The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 343

designed him for the accomplishment of some important work. His beauty was to them a presage of his illustrious career. H awakened or strengthened their confidence in the Divine interest in the life of the obild. A truth of unspeakable preciousness is this. God is interested deeply and graciously in every human life. He cares not only for the young life before which a great career extends, but for the obscurest and feeblest human creature. "The Lord is good to all; and bis tender mercies are over all his works." There is not a sparrow which "is forgotten in the sight of God, Dut the very hairs of yonr head are all numbered." "He careth for you." II. FAITH IN TRE DIVINE POWER AS TRANSCENDING THE AUTRORITY AND MIGIIT OF_ HUMAN SOVEREIGNS. The parents of Moses believed that God could protect their cluld notwithstanding the cruel edict of the mighty Pharaoh. They showed their faith by concealing their cherished treasure in their house for three months. 'l'hcy showed it yet more clearly and impres.si vely when they placed that treasure in its frail little vessel amougst the flags on the brink of the Nile. 'l'hey committed their beloved child, not to the margin of the river and its flags, but to the ever-observant and almighty providl•ncu of God. '!'heir faith was as reasonable as it was strong. God can either preserve from danger or deliver out of the very midst of it. The most determined edicts of the mightiest monarchs are utterly powerless against his counsels. "He shall cut off the 1,pirit of princes; he is terrible t-0 the kings of the earth." "He poureth contempt upon princes." "God is the Judge ; he puttcth down one, and setteth up another." He is able to guard his faithful servants against the wrath and the power of fierce soverei"ns. He can preserve his people unhurt in the fiery furnace (Dan. iii. 19-27); or can m~ke even hungry lions to be unto them as gentle companions (Dan, vi. 16-23). 'l'rust in him is, therefore, the highest wisdom; for his gracious interest in i:rnmani;y is infinite, a.nd his power to defend and save is almighty. Ill FA.ITH IN Gon INSPIRING HUllilN INGENUITY AND COURAGE, It did so in the parents of Moses. Notice: 1. Their ingenuity. For three months they successfullv concealed their beloved babe. They managed to hide the infant from Egyptian eye;, and to prevent his cries from reaching Egyptian ears. They skilfully constructed the ark, and judiciously selected a refuge for it. They did these things by faith. Faith stimulates ingenuity; it quickens the inventive faculties. And when, as in the case before us, love is engaged as well as faith, and the object of affection is in danger, then the inventive faculties are stirred to their highest and utmost exercise. Great inventions and discoveries are impossible apart from great faith. 2. Their courage. "They were not afraid of the king's commandment." It has been well said that "faith has an eagle's eye a.nd a lion's heart. It has a lion's heart to" confront the difficulties and dangers of the present, and it has an eagle's eye to descry the success and blessing of the future. The servant of Elisha. was terrified when he saw the Syrian army surrounding Dothan ; but Elisha was perfectly calm, becanse by faith he beheld the hosts of his heavenly guard.ie.ns. Faith nerves the soul with invincible courage. The most earnest believers are the greatest heroes. The ancient religious believers "through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness," etc. (vers. 33-38). How splendidly was the faith of the parents of Moses vindicated! God kept the infant in safety during the three months in which it was concealed in the house. His eye was fixed on that little ark .of bulrushes on the brink of the Nile, making it more secure than it it had been enclosed by castle walls or guarded by hosts of mailed warriors. His hand, unseen and unsnspected, led Pha.raoh's daughter to that part of the river where the frail barque with its priceless treasure floated. And in his providence he ordered all things for the protection and educ11,tion of the life of that Hebrew child, and for the fulfilment of his great destiny. Therefore, "trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thic.e own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."-W. J. Vers. 24-26.-The great choia of Moses. "By faith Moses, when he was come to years," etc. In the providence of God the adoption of the infant Moses by the daughter of Pharaoh was the means by which he received the education and training necessary for the great work for which God had destined him. 'l'o the human mind, taking intc rnru;idera.tion the condition of the Israelites at that time, there does not seem to have bt,eD any other means by which he could have obtained inslruction so complete and OH, XI, 1--40.] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 335