The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 338

Rddre~sed t-0 them, and expounded to them l1y their teachers, have manifestly the same end and tendency. With all Rnd above all, the Spirit which dwells amongst them snd gives life and reality to Rll their communion, worship, and service, is the Holy Spirit, and his work ia to reg-enerate Rnd 11nnctify their nature, and produce In them Rll goodness. 3. The wonders by which they have been redeemed and consecrated. Ancient IMrael, by a. long succession of supernaturRl revelations, marvellous miracles Rnd providential interpositions. The Church of Christ, by the incarnation of th; Eternal "' ord, and nil that followed in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord, and the miraculous bestowment and works of the Holy Ghost. Yea, every true Christian is himself, as such, a product of the Spirit's supernatural power, being "born ,,a~in," "born ?f the Spirit" (John_ iii. _3: 6). Thus it is that this "holy nation 1s perpetuated m the earth. 4. Their privi¼,es and hopes. "The children of Israel" were "a people near unto God" (Ps. cxlviii. 14). He was their "Portion·" they enjoyed his special presence, guidance, government, and defence. In e. yet mo're emphatic sense Christians ha.~e God as their God, enjoy constant union and communion with him, and a.re assured of his Jove and sympathy, care and protection. Moreover, to them is given, more clearly and fully than to the Old Testament Church, the hope of eternal life. And what is this hope? It is that of seeing God and bein11: like him (1 John iii. 2), of becoming" a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but ... holy and without blemish" (Eph. v. 27), presented "faultless before the presenee of his glory" (Jude 24). It is to be admitted into the "New Jerusalem," into which nothing unholy can enter (Rev. xxi. 27). The condition of realizing this bles!ledness is purity of heart-that "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord" (Matt. v. 8; Heh. xii. 14). It is clear that in such a. community nothing unholy "ought to be done," however common elsewhere. Such things are utterly inconsistent with their position, their knowledge, their professions, and their prospects. II. THE CONDUCT WHICH THIS SF.:lo."TlllENT OONDEHNS. We need not dwell on gross eensuality, such as that against which the words of the text were first used. They were appropriate then, because the standard of morality "in Israel" was so much higher in respect to such practices than in the surrounding nations. But the respect- able pa.rt of general society in our time and country recognizes "no such thing" as Amnon proposed as lawful. And as to many other departments of morality, the moral standard of society has been elevated by the influence of Christianity. In using the words, therefore, we do well to think of practices which are permitted or at least thought lightly of by others, but which are nevertheless contrary to the precepts or spirit of our religion. Amongst these may be named: 1. Se7,fishness. Including covetousness, worldly ambition, illiberality, etc., with the disregard or violation of the claims and rights of others that are allied to them. These are common enough in Christian countries, but ought not to exist amongst Christian people, whose religion is e. product of Divine love, whose great Leader and Master is the incarnation of love, who have received numberless precepts enjoining the love of others as of themselves, and have been assured that love is greater than faith and hope (1 Cor. xiii. 13), much greater, then, than religious ceremonies, and ecclesiastical forms and observances. Covetous- ness in particular is closely associated in the New 'festament with sensuality, as e.. vice not even to be named amongst (.,'h.ristians, and is declared to be idolatry (Eph. v. 3, 6 ; Col. iii. 5; 1 Cor. v. 10, 11). 2. Pruk. Whether of rank, or wealth, or intellect. Holy Scripture, in both Testaments, abounds in precepts and examples against pride. The Lord Jesus" bumbled himself" in becoming man, and in the whole of his life on earth, and freqnently enjoined humility on his disciples, and reproved every indication of a proud spirit in them. Common, therefore, as pride is in the world, "no euch thing ought to be" in the Church. 3. Similar remarks may be made as to unkindness, the revengeful spirit, the wnforgiving·spirit, quarrelsomeness, uncliaritableness, evil-speaking, and tl,e like. 4. To these may be added frivolity, gaiety-dissipation,· a life of mere amusement, with no serious, worthy purpose or pursuit. These are not becoming in those who ere enjoined to work out their salvation with fear and trembling; to be ~ober and vi1?-ilant because of the activity of Satan in seeking their destruction; to deny themselves, etc. (Phil. ii. 12; 1 Pet. v. 8; Luke ix. 23). 6. Indifference to the ~11iritual welfare of others. The go~pel b.-ings into prominence the claims wl1ich meu en. xm. 1-30.] 'l'HE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 343