The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 338

We are the property of another-the Supreme King. Therefore we must do his worlt nnd fight his battles. Our notion of what is right and just must be made subordinate to Ms. Onr minds are often too much biased with selfish feeling to jurl"e what is right, if left to onrseh·es; but we shall not err if we closely follow the prece"pts of our God. The interests of God's kingdom are to be held by us as paramount over the interests of man's kingdom. II. Gon's PRESE~CE IN BATTLE OUTMATCHES ALL HUMAN FORCES. The source of conquest is not in the '"isible material of war. VictorY, is not on the side of the largest battalions. This is the creed of the infidel. If ther~ were no God, it might be true. Mere numbers of combatants have as often hindered triumph as helped it. If God be ranged on the one side, it is a most unequal contest. The issue is a foregone event. Multiply human weapons or develop human skill as much as you please; let all the powers of arithmetic be exhausted in the computation; and still the finite is confronted by the Infinite. "Defore him the inhabitants of the world are as grasshoppers," "If God be for us," vain is all opposition. Simple faith is the best equipment. III. Gon's PRIEST IS THE INSPIRER OF TRUE COURAGE. 'l'he sanctions and the inspira- tions of religion may be obtained for the business of war. The true priest will not heedlessly lend his sanction to any emprise of war, nor will he withhold his benediction from a righteous contest. By virtue of his office, he is the me~senger from God to the royal court, as well as to the people. If ever the oracle of the sanctuary should be consulted, it is when war is imminent. It is not the business of the priest to initiate IYar; but if war 'becomes a duty, it is the business of the priest to encourage and ms~e the host of God's elect. The true priest is in close accord with God. God's heart beats within bis heart; God's will finds prompt response in him. Hence the priest's voice is the human exponent of God's thought. God's strength is through him conl'cyed to the mailed warriors, for he speaks with just authority. IT. Gon WILL ACHIEVE VICTORY ONLY THROUGH THE RIGHT-HEARTED. Unless the soldier's mind and heart and soul be in the conflict, he had better tarry by his fireside. A few earnest, ardent warriors are preferred to mere array of numbers. If any soldier found more delight in his habitation or in his vineyard than in the success of battle, he might forthwith return. With the double-minded and the half-hearted God does not work. The channel must be emptied of self if Divine energy is to pass through it. We are not to conclude that God prefers the few to the many. But be will have tbe right kind of agents, or he will not work through them. The thirsty man does not prefer one drop of water to ten; but he does prefer one drop of wholesome water to a gallon of poisonous bel'erage. God works according to wise methods, and sends help through fitting cbannals. The best media through which he conveys military conquest is unselfish devotion to his cause. The consecrated soldier is the predestined conqueror. V. LEADERS IN GREAT ENTERPRISES ARE TO BE SELECTED FROM THE COURAGEOUS FEW, Men will most faithfully follow those leaders whom they have themselves choseu. As the faint-hearted were unfit to go to the battle, so were they unfit to choose captains ol'er the host. The courageous are also the most judicious. Accurately measuring the work that bas to be done, they can the better judge who are the most competent to do it. The brave heart and the clear eye go together. These captains, so appointed, would be strong in the consciousness that they enjoyed the esteem and support of the troops. Such an arrangement gives the best guarantee for efficient leaders, On the same ground, the rulers of the Church should be chosen on the ground of spiritual fitness-solely on the ground of moral qualification.-D. Vers. 10-20.-The tern"ble side of human duty. Sin has made such fatal havoc in our world, that the most severe remedies have to be applied. In the administration of these remedies God has chosen to employ men. Thus he allies himself with 118 and makes us partners with him in the administration of his kingdom. "Such honour have all his saints." I. 'l'HE AillS OF THE DIVINE GOVERNMENT MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED. Every aim which iR formed in God's mind is a seed of righteousness. Therefore it must grow and col!le to perfection. Necessity enters into its very essence. No power on earth or in hell is able to hinder its accomplishment. Who shall withstand the will of Omni- err. XXI, 1-23.J TIIE BOOK OF DEUTERONmiY.