p. 109 | Magnify and Magnified by A. S. Hutchins

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Apr 3, 1879

Magnify and Magnified.

By A. S. Hutchins

Is not the significance of each of these words equally obvious in the following scriptures? "The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable." Isa. 42:21.

"And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee." Josh. 3:7.

"And the Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel." 1 Chron. 29:25.

The following are definitions given of the word magnify, by Mr. Webster: 1. To make great, or greater; to increase the apparent dimensions of a body. 2. To make great in representation; to extol; to exalt in description or praise. 3. To extol; to exalt; to elevate; to raise in estimation.

Respecting magnifying Joshua, and Solomon, there can be but one mind. In the clearest possible manner the Lord told how this should be, and was done. And is it not just as evident to every candid mind how the law of God was magnified by the Son of God? Are not the following points sustained by facts in the case?

1. The law was magnified, exalted, by the teachings of Christ in his sermon upon the mount, in declaring its immutability, and perpetuity, and also that it takes cognisance of every motive and intention of the heart, as well as the outward actions of life.

2. The law was magnified by his life of strict conformity to its just and holy precepts, thus setting an example for those who would follow in his footsteps. Here the law of the Most High "was drawn out in living characters."

3. The law was exalted, and its sacred precepts vindicated by the death of the Son of God. If the law was of so high an estimate in the mind of its Author, as to give his Son to die that man might be redeemed from its curse, how could the Lawgiver, consistent with any principle of reason or of respect to his own authority, abolish his law, and thus legalize sin?

It would almost seem that men have come to believe it dangerous to render obedience to God's commandments, as though the Scriptures read: Whosoever therefore shall disbelieve, and disobey the commandments shall be saved, but whosoever shall do and teach them shall be damned.

"From worldly wisdom, save me, Lord, Though men may prudence call it; My heart be anchored on thy word, Whatever storms befall it."

The pious doctor Adam Clarke bears a most decided testimony in favor of the law of God in his comments at the conclusion of the eighteenth chapter of Leviticus, as follows:—

"1. How true is that word, The law of the Lord is perfect; in a small compass, and yet in a most minute detail, it comprises every thing that is calculated to instruct, direct, convince, correct, and fortify the mind of man. Whatever has a tendency to corrupt or injure man, that, it forbids; whatever is calculated to comfort him, promote and secure his best interests, that it commands. It takes him in all possible states, views him in all connections, and provides for his present and eternal happiness.

"As the human soul is polluted, and tends to pollution, the great doctrine of the law is holiness to the Lord: this it keeps invariably in view, in all its commands, precepts, ordinances, rites, and ceremonies. And how forcibly in all these does it say, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; and thy neighbor as thyself. This is the prominent doctrine of the preceding chapter; and this shall be fulfilled in them who believe; for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to them that believe. Reader, magnify God for his law, for by it is the knowledge of sin; and magnify him for his Gospel, for by this is the cure for sin."

A. S. HUTCHINS.