III. ITS OROWN, This Is to be "a blessing in the midst of the land;" to be a bond of union between other powers-a. " third " to the Egypt and Assyria by which we may be surrounded. Privileged lands, like Engle.ad, find their crown, not in military successes, nor in annexations, nor even in well-filled banks or well-fitted vessels ; but in giving free institutions to neighbouring or even distant nations, in conveying the message of Divine mercy to heathen lands, "in being a blessing in the midst of the earlh." Privileged men find the crown of their life, not in po~session, nor in enjoy- ment, nor in conscious superiority to others "the.t are without;" but in distributing, in imparting, in making others partakers of the peace and joy and hope that fill their own hearts, in broadening the belt of light on which they stand, in sowing the seed of the kingdom in land which now bears only briers and thorns, in being "a bleseing in the midst of the land."-0. Ver. 25.-Lights in which God regards ue. The words intimate that there are various aspects in which the Divine Father looks at his human children, and they may suggest reciprocal views on our part, I. LIGHTS IN WHICH Goo BEGARD8 us. 1. .tl.s those to whom he ia nearly related,, Egypt in her hour of obedience has become " my people," i.e. closely connected with God, and having, therefore, serious claims upon him. God does regard his own as those wl,o are most closely, most intimately, most tenderly related to him, standing in such close relation that they may confidently reckon on the continuance of hie kindness, on the protection and interposition of his strong arm. 2. As tho.~e who are the product oj his Divine energy. "Assyria the work of my hands," We who are trusting and rejoicing in him and walking in his truth are frequently to remind ourselves that we are not the product of our own wisdom and effort, but are "his workmanship created in Christ Jesus" (F.ph. ii. 10; and see 1 Cor. iii. 9 ; 2 Cor. v. 5). God has expended on us Divine thought, Divine love, Divine sorrow, Divine patience, Divine discipline. 3. As those in whom he finds a Divine delight. " Israel mine inheritance." In Israel, when that people was faithful to his rule, God found his portion, his inheritance. In us, when we are attentive to his voice, responsive to his love, obedient to his commands, submissive to his will, he finds a Divine satisfaction (John xv. 11). 4 . .As those on whom he can confer blessedness. "Whom the Lord shall bless; " " Whom God blesses, they are blessed indeed." Theirs is not mere physical excitement, or temporary gratification, or dubious delight, but true, abiding, ele- vating joy. II. RECIPROCAL VIEWS WE SHOULD TAKE OF WM, We should consider God : 1. As One to whom we are most intimately related-more closely, indeed, than to any human kindred. 2. As One to whom we owe everything we are, as well as everything we have. 3. As that One in whom, in whose friendship, service, presence, we find (and hope to find) our true and lasting heritage.-C. Ver. 2.-Political commotion regarded as Divine judgment. "A.ad I will spur Egypt against Egypt, and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his fellow, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom." Civil war does far more serious and permanent mischief to a nation than foreign war. There are no such distressing conditions brought about by any other agencies as those which follow civil war. There can be no true heroism in its scenes; because the impulse is either mercenary, or it is class hatred and passion. Patriotism is swallowed up in mere sectional interests. The historical connections of this prophecy seem to be made clear by the recent discoveries of Egyptian antl Assyrian inscriptions. There bas been found an inscription containing a proclamation of one Piankhi, who, in the eighth century B.o., uniteu under his sceptre the whole of Egypt and Ethiopia. Lower Egypt was divitled among rival princes, whose connection with. their over-lord was merely nominal, and civil wars from time to time arose. That which is true of actual civil war, is in measure true of times of political excitement and conflict, when party feeling runs high. Some of the evils of such times may be pointed out. I. '!'HEBE TIMES OF OOMMOTION BET CLASS AGAINST CLASS. It is curious to notice that political conflict is never confined to the subject about which it arose. It is openin~ the flood-gales and letting out all the waters of class jealousy. 326 THE BOOK 01'' THE PROPHET lSA~AJl. (oH . .xu.1-25.
II. - ~ E TIil~ D~TOBB l!OOUL. ORDER. ~rea.king up families and friendships, and dfrertmg men s mmds and energies from their o_rdinary occupatiop.e. . IIJ. THESE TIMES INTERFERE WITH BU~INEss. \Vhich is very sensitive .to disturbed conditions of the body politio. Mutual trust is e11sential to business development and the sense of secu1ity gives value to property. . . ' . IV. THESE TIMES GIVE INFLUENCE TO Evn. MEN. The demagogue finds then l1is opportunity. The masses of society gain, lll;ldue importance. Noise has moro power than intelligence. Reason's voice can seldom be heard. She keeps still, for it is an evil time. V. 'l'BESB TIIIE8 SKBIOUSLY HINDER CHRISTIAN AND OHABITAllLE ENTEBPBISB;. Diverting both energy and money, So seasons of political commotion become agencies in executing Divine judgments, and become times of national waruinu0 and correc- tion.-R. T.