HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 14.-" The man of God." This designation was not peculiar to Moses, In the storical books of the Old Testament, we find prophets sent with a Divine message to their fellow-mortals described as men of God. In the New Testament we meet with the expression in Paul's Epistles, where the inspired writers of the Hebrew Scriptures are denominated "holy men of God," and where 'l.'imothy is addressed in similar language. Moses is designated" the man of God" in the Book of Deuteronomy, is so called by Caleb as we read in the Hook of Joshua, and is so denominated in the title prefixed to the ninetieth psalm. I. MOSES WAB THE MAN OF Goo's SELECTION AND PRESERVATION. A kind Providence watched over him from the beginning of his life. Whilst multitudes were put to death, the child of Divine beauty was spared. II. MOSES WAS THE MAN OF Goo's EDUCATION AND DISCIPLINE. Trained in the court and the learning of Egypt, and afterwards in the rougher but wholesome school of the Midian desert, this man was fitted by knowledge, by hardship, by society of the most diverse kinds, for the great future before him. III. MosEs WAB THE MAN OF Goo's VOCATION. When God had trained him for his work, he called him, and made known to him his sacred Name ar:.d attributes, that thenceforth he might have the living consciousness of the Divine presence. IV. MOSES WAS THE MAN WHOM Goo ADMITTED TO SPECIAL COMMUNION WITH HIM- SELF. By the flaming thorn tree, upon the mountain solitude, at the door of the sacred tent, Jehovah met with his servant, and spake with him as a man with his friend, V. MOSES WAB A MAN TO WHOM Goo COMMUNICATED HIS OWN SPIRIT AND HIS OWN CHARACTER. Again and again did the Lord speak words of confidence and approval with regard to his servant Moses. His meekness and holiness, his zeal for the glory of God, his patriotic rlesires for the welfare of his nation, all were indications that he was no unconscious instrument, but a willing and consecrated agent, in the hands of Heaven. VI. MOSES w AS THE MAN WHOM Goo AUTHORIZED TO DECLARE HIS WILL. "The Law was given by Moses." Hence he is called " the lawgiver." Penetrated with the mind of the Supreme, he was empowered to promulgate, for the guidance of Israt'l, a code of laws altogether superior to those of other nations in ancient times. These laws embraced the moml as well as the civic life of the community, and aimed at the regulation of the heart as well as the life. Not only ordinances for conduct gonemlly, but instructions for religious worship and sacrifice, were commuuicatcd by this "media.tor" nnd "servant" and " man" of God. VII. MosEB WAS THE MAN Goo CHOSE TO BRING OUT AND LEAD HIS PEOPLE. Ho was the shepherd who brought up the flock out of Egypt, and conducted the w11.nderers through the wilderness, and brought them to the verge of the green p11.stures of C11.naan. God led, by the hand of his servant, the people who were his heritage. VIII. MOSES WAB THE MAN WHOM Goo DURIED AND BO TOOIC TO HIMSELF. As he was often alone with Jehovah in life, so he was alone with him in death. IX. MosES WAS Goo's TYPE OF CHRIST, Jesus was the Prophet whom God raised up like unto his servant Moses. "The Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." PRACTICAL LESSON, If the children of Israel were bound to hear and obey Moses, the man of God, the servant, how much more are we bound to hear and obey Christ, the Son of God 1-T.
Ver. 30.-Morning and evening praise. The work of the Levites was" to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the honse of the Lord." It was, therefore, to some extent sen•ilo and menial. Yet the work was dignified and hallowed by the fact that it was truly rendered to the God of Israel, the Lord of all. The function, howe\·cr, 382 THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [cn. xxm. 1--32.
described in the text is the most bonournble that can be performed by man. The i::lorified assembly above, the angelic hosts before the throne, are thus perpetually occupied. I. THE OFFICE ITSELF OF PRAISE. The Levites were doubtless organized by David 11s never before. His poetical and musical gifts wero consecrated to the praise of Jehovah. His psalms from that time forward became the vehicle of human thanks- giving and adoration. The instruments of music which he appointed became essential t-0 the e?clesi'.15lical ~rchestra of the temple.. .And whilst thanks and praise aro due from all mtelhgent bemgs to the God of providence, the human race has a special song to present, a special service to offer-thanks and praise to the God of all grace and salvation. II. THE PERIODICAL OFFERING OF PRAISE. It was appointed for the Levites to stand in due order a11d according to their courses, in the presence of Jehovah. .And every morning and every evening the sacrifice of praise was offered as regularly as the burnt offering itself. How suitable was this arrangement must be apparent to every reflecting mind. Each day brings with it new favours, which should be welcomed with a grateful song. Each evening summons us to record renewed instances of Divine mercy and forbearance, for which the Giver of all good should be warmly praised. PRACTICAL LESSONS. 1. The duty and piivilege of thanksgiving and adoration. "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto the Name of the Most High." 2. The desirableness of periodical and regular daily devotions: '' To show forth his loving-kindness in the morning, and his faithfulness every night."-T.