Shapher

“And they went from Kehelathah, and pitched in Mount Shapher.”

Still further from Canaan, still nearer Egypt, although but a couple of leagues. With respect to the meaning of the name of this nineteenth station, it signifies fair or beautiful. This follows very naturally upon the preceding encampments. If we have been made white at Libnah, received the sprinkling at Rissah, and become real members of Kehelathah, the church of God, we are then beautiful and lovely in the eyes of God and all his saints. What is “the goodly heritage” of the Son of God, other than his church? Does he not address it as his bride? saying, “Thou art all fair my love,” (Sol. Song i. 15.)

The situation of this encampment was probably beautiful, as its name denotes. If the state of the church militant is not always pleasing and glorious, it is also not one continued scene of sorrow. There are times, when believers can rejoice in spirit and look cheerful and happy. In the desert there are occasionally verdant spots, otherwise who could bear to reside in it for so lon a period? “Thou hast turned my mourning into joy,” says David. But the children of God must never establish themselves firmly any where. From Shapher they remove to Haradah, terror; because they are obliged to do so. Resign thy self-will, mortify thy own choice, and thou wilt possess peace. “In the day of prosperity, be joyful; in the day of adversity, consider.”

This Mount Shapher inclines directly to the right, on the road through Philistia, which is called the nearest. (Exod. xiii. 17,) and in which half the number of days was not required to reach Canaan, for which they were now compelled to take years. The reason which is given for this divine mode of procedure in leading them thus circuitously, is as strange as the procedure itself; for we are told, ‘’God said. Lest peradventure the people repent, when they see war, and return to Egypt.” 0 how wonderful, and yet now he seems to be leading them thither himself. In a few days they might be again in Goshen. “Who hath known the mind of the Lord, or being his counsellot, hath taught him?” If thou canst no longer comprehend thy guidance, close thy eyes and follow. If, contrary to thy wish and will, it seems to go backwards instead of forwards, as thou wast formerly wont to go, and gladly wouldst still, put thy mouth, with Jeremiah, in the dust, and wait and hope in patience. What a commentary is contained in it, upon the immoveable stability of faith; on which account, faith and patience are so often combined! What a discourse on the faithfulness of God in the fulfilment of his promises, however long a period may elapse, and however intricate may be the course of things! And how much enpouragement might the Israelites derive from the circumstance of carrying the bones of Joseph along with them, which served as a silent preacher to them! Abraham understood it, and believed against hope, and when nothing was to be hoped for.

Behold the obedience of the Israelites! Although close upon the high road, yet they are far from resorting to it from their own impulse, in order to escape by the shortest and easiest way from the wilderness, whether to Canaan or to Egypt. How salutary was the severe chastisement they received at Rithmah amongst the juniper bushes! How tame and docile are they become! Their conduct corresponds with the words of David, “0 Lord, I know that thy judgments are just, and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me!”

I am of opinion that this encampment received the name of beautiful and lovely, not merely from its agreeable situation, but also from the good conduct and docility of those that were encamped there. For however many imperfections may occasionally appear amongst Christians, so as to cause an apostle to reprove them for their carnality, yet there were also those, who gave him reason to confess that he thanked God always for them, because that their faith grew exceedino-ly, and their love towards each other abounded; adding, “So that we ourselves glory in you m the churches of God, for your patience and faith.” (2 Thess. i. 3,4.) It is also true in the present day, that there are little circles which distinguish themselves by their unanimity, love, and other truly christian virtues. Thus ought it to be with all that name the name of Christ; they ought to consider themselves as a city set upon a hill, and so “let their light shine before men, that others, seeing their good works, may glorify their Father in heaven.”

We have also many a Mount Shapher, many a beautiful hill. Amongst these are Mount Calvary and the Mount of Olives, the hills from whence cometh our help. Is it not remarkable, that lofty mountains were the scene of the most striking manifestations of God? Thus on Mount Horeb and Mount Sinai, God manifested his holiness, and on Mount Moriah and Zion, he revealed his grace and mercy. From Nebo’s summit, the dying Moses beheld the promised land. On Tabor, Jesus was transfigured. A high mountain was frequently the place he selected for passing the whole night in prayer to God. He resorted often with pleasure to the Mount of Olives; there began his sufferings and his glory, and there he blessed his disciples as the first fruits of his church. On Mount Calvary he finished his sacrifice, and at the time of the great contest his feet shall again stand upon the Mount of Olives, according to Zech. xiv. 4. Well may David exclaim therefore, ‘’ I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” (Ps. cxxi.)

Hail, Israel! encamped on Mount Shapher, the hill of beauty; for there we become beautiful. We are not so by nature, and might be properly named Ichabod, the glory of the Lord is departed. But an individual begins to be fair, when he begins to see his ugliness.

And the conviction of our sinful state is the JirU step out of the vale of darkness towards Mount Shapher, where we are made beautiful.

Then follows the second step, sorrow for sin. Our merciful Lord cannot resist the tears of repentance. Hezekiah wept sore; and the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, who was sent to say to him, ‘* The Lord hath seen thy tears. Behold I will heal, deliver, and protect thee.” When Jesus saw the people weeping at the grave of Lazarus, he could no longer bear it, he was obliged himself to weep, and exclaimed, “Where have ye laid him?” How sweet is it also to weep at the feet of the Saviour, sweeter often than a direct consolation! The humiliation, contrition, and grief, the fruit of these tears, is something very lovely. But he hears the sighing of the needy, and sees their wretchedness. The broken and contrite heart the Lord will not despise; on the contrary, it is a sacrifice with which he is well pleased.

The third step is when the individual has wearied himself in his own ways, and striven in his own might to conquer sin, but has been continually overcome, notwithstanding the sincerity of his endeavours at amendment, and at length begins to find that there is salvation in no other than in Jesus, who is alone able to heal all his diseases. Then it is that he cries unto the Lord, saying, “■ O Lord, thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than L Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name!” (Ps. cxlii. 5.7.)

The Lord Jesus does not leave the man in this condition, but reveals himself to him as full of grace and truth. He becomes a believer; and this is the fourth step towards climbing the hill Beautiful. He feels divinely assured that Jesus saves sinners, and thus finds rest. His sinfulness torments him no longer, althouo’h it humbles him; but at the same time, it urges him to cleave the more closely to Jesus. And what is more beautiful than such a believing and confident heart, which trusts entirely in God through Christ, like a dear child in its beloved father, and is no longer anxious either on account of the sins committed in ignorance, because Christ has washed them away; or on account of inherent corruption, which is covered by the sufferings and death of Christ, until entirely removed; or on account of his spiritual enemies, since he can do all things through Christ strengthening him; or on account of manifold afflictions, for he who imposes the burden also helps to bear it; or on account of his enduring to the end; for “faithful is he that hath called us, who also will do it.” The fruit now appears of itself, which no previous effort, however painful, could produce. All is now fair and beautiful, and the soul encamps at Mount Sapher.

Here it is that God clothes such souls with the robes of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with his ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels; so that they rejoice in the Lord, and are joyful in their God. They forget their kindred and their father’s house, and the king takes pleasure in their beauty; for they are” all

r2 glorious within, their raiment is of wrought gold.” And thus at length shall they be presented before the Father’s face with exceeding joy, when fully restored to his image, and when every spot and wrinkle is for ever washed away.