I. 'l'HEY SHOW SOMETHING THAT WAS ORDERED TO BE, viz. that the Law of God was to be written very plainly, as the permanent, standard expression of right, to which the people might appeal. It was not to be left to a floating tradition. To no such risks would God expose his teaching. There was no priesthood in Israel which had any monopoly of knowledge. 'l'he words were to be so clearly and accurately recorded that, upon all that pertained to life and godliness, the people might see for themselves what the Lonl had spoken, and not be dependent on any sacerdotal interpretation whatever. How clearly does this fact indicate the mind and will of Jehovah concerning our race! God would not have us walk uncertainly. He would have the way of life so plain, that the " wayfaring men, though fools," need not err therein. II. 'l'HEY SHOW BOMETHL'!G WHICII HAS BEEN. The injunction has been carried out, not only in the matter here specially referred to, but in God's later disclosures also. 1. In the books which Moses left behind him there was a. revelation of the Divine mind and will so clear and distinct, that no one reading even the Pentateuch with a loyal faith need ever have been at a. loss to know that the ground of his trust Wa.'! the for- giving love of God, and that the duty of life was summed up in love to God and love to man. 2. Later teachings are given with equal, yea, with increasing clearness. (1) Those of the prophets. (2) Of our Lord. (3) Uf the apostles. In all, the main teachings are given" very plainly." Note: The plainness of Scripture is not of that kiud which men outgrow as they get older. Those very passages which charm chilJhood with their simplicity, do come to have a. fuller and deeper meaning for the "old disciple." III. 'l.'HEY SUGGEST SOMETHING WHICH SHOULD BE. 1. Let us ever regard the Bible as a Book for the people, and let us insist on its being made the ultimate standard of appeal. 2. Let us use it as God meant us to use it, not as a book, but as the Book; not as man's, but as God's. 3. With such a Book before us, let us walk (1) intelligently, as if we understood the meaning of life; (2) thankfully, as ifwe apprehended the glory of life; (3) earnestly, as if we knew the solemnity of life; (4) hopefully, as those who are advancing towards the goal of life. Vers. 11-26.-.A grand " Amen I " It is more than possible that, with the strong disposition there is nowadays to look on Judaism as obsolete, the chapter before u~ may be very frequently passed over as if full of curses that no longer have any effect; especially as l'uul, in Gal. iii., says, "Christ bath redeemed us from the curse of the Law." But ,ve are apt, perhaps, iu dealing with the doctrinal aspect of these curses of the Law, in reference to the Atonement., to lose sight of their primary historical aspect in reference to Israel. But the significance of both altar and pillar, pillar and altar, should be taken into account. Here, in the valley between Gerizim and Ebal, the grandest assembly met that was ever convened. The Law was read in the people's hearing, and the people were to declare themselves ready to brand sin with their curse, as God branded it with his. In a word, they were in a glorious league with the Great King of heaven and earth, that, whatever he disapproved, they would combine to brand with the infamy of eternal shame. As Israel was expected then to be in league with God in denouncing wrong, so are Christians expected by the holy cross to swear eternal war against sin. 'l'his may be worked out in seven consecutive lines of thought. THE BOOK OP DEUTERONOMY. [en. nvn. 1-20.
I. G,,d's people now are a divinely chosen commonwealth. II. In snbjeclion to Gocl alone, this commonwealt.h is a self-governing body, III. The only law for life which they accept is that of righteot1sness-righteousness, of course, all round, both as regards God and man. I,. It was for this very purpose Israel bad been chosen out of the peoples that, for the world's sake, there might be one nation in which righteousness was the supremo lnw. V. ~ide by side with the records of a Law which demanis perfect righteousness, there 1s the altar and its sacrifice thereon, speaking to the people of a Divine provision for forgiving the penitent.. _,I. Tlw penitent _is set free from the curse of Law, that he may ever after co-operate with God 1n honouring the Law from whose curse he has been redeemed. VII. Tl!e passionate concern for holiness, and the delight in a holy Law, which nre hcgot1en m them who are of "the commonwealth of Israel," ensure their entire ~ympathy with God in the everlasting curse pronounced against all unrighteousness. • YIII. Thus the pure and just· Law of God may serve believers as an educatory force throui,'.hout their whole life. And in their incessant hatred and condemnation of evil i, Lhe saying true in the highest sense, Vox populi, vox Dei.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS .AUTHORS.