The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 433

Vers. 1-14.-The present portion of a good man. The natural world may be fitly regarded as the ,isible symbol or the spiritual world, the earthly state a lower copy of the heavenly. The order of cause and effect is as uniform in the spiritual sphere as in the material Fire in contact with gunpowder will result in explosion. True seed in fitting soil will bear fruit. "Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap." L WE RAVE HERE A DESCRIPTION OF A GOOD MAN. 1. He is described by his teachableness. He" hearkens diligently unto the voice of the Lord." This is a trait of a true child. He bas a sense of need, a sense of dependence upon another. He admits God's right to instruct and to command. He inquires after God, and reverently listens to his voice, It is his delight to hear the wise precepts of the unerring God. 2. He is described by his circumspection. He is observant of God's ways, discovers manifold and hidden indications of his will Not only is his ear intent to the whispers of his Father, but his eye is open too. Blindness of mind has gone. 3. He is described by bis completeness of obedience. He practically "does all the command- ments of God." These came of old by the agency of Moses; but a good man detects within the human voice the Divine message-the authority of Heaven. And his entire conduct is determined by the known will of God. II. Goom,"ESS IS ALLIED TO GREATNESS AS SURELY AS CAUSE TO EFFECT. "The Lord thy God will E.et thee on high above all nations of the earth." As in nature it is certain that all botanical life shoots upward, or that gases, as they expand, also ascend; so in the spiritual kingdom it is certain that goodness will grow into eminence. 'Tis not merely an arbitrary decree of God; 'tis the outcome of the very constitution of the universe. The character of Jehovah is a guarantee that the con£titutic!lal principles of bis empire do not change. Hostile infl11ences and powers may for a time prevent goodness from receiving its due reward-just as superincumbent clay may prevent the young pla.nt from shooting upward, but the final issue is certain, Faithful service shall be crowned with honour. III. TnE REWARD OF GOODNESS IS ITS OWN PERMANENCE. "The Lord shall establish thee an holy people" (ver. 9). "And tho11 shalt not go aside from any of the words wh.ich I command thee." In the life of obedience "God helps those who help them- &elves." Separate acts become easier by repetition. They evolve into habits. Habits 1 Of. W. Robertson's Smith's • Old Testament in the Jewish Church,' p. 8631 eto. CJJ. XXVJII, 1-68.] 'l'HE IlOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. 445