Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc12/v13000

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 108 lines

13003
 #41-49 Here is the introduction to another discourse, or sermon,
 Moses preached to Israel, which we have in the following
 chapters. He sets the law before them, as the rule they were to
 work by, the way they were to walk in. He sets it before them,
 as the glass in which they were to see their natural face, that,
 looking into this perfect law of liberty, they might continue
 therein. These are the laws, given when Israel was newly come
 out of Egypt; and they were now repeated. Moses gave these laws
 in charge, while they encamped over against Beth-peor, an idol
 place of the Moabites. Their present triumphs were a powerful
 argument for obedience. And we should understand our own
 situation as sinners, and the nature of that gracious covenant
 to which we are invited. Therein greater things are shown to us
 than ever Israel saw from mount Sinai; greater mercies are given
 to us than they experienced in the wilderness, or in Canaan. One
 speaks to us, who is of infinitely greater dignity than Moses;
 who bare our sins upon the cross; and pleads with us by His
 dying love.
13012
 * The covenant in Horeb. (1-5) The ten commandments repeated.
 (6-22) The request of the people that the law might be delivered
 through Moses. (23-33)

 #1-5 Moses demands attention. When we hear the word of God we
 must learn it; and what we have learned we must put in practice,
 for that is the end of hearing and learning; not to fill our
 heads with notions, or our mouths with talk, but to direct our
 affections and conduct.

13017
 #6-22 There is some variation here from #Ex 20| as between the
 Lord's prayer in #Mt 6| and #Lu 11|. It is more necessary that
 we tie ourselves to the things, than to the words unalterably.
 The original reason for hallowing the sabbath, taken from God's
 resting from the work of creation on the seventh day, is not
 here mentioned. Though this ever remains in force, it is not the
 only reason. Here it is taken from Israel's deliverance out of
 Egypt; for that was typical of our redemption by Jesus Christ,
 in remembrance of which the Christian sabbath was to be
 observed. In the resurrection of Christ we were brought into the
 glorious liberty of the children of God, with a mighty hand, and
 an outstretched arm. How sweet is it to a soul truly distressed
 under the terrors of a broken law, to hear the mild and
 soul-reviving language of the gospel!

13034
 #23-33 Moses refers to the consternation caused by the terror
 with which the law was given. God's appearances have always been
 terrible to man, ever since the fall; but Christ, having taken
 away sin, invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace. They
 were in a good mind, under the strong convictions of the word
 they heard. Many have their consciences startled by the law who
 have them not purified; fair promises are extorted from them,
 but no good principles are fixed and rooted in them. God
 commended what they said. He desires the welfare and salvation
 of poor sinners. He has given abundant proof that he does so; he
 gives us time and space to repent. He has sent his Son to redeem
 us, promised his Spirit to those who pray for him, and has
 declared that he has no pleasure in the ruin of sinners. It
 would be well with many, if there were always such a heart in
 them, as there seems to be sometimes; when they are under
 conviction of sin, or the rebukes of providence, or when they
 come to look death in the face. The only way to be happy, is to
 be holy. Say to the righteous, It shall be well with them. Let
 believers make it more and more their study and delight, to do
 as the Lord God hath commanded.
13045
 * A persuasive to obedience. (1-3) An exhortation to obedience.
 (4,5) Obedience taught. (6-16) General precepts, Instructions to
 be given to their children. (17-25)

 #1-3 In this and the like passages, the "commandments" seem to
 denote the moral law, the "statues" the ceremonial law, and the
 "judgments" the law by which the judges decided. Moses taught
 the people all that, and that only, which God commanded him to
 teach. Thus Christ's ministers are to teach his churches all he
 has commanded, neither more nor less, #Mt 28:20|. The fear of
 God in the heart will be the most powerful principle of
 obedience. It is highly desirable that not we only, but our
 children, and our children's children, may fear the Lord.
 Religion and righteousness advance and secure the prosperity of
 any people.

13048
 #4,5 Here is a brief summary of religion, containing the first
 principles of faith and obedience. Jehovah our God is the only
 living and true God; he only is God, and he is but One God. Let
 us not desire to have any other. The three-fold mention of the
 Divine names, and the plural number of the word translated God,
 seem plainly to intimate a Trinity of persons, even in this
 express declaration of the unity of the Godhead. Happy those who
 have this one Lord for their God. It is better to have one
 fountain than a thousand cisterns; one all-sufficient God than a
 thousand insufficient friends. This is the first and great
 commandment of God's law, that we love him; and that we do all
 parts of our duty to him from a principle of love; My son, give
 me thine heart. We are to love God with all our heart, and soul,
 and might. That is, 1. With a sincere love; not in word and
 tongue only, but inwardly in truth. 2. With a strong love. He
 that is our All, must have our all, and none but he. 3. With a
 superlative love; we must love God above any creature whatever,
 and love nothing but what we love for him. 4. With an
 intelligent love. To love him with all the heart, and with all
 the understanding, we must see good cause to love him. 5. With
 an entire love; he is ONE, our hearts must be united in his
 love. Oh that this love of God may be shed abroad in our hearts!