MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Exodus 23:13
THE NEED OF CIRCUMSPECTION
The man who makes a wise use of his eyes is in so far circumspect. Words that primarily set forth bodily actions are secondarily applied to the description of mental states and actions. Circumspection is descriptive of a mental condition, and denotes intensity and watchfulness of spirit. The man who takes heed to himself and his ways is circumspect. “In all things that I have said unto you be circumspect.” There never was greater need for circumspection. This exhortation is for all time.
I. Circumspection is difficult. It is difficult, from the fact that we are blind, and are unconscious of our sad state. The blind man moves with caution because he feels his defect. Carelessness, which may be taken as the opposite of circumspection, is characteristic of a childish state. It is difficult for the child to command its attention. There is a deal of childishness in full-grown men. It is difficult for the photographer to get a happy expression fixed upon the prepared glass. The sitter cannot bear the necessary fixity of gaze, and the countenance assumes an unnatural aspect. This is typical. It is difficult to keep the mind fixed upon the great problems of life, and the ears ever open to the reception, and the understanding ever on the stretch to the true perception of the voice of God. Circumspection is not a mere listless gaze. It is a looking round about, but it is a looking with an earnest purpose in order to see what dangers are to be avoided, what voice is to be obeyed, and what course is to be pursued. All mental efforts in the initial stages are difficult, and circumspection is a mental effort. It must sometimes be a prolonged mental strain.
II. Circumspection is wise. It is not by ease, but by difficulties, that the world’s great heroes have been created. The smooth pathway is the most attractive, but it is not the one selected by wisdom. “See that ye walk circumspectly; not as fools, but as wise redeeming the time.” The man is unwise who does not constantly employ his powers of mental vision. Circumspection we consider wise in the merchant, the soldier, the sailor, and the statesman. Circumspection is wise on the part of moral beings, or those who have great duties to discharge. There is a right spirit in which feast days and days of rest must be kept, and it is wise to be circumspect.
III. Circumspection is wise, for it is helpful. Helpful to the individual. The exercise of circumspection increases our power of being circumspect. It will become a habit. All difficulty will vanish. And then all his nature will be enlarged. He will march through this world thoroughly alive to its great movements, and its solemn realities. He will not be easily surprised by any foe. He cannot be taken unawares, for He is always on the watch-tower. Every power and faculty of His nature will be brought into play. Helpful to the community. The careless horse in the team hinders all the rest. A great many overlookers would have to be discharged if all workers were circumspect. What a blessed revolution would circumspection produce in civil and ecclesiastical communities! What holy rejoicings on feast days if all feasters were circumspect! What undisturbed and delightful repose on rest days if all were truly circumspect!
IV. This circumspection is required—
1. By reason of the condition of our nature. We are materialised. The spiritual essence has been eliminated. Idolatry is alluring and compatible. This was the danger of the Jews. This is still our danger. One of our great literary men lately said he was only interested in what he could “see and touch.” Is not this the idolater’s temper?
2. By reason of the condition of our surroundings. The Jews were the only theocratic nation. They were surrounded by idolaters. It was needful for them to be circumspect There is a revivification of materialistic philosophy. Matter is deified. Idols are being projected from the ingenious minds of scientists. We may not be in danger of bowing down to misshapen idols of the hand; but we are in danger of worshipping misshapen idols of the mind. We must be circumspect.
3. Increased circumspection is required with reference to those evils to which we are specially liable. The Jews were not even to mention the name of heathen gods; for this was their special danger. We know how easy a thing it was for them to lapse into idolatry; therefore the need of increased circumspection. “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset.” Where danger threatens let the forces gather. Let us consider the circumstances of our times, the peculiar dangers to which we are liable; let us be increasingly circumspect.
4. Increased circumspection is required in those things that may seem of little importance. It is a strict charge not to let the name of other gods be heard out of the mouth. The Jew might be disposed to resist this as unreasonable. Words are little things, but in them are great powers. The utterance of our thoughts increases their vitality and their potency. The more we speak about the evil thing, the less is our repugnance to it. Let abhorrence of idolatry be so great that we shall not deign to mention the name of other gods. O God, keep the door of my lips, as well as guide the motions of my heart!—W. Burrows, B.A.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
CIRCUMSPECTION.—Exodus 23:13
I. In general. “In all things.” Moses is drawing to the close of these precepts, and looking back upon them, he says—“Be circumspect.” The original (שָמַד) suggests—
1. That we should be fully awake to the importance of the Divine commands.
(1.) Give them intelligent and reverent examination.
(2.) Store them up in the memory.
(3.) Study them in their beneficent operation.
2. That we should be on our guard against temptations to break the Divine commands. Temptations are
(1.) sudden;
(2.) insidious;
(3.) deceiving.
3. That we should be careful “to remember His commandments to do them.”
(1.) There is a danger lest an exaggerated estimate of human weakness should lead to despair on the one hand, and recklessness on the other.
(2.) God would not command the impossible.
(3.) There is “grace to help in time of need.”
II. In particular, “make no mention,” &c. Because—
1. That would be uncircumspect in the first and greatest commandment.
2. That would be to forfeit the help promised to the circumspect.
3. That would be to yield to a tendency to be uncircumspect in everything.
Christians—i. “Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” ii. Live so as “to adorn the doctrine of God your Saviour in all things.”
—J. W. Burn.
ILLUSTRATIONS
BY
REV. WILLIAM ADAMSON
Mosaic Morals! Exodus 23:1-19. A modern jurist, Hennequin, says: “Good right had Moses to challenge the Israelites, what nation hath statutes like yours? a worship so exalted—laws so equitable—a code so complex?” A Frenchman and an infidel, he observes that, compared with all the legislations of antiquity, none so thoroughly embodies the principles of everlasting righteousness. Lycurgus wrote, not for a people, but for an army: It was a barrack which he erected, not a commonwealth. Solon, on the other hand, could not resist the surrounding effeminate influences of Athens. It is in Moses alone that we find a regard for the right, austere and incorruptible; a morality distinct from policy, and rising above regard for times and peoples.
“But what could Moses’ law have done
Had it not been divinely sent?
The power was from the Lord alone,
And Moses but the instrument.”
—Newton.
Circumspection! Exodus 23:13.
(1) Circumspection is nothing else but the soul running up and down, to and fro, busy everywhere. It is the heart busied and employed with diligent observation of what comes from within us, and of what comes from without us and into us. Ah! souls, says Brookes, you are no longer safe and secure than when you are upon your watch. While Antipater kept the watch, Alexander was safe. A watchful soul is a soul upon the wing, a soul out of gunshot, a soul upon a rock, a soul in a castle, a soul above the cloud, a soul held fast in the Everlasting Arms.
(2) Be circumspect, writes Dyke, over thine heart. It is like a wild horse; if a man once let go the bridle as he is walking on his journey, when it is gone, it is not so easily secured again; and much time may be spent in trying to recover the runaway. Keep thine heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.
(3) Be circumspect, counsels Reynolds, for thou hast many foes. When enemies are around, generals and subalterns and sentinels are all on the alert. The Christian’s foes are more relentless and numerous. They have no desire that thou shouldst reach the object of thy pursuit. And though they cannot shut thee out from the Land of Promise, the stronghold of eternity, yet may they do much to hinder thy march thitherward.
“Oh watch and pray! for thou hast foes to fight,
Foes which alone thou canst not overcome;
Watching and prayer will keep thine armour bright;
Soon will thy toils be o’er—thy victory won.”
—Mant.