The Pulpit Commentary — Judges — Section 30

HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-6.-Ungodly mm-rill{Ja. The distinctive lesson of this section seems to be the fatal influence o! an ungodly marriage. And this lesson is one of such daily importance to Christians in every station in life, that we shnll do well to concentrate our attention upon it. On entering upon the history of that troublous and calamitous time for the tribes of Israel which intervened between the triumphant governments of Moses and Joshua and the glorious reigns of David and Solomon -the time of the Judges,-we find it initiated by the intermarriage of the Israelite~ with the idol- atrous Canaanites. No sooner was that shameful alliance contracted than the national apostasy followed instantly. "They forgat the Lord their God, and served Baalim and Ashtaroth." And the connection between this religious apostasy and the first servitude by which they lost their national independence was no less close. "The children of Israel served Chusban-rishatbaim." If then we read Scripture with a view to our own admonition, our attention must be arrested by this striking example of the danger of ungodly unions. .And the example does not stand alone. The marriage of Esau with the daughters of Heth, in connection with the loss of bis birthright and his blessing; the degradation and death of Samson in spite of his eplendid gifts and powers ; the tarnished fame of Solomon's old age, and the break-up of his kingdom after bis death ; the dynastic ruin and destruction of Ahab and all his house from his marriage with Jezebel,-these and many other examples .in Holy Scripture convey a solemn warning against the peril of ungodly marriages. And it must be so in the nature of things. The marriage union is so close and intimate, it gives the opportunity for snch constant influence, it makes continual resistance to that influence so irksome and tedious, it gives such advantage to the working of influence through the affections, that no man with a due regard for his own soul's salvation would expose himself to such peril. Moreover, the true notion of the partnership of marriage is a fellowship in heart, in thought, in affection, in interest ; an identity of aim and purpose in life, each helping the other, each contributing a portion to the common aim; a joint action in all that relates to God and man ; united counsels in fulfilling the various duties of the home, of the human society, of the Church of God. How could the Israelite, seeking the glory of Jehovah, wrapped up in the triumphs of his own favoured race and pure creed, and bating the detestable abominations of heathenism, so insulting to God, and so injurious to man, have such fellowship with the daughter of an Amorite or Canaanite? .And how can any true servant of the Lord Jesus Christ have such fellowship with one whose heart is wholly given up to the world, and bas no concern for the kingdom of heaven. " Marriage is not to be taken in band unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly by any Christian man or woman, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God." .And it is the object of these remarks to induce young men and young women, in deciding upon marriage, to take into consideration the probable _influence of their partner upon their moral and religious life, and the aid or the hindrance they are likely to have in the fulfilment of their Christian duties. The life-long loss of domestic happiness, the blighting of affections, and a heavy crop of trouble and vexation, the sure fruit of an ill-assorted union, is a heavy price to pay for the momentary gratification of « mere fancy; but the permanent loss of moral tone, and forfeiture of one's place in the kingdom of God, is an unspeakably heavier one. en. 111. 1-6.J THE BOOK OF JUDGES. 29