Ver. 15.-Divine defence. "Touch not mine anointed ones" (Revised Version). The reference is evidently to the patriarchs; and they are spoken of in the light of later associations, classified with those who received special Divine communications. " They were as kings and priests before God; therefore they are called • his anointed·• they had the word, they knew the spirit of the Lord, therefore they are his • prophets:'" (Illustrate the term "prophet" from Gen. xx. 7.) The psalmist had some special instances in his mind, which he regarded as representative of the Divine defence that is always overshadowing God's faithful people. They are cases in wluch the three great patriarchs moved into the territory of alien or alienated people, and were preserved from all harm. I. Drvu."'E DEFENCE OF ABBAHill IN CANAAN, EGYPT, AND GEBAB. Journeying into Canaan, which was then occupied by several nations, we might have expected his coming to have excited jealousy, if not fear. His tribe was large, his flocks and herds were abundant; he must have eaten up tbe land as he passed through it. But the Divine defence was over him, and his course was practically unhindered. He never had to fight for any position. God made his way. In Egypt, and again in Gerar, he was placed in much anxiety, and in some peril, by the licentious customs of the age. But the Divine defence was over him and his-no evil befell him; and even the seeming evil proved to be for his own moral good, and for other people's. ll DIVINE DEFENCE OF ISAAC IN PHILISTIA. From a similar anxiety to that which Abraham had experienced, and from the strife which arose about the wells that Isaac digged. It is well to notice that, in the matter of the wells, the Divine defence worked along with Isaac's wise self-restraint, and refusal to make quarrels. IlL DIVINE DEFENCE OF JACOB IN SYRIA, AND IN EBAu's COUNTRY. Laban of Syria was far more of an enemy than a friend to Jacob. How much the patriarch had to endure! But God ever watched over him. The supreme peril of Jacob's life was that return to Canaan which involved his meeting the justly offended Esau" Even then we fi.ud him within the Divine defence.-R. T. Vers. 17-22.-The mission of Joseph. "He had sent a man before them" (Prayer- book Version). The point is, that God had been beforehand, foreknowing how the famine would affect Jacub's tribe, and getting preparations made for affording necessary relief when the testing-time came. Joseph, relative to his family, was a forerunner; ,me sent on first in order to prepare the way. But herein is a remarkable thing-the providences that brought round to him the power to save his family, involved bis own personal sufferings. An illustration of the truth that we can never do the highest good to men save at the cost of self-sacrifice, and burden-bearing. Our Lord saved the worid through suffering for it. The mission of Joseph is usually treated in its relation to Egypt, but the psalmist considers the mission entirely in its relation to the covenant people of God. Joseph was disciplined so as to save them. Joseph saved them in their time of peril. Joseph's salvation brought them into a special Divine discipline. These three points are suggested and illustrated in this psalm. L JOSEPH WAS DISCIPLINED BO AS TO SAVE HIS FAMILY, A man must gain the mastery of himself before he can gain true power to serve others. See the providences which brought Joseph into circumstances which provided moral discipline, 1. The tru8t Potiphar placed in him. 2. The moral temptation to which he was exposed. 3. The delay in the vindication of his innocence. 'l'he effect of that delay is given by PB, OV, 1-46.] THE BOOK OF PAALMS.
the figure," the iron entered into his soul." We can Aee that this mastery he gainer! over himself prepared him to master the hatred he must have felt towardR the brethren, who planned his murder, and accomplished his ensh,ving. The greatness of tbe disciplinary triumph can only he fairly judged in view of the intense, uncontrolled feelings of vengeance characteristic of that age. II. JOSEPH SAVED HIB FAMILY IN THEIR TIME OF PERIL. Had the famine been only a temporary one, due to a single failure of the Nile, Joseph might have sent supplies to Canaan; hut only the position and power he bad gained io Egypt enabled him to meet the case of seven years' famine. III. JosEPll'B SALVATION BROUGHT HIB FAMILY INTO A SPECIAL DIVINE DISCIPLINE, And so worked out the providential designs concerning the race. Joseph's personal experiences in Egypt were, in a way, repeated in bis race. They came into severe Egyptian discipline, by means of which they were prepared to exchange the wandering tribal for the settled national life. Impress, that Go<l works moral ends through disciplinary experiences,-R, T.