The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 42

nnd degmdat.ion of Egypt; their deliverance had been effected for thom by tho frco love, spont.nncous care, and watchfnl providence of God. Surely it shoulcl not havo been hnrd to argue on this wise: "He who has shown us Ruch wondrous mercy will not be wnnting to us to the end." It was surely needless to send out any scouts to Canaan, to s11n·cy the land before tllC'm. A wiser and l:ctter care than theirs had done this for thl'm, and there was no more need for them to send to spy out the land thnn to hnvc sent pioneers to clear their way through the deep I But, in thus chiding Israel, are we not renlly rebuking ourselves? ,ve hnve to bethink us of a rescue, before which thnt of Israel fades into nothingness. And how ha.sour rescue In Christ beon effected? D_,. ow· power or skill? Nay, but by a wisdom, power, and love, which in blessed union did combine in the cross of Christ to save us. Is not, then, tho inference more thnn warranted, "He that spared not," etc. But if so, why need wo strain our eyes to pierce the gloom that hangs over our future course? Vvc need not faithlessly fore- cast.. 2. It was undesirable, and that on several grounds. (1) It was manifestly hin- ,lcring their march. (2) They were confronted by the prospect of an accumulation of tlif\ic11llics "·hich would come only one at a timo. (3) Israel therefore darkened tne 11rescnt by prying into the future. So it is now. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Our daily course, with its mingled comforts and cares, may be so peaceful if \\'e 11·ill calruly leave the future to him who knows and plans all; but if we, with our short foresight and our little strength, will foolishly set before us in one perplexing combiuntion all the difficulties which will come only one by one; if we think'!tnd speak ns if our God would leave us alone when they come,-we shall dishonour him, and shade the present by anticipating the future. II. LET US LOOK AT THE CONCLUSION TO WHICH ISRAEL CAME ON THE REPORT OF THE srms. They rcsol.cd to go back and to return to Egypt., and appointed· a captain to lead them. It was one-sided, forgetful, un.2.rateful, and ruinous. 1. It was one-sided. True, the sons of Anak were in the way. But who was above them all? See Caleb's 1rntting of the case, in Numb. xiv. 6-9. 2. It was fo1·getful. For was not the fact of all these enemies being in the land explicitly named in one of the earliest promises (Exod. iii. 1 i); and had not God promised to drive them out? 3. It was ungrateful. After all the love which had been shown them, how could they so requite it? 4. It u·as ruinous (see Numb. iv. 33-38; eh. i. 32-39). But are there not some now who start fairly in I he Cbristian race, or seem to do so, and yet who, when some difficulty meets or threatens them, turn back and go away (cf. Matt. xiii. 20, 21)? Nor can we sarely neglect the warning consequent on this incident given .in Heh. iii. 4, To quit the leadership of Christ because of present or impending difficulties will be much more griernusly sinful than it was for Israel to propose to quit the leadership of Moses. The four points named above will apply also here. It will be: 1. One-sided. For supposing, as we try to peer into the future, possible or even certain difficulties do prcs~nt thcmsch-es, ought we not to remember that with the demand on the strength there 11-ill be given fitren~th to meet the demand? Why look at one without looking at the other? 2. It will be forgetful. For what arc the words of Holy Writ? What are we bi<lckn to expect? Have we ever been told that we are to have a. smooth path through life? Have we nevet read that "through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom"? Have we not read that we must expect to be "partakers" of Christ':1 sufferings? 3. It will be ungrateful. Did not our Saviour tread a thorny path for us; and have we no return to make in treading a thorny path for him 1 Do we thus iutend to repay the sorrow and blood of Calvary? 4. It will be ruinous if we turn back. Difficulties we seek to shun will be multiplied a. hundred-fold. The ease we would fain secure will not be ours. While, instead of having to conquer the sons of Anak, we shall have to encounter the condemnation of our Saviour and Lord. Let us press onward still to the rest which rernaineth. On! for honour demands it. On I for gratitude requires it. On! for love, infinite love, expects it. On I only a step at a time, and if the giant Anakiru appear, the Lord will fight for us. On I and if we come to Jericho's walls, faith's trumpet blast shall bring them to the ground, On I and you will have me.ny a cluster of grapes sent to you by the Lord of the land, to show you its richness, at1d that you may taste of its fruits ere you enter there I '!'rust your God, ye people, follow the Lord fullr, and not all the powers of c11rtµ or 4cll ~hall keep yon from the promised re5t ! tiit .•. 19-46.] 'i'HE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. 21