The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 37

la~ and embodied wisdom of a nation. . As civilisation advances in communities, !heir laws beco_me at the_ same time more Just an_d 1!'ore humane, and they acquire mhe~nt force m proportion as f:bey re~~~t the pnnc1ples of truth and right. Bad laws imply '." low moral and soC1al cono1t1on, and can only secure obedience through the fear exC1ted by cruel penalties. Good laws carry with them an authority of their own which has greater power for good than the heaviest pennl sanctions. 2. That law is a guide e.nd teRcher of the ignorant. There are multitudes in every country to whom it becomes the chief prRctical educator as to whe.t is right between man and man. The more deeply grounded it is in truth, the higher it will be in influence. The restraints which it imposes, the awards which it metes out lead men to reflect on the principles and ends which underlie it. If it be based o~ Christian ideas of justice, those ideas wil! emerge ~n the thoughts and mould the cha~acter of the people who a.re governed by 1t. Law 1s a great educator. 3. That law IS e. restraint on the evil-disposed. E,·en criminals who set law at defiance have their power much crippled by its just punishments. But very many who in heart rebel against it are only k_ept orderly an~ re1>_utable in their _outwa~ conduct by fear of its rightful authonty. Thus society 1s guarded by 1t agamst an anarchy and confusion of wickedness which would make life unsafe and intolerable. On the ground of social order we should cherish and encourage respect for law. 4. That law is a protection to the innocent, th,i weak, and the right-minded. It throws a benign shield over the ymmg and tender, and it affords an open and safe field for upright living, and for the efforts of holy Christian beneficence. Without law there could be no freedom for the righteous and law-loving. A lawless liberty is the direst of oppressions. As the voice of government, law, in the words of Peter (1 Pet. ii. 14) is "for the praise of them that do well." From these reflections on law we learn-1. The duty of all citizens. (1) To obey honestly and heartily the law under which they live. A solemn responsibility rests on them to give all honour to constituted authority. (2) To use through legitimate means what power they possess to bring the law of their country into harmony with perfect justice and freedom. Christians are not released by their religion from civil obligations. On the contrary, the faith and life of Christ only sanctifies, and makes more binding on the conscience, the claims of natural, social, and political ties. We learn-2. The immense value of the Christian revelation of righteous law. That law affects all the affairs and interests-the least as well as the greatest-of human life. Nothing lies beyond its sovereign reach. It affects-(1) Nations. The more fully and regally it is admitted into the governments, and laws, and customs of corporate societies, the higher is the level which such societies attain with respect to all the elements that constitute true prosperity and happiness. (2) Persons. What- ever be the outward conditions under which men live, their personal submission to the Christian law of life is an inestimable blessing both to themselves and to others. The Divine law which they recognise in faith and conduct makes them superior to all that is false and injurious in existing human laws; and their example of purity, humility, integrity, charity, and godly fear tell.e on many hearts that may be watching it in silence. We should be unfeignedly and deeply thankful for Christ's law; for hie revelation of the mind of God in perfect holiness and perfect love ; and we should strive earnestly to commend it to others, and to infuse it into the law and life of the nation to which we belong. " Oh, how love I thy law I " should be the life-note of individual men and women. "Great peace have they which love thy law," should express their inward comfort, and the incentive of their active labour for God and good.-D. Vere. 13, 14.-0oumellors. I. RESPECT FOR COUNREL AND COUNSELLORS. This implies-1. A proper humility. Some men are too proud to seek advice from others; they resent it as an impertinence when it is offered. Others place so much confidence in their own judgment that they fail to see the need of extraneous help. But the facts of life, as well as the verdicts of conscience and religion, condemn both pride and self- confidence as foolish and hurtful. How often are they brought low in presence of their own acts I 2. A proper sense of responsibility. We cannot estimate what may be the e1fect of any particular act. The well-being of others as well as ourselves Oil. I, 10--22,] THE BOOK OF ESTHER. 35