The Divine Law based on a divinely revealed relationship.
"I am the Lord thy God," etc. This little word thy, in this connection, gives us the basis on which the Law was set. Of the event called "the giving of the Law," we feel the thrill even now. That Law has in it four features, corresponding to one or other of the aspects in which the people to whom it was first given may be regarded. They were
I. HERE IS A SPECIAL VIEW OF GOD PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE TO DRAW FORTH THEIR ATTENTION AND WIN THEIR ALLEGIANCE. "Thy God." The Hebrews were never expected to believe in, obey, or love an absolutely unrelated Being. THERE IS NO SUCH BEING! God is related to all the creatures he has made. Hence our knowledge of him is not unreal, because it is relative; but real, because in knowing God's relations to us, we, so far, know him as he is. God was Israel's Redeemer. He had redeemed them that they might be his. He would have the entire life of his redeemed ones spent in covenant relationship with him. Hence he sets his own Law on the basis of those relations. And so it is now. We are not expected to love a Being whose relations to us are doubtful or obscure, or whose mind and will towards us are unknown. We love because he first loved us.
II. THE VARIED ASPECTS OF CHRISTIAN TRUTH ARE SET UPON A LIKE BASIS, AND HAVE IN IT THEIR REASON AND POWER. The following suggestions may be developed largely with great advantage.
1. The conception of law is materially changed when we know that it comes from One who loves us infinitely, and cares for us with a tender care. This gives sweetness to the command. We are "under law to Christ."
2. "The Lord thy God;" that gives the worship of God its charm.
3. This is the truth which is objectively disclosed by the Incarnation.
4. It is the truth which the Holy Ghost graves on the hearts of the saints (Romans 8:15).
5. This truth shows us that real religion is love responding to love (1 John 4:19).
6. It gives a manifest ground for trust. We know whom we have believed.
7. It gives a charm to every precept.
8. It gives meaning to every trial (Deuteronomy 8:5).
9. It is in the light of this truth that prayer becomes possible, and is seen to be reasonable.
10. This gives a solemn aspect to our responsibility (Psalms 81:10; Amos 4:12; Hebrews 4:13).
11. The fuller understanding of the words, "My God," will be the result of ripeness in grace (Zechariah 13:9; Isaiah 41:10-20).
12. This is pre-eminently the truth which gives its certainty and its glow to the hope of future glory (Mark 12:26; Hebrews 11:16; Revelation 21:3, Revelation 21:7).
III. SEEING THE WIDE BEARING AND VAST IMPORTANCE OF THE TRUTH IN THE TEXT, WHAT SHOULD BE WITH US ITS PRACTICAL OUTCOME?
1. Seeing the fearful havoc agnosticism would make, if it should ever come to govern human thinking, £ let us show men:
2. Since God is our God, let us cultivate fellowship with him. It is for this purpose he hath revealed himself, that we may come to him (1 John 1:1-3; Hebrews 10:19-22).
3. Let us seek to realize the blessedness of a known and happy relationship to God, enjoyed through Christ, by the Spirit, in a life of penitence, faith, devotion, and love (Isaiah 61:10; 1 Chronicles 12:18; Psalms 68:28; Psalms 46:1; Psalms 18:29; Psalms 146:5).
4. Let faith in the love of our God fill up our duties with glorious meaning, and make the discharge of them a delight (Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 28:58; Le 25:38; 11:45; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 3:13; Micah 6:8; Romans 12:1).
5. Let the fact that God is our God create, confirm, and perpetuate our assurance of immortal blessedness. See the wonderful words in Matthew 22:31, Matthew 22:32; Hebrews 11:16. As if God would be ashamed to be called our God, if he did not mean to do something worthy of the name! Wondrous grace! How perfect the reconciliation effected by Christ, to bring together the holy God and sinful men in blest accord and union forever!