Vers. 10-17.-Valuable possessions reserved for the righteous. The land of Palestine has always been a coveted prize by the surrounding nations. Compared with the terri- tory south and east, it pos~esses qualities of excellence and beauty. But its fertility depends upon the rain supply, and rain supply was suspended on righteous loyalty. I. A MORAL PURl'OSE UNDERLIES THE GEOLOGICAL CONFIGURATION OF OUR GLOBE. God can never experience surprise in the beneficial coincidences of events. "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world." If heaven has been undergoing a process of preparation from a period anterior to the formation of our globe, we need feel no surprise that, in arranging the strata of the earth, God should have been animated with motives of righteous benevolence towards men. And if the structure of hill and valley is the visible projection of a generous moral purpose-a part of the plan for the religious education of men-we ruay conclude that all the forces and phenomena of nature have vital connection with the religious development of our race. Israel was sent into Canaan because amongst its hills and valleys its history and fortunes could best be unfolded. IJ. GOD'S PATERNAL CARE OF MEN EXTENDS TO THE WHOLE OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT. ~'he sagacious love of God condescends to every minutioo of human lire. Our God has mfinite leisure for everything. His eyes are daily upon our farms and shops. He is our Bulwark and defends our coasts. He knoweth what we have need of. III. Tm: RICHEST EARTHLY POSSESSION LEAVES MEN WHOLLY DEPENDENT ON GoD. Instead of our possessions liberating us from dependence on God, they increase our dependence; for now WB need his protection for our property as well as for ourselves. Possessions (so called) arc only channels through which true blessing flows, and our great business is to keop the channel clear. 'l'l.te hills of Canaan obtaineu their irriga- twn from the springs of heaven, and only obedient faith can unlock these springs. IV. FILIAL OBEDIENCE SECURES MATERIAL PROSPERITY. Such prosperity is the 208 THE BCOK OF DEUTERONOMY. [err. xr. 1-32.
picture and symbol or spiritul\l good. Dut ml\terial benefita were the only rewl\rds which thc~e Hchrews could l\pJweciate. "Godliness is" still " profitable for all things." Th<' source of all real prosperity is in hel\ven. V. EVEN SEORET SIN BETS IN MOTION A BERmS OF GIGANTIO EVILS. The heart is easil~- taken by semblances and promises of good. 'l'he falsehoods of Satan are very plausible. A sentinel needs to be placed at every portal of the soul. Self-deception ends in total destruct ion. "' e do not sin alone, nor suffer alone.-D. Vers.18-21.-God's Word potent to dominate the whole life, The Word of God, like light, is diffusive. It propagates itself. So long as its proper field of activity is un- occupied, it must spread. It radintes its. hlagnetic influence on every side. J. TRUTH, POSSESSING THE HEART, BECOMES THE FOUNT OF ALL RIGHTEOUS PRINCIPLE, As the pulverized soil is the proper home of seed; as the housewife's dough is the proper home of leaven ; so the heart of man is the proper abode of truth. On stony tablets, in books, or in speech, it is only in transit towards its proper destination. Received and welcomed into the soul, it begins a process of blessed activity; it vitalizes, ennobles beautifies every part of human nature. It is the seed of all virtue and goodness-th~ root of immortal blessedness. II. RIGHTEOUS PRINCIPLE DOMINATES ALL OUR ACTIVE POWERS. The hand is the serrnnt of the heart. ~bat the_ mind J)lans, the hand executes. To bind Gou's pre- cepts upon our hands 1s to remmd ourselves that the hand, as the representative of acti'l'e faculty, belongs to God. Embargo is la.id upon it to do no violence to others' persons or to others' property. It must not strike nor steal, for it has become an instrument sacred to God. l\or must it be defiled with idleness, for it is the property of him who incessantly works, nor may the eye wantonly wander after forbidden objects. The eye led Eve into transgression. "Let thine eye look straight before thee." "Look not upon the wine when it sparkles in the cup." 'l'he eye is a potent instru- ment for evil or for good. Ill. RIGHTEOUS PRINCIPLE, SPRINGING OUT OF LOVE OF TRUTH, MAKES US WITNESSES FOR Gon. As on the high priest's forehead there was inscribed the motto, "Holiness unto the Lord;" so, in substance, the same truth is written on every servant of God. He is a consecrated man. His finely arched brow is his glory, and his glory is devoted to God. In every circumstance he desires to magnify his God. His house is God's house; hence on gate and lintel the precepts of God are conspicuous. Hospitality and content- ment, peace and kindness, d\\'ell there, for it is the home of God. I,. l!IGHTEOUS PllINCIPLE MOULDS POSTERITY. What we are, in great measure our children will be. Moral qualities are entailed. In their tender years, their young nature is plastic and impressible. If our hearts arc full of God's truth, it will rise and overflow our lips as water from a welJ. Far from being an irksome task to speak God's truth, it will be a pleasurable instinct. All time, from early morn till evening repose, will be too short to utter all God's truth. "Living epistles" describe the office of the godly. V. IlIGHTEOUS PRINCIPLE SECUIIES PERMANENT ENJOYMENT. Truth in the heart is translated into righteousness in· the life, and righteousness makes heaven. No enjoy- ment can be perfect in which our children do not share; and in sharing our joys with our children, we multiply our joys beyond all arithmetical measure. Such days of consecrated service will be" days of heaven upon earth."-D. Y ers. 22-25.-He who best serves is 'lTWSt fit to rule. Golden links of life unite our pious love with universal conquest. "All things become ours, if we are Christ's." I. LoYAL OBEDIENCE GE~'ERATES LOVE. It is quite true that love is the mother of obedience; it is also true that obedience fosters and intensifies love. '£he earth receives Leat from the sun, but it gives out heat likewise. The sentiment of love in the breast will dwindle and die unless it have practical exercise. Diligent and thoughtful service will bring us nearer God, make God more precious to us, and bind us to him in ttnderer bonds. '!'here is an interlacement of affection. Our desires send deep their roots in God, and an indissoluble alliance is the result. II. UNION WITH Gon SECURES HIS PRACTICAL AID. wC are required "to cleave to him." The tffect is that he will cleave to us, and prove a real Ally, an almighty Helper. Re will drive out all our foes for us, however great and mighty they be. Our foes OTT. XI. 1-32,] THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. 20!)