The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 92

Ycrs. 29-4O.-The mercy of God. The knowledge of his own deceitful heart and his obscrration of others' waywardness, convinced Moses that, in spite of all wa;nina and nppeal, the people might yet wander into evil ways. But Moses had also such ~ comprehensi'l'c vision of God's mercy, that he foreRaw that there would be room for repentance even in the land of exile, and that Divine mercy ·would be available in every extremity of distress. Since God had designed to show mercy unto ·Israel, Moses felt assured that he would not allow his gracious designs to be frustrated. I. AFFLICTION OFTEN REVEALS TO OUR MINDS OUR NEED OF MERCY. .Amid the joyous excitements induced by earthly prosperity, men forget the deeper needs of the soul. They spend life as if they had no soul, as if this earth were their all. But the deep gashes, which suffering makes, become mouths through which the imprisoned soul makes herself heard. When events defeat our selfish plans, or when health is inter- rupted, we are made to feel that there is a higher Power than ourselves, who reigns upon the throne, and often, in sheer despair of other help, we appeal to him for mercy; like Manasseh, who had long hardened his heart against God, yet, when he was in sore affliction, sought Jehovah's face. When brought to the lowest ebb, the prodigal son bent his steps homeward. Affliction often serves as the shepherd's crook. • II. EARKEST APPEAL FOR Goo's MERCY IS NEVER UNSUCCESSFUL ON EARTH. From the furthest li11.1it of apostacy the cry for help is heard. There is no spot on earth from which lines of connection with heaven will not be found. Our God is not wont to hide himself in secret places, where the eye of faith cannot find him. If only the bow be well bent Ly the arm of spiritual earnestness, and the arrow be feathered with faith, and aimed Ly heavenly wisdom, it must penetrate the skies. Without gracious influences from above, men will not pray; but whensoever they do pray, they shall be heard. The prayer of the rich man in his torments was unheard, because it was a godless and a selfish prayer, and because we have no ground for expecting mercy when life has closed; in his case there was no appeal for mercy. III. Goo's MERCY IS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE REVELATION OF HIMSELF FOR SINNERS. So far as we kno\\', this revelation of his merciful character was reserved for guilty men. In the construction of this material universe, we sec chiefly a forth-putting of amazing 11uwer. In the creation of sentient beings, capable of deriving pleasure from the prq- cesses of natural law, we sec in active exercise the qualities of wisdom and benevolence. In the Divine treatment of apostate angels, we discover brilliant coruscations from the flames of justice. In the provision of pardon and hope for human transgressors, we see in God"s nature the fascinating quality of mercy. 'l'his mercy manifests itself in a ti,ousand ways, and is a prolific parent of blessing. It restrains from flagrant sin. It euvelops the sinner in a network of heavenly influence. It holds back the hand of justice from summary destruction of the cul1,rit. Though men forsake God, he does not fun1witli forsake them. Retaliation finds no place in the Eternal Mind. It is negativo and positive good. OU, IV, 25-49.] THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY, 79