The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 440

pnrngmph there is e.n expression of which the writer to the Hebrews makes use as a warning. It is found in the eighteenth verse : "Lest there should be amona you a root that bee.reth gall nnd wormwood." In the Epistle to the Hebrews xii. 1o the sacred writer says, "Looking diligently . . . lest any root of bitterness sprincrin'a up trouble you, e.nd thereby many be defiled," The root bearing gall and wo~m\~ood which Moses deprecates is, Apostacy from God who has revealed his will throtwh him. That which the New Testament writer dreads, and to ward off which his whr7le Epistle we.a written is, Apostacy from God who has revealed his will through his only begotten Son. The parallels between the two possibilities would fornish a. most instructive theme for the preacher; so likewise would the contrasts. We propose now to suggest e. line of thought which may "open up" and impress on the heart and con- science the truth that heart-apostacy is a root bearing gall and wormwood. J, THE CHRISTIAN, LIKE ISRAEL OF OLD, IS SURROUNDED WITH INFLUEXCF:S TIIAT AP.E UNFAVOUR.ol.BLB TO FIDELITY TO ALL THAT HE BELIEVES AND HOPES. Israel was in the midst of other nations, who had a greatness and pomp with which they could not vie, who had a religious worship other than theirs, and a literature and learnin" which were greater than theirs; and it was not at all unnatural that now and then, at ;ny rate, they should cast a longing look at them, and cherish a wish to rival them. And as their acquaintance with other nations increased in the course of the ages, it cannot be wondered at if they were tempted to depart from the simplicity of their monotheistic faith and worship. And now, the parallel between them and us is closer than eve.r it has been. Increasing research has brought to light much religious literature in the world, which pertains to varied religions, in which even fifty years ago our fathers thought there was nothing good, '!'he great religions of the world-Brahmanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Mohammedanism-were looked on by some as almost totally bad. And now, some are so elated by the features of excellence that may be traced in one and another, and so startled by some parallels between the Christian religion and others, that they are tempted to indulge the thought that our faith is but one among many-the best, perhaps, of all the varied religions in the world, but yet diffe1in 6 from others rather in its superior measure of excellence, than in any features altogether and absolutely unique and incomparable. Hence- 11. THERE IS A DANGER OF APOSTAOY OF HEART FROM THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, ANALOGOUS TO THE PERIL WHICH BESET ISRAEL OF OLD. The peril to which ChristiallS are now exposed is not merely the ordinary one arising from the fickleness of the human heart, and from the subtle temptations and fiery darts of the wicked one. With the larger knowledge just referred to of whatever excellence other religions may have, a new temptation is presented to the understanding, no longer to regard our Saviour as the one and only Redeemer, but as simply the Highest and Best of the Religious Teachers of the world. And so far as this temptation is yielded to, there may come a de- fection from the faith on any one or more-or all-of the five following points :-1. Christ may cease to be regarded as the only begotten Son of the Father. 2. His Godhead, ind therefore his incarnation, may come to be denied, or at least may cease to be held as a part of the" faith once [for all] delivered to the saints." 3. His redemption, as at once furnishing us with a gospel of deliverance and a gospel of power, may be lost siaht 0 of as the distinctive feature of his work, to which no religion in the world can furnish a parallel or point of comparison. We have many religions in the world; there is but one gospel. 4, Bis exaruplo may come to be regarded as simply one that towers above that of other men, and as unattended with any power of lifting the world up to his own level. 5. And with all thi_s, the dread ai:id august majesty with which he, as the Mediator of our race, exercises all power Ill heaven and on earth, me.y be thrown into the backg~ound, and _may thus cease ~o sway the heart and life, :No one who understands the times can fail to see the reality of these dangers, and the serious proportions they are assuming. The.t amid the storm, the kingdom of Christ will be shaken, we have no fear whatever, but many may depart from the faith meanwhile. Ill. SuoH APOBTAOY WOULD BE A ROOT OF BITTERNESS. This of itself would require an entire homily to do it justice. We can but ~int in outline. ~- If ~hus the ~ea.rt loses its hold of Christ as a Redeemer, the atte.!Ilment of salvation will henceforth become impossible. 2. If onoe the power of Christ ceases to renew, the old self will i52 THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY, [en. xxa. 1-29.,