The praise of succeeding generations.
In the old times kings forwarded their despatches by running footmen, of whom there were relays (see Job 9:25; Jeremiah 51:31; 2 Chronicles 30:6-10; Esther 3:13-15). The statutes, ordinances, etc; of the Bible are the despatches of the great King. The generations, as they succeed each other, are the running footmen. The despatches are words of love and mercy. The runners read and publish as they advance.
I. THIS WORK OF PRESERVING AND HANDING DOWN THE TRUTH IS AMONGST THE VERY FIRST RELIGIOUS DUTIES THAT CONCERNED THE MIND AND HEART OF MAN.
1. Oral teaching. A patriarch's household (Genesis 18:19). It was a divinely enforced duty (Deuteronomy 6:1-25.; Isaiah 38:19).
2. Presently the pen of the historian, etc; employed. Moses, Samuel, etc.
II. THIS WORK IS NO LESS IMPORTANT THAN ANCIENT.
1. Human happiness involved (Psalms 78:1-8).
2. Glory of God advanced.
3. Hence Providence has, at different times, raised up supplementary aid to ensure its performance.
To the father of each family was added the prophet, scribe, etc.; and to these, in modern times, various organizations.
III. THIS WORK, SO ANCIENT AND IMPORTANT, IS AN EVER-PRESENT DUTY.
1. It belongs to the present generation, no less than to those of the past.
2. The world's progress in morality is built up by the workers of all ages. We must lay a stone or two.
We owe it to the past.
IV. THIS WORK, BEING RELIGIOUS, HAS TO OVERCOME GREAT DIFFICULTIES.
1. Various phases of skepticism.
2. Folly in the heart of children.
3. Home influence often bad.
V. THIS WORK REQUIRES SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS IN THE WORKER. Not so much mental as moral.
1. Love of God and Christ (John 21:15).
2. Love of the truth.
3. Love of souls.
VI. THE WORK IS ACCOMPANIED BY SPECIAL ENCOURAGEMENTS.
1. The promises of God.
2. The help of God.
3. The improved moral tone of society.
4. The glorious future present to the eye of faith. (After Gray.)—R.T.
God's greatness is goodness.
"God's 'majesty' is his inherent greatness; his 'glory' is the manifestation of that majesty; and its 'splendor' in the brightness of this manifestation is seen by the eyes of men." "God declares his almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity. The contemplation of simple majesty breathes awe; the sense of graciousness in majesty adds to it the glow of thankfulness." "If philosophy is to be believed, our world is but an outlying corner of creation; bearing, perhaps, as small proportion to the great universe as a single grain bears to all the sands of the seashore, or the small quivering leaf to the foliage of a boundless forest. Yet even within this earth's narrow limit, how vast the work of Providence! how soon is the mind lost in contemplating it! How great, then, must the Creator of all be, if his works are so great! Truly ' his greatness is unsearchable'" (Guthrie).
I. THE OPPRESSION OF THE MERE SENSE OF POWER. Only an overwhelming feeling attends the working of the great forces of nature, in tempest, flood, earthquake, etc. Only a crushing humiliation follows on the masterful workings of great conquerors—Alexander, Attila, Napoleon, etc. And oftentimes the almightiness of God is so presented, the majesty of his creation, his control, his judgments, that the mind and heart of man are simply crushed before him. See the sentiment we have in relation to giants, who are nothing but embodiments of physical power. There is no rest for man in God if all we can know of God is that he is almighty, "none can stay his hand." Illustrate by the slavish submission of Islamism before a God conceived as absolute power only.
II. THE RESTFULNESS OF A SENSE OF GOODNESS BEHIND POWER. Illustrate by the different feeling we have toward the giant when we see him tenderly toying and playing with a helpless babe. There is a character behind the power, which puts limitations on, and quality into, the acts of power. The giant is good. It is thus with God. We find no rest in the mighty things he has done, or does, until we see that love to us, and planning for our good, tones, qualifies, and directs all the forthputtings of his power.—R.T.