Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc12/v13700

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 7KB | 132 lines

13700
 #14-22 Moses and Joshua attended the Divine Majesty at the door
 of the tabernacle. Moses is told again that he must shortly die;
 even those who are most ready and willing to die, need to be
 often reminded of its coming. The Lord tells Moses, that, after
 his death, the covenant he had taken so much pains to make
 between Israel and their God, would certainly be broken. Israel
 would forsake Him; then God would forsake Israel. Justly does he
 cast those off who so unjustly cast him off. Moses is directed
 to deliver them a song, which should remain a standing testimony
 for God, as faithful to them in giving them warning, and against
 them, as persons false to themselves in not taking the warning.
 The word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of
 men's hearts, and meets them by reproofs and correction.
 Ministers who preach the word, know not the imaginations of men;
 but God, whose word it is, knows perfectly.

13709
 #23-30 The solemn delivery of the book of the law to the
 Levites, to be deposited in, or rather by the side, of the ark,
 is again related. The song which follows in the next chapter is
 delivered to Moses, and by him to the people. He wrote it first,
 as the Holy Spirit taught him; and then spake it in the hearing
 of all the people. Moses tells them plainly, I know that after
 my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves. Many a sad thought,
 no doubt, it occasioned to this good man; but his comfort was,
 that he had done his duty, and that God would be glorified in
 their dispersion, if not in their settlement, for the foundation
 of God stands sure.
13717
 * The song of Moses. (1,2) The character of God, The character
 of Israel. (3-6) The great things God had done for Israel.
 (7-14) The wickedness of Israel. (19-25) The judgments which
 would come upon them for their sins. (15-18) Deserved vengeance
 withheld. (26-38) God's deliverance for his people. (39-43) The
 exhortation with which the song was delivered. (44-47) Moses to
 go up mount Nebo to die. (48-52)

 #1,2 Moses begins with a solemn appeal to heaven and earth,
 concerning the truth and importance of what he was about to say.
 His doctrine is the gospel, the speech of God, the doctrine of
 Christ; the doctrine of grace and mercy through him, and of life
 and salvation by him.

13719
 #3-6 "He is a Rock." This is the first time God is called so in
 Scripture. The expression denotes that the Divine power,
 faithfulness, and love, as revealed in Christ and the gospel,
 form a foundation which cannot be changed or moved, on which we
 may build our hopes of happiness. And under his protection we
 may find refuge from all our enemies, and in all our troubles;
 as the rocks in those countries sheltered from the burning rays
 of the sun, and from tempests, or were fortresses from the
 enemy. "His work is perfect:" that of redemption and salvation,
 in which there is a display of all the Divine perfection,
 complete in all its parts. All God's dealings with his creatures
 are regulated by wisdom which cannot err, and perfect justice.
 He is indeed just and right; he takes care that none shall lose
 by him. A high charge is exhibited against Israel. Even God's
 children have their spots, while in this imperfect state; for if
 we say we have no sin, no spot, we deceive ourselves. But the
 sin of Israel was not habitual, notorious, unrepented sin; which
 is a certain mark of the children of Satan. They were fools to
 forsake their mercies for lying vanities. All wilful sinners,
 especially sinners in Israel, are unwise and ungrateful.

13723
 #7-14 Moses gives particular instances of God's kindness and
 concern for them. The eagle's care for her young is a beautiful
 emblem of Christ's love, who came between Divine justice and our
 guilty souls, and bare our sins in his own body on the tree. And
 by the preached gospel, and the influences of the Holy Spirit,
 He stirs up and prevails upon sinners to leave Satan's bondage.
 In ver. #13,14|, are emblems of the conquest believers have over
 their spiritual enemies, sin, Satan, and the world, in and
 through Christ. Also of their safety and triumph in him; of
 their happy frames of soul, when they are above the world, and
 the things of it. This will be the blessed case of spiritual
 Israel in every sense in the latter day.

13731
 #15-18 Here are two instances of the wickedness of Israel, each
 was apostasy from God. These people were called Jeshurun, "an
 upright people," so some; "a seeing people," so others: but they
 soon lost the reputation both of their knowledge and of their
 righteousness. They indulged their appetites, as if they had
 nothing to do but to make provision for the flesh to fulfil the
 lusts of it. Those who make a god of themselves, and a god of
 their bellies, in pride and wantonness, and cannot bear to be
 told of it, thereby forsake God, and show they esteem him
 lightly. There is but one way of a sinner's acceptance and
 sanctification, however different modes of irreligion, or false
 religion, may show that favourable regard for other ways, which
 is often miscalled candid. How mad are idolaters, who forsake
 the Rock of salvation, to run themselves upon the rock of
 perdition!

13735
 #19-25 The revolt of Israel was described in the foregoing
 verses, and here follow the resolves of Divine justice as to
 them. We deceive ourselves, if we think that God will be mocked
 by a faithless people. Sin makes us hateful in the sight of the
 holy God. See what mischief sin does, and reckon those to be
 fools that mock at it.

13742
 #26-38 The idolatry and rebellions of Israel deserved, and the
 justice of God seemed to demand, that they should be rooted out.
 But He spared Israel, and continues them still to be living
 witnesses of the truth of the Bible, and to silence unbelievers.
 They are preserved for wise and holy purposes and the prophecies
 give us some idea what those purposes are. The Lord will never
 disgrace the throne of his glory. It is great wisdom, and will
 help much to the return of sinners to God, seriously to consider
 their latter end, or the future state. It is here meant
 particularly of what God foretold by Moses, about this people in
 the latter days; but it may be applied generally. Oh that men
 would consider the happiness they will lose, and the misery they
 will certainly plunge into, if they go on in their trespasses!
 What will be in the end thereof? #Jer 5:31|. For the Lord will
 in due time bring down the enemies of the church, in displeasure
 against their wickedness. When sinners deem themselves most
 secure, they suddenly fall into destruction. And God's time to
 appear for the deliverance of his people, is when things are at
 the worst with them. But those who trust to any rock but God,
 will find it fail them when they most need it. The rejection of
 the Messiah by the Jewish nation, is the continuance of their
 ancient idolatry, apostasy, and rebellion. They shall be brought
 to humble themselves before the Lord, to repent of their sins,
 and to trust in their long-rejected Mediator for salvation. Then
 he will deliver them, and make their prosperity great.