Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons Deuteronomy 6:18 And you shall do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with you… I. A SOLEMN CHARGE GIVEN. 1. Hear the Word of the Lord. This message is neglected or abused — (1) By those who seldom or never attend a place of public worship: let such consider how they will be able to account for their negligence (Hebrews 2:1-3). (2) By those who visit places of worship, but who sleep when they should hear (Revelation 3:14-19). (3) By those who are usually engaged in worldly contemplations while under the sound of the Word (Amos 8:5). Hence the charge is — 2. Observe the Word of the Lord. Observe — (1) The doctrinal truths taught — respecting God's claim on us; and God has claims on us as our Creator, Preserver, Benefactor, etc. — respecting our obligation to obedience, from gratitude, fear, hope, etc. (2) The preceptive part of what is taught — concerning both outward and reward obedience, and the discrepancy between our conduct and spirit and the extensive requirements of the holy law (Mark 12:30, 31). (3). The promissory and encouraging part of what is taught — respecting the freeness and plenitude of Divine grace, to pity and pardon our transgressions (Isaiah 1:18); to purify our hearts (Ezekiel 36:25-27); and to help our infirmities (Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 4:14-16). The observance required is, however, principally in reference to practice. 3. Obey the Word of the Lord. "Observe to do it." This refers to what in ver. 1, Moses called "the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord your God commanded." II. IMPORTANT BENEFITS PROPOSED. As a stimulus to the Israelites to devote themselves to the service of Jehovah, Moses proposes — 1. Their safety; their well-being — "that it may be well with thee." By way of contrast, look at Deuteronomy 4:23-26; Deuteronomy 27:26; Deuteronomy 28:16-20. Disobedience always exposes to danger, to destruction. But "say ye to the righteous" - the obedient believer - "it shall be well with him. He shall be well instructed" (Psalm 25:9; 1 John 2:20); well defended (Deuteronomy 32:9-11); well provided (Psalm 34:10; Philippians 4:19). It shall be well with such, not only through life, but also at death (Psalm 116:15); at judgment (Matthew 25:34; 2 Thessalonians 1:10); and forever (Psalm 16:11). But we must return to observe that Moses proposes — 2. Their prosperity — "that ye may increase mightily." This may have respect — (1) To an increase of wealth — "houses full of all good things, etc. (ver. 11). Or — (2) To an increase of numbers (Deuteronomy 7:13). In the former case they would have an increase of their means of enjoyment; in the latter they would more "mightily" resist and overcome their enemies (Deuteronomy 7:24); and in both they might with less difficulty and greater cheerfulness attend on the services of the Most High. We, as Christians, may expect prosperity of a higher order. 1. Individually, we may be blessed with a sense of pardoning love, and fellowship with God through His Son (1 John 1:3); may be enriched with the fruits of the Divine Spirit, "love, joy, peace," etc. (Galatians 5:22, 23); strengthened with "might in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:16); and continue to "grow in grace," etc. (2 Peter 3:18). Hence we shall be enabled to bear temptation more easily; and in our conflict with Satan and his servants, our having prospered "mightily" will appear in our effectual resistance and our final triumph. And hence — 2. While the members of churches adorn their profession, we may hope that the churches collectively will receive an accession of members who, won by our Christian deportment, shall glorify God on our behalf. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.) Parallel Verses KJV: And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, |
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