THAT the Lord shows peculiar interest for His people is an undeniable fact, of which the scriptures give many a touching sample. Moreover His watchful active care is ever in character with their relationship and position. Nor this only, but the obedience of His people in answer to His revealed mind is made the blessed and timely occasion to draw forth His interests.
In chapter 34 of Exodus where Moses is receiving a second time the Tables of the Law, with other instructions, there is a striking instance of this respecting God's earthly people; not so much in the form of His care, but rather in protecting and preserving what He had freely given them.
When in Canaan Jehovah enjoined three special Feasts for Israel to keep. Three times in the year they were to go up to Jerusalem for that purpose, which involved leaving their allotted portion and sphere, and seemingly exposing their land to danger during their absence. Then it is that Jehovah assures His obedient-people saying “Neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before Jehovah thy God thrice in the year.”
Most telling and significant words when weighed in their connection, calculated to beget uncompromising obedience with unbroken confidence in Himself! True, it is not in the form of Abram who obeyed by leaving the land of his nativity, and going he knew not where, nor by getting to Canaan and becoming a stranger in it. But the land possessed and its portions allotted and enjoyed, they were to reckon on Jehovah to protect both it and their interests, when going up to appear before Him at the appointed feasts. When specially engaged with Him, Whose power drove out the nations before them, He would not allow any even to desire their land. Thus all was secured to them, not by any human expedient or forethought, but in doing the will of Jehovah: their obedience in appearing before Him fully guaranteed His power and protection. Each appointed feast also had its own voice in a still higher key.
Never were they to forget the way and means whereby they left Egypt with its terrible bondage any more than their beginning with Him Who claimed them for Himself from the time they were safely sheltered by the blood of the slain lamb. Their redemption from Egypt to Himself with grateful consistency was evidently the lesson in the first feast; whilst that of the first-fruits manifested the bestowed fruit of their land in the earnest of their blessing being presented to Him, Who was no less jealous of being the primary and engaging object as the Giver. If He claimed the first-fruits, the in-gathering at the harvest became the appointed occasion for them to appear in obedient delight, publicly owning that their God, Who had made them His own by redemption, had given them their harvest of blessing in Canaan.
Jehovah's claims and interests being obediently answered to by His people, they would prove how all their interest and blessing would be cared for, and secured by, Him Who holds the hearts and desires of all in His own keeping, and can turn them to serve His own purpose. Alas! as is ever the case with man under responsibility, they signally failed, using their feasts to serve themselves, forgetting and despising Him Who appointed them. Finally they rejected Him to Whom all pointed—Jesus their promised King and willing Savior, Who when presented was refused, and finally crucified at the time of the very feast, which should have taught them their deepest need of Him.
But to return to the Lord's loving care and interest in His people. In chapter 12 of Luke there is a touching instance given by the Lord Himself to His disciples, in view of His rejection and departure to heaven. It is certainly after another order than that already considered, yet most important, not only for what awaited His disciples, but for a moment like the present, when Jewish feasts and customs are so readily adopted in Christendom. For even true believers little know their present living association with Christ in heaven, together with suffering for Him in the place of His rejection here below. Distinct indeed the change; marvelously so for those who were looking for their Messiah's kingdom in power and glory, and their own assigned portion with Him in it. In preparing them for the practical consequences of His rejection, a volume of loving care and assured interest is told out, making good that the hour of sorrow and difficulty is the time to prove true love. Nor this only; but their rejected and soon to be crucified Messiah seeks to put them in sweet connection with His Father, as well as promises the presence and help of the Holy Spirit.
Whatever awaited them of trial and persecution, they were enjoined to “fear not.” He Who so loved them as to die for them, and for Whom they would be called to suffer, had power over body and soul. Moreover, if their Father clothed the lily excelling the glory of Solomon, and fed the ravens which had neither storehouse nor barn, how much more would He make them the objects of His loving care, so that peaceful confidence should possess their hearts. Moreover, if “fear not” was connected with trial and persecution, together with the exercises in daily circumstances, there was also heaven's side shedding its brightness and blessedness into the heart. For He, Who would have them without anxious thought or care for the morrow, no less said, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
The Messiah's kingdom being in abeyance, the gift by the Father of the heavenly kingdom, according to His good pleasure, would take its place, and thereby set those having part in it in like position as their Lord in relation to the earth. Indeed this precious heavenly promise follows the enjoined truth, not to live in anxious suspense or be seeking the things of this life, after the manner of the nations. “But rather seek Ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Thus at least this promised care is in character with Jehovah's promise (although obedience was henceforth in connection with heaven and its things) to insure interest in the daily necessaries of the life here. If the disciples made heaven and its things, with Christ the central object, their purpose and heart's concern, it would be the happy occasion for the supply of their Father in the things He knew they stood in need of.
Such is the change of dispensation. Moreover when Christ had gone to heaven, it would no longer be a question of any desiring their land, but they were to sell what they had, and give alms.
This was actually done, when the Holy Ghost was given. Then they learned their treasure was in heaven, and that they were one with Christ there. To form their hearts by this marvelous change of place and circumstances was the grand mission of the Holy Ghost, as well as testimony to Christ in the gospel of His glory. When Christ and the heavenly kingdom thus became known, no wonder that the hearts of the disciples should turn there, as their feet trod the scene of their Lord's rejection, and tasted, in their given measure, their share in it.
Beyond this their privileges excelled; for with the departure of their Lord to heaven, the blessed hope of His return from thence was given. They were enjoined to have their loins girded and lights burning, so as to be waiting to open to Him immediately. To have their possessions with Christ above, crowned with a Father's loving care as to all their need here below, left nothing save doing the will of the Lord in the new order of obedience, conscious of His love Who knows and cares in character with such associations and privileges.
Surely in all this there is a lesson for to-day, particularly now that Christ and heavenly things have been made known, not only according to Luke 12, but in the fullness of heavenly life and blessing unfolded in the Epistles, and no less made good by the Holy Ghost. All being so secure and precious in Christ, that none can either desire or in any way, touch the believer's portion, it needs only to give heed to the two little words in Col. 3, “seek,” and “set” the mind and heart on the things above, where Christ (Who is the believer's life) sits on the right hand of God. There the things below, often so engrossing and ensnaring, would not detain the heart, or hinder the feet moving obediently onward, toward Him Who is saying to-day, “Surely I come quickly,” and will welcome the hearty response, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Till that moment may the indwelling Spirit beget deepened devotedness, and our fuller restful confidence in a Father's love, and the Shepherd's constant care, conscious of an interest in character with the relationship of the heavenly family, whose possessions are on high, and their home with the Son in the Father's house.
In spirit there already, Soon we ourselves shall be,
In soul and body perfect, All glorified with Thee:
by Father's love is cheering The brief but thorny way,
Thy Father's house the dwelling Made ready for that day.
G. G.