J~ncrland can scarcely conceive. What the history of our world wonld have been if thnt hotbed of Cancmnito corruption had continued, it would be difficult to ima!!'ine. Mrmy mothods woro open to Gorl by which he might arrest that pla~ue of vice; o~t of them all, his wisdom selected this, viz. to employ the Hebrews as his ministers of destruction. I. CONSIDER MEN AS ELECTED DY Goo TO OFFICE AND TO SERVICE. We may safely suppose that every nation fulfils some purpose foreseen by God-perhaps appointed thereto by him. Possibly every man, though he may not rise to the realization of God's highest ideal, yet may fultil some inferior purpose of God. The Hebrews had a vory special honour conferred on them. They were cbosen unto holiness, chosen to be the ministers of God's righteousness. The glory was eminent., and the Jews failed to reach it. The Most High God condescended to enter into closest alliance with Israel, deigned to be called their God, and took their interests into his care. So long as they kept his commandments, he kept his covenant. His faithfulness was an infinite quantity, but it was conditioned by Israel's obedience. No evidence was lacking to Israel touching tho friendly protection and help of Jehovah. Their loyalty as subjects was met cordially by his favour as Souereign. Their admitted weakness was met by the Divine strength. Their poor, shallow love was met and recompensed by his rich affection. II. THE GROUNDS OF GoD's CHOICE. 1. This is declared negatively. It was not on the ground of their numbers or their strength. That strength_ aad magnitude of the nation were the effect of God's choice, not its cause. They were not chosen because of superior holiness, but with a view to make them holy. Some reason there is for God's choice, but that reason is not often revealed. Possibly it is too recondite for mau's understanding, or t.he further pursuit of the inquiry might divert him from practical obedience. 2. It is stated positively that this choice was the outcome of love. 'fhere must have been the potency, perhaps the promise, of good in the Hebrews, in order to attract the love of God: If there was no positive wickedness, God would delight in them as the product of his own skill. His gracious dealings hitherto had been in respect of the oath made to their fathers. God's great love to Abraham had perpetuated itself in bis seed. Who can measure what a life of blessing ea.eh one of us may com- :nunicate to generations yet unborn? Divine grace in us is not terminal JII. 'l'HE DESIGN OF Goo's CHOICE-GENERAL AND SPECIAL. The gmeral design u·as holy character. Choice to office and to honour depended on attainment of character. Holiness is the highest perfection of man, therefore the highest design of God. Holiness is a far higher acquisition than wisdom or strength. The seven nations of Canaan were greater and mightier than Israel, yet those nations fell before the holy people. Purity shall eventually displace power. Right is genuine might. Holiness has, by Divine appointment, an everfasting tenure. The design of God's choice of Israel was also special, viz. to overturn idolatry. The geneTal vocation included the special. To be holy would necessitate conflict with sin. Light must contend with darkness. Oppo- site principles must contend for the mastery. The holier we become, the more resolute will be our battle with idolatry. We shall feel towards it, and act towards it, as God does. For us to live (if we be God's consecrated sons), and for us to oppose idolatry, is identical. "No peace with sin" is our loyal motto. IV. 'l'HE REALIZED RESULTS OF THE DIVINE CHOICE. Already the Hebrews had obtained a signal triumph over the Egyptians, as the proof of God's gracious intentions towards them. '1.'hat triumph was singular, surprising, and complete. Be, who could secure such a triumph for Israel, could give them easy conquest over any adversary. 'l'b.ey knew how to touch the secret springs of success. The pathway to renown was open. There was scarcely room for a doubtful issue, for from a greater foe God had already delivered them. • V. THE HONOUR CONVEYED IN Tms CHOICE, VIZ. TO llE CO-WORKERS WITH Goo. God would cast out the seven nations of Canaanites, therefore the Hebrews must smite them. God would deliver them up, therefore Israel was to destroy them. In every step they were to be coadjutors with God. Wo are not to suppose that the Canaanites were passively slaughtered. Jn every caso they provoked severity of treatment. So completoly had the idolaters identified themselves with idolatry, that, to destroy the latter, Israel had to destroy the former. When God, the Great Proprietor of a.II, 144 THE DOOK OF DEUTEHONOMY. [en. vn. 1-20.
impose.• a oommand upon us, however repulsive to our own feeling, it would be flagrant disloyalty on our part, yea., gross sin, to disobey. Punishment by the sword cnnnot be a more unrighteous act than punishment by cholera or by plague; and if men admit the justice of the one, they should also of the other. Human pity must sometimes be kept in abeyance. . YI. Gon's DESIGNS, IF NOT FOLLOWED, VISIT MEN WITH DESTRUCTION. The alterna- tive of not executing God's high commission was appalling. If any false sentiments of pity diverted them from the plain path of duty, the Hebrews would have become partakers of idolaters' sins. Any concession or compromise with the Canaanites would be (and in fact was) fatal to themselves. Can one touch pitch and not be defiled? The slightest connirnnce with the abomination would be a moral poison. 'J'hey too would he accursed. For God will not endure to be trifled with. 'l'o his frien<ls he is infinitclr gracious, and blesses, for their sakes, their posterity; but his foes he repayeth. to their face. ·we have to make our choice between complete devotement to God's cause and complete destruction.-D.