The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 121

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-5.-Tlie Ab1·ahamic covenant renewed. So solicitous was God for the well- being of Israel that, on critical epochs in their history, he reminds them of their pri,ileged condition. Three main thoughts arrest our attention- !. CovENANTED BLESSING SECURED. God has not stood out for the maintenance of his rights; he has stooped to fetter his liberty-to bind himself to generous deeds. 1. He allows us to hold proprietorship in liim. We can claim him to be "oui· God." 'l.'he Proprietor of all worlds permits fallen men to assert proprietorship in him! Herein is love! We can call upon him, in justice, to fulfil his self-imposed obligations. 2. A covenant implies reciproc.al engagements. It is a deed of grace. God binds himself as a Friend and Defender to us, on condition that we bind ourselves in obedient loyalty to him. Failure on one side releases the other party from his pledge. 3 . .A covenant includes muturJl cc,nsent. No covenant is really valid, is not complete, until both parties have sworn to observe it. There may be command, law, decree, proceeding_ from God to man; but no covenMt is really in force until we personally have accerted its terms, and bound ourselves by willing act to observe it. Then, our whole being- property, talent, blood, life, are pledged. l!. MEDIATION rnovIDED. 'l'his is a further mark of condescending grace. When two parties are alieI1ated, it is always deemed an advantage to one party to have n mediator chosen from its ranks. God allows a man to mediate between Israel and him- self. "I stood between the Lord and you." 1. Such mediation was needful, because of •mutual disparity. Man is finite; God infinite. Man is for self; God is self-oblivious. Man is earthly minded; God is purely spiritual. That the two may coalesce in senti- ment, purpose, life, mediation of some sort is required. 2. Mediation is needful, because of man's selfish/ear. The people were" afraid, by reason of the fire "-afraid for their own interests and pleasures. Were men impelled by wisdom, they would count it the higliest privilege possible to approach God. What, though we have sinned ;-inas- much as God has revealed himself as the Source of mercy, and has deigned to visit us, should we not gladly respond to his proposal, and draw nigh? What, though he is dressed in garments of flame ;-if we are penitent, the consuming flame will consume only our sir, ; it will benefit and burnish us. This is our honour and our joy-to come very near to God, and to gain larger acquaintance with him. If renewed, our former aversioil is turned into longing desire. 3. This mediation was very imperfect. It &er\'ed a present purpose, viz. a mediation for communicating truth, a mediation for outai11ing favour, It speaks a volume for the character and faith of Moses, that lie en. v. 1-33.] TIIE IlOOK OF DEUTETIONOMY. 109