Lessons from Deuteronomy
By Editor
The chapters of Deuteronomy which fall in this week's reading as a general thing will be fairly understood. There are repetitions of civil regulations pertaining to that people and time; there are repetitions of instructions regarding the yearly feasts and Sabbaths; there are excellent moral instructions. How God's regard for the poor and the oppressed stands out; how particular that His people should have a perfect standard of character, that their service and offerings to God should be perfect, without blemish. Justice should be executed between man and man notwithstanding the position or place of either party. Christ is predicted as the prophet like unto Moses in chapter 18. No man should be condemned at the mouth of one witness. Men who were fearful should not be compelled to go to battle. Cities and towns were held responsible for crime committed near them. Chapter 21. Diverse things should not be so mingled as to have a benumbing effect on the moral sensibilities. Men of utterly perverse nations should not come in as counselors among God's people. Hygienic measures should be followed in all their encampments. Chapters 27 and 28 are the records of the solemn utterances of the curses and blessings from Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. In chapter 28 also is found a fearful prophecy of the things which would come upon the Israelites if they departed from God. The lesson of the week closes with the blessed assurance: "The things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." It is ever true that God reveals His will that we may do it. This section of the Psalms is devotional and instructive. In No. 76, God's victorious power is called to remembrance. In No. 77, His mighty works are presented as a comfort. Man's unfaithfulness and God's faithfulness might well be the title of Psalm 78. What blessed assurances are given in all these songs of inspiration!