AS WE read these admonitions and duties that are here urged upon God’s people, two things impress us, namely, the evil tendencies in the human heart on the one hand, and the faithful tender care of the Lord on the other. It is good for us to read these chapters, for though much of the Old Testament Scriptures are not about us, they are for us. “It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:44And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (Luke 4:4). Again, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Tim. 3:1616All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16).
Perhaps the casual uninstructed reader might wonder why some of these evils are mentioned, but faith owns the perfect wisdom of God in them all. There is a most humiliating amount of wickedness in human nature; the germ of every sin is to be found in the human heart—in our hearts. The Lord knew what was in man when He wrote this wonderful Book.
In Jeremiah 17:99The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9) we read: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart.” The Lord alone knows the depths of evil in the heart. Someone has quoted Mr. J. N. Darby as once saying that he knew the heart of God better than he knew his own heart.
Israel had been delivered from Egypt with all its idolatry and iniquitous practices, and now they were on their way to Canaan, where the “iniquities of the Amorites had come to the full.” It was not a question of Israel comparing themselves with the Egyptians or with the Canaanites. It was a question of what God is, the holy and righteous One, who had redeemed them and brought them to Himself. How easy it is to take satisfaction in thinking we are not as bad as the world around us, that we do not do some of the things they do. This may suit some, but it is no standard for the Christian.
Therefore we find God’s honor at the head of all these duties and prohibitions: “I am the Lord your God.” This was to be the ground of their conduct. And we, dear young Christian, are called to act in a way worthy of that blessed One who is become our God and Father, and made us His dear children, through the work of His dear Son. It is not that we are any better than others. Sometimes a worldly person might say to a young Christian who desires to walk apart from the world’s ways and pleasures and to please his Saviour, “I suppose you think you are better than we are.” By no means! As those saved by grace, we now have but one rule or standard of conduct: “I am the Lord your God.”
Stealing, dishonesty, and lying were forbidden. The name of the Lord was not to be profaned. One was not to rob or take advantage of his neighbor. He was not to delay for a single night to pay what was due to a poor laborer, whose hungry family might be waiting for him to return with the daily bread.
Then how touching the tender care of the Lord is for the deaf and the blind! Sometimes, if we are not watchful, we fail to exercise patience with those who cannot hear or cannot see as we can. What an opportunity there is here for patient loving service to those who are bereft of these faculties, to speak a little louder and perhaps repeat what we have said to a deaf person, to take time to read a little to one who is blind, to help and encourage such along life’s way. Surely the Lord is pleased with humble services like these.
ML-06/25/1972