The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 95

bca11ti.f11l. The first mn<le of God's crent11res, it is like1 rise one of the most radiantly fair. St.reaming forth direct from the golden sun, or reflected in silver benms from the pi.le moon, painting the orient dawn ·with roseate hues, or bathing tho western hills in a sea of glory, Rhimmering in whiteness through the summer air or lying across the rain-cloud in its many-coloured bow, it fascinates the eye of e;ery intcl- lii;-cnt beholder "ilh its incomparable £plendour. S. Essentwlly immaculate. "Hnil, l1oly ligl1t, offspring of Heaven, first born I " sings the immortal bard. "Bright ~ffinencc of bright e~scnce," it could scarce bo other than suiinless in its purity. It 1s the one of all God's mundane crenh1res thnt has cnrried with it none of the ehnotio da_rkncss. Effectually divi1ed from tl,e darkn~ss at th~ fi~st, it now descends upon tins lowc-r ea1th from celeshnl realms. And being pure m itself, wherever it appears it communicat<.>s its own bright nature; it refines, beautifies, and purifies. 4 . .Abso- lutely incorruptible. As it brings no contamination in its beams, so it can receive none. The atmosphere may be polluted, the land may be defiled, the waters of the oc-ean may be rendered impure, it can in no degree be tainted.. Excluded from our presence, admitted to the darkest and t.he foulest abodes, captivated and compelled to be our serrant, absorbed by tl1e dull sod, stored away in coal-fields-all these it may be, but not touched by earth's impurity. II. A DrnNE GIFT. 1. A un,iversal gift. It belongs to no one nation, country, class, or c-ondition, being equally the heritage of all-the wise and the unwise, tho llnthankful and the grateful, the e,il and the good (Matt. v. 45). It was God's first gift to the rnce. 2. A free gift. It costs nothing. The poorest beggar as well as tlie grnndest monarch enjoys it on the same terms-" without money and without price." So free was it to the first man that it anticipated his arrival on the earth; ,ir,d to this day the seeing eye is ever preceded by the light wherewith to see. And, like the light, nil God's gifts are free. "He simply gives unto all men;" and, ::nticipati,e of man's wants, 1' lie prevents us with his goodness." 3. A useful gift. Many of man's gifts are worthless; not so this of God's. Directly or indirectly, all the earth's glory is dependent on the light. Without light, neither would the loveli- ness of form be discerned, nor the beauty of colour exist. Light is indispensable for the production, preservation, and enjoyment of life. In almost every department of human industry its aid is sought. It is serviceable to the man of science, to tho ngriculturist, to the mechanic, to the sailor, to the traveller. "Upon whom does not his light arise?" inquires Bildad. We may ask, "Unto whom is not his light useful?" 4. A silent gift. It ie e'l"er gentle and noiseless in itll coming; with incredible 'l"elocity rushing through the depths of space, yet with no appearance of hurry or confusion. Almost instantaneous in its swiftness, as if, having been the first to come in contact with the living word of the Creator, it had llaught the Divine property of annihilating space. 5. A welcome gift. 11 'l'ruly the light is sweet," &c. (Eccles. xi. 7). Welcome by all, it is specially so by them that II wait for the morning" (Ps. cm.). Ill. A DIVINE EMDLEM. 1. Of God (1 John i. 5), in respect of its glorious oppear- :mce, pure eBsence, di:ffusiYe character, quickening influence. 2. Of Christ (Jol,n ix. 3), as enlightening, healing, purifying, directing. 3. Of the Holy Spirit (Acts ii. 3), iD respect of its celestial origin, mysterious nature, sudden and unexpected mo"le- mentR. J,,igltt an rowleni of the gospel. I, THE APPROPnJATENESB OF THE METAPHOR. J.ight and the gospel resemble one another in respect of-1. Tlieir source-God. 2. Their purity. 3. Their injfoence. 4. Their gentleness. ll. Gon's WILL RESPECTING LIGHT. 1. That the world should be filled with gospel Iiglit. 2. That every man should have the light. 3. That Christiane should be the li"l1t. 0 .Applicati.on .-1. Ha Yo you this light in your hearts, in your farnilics, in your r;eighl.Jourlioods? 2. Are you doing what you can to rli:fful!e the light? OU, I, G-8.] THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 15