of Christ, but still each taking his own particular part in the common life of the whole. II. THE DIVISION wAS CLEAR AND DEFINITE. There were exact confines, and it was a criminal offence for any one to remove his neighbour's landmark (Deut. xix. 14). We ought to have no doubt as to our portiou in life. Occasionally we may see a desolate, ruinous house--part of an estate in chancery, the ownership of which is disputed; on the other hand, we hear of claimants to estates who find it difficult to obtain what they urge is their own property. But in the region of personal religion each should see what is his portion and mission for the world. III. THE DIVISION INCLUDED .6. PORTION FOR EVERY ISRAELITE. It was BO carefully made that the most insignificant family should not be overlooked. There should be a share for every one in the produce of our great fruitful earth. Centres of population may be overcrowded, but the earth is not yet full. Folly and sin, tyranny, injustice, and robbery, keep many out of their rights. If all did their duty and had their dues there would be enough for all. This holds good also in the spiritual world. There is room in the kingdom of heaven for all. No one need fear that others will go in first and take the blessing, and so leave him behind too late to get any benefit from the Divine bounty-like the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda (John v. 7). There is a portion in Christ's redemption for every soul of man. It only remains for all to receive their inheritance, accepting it by faith and entering it with obedience to the Lord who is supreme over the whole. IV. THE DIVISION WAS BY LOT. This expedient prevented all complaints of sup- posed injustice. The owner of a bit of bare hillside had no right to envy the fortunate possessor of a rich plot in the valley. Dut there was more than this object in view i11 the use of the lot, which was taken as part of the method of Divine government. "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord" (Prov. xvi. 33). The people were thus to feel that God was to determine where each should settle, and to say, "He shall choose our inheritance for us" (Ps. xlvii. 4). We talk of tbe " lottery of life," but we should remember that Providence obliterates chance. God orders our circumstances, and whether the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places and we have a goodly heritage, or we are left to poverty and hardship, our Father's choice must be good. Vers. 22, 23.-The stranger's portion. We do wrong to the ancient Jewish Law and to the character of the Jews themselves when we regard a selfish exclusiveness as the marked feature of Old Testament times. A certain separateness was required to keep the people of God from the idolatry and immorality of their heo.then neighbours, and none ofthe privileges of Israel could be enjoyed excepting on condition of entering into the covenant of Israel-the covenant which needed to be accepted and kept by the chosen people them.selves in order that they might enjoy their privileges. But the bitter jealousy which was seen in the narrow Judaism of New Testament times is not encouraged by the Law, nor does it seem to have been indulged in by the Old Testa- ment Israelites. It was the revenge of a persecuted sect turned agninst their powerful oppressors. A freer, happier, more generous spirit prevailed in the earlier Hebrew nation. The people were taught to cultivate national hospitality. Care for the stranger was repeatedly inculcated in their Law. Much more is it incumbent on Christians to manifest a brotherly spirit in welcoming strangers. I. STRANGERS SHOULD RECEIVE .6. BROTHERLY WELCOME FROlll CHRISTIAN PEOPLE. Hospitality is an Eastern habit; it should be a Christian grace. 1. In the church, Care should be taken to make strangers feel at home in our midst. The least aversion to having a stranger sitting by one's side may check the beginning of a new course of life by repelling the seeker after truth from the means of enlightenment. The friend- less, the poor, the timid, the penitent, should be received with especial kindness. 2. Iv. the home. Christian people have not sufficiently regarded their Lord's command to make guests of the poor who can offer no return (Luke xiv. 13). 3. In the wo,J'ld, A generous Christian spirit should open the heart to receive strangers. The miserably selfish isolation in which some people immure themselves is quite o.lien to the brntherlv spirit of Jesus Christ. • JL STBANGEBII ABE WELCOMED BY CHRIST nm> THE KINGDOM OF Hli VEN, 1, CB. xLvn. 1-23.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 457
Gentiles. Assuredly Christianity is not narrower than Judaism, under which even provision was made for a brotherly reception of proselytes. They who were strangers to the covenant of promise are now brought nigh by the blood of Christ, The wild olive branch is grafted in to the fruitful stock. (Rom. xi. 17). Geutiles are freely admitted to the promised blessings of Abraham. 2. Heathen. Strangers to Christendom are iuvited into the kingdom of Christ. The heathen world is to receive the gospel. l!'rom China, from New Guinea, from Central Africa, the strangers press into the privileged kingdom. 3. Sinners. We have not to go to a distant continent to discover strangers to Christ. They may be found in a Christian land-even in a Christian Church I Every man who lives in sin is a stranger to Christ. But all sinners are invited to the Saviour. III. STRANGERS MUST BECOME TRUE CITIZENS IN ORDER TO ENJOY THE PRIVILEGES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. The stranger needed to adopt the Law, to be circum- cised, and to become a Jew, if he was to have his portion in the land. People who art spiritually strangers now need a circumcision of heart (Deut. xxx. 6) and a new birth to have the blessings of Christ. All may have the Christian blessedness, but all must first become Christians. There is a portion for every one in Christ's kingdom; it now only rests with every one to qualify himself for his inheritance by penitence and faith in Jesus Christ.