Deuteronomy 34.
IT was necessary that Moses should die before the people could attain unto the promised land—their rest, because of that which he represented, viz., the law. This can never give us rest, but must die also, and that it does to all who find no life in it (see Romans 7:1010And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. (Romans 7:10)), and so betake themselves to Jesus (Romans 10:44For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:4), and Galatians 3:2424Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24)), as the people did to Joshua (significantly called “Jesus” also in Hebrews 4:88For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. (Hebrews 4:8)).
When at― in 1862, I saw (to my mind) a very spiritual remark of the Drum-major of the ―Madras Native Infantry, drawing attention to the “filthy garments” in which Joshua was standing in before God, as contrasted with his glorious appearance before man. (Exodus 28) A rich subject for reflection!
“If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”
Obviously! for a lighthouse that has not its light burning when it should have, is worse than no lighthouse at all!
1 Corinthians 8.
When at N―in 1859, this chapter, together with the latter part of the tenth, was made very clear to me in the following manner: ―I went into the room of the brother officer with whom I was residing, when, as I entered, he jocularly emptied some sugar-plums into my hand, saying, “Take care, these have been offered unto idols.” Upon inquiring his meaning, I found that the Mahrattas have a feast called the “Mukur Sunk-rant,” which takes place when the sun enters the sign Capricorn. At this season they either sow or reap (I forget which) the sesamum seed, and in order to either secure a good harvest; or to render thanks for having obtained one, the merchants, farmers, &c., &c., sugar the seed over; in other words, make sugar-plums with them, and offer them to their idol. After this, they are packed into boxes, and distributed amongst friends and patrons, as a mark of goodwill and esteem. It was in this manner that my friend became possessed of a box, and in like manner I might have become so also. Having “no conscience of the idol,” I. should, if left to myself have accepted it in the spirit, in which it was offered; but it’, standing by, any man had said objectingly, “This is offered in sacrifice unto idols,” then, I trust, I should have been able to decline the present, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience’ sake. “Conscience,” I say; not my own, but the other’s.
But (to go on with the chapter―the tenth) you will ask, why is my liberty judged by the conscience, of another man? If I by grace be a partaker, why am I to be evil spoken of for having done that which I gave thanks to God for? I reply, that whether you eat, or drink, or do anything else whatever, do it all to the glory of God. Give offense to none, &c., &c.
Might not many other portions of Scripture be opened up to us in this way, if we walked “circumspectly,” i.e. looking around us?
The “fullness,” that is, the “complement.” The meaning can best be illustrated by the case of a ship and her crew. The ship is complete in herself, but of no use without “hands,” i.e., she is not ready for service. So, in this aspect, is Christ also; complete and perfect in himself, lie nevertheless awaits the enrollment of the last member of His Church, before He takes action. And what that action will be, see Revelation 19, 20, and “Behold, ye despisers, and tremble!”
A Christian should be hated of the world for no other cause than his Master’s.
If the world cannot understand Christ, how can they be expected to understand Christians?
It is a good test for our position, attitude, and occupation, the asking ourselves, “Am I now, at this present moment, as I should like to be found of Christ at His coming?”
Ιχθμς.