IV. THERE IS ALWAYS HELP ll'ROM THE HEAVENS IN THE EFFORT TO MAINTAIN TIIE COMMUNIOATION. A voice comes to Jacob. A promise of guidance and support was given. Christ in his conversation with Nathaniel shows us how all good comes through him. In Christ all goodness centres. All heaven rays out from him in ibe pardon nnd reconciliation 110 has brought. He is the Word made flesh. He is the Divine voice from above. Through him the Holy Spirit is given, and that Holy Spirit shows us things to come, makes heaven plain, and the way direct. One day we shall be called to follow tho way the angels go, and after death shall ascend that stairway which "slopes through darkness up to God. "-H. Ver. 15.-Goil's providential care. "Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest." Among things believed, bnt not sufficiently realised, is the truth of God's constant overruling care. We can trace cause and effect a little way, then lose the chain, and feel as if it went no further, as if events had no special cause. This a common evil in the life of Christians. Its root, walking by sight more than by faith. Jacob-what made him try craft? Did not trust God fully. Had no habit of faith. But God had not forgotten him. And as he slept on the stone at Bethel the reality of God's presence was made known to him (Isa. xliii. 2; Matt. xxviii. 20) and recorded for our learning. I. GOD DOES ALWAYS WATCH OVER AND GUIDE. The ladder was not a new thing; it had existed always. The vision showed what exists everywhere (2 Kings vi. 17). The ladder shows the truth which should stamp our lives. God is love, and love means care. This is for all. Not our Jove that causes it. Our love, trust, life spring from that truth. The living God is close to us. His hand touches our lifa at every point. How is it that we nre unconscious of this? 11 GoD's WORKING IS HIDDEN AND SILENT. Jacob was startled to find him near. Because year by year the world goes on as before, unbelievers deny God's active presence, worldly men think not of it, and even godly men sometimes forget; for we cannot see the tqp of the ladder. But God, there, directs all. III. HIS PURPOSES ARE ACCOMPLISHED DY MANY AGENTS. Many angels, messengerlil (Pe. civ. 4; Heh. .i. 14); natural agents, the elements, &c. ; human agents, men good and bad. alike carrying out his will; spiritual beings (Ps. x:ci. 11). How often those who pray for spiritual blessings forget that co=on things also nre ruled by God. Thus a great dooi; of communion is closed. IV. BUT THERE IS BO MUCH CONFUSION IN THE WORLD. We often cannot trace God's hand. How often is trust confounded, wise schemes frustrated, earnest self- denial in vain; prayers, real and intense, without apparent answer. Nay, these are but seeming confusions, to teach the lesson of faith. Through all these, by all these, God's purposes are surely carried out. One great truth is the key of all-the love of God revealed in Christ. . This is the ladder from which he proclaims, 11 Lo, I am with thee" ( cf. Rom. viii. 32). He who wrought out redemption, can he fail? v. GoD'B GOVERNANCE IS ll'OR OUR SALVATION, in the fullest sense of the word, giving us the victory over evil. God was with Jacob. He had been from the first, though not recognised. He was so to the end. Not giving uninterrupted prosperity. Me.ny a fault and many a painful page in his history ; but through all these he was led on. The word to each who will receive it--" Behold, I am with thee." Not because of thy faith, still lees of thy goodness. Oh that every Christian would prac- tise trust (Ps. v. 3); bearing our Father's voice, "Commit thy way unto the Lord," and gladly believing " the Lord is my Shepherd."-M.
Vore. 18-22.-The grateful retrospect and the consecrated prospect. I. THE TRUE Lill'E is that which starts from tho place of fellowship with God nnd commits tho future to him. We can always find a pillar of blessed memorial and consecration. The Bethel. 1. Providential care. 2. Religious privilege. 3. Special communica- tions of the Spirit. God with us as a fact. Our pilgrimage a Bethel all through. II. THE TRUE 1'ESTIMONY that which erects a stone of witness, a Bethel, where others can find God. 1. Pers()'fl,(J,l. The pillow of rest the pillar of praise. 2. Practical. The testimony which speaks of the journey and the traveller. III. THE TRUJ! COVENANT, 1. Coming out of fellowship. 2. Pledging the future AA2 856 THE BOOK OF GENESIS. [en. XXIX. 1-14.
at the house of God, and in sight of Divine revelation. 3. Dleased exchange of gifts, confirmation of love. Jehovah keeping nnd guiding and feeding; hie servant sen"ing him and giving him a tenth of all he received, The pntriaroh'e vow was the result of a di~tinct advance in his religious life. The hope of blessing became the covenant of engagement, service, worship, sacrifice. The highest form of religious life is that which rests on a solemn vow of grateful dedication at Bethel. The end lilefore us is ' our Fathers house in peace. "-R.
EXPOSITION.