Deuteronomy 4:5-6 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me… Parting words are generally impressive words. In this, the last of the books of the Pentateuch, Moses delivered to the people of Israel his parting counsels. He sets before them, in words of expostulation and warning, good and evil — life and death. And not only does he give them these impressive exhortations, but, foreseeing — for God was pleased to give him a revelation of it (Deuteronomy 31:16) — that their deceitful hearts would turn aside, he utters the plainest predictions of the judgments which have since overtaken them. We see, then, that Israel's safety was identified with her adherence to pure and undefiled religion. At the time when all the nations of the earth beside were in darkness, she was made the depository of the knowledge of the true and only God. Still, while these things are so, and while we cannot admit the idea of a peculiar people in the sense in which Israel was, it is impossible for those who acknowledge that "the Lord is King," and that He is "Judge of all the earth," to doubt that, as with individuals, so with nations, a high measure of Divine favour involves of necessity a proportionate degree of national responsibility. Holding those feelings, we shall be brought to acknowledge that, nationally, we have ourselves much in the sight of God to answer for. I. In the first place, then, THE BIBLE BRINGS GREATNESS TO A NATION, BECAUSE, WHEN RECEIVED AND OBEYED, IT BRINGS GOD'S BLESSING WITH IT. The glory of Israel was the presence of Jehovah amongst them. There was no nation — to use the words of Moses in the text — that had God so nigh them as had they. In their journeys through the wilderness He was visibly present in the pillar of cloud; and afterwards, in the temple which was founded on Mount Moriah to His praise, the Holy of holies sufficiently indicated to them His special abode with them. When He departed from them their safeguard was withdrawn: the enemy made Jerusalem, hitherto invincible, a heap of stones. Similarly, our own land, at the period of the Reformation, received the Holy Scriptures, and since then, in their possession and use, has obtained from God innumerable blessings: religion has extended itself in renewed vitality amongst us; and this great nation has become a wise and understanding people. But, apart from the security which the fear of the Lord brings with it, we shall see that — II. THE BIBLE BRINGS GREATNESS TO A NATION BECAUSE IT ELEVATES THE NATIONAL CHARACTER. I do not seek to palliate our multitudinous sins. Still, even now, Britain I do believe to be the stronghold of pure, because scriptural, religion. The Bible is not yet dethroned from the affections of her people; and, for tiffs reason, the basis of the national character is yet sound. III. THE DUTY OF PERSONAL ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE SCRIPTURES AND OF INSTRUCTING THE YOUNG OUT OF THEM. (S. Hayman, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. |
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