The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-13

was with the priests and Levit6s. (Deu-
| teronomy, XXI, 81 Here were three
| concurrent authorities-the original, pro-
| duced by the hand of God CExodus, XXI,
| 49, and two by the hands of men, one IN
| governmental and the other In ecccst-
astcal keeping. Surely. that was enough
| to meet the popular needs. But. added
to this, Moses says the word was III the
| mouth and In the heart of the people.
| TWO interpretations have been given to
| this language. Some suppose 1t refers to
| the custom of committing to memory by
| oral repetition deuteronomy, vi, 81, as
| was required by u permanent Mosaic
statute. Others think that the essential
| principles of the law were In the heart
| (Romans, x, 81 as self-evident.
| CHOOS1NG.--(Verses Is and 16.)-Up to
| this point Moses had called Israel to n
| keeping of the law delivered to them.
| Now he turns to show them the alterna-
| tive and the consequence and appeals or
their free will He has set before them a
| choice between good and evil, between
life and death deuteronomy. 81. 2G)
| He would have them enter into the SER
| vice of God, not as slaves, but vol'in-
| tarily and gladly, as those who consid-
| cred that their welfare would be promot-
ed thereby The blessing of God. the one
| condition of prosperity In the land OF
| Ndnaan, UPON tlic ldituth'
| keeping of the covenant. That had been
| so stated on previous occasions. Deu-
| teronomy, iv. 23.) The repetition here
| was timely, one of the last words spoken
| by the man who had led these millions
| of Israel through all their wanderings
| from the house of bondage. The princi-
| pie must not be forgotten-absolute. loT-
| ing, constant obedience to God essential
| to worldly success psalms, XxXvii, %
| WARNING.-(Verses II and 1S.)-There
| is disposition in some minds to con-
| slider only the gentle words OF promised
good. But. Moses. as a faithful servant
| of God, failed not to show the people
| what would be the consequences of dis
obedience. In case they neglected Gods
word and turned to other gods, the pco-
| pie should perish. That meant that their
national government should be over
thrown. what actually occurred seven or
eight hundred years after when Assyria
| first and Babylon afterward invaded the
land. This also had been asserted in
this same address deuteronomy, xiii
10) This earnest warning did not rest
upon the ability to foresee events, but
upon the knowledge of the conditions of
national security coupled with the clear
conviction that Jehovah would withdraw
his protecting care from the chosen peO-
pie If they turned away from him. Here
was high grade of craftsmanship as
well as IA noble style of prophecy. 1t was
the application of a religious truth or
doctrine to political affairs. the very in
ner substance Of a theocratic system of
government.
WITNESSING 19)-The GER
tainty and righteousness of important
acts, especially as they concern large
numbers of the people in their future in
terests. need to be attested. This may
be done in various ways which cannot
be mentioned here. In this instance
Moses announced in most solemn and
impressive manner that his dealings with
the Israelites had been in all faithfulness
and in proof of this he called heaven and
earth to witness. The appeal was after
ward made in similar form. Deuteron-
omy, XXI, 2S). He felt that the omnis
cient God, who knows all things. recog-
nized and approved his course, that he
dare submit all his actions to the scrI-
tiny of Him who had called him to this
service EXODUS, ill., 10. He also sub
mtted his conduct as Samuel did after
ward G Samuel, xii, -, to the approval
of those for when and among whom he
had labored, challenging criticism. will
ing to abide the decision that might be
given. not fearing the verdict.
observation-disclosures oO)-Our lesson
closes with a disclosure of the secret
wishes of Moses heart, what he anxious
ly desired for the nation whose leader
and law-giver he had BEEN. That desire
is under two great heads: First. that Is
rael might love and obey God and cleave
unto Him. That covered the inner and
outer life, the essentials of Judaism
deuteronomy, xii, 1O), as previously an
nounced. and as explained and taught by
Jesus. (Matthew, XXi 40) Experiment
al and practical religion was the same
under both covenants.-a love resulting in
ond. that the people might become per-
manent dwellers in the land which the
Lord had promised to Abraham and his
posterty, thereby fulfilling the purpose
of the Almighty in the covenant made
when he called the patriarch to leave his
country and settle in another land
Genesis. xii. - These two desires could
not be separated. Neither could be real
lied without the other. Upon the re-
ligious condition hung national destiny.
REFLECTIONS.-W learn in this les.
son: l. That man who has great
mission may become absorbed in its in
terests to such extent that at the close
OF life he desires to project his influence
into the future years. ''the ruling passion
strong in DEATH" .. That the basis of all
right living Is the word of God. present
Win all HIS people. plain to their under
standing. craven on their very hearts,
not subject to the interpretations made
by favored class. 3. That all conform
ity to the law of God to he acceptable,
must be intelligent, according to ones
own understanding of that law. not re-
spending to the requirements of officials
in the church save as these are in har-
mony with that law. 4. That all conduct
is righteous only as it IS prompted by
love to God and sincere desire to do His
Will, to be loyal to Him under a covenant
of righteousness and mercy 5. That
loving conformity to the |
law OF God, Is the secret or happy and |
successful living in this world, while non
conformity brings untold disaster to in |
divlduals and nations. Proverbs, xiv, 34.) |