The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 242

thin_g must be tolerated. If the luminous agent employed to shed light makes alliance with the ,,Jernent of darkness, its mission is terminated: it is good for nothing. lience in order that the Hebrews might keep alive the lamp of heavenly truth, they must burn pure oil. 'l'he eYil growth must be nipped in the bud. The dread disease must be c hec ke<l at its very first symptom. If they are to continue " the sacra men tnl host of l1ud's elect,'' no secret foe must be concealed in the camp. The decree had gone forth " Idolatry shall cease!" and Israel had been commissioned to execute that decree. ' lY. THAT ISRAEL'S LOYALTY TO GoD REQUIRED THE SUBORDINATION OF ALL OTHER TIES AND CLAIMS. The ligaments of blood relationship are strong-dear as very life. The ties of friendship and of conjugal love arc tender and sacred. No language can adequately- set them forth. Yet God has a prior claim. His will forestalls every ,,1ber ol,Iigation. The Joye which is due to him overleaps every boundary-absorbs crnry ot.ber affection. " Witb all the heart, and soul, and mind, and strength," tliat '.o,·e to him, if adequate, must be. And this superior and incomparable obligation of 1,,ve will sometimes necessitate most painful self-denial-the amputation of a frrht hand, the sacrifice of a right eye. The demand made upon the Jews, to slay a wif; or child, if addicted to idolatry, was a demand replete with awful severity; yet no one can question its righteousness. And if so be the will of God is clearly understood, natural inclination mnst yield to dutiful obedience. Said the immaculate Son, "I do always the things tl:at please him." "\'. THAT 'l"HE HABIT OF IDOLATRY MUST BE ROOTED OUT, THOUGH IT JIIAY REQUIRE THE MOST DRASTIC MEASURES. 1. Searching investigation was first required (ver. 14). 'l'hcy were to inquire-to inquire "diligenily"-to search into the very heart of the matter. It would be a crime-yea, a murder-if they should act judicially on mere rumour or through any evil bias. The very utmost endeavours to reach the facts were required in tbe interests of truth and humanity. Certainty of the fact must precede any sentence of destruction. 2. Tlie perilous effects of evil influence (ver. 13). Certain men of Delial can draw away into rebellion the inhabitants ofa whole city. Some men of strong will and clever ingenuity are well adapted to lead their fellows; and men C\f weak judgrnent readily follow. Both classes err. Men of superior parts are highly responsible to use their powers as God-entrusted talents; and those possessing lesser capacity are bound to examine for themselves, and to suspend action until judgmeut is ccn,inced. 3. TVhere idolatry was clearly proved, the most complete punishment was exacted. The whole Hebrew nation were at once converted into soldiers, and were rnmmoned to assail that miscreant city. The body politic was to gather up into a point all its righteous strength, and expel that foreign evil from its midst. No mercy was to be shown; no life was to be spared. Not a lamb in the flock was to escape; not an ounce of spoil was to be gathered. The executors of God's vengeance must be. abo,•e all suspicion of selfish and sordid interest. No material gain must accrue to them. The charred and blackened ruins of tliat city were to be a monument for ever of the ri"'htcous severity of Jehovah. "°VI. THAT THE DESIGN OF PUNISJ!MENT IS THE MORAL GOOD OF SURVIV9Rs. (Vers. 5, 11, 17.) The effect anticipated was this, "All Israel shall hear, and fear, and do no more any such wickedness." On God's side the result would be that he would "turn and show them mercy, and multiply" their numbers. Very clearly was it announced that this judicial action was the action of God-that righteous and obedient Hebrews were the officers of Jehovah. In view of the magnificent results upon the whole nation, yea, upon the world, this grave di~astcr might be patiently endured. '!o sp3:r~ _the lives of these rebels, and yet to retam the favour of Jehovah, was a sheer 1mposs1h1hty. A severe choice was demanded. 'l'he remedy was painful, but the effect anticipated was precious. The smile of God, and the moral elevation of the nation, were the practical fruits. In these b_enign r~sults, ~he survivors. would ha~e great occasion for grateful joy. The destruct10n of sinners 111 a beacon-light, to which we also should take heed.-D. OR, XIT, 1-29,] THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. 237