^ ^ ose of the joy iu the pie, which suhiis aud utuul con- ll^cd to lliG '^i- It is iu- ehoid aud H, (dhI thy nt, and the thnt arc sous when se aucient of Moses, ered, have as to the is viewed uty, to be •cspcct pcr- ine of the isted with as it has direction md evei'v- ice), for a ! icords of aeon, was r coui't is ■ life and iiined ex- '•0 or three ii.):- (jmcnt, he- ■een stroke k, all this ates, then the Lord e Priests, (701/9 and :e of judg- As to a Monarchy. 521 Here then is a clear indication of a Superior Court t<, be held wherever the seat of worship for the laid is flxej to be presided over by a mixed tribi ual of I'r est" Levitt ?o ni"^f 'i Tl'"^"' ^^^^•'^'"" ^« to be final It intei:'s£ to note that, though the Priests and Lovites l^ave nolffice of teaching or prophesying formally assigned to them thpv T. ^ ^^s TO A Monarchy. lufc wtjgiin commands are given- not Se'^^Jje'^ttif"" '"■"' ^-^^^n'-'^tions. sach as oou?d carried out if wives were multiplied, after the fash- LeXTortt'Se"&we.;'r ^^ °^|^'l ^^^ the PHests and life separated from the people ity'll'^f'^^ ^'"^^^^^ >iving a all respects like the rest of he npon^^f ?,' ^^- ^^^ ^.^^" «-'^^°- '^ tions, with only the oblieitinn f'^ il ' ^"^^^'^S ordinary occiipa- and take their cour^ of See a? h.o°h'^ ^° ^^^ ^'^^ °f ^o^'sliiP. less, in time, the Priests and T.li/it ''^^appointed. But, doubt: numbers about tL cSal citv an^ h/''"'" ^^^^^^ '° increasing exercise judicial functiong ^' ^^'"""^ "^""'^ ^'^^ '""''e At tt 522 The Conduct of War. ft,| •t' ion of the monarcLs of the East, in all ages; even till now. And how needful this prohibition was is shown by the wretched developments in the later life of King Solomon. The prohibiten to (jnathj multiply silver and gold is in the same direction. It wisely recognizes that considerable treasure is needful to a monarch. But it forbids a (jveat accumulation; such accumulations as those of Croesus for example, which foster pride, and tempt the cupidity of powerful neighbours; bringing about forgetfulness of God, and developing covetousness and hardness of heart; and promoting luxury and effeminacy, these destroyers of monarch3. In this respect also the career of Solomon furnishes a terrible warning; indeed, in almost every one of these matters, his course as a monarch, after he had built the Temple, was in complete violation of these Divine com- mands. Connected with this subject of government are precepts as to The Conduct of War. Some of these are very noticeable. The first is that, in going out to war, they are not to he afraid of a superior force, not even a force of horses and chariots, generally so terrible to an undisciplined host, but to remember that the Lord teas tcith them. (Chap, xx., 1.) How important this is every commander knows. Cour- age and confidence are everything in war. Napoleon's profane dictum that "Providence is always on the side of the heaviest battalions " is not true, as both ancient and modern experience have proved. What do Marathon, and Salamis, and Agincourt, and the repulse of the Armada, and numbers of otl ri- insianc;^s teach, but that soul and spirit and disids a (jrcat Droesus for cupidity of ess of God, heart; and stroyei'S of furnisliea a 16 of these d built the )ivine com- re precepts : is that, in ^ a superior ;enerally so )er that the )ws. Cour- Napoleon's the side of mcient and 'athon, and le Armada, that soul i-ces in war tha^. the v&H ordered re a battle ach this day z Lord your ffainst 1/our lis could be i and David sections are act, united 1 dare any- se. ■>POr»lf snT- The Conduct of War.~Thc Prophet to Come. 523 battle, and another vraTZLJeU^^^^^^^ '''■ "f '^'^ '"' '^^^ man who has planted a vinM .L ^^'"^'^^^'1^ with the it; also the man lohoisletZrrltn-^''^ "-'^^^^'^ ^^^ fruit of lier; all these are to retu;n\2/'£^^^^^^ ^""^^ "«* ^'^^^en to the hichost Ditr } nf L ^ ^^'^^'^ '"«" of the armv these dirlctl^; wemay "Et^^^^ I" faetiJ proclamation ot S^Z7-~E^nr !^t.^^^ ^^'"^ ""^ ^^^ ^^^ous DO HIS duty! ^'^'''^"- ■fc'^GLAND EXPECTS KVERY MAX TO The Prophet that was to Come. God, and to whom 111 hnnl/F'" ' ""^^ ^^"^ authority of xviii., 18.) '^'''"'•^ '^^ ^o^od to listen. (Chap. personage, a be S that wi/inrn ;'^*''''^?^l°ary prophetic the Baptist, as c^n Sviln \° l?'"^'' ^ the time of John "Art thou T.'vT Pkophec- X ^o?r'*'?^ ^"* '' ^"•"• "No." "uiiicr. (.jobK 1.21); and he answered: ill P'^ f !??*■■; P -m li., 1'',' f' !'•, |l !, CHAPTER II. Vahious Pkecepts as to Six'ULAu AND Keligious Matteus. (Chap. XX., 10 to end.) Continuing the commands as to the carrying on of War; we tind a direction as to a besieged city, viz., that in every case a provlumation of peace shall be made, which, if ac- cepted by the inhabitants, they shall simply become tribu- taries. But, if they refuse, all the men are to be slain, but the women and the children are to be retained as servants, (v. 10 to 14.) This looks, at first, a barbarous and cruel precept, but it must be remembered that in those days every man capable of bearing arms would be a soldier. And it is bard to form a right judgment at this distance of time and in fcU(h cliang. d ciicumslaiues, ; s to tl e cruelty or other- wise of certain iirccopts. There is also a further direction with respect to a long siege, where there are abundance of fruit trees about the city, that they are not to be cut down to be employed in the siege. For thou maycst cat of them; for the tree" of the field is man's life. Onh/ the trees thou knoicest to he trees not for meat thou shalt cut down, (v, 19.) Certainly a humane and thoughtful provision, designed to mitigate the ravages of war, and to prevent those de- solations of large tracts of fruitful country which have so generally resulted from Avar, even in these Christian times. As a contrast, let us think of the condition of large portions of Europe, esjtecially during the devastating wars of Napoleon, whose maxim was tliat the country in which war was carried on must sup]iort the war. Even the war between the North and the South, though conducted on far more humane j)rinciples, led to an amount of devasta- tion that it required long years of ]ieace to I'ecover from. There is then a pi't copt as to Captives which pre.ents a striking contrast to what was customary in ancient times, viz.. that, if amongst the captives of war, a man finds a woman whom he desires, she must be made a lawful wife; and not be made a slave; nor be sold for money, after she has become a wife. (Chap, xxi., 10 to 1,3.) A precept, this, far in advance of the practice even of some mo;'e'n nations. GIOUS 1 of IFflr; in every ch, if ac- me tribii- slain, but servants. cept, but >'erj man find it is time and or oiher- to a long ibout the ployed in rce of the J trees not designed those de- 1 have so an times. of large ting wars in which 1 the war lucted on I devasta- ver from, re.ents a nt times, n finds a )ful wife; after she ■ even of Various Precepts as to .Secular and RcUyious Matters. 525 oul '"^ **" ^? "''^'''^'. l^owever, that the command to pro- cam peace to a besieged city is not to apply to the ciUes dis nH.tVr"''"'^" "^i^^'""'-. '^^^""'^ ^"^'^ doomed to to al tnrlft,' '%^}''y''^ judgment, and lest they should leach the Israelites to do after their ahominatUms. Amonpt the j.ieccpt.s relating (o Scco'ar i:f' iu these later address<.s, tlu- following stand out proumuutlv. if bPrn/n n^^^^ (thap xxUb,. found lying in the Add, and It be not known who hath slain him, most carelul e lou rv is to be made, with a sacrllice as a .solemnity, and ?1 eSrs tat on "fW : '^V; '"''. '■' ^'^ ^'"* "P«" «" «'^th, and protes tation, that this blood is not of their shedding. of tSe'^hS^ '"''"° ''"' ^''"" "^ ^''^ Coroner's Inquest ti.Jl 'V"''^" ^'"^"^ ^"-o ^'^^'■^•^.S of whom he likes one better «r. f.?^^''',^.?,"'"'* ™''^^^^^ "" difference in his treat nient of their children:— (v. 15 to 17.) If a man have a rebellions son, a glutton and a drunkard and incorngib e in wickedness, he is to he hrour,ht tote 5o death. (;:'1l'.r'' ""' '^' "'"^ '' *^^ "*^ ''"'''' ^'^''^^ These Mosaic i-egulations, lot it be remembered are di- Z5'' r.t''""^' 'T^' ^^""^'^ ^l^^^- ^^ l^'-i^'d to understand, beZ^l .o.''"' "' ^ "^ tf'-^'iWy severe, it must be remem! beied the.^ are ordained by One who is unquestionablv as merc.fu as he is just. And all the experience of our own H f. nm- ""^""l^ *° *''" pnnishment of crime is that sever fo ?.nf """^'/'J'^ ^'^■''i^'* "^^^'^■^'5 especially in cases where ^gtxm led to the destruction of innocent people. Modern humamt:.rKmism tl.us of(ea dt-f.ats Its own object. tS fnJir°f life, and tl.at a murderer's, a sacrifice of many innocent people has 1 een n^ade. ^ Now this punishment of a wicked son, which would be well known, would be deterrent in a .'erv high degree And this is the end of all punishment for crime The criminal is punished to prevent others being injured by other acts of crime. And certainly a son, with vicious propensities, could hardly fail to be strongh- restrained in the exercise of them when he knew he was liable 1o be stoned to death by the people if his wickedness became in- tolerable. ^..ri'' f^'^ Pi-ineiple a]>plies to other severe punish- .ww /'"''"'P'^'.*'' tliose punishments of stoning to death for offences aqamst chastiti/ (Chap. xxii. 20 to 2o) which read so hardly to us. without considering the circumstances. 1*01 these offences struck, like idolatrv. .nt the vorv founda- !' '. >*^ fl2(J Various Precepts as to Secular and Religious Matters. Bucli things were common features in the life of the JliidonH round about, and the temptation to sink to their luvel was (.onstaut, pressing, and hard to resist. It was iiee) the goodness and sererity of Ood! les, most truly, the one as manifest as the other. And so It 18 in the world of so-called Nature ! The benelicent ar- rangements of the nalural world, the won.k-rful eoutriv- am-es for the (omfort and welfare of man und beast and fish and fowl, excite the admiration— the profound adniira- tion— of nil who have investigntcd tlicm. An?t fl,7 come to the land ichicli the Tor,l nivrti, Then, thou slialt give the basket to the priest nnd «nv .« %n«». ready to perish, va. nu, father efer ii '• to ,^l' n the famme), and he icent down to ^r,//,^ and / • c « '^I'onftreatand populous. And the Er,i■^uCam}cted^^^ iml Vv ,i I •' /, ''''r'''^^'"''"*- And he hath given us this land which ioweth with milk and honev. And now Ihold mmsmm b/lhe'head'n'j^ir'',"'^'^ """' individual thanksgiving ffom a SvHnn ,J/'\^''"'^' '''"^ "" remembrance of how, n^on^hatZv' wel*' P""'' ^"^ ^'^^^ ^-^'^ *^- ^^e There is a further command of a solemn cercmonv of I t i o It: 1 • I; 'S, r ^'^ r. , w ,«^ 530 yar/oHS Precepts as to Secular and Religious Matters. Protestation in every year of tithing. This tithing was only every third year; and, therefore, never burdeusouie. It was giving exactly according to what God had bestow- ed; there was, therefore, always the means of giving in the giver's own hand And the tithe was to bo, not only for the Levite, not for religious purposes only, but for the poor, for the stranger sind the fatherless and the %cidoxo! an application of the tithe which has been sadly forgotten in modern times, when the whole was absorbed by the Church, leaving the poor and the orphan to be cared for by the State. r.ut in the third year, in bringing in his tithe to the priest, the Israelite was required to say before God: / have given of the hallowed things to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow, according to Thy commandment. I have not transgressed Thy commandment, neither have I for- gotten them. (Chap, xxvi., 12, 13.) Well would it have been both for Church and State in Christian times if this had been perpetuated. Having said all this, Moses offers up a solemn Prayer for Blessing. i,v. 15, 16.) and a solemn form for covenant and consecration in the words:— (v. 17 to 19.) ''Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God; to walk in His ivays, and to hearken to His voice. And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as He promised thee; to make thee high above all nations, which He hath made, in praise and in honor: and that thou mayest be an holy people tinto the Lord thy Ood," as he hath spoken: — A form of consecration and covenant that is just as ap- plicable to the people of Christian times; and most suit- able, for example, when young men and maidens are taking the vows of God upon them in confirmation, or Christian profession, or when on some occr ^ion ot peculiar solemnity the whole congregation is renewing its vows of dedication to God. After this, the command is given to set up Great Stoner, plastering them vith p\ute- and writing on them the words of the Law, wiiich slon^^s are to be set up on Mount Ebal, in the very centre of the land. How much of tlie law was so written it is .mpossible to say; probably not more than the Ten Commandments. On the same place an altar of rough stones was to be ercfted, f(nd burnt offerings and peace-offerings iTei-rd thereon. This was doubtless a tem- porary ari'angement, only intended for the one solemn oerem.ony of consoor'>' ion, to b^^ observed when the land was subdued. (Chap xvii , 1 to 3.) e to the 1 : / have nger, the ment. I ;e / for- CnAPTEK III. Tub Closing Charge and Song op Moses, with tue Blessings and Cursings. (Deut. 27 to end.) The closing words of the great Lawgiver are of extraor- dinary weight and solemnity. First there is the command to assemble the tribes on the Mounts Ebal and Gerizim— half on Gerizmi, half on Ebal, the place of each being de- signated, and there to have road out in the ears of the Whole people, a terribly emphatic condemnation of certain sins to which, from their circumstances, they would be prone. And thus this word began:— "Cursed he the man that mokcth a eople ^sct their Iiands to. (Chap, xxvin.) Thus lar as to temporal things. But there an- higher ble^^- iugs than these,-/-'or tl>e '.ord shall establish thee an My ncople unto Himself; and all people of the earth shall sec that TZiart called by tl>e na,ne of the Lord, and shall be afraul '^Thut, in spiritual things and temporal alike, they should be blessed- the heaven Avould smile upon them, the ram shoud":^me in his season: they should lend and not borrow; tev should be above and not beneath; hut ali eontmgent on their oontinu.ug faithu.-!, and holding fast by the com- mandments of their God. f„,«iio^s oi om one shade of calamity to another riagucs estile ce and famine, bodily disorders, and the loathsome ~ ^.?^h^Lt ii^--- r caS^g^S^^:?^ an iiiLiT^ci^r^ftiSn^Jir^i ^ ^^^r JSiel^^l^l'^^o?^-!^^ 1^^ lirally ful- flll'erat an eirly period of their ^^i^tT f -.fmsHnf "-- strikingly prophetic, stretching out nto fai «!^y-^"t ^ " nm 1-es What, for example, can be more striking Ihan ;r foflowing as indicating the sufferings endured when the lL'l:s^n^aded.andJerusal.nbese^^^^^ but especially in that terrible scige wmer i The Blessings and the Cursings. 533 ce of Ciod's ludauce of fruit of the on Cattle, lituj in and t the i)ci>ple iglier bless- /((•(.' an hohj lall sec that II he afraid tlioy should n. the rain not borrow; iitiugc'ut ou y the c(nu- 1 from the always had men sobei", rs of life. 2 sphere of ) a si)ecial liod. lich run on gracing the tual condi- far more places it is ■<_>p," as wo I'r. riague, e loathsome eduess and of sons and adation and 'sltment, and 3ngst whom a series of never been iterally ful- t some were istant times triking than ^ed when the e and agiiin, Tioman tien- eral, Titus, after the nation— as u nation— had rejected the iSon of God: — "The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from Ihe end of the earth, us swift as the eat/le figeth; a nation nf fierce countenance: lUhap. xxviii., 4reat seige by the Romans:— .!»(/ thou shaU eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thg sons, and of thg daughters, m the straitness of the seige! »Vo that the man that is tender among you, his eye shall be eril toward the wife of his hosn.n, and the remnant of his children, so that he will not give to am/ oj them of the flesh of his children that he shall eat:—iv. 54.) And, more terrible still. The tender and delicate woman among i,ou, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground, for delieacg and tendcrn"s;s, — her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and towards her children, for she shall eat them, for want of all things, secreilu, in the seige and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall dis- tress thee in thy gates, (v. 56.) If we did not know that auch things had really happened, these awful pictures might be supposed to be the dreams of a tvierd imagination. But they are leally foreshadowings cast upon the wall by liini who knows ail the future of the natious; and to Whom the territ)le events of the captivities and the seiges of distant ages were present as the events of to-day. And how true are some other dark shadows of this picture, we have witness in the v'vents of modern times in Europe, and even in those of ou'* own day. Is it not true of ihe Jews of vliese modern times, that they have been scattered amongst all people, and is not this a true description of what their circumstances have often been : — "/l«rf amongst these nations thou shalt find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot hare rest. And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee, — /;) the morning thou shall say, njould (rod, it were even! and at even thou shalt say, would God it were morning, for the fear of thine heart whereunto thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes tchich thou shalt see! (v. 64.) There have been persecutions of other people, and bitter persecutions too. But these have been only partial, and for a comparatively short time. Such per- seeutions have been utterly unlike those ..^rainst the Jews. ■ 34 M fi34 The Blessings and the Cursings. 'S ' ' Ji !" i !'! '" i 1 - H ti •J \ The ill-will towards them has been against the whole race The persecutions, the exactions, the outrageous tyrannies they have endured, have been directed against them simply as Jews; aad it is as strange as it is shameful, to say that most of these persecutions have been by so-called Christian nations, nations who are heirs alike of the revela- tion and the salvation that came by this ancient people. Even in these closing days— alas— of the nineteenth cen- tury, the manitesiations of ill-will in some of the principal countries of Europe are as pronounced as ever All this IS to the shame of Christendom; yet, for all that nufftl'^\ developments of wrong-doing that have worked ?.ufin 1^.,''"" ?'"°'' ordination, these persecutions have fulfilled the words spoken thousands of years ago. Thus Wt of H ^^rf' ^Tb. ^^^^'" '^'^^^S «f tl^i« very sub-' ject of the destiny of his own people, we can but exclaim flZi^^Z ' '" ""'''' judgm^ents, and ^i/ZaJ. pS Aii''lil''^"V/ "" these calamities, the race survives. And we have, later on in the last final address, an index to this feature of their history. For after the dark clouds ot threatening comes the rainbow of promise, viz., that if ?n .?^//'"/r i*' ^J'f -''' *"<^y t"""" to the Lord,-, Then ihe Loid thy God toill turn thy captivity, and have compassion on thee and mil return, and gather thee from the nations whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee. And the Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thif seed to love the Lord thy God toith all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou tnayest live. (Chap, xxx.) And it is here that occurs the striking passage quoted by fet. laul in his Epistle to the Romans (Chap. x. 6 7 8)-— - "For this commandment is not hidden from thee, neither is tt far off. It ts not in heaven, that thou shouldest say— Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear and do it? Neither is it heyond the sea, that thou .shouldest say— Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that u-e may hear and do it? Bui the word is very nigh unto thee; in thy mouth and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. (v. 11 to 14.) Having said this, and called Heaven and Earth to witness that he had set before them life and death, he went on to speak a few parting words of counsel: — "/ am an hundred and twenty years old this day," so he begins, and goes on to charge them to be strong and of good courage. Then he gives the same cha/ge to Joshua; after which he added the last words to The ffonk o^ tJie Law rte Closing Ch-rge and Song of iloscs. 535 xxxi., 1 to 9.) ^^ "^ t^*^ Covenant. » (Chap is gathered before God it 'is to L '"f^ ^'^"'^ ^^'^ ^''^'■^^*^J "(^a^/iCT ^/ic people tZ , ,*" '^'''^ '° t^^'"' '^earin-. that they mmj learn and UrthoT i *^^'^' '"«■'/ '*'^«'- a«(i to do ail theivordofthinu Tf. ^'"'" ^"''' ««'' "'^'^^''-'^ pour God. OS lu;u,se loetZ^'f ^?''\ ^' ^'"'' ^''^ ^^^'^ Jordan to possess U:>% il Z % ''''"''"' ^' ^" ''''' derful sublinut;andtnutv- thP ni ^^'"''"^ ^"""^ ^^ ^™'^- ffenh,.s, and of a lu^.VmeSouh c'utpounng of a sanctifi..d to the people and n hi^h "' '''"'' "'*''»' '""^ ten(k.,,„.ss served .?o /on; '°Ye? wfthaf'^TT! ''i.'^^' ?*^^ ^^^ ^^^ faults and sins of the nSn ^"if «'"« t^ie grievous might fear should tev pass 'n n%''' Punishment they nations n.nnd abo u t^^^are a"so nn^H *''^^P«?«««- ^'^e To this snno- nil +1.^ f passed in review. listen,*b;^ Tpe&r y Z Se ^ Jlhe^^l;"'^^^ h^^^^^^^^' *« were i'anf;ed in front of thl v . J '''^^ ^^"^ I'l'obably alon^ the sides n^nj^"^ ■^^T'^'^l ^^ '^'^^"-^ natural amphitheatre. '"Ijaceut hills, in a vast Give ear, ye hearem, thus begins this siiblim« Mj doctrine shall drop as the rain My speech shall distil as the dew- As the small rain upon the tender plant, And as the showers upon the grass. (Deut. xxxii.) Images, these, often used by subsequent Dsalmista «,,^ ^^^.LL^^°T^ ''^'■^' ''5^ ^-^^^^ himself, arranged in order and vtrl ^ *°^%'''^'' «« ^« to fo™ what we now call a book This wm very shortly before the solemn call to the mounatn where he ZT, to die. And certainly, it is remark.aW» in fh " h-w ^^1^^°^ ,^'^f such books as these of Moses should have appeared in the"wo-ld at Buch r.n early age, more than five hundred yeans before Homer Thv Closiny ChuriK' and Hong of Moses. Tlieu hf piut-et'ds, liftiii;^- Lis soul up to the Etei'Dcil,-- dwelMuu ou lli« aUributi-s aud cliai'iicter:— ''Ascribe ye (jreulna-i unto our God. He is the Rock; Hi'-, work is [ierfcGt, For all His ways arc judymcnt; A God of truth, and aiiliout iniquity, Just and riyht is He." When we consider how far h-' ;k iu th<' History of ilie world was the time uf this utterauoe, we eaiij.ot !)Ut be struck witi'. its nobiiity, its pt-rfection, the exalted con- cepiion ir ^rivcH of the Everlasting Kuler, the Uod and Guide of th";'^ Helrew people. But let us remember — Moses had seen God — fai o to fuce, This song is of Divine inspira- tion, i'assing t»i', with a glance at the contrasi; between exteilenie, and the coriTiiiiiuii, the folly, the < !ookt'dne!*;« of the peojjle, he utters one of those preg- nant (ruihs wi'ich are both temporary and everlasting; temporal for the Israel that was ; eternal for the true and spiritual Israel who abide iu Jesus Christ for evei-: — The Lord's portion is His people — Jacob is the lot of His inheritance. The Earth is the Lord^s, said a descendant of Jacob, and all that is therein. And another, that His delights were tcith the children of men. Itut it pleased Him to separate, select, and choose one people as His own, special and beloved; a peculiar treasure. And of this people, the song declares, using a tigure of vivid impersonation:-^ 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: As an Eagle stirreth up her nest, Fluttereth orer her young, Upreadeth abroad her wings, Taketh them, beareth them on her xoings, fio the Lord alone did lead him; And there was no strange god with him; He made him to ride on the high places of th- th, That he miaht eat the increase of the fields. (V: , ^Ql'f J 13.) The spirit of propnecy, the eye piercing unt. 'v disitant The Closluii Charge and Soii,j of Moses. Eternal, — ory of the vMl but be ailed con- t God ami )er — Moses ine iuspira- 3l between till' folly, tboHc preg- verhtstiug; the true r evti': — Jacob, (Did s were icith 'ate, select, d beloved; ig declares, }f th rth, is. nu,df,,I of the RoeK- that Inyat //*r», and I . V/J/ '^ / , that forn,,,1 then; and of the consecjnent ^e? o "tS God, leading to their being distressed bv other m,tiUh, and The,, shall hr hur„t with huu„er. and dmmred with heat- the sword without, and terror within, slmtt .Mv/'o,/ ? ^ 7/ ; po,,n, nun, and the ri.;i„. the s„cUi,„ with a:''!''^;:; anXr;n!l;--;;;t^;!tf'h^^^ O.that the,, „-e,r wise, that the,, „„de,-stood thix. that the,, no,ihl eo„s,der tlfe,r latter end! How should one ehose a thou- sand, and t,co put ten thousand to fliqht' Rut the nations around, that would trouble and oppress then, are not to be passed by without a re.-on.pense-i!! 1 he,,- ,-oek ,s not as our Roek. our enemies the,nsel,-es heinq the judges. W,-ath is laid u,, in sto,r for the,,, a„d Jled tlllli '^' '"n"!' ''"'"• ''''"■ '^"f' 'f *'"''>• '''"^<>»»f" '> «t ha,d 11 he,-e a,-e the,r gods; their ,oek in ,rho,n the^, trusted^ noJthnir' '% "'"' »'" ^""'- ""'' '"' ■"""- P'-oteetion! See »owthatI. even I. a,u He. and their is ,,o ,,od without Ve Most truly was all this verified in tlie'subsetiuent historv of the adjoining nations. The tribes that harassed thein round about, the nations that attacked them, ravaged their land, and .-arried them away captive, passed awav one atter another, and liave long ceased to exist. ^ The calamities of Israel were for clc.Mtise,nent and purifv- mg, and for the accomiijishnient of high ends in the lI'S:^' 638 The Closing Charge and Song of Moses. dispensation of the Messiah. Yet Israel exists still; and when Israel turns to the Lord, their Saviour, then the fulnefis of the Gentiles shall come in (Komaus xi., 25), ;(>■ :,1 hn' lliui! - .,■»:_■(. ^ This wonderful song ends with a sublime picture of the Supreme, as a mighty Avenger, coming in wrath and power, Lifting up His hand to hmven, ichetting His glittering sword, His hands taking hold on judgment, rendering vengeance to His enemies:— culling on the nations to rejoice with His people, because of the arcnging of the hlood of n,'i servants. Thus will He be merciful to His land and to His neoDle ' 40 to 43.) ^ ^ Do we think this strange, as coming from a merciful and benevolent Being? W'e only think it strange when we form partial and imperfect conceptions, projecting our own thoughts into the region of the Divine. Already we have noticed, more than once, that nature and revelation ag.'ee in opening to us conceptions not only of the goodness but the severity of the Lord of the Universe,— not only His benevolence and mercy, but His justice. Nature and the course of human affairs long ago suggested to the thoughtful Greeks the operation of a Nemesis in the forces of the world; a being, or a force, or an influence, which made lor righteous retribution. What these thoughtful Greeks imagined and guessed at, the revelation of the Divine word opens up to us as a truth; conformable to reason. Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? enquires the great Apostle, writing to Roman Christians of Divine justice (Chap, iii., 5). And what does he answer, but ^Nay, verily, for then how should (lad judge the wojhU And this is conformable to the instincts of humanity. Let a sentimentalist take his stand in the Roman colisseuiu and see the lions tearing to pieces fair (Miristian women, let him see a conciueror like Mahmoud riding over jtrostrate bodies through the streets of Constantinople, let him stand by an Aulo de Fe in Spain, or by the burnings of martyrs in Smithfleld, or by the floggings and lashings of slave drivers of the South, and a thousand other scenes of blood and cruelty, such as the impaling of children in Bulgaria, or the massiicre of the Armenians in our own times — and he would be less than a man if he did not lift his voice to heaven in indignant remonstrance; if he did not cry out for a Divine hand to appear and punish; if he did not feel satisfaction when blood was made to answer blood, and God was seen coming out of His place, whetting His glittering sword, making His hand take hold on judgment, rendering ven- geance to His enemies, and avenging the blood of His servants. The Closing Charge and Song of Moses. ' 639 « reward for the Zht^l f -f^ nations.-Tmiy fftere m t» ^/- rose up, some iuextin|,nii8hable desire to sav more. And tliis we can well understand. For Moses, ♦ lioUKh a hundred and twenty years old, was still abiding in utrengtli (.f body and mind. *•///« rz/c mix not dim, nor Ids uohiral force ohafcdr (Chap, xxxiv., •<) (lod was about to take him t . Himself, but he was still Jlblf, to the last moment, with a far-seeing eve, and a vlKoroUH mind, and being full of the Divine Spirit, to speak w ids of (luicvi'ning and power. I Jut the end must come. The people could not abide longer in the plain. Preparaticms were all complete. Uatiann lay before them, will', the Jordan only to w', the phases of char.cter are dlKtinct. P.ut all is noteworthy, ana some of tiie words have an abiding interest, and have been for sujiport and fionMoIation to thousands even in these hi-istian days of ampler blessing. Hee to what high and noble th luW'itiver was directed; as he spc' he, l/fwrx, the man of God, bless- fore his death: — And he said (the eye (»f phophecy and s])iritual vision being opened) (Chap, xxxiii.): — The Lord came from Sinai, And rose up from Mount Seir unto them. ffr sliivcd forth from \Tount Paran. And He came with ten thousands of His saints. 's the mind, of the great \e ossing — wherewith I he Idren of Israel be- it'i- about I<'. aiul it i-eutly the in. Home ire to say >r Moses, ibiding in n, nor his was still e, and a , to 8i)eak lot abide complete. to him from his enemies. Brief, but pregnant, and with a of the Messianic times about it. Lkvi is ae sacred tribe, and the blessing refers to that w.mderfal breastplate of the high priest, the rrim and Thnmmini, ^'lights and perfections," by which the mind of (iod could be ascertained. This is also in the r, y?u" / P'"^-^'^''" *^'^* i* ^'^''^y ^^ C(.utinued in efflcacv, and that the descendants of Levi may be teachers of Israel ud ministrants at hei altars of incense and burnt offerim/ VIJ this, togethei- with a special prayer for blessint) on his sul stance, acceptance of his teork. and protection' against hm enemies. Benjamin comes next, and is mentioned with special favor as a bclored of the Lord, one whom the mighty Jehovah will defend and cover all the dav long. It might seem as if there was here a prophetic prenumition of that great Ben.jamit<-. the Apostle Paul, to whom certainlv the blessing is specially applicable. Bnf Joseph has the crowning blessing, and it is noticeable that the blessing is not to E/diraim and Mana.m'h, the two existing tribes, but to the father of both, the great and good protector of the family :. Ej;;. pi in former days. That blessing is peculiarly ample and rich:— f v. 13 to 17.) Blessed of the Lord be his land; for th< precious things of fi42 Final BhsHiny and Death. o ><•• 3 I; '^ w •ft ■1 '\ »>rt ^^^^^^1 ^^^^B II, ii > ^^^^HfiMii ^ 1 i ^^T '' heaven; for the dew, and for the deep that couehelh beneath. And for the precious fruHs of the sun, and the precious thinyn of the moon, and of tli ancient mountains, uud the tasting hills, and the earth and the fulness thereof; all of them rich foreshadowings of temporal prosperity. Then, as a final and t.,»\vniuy blcMsiug, the youdwill of Him that dicelleth in the hush; tlie inuiiiury of tlic old man now going back to the past Jiiul recalling vividly the wonderful Burning Bush from wlience the mighty Jehovah spake and gave to him the commission of leadership and deliverance. The tribes of ZEBULUx,IssAoiiAn, Gad, DAN.and Nai'utali are all passed in review, but the words designating them have no special siguiticanc c. lUit wlieu tiie last of all is immed, viz., the tribe of Asmou, a great i)riu(iple of spiritual life is euunciafcHl, which has been a source of consolation and strength to innumerable souls, down even to the time now present. Of Aslier he said : — Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil Thy shoes shall be iron and brass, and as tuy days so shall thy strength be! (v. 24.) It is impossible to express, in more terse or emphatic language, the doctrine which shines out both in the Old Testament and the New, that grace and strength is given to GckI's faithful ones, day by day. as the day's needs arise. What David expressed so tenderly in his psalm of shep- herdly care and guidance, in the words, ''The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall irant for nothing," is repeated in still more explicit terms by the Apostle Paul, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory bif Christ Jesus!" (Phil, iv., 19). Thus, these blessings of Moses, the servant of God, close with words of universal applicntion to all redeemed souls, in all lands, in all conditions, in all ages, down to the end of time. And now the end is at hand. But one last word remains, a word of sublime aspiration, of perfect faith and hope, the aged man lifting up his soul to mountain heights of spiritual vision, from whence he sees both God and man, even as he shortly after saw from the top of Pisgah the glorious land of milk and honey stretched beneath his feet. And he said:— ^ There is none like unto the God of Jrshurun, Who rideth upon the heaven in thy help And in His excellency on the sky. Final lileaaing and Death. B43 The EWnial (Iml in thii rvfuf/c And undinmith are the everla^tiny annn! And He ,,,,11 thrnxt ont the enemy Ui'Zfore thee And shall my, —Destroy them. ' ' Israel tlien shall dwell in safety alone, « J '';,,;;;.';."""" 'f '^"'"' •^""" ^'' «/>«» « land of eom Also His hearens shall drop down dew. fiappy art ttiou, <) Israel > Tie i;j;^' ::;X Mp! '''''' '^''''^"^^"^^^ And who is the Sword of thy exeellene,,. And tune enemies shall be found liars unto thee, And thou Shalt tread upon their high plaers! y- 26 to end.) These wonls aro the h.st. An.l while these dosing' words ni I.M-. .il iM-aufy. ,„ sph.,Hh,„r .,f iiuMKcv, i„ yjo^ur of <•on.epr.on, „. ,M.,.iV<.tiou „f lMnKua^^; thV 1 av One (|ual.(y „, whiH, they diHer fro.u all other . 1 h X them at an iinapproa.hable distance, viz./ 1 lev were spokon nnder Divine inspiration; for th^ ins .uc\k.n Hh^'hr::: "V"" f'j'^"f"' i'-i>'e of (ioSrcSodvng fo 1 11 ' "..''1' '"'""""^' "^ •■' ^P'"^"'^' "•••^^'•- tl''it abide Ihrei tl 1 ;; "'"'^ ''' applicable to-day as when spoken inree inousand years ajifo. TlIK ASOKNT OF THK MOUNTAIN ANF. DeATH. a/" yf'T/*'"- words have sufficed in the Divine record to describe the closing scene of all. (Chap, xxxiv ) Moses went up (surely, one may think, ac-omi.anied bv his orAnnl"y"H ''■;'^"''i"{\H'^''^°'^'"« ^^'' '"""ntain ranpe f Moab. to the top of Pispah (or the Hill), doubtless the u^'hest elevation of the range. That he had strength to do vtn.!"'r '"/'V' ^T*''''''^ '"' ^'"''^^' ^"f^'^'^«^« «" accession of lVof« 1. '", •V'"''^.'*''''^*^ ^'"* ^^■'' P"rpose, as the same must A?n fnf T *'*^1"^'^<^ "P"" A.'iron t , enable him to ascend Alount nor, when he too wa.^ called to a mountain top to y;.w ''"; %" ^'T "'^"•a^'^'<^ «^a^*^«- "Tf'e Lord shewed him all the land of Cnlead. vnto Dan" (this was looking northward over towards the far-distant range of Hermon). then "all i\anhtal, (the eye turning westward), and the land of hphrawi and Manasseh. and all the land of Judah unto the utmost sea. The description is evldentlv That of an eve- witness, fo, this is precisely the wav in which the eve '% I ij 644 Final Bieissiiuj and Death. " .81 D ■t^ If ' II 1 1 1 r lift M'» 1 M i 1 i '111 1 „.<;. III ,1 F: i >$>i^ 1 1 S II •! would range round, looking northward first (for there was notiiing ot lutcicsf ( asiwaiu, and l)Ut vcrv inrie soutliward), then, turning towarus the uortii-west; then, still turning, the whole central portion of the land coming into view, until the eye embraced that noble territory oi Judah streahing out nearly to the Great Sea; finally resting on the plain close beneath his feet, on the other side Jordan, where reposed secure behind its great ramparts, the City oi i»aliii irees, Jci-iciio. One cannot resisr Uie extremely probable thought that Joshua was there too, ministering to the aged chief; he also viewing the laud he was to con- •luer, rendering the last kind otfices, smoothing the dying couch, and again hearing in a few last broken words, a repetition of tlie solemn charge, to be strong, to be of good courage, to be faithful! Then the last words ever heard by Moses on earth were heard, as the Lord said to him: — 77/(,s' in the hnuf icliich [ sintir unto Ahniliani, unto Jmf o"e authorship, and rot'oTse'^e'al.'aS t^fat hi Church in all aj,'es, both of the old dispensation and thl new, has been rijrht in interpreting the sayings o^onr^-n^S and Hia Anop+I"" +<- m-on ^^-^ ^f »».V'UKH o. our JLord -1. „^...K.!. ., ,1. m^ran mat Moses was that oue. 54(i As to the Authorship of the Pentateuch. 1} MO f )l 111 r iH »9S -ft 3 J .^f ii| ^^^^^^■^? is ~3 1 1. The contents of the books in style and character are such as Avould be produced by a man, who at one time has multitudinous aHairs on his hands, and who, therefore, writes in hasty jottings, who repeats himself, and has no time to revise; while at anoiher he has abundant leisure, and can amplify a narrative, and give attention to the niceties of composition, yet, all the while being under Uivine guidance. «uch a man in an eminent degree was Moses. 2. It is stated more than once that certain records are to be written by Moses in a book; as for example, the Defeat of the Amalekites when they attacked the host in the wild- erness. But more especially is this form of words notice- able at the very close of the life of the great leader; when, after giving a solemn charge to Joshua, it is stated that Alones had made an end of writing the tvords of this law in a book; which book was commanded to be deposited in the Ark of tlie Covenant for a witness. And of the noble song which is found in Chapter xxxii., it is said that Moses tcrote this song, and taught it to the people. (The use of the third person is well known to be common in authorship.) All this indicates that Moses was a man accustomed to literary composition, and is conform- able to what is stated of his early life and education in a community where literature had long flourished. He was learned in all the wisdom of the Egi/pfians, said the martyr Btephen, speaking by the Holy i&host on the day of his death. Moses, therefore, beyond doubt, wrote and placed in literary form, the records of what is termed the Law, n^^ing that word in its compreliensive sense. And every reason- able probability points to these records being the same as are now contained in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Num- bers and Deuteronomy. But the Book of Exodus is plainly a continuation of a former history; and no condition of probability is violated, but every condition of probability fulfilled, by accepting the judgment of the Church in all ages that not only the books containing the law were written by Moses, but that the introductory book of the whole series, the Book of Genesis, was written by him also; all under Divine guidance and inspiration. acter are time has ;herefore, d has no t leisure, n to the ig under gree was :ords are le Defeat the wild- s notice- (r; when, -ted that law in a d in the iV xxxii., it to thv-i vn to be OSes was conform- ;ion in a He was > martyr y of his aced in w, uiting reason- same as IS, Num- ion of a iolated, 'cepting )nly the )ut that Book of uidance