The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 141

upon our foreheads. Our domestic affairs will be ordere,l by the Divine will. We shall writo his Word on the posts of our houses, Every home in which love dwells will bo n temple. Order, active piety, frugality, peace, mutual service, will be tho principles conspicuous in godly homes. And our municipal and political lifo will be conducted on th_o same line of obedience. Legislation, justice, taxation, commerce, literature, art, will all be consecrated to God's glory. As the flowers of earth send their fragrance heavenward, so from every act of ours a fragrance of homage should ascend to God.-D. Vcrs. 10-19.-The peril of prosperity. Secular prosperity is hazardous. Unless the ship have ample ballast in the hold, a strong gale, however favourable, will be likely to capsize the ship and bury her in the caverns of the sea, The greater our earthly abundance, the greater our need of religious principle. I. WISE MEN INHERIT THE FRUIT OF OTHERS' LABOURS. Under the leadership of God, the Hebrews inherited cities which the Canaanitcs bad built, and vineyards which the Amorites bad planted. If we knew all the facts of the case, we should admire this as an act of righteous wisdom. Vve do know that the iniquity of the Amorites was a cup full to the bthn. The Hebrews, with all their faults, were a superior race. Similar displacements have gone on in all the lands of the world. It is an ill.Stance of the "survival of the fittest." Redeemed men are destined to be the lords of the earth. The Church shall possess and rule the world. ".All things are ours." This inheritance of Canaan, with its cities and cattle and wealth, ought to have produced a deep sense of gratitude; All the Hebrews enjoyed they owed to the bountiful hand of God. IJ. SUDDEN PROSPERITY IS A. SEVERE STRAill ON PIETY. The sense of daily and hourly dependence upon God for material food is an advantage; it is a constant incen- tive to gratitu_de and faith. Poor huma!l nature cannot bear much indulgence. Poverty is more conducive to piety than wealth has ever been. ·Hence our Lord chose a state of poverty as most suited to his mission. "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of heaven!" So long as men continue in the flesh, they prefer a visible God to an invisible. So they say to gold, "Thou art my god." To be singular in religious belief and practice is al ways an arduous effort. The example of others has always been a sore temptation. Unless we can persuade them by the force of our superior faith, they are sure to bias us injuriously, Our safety lies i!l a stalwart and fearless piety. III. To FALL FROM THE FAVOUR TO THE FROWN OF GoD !S IMMEASURABLE AND COMPLETE. It would have bee!l better for their peace and their reputation not to have inherited the land, than to be ejected from it again. It is a tremendous calamity, having been lifted high, to be thrown down. The effect of disloyalty among the Hebrews would not simply be a replacement in their former state; it would be destruction from the face of the earth. In the realm of morals, we cannot descend to a station we had occupied aforetime. If there is declension, retrogression, fall, it must be to a lower level than that we formerly held. The penalties imposed by righteousness are complete and remediless. 'vVe may well "stand in awe and sin not." It is perilou~ in the extreme to "try" God's patience-to make experiments on the long-suffering of God. Suddenly, be" whets bis glittering sword, and his band takes hold on judgment." IV. HOPE IS AN INSPm.ATION OF STRENGTH. Although Moses has addressed to them these cautions, and pointed out these perils, he will not think so me~nly of them as to forecast their fall. He will cherish in bis own breast the bright hope of their loyalty. He will call into exercise their own best principles and aspirations. He confidently pre- dicts their wise and upward course, and sketches before their eyes their future great- ness and security. Herein is wise generalship. If hope kindles her lamp in the bumau breast, all is not lost. This is Heaven's cordial for a fainting soul.-D. Vcrs. 20-25.-The parental office. In the Mosaic economy, the parental office is made prominect, and parental infllllilnce is pressed into service. All Gud's arrangements for training mankind dovetail into one another. I. 'l'llE DU'l'Y OF A PARENT TO PROVOKE RELTGIOUS INQUIRY. No gteater folly can be perpetrated than tlie attempt to repress inquiry. Inquiry is the king's higlnrny to· DEUTERONOMY, K 130 THE DOOK OF DEUTEROXOMY. Len. v1. 1-25.