0553. 542. Love’s Characteristics

542. Love’s Characteristics

In Deuteronomy 26

This chapter is the unfolding of what Jehovah was to His people, and the consequent obligation which rested upon them to be to Him. Twelve times the sentence, “The Lord thy God” occurs (Deu_26:1, Deu_26:2, Deu_26:2, Deu_26:3, Deu_26:4, Deu_26:5, Deu_26:10, Deu_26:10, Deu_26:11, Deu_26:13, Deu_26:16, Deu_26:19), “Lord” occurs five times (Deuteronomy 26 :, Deuteronomy 26 :, Deuteronomy 26 :, Deuteronomy 26 :, Deuteronomy 26 :), “Lord God of our fathers” occurs once (Deu_26:7), “O Lord” occurs once (Deu_26:10), “Lord my God” occurs once (Deu_26:14), “Thy God” occurs once (Deu_26:17). The fitness and fullness of these several uses of the Name of Jehovah and Elohim are full of speaking eloquence. There are seven things the Lord did for His people.

1. Love’s Giving. “The land which the Lord thy God giveth” (Deu_26:1-2). The cause of the Lord’s giving is not found in Israel’s deserving, but in His grace. The same holds good with us in Christ. Ponder the “when we were” of Rom_5:6, the “while we were” of Rom_5:8, “when we were” of Rom_5:10, and “Even when we were” of Eph_2:5.

2. Love’s Looking. “The Lord… looked on our affliction, and our labour, and oppression” (Eph_2:7). He saw the “oppression” of their bondage, the “labour” of their toil, and the bitterness of their “affliction.” Sin is an exactor, and a hard task-master, but the Lord sees and succours when we cry out in heart-anguish. See the fourteen things said of what we were before we believed in Christ, in Ephesians 2.

3. Love’s Deliverance. “The Lord brought us forth out of Egypt” (Eph_2:8). Jehovah not only protected Israel in Egypt, but He brought them out of it. His power and wonders were manifest in doing so, and His skill was displayed. Also the “greatness of His power” was unfolded in Christ’s resurrection and our quickening from the death of sin—See Eph_1:19 to Eph_2:1.

4. Love’s Placement. “He hath brought us into this place” (Eph_2:9). The land of Canaan is typical of the fullness of the blessing in Christ. What does that fullness mean? Satisfaction of heart, peace of mind, joy of soul, victory over sin, meekness for service, communion with God, and blessing to others.

5. Love’s Commands. “The Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do” (Eph_2:13-19). Privileges always bring responsibilities. Obligations rest upon those who have received benefits. Affection commands duties. Love demands obedience. Faith proves itself by devotion, and love by consecration.

6. Love’s Avouchment. “The Lord hath avouched thee this day to be His peculiar people” (Eph_2:18). The Lord’s portion is His people, and also His treasure. He speaks as if He could not do without us, we certainly cannot do without Him; and not only so, but He avouches, that is, solemnly promises, that it is so. His work of grace, His worth of Person, and His word of promise places Him under His own loving obligation.

7. Love’s Making. “He hath made thee… that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God” (Eph_2:19). The fame of holiness is the highest of all fame, providing we remember the Holy One makes us holy. When we are well in soul through the health of holiness, we have the wealth of happiness. His making is the cause of our doing, and the inspiration of our life.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH