The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 504

of the world is in the soul which looks on it, which sees some conception of its own reflected from the mirror around it; for mind is not only living, but life-giving, and has received from its Maker a portion of his own creative power" (Dr. John Ker), Rock is thns more than rock-its awfulness, grandeur, immovability, everlastingness, str~ngth, are _born of spirit:1al conceptions.. 'Fhese attributes do not i~ reality belong to 1t. Rock 1s not everlasting, ruoveless, abiding, etc. Old rocks are bemg worn away, new rocks are being formed; the whole system had a beginning and will have an end tPs. xc. 2). It is not that these attributes belong to rock, and are thence by metaphor attributed to God; but these attributes of God, being dimly present in the mind, are by metaphor attributed to rock. We clothe the natural object with shadowy attributes or Deity. God is the true Rock, the other is the image. God is rock, in virtue of: 1. The eternity of his existence (Ps. xc. 2). 2. The omnipotence of his might (Dan. iv. 35). 3. The wisdom of his counsel (Isa. xl. 13). 4. The immutability of his purpose (Ps. xxxiii. 11; Isa. xlvi. 10). 5. 'l'he faithfulness of his Word (Ps. cxix. SO, 90). 6. 'l'he rectitude of his go,•ernment (Ps. ex! v. 1i). Whence: 7. 'l'he perfection of his work. Christ is like the Father, eternal (Rev. i. 11), unchangeable (Hob. xiii. 8), all-powerful (Mat~. xxviii. 18), faithful (John xiii. 1; xiv. 18-20), righteous (Rev. xix. 11), wise (Isa. 1x. 6). II. Rom;: A NATURAL IMAGE 011' WHAT, IN VIRTUE 011' HIS ATTRIDlJTES, Goo IS TO ms PEOPLE. 1. A shelter (Ps. lxi. 3). 2. A defence (Ps. iviil. 2; !xii. 6). 3. A dwelling-place (Ps. xc. 1). 4. .A. shadow from the heat (cf, Isa. :xxxii. 2). 5, A move- less standing-ground (Ps. :d. 2). 6. A foundation (cf. Matt. vii. 24). The rock smitten in the wilderness furnishes the additional idea of: 7. A source of spiritual refreshment. Apply throughout to Christ, the Rock on which his Church is built (Matt. :xvi. 18; 1 Cor. ii. 11), the smitten Saviour (1 Cor. :x. 4; 1 John v. 6), the spiritual Hefuge and Salvation of his people (Rom. viii. 1, 34-39). Toplady's hymn, "Rock of Ages." -J. o. , ors. 4-7.-God's righteo'USness and man's iniquity. The sin of man is only fully seen in contrast with God's righteousness and love. 'l'he light is needed to bring out the depth of the shadow. It reveals the "spot." • I. Goo's FAVOUR TO ISRAEL. God's dealings with Israel had been marked by: 1. Rectitude (ver. 4). He had done everything that was just and right to them. His ways had been cquaL He had given them just statutes. His covenant-keeping faithfulness had been signally manifested. There was not the shadow of a pretence for accusing God of injustice or of infidelity to his engagements. 2. Love. Love and grace had been more conspic11ous in his treatment of them than even justice. It was shown in their election, in the deliverance from Egypt, in the guidance of the desert, in pardon of offences, in the many anq undeserved favours which had been heaped upon them (cf. vers. 9-14). Rectitude and love have reached their fullest manifestation in the "Ospel. The cross displays both. It harmonizes their apparently conflictillg claims, ~nd exhibits them in new glories. God's character, revealed io Christ, is the con- demnation of an unbelieving world. II. IsRAEL's nEQIJITAL OF Goo's KINDNESS. (Vers. 5, 6.) Their requital was an incredibly base one. They corrupted themselves. They wantonly departed from the ways of right. They behaved ungratefully. Instead of imitating God in the example of rectitude he had set them, and walking before him "as dear children," they flung to the winds the remembrance of his mercies, and brought disgrace upon his Name. He was their Father (ver. 6), but instead of reflecting the features of hie image, they dishonoured and discredited it (cf. Isa. i. 2-4, which appears to be based on this passage). '£heir sin was: 1. Self-caused. There was nothing which they had seen in their God to cause it, to account for it, or to excuse it. 2. Irrational. Their powers, given by God, ought willingly to have been devoted in his service. Obedience is the oormal condition. Heaven and earth, undeviatingly obeying the law of their existence, condemn man's aposlacy (ver. 1). 'l'he very brute creation testifies against him (Isa. i. 3). 3. Ungrateful. God had bought them for himself, had made a nation ol them, and established them in Canaan. Yet, without compunction, they cast off his yoke. 4. Foolish ; for the way they chose was the way of death, whereas in God's favour w11.1, life (ver. 47), with every blessing that heart could wish for. The sami Ctt, XXXII, 1-62.] THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. 617