Deuteronomy 8:1-2 All the commandments which I command you this day shall you observe to do, that you may live, and multiply… When Charles I was executed, January 30, 1649, the last word he was heard to utter was "Remember." Memory is a power that may be vivid to the last moment on earth; it may echo its terrors in hell, or carry its blessed lessons and reviews to the heavenly world. It is a mighty faculty of the human mind. It is meant to be useful as a storehouse of information and a granary of knowledge. Again, it is intended to remind us of the lessons gathered by experience and observation. These lessons may have been dearly learnt, but may be all the more precious as they serve to correct our pride, and to reveal our sinfulness and weakness. I. MARK THE STAGES OF ISRAEL'S JOURNEY. 1. Border of Red Sea. 2. March. 3. Elim. 4. Wilderness of sin. 5. Rephidim. 6. At foot of Mount Sinai. II. MARK THE SUGGESTIVENESS OF THAT JOURNEY TO US. It is a parable of the journey taken by God's children by faith in Jesus Christ. 1. They also leave the slavery and sin of Egypt. 2. They too must go forward in the way of repentance and faith, in discharge of Christian duty, in cultivation of Christian graces, and in the path Providence and grace has ordained. 3. They often drink the bitter waters of sorrow and trial; but these waters are sweetened by Christ. 4. They drink of the waters of Elim, where they find joy and refreshment. 5. They also have to learn lessons of Divine care and Divine trust. 6. What rich supplies of the water of life flow around the camp of the spiritual Israel. 7. Where Israel encamps before Sinai, it reminds us that the law written on tables of stone is by the covenant of grace written on the tables of our hearts, and we are to remember those commandments of Jehovah that are a rule of life for all time, even the Ten Commandments. III. GREAT FACTS ISRAEL WOULD REMEMBER. 1. Surely Israel remembered they had a glorious Guide. 2. Surely they would remember their full supplies. No good thing will God withhold from them that walk uprightly. 3. Israel would remember with sorrow their sins, and so must we. 4. They were to remember their rebukes and chastisements. 5. They were to remember their conflicts. 6. Surely they would remember the devious way they took. 7. Surely Israel might say, Mercy has ever been mingled with judgment. 8. Would not Israel remember all the way in the light of the glorious end then in view? IV. THE PURPOSE TO BE SERVED by the way that Israel journeyed. 1. To humble the people. 2. To prove the heart. 3. To lead to God and heaven. (F. A. Warmington.) Parallel Verses KJV: All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. |
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