The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 36

JU. THE CnuRcR's DUTY-to obey her Lord, and go forward at onco to this great work. 1. He gives no alternative. 2. The command is ClXpress. 3, The world sorely ncc•ils our work. 4. Every motive of gratitude and compassion should urge us to it. --..T. 0. Ycrs. 10, 11.-lsrael's increase. These verses embody the expression of a very natural state of feeling in contemplating the marvel of the Church's growth. I. Tim Cm;ncn's INCREASE AN OBJECT OF DESIRE. "The Lord God of your fathers make you,'' etc. (vcr. 11). Snch increll.Se is: 1. A token of'l)ivine favour (Acts xi. 24). 2. A manifestation of Divine power (1 Cor. i. 18-30; Eph. i. 19; 1 'l'hess. i. 6). 3. A source of blessing to the world (Ps. h:vii.). 4. A fulfilment of the Divine ccnmscls (Eph. i. 10). 5. Means the ascendancy of true religion. II. TnE CHuRcn's INCREASE AN OBJECT OF WONDER. (Ver. 10.) The rapid spread the extraordinary Yictorics, the prolon~cd empire, and the undeca.ying vitality of th~ Chrislian religion arc the most wonderful things in history, and a proof of its Divine origin. As Israel increased by the Divine blessing at an unprecedented rate, and· in spite of all Pbaraoh's attempts to check the increase, so has the Church flourished and spread, proYing herself in her unarmed strength more than a match for the deadliest pon·ers which can be arrayed against her. 'J'he present century has witnessed a re, markable revival of this propagative energy of Christianity (comp. Numb. xxiii. 23). III. Tm: Cmmcn's INCREASE A MATTER OF PROMISE. (Ver. 11.) The promise to Abraham of a countless seed embraced in its widest import the spiritual, not less than the natural, Israel-his seed in Christ (Rom. iv. 16; Gal. iii. 7-10, 14, 16, 26, 29). (Cf. the promises in Isa. !iii. 10-12; !iv. 1-3; Ix. 1-12, with Dan. ii. 35, 44; Matt. Yiii. 11; Rev. vii. 9).---J. 0. Vers. 9-16.-Division of labour. (Cf. Exod. xviii. 13-27.) An instanc.e of a good idea (1) 1m!!:gested, (2) readily adopted, (3) gell.erally approved of. Reminds us that division of labour is as important in Church work as in the 11rt.s. I. THE :!,.'EGLECT OF DIVllilON OF LABOUR LEADS TO SERIOUS EVILS. 1. The work is not overtaken. "Not able" (ver. 9). 2. 'l;hose who have to do it are greatly over- taxed. "Cumbra.nce," "burden" (ver. 12). 3. Energy is wasted on subordinate tasks which might be applied to better purpose. . II. THE ADOPTION OF DIVISION OF LABOUR SECURES OBVIOUS ADVANTAGES. 1. Re- lieves the responsible heads. 2. Expedites business and promotes order. 3. Secures that the work is better done. 4. Utilizes varieties of talent. But parties must be as willing to co-operate as they were here. IIJ. RIGHTLY TO SEC17BE THE ADVANTAGES OF DIVIBION OF LABOUR THERE MUST BE EFFICIENT ORGil.'IZATION. W1en Moses took in hand the appointment of assi§tants, he did it thoroughly (ver. 15). The work which each is to do must not be left to haphaz~rd, or to "understandings," or to the tastes and inclinations of individuals, but sl1ou.ld be definitely marked out. There must be organization and distribu, tion of tasks on a general plan, which, while it affords room for all grades of talent, allots work with a view to the aptitudes which each is known to possess. It is characteristic of Moses' scheme : 1. That it took advantage of existing institutions. 2. That it rested on a broad, popular basis; elective (ver. 13).-J. 0. Vers. 16, 17.-Ju<l.ging. The rules here laid down, while primarily applicable in the administration of law, are, in their spirit and for the most part in their letter, equally fitted to guide our private judgments. A proneness to judge is condemned by Christ (Matt. vii. 1); but his rebuke of the censorious spirit is nut to be read ;i.s for- bidding the framing of such judgments _upon the character, actions, and pretensions of others as the circumstances of our position may render necessary. We are called every day of our lives to form, and frequently to express, judgments upon men, measures, causc>s, theories, disputes, proposals; judgments as to true and false, right and wrong, wise and unwise, expedient and inexpedient. Matters are appealed to us e.s individuals, or as a part of the general community, on which judgment is expressly nRhd. We must judge that we may know how to act. All this involves tho possi, Lility of judging rashly; of judging with bias and prejudice; of judging so as to do CII, I, 1-18.) THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY, 15