Deuteronomy 5:28-29 And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when you spoke to me; and the LORD said to me… I. THAT GOD IS SERIOUSLY CONCERNED FOR THE GOOD AND HAPPINESS OF NATIONS AND KINGDOMS, AS WELL AS THAT OF PARTICULAR PERSONS; AND MORE ESPECIALLY OF THOSE NATIONS THAT PROFESS HIS TRUE RELIGION. 1. Since it appears that God sits at the helm and steers all the affairs of mankind, and that public societies are more especially the objects of His providence, methinks this consideration should be a good antidote against all those troublesome fears we are apt to disturb ourselves with about the success of public matters. 2. This doctrine ought to teach us to depend altogether upon God Almighty, and upon Him only, for the good success of our affairs, either in Church or State, whenever they are in a doubtful or dangerous condition. II. THAT THE HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY OF NATIONS IS TO BE ATTAINED THE SAME WAY THAT ANY PARTICULAR MAN'S HAPPINESS IS, THAT IS TO SAY, BY FEARING GOD, AND KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS. Name any nation that was ever remarkable for justice, for temperance, and severity of manners, for piety and religion, that did not always thrive and grow great in the world, and that did not always enjoy a plentiful portion of all those things which are accounted to make a nation happy and flourishing. And on the other side, when that nation has declined from its former virtue and grown impious or dissolute in manners, we appeal to experience whether it has not likewise always proportionably sunk in its success and good fortunes. III. THAT VIRTUE AND PIETY DO, IN THEIR OWN NATURE, TEND TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE AND HAPPINESS OF PEOPLES AND NATIONS. As, on the other hand, all vice and irreligion is destructive of human society. And this without respect to any appointment or decree of God that things should be managed in this way; but purely in the very nature of the thing. (Abp. John Sharp.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. |
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