The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 447

desert and every conquest in Canaan contained a kernel of spiritual promise. These c'l"ents through which the Hebrews passed, both prosperous events and adverse, were "temptations," or tests, by which to develop their faith and fortitude. Every carnal bat.tie was drill and discipline for spiritual conflict. Ve,y instrnctively are the miraculous deliYerances here en lied "signs" (ver. 3). For signs and symbols they "·ere of realities in the spirit-realm. The redemption from Egypt was the sign of a. het.ter redemption for the soul. Sinai foreshadows Calvary. The smitten rock prefigured Christ. The desert life was a type of the earthly pilgrimage. The brazen serpent symb0lized the remedy for sin. By new an,l singular methods was the host of God's elect dnily fed, all(\ Moses plainly indicates the gmeious intention of the plan, Yiz. tbnt " Ye might lmow that I am the Lord you,· God." The descending manna. was an object-lesson. Every meal was a re\·elation of God. Within the food for the body was to be fonnd richer food for the soul. HI. ,vE SEE MAK's IKSENSIDILITY TO TilE GRACIOUS INTENTION OF GoD. In this address of Moses we discover an apparent contradiction. "Ye have seen," he says, "all that the Lord did" (ver. 2). " Yet," he adds, "the Lord bath not given you eyes to see" (ver. 4). But the contradiction is only on the surface. They saw, and yet they did not see. They saw the external event; they did not per-ceive the interior meaning. They had no eye for spiritual penetration. They had not the puren·ess of heart by which they might have seen God. .And the blame of non-possession does not rest on God. Some gifts he bestows unasked. "He sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." But the higher gifts for the soul be grants only to the meek and the prayer- ful. ".Ask, and ye shall receive." "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." The Hebrews saw the cloud, but did not see the God within the cloud. They saw the splendid coruscations of his glory, and they entreated that the vision might not be repeated. Their mouths were filled with material food, but they had no eye to discern the love which supplied it. 'l'hey remained deaf to the soft whispers of the Divine "Voice-the voice within the hum.an voice. They were too carnal to perceive the illustrious vocation to 1,hich they were called, or the magnificent destiny that lay in their path. Jehovah offered to be " their God." IV. WE SEE A FllESH OPPORTID.'ITY FOR COMPLETE CONSECRATION. On the threshold of the promised land God summoned a halt. He reviews, by the mouth of Moses, their past history, reminds them of their mistakes, reproves their obtuseness of mind, and invites them to a renewal of the sacred covenant. Another chance was given them for spiritual reformation. Here was the commencement of a new epoch. .Again, as In Horcb, God birls for man's allegiance. He renews his pledge to be in Canaan what be had been in the desert-their special Friend, their God. In this compact all the resources of God were secured to Israel. His power, his glory, his life, bis home, were conveyed to them. .All was to be theirs; but on one condition-and that condition was a necessity-that they should be loyal and true to him. What a splendid. opportunity was there for a new beginning-for a fresh departure! So ever and anon God comes near to us, and offers to make a covenant with us-to be onr Friend and God for ever.. On the morning of every day-on every returning sabbath-he appeals to us afresh to make consecration of ourselves. If we will be indeed his people, be will be most truly our God. We too may" enter into his oath.''-D. Vers. 14-28.-The goverr,ment of God all-embracing. The detective force in God's kingdom is perfect. Escape through the meshes of bis Law is an impossibility. Every defaulter is within the custody of the Omniscient Eye. .Arraignment, conviction, and execution proceed (sometimes leisurely) with the precision and certitude of irresistible law. In this paragraph- I. WE LEARN THE ORGANIC UNITY OF THE if'ATION. Every individual is a member of the community-an integral part of the kingdom. "No man liveth unto himself." .A citizen of an empire cannot demean himself as he please. He is bound to consider the well-being of the body politic. Hence Moses affirmed that the covenant made with the elders and officers present was a covenant also made with those not present. Who- ever elected to share in the security and triumphs of the nation was hound to share in its obligations. We cannot belong to society and claim exemption from its laws. 'l'he 1.ndividua.l is bound by the decisions of the nation. OH. XXIX, 1-29.] THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. 4:;9