September 12
Yea, he loved the people. Deuteronomy, 33:3
There can be no doubt of this, with regard to Israel. They were often reminded of it, and as often told why he set his love on them. The reason was not their greatness; for they were the fewest of all people. Nor their goodness; for they were a stiff-necked people; but because the Lord had a favor toward them. Hence he chose them, and redeemed them, and provided for them, and distinguished them by miracles and privileges. "To them pertained the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the pormises." "He dealt not so with any nation."
But has he less appeared to you, O Christian! saying, Yea, I have loved you with an everlasting love, and with loving-kindness have I drawn you? Here is the sourace of your salvation. However wide, and however far it flows, here the river rises; and take what stream of it you please, it will lead you up to this spring-head, the free and undeserved favor of God. "Yea, he loved the people."
But his love to his people, so to speak, is of three kinds.
A love of benevolence, which consists in wishing and designing them good.
A love of beneficence, consisting in doing them good. This appears in a thousand instances. But the principal one of all is, his remembering them in their low estate, and sending his only begotten Son into the world, that they might live through him. Herein, therefore, says the apostle John, is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. It was necessary to find a way in which his goodness could reach us, consistently with his nature as a holy Being, his claims as a lawgiver, and his honor as a govenor. And this medium of our salvation does not, therefore, detract from the original of it; for if he required a sacrifice, he furnished one, and it was the Lamb of God. And therefore, the apostle says, Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.
A love of complacency. The love of benevolence, and the love of beneficence, regarded them as unworthy and as miserable: but the love of complacency regards them as new creatures. He cannot take pleasure in them while they are destitute of his image, and enemies to him by wicked works. What fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness? But he prepares them for his delighting in them, and holding intercourse with them. He saves them by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Then he takes pleasure in them that fear him, in them that hope in his mercy. Does a man take pleasure in his inheritance? In the wife of his bosom? In the children of his affection? In the work of his hands? They are all this, and more than all, to the God of all grace. He puts their tears into his bottle. Are they not in his book? their prayer is his delight. Their alms are the odor of a sweet smell. He corresponds with them. Visits them. Takes up his abode with them. He rejoices over them with joy. He rests in his love. He joys over them with singing.
What can I wish for more? Suppose men repraoch? Since I have been precious in his sight, I have been honorable; and he has loved me. Let them curse; but bless You. One smile of yours is better than life; and will more than balace a universe of frowns.
Let my portion, and the portion of mine, be "The good will of Him that dwelt in the bush."