Vars. 9, 24-27.-The written ~Vorrl. The L,iw here put in writing and solemnly deposited in the sido of the ark, is the foundation of our present Bible. All Scripture is built up upon H. On this consignment of the first instalment of the Word, we remark- I. 'l'IIE W!UTTEN \Vono EMBODIES AND IS THE VEHICLE 011' AN AUTHOftITATIVE IlEVELATION. 'l'he Law was first given, thereafter recorded. Revelation precedes the record of it. But this line must not be drawn too finely. The record is inspired (1 Tim. iii. IG), and is to us the revelation of the will of God. It is, as well as contains, the Word of God. The line must not be drawn too finely : 1. Between revelation and its history. The threads of revelation cannot be picked out from the texture of its history, and exhibited apart. 'l'hey constitute one whole; the record em braces both. 2. Between revelation and inspired prophetical discourses-with psalms, poems, wisdom literature, etc., which unfold the principles of revelation, apply and enforce them, turn them into subjects of praise, or deal with them reflectively. For discourses, p~alms, didactic literature, etc., add to revelation as well as unfold its meaning. 3. Betwen, revelation and the written Word. For that, as above remarked, is the revelation tc, us. It is clothed with its uwu authority as inspired-an authority the nature and rlegree of which is a ~tudy by itself-and it is clothed with the authoritativeness (obj~ctive) inherent in the revelations of which records are preserved. II. THE WRITTEN \VoRD IS NECESSARY FOR THE PERPETUATION OF REVEALED TRUTH. It embodies truth in a form which secnres its transmission to posterity without material distortion or r-0rruption. Tradition, however carefully guarded, would have been a most unsafe medium for the conveyance of important revelations. A body of facts and laws such as we have in the Pentateuch, or discourses like these of Moses, coulu not have been entrusted to it without certainty of mutilation. The Law, accordingly, was put in writing. A written revelation is one great proof of the wisdom and care of Goel. Variations in manuscripts rarely affect the substance of the message. III. 'l'HE WRITTEN Wono IS A WITNESS FOR Goo AGAINST THE AP0STACY OF THOSE TO WHOM THE WonD IS CHVEN. (Ver. 26.) 1. If it does not prevent corruption of doctri11e, it testifies against it. It was by appeal to the Scriptures that Josiah wrought bis reformation in Judah (2 Kings xxiii.). It was by appeal to the Scriptures that the Reformers aroused Europe a~ainst the Church of Rome. 2. If it cannot prevent apostacy in deed, it remains as a witness against the apostates. It holds up the Law from which they have departed. It convicts them of rebellion. It denounces a;;ainst them the penalties of transgression. \Vhile it invites them to repeutance, and promises, if they return, healing of their backslidings.-J. 0.
Vers. 10-13.-Readi11g the Law. (For an example of fulfilment of this co=and, see Neh. viii.) Observe- !. h- WAS TO DE READ AT A REJ,JGIOUS FEAST. On an occasion of solemnity-at the Feast of Tabernacles (ver.10). Our feelings in reading the Scriptures, or in hearing them read, ought always to be of a solemn and reverential kind. But it is well to avail our- selves of every aid which may lend solemnity and impressiveness to the reading of words so sacred. II. IT WAS TO BE READ AT A TIME OF GENERAL LEISURE. In the sabbatical year- " the year of release." Leisure hours cannot be better employed than in making our- selves acquainted with" what God the Lord will speak" (Ps. lxxxv. 8). We should avail ourselves of the leisure of others to endeavour to instruct them. lll. IT WAS TO DE READ PUDLICLY. (Ver. 11.) The private reading of the Law would doubtless be attended to in many pious homes. But the practice woulcl not be general (scarcity and expensiveness of manuscripts, want of education, religious indifference). 'l'he Levites were to teach Israel the Law (eh. xniii. 10; Lev. x. 11; Mai. ii. 7); but they might not Jo so, or the people might not wait on their instructions. The public readincr of the Lall', even once in seven years, was thus calculated to be of great ad- vanta,;. As lon,. as the practice was observed, multitudes would derive benefit from it. •if'he reading ;as of the nature of a public testimony, but also, as we see in Neh. viii .. for purposes of real instruction. The pablic reading of Scripture, with or without com- ment, is an important means of edification. Read with intellii-!:ence and judgment, the Word commends itself. And such readings are necessary. Many have Bibles, yet do not read them ; many read and do not understand. 4fl0 THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. [cm. XXXI. 1-30.
. IV. IT y,'A~ TO ~E READ FOR THE BENEFIT OF OLD AND YOUNO. (Ver. 12.) All nro interested m listening to the Word of God. Men nnd women, little children, etrnngcre no class but has a concern in it. None but may be edified by it. Children ought t~ be more recognized th1m they 11re in religious services. Need for making them feel thnt they too arc interested in what is being said; that the Bible has a messao-e 0 for them 11s well as for their elders. _v. 'l'RE 1':?fD OF READING Goo's WORD IS THAT WE MAY DE ENADLED TO ODEY IT. (\ er. 13.)-J. 0.