The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 484

Vere. 9-13, 24-29.-TllB honourappertaining to Goa's Law. As our Lord, in the near prospect of death, employed his thoughts in comforting and instrur,tin" others so Moses, instead of centring his thought upon himself, is only more eager ti provid~ for the people's future obedience. Inasmuch as his days on earth were now very few, ho yearned to crowd into them as much counsel and kindly warning as it was possible,. 'fo be of service to Israel-this absorbed the passions and desires of his soul. I. Goo's REDEMPTIVE LAW IS EMBODIED IN A WRITTEN FORM. To Moses it had been revealed that it would not suffice to instruct the people orally in the lines of religious cluty. So pregnant with importance is the Law of God, that it must be reduced to writing, and carefully preserved. God's law concerning our bodily life-how to use food, how to heal disease, how to prolon~ our days-all this is revealed in other modes: this Law is written by the finger of God on the very structure of man. In such matters, God's will is to be discovered by investigation and by experiment. But the law of the soul's life is disclosed to us in a different way. How sin can be pardoned; how reconciliation between a guilty man and his Maker can be secured; how inward purity can be gained, and immortality reached ;-all this is disclosed by God throu~h his prophets, and reduced to a written form. If a perverse disposition prevails in a man, he may refuse to read the record, and so "count himself unworthy of everlasting life." II. Goo's REDEMPTIVE LAW IS COMMITTED TO TRUSTY STEWARDS. The Law of God written by Moses, touching purification and obedience, was placed in the custody of the priests (ver. 9), and secured in the ark of the covenant. This was both a realized fact and a symbolic figure. 'l'hat ark is an emblem of Christ's Church, and the sons of Levi were the early representatives of genuine believers. The Christian family has become a royal priesthood;· and one of their delightful duties is to conserve God's Law so as to hand it on to coming generations. By the loving care of loyal di~ciples, the oracles of God have been preserved intact. The vigorous life of the Church to-day is displayed in revising the exact text, translating it into other tongues, and nnfolding it J,o tho understanding of the people. We are" stewards of the mysteries of God." III. Goo's REDEMPTIVE LAW IS TO BE PERIODICALLY EXPOUNDED. Mose~ required this to be done once in every seven years. By this method, the recollections of those who had heard it afore.time would be revived, it would be impressed on memory with fresh force, and many would rise to a higher understanding and appreciation of its meaning. The recurring period is symbolic. Once every seven days the privilege now returns. Nor have we to journey to some metropolis to hear the sacred record. Printing has multiplied the copies of God's Law on every side; and it would be spiritual obtuseness if we did not recognize this modern invention as a new agency in God's hands for enlightening the human race. The Law was ordained to be "read in the year of release, and at the Feast of Tabernacles." This was the anniversary of the Sinaitic revelation; this festival was signalized for its unusual joyousness. And this fresh revelation of God's truth, in each septennial period, would add new zest to !(ladness. Good men would say, " Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and they were to me as the joy and rejoicing of my heart." IV. Gon's REDEMPTIVE LAW IS TO BE BROUGHT WITHIN THE UNDERSTANDING OF' ALL. The wisdom and the loving-kindness of God are displayed in his care for children. As he has abundantly provided for their bodily and mental wants in their long depen- dence upon parents, so too he provides for the enlightenment of their consciences by the ministry of his Word. Right impressions are very early made. It is the highest wisdom to entwine the tender affections of children around God and truth and heaven. Before they "know anythino-" else, God commands us to see to it that "they hear, and learn to fear the Lord ot~r God." To neglect the religious training of the young is heinous sin. This is to deprive the host of God's elect of young recruits. "Instead of the fathers, must come up the children." God's will is abundantly revealed, to the end that we may do it.-D.  THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. [orr. XXXI. 1-30,