HOMILETICS. Vera. 1-6.-A good man's perplexity. I. T11& CONTEMl'LATED JOUn~EY. 1. /l8 projected destination. Egypt. Renowned for fertility, the land of the Pharaohs was yet no proper resort for the son of Abraham, the heir of Canaan, and the friend of God. It was outside the land of promise ; it bad been to Abraham a scene of peril, and it was not a place to which he was directed to turn. Considerations such as these should have operated to deter Isaac from even entertaining the idea of a pilgrimage to Egypt. But the behaviour of this Hebrew patriarch is sometimes outdone by that of modern saints, who not simply project, but actually perform, journeys, of pleasure or of business, across the boundary line which sepnrateij the Church from the world, into places where their spiritual interests are endangered, and that too not only with- out the Divine sanction, but sometimes in express violation of that authority. 2. Its ostensible occasion. The famine. A severe trial, especially to a flock-master. It was yet by no means an exceptional trial, but one which had occurred before in the experience of the inhabitants of Canaan, and in particular of hie father, and might possibly recur to himself, just as life's afllictions generally bear a singular resemblance to one another (1 Cor. x. 13; 1 Pet. iv. 12). It was not an accidental trial, but had been appointed and permitted by that Divine wisdom without whose sanction no calamity can fall on either nation or individual, saint or sinner (Deut. xxxii. 39; Pa. !xvi. 11 ; Amos iii. 6 ). And just as little was it purposeless, being designed to initiate Isaac in that life discipline from which no child of God can escape (Acts xiv. 22; Heh. xii. 11; James i. 2, 3). 3. Its secret inspirat·wn. Unbelief. J ehovnh, who had given the land to Isaac, could easily have maintained him in it notwith- standing the dearth, had it been hie pleasure not to provide a way of escape. Had Isaac not at this time been walking somewhat by sight, it is probable his thoughts would not have turned to Egypt. Most of the snint's doubtful trnnsnctious nnd dnngerous projects have a secret connection with the spirit of unbelief which causes to err. II. TnE DIVINE INTERPOSITION. 1. Prohibiting. " Go not down into Egypt." That Jacob subsequently went down to Egypt in obedience to Divine instructions is no proof that Isaac would have been blameless had he gone down without them. Abraham did so, but it is not certain that God approved of his conduct in thnt matter. Besides, though it could be shown that Abraham incurred no guilt and con- tructed no hurt by residence in Egypt, it would not follow that his son mig·ht venture thither with impunity nnd without sin. Hence the proposed journey was interdicted. So God in his word debars saints from going down to the unspiritunl nnd unbelieving world to endamage or imperil their souls' higher interests. 2. Prescribing. " Dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: sojourn in this lnnd." It is always safest for the saint in seasons of perplexity to we.it for and to follow the light from heaven. Sufficient guidance God has promised, through his Spirit, by l1is word, and in hi<1 providence, to enable gracious ones who wait upon his tenching to detect the path of duty and the pince of safety. 3. Promising. For Isanc's enconragemont the various promises of the Abrahnmic covenant are repeated, renewed, and confirmed to himself for his father's snke; embracing promises of the Divine presence-" I will he with thee "-nnd the Divine blessing-" and will bless thee;" in which lntter are comprehended the inheritnnce,-" nil these countries,"-the seed,-" I will make thy seed to multiply,"-and the universnl snlvation-" in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed," which had been promised and gunranteed to Abraham by oath. So has God given to believers " exceeding great and precious promises" for Christ's sake, because of the covenant made with him, on the ground of the obedience rendered, and for the merit of the sncrifice presented, by him. III. THE FILIAL OBEDIENCE. "Isaac dwelt in Gerar," hnving removed thither in compliance with th11 Divine instructiona Like Abraham's, lsanc's obedien"9 'llr'ns- S26 THE BOOK OF GENESIS. (on. XXVI. 7-11.
l. ,/J,finute, exactly following the Divine prescription. 2. ProinJJt, putting into immediate execution the Divine commandment. 3. Patient, remnming in the lnnd of the Philistines till God in his providence indicated it was time tf) remove. So should Christ's followers obey.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AO rHORS. Ch. 11:xvi.-.Line upon line, in God's teacliing. !sane, like hie father, has hie time of sojourn among the Philistines. The events of his intercourse with the Abimelech of his day resemble those of the former patriarch, though there are differences which show that tl1e recurrence is liiswrical. I. Gon REPEATS HIS LESSONS that they may make the deeper impression. The intention of the record is to preserve a certain line of IJwine guidance. Isaac h'od in the footsteps of .Abraham. We have Isaac's wells, oaths, feast, Shebah-nll fol- lo~ing close upon those of the preceding generation. II. The SAME PRESERVATION OF THE COVENANT RACE in the midst of heathens con- firms that covenant. The same lesson of special provide:ntial protection and bless- ing is thus repeated and enforced. .A.gain the same contrast of man's infirmitywitlt God's unchar1,gecible:ness. The perversity of the fleshly-minded man forming a mar- riage connection with heathen people, and bringing grief of mind to his parents, reveals the distinctness of the world from the kingdom of God.-R.