Genesis 49:4 Unstable as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed; then defiled you it: he went up to my couch. I. WHAT OUGHT TO BE THE GRAND AIM OF EVERY REASONABLE BEING — To "excel." 1. An excellence of dignity which all ought to desire; an "honour that cometh of God only" — a distinction, "whose praise is not of men, but of God." 2. An excellence of power which should also be our aim. II. WHAT MAY BE REGARDED AS ONE OF THE MOST FATAL IMPEDIMENTS TO THE ATTAINMENT OF THIS OBJECT. 1. If you are unstable in your principles — ever wavering and changing in your views of Christian truth — how is it likely that you should gain any assurance of ranking high in the favour of God? any growing power against the enemies of your soul? 2. If you are unstable in your purposes, it will be impossible for you to excel. 3. If you are unstable in your practice, the same consequence must needs follow; there can be no excellence. III. BY WHAT MEANS THIS IMPEDIMENT MAY BE SURMOUNTED. 1. Seek to have a more abiding sense of your own insufficiency. 2. Expose your heart more habitually to the influences of the Spirit of God. (J. Jowett, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. |
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