Strong meat

‘But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.’ Hebrews 5:14

Suggested Further Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1–11

Holy Scripture is to be received, not only as a literal description of facts which really did occur, but as a picture in which grace-taught souls, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, may see portrayed in express characters the great gospel of the living God. Those of you who are well instructed will have found out by this time that Genesis is the History of Dispensations; that in all its types it sets forth, from Adam to Joseph the various dispensations of primeval innocence, man without law, under law, in covenant and many other things. You will have discovered that Exodus is the Book of Redemptions. Here is redemption by blood when the paschal lamb was slain; redemption by power when God broke the armies of Egypt, smiting Pharaoh in the midst of the Red Sea. Leviticus is the Handbook of communion, the Guide to Access, opening to us the way in which God can come to man, and man can go to God. And I am sure the least observant of you must have discovered that Numbers is the Record of Experience, for all those journeyings of the children of Israel to and fro when they lived in the wilderness, sometimes by bitter fountain, and at other times by spreading palms, all describe the constant forward march of the sacred army of God to the Promised Land; while the Books of Joshua and Judges typify the history of the people who have entered into the land of Canaan, who are saved, but who have to fight with their corruptions, who have to fight with the Canaanites that are still in the land, and to drive them out despite their chariots of iron. I believe that every book of Scripture has some special lesson beyond its historical import.

For meditation: Is much of the Old Testament a closed book to you? The Lord Jesus Christ said to His enemies ‘Did ye never read in the scriptures?’ (Matthew 21:42) and ‘Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures’ (Matthew 22:29). It is very sad if the same things can be said to his friends.

Sermon no. 506
19 April (1863)