The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 201

III. THERE IS PR0GRF.SS TOO IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF Goo's PLANS. At another ~tage of their pilgrimage, God chose the tribe of Levi to minister unto him in sacre(l things. Heretofore, the first born in each family was claimed by God as his specio.l minister; now a particular tr,be is selected on the ground of its zealous exertions in God's cause. Character, 11ot the accident of birth, is the basis of God's approval. In Go<l's kingdom, he bears the palm who merits it. llighcr service is to bo accountod the most honourable rcwar,I. Promotion to a nearer fellowship with God-this ou.,ht 0 to l,e our richest joy. IV. THERE IS PROGRESS SHOWN ALSO IN THE NATURE OF DIVINE AWARDO. Jt had been con~idcred l,itherto that the supreme mark of Jehovah's favour was the gift of CanMn. Now the people are gradually led to perceive that there is somethina better than that. One tribe, and that the most signally separated by God for [a~•our, is dq,rivcd of participation in the promised land. The Levites, like Abraham, thouah dwelling in the land, shall possess no personal property in fields or vineyards. 'l'h~ir advauta~e it shall be, to be exempt from the cares and ambitions and jealousies per- taining to landed cstat{>. An inheritance shall be theirs, boundless in extent; satisfyina in its nature; inalienable in its tenure; uncorrupting, yea, ennobling, in its effect npo;;'. the pos~cssor; uncreated, and therefore undecaying. 'l.'heir inheritance was God him- self. He who has God, has all thinis. The universe is his. V. 'l'RC"E PROGRESS IS THE RESULT OF COMDINED CONTEMPLATION AND ACTION, fo the busy life of our Lord, communion with God and intense activity sweetly blended. 'l'o he al ways on tbe mount would make us pietist,; and recluses and mystics-hot-house plants. To be always on the field of action will make us narrow, hard, arrogant, self- rcliant. Both sides of our nature must grow in ratio, if we are to be full-orbed, attractive Christians. The ferry-boat of the gospel, which is to carry men to the other si,le, must be rowed with two oars-prayer and labour. VI. THE PROGRESS OF ONE IS THE PROGRESS OF MANY. A useful principle of emnla- tion appears in human nature. It is painful to be left behind in Lhe race. If we cannot be in the front, we wish to be near it. Every man has a following. We can- not go to heaven or to hell alone. With more or less of persuasiveness, every man is saying, "Come with me!" Is my influence beneficial or baneful ?-D. Vers. 12-22.-Knowledge of God the parent of obedient faith. Every honest view we take of God'ti service brings to light fresh features of attractiveness. It is the only riaht course. It satisfies conscience, reason, affection, desire. Having right disposi- ti~ns and purposes in life, all larger knowledge of God makes service pleasant; yea, true service ministers to our best Ii re. I. THE REASONABLENESS OF Goo's SERVICE MAY BE DEDUCED FROM THE PERFECTION OF rus CHARACTER. 1. His supremacy. He is '' God of gods." He stands alone, the sole Creator, but himself uncreated. His claims upon his creatures are absolute, uulirnited, and unconditioned. 2. His equity. If, at any time, men suspect any unrighteousness in God, it is because of some obliqueness of vision, or some defect in their mental instrument, or some deficiency of knowledge. No shadow of partiality bas ever once been found in him. 'l'he favourites of God have been the most chastised., 3. His immense power. He is "mighty and terrible." A breath of God can create; a breath can destroy. "With the breath of his mouth he will slay the wicked." 4. His goodness and pity. His goodness is profuse, is distributed with royal generosity, with- out stint. But his special care is reserved for the helpless. Widows and orphans have exceptional protection and defence. He makes their case his own, and becomes their unseen Patron. Human monarchs lavish their favours upon those who can do them most service; God lavishes his kindness upon the most needy. Want is the passport to his storehouse. Infinite worth belongs to him. 11. 'l°HIS REASONAilLENESS OF SERVING GoD JS SEEN IN HIS GRACIOUS TREATMENT OF MEN. 1. There was no need, so far as we can discover, that God should be served by ,11en. 'l'he heaven was Ms, and all previous orders of intelligent beings. 'l'he earth also was his, and all i ls various contents. Here was large scope for the display of his perfec- tions. If men were rebellious, he could readily crush the race, and sweep it from the face of the earth. And no other motive for his kindness to men can we discover, than that of g,,ncroUi 11,nd irrepr.:ssib!e love. 2. He ha• made e-0venant enga,qerrwnts wie/1 them,  CII. X. 1-22.] THE DOOK OF DJWTEilONOMY. 191