Expositions of Holy Scripture: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and First Book of Samuel, Second Samuel, First Kings, and Second Kings chapters I to VIIMaclaren, Alexander
Religion
Expositions of Holy Scripture: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and First Book of Samuel, Second Samuel, First Kings, and Second Kings chapters I to VII
We note the singular frequency of that designation in this song, in
which it occurs six times. It is also found often in the Psalms. If
Moses were the singer, we might see in this often-repeated metaphor a
trace of influence of the scenery of the Sinaitic peninsula, which
would be doubly striking to eyes accustomed to the alluvial plains of
Egypt. What are the aspects of the divine nature set forth by this name?
(1) Firm foundation: the solid eternity of the rock on which we can
build.
Petra: faithfulness to promises, unchanging.
(2) Refuge: 'refuge from the storm'; 'my rock and my fortress and my
high tower.'
(3) Refreshment: rock from which water gushed out; and (4) Repose:
'shadow of a great rock'; 'shadow from the heat.'
Trace the image through Scripture, from this song till Christ's parable
of the man who 'built his house on a rock.'
II. Every man's experience shows him that there is no such refuge
anywhere else.
We do not assert that every man consciously comes to that conclusion.
All we say is that he would do so if he rightly pondered the facts. The
history of every life is a history of disappointment. Take these
particulars just stated and ask yourselves: What does experience say as
to the possibility of our possessing such blessings apart from God?
There is no need for us to exaggerate, for the naked reality is sad
enough. If God is not our best Good, we have no solid good. Every other
'rock' crumbles into sand. Else why this restless change, why this
disquiet, why the constant repetition, generation after generation, of
the old, old wail, 'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity'? Why does every
heart say Amen to the poet and the dramatist singing of 'the fever and
the fret,' the tragic fare of man's life?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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