The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 130

hie fe.ce." 11 They are before the throne of God ; and they serve him day anrl night in hie temple." 'I'. .Aquinas speaks of this service e.s videre, amare, et laudare. But it must not be limited to these exercises. Enough for us to know that there will be services for us to render-continuous services, blessed services, and all of them in the service of our God. 'l'he rest and joy of this service will appear if we consider: (1) Its inspiration. Love to God is the impulse of every action, and transforms every duty into a delight. (2) Its nature. Every service will be sacred. The spirit in which it is done will make all the work religious, worshipful. (3) Its conditions. Freedom from all obstruction, from all restraint, and from all fatigue. 4. In conscicrus and continwms communion with God. "He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, their God . . . . And they shall see his face." "We shall see him even as he is." .All the redeemed in heaven are through Christ perfectly one with God in sympathies, purposes, principles, and joys. God alone can satisfy them. In him they rest with deepest, holiest blessedness. They are " for ever with the Lord." "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." 'fhis rest is "reserved for the people of God." Only the sincere and hearty believers in Jesus Christ will ever enter upon it. The character of the rest is conclusive as to this question. 'l'o experience the perfect rest of the glorious future we must first experience the spiritual rest which is available unto us at present.-W. J. Ver. 12.-0liaracteristics of the sacred Scriptures. 11 For the Word of God is quick and powerful," etc. We take " the Word of God" here as meaning the sacred Scriptures, and the text as presenting to our notice several characteristics of them. I. THE VITALITY OP Goo's WoBD. "The Word of God is quick," or," living." Some- times the written Word is spoken of as a " dead letter; " but with at least equal pro- Jiriety it may be spoken of as a "living \Vor<l." "The Word of God, which liveth a.ad abideth. For all flesh is as grass," etc. (1 Pet. i. 23-25). We mention three evidences of the vitality of the Word of God. 1. lts continued and unimpaired existence notwithstanding innumerable, persistent, and powerful assaults. If these writings had not been instinct with a Divine life they would have been destroyed long ere this. 2. Its adaptation to all ages and all peoples. 'l'his book is as true and living for us to-day as it was for the men of the second century of our era; it is as applicable to the European as to the Asiatic. 3. Its inexhaustible interest. Like God's book of nature, it is endless in its significance and undiminishing in its attractiveness. Dr. Payne Smith has well said, "For nearly eighteen centuries men have thought and written upon that one Book, nnd if for eighteen more centuries men so write, yet will there still remain much that calls for fresh examination and fuller inquiry; new knowledge to be won, old truths to be better and more fully understood. 'l'he books of men have their dny, and then grow obsolete. God's Word is like himself,' the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.' Time passes over it, but it ages not. Its power is as freah as if God spake it but yesterday.'' II. 'l'HE ENERGY OP Goo's WORD. "Quick, an<l powerful," or active, or energizing. This power is seen : 1. In the conviction of men of sin. " Is not my Word like a hammer the.t breaketh the rock in pieces?" Its exhibition of infinite mercy has melted many a stubborn soul into genuine penitence. 2. In the conversion of sinners. "The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." It is the instrument of spiritual regeneration. "Being bom again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth." 3. In the correction of faults and errors. "Every Scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction," etc. 4. In the consolation of the mourner. "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope.'' 11 He that prophesieth spea~eth unto men edification, and comfort, and consolation." "Comfort one another w1 th these words." 5. In the sanctification of the believer. "Sanctify them in the truth: thy Word is truth." "Ye are clean through the Worn which I have spoken unto you." "Sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word." "Ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth." llL Tu PENETRATION OF Goo's WonD. "And sharper than any two-edged sword," 122 THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. [cu. Iv.1-16,