Deuteronomy 34

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXXIV.-Happy and honoured is the last end of such as have been active and faithful for God in their generation; and their death would be an irremediable loss to churches and nations if the all-sufficient Jesus did not supply their room. But precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints, and he makes it pleasant and joyful to them, when ushered in with views of the King in his beauty, and of the land that is afar off. But let me not dismiss this wonderful man of God; this deliverer and leader of his people; this mediator between God and Israel; this extraordinary prophet, occasional priest; this lawgiver, and king in Jeshurun; till I consider him as a noted figure in my infinitely more glorious and useful Redeemer. He was a proper, a divine child, early and often exposed to danger. O the exile, the reproach, the contradiction of sinners, the persecution even unto death, which he endured! and how divine his support under his unnumbered trials! How amiable his qualities!—his contempt of the world, in its pleasures, honours, or riches!—his compassion and tender regard to his injurious brethren—his amazing meekness!—his distinguished fidelity!—his prudence, boldness, and holy zeal! Solemn and express was his call to his work: and by a multitude of miracles in favour of his people, and with the most tremendous destruction of his Jewish, heathen, Antichristian, and other enemies, has that call been confirmed. Extensive is the office to which God has appointed him. He is the almighty Deliverer, who rescues us from the worse than Egyptian slavery of sin, Satan, and the world; and of heathenism and popery. He is the all-sufficient Provider, who bestows upon us spiritual entertainment, hidden manna, living water, and unchanging robes of righteousness. He is the leader given to the people, who opens a safe passage through every Red sea of difficulty; and by power and prayer subdues every opposer; and brings us not merely to the borders, but to the full enjoyment, of our promised, evangelical, new covenant, and eternal rest. Nor can their murmuring, unbelief, or rebellion, ever provoke him to forsake those who have been given to him by his father. He is the Mediator between God and men, with whom the covenant of grace is made; and who confirms it with many by the shedding and sprinkling of his blood. He had his Father’s law in his heart, fulfilled it for us, and gives it to us as our rule. He not only fasted and prayed, but died for a stiff-necked and rebellious people. He infallibly prevents our utter rejection. He is the incomparable Prophet, who knows the full mind of God, and can teach us by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, and make us wise unto salvation. He speaks as never man did. He is the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person, which we can behold, and be familiar with, only as,vailed with our nature. He is our glorious Priest, who shed his blood, and sprinkled it on the altar, to satisfy JEHOVAN’s justice; and on the book of the law as a covenant, fulfilling it in our stead; and he sprinkles it on his people’s conscience, to purge them from dead works to serve the living God. He authorises all the true ministers of the church, and consecrates the saints as spiritual priests, and all the ordinances thereof, unto the service of God. He is King and Lawgiver to his Israel indeed, appointing the whole form and ordinances of his church; and to him is the whole government thereof committed by God. His whole life was remarkable for fidelity in the service of God, and his death was marvellous and voluntary. His grave was appointed of God, but in it he saw no corruption; and with him were buried all the ancient ceremonies, the law as a covenant, and all the sins of his people. REPLICATIONS UPON CHAP. 1.—God keeps up an honourable remembrance of faithful servants. And it is a comfort to the church that, though her minister, Jesus her Redeemer lives to provide others in their room. But those who have behaved well in an inferior station, will in general, and ought to be allowed to an higher. Certainly and seasonably, however slowly, the promise of God are fulfilled at last, with respect to every thing temporal or eternal; it would we fear to proceed in the most difficult work if God promise to us his source and assistance. When he is pleased to work, none can let it. But, as we must live by the word of God, so we must work and war by it; and, being once called and encouraged of God, we ought with the utmost readiness to set about our work. God can quickly bow the hearts of all such as are necessary to assist us therein. And it is delightful when magistrates, ministers, and people, concur in their regard to, and dependence on, God; and when subjects are no less cheerful in their obedience than rulers are exact in commanding what is lawful