with that or Naphtali, who "giveth goodly words" (Gen. xlix. 21). Aprlication to ourselves, and duty of consecrating wealth to missionary enterprise. 2. Sacrifices of righteousness are to be offered in: (1) recognition or God's gift; (2) dedication of wealth to God's service; (3) personal surrender of the offerer to God.-J. O. Vere. 20-25.-Gad, Dan, Naphtali, Asher. The blessings on ihese tribes are connected with- I. l'nowEss. (Vera. 20, 21.) The chivalrous heroic.spirit, which, as well as in bloodier conf!icts, finds scope for its exercise in the battles of the cross, has here its appropriate recognition. A first portion is reserved for it. II. ACTIVITY, Dan's characteristic was agility. In Genesis, the dart of the serpent (xlix. 17); here, the leap of the lion's whelp (ver. 22). A counterpart in minds of bold, nimble, adventurous type; prompt in decision, subtle in thought, swift in action. Such minds, if to the wisdom of the serpent is added the dove's harmlessness (Matt. x. 16), are of immense service in Christian enterprises needing bold pioneers or swift and decided action. III. CONTENTMENT. (Ver. 23.) Naphtali was less active than receptive. Did less, but received more. Possessed a region of great sweetness and beauty, and dwelt in it with unambitious satisfaction. Such dispositions are needed as a balance to the others. IV. SKILL IN THE ARTS. (Vers. 24, 25.) Iron and brass. Asher appears to have wrought these metals, whether from mines in its own district or brought from a distance does not appear. Lessons-!. Talents are diverse. 2. All have their place. 3. A community needs all. 4. The blessing of God rests on a faithful use of all. 6. All should co- operate.-J. 0. Vers. 26-29.-Israel's happiness, A noble climax I The round of blessing has been completed, and the dying lawgiver revels in the thought of the greatness and felicity thence resulting to favoured Israel. One by ooe the tribes have passed before his eye, and he has sketched in outline, not indeed their actual future, but what might have been, what would have been their future, had they remained faithful to their God. 'l'he picture is largely an ideal one, though in the after-history of the tribes, in the lots assigned to them in Canaan, in the types of character exhibited by them; in the variety of their callings and destinies-as in the ruins of a temple we may trace something of its original design-we discern the fulfilment of many features of the prophecy. Moses' blessing on the tribes is at once a wish, a prayer, and a prediction: a wish that certain blessings may be theirs; a prayer that the blessings may be given ; and a prediction of what, conditionally on obedience, would actually be realized. Reading the blessings, we think, as in the parable, of servants entrusted with certain talents to be used in their Lord's service, but capable of making a bad as well as a good use of them (Matt. xxv. 14-31). The tribes, speaking generally, used theirs badly, and the blessiugs were not fulfilled. What applies to the blessing as a whole applies especially to this magnificent concluding pasrnge. It is the ideal, not the actual Israel which stands here before the great lawgiver's eye, and the language applies to the actual, only in so far as it was also the ideal, people of Jehovah. Its full application i.8 to the Church of Christ-the Church catholic and invisible. I. THE BASIS OF lsRAEL's HAPPINESS, viz. the relation which the tribes sustained to the eternal God. He was the God of Jeshurun-of the righteous people. He was a God bound to them by covenant. They had been saved by him. He was their changeless Dwelling-place, Defender, and Support, All power in heaven and earth was at their service, and engaged for their defence. '!'hey had nothing to fear with a Protector so almighty ; they had everything to hope for from one so able to save and bless. Precisely similar is the relation of God in Christ to the Church of believers. II. THE onEATNESS OF IT. 1. Complete as regards its elements. No element of good a-wanting. Rising from natural blessings, and sa~ety a~d pr?tection against enemies, they had also, in the favour of God and coromumon with him, every pledge of spiritual blessing. 2. Permanent. Enduring as the eternal God. 3. Exalting and ennobling to the soul qf its possessor. Such a relation to God as Israel sustained should have wrought in the people, did in part work in them, a surpassing elevation of r,54 THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. Len. xxxm.1-29,
consciousness; ,vl\8 fitted to l'llise thought and feeling to the 'pitch of sublimity I ~hould hnvt• nmde of them a great nation, in the best sense of the words, a nation great in t.bonght, nspirnti,,n, nnd endeavour-heroically great.. A like elevation of spirit should chnrnct.erize the people of Christ.-J. 0.