The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 400

have nlready pointed out, it may yielcl a pure delight. For: 1. It will be enjoyerl as the gift of One who is our redeeming God, in covenant relation to us, and with wh~,n we are at peace. 2. It will be enjoyed with a sense of rectitude which only those can have who he.ve been severely right in the regulation of their gettings and givin"s. 3. It will be enjoyed, because gains so acquired and spent will be a means of grace t; a man, Riches in such a case will expand the heart. 4. It will be enjoyed, because such a man will bear about with him the holy and blessed consciousness that he is fulfilling God's will and spreading God's cause in the right use of his gifts. 5. It will be enjoyed, because such a one knows that God's blessing is resting on him and on all he has, that, rich as may be his earthly good, though he enjoys it while it lasts, yet he can afford to hold it with a loose hand, for it is not his all, and that when he is called to part with it, he will find richer treasure still laid up for him in heaven, for when " flesh and heart fail, God will be the strength of his heart, and his portion for ever." Thus and thus alone is it possible to extract from earthly good the full delight it is calculated and intended to yield. If we make worldly possessions the food of our souls, they will turn to ashes in the mouth. 'l'hey bring no blessing with them. They will disappoint, and if they take their flight, as they so often do, we shall be left miserably poor: But if through the grace and Spirit of our God we are led first to choose God as our all, and then to use our all for God, we shall enjoy the life that now is, and enter on a fulness of joy in that which is to come. Vers. 12-15.-Integrity in the will a condition of acceptable and successful prayer. We do not recall any passa11:e in this book, on which we have as yet touched, that conveys a more striking impression than this of the purity and heart-searchingness of the l;aw of God. !<'or elucidation of the several points of detail, the reader may con- sult the expository section. For our purpose now it is enough to say that it is assumed that the people will faithfully carry out the precepts and ordinances of God with regard to the tithes, to .the offerings, to the poor, the fatherless, and widow, and the specific injunctions with respect to ceremonial purity. When this is done, so that they can declare it before the Lord, 1 then they may also plead with God for a blessing. They, having, with a clear conscience nnd an upright will, fulfilled to the extent of their knowledge the requirements of their holy religion, may then come and entreat their God for his benediction and smile, according to his promise. Hence we have presented ,to us for homiletic teaching the all-important topic-Integrity in the fulfilment of Divine commands a condition of acceptable prayer. We propose to show how con- stantly this principle is recognized in the Word of God, by a comparison of Scripture with Scripture. Prayer is an inestimable privilege. That weak and sinful man should be permitted to unburden his spirit to the Father of spirits is a mercy so great, that no words can adequately express it. It is only on the ground of the One Sacrifice of Christ, of which the Hebrew sacrifices were but ,foreshadowings, that such fellowship between God aud sinfnl man is vouchsafed. We may pray, because we "are not under Law, but under grace." •But though through the abouudings of mercy sinful men arc permitted to pray, yet it is on the understanding that they repent of their sin. And true though it be that we are under grace and not under Law, yet grace brings with it its own law; it isno licence to lawlessness. Throughout the Word of God this precious privilege is guarded from abuse. Prayer is uot thrown open promiscuously. The shriek of a terrified man or the query of an inquisitive man is not prayer. "'l'he fear of tbe wicked, it shall come upon him; but the desire of the righteous shall be granted." " The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord ; but the prayer of the upright is his delight." Let us trace the recognition of this chronologically. I. JoB KNEW m,• IT. He asks it1 xxvii. 9, concerning a hypocrite, "Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?" II. DAVID TEACHES IT LIKEWISE. In Ps. lxvi. 18, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." He expects no answer to his prayer if in his inmost soul there is nny tolerance of sin. III. SOLOMON INDICATES THIS TRUTH. In the prayer at the dedication of the temple, • See Keil on this phrase In ver. 18. no THE BOOK OF DEU'l'EllONOMY. [ou. lr.:U1. 1-19.