occupntione alike. It was nn affinity springing out of congenial character. The snrno tastes nnd purposes e.nd aims were dominant in both. To their honour it iM hande,l down to distant posterity that they were zealous for the worship of Go,!. ' I. SECULAn PUIISUITS SHOULD BE FOLl,OWEO IN A SPIRIT OF GLADNESS. The man 0f God leaves it as II charge upon these tribes to rejoice in their several avocations. The earthly callings of Zcbulun and Issachar seem to have been quite distinct the one from tho other. Zebulnn'H territory abutted on the sea-coast, and enjoyed the a,lvantage nf a small hnrbour 11n<ler shelter of Mount Carmel. Hence the people had access to the Eea; they had a fishery; they possessed opportunities for commerce. Thou~h they ha,l no maritime tastes (like the Phmnicians), yet the ships of other nations would visit their coast, and the merchandise of distant lands would find their way thither. "They shall suck of the abundance of the seas." lsaachar was an agricultural tribe. The people dwelt in tents, and their possessions consisted in flocks and herds. But whatever their occupation, H ought to be an occasion for joy. It gave scope to the pleasant exercise of their powers. It furnished them with the means of family subsistence. It was a fine field for the discipline of their virtues, for the exercise of brotherly help and mutual kindness. It enabled them to trace in their daily walk the footsteps of J eho\·ah, and provided material for daily praise. Whatever our work be, it should be fulfilled with gladness. Happy is the man who sings at his work. H. SECULAR PURSUITS ARE NOT INCOMPATIBLE WITH DIVINE WORSHIP. "They shall call the people unto the mountain." Althou;:(h their abodes were far away among the northern hills, they did not hold themselves free to abstain from pnblic onlinances of worship. Yea, not only did they stir themselves up to this delightful duty, but they summoned the surrounding tribes also to keep the sacred festivals. In the absence of modern reminders of the seasons-in the absence of almanacks and clocks-these twin tribes noted the revolutions of sun and moon, became the timekeepers of the nation, and called the tribes to prayer and sacrifice. Probably their secular duties as fishermen and as shepherds fw-nished the opportunities for observing the phases of the moon. New moon or full was the signal in the heavens for the recurrence of the special festivals; then the silver trumpets would ring out the summons from hill to hill, and from hamlet to hamlet. If there be the disposition to worship God, facilities will be found or made. III. SECULAR PUllBUITS FUllNISH THE MEANS FOB· ACCEPTABLE SACBIFICE. "They shall offer sacrifices of righteousness." Secular pursuits will never satisfy all the yearnings of the human heart. 'l'here is a hunger within which no material banquet can relieve. Ther·e is a thirst of soul which can be slaked only by the water of eternal life. To gratify all the cravings of the n,ind we must come to God. But he will be approached by means of sac1ifice. This furnishes a test of our sincerity. This awaken~ a sense of our deepest need. This provides a chancel for our highest joy. ·whatever form our sacrifices may take-whether corn, or oil, or fruit-whetber lambs or doves- whether contrition, praise, or gratitude-it must be a sacrifice of righteousness, or it cannot be accepted. As the act of devout obedience to Divine command, or as the outgoing of desire after holiness,. or as the expression of righteous obligation, it will find acceptance on God's altar. IV. SECULAR SUCCESS IS PROMOTED BY GENEROUS CONSECRATION OF SUBSTANCE TO Gor,. "Them that honour me I will honour." God is the most generous of Masters, but he hates empty pretensions of loyalty. He will not accept words where deeds are possible. 'l'he honour is conferred, not on the God who receives, but on the man whose gift finds acceptance. "It is more blessed to give than to receive," is a lesson not easily learnt- an experience not common enough. This is not a firstfruit, but one of the latest fruits of Christian living. Yet without the favouring smile of Jehovah no secular pursuit can succeed. Men often sow a bushel and reap a peck. But when God is on our side, our seed multiplies a hundredfold: "a little one becomes a thousand;" "godline~s is profitable unto nil thing~." 'l'he only real insurance for successful enterprise is the benediction of God. The treasures remain in tho land (ver. 19) until God teaches us how to draw them forth. The eye of faith is clearer-sighted than the eye of expediency.-D.
Vers. 20, 21.-Gad's valour and chivalry commended, Gad had been prematurely THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. [on, XUIII, 1-29.