Yers. 1-23 (specially '\"'er. 7).-God's knowledge of our pilgrimage. (l?or tho historical nnd geographical detr1.ils cor.nected with this section, sco the Exposition.) Moses here rcYiews the cr1.reer of Israel during tho wanderings, with reference to their trcatnwnt of the nations through whose territory they required to pr1.ss on their way. They, though the favoured people of Jeho,ah, were not allowed to tmn~gress the common laws of ri~htcousness, by levying any demands on the nations through whoso cou1it ry they passed, nor to "distress" in any way those peoples whom the Lord had not dcli\"ercd into their hands. They were to labour for their own sustenance, and to purchase, at a fair rntc, meat or drink. And so far as this precept was concerned, they seem to have been (notwithstanding their waywardness in other respects) loyal to the Lord their God. These directions against transgressing the rules of right in national interconrse, were a most important part of the education of a ·people, where God was forming a commonwealth with this (then) unique f~ature, that its cornei--stone 1ras ri9hteouS11ess. (For an admirable survey of the fundamental principles of the Hebrew polity, home and foreign, see Wincs's 'Commentaries on the Laws of Moses.') And as Mcscs is now reviewing the stages in their experience when they passed through an alien's land, he reminds them how faithful God had been to them; that they had had no need to depart from the Divine injunctions, for their good and gracious God had taken all their need into account. "Be knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness." This clause contains a world of meaning in itself, and opens up a most fruitful theme for the Christian's meditation and for pulpit exposition, viz. God's know- ledge (!/ our pilgrimage in life. 'l'hree inquiries invite our notice- I. 1\·nAT 1s IT THAT Goo 1s HERE SAID TO KNOW? "Thy walking." We under- stand Moses as here referring to the walking, viewed objectively, not subjectively. The sentence would be true in both respects ; but, nevertheless, the reference does not seem to be to the manner of Israel's walking, but to the pilgrimage itself. What was true of them is also true of us. He knoweth our walking, etc. 1. The meaning of our pil- grimage is known to him-as being that of moral and responsible beings, made in the ima!!;e of God, and as having for its purpose the education of character for eternity. 2. He knows the difficulties of the pilgrim~e-the obstructions with which we are con- tinually meeting, thwarting, perhaps, our fondest plans and wishes. 3. He knows the frials of the way. Not only the trials which are "common to man" in general, but also those inclefinable,/elt peculiarities, which are ours and ours only, which we cannot unfold to a single soul on earth. 4. He knows the enemies which beset us: their strength, number, malice, and craft. 5. He knows the appointed goal at the end of the 1,ilgrirnage, and all the glorious possibilities which may be unfolded in the realization of our destiny. 6. He knows the wants of each and of all, temporal and spiritual; that we are helpless to the attainment of life's end, without constant supplies from him. II. ·wHAT IS HERE MEANT BY Goo's KNOWING ALL? 1. Obviously, his perfect, full, entire acquaintance, not only with the pilgrimage in general, Dot only with such particulars of it as those we have just named, but also with every detail of each particular. He seeth the whole of everything. 2. But it is not a bare seeing; the knowledge is attended with a fatherly interest in all that concerns the welfare or his children. He" taketh pleasure in them that fear him." "He carcth for" us. The training of his children for a home by means of a pilgrimage thither, is one of the most kind and loving designs of the heart of infinite love! 3. The knowing includes the actually taking into account all tl,e need of our pilgrimage, in his words, works, and ways. (1) In the promises he makes, all things are taken into account. These promises are not merely applicable in 1,art, or at times, but wholly and al ways. (2) His precepts too are framed according tu the same perfect know ledge. (3) His providential mercies, general and special, meet tl,e wants of to-day and prepare for those of to-morrow. He works for our future, that we way Ji 1·c by tlie <lay. (4) Jn his great redemptive provision for our spiritual training, tlierc is the same forethoughtfulness. (5) Jn his distinctively pErsonal and individital cuJe over each one, the whole of our pilgrimage is taken into account. No one is con• CJ!, JI, 1-37.) TIIE JlCOK OF Dl·:UTE11O,\!U:MY.
fnscd with any ono clso. Tho Great Father's family is not so largo as to tax him. Ha cnn care as lovingly for cnch as if each ono were all! III. WnAT IS TJJE PilACTIOAL VALUE TO us OF SUCII KNOWl,F,D(lE? The value of ii is infinite. On three main points, however, the preacher may dwell, and revel in tho luxury they afford. 1. If life's pilgrimage is just beginning, this Divine knowle<lue so applied, m~y yield us Y1fidance )n treading the way. For if God has so mercifully taken all things mto account 1n promise and precept, then we never need to depart a hair's breadth from the right path, for the sake of sccurin2: any apparent advanta,'..(c whatever. 'l'his is specially suggested by the way in which Moses uses the \vor<ls. 2. If we arc jns~ in the mid part of the pilgrimage, we may find immeasurable comfort under the ilimculties of tho way. All our responsibilities are accurately estimated, all wants perfectly considered, all supplies certainly ensured. ,vhat more could we rlesire? 3. If we make use of the Divine knowledge in the ways we have specified, we shall find that it will also give us a song of tlianlifulness when near the end of the way. At the point of time referred to in the text, Israel was near the verge of Canaan. And the word~ are retrospective. They are a testimony to Divine faithfulness and care; " These forty years the Lord thr: God hath been with thee; thou hast !acked no~hing." . So may the believer say and smg as he closes- stage after stage of life; so will he smg when ho closes the last stage of all:-" Not one thing bath failed of all that the Lord hath spoken." 'l'he more life unfolds to him of his own weakness, the louder and sweeter will be his song over Divine care; yea, he will go singing to the heavenly rest!