The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 214

them. 4. He makes a final appeal, setting forth the blessed and sad alternntive -consequences. Samuel knew well with whom he had to deal; and, therefore besides securing a deferential hearing in virtue of age and character, and enfor~ing the reasonableness of conformity to God's will, ho now calls attention to o. display of Divine pmrnr in a form suggestive of the material disasters that may co.me if they should, by disobedience, come into collision with that power. Men soon feel the force of an argument that touches their property. The natural force of his previous -stntements would compel the assent of reason, and secure the echo of conscience. Rut in morally ~·eak men the clear light of reason is apt to become eclipsed by the , uprising of wilful desires, and the voice of conscience dies away amid the clamours -0f passion. It was, therefore, great kindness, nn act of beautiful, Divine consideration, to introduce another means of insuring the impressment of the lessons conveyed I. OUTWARD SIGNS ARE HELPFUL TO RELIGION. Manifestations of God's presence and power in impressive forms, in some instances miraculous, are aids to faith and practice. There is a modern tendency to dispute this. Even some Christian apolo- gists speak of the miraculous events recorded in Scripture as rather a hindrance than an aid to faith. The difficulty proceeds from a defective comprehension of all the facts that enter into a consideration of the question. No doubt moral truth is its own witness ; no doubt reason recognises what lies within the range of her vision. The -n-bole sum of truth we have in Christ, and in the records associated with his name, enables us to say, "This is the Son of God." The personal experience of the man who is one in life with Christ is superior to all II external evidences." But obviously all this applies to men ,in the full light of Christian truth, and can have no appreciable bearing on the gradual education of the world by a chosen nation, throµgh II here a little and there a little," as men were morally and intellectually fit to receive it. Observe more specifically-1. General education by outward signs is universal. By educa- tion we mean development of the entire nature, rational and moral. We have to ·regulate life and unfold its capabilities by means other than the mere subjective effect of what is perceived and appreciated as rational or moral. (1) In childho.od the mind accepts truth on external authority. Its movements, its receptivity, and its resistance to ce1tain influences are often determined by the appearance of an external power, which either awakens fear or insures unquestioning submission. (2) In mature life we are influeuced not by subjective truth alone, but by external authority in form of testimony on matters of importance. This testimony hns sometimes sufficient force to compel conduct against inclination, and create fear o.s determinant in action. Also in government the exercise of external power insures on the part of many a respect in practice for moral truth which otherwise would not exist. . (3) ~n theformaticn of opinion we are constantly looking out for an external confirma- -tion. That is, we do not live intellectually even by the sheer light that is within. In so far as external confirmations are necessary for some of our opinions, we are -dependent on powers outside us for the direction our own thought, and, consequently, -conduct, will take. That these powers, human it may be, do not act suddenly and miraculously is not to the point, for the principle contended/or is education by out- ward signs. 2. Spiritual education of men by appropriate outward signs is a fact .•recognised t!trouglwut all time. The three means, irrespective of inspiration of the heart by the Holy Spirit, of spiritual education-presentation of truth to the moral perception, the convincing of the judgment by reasons, and the suggestive po;\Ver of -Outward signs-are found in the whole course of history, from the day when Adam's conscience recognised the moral force of the Divine command because Divine, appreciated the argument of life or death as the alternative of obedience or disobedi- -ence, and looked on the "tree" as a visible sign of a power worthy to be feared, unto the latest observance of the Lord's Supper, affording an o~tward sign of o. power merciful in its almightiness. (1) The entire dispensation covered' by t!te Old -< 1 11rl .New Testament was characterised by the outward si{1n in a miraculous manner. "bral,am desired to know by some means that he should inherit the land (Gen. xv. -8), and the sign was given. Moses had granted to him a sign of his delegation (Exod. ii-. 1-5). The blackness and darkness around Sinai were visible demonstrations to inspire the too rash people with becoming awe. Signs and wonders were one means t>y wlJiC'l, Nicodemus recognised the II Teacher come from God" (John iii. 1, 2; cf. CH. XII. 1-26.] THE FIIl.ST BOOK OF S,DlUEL. 215