Yers. 10-16.-The creature displacing the Creator. I. THE PRONENESS OF THE HEART TO ADMIT THE WORLD INTO Goo'l:l PLACE. (Ver. 12.) The tendency is uni- Yersal. A result of the Fall, in subverting the original constitution of man's nature. That result twofold: 1. In giving to the worldly and sensuous principles in the soul an undue predominance; while: 2. Destroying that love of God, and sense of dependence on him, which would counteract their operation. '!'here may be no "going after other gods" in the sense of ver. 14, yet the first commandment may be broken by making the world itself our god-giving it the place of the true God in our aITections. 'fhe principle of worldliness usually operates secretly. 'l'he heart is "secretly enticed," does not perceive the progress of its declensions (Hos. vii. 9), fights against the admission of it (Rev. iii. li). IL 'l'HE PECULIAR co:i.~"ECTION OF THIS TEMPTATION WITH PROSPERITY, (Vers. 10, 11.) Not, indeed, so peculiarly connected with it, but that the poor man may fall into the same snare. But riches unquestionably constitnte a temptation which few succeed in resisting (cf. eh. viii. 11-19; Prov. xxx. 8, 9; Matt. xi.x. 22-27; 1 Tim. vi. 9, 10, 17, etc.). The temptation is the greater: 1. If worldly possessions are very abundant (rnr. 11). 2. If the prosperity is sudden (vers. 10, 11). 3. If it is freely enjoyed (ver. 11)-" bast eaten, and art full" (eh. viii. 10). III. THE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST THIS TEMPTATION. '!'here are safeguards. Bible ex- amples show that riches may be used with glory to God, happiness to self, and good to mankind (Abraham, ,Toseph, Job, Daniel, etc.). Among the foremost we would place the cultivation of a thankful spirit (cf. eh. viii. 10)-the remembrance of God as the Giver of what we have; also the remembrance of God's past mercies to us (vers. 12, 13). Ocher safeguards are: 1. Serving God with our possessions (ver. 13). 'l'he serving will include i;crving with our wealth, using what he has given for his glory, as good stewards, and no_t luxuriously and wastefully spending all on ~eV. (Luk~ xii. 15-21), ::!. Makin,q publw (V'.,knowledgment of Goi (ver. 13). The spmt of this command 1s kept by being willing, on all proper occasions, boldly and without shame to avow God u, be our God. The ruan of wealth who will do this is carried at one stroke above half the dangers of his position. 3. Non-ronformity to t!te world's ways (ver. 14). It is not easy to avoid being led away by fashion, love of appearance, social custom, etc. '!'Le good man will beware of the snare, and keep aloof (Rom. xii. 2). lV. THE PENALTY OF YIELDING TO THE TEMPTATION. (Ver. 15.) God's wrath is kiudled and destroys the transgressor. 1. He is destroyed spiritually. 2. He may be temporally (Ps. mvii 35; lxx.iii. 18, 19). 3. He will be eternally.-J. 0.
Ver. 16.-Tempting God.-Wealth has its tern·ptations; so has poverty, It incites to unbelieving murmurs, and to a spirit called here "tempting the Lord." UII. YI. 1-2G,] THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. 133