The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 236

Chmch, the sudden death of Ananias and Sapphira seemed severe. But the instan- t:rnc<>us cutting out of the canker of hypocrisy was, as it were, the surgical operation wl11ch only would save the Church. So here. There are three principles which wero 11t stake in such cases as those here supposed. 1. The supremacy of Jehovah was tho kcy-st-0ne of their nntional constitution. Consequently, the attempt to draw Israel away nftcr other gods was trenson to the State, and must be dealt with accordingly. 2. The aim of Jehovah in choosing Israel was to separate to himself a people for hie Name. Hence if they did not forcibly repress idolatrous worship, the very reason of their separate existence as a people would cease. 3. Since the very continua.nee of Israel depended on ihe continuance of their mison d'etre, for them not to stamp out idolatry would be to blot out themselves. It is a commonplace saying with reference to legislation, that it is to be tested-not by the query," What is abstractly the best?" but by another, "What will be the best for such and such a people?" Now, look in er at all the circumstances of Israel, it would be very hard to say that any better, or eve~ :my other mode of securing the desired end could have been adopted. Here, as throucrh- out the legislation, the people are supposed to be in full sympathy with Jehovah, :nd are themselves to co-operate in carrying out his Law (see Homily on eh. xxvii.). We have DO warrant to apply the rules here given in detail, anywhere, because we have nowhere exi~ting any people that, on the earthly side of its life, occupies a like position to Israel. Therefore DO argument for a like extirpation of heresy can now be rightly maintained, because DO plll'allel can now be shown of a nation with like constitution. But nevertheless, as in the preceding chapter we had permanent principles embodied under specific rules, so it is in this. I. WE HAVE TRUTHS OF SUPREME MOMENT INDICATED HEBE, WHICH ABE CAPABLE OF APPLICATION TO THE GO"VEBKMEJ>'T OF THE CHURCH OF Gon. 1 It is not possible to do more than briefly indicate the line of thought which such an application of the principles here laid down would involve. 1. Israel's place in the world is now filled by the Church of God, which is "the commonwealth of Israel," into which all enter who believe through grace. 2. The Church is set for the maintenance and defence in the world of the great truths of our most holy faith, and she is "earnestly to contend for the faith once (for all) delivered to the saints." 3. This Church is to be a self-governing body, having within itself all the powers and authorities for self-regulation and discipline. The Epistles to the seven Churches show this abundantly. 4. The Church is to be very jealous in guarding the glorious gospel of the blessed God. .Amid all changes of public sentiment and opinion on minor points, she is to hold fast the cardinal truth, that no advance of public thought can warrant her in surrendering the. one vital truth on which her existence depends, without which she would have had no existence, nor could show any reason why she should continue to exist. 5. 'l'his one truth, which she is to conserve intact age after age, is analogous to the one which Israel was so sacredly to guard. Israel was to keep watch over the truth-Jehovah, he is tho Lord. The Church has now to guard the doctrine that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (see 1 John iv. 1-4). The Church might as well cease to be as let that truth go. It is "the doctrine which is according to godliness." She is to guard the doctrine which tends to godliness, and to maintain the godliness which is to illus- trate the doctrine. 6. She has within herself means and powers for the defence of the faitc., and for visiting with monition, censure, suspension, or excommunication, those who deny it or disgrace it (1 Cor. v.; Matt. xviii. 17-20; Titus iii. 10, 11, etc.). 7. Her weapons are not carnal. She has no power to use the sword (Matt.. xxvi. 52; ~ Cor. L 3-8). 8. Nor has the Church any power towards those that are not within her pale (1 Cor. v. 12, 13), i.e. she has no power of judging. She has to be a witness for God to the outlying world, and that she may be this she is to keep herself pure. JI. THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CliAPTER HAVE A CONSTANT APPLICATION TO THE 1 Bishop Wordsworth has a very long and elaborate note on this chapter, which is well worthy of peril.Sal, in spite of the fallacy which-doubtless from oversight-runs through it. The author says that it was on the principles here laid down that the Jews condemned our Lord to death.. Surely not. True, our Lord wrought miracles. But he never wrought them to confirm e.ny message about going and serving other gods. The most perfect loyalty to the gree.t invisible Fe.tlJer marked the "only begotten Son." This chapter does no$ seem tu e.pply to him in any 1.uch way. en. xm. 1-18.] THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. 231