Deuteronomy 33:29
28 December 1777
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Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord,
the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency!
and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. |
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Happy indeed are the people who are in such a case, yea blessed are the people who have the Lord for their God. As we observed lately, No God like the God of Israel, so no people like the Israel of God. |
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1. |
Believers called Israel
Because, like Jacob of old, they are children of the covenant – and have obtained a new name by faith and prayer. |
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2. |
They are a saved people
From guilt, wrath and Satan, and saved of the Lord – therefore their salvation is: |
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2.1 |
honourable |
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2.2 |
sure |
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3. |
As they are called to war, they are well provided |
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3.1 |
The Lord is their shield, to defend them in all assaults. |
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3.2 |
The Lord is their sword, he fights for them; [it is] by laying hold of his arm that they are victorious. Therefore: |
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Opposition shall be vain
Their enables[enemies] shall be liars. Satan despises and threatens, but in vain. The world derides, and threatens – but all shall be liars. There is help in God even to the uttermost. |
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5. |
Their warfare shall end in complete victory. They shall tread upon the high places. |
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5.1 |
of sin
of long habit, of general custom (Daniel 3), of sins that plead necessity – as a right hand or right eye. |
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5.2 |
of Satan
unbelief, terror, presumption |
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And when they are thus made more than conquerors, they shall enter into Canaan, that blessed rest which remaineth for the people of God. |
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Who then is like Israel? Come sinners, plead your privileges. What can you say? |
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Are you a saved people? Have you a good hope to venture upon when you go out of life? Conscience answers, No. |
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What is your shield? Will it save you in the day of God’s anger? Alas, all your refuges will be swept away like a spider’s web. |
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Will your enemies prove liars? Alas, the God of truth is against you. He hath said, The soul that sinneth shall die. [Ezekiel 18:20] |
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When Israel conquers, you must fall. When they tread upon the high places, you will be trodden down to hell. You are miserable now, and if you go, you must be miserable forever. |
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Will you not then throw down your arms? The great King condescends to treat with rebels. This is the ministry of reconciliation, 2 Corinthians 5:20 [Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.] |
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Believers, if you are thus happy then: |
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Why so many cares and fears? Romans 8:28-32; Psalm 23 |
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Why so many complaints? |
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3. |
Why so lean from day to day? [2 Samuel 13:4] |
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Why no more feeding upon your privileges? |
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5. |
What manner of persons ought you to be! |
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