English Version the worcls "for" and "tho blessing" are in italics, to show that they are added by the translators. And the fact that there is no "for" in the oricrinal at tho commencoment of this clause seems to show that it is not co-ordinate ;ith the 1roceding ones, and so to mark a new start.ing-point; as if Moses had said, "He wiJI 11ave a noble territory, rich in all temporal wealth ; bis tribe will be an ent€rprisincr hardy, and pushing one; may there be superadded to all, the favour of him wh~ dwelt in the bush, to crown and glorify the whole." The reader will find the ,aried scriptural senses of the word here translated "good will," in the following passages, where it occurs :-Exod. xxviii. 38; Lev. xxiii. 11; Ps. v. 12; xix. 14; xxx. 5; Prov. xv. 8; Isa. xlix. 8; Ix. 7; lxi. 2. If in addition to all that earth'~ varied wealth and tribal renown and conquest could yield, Joseph bad the "favour" of the Lord, that would make him rich indeed. Whence our theme suggests itseU-God's favour the mei·cy of mercies. I. THE STORE OF MERCIES WHICH ARE THE TEMPORAL GIFTS OF Gon's HAND IS BY NO MEANS SMALL. The land, with its wondrous capacities and its adaptation to this seed and to that; the dew that gently distils, or the vapour that exhales; the lakes that lie sleeping on the bosom of the hills; the variety of beauty, fragrance, and fruitfulness coming through the sunbeams; the prodt1ce of the several months, year by year; the wealth stored up in the mountains and hills; the varied productions of the soil ;-all these are referred to in the text; and, in a fow brief touches, what a conception they give us of the wealth with which God has enriched this globe, and of the series of constant adaptations with which it is made subservient to the use of man I So great are all these blessings which go to make up the enjoyments of life on its temporal side, that meditation thereon may well call up from the soul a grand song of praise such as we find in Ps. civ. Nor can we in such an age as this, leave out the additional fact that, o,ving to the rapid communication between the people of one Janel and those of another, the productions of one country supply the wants of another; and thus the nations at large share the supplies sent them by a gracious God. And be it remembered these supplies arc not less from God because he uses means in sending them; it is rather a proof of his care for the culture and education of man, that be makes him the means of the cultivation and tillage of the soil. "Whoso is wise and will observe these things, even he .shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord." II. THERE IS A FAR GREATER MERCY THAN ANY OF THESE-one which we have called " the mercy of mercies." It is referred to in ver. 16, "The good will ... may it come upon the heacl of Joseph." Favour, mercy, on Joseph's head, is a boon greater far than plenty on his Janel I There are three questions which we may appropriately ask concerning it. 1. What is this "good will" 1 It is not simply that benevolence to which our Saviour refers in Matt. v. 45. In this sense God's goodness extendeth to all. "His tender mercies are over all his works." This good will is something special. If the student will compare the several passages (those given ut supra et al.), in which the same word is used which is here translated" good will," he will see how much meaning it conveys. It includes: (1) acceptance in God's sight-forgiveness, access; (2) God's delight in the accepted one; (3) the constant possession of God's special love, wh:ch enriches the ac-::eptcd one with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. 2. How can this good will be assured to its possessor P (1) There is a word of promise which assures us that it is made over to the believer in Christ (John i. 12; Gal. iii. 26). (2) 'l'o him who bolieves, the Spirit is given, confirming to the soul its interest in Christ, and sealing it "to the da;r of redemption." 3. Why is tMs the mercy of mercies 1 (1) Because the possessor thereof can deligLt in God himself. He can realize that in God ho has One who is infinitely more than all his gifts, and who will be his joy when all earth's joys have lost their power to charm. (2) Because nil other mercies have new joy stamped upon them when they are enjoyed as coming from a reconciled God and Father. (3) Because we are then enabled to use other mercies aright. Surely that must be a crowning blessing which teaches the right ueB of every blessing. (4) The conscious enjoyment of Go~'s favour and love gives, as nothing else can, strength for the duties of life. "The Joy of the Lord DEUTERONOMY, ' 2 111 5!!-1 THE BOOK OF DEU'l'ERONOMY. [OR, XXXllI, 1-29.
i~ your strength." (5) With such joy and strength life will be eo eanctlfied 68 to he rich in influence for good. (6) God's favour e.nd love will be a eource of joy Iona nfter we have ceased to d\1°ell below, yea, for ever and ever. " Oh, it is not-it is not merely having a wealthy land, or great estates, or splendid rC'Ycnt1cs, or militnry prowess, or pushing energy, that can make life a Ruccess. We may ha1·e all these, and yet life may be a miserable, an unredeemed and irredeemablo foilure. It may well be a matter for frequent wonder how parents who profess to aim at anJ to be liYin~ the higher life, do seek so earnostly to get the best situations in life for their children, yet never manifest half tho same amount of anxiety that their lovC'd ones may hm·e "the good will of billl that dwelt in the bush" resting on their hC'ads. And yet, \'"ithont G()()'s fav9ur, what is life, what Is wealth, what are earthly friends, but blcssm~ that d1sappomt our hopes, and prove, porhaps, anythina but bll'~sings in the end? " FrKAJ.LY: 'l'ms MOST 1-'EEDFUL OF ALL BLESSINGS IS THE VERY ONE OF WHICH ALL WHO CRAVE IT SUPREMEl,Y MAY MAKE MOST SURE, God may not givo us much of this world's goods. He will give U:s himself. He waits to be gracious. He delights in loving-kindness. He will be the seeker's God for ever and ever; his Guide even unto Jeath.