444. DEU 32:31. NO ROCK LIKE THE GOD OF ISRAEL

Deu_32:31. No Rock Like The God Of Israel

"For their rock is not as our rock; even our enemies themselves being judges."’97Deu_32:31.

God is a spirit, and therefore he cannot possibly come under the observation of our senses. We cannot see him. There is considerable difficulty too in enabling us to understand rightly a spiritual being. To effect this the sacred writers have generally presented him to our view in the language of figure. Thus we often read of him as though he possessed bodily senses and parts, as eyes and mouth, and feet and hands. Sometimes too the inanimate creation is made use of to give us clear and striking views of his character and perfections. He is the sun of the universe. He is the breath or wind of the world. He is the fountain of living waters. He is the rock or foundation of all things. Now this last was a very favorite metaphor with the sacred writers. Hence we read of the rock of Israel. The rock of our refuge. The rock of salvation. Now in considering the blessed Jehovah under this figurative distinction, we will endeavor,

I. To illustrate the Metaphor.

In this text the metaphor refers to what God is in himself and what he is to his people.

1. When we speak of God as a rock in reference to himself, the ideas are such as these.

(1) Strength. The rock is the emblem of strength. The mighty tree appears strong, but the wind roots it up,’97the storm levels it in its fury. Not so the rock, the tempest passes over it in vain. The foaming waters of the ocean dash upon it in vain. God is the perfection of strength. All power belongs unto God. His word is omnific. He speaks and it is done: he wills and it stands fast.

(2) The rock is the emblem of stability. The traveller in visiting ancient cities, is directed to the relics of former grandeur. The work of science and art cannot stand against the effacing influence of age. The ancient cities, and temples, and palaces, and monuments, have in many cases passed away. Not so the rock,’97the rock of Horeb, the scene of such ancient miracles and grandeur, remains unto this day. Now God is distinguished for his stability. He is of one mind. He changes not. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

(3) The rock is a striking emblem of perpetuity, a faint representation of eternity. Other things move and change. The heavenly bodies, the waters of the sea, &c. But the rock reminds us of that great being who is from everlasting to everlasting’97God. Now these ideas serve to show us the propriety of the metaphor as it respects what God is in himself. Let us consider the metaphor in reference,

2. To what God is to his believing children.

(1) As such he is the rock of their de fence. Jerusalem was thus considered impregnable. Of all sources of security the rock seems to yield the surest. Now the Lord is the sure defence of them that trust in him. "Trust in the Lord Jehovah," &c. He is the munition of rocks to all his saints. "If God be for us," &c. Who can curse if God blesseth?

(2) He is the rock of their foundation. Every man is building a structure for the future. Christ beautifully illustrated this in the two builders, &c. Now God is the basis of all the hopes, &c., of the Christian. They rely on him. Trust in him He is their sure foundation, elect, precious, and eternal.

(3) He is their rock of shelter and shade. When storms arise, they flee unto him. He is their immutable security. Hiding-place from the storm. He is the cooling, refreshing shade of his people, from the scorching heat, &c. The Christian is a pilgrim, and in going through the desert, he meets with terrible storms and sultry heat. God is both his shelter and his shade, Isa_25:4, Isa_32:2.

(4) He is the rock of their supplies. You remember that the people of Israel were ready to perish. See Num_22:11; Deu_32:13. Now the writers here refer to the wild honey which was collected from the fissures of the rocks, the oil of olives too which was collected from the same place. Now God is the fountain of all our supplies. He yields all we need for body, soul, time, and eternity. All our springs are in him. "Every good gift and perfect," &c. Such then is the character of our rock. Observe,

II. The triumphant Comparison which is instituted.

"Their rock," &c. Now whatever we depend upon and trust in is our rock. The pagan trusts in his idols. The infidel in his skepticism. The miser in his riches. The sensualist in his pleasures. The Pharisee in his works. Now to all of these wo say, your rock is not as our rock. You have not the security, the sensible enjoy ments, the supplies,’97in one word, the happiness which the people of God possess. Now we will not allow our opinions to decide, but, even ye yourselves being judges,

1. We appeal to your experience.

This testifies that your rock, &c. What changes do you profess to have experienced? What evils removed? What principles implanted?

2. We appeal to your enjoyments.

What peace,’97what comfort,’97what hope,’97what real bliss!

3. We appeal to your practice.

From what follies and sins have you been delivered. Are your principles more pure? Spirit, conversation, temper, &c.

4. We appeal to our advantages in sickness and death.

What security,’97what ecstasies,’97what clear enrapturing prospects! You know that your rock is not, &c.

Application

1. Invite the shiner to choose the Lord for the rock of his salvation. Flee to him by repentance. Build on him by faith in Christ Jesus.

2. Let the Christian be satisfied with his choice. The everlasting God is his refuge.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS