Notes on the Book of Deuteronomy, Volume IMackintosh, Charles Henry
Religion
Notes on the Book of Deuteronomy, Volume I
Mackintosh, Charles Henry
Bible. Deuteronomy -- Commentaries
This makes it all so simple, so plain, so certain. It delivers the
heart from a thousand difficulties and perplexities. If we were to set
about replying to all who undertake to raise questions or start
difficulties, our whole life would be spent in the profitless task. We
may rest assured the best possible answer to all infidel objectors is,
the steady, earnest, onward path of unqualified obedience. Let us
leave infidels, skeptics, and rationalists to their own worthless
theories, while we, with unswerving purpose and firm step, pursue that
blessed path of childlike obedience which, like the shining light,
shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Thus shall our minds be
kept tranquil, for the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall garrison our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. When the
Word of God, which is settled forever in heaven, is hidden deep down
in our hearts, there will be a calm certainty, a holy stability, and a
marked progress in our Christian career, which will afford the best
possible answer to the gainsayer, the most effectual testimony to the
truth of God, and the most convincing evidence and solid confirmation
to every wavering heart.
The chapter before us abounds in the most solemn exhortation to
Israel, grounded upon the fact of their having heard the word of God.
Thus in the second verse we have a sentence or two which should be
deeply engraved on the tablets of every Christian's heart.--"Ye shall
not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish
aught from it."
These words involve two grand facts with regard to the Word of God. It
is not to be added to, for the simplest of all reasons, because there
is nothing lacking; it is not to be diminished, because there is
nothing superfluous. Every thing we want is there, and nothing that is
there can be done without. "Add thou not unto His words, lest He
reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." To suppose that aught can be
added to God's Word is, upon the very face of it, to deny that it is
God's Word; and, on the other hand, if we admit that it is the Word of
God, then it follows of necessity (blessed necessity!) that we could
not afford to do without a single sentence of it. There would be a
blank in the volume which no human hand could fill up, if a single
clause were dropped from its place in the canon. We have all we want,
and hence we must not add: we want it all, and hence we must not
diminish.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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