_Thou shalt smite them and utterly destroy them._ WARS OF THE ISRAELITES There is, perhaps, no point on which the weakness of human nature is more clearly shown than in the difficulty of treading the right path between persecution on the one hand, and indifference to evil on the other. For although... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord our God is one Lord._ OF THE UNITY OF GOD I. Why God is called the living God. 1. In opposition to, and to distinguish Him from, dead idols (Psalms 115:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). 2. Because God is the fountain of life, having all life in Himself (John 5:26), and giving life to all things... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt love the Lord thy God._ THE LOVE OF GOD 1. This verse is the meeting point of the law and the Gospel. Very wonderful it must have sounded in the ear of Israel. To be bidden, not only or chiefly to fear Him as the God revealed in lightnings and thunderings and voices on Sinai; not only... [ Continue Reading ]
_These words. .. shall be in thine heart._ THE SCRIPTURES TO BE LAID TO HEART, AND DILIGENTLY TAUGHT I. The words concerning which the command is given, their nature and importance. 1. Their supernatural origin. 2. The extraordinary manner in which God has sanctioned them, in the signs and wonde... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cities which thou buildedst not._ THE DIVINE TRANSFERENCE OF MAN’S PROPERTY I. God’s right to the secular property of men. Not merely the and, but also all productions of labour, belong to Him. II. The fate of all earthly possessions. The only property that we can retain, that we can carry with... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt not go after other gods._ THE FORBIDDEN PATH In all our hearts there is a tendency to depart from God, to forget what He commands, “to go after what He forbids. This forbidden path is described. 1. It is entered by many. The path of “the people,” “the gods” of the age. Idolatry of eve... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye shall not tempt the Lord._ CHRIST TEMPTED THROUGH UNBELIEF We know that though God cannot be tempted with evil, He may justly be said to be tempted whenever men, by being dissatisfied with His dealings, virtually ask that He will alter those dealings, and proceed in a way more congenial to thei... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fear the Lord thy God, and serve Him._ MOSES’ SERIOUS AND AFFECTIONATE CHARGE TO ISRAEL I. A solemn charge given. 1. Hear the Word of the Lord. This message is neglected or abused-- (1) By those who seldom or never attend a place of public worship: let such consider how they will be able to acc... [ Continue Reading ]
_When thy son asketh thee._ REMEMBRANCES OF HOLY PRIVILEGES We are also favoured with Divine ordinances, as were the Israelites; and for the same purpose, for a pious testimony to keep alive upon the earth a remembrance of God’s surpassing love. As to them pertained “the adoption and the glory and... [ Continue Reading ]
_He brought us out from thence, that He might bring us in._ THE OUTBRINGING AND THE INBRINGING OF ISRAEL There were many things in the history of ancient Israel which repeat themselves in the history or experience of the Christian Church. Our text may be regarded as-- 1. God’s answer to man’s ques... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord commanded us to do all these statutes._ THE MORAL SIGNIFICANCE OF GOD’S LAWS The doctrine of this text is that God’s laws are for the good of His subjects; that the basis of all His laws is benevolence; that their foundation is love. I. This fact is well attested. 1. In the nature of t... [ Continue Reading ]