Vera. 1-23.-God'sfaithfulness in dealing with nations outside the covenant. We have here strict injunctions given to the pilgrims not to disturb the children of Edom, nor the Moabites, nor the children of Ammon, because they were occupying the district assigned them. These tribes, though related to Israel, were not in the covenant. Still God had guaranteed to them certain temporal blessings, and he shows himself faithful in his dealings with them. I. GOD IS A RIGHTEOUS GOVERNOR AMO:s'G -THE NATIONS. It is in equity that he rules. His judgment is always according to truth. Having written the law of con- science upon every human heart, he can justly jndge men thereby. They are laws unto themselves, and so will be held accountable for their relation to their law, or, as we might call it, inward light (cf. Rom. ii. 14, 15). II. TEMPORAL ADVANTAGES ARE GIF'l'S OF GoD. The laws which regulate nature are, we believe, the ordinances of God. Hence the benefits irreligious nations receive through the laws of nature are really the gifts of his bounteous band. Though the nations may not so regard them, the people of God can form no other notion of them. As gifts, they are undeserved. Hence it is part of God's scheme of mercy so gene- rously to treat the race of men. We must look to Christ's atonement for an explanation on the ground of jnslice of this merciful treatment of mankind. The death of Jesus purchased temporal as well as spiritual blessings, and its vast application should be rer.o~nizcd and known. In this sense he did "die for every man." III, 'l'HE CONSTANCY OF THE LAWS OF NATURE IS TO BE TRACED TO THE FAITHFUL- NESS ?F GoD. No other hyt;othesis can be offered so consistent with ~he facts. The prnnuses treasured up in nature are promises of God, and the laws which secure their fulfilment are the ministers of his faithfulness. IV. 'l'm;: FAITHFULNESS OF GoD IN TllE CASES REFERRED TO WAS NOT RECOGNIZED Bi ,2 THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. [cu. 11. 1-37, ---------- THE TRIDES I'ROFI'l'ING DY IT. In seizing the places allotted to them by God, tho Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites fought each for his hand and in no religious spirit, 'l'hey o,·crcame and extcrminaterl races of giants who formerly possessed tho land, All the while, God's plan and faithfulness were receiving illnstration and fulfilment. 'l'hc exercise of human freedom did not militate against, but secured tho Divine pleasur<'. Y. Goo's BOUNTY TO :KATIONS OUTSIDE TRE COVENANT IB INTENDED TO ENCOUnAGE ms ow1- PEOPLE. The Israelites would be the better prepared to meet and master tho giants in Canaan after seeing the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites snucrlv 0 dwellincr in the inheritances of gigantic predecessors. If these tribes, without any sense of de~ pcndence upon the Almighty, overcame the giants opposing them, what will not bo po~siblc to faith Y • And the whole government of the world is really intended. to foster confidence in God's covenant faithfulness anrl to forbid all despair.-R. M. E.
Y ers. 14-13.-Tl,e wasting of tl,e warriors. There ,vas evidently a considerable knowledge of" the art of war" in the Israelitish host on leaving Egypt. Moses was ,·ersed in it, as in so much more, and the mixed multitude which accompanied the exodus would also contain men skilled in arms. And experience of opposition on the· part of Amalek, et.c., would elicit a martial spirit throughout the host. :Moreover, the presence of seasoned men, or" veterans," gives confidence to young troops in actual conflict. 'l'he world would say," By all means retain the veterans for the purpose of invasion." Yet, strange to say, Go<l kept the host wan,lering till the warriors were all weeded out, and buried in the wilderness. The invasion is to be made by the rising generation, which bad never seen the military art or reviews in Egypt. From this we lcarn- J. 'l'RAT Gon's WAYS ARE KOT OUR WAYS, NOR ms THOUGHTS OUR THOUGHTS, In f,1ct, his plans are often constructed so as to baffle worldly wisdom. We see this in this invasion of Canaan; we see it in his way of salvation by Jesus Christ; we see it iu his pr°'·idential dealings. II. THE ART OF WAR IS NOT so IMPORTANT AS THE ART OF FAITH, The experience of the veterans was as nothing in comparison with the courageous faith in God, 'l'his made heroes of the children who would, they thought, be a prey. All wisdom of man becomes rnin when unsustained by confidence in God. . Ill. SOLDIERS' GRAVES HAVE OFTENTIMES DEEN THE MELANCHOLY CONDITION OF succEss. It was really after sacrifice, the sacrifice of the whole fighting army of lsrael, that success came. There grew out of their graves warning and inspiration. And it has been over the graves of soldiers that almost every progress of the world has been made. Multitudes had to be buried on the battle-fields before the promised land of peace could be entered. The buried warriors constituted the holocaust which was presented before the blessing came. IV. 'l'RE DESTRUCTION OF FALSE TRUSTS IS OFTEN THE PnEPARATJON Fon TRUE ONES, The temptation to trust in the veterans and their military ideas is taken away by the death of the warriors. So is it that God removes from us every false refuge, 'l'hus we learn to trust in the living God, and to fight his battles in bis own way. Provi-' dence is oftentimes just the removal of the warriors who were so wise in their own eyes and so able to take the best course, that the people may follow the Lord only. Happy for each soul it iB to be deprived of every false support, and to be led to trust Christ alone! Into real rest the soul enters by faith-the promised land lies open to the trustful soul, while its gates are closed against the self-confident ones.-R. M. E.
Y ers. 24-3i.-The destruction of 8ilwn, King of the .timorites, Moses here recalls the first stage in the conquest. By Divine direction, the pilgrims are to advance upon tlie land of the Amorites, and they are promised an important victory over them. And i,ere we have to notice- I. 'l'HE REASONABLE PROPOSAL MADE TO SmoN THE KING. (Vers. 26-29.) 'l.'his was for permission to pass through his land to Canaan, undertaking to disturb nothing e.nd to pay for all supplies. Nothing could be more reasonable. '£he onus was thus thrown on Sibon of determining whether he would befriend God's people or oppose them, CII. Ill, 1-2!J.] THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. 43