HOMILIES.BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 8.-ldolatrv and its Nemesis. The effects of this communion with idolatrous peoples speedily appear. It was no accident that Israel became the subject of a heathen power, nor are we to suppose it an arbitrary exercise of the right of Divine providence. I. As FAITH STRENGTHENS, SUPERSTITION DESTROYS, MORAL POWER. In all these punishments the external and physical disadvantage appears to be the first perceived. But the real Joss was sustained beforehand, when faith in the one God was lost. The whole moral life which this dogma encouraged and sustained was thereby under- mined. Monotheism was the foundation of the moral life, correcting and purifying it ; idolatry pandered to the worst passions, and chained the spirit of man to the outward and sensuous. II. MORAL ENTHUSIASM IS THE ESSENCE AND INSPIRATION OF HEROISM AND THE RUL• ING QUALITIES. The reverence of Israel in the worship of Jehovah was called forth towards qualities that were truly noble and admirable. The sustaining force of an Israelite's piety was absolutely righteous and super-sensuous; and it had appeared superior·to all that the arm of fl_esh could bring against it. The Israelite was _tau&'ht, therefore, to despise the matenal, the outward, and the merely human. His faith, therefore, became heroic. And as the influence of the Divine Being repressed the passions and developed the spiritual power, it enabled him to restrain himself, to pursue after distant and vast aims ; and, in making him heedless of the attractions of sense and penalties which only affected the outward man, it made him influential over others. Hence the religion of Israel marked it out for political superiority and po,ver. III. THE "SERVICE II THAT IS WASTED ON WORTHLESS OBJECTS IB AVENGED BY A "SERVICE II THAT 18 SEVERE AND INVOLUNTARY. This was the result of a special ap- pointment, _and also of a Divine law. The peopl~ _that had bec~IT.Ie effeminate by idolatrous mdulgence were an easy prey to any military and ambitious ~ower; and so that which had been a weak yielding, or a choice, became binding and imperative, National liberty was lost; the purest and noblest traits of national character were repressed. What a special political power did in this instance evil habit itself may do ; and there are other influences whose yoke waits upon the loss of moral power.-M.
Vera. 9, 10.-True deliverance must ever come from God. It is a curious fact in the history of Israel that it is never until they have acknowledged God as the source CH. Ill. 7-11.] THE BOOK OF JUDGES. 33
of salv1ttion that they achieve 1my permanent success. It isas if this people were to lon.rn that only by supernatural means is it ever to fulfil its deRtiny. I. IIE INSPIRES TRUE mmorsM. Of Othniel we have already heard ; he standR as n represe11tative of early Israelitish chivalry. But on the occasion on which he dis- tinguished himself formerly, the inspiration was hardly so lofty as to mark him out as especially the servant of God. He is, however, on the threshold of the great life of self-denial and generous self-sacrifice which characterised the judge of farael. He is a vessel chosen of God for better service. Of the particular influences which marked him out for the high office to which be was called we are not informed. All that we know is, that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. That he was well qualified otherwise for warlike exploits we know; but the merely human traits of character which he has displayed are nothing without this distinctive inspiration. God finds the man for the hour. II. THE MORAL AUTHORITY IS DIVINELY CREATF.D. Israel gravitates towarrls Othniel as its moral centre. By a kind of moral necessity he becomes its judge, and there is no one to dispute bis ascendancy. The prestige which be gains in hi..: magistracy is not injured by military failures. We are to look upon all this as proof that God was with him, preserving and increasing hi~ reputation, and develop- ing the powers which he possesseJ. When it is said (eh. ii. 18), "And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the ba.nd 0£ their enemies all the days of the judge," we are invited to behold no series of merely human successes, but that which is directly due to his presence and help. And so with all whom he inspires for special service; he will make their moral influence his care, sustain their strength, and secure uninterrupted suc- cess if they put their trust in him.-M.
Natural advantages and endowments perfected and crowned by consecration. I. THE BEST CHANNEL FOR OTHNIEL'S ABILITIES WAS THAT INDICATED BY THE DIVI:-1& CALL. II. IN OBEDIENCE 01" Goo's SPIRIT HE SECURED THE MOST COMMANDING INFLUENCE. III. As SERVANT OF JEIIOVA.H HE ATTAINED ENDURING RENOWN.-M. Vers. 10, 11.-The secret of individual and national greatness. It was as a judge of Israel that Othniel first attained influence, This necessitated a righteous life and e. consistent character. In this way he obtained command over his people, and was able to tronsfer their attachment and respect to the battle-field. So it was, as Israel learned to obey the servant of Jehovah in civil affairs, and learned to respect the law of righteousness, that it was able to fa.ce its enemies with an irresistible front. It is righteousness that exalteth a nation and a man. I, To MAINTAIN AND ADVANCE A R!ClHTE0US CAUSE WE MUST BEGIN AT HOME. II. THE VICTORY OVER oun ENEMIES CONSISTS MORE THAN HALF IN THE VICTORY OVER OURSELVES. III. HABITUAL RECTITUDE AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE PREPARE FOR SUDDEN A.ND ABIDING SUCCESS.-M. -
Ver. 11. - " And the land had rest"-the true peace. I. IT IB A REWARD OJ!' CONSECRATED El!'l!'ORT AND BELl!'·DENIAL, II. A PREPARATION FOR HIGHER CONCEPTIONS AND REALISATIONS 01!' RIGHTEOUSNESS, III, A SABBATH OF CONSECRATED TIME AND SERVICE TO THE H!ClBEST,-M, Vers. 9, 10.-Great men. The Book of Judges brings before us the heroic age of Israel. The multitude of the people are in a condition of moral and political degra- dation, but great men appear from time to time whose individual heroism secures the salvation of their nation. Othniel, the first of the judges, may serve ns a type of the rest. The characters and mission of these men may throw some light upon the function of great men in the economy of Providence. I. GREAT l'IEN OWE THEIR GREATNESS TO Goo. Many of the judges sprang from obscure families; they were not hereditary rulers, but men sent of God with in- dividual vocations. Othniel belonged to the honourable fe.mily of Caleb, and shared JUDGES, D 34 THE BOOK OF JUDGES. [en. m. 7-11.