the rock, let us rejoice together, that it refreshes us by keeping our rivers ever flowing, our fountains constantly supplied, and the clouds of our atmosphere, in their season, al ways impregnated with the rain and the dew. "With the bread that perisheth," gracious God! grant us that "which endureth to life everlasting." Amen. HISTORY OF MOSES. LECTURE LI Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to-morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses's hands were heavy; and they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat thereon: and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.-EXODUS xvii. 8-13. NOTHING can be more afflicting to a hu- | mane and serious mind, than to reflect on that strife and contention which have in every age deluged the world with human blood. Who could believe, if all history did not prove it, and who can think of it without horror, that men should be continually lying in wait, like beasts of prey, to catch and devour men; that the strong, the cunning, and the fierce should be forever on the watch, to take advantage of the weak, the simple, and the gentle? And must it be?! Father of Mercies! must it needs be, that war should continue to waste the nations! shall the earth be forever a field of blood? Must the peace of private families, and the repose of kingdoms, be eternally disturbed by lust and pride, avarice and ambition, envy and revenge? Blessed God! send forth the Spirit of thy Son into the hearts of men. Prince of Peace! command this troubled ocean into a calm. Spirit of Love! put a full end to bitterness and wrath. Subdue this carnal mind, which is enmity against God. Glorious gospel of salvation! as thou bringest goodwill from God to men, restore good-will to men among themselves. both credit and comfort; but a strife of discontent, impatience, and rebellion against God, must of necessity issue in shame and loss. God, rich in mercy, slow to anger, and of great kindness, has graciously forgiven the murmuring at Horeb, and extracted water from the rock, for the relief of his people. But this wo is no sooner past than another overtakes them. "Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim." The transaction recorded here, so simply and uncircumstantially, is mentioned again in Deuteronomy, with many circumstances of aggravation, which greatly increase our detestation of this conduct in Amalek, and explain the deep resentment which a holy and righteous God himself expresses upon the occasion, and which, by a positive statute, he transmits to Israel. "Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; how he met thee by the way and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it."* It is difficult to say whether men suffer most from their own folly, or from the cruelty and injustice of others. We generally find, that when evil from without would, for a while, permit wretched mortals to breathe Amalek, the father of this nation, as we and be at peace, they perversely become self-learn from Genesis xxxvi. 12, was grandson tormentors, and ingeniously contrive sources to Esau, and son to Eliphaz, by a concubine of vexation to themselves. And, which is the greater evil of the two? That, undoubtedly, of which we are the authors to ourselves. We have, then, to encounter an enemy from whom we cannot hope to escape, and whom we are unable to overcome. From a conflict with Amalek, Israel comes off with named Timna. The Amalekites indeed are mentioned much earlier in scripture, even in the days of Abraham when Chederlaomer is represented, with his victorious army, as ravaging all their country. But it is well known that the sacred writers, when treat *Deut. xxv. 17-19. ing of various periods, give appellations to | Why did he join to afflict the miserable, and regions and countries which did not belong to overwhelm the oppressed? "He feared to them till ages afterwards, but by which not God." Why did he meanly attack the they were better known at the time when weaker and more vulnerable part of his adthe historian wrote. They possessed a large versary, in the hope of safety and impunity? tract of country, extending from the confines" He feared not God." Wherefore, in geneof Idumea to the eastern shore of the Red ral, are men subtile, revengeful, cunning, Sea; and from their neighbourhood to, and and selfish? "They fear not God;" they commerce with, Phoenicia, they are by some "harden themselves against him," and yet called Phoenicians. think "to prosper." They "love not their brother whom they have seen," because they are wilfully ignorant of, or hate God, “ whom they have not seen." Immediately on their passing through the Red. Sea, it behoved the children of Israel to enter into this territory, on their way to Canaan. And probably the paternal relation which subsisted between them and Amalek, encouraged the posterity of Jacob to advance on their way with greater confidence. "It is the land of our brethren through which we are to pass;" would they say one to another. "The heart of Esau himself relented, when he saw his brother Jacob return, encumbered with a train of women and children, and cattle. He forgot his resentments: he became the protector of the man whom he had, in the hour of passion, vowed to destroy. The injury done him in the matter of the birthright, and of the blessing, he generously forgave. Surely the posterity of Esau, after many generations, will not revive a quarrel which is extinguished and forgotten, first in the reconciliation, and then in the death of the original parties to it. After a servitude so long and so bitter in Egypt, we shall at length find a time and a place to breathe; and the soothings of fraternal love shall console us for the rigours of oppression." Such is the union which Providence has established between all the parts of the natural and of the political body, that the weakness or distress of one member is the infirmity and suffering of the whole. The hindmost and the feeble of Israel are smitten; the foremost and the strong feel and immediately resent it. "And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to-morrow I will stand on the top of the hill, with the rod of God in mine hand." We have here a combination which ought never to be separated, and in which safety and success are ever to be found, namely, the acknowledgment of Heaven, and the use of appointed means, the sword in the hand of Joshua, the rod in that of Moses, the embattled host below in the valley, the intercessor with God, "wrestling" and "making supplication" upon the hill. In vain had Moses prayed if Joshua had not fought. Destitute of "the effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous man," the skill and courage of the warrior had failed before the enemy. The rod of God! in how many different services is it employed! how many various purposes does it answer! It smites the river of Egypt, and it becomes blood. It smites the rock in Horeb, and it sends forth a stream of water. It is extended towards heaven, on the top of the hill, and Amalek is destroyed. Striking and in Vain expectation! What foe so dreadful as a brother disaffected! Egypt smote with the rod; Amalek smites with the sword; he basely, cruelly seizes the moment of Israel's languor, weakness, and dejection, and attempts to crush those whom a sanguinary tyrant had persecuted, and whom Heaven itself had bruised. The cowardice of this behaviour is equal to the unkindness of it. Had they boldly appeared at the first, to dis-structive type of that " rod of God's mouth,” pute the passage of the Red Sea, and to repel by force of arms the invasion of their country, their conduct, though ungenerous and unkind, had been ingenuous and manly. But, either through fear or policy, they permit Israel to advance, they watch the moment of their difficulty and distress, and, like dastards, steal upon the rear of an army whose front they dared not to oppose. Neither good qualities nor bad are found single in the human breast. And, in the nation whose character is now the object of our censure, we find a combination of the worst qualities of which our nature is capable, all originating in the deficiency of one great principle, which is at the root of all the evil which men commit, "he feared not God." Why did Amalek rake up the ashes of an ancient grudge? "He feared not God." wherewith "he slays the wicked:" of that sword of the Spirit "which is the word of God: of that hammer which breaketh the rock in pieces:" of that gospel, which is "a savour of God in them that believe, and them that perish." Observe how God appoints to every man his station of usefulness and importance. It was not for want either of zeal or courage, that Moses takes his post at a distance on the hill. It is not for want of piety, that Joshua leads on the armies of Israel on the plain. The mistakes and miscarriages of the world arise from the weakness and wickedness of men; at one time overrating their talents, and thrusting themselves forward into situations for which they are wholly unfit; and at another, through timidity shrinking from the duties of that station which Provi LECT. LI.] HISTORY OF MOSES. dence has assigned them; and at a third, | up to God in the heavens, from whom his Let us first ascend the hill with Moses Of Aaron, one of the companions of Moses upon the mount, we know much; of Hur, the other, the scripture account is more sparing. Those who are never at a loss so long as fancy and invention can create, make him the son of Caleb, and the husband of Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron. It appears from the history, that he was the father of Uri; and the grandfather of Bezaleel, the famous artist, employed, by special endowment and appointment of Heaven, for the construction of the more curious and costly furniture of the tabernacle and sanctuary. But it is of more importance for us to know him, and for him to be reported, as a person of the first quality, and his quality supported by that which gives rank its highest lustre, genuine piety. Moses left him, in commission with Aaron, to judge the people, when a short while after this he went up alone into Mount Sinai, to meet God. This is argument sufficient of his high rank; and the assumption of him to assist his devotion in Mount Horeb, while Israel was engaged with Amalek, is a proof equally clear and decisive of his extraordinary piety. Behold then the man of God, supported and encouraged by two such companions, discovering all the honest anxiety of the patriot, together with all the confidence and fervour of the saint; with his eyes eagerly bent on the conflicting armies in the plain below; and his hands, with his heart, lifted 2 F . This is the first battle which Israel was called to fight; and it was designed to be a model of all that should follow; of assured success to them, and victory over all their enemies, provided they constantly acknowledged God, with hands continually lifted up to heaven. And it had undoubtedly a farther view, namely, to represent in general, the powerful and certain effect of prayer to God, and of a sense of dependence upon him; to show that our strength is in exact proportion to the perception of our own weakness, and to our confidence in almighty grace. The lesson inculcated in this history is the same which Christ taught his disciples in the parable of the unjust judge and the importunate widow, "That men ought always to pray, and not to faint."* If importunity and the love of ease have power to constrain a man to do his duty, though he have no inclination to it, how much more certain the effect of earnestness and importunity with the Hearer of prayer, the Father of mercies; who is ever more ready to grant than man If ye then, being evil, know how to ask? to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him."+ 66 Have you considered then, my christian friend, what a powerful instrument is put into your hand, mighty as the rod of God in the hand of Moses, wherewith he did wonders? "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit." Surely, then, "the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." God has not given you assurance of success in all your undertakings, but he has bestowed upon you the privilege, and promised you the spirit of prayer, by which you shall certainly obtain one of two things; either that blessing from above upon your honest endeavours, which maketh rich, which insures success, and makes it durable; or, that resignation of spirit, and submission to the will of God, which subdue misfortune, and which turn calamity and disappointment themselves into advantage. God * Luke xviii. 1. † Matt. vii. 11. has not given thee, my friend, the promise of riches; but he has given thee, what is much better, the spirit of grace and supplication to form thy soul to contentment. You have no security against pain and sorrow; but you have that which produces patience and fortitude. You cannot promise yourself long life; but habitual intercourse with God by prayer, overcomes the fear of death. Let us now turn our eyes to the struggle in the valley below. There we meet "the confused noise of the warrior, and garments rolled in blood:" the alternate shouts of acclamation and triumph, mingling with the piercing shrieks of the wounded, and the groans of the dying. Israel, now hurrying on to victory, and anon flying before the insulting foe. The event for a while is awfully in doubt; turning upon the strength and feebleness, not of thousands, but of one single arm; decided at length, not by the edge of the sword, but the elevation or depression of a rod; and that rod swayed, not by the skill and prowess of Joshua, but the firmness and devotion of Moses. Glorious privilege! Whatever my situation in life be, here is something to improve it, if good; something to mend it, if evil. Here is the ornament and essence of prosperity, the cure and cordial of adversity. Here is the guardian and the guide of life; the sweetener and subduer of death. Prayer brings all the glorious perfections of Deity But now, doubt and anxiety are at an end. into our possession. "If any of you lack The hands of Moses are propped up, and Iswisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to rael finally prevails. And what heart save all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it that of an Amalekite but must rejoice in the shall be given him.”* "When I am weak, issue? "The cunning is taken in his own then am I strong:" "for I can do all things craftiness." A design of violence and blood through Christ which strengtheneth me.' falls upon the head of him that contrived it. Is the thorn not removed, the messenger of The righteous and innocent cause bears down Satan not rebuked, though the Lord be thrice pride and cruelty. We behold the destinabesought that they may depart? No matter. tion of heaven standing good, the birthright Is it not said, "My grace is sufficient for sold away, the blessing anticipated; the elthee: for my strength is made perfect in der made subject to the younger. "God is weakness? Most gladly therefore will I wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who rather glory in my infirmities, that the pow-hath hardened himself against him and hath er of Christ may rest upon me."t prospered?"* But where are the hands which never hang down? Those of Moses himself became heavy. "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Fatal omen to Israel! Amalek instantly gains the ascendant. But happily, Moses was not alone in the mount: "And they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun." "As iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend;" and so devotion kindles and keeps alive devotion. Secret prayer, like the melody of one sweet-toned voice stealing upon the ear, gently wafts the soul to heaven: social worship, as a full chorus of harmonized sounds, pierces the sky, and raises a great multitude of kindred spirits to the bright regions of everlasting love, and places them together before the throne of God. How happy are Aaron and Hur, in lending this aid to the wearied hands of Moses, and to the declining interest of the Israel of God! How happy is Moses in being thus supported! But there is an Intercessor whose hands never hang down, whose fervour never cools, whose mediation never fails, whose attention is never relaxed. "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous." Him "the Father heareth always:" "as a Prince he hath power and prevaileth." †2 Cor. xii. 9. * James i. 5. Israel has conquered. But it is impossible to mistake the means by which he has gotten the victory. "The hand of the Lord, and his holy arm, they have gotten him the victory." The altar, therefore, which was built to celebrate this signal success, shall by its name perpetuate the remembrance of God the deliverer. Jehoyah-Nissi," the Lord my banner," was inscribed upon it by the divine appointment; and a reason is assigned in the sixteenth verse. "For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation." These words, having been variously rendered, have given occasion to various opinions among interpreters. Some read the passage thus, "Because the hand of Amalek is against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation." This reading resolves the guilt of Amalek, not into an insidious and cruel design against Israel, but into a rash and impious attempt to defeat the plan of Providence, which was to bring Israel into the quiet possession of Canaan, and to exalt that nation, favoured of God but envied of man, to wealth, power, and empire. God therefore was pleased to vindicate in person the cause which was his own, and to write disappointment and a curse upon every plan which Amalek could form, of greatness and prosperity. So" fearful a thing it is to fall *Job ix. 4. LECT. LII.] HISTORY OF MOSES. into the hands of the living God," so dangerous to form a combination "against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision."* Others literally translate the words thus, "With the hand upon the throne of the Lord, he hath sworn that he will have war with Amalek from generation to generation." He, that is, Moses, hath sworn, with the most awful solemnities, and recorded the oath in a book for perpetual preservation, that there shall be no peace between Israel and Amalek till he be utterly destroyed. The hand which was extended towards heaven, the throne of the great and terrible God, with the rod in it; the instrument of a victory which was interrupted by the going down of the sun, has been lifted up, to "swear by him that liveth forever," that the triumph of that day shall be followed up, till the hated name of Amalek be extinguished from under heaven. Some make Jehovah himself to be the person who binds himself by this solemn oath. "The hand," that is, Jehovah's own hand, "Because he upon the throne of the Lord. could swear by no greater, he hath sworn by himself, that He will have war with Amalek from generation to generation." We have a prophesy in the mouth of Balaam to the same effect; "And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable and said, Amalek was the first of the nations, but his latter end shall be that he perish forever."+ The execution of this dreadful sentence was reserved to the days of Samuel, four hundred and twelve years after; and was committed to Saul, who, through an impolitic and sinful lenity, failed to fulfil the design of Providence, and thereby incurred the displeasure of Heaven, and forfeited his life and crown by his disobedience. I transcribe the passage. "Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord Psalm ii. 2-4. sent me to anoint thee to be king over his * 1 Sam. xv. 1-3. †1 Sam. xv. 17, &c. Luke xii. 4,5. HISTORY OF MOSES. LECTURE LIL And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him: and they asked each other of their welfare: and they came into the tent. And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh, and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel: whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand |