The National tribune., 1892-03-03

uplifting power impaired strength. The spirit
OF the world did not have tall its own way, but
it was put into competition with the Spirit of
God. 1t was plain who would prove Master.
While the Christian age is specially charac.
terized by the work Of the Holy Spirit we are
not to suppose His help was wholly denied to
the Old Testament dispensation.
6. viii cause you 10 walk in my statutes.
and ye shall keep myjudgments and do them .
". 2Zl The words statutes" and "iudg-
ments" are parts for the whole. They are
used as equivalents for the Bible as il then ex.
isted. The Pentateuch was at that time the
principal part Of the Scriptures. Special refer
ence is made 10 those laws Of Moses which for
bid idolatry. Statutes may set forth the spe-
cifc laws. while judgments indicate the penal
ties for not Obeyingsaid commands We should
know Gods will as set forth in His word, and
conform 70 it always, everywhere. Our walk
is our daily life. We must consult Gods stat
utesa as to all our acts words deeds. The way
in which we are TO go is prescribed. God has
promised to help us, to cause US to walk accord
ing to His statutes but we shall suffer the
judgments announced as warnings in the Scrip
lures, providing we do not obey.
Z. "Ye shall dwell in the land that gave to
your fathers" (V. 29.) We remember the Jews
were, when Ezekiel wrote, captiyes several
hundreds Of miles from their native land.
They were greatly devoted to Canaan the land
associated with the names Of Abraham, Isaac
Jacob, David. solomon. They endured bond
age with more pain and shame than We can
imagine possible to any other nationality Of
that day The land of Judah was then desc
late. W. 81 Enemies possessed the territory.
The Jews were conscious they had sinned and
that their deprivation of the land of Judah
was due to their Wickednes5. They could un-
derstand God when he said, "In the day that
shall have cleansed yOn from all your iniqui-
ties will also cause you TO dwell in the cities
(of Judah and the waste places shall be
builded. And the desolate land shall be titled,
whereas it lay desOlate in the sight of all that
passed by. And they shall say, this land that
was desoate is become like the Garden of Eden
and the waste and desolate and ruined cities
are become fenced, and are inhabited" (Ys.
3-3j Add vs.. 80 49, There is a connec.
ton between national prosperity and the moral
condition of the pOpulaCe. Righteousness is
An element of success as factor in political
economy This is in the nature Of things, and
Is prominently brought out specifically and
emphatically in Gods dealings with nations
CDeu., %: %, %, and chapter of said book
8. Eye shall be my people and viii be your
God" iV. %; 11:20; Jer., 80: % 81: SO. Add
/ Cor. 3: 2I-23) We are Gods people if we
do his will Gods people If we be for God-fOr
Gods work, will, glory. And there is a sense
in which God can become to US an actual pos
session, so that we can count him as our own.
lie is az the side of every true man, ready to act
in his interest He becomes oar helper. Mu-
tuaI relations become established. A sort Of
partnership originates. God and man be-
come one. And all is q question dependent on
our loyalty to God.
9. II will save you from all your unclean-
ness" (V. %. We recall St. Mt, / 81. st. Paul
also had this thought. Ros, II 26l.
10. Secular blessings were promised (Ys. %,
3O) The products Of the land were to be plen-
tiful. When Canaan was first promised to the
Hebrews it was called land flowing with milk
and honey. Gods blessing is to be looked for
by the agriculturist.
II. The land was to have an increased popu-
lation. (ys. 81, 49,
7. Suggestions.