The Encampment of Judah

Numbers ii. 3.

Judah shall encamp eastward toward the sun-rising, with his banner and host; their captain, Nahshon, son of Amnfiinadab.*

This chapter describes the manner of Israel’s encampment, as Divinely appointed to be observed on their journey through the wilderness to the promised land. The whole of this appointment was very significant. For, as the nation of Israel was a type of the Israel of God, so the ordinances given to that people may be viewed as a shadow of higher and better things.

Let us notice, with a view of our spiritual improvement,

I. The tribe of judah.
II. Their camp.

III. The direction in which it is situated.

IV. Their banner.
V. Their host.

VI. Their captain.

* Lutheran version.

I. The tribe of Judah. It is well known that the tribe of Judah was one type of God’s people under the New Testament dispensation. Very frequently in Scripture is the true church spoken of under the name of Judah Thus David, beholding in spirit the glorious coming of Messiah’s kingdom, sings, “Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad,” Psa. xlviii. 11. Thus also the prophet Joel proclaims that “Judah shall dwell” (or abide) ‘^ for ever,” Joel iii. 20. The prophet Zechariah likewise saith, “The Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land,” Zech. ii. 12. And we cannot easily mistake what was meant in the blessing of the patriarch Jacob by the words, ‘’ Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise,” Gen. xlix. 8. The tribe of Judah was distinguished as the royal tribe; and such is the true church of the living God: a chosen generation, all of whom are made kings and priests unto Him, 1 Pet. ii. 9; Rev. i. 6. For “the saints shall judge the world,” 1 Cor.vi. 2. “The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High,” Dan. vii. 27. Judah was the tribe out of which sprang “The Second Man,” who is “the Lord from heaven.” And lo, the church of God is the “woman clothed with the sun,” who “travailed in birth, and brouofht forth the man-child,” namely Christ, who was to “rule all the heathen with a rod of iron.” The church, internally considered, thus travaileth in birth, and bringeth forth by the power of the Holy Ghost overshadowing her; and, externally considered, she doth the same, by the testimony and preaching of the gospel. Judahwasthe tribe which occupied the hill of Zion and Jerusalem, with Moriah the place of the sanctuary. So the church is that royal priesthood which occupies the city of God, and goes in and out with freedom. The church is itself Jehovah’s city and sanctuary. It has charge of the holy fire of the altar. The glory of the Lord filleth the whole house. The spiritual church is the real tribe of Judah.

The name of Judah signifies praise. “Now will I praise the Lord,” said his mother liCah at his birth; and this was the occasion of his name, Gen. xxix. 35. Thus is the spiritual Judah established and made a praise in the earth, Isa, lxii. 7, to the glory of God, of whom it is born and made. This whole family in heaven and earth is named and appointed to be a continual praise to the glory of the omnipotent grace of Jehovah. For what was the spiritual Jerusalem once, and what the whole spiritual Judah? Kings and priests as they all are, — is not each ‘’ a brand plucked out of the fire?” Zech. iii. 2. Who are these ministers of the sanctuary 1 Were they not once without God in the world? but they are brought nigh by the blood of Him “who justifieth the ungodly;” and are now made holy, and consecrated to his holy service. Who are 6^ those joyful harpers singing to their harps, “a new song,” before the throne? Rev. xiv. 2, 3. Were they not very stones when the God of Jacob first taught them to utter his praise? Who are those green olive-trees in the garden of God? What were once those fruitful “trees of righteousness,” that are now so evidently ‘’ the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified 7” Were they not dry and dead rods of the stem of Adam, fit only for burning, and such as nothing but the new-creating power of the Almighty could ever have recovered to verdure and bloom? Beholdthese fellow-servants and companions of angels, these joint heirs of the kingdom, these partakers of the glory that shall be revealed; whence were they formed to this high character? The” hole of the pit from whence they were digged,” was as the chamber of death, and nigh to the depths of hell. Were they not ‘brought up out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay?” Psa. xl. 2. Come they not from the field of the dry bones, and from the camp of the slain? Are they not delivered from the teeth of corruption, and rescued from the paw of the devouring lion? Have they not been ransomed, from the power of spiritual death, released from the chains of darkness, and of the Divine displeasure, and lifted down from the pile of Tophet where they were ready to perish in the fire of Moloch? Oh! the miracles of mercy which are wrought upon this people 1 Well may they be called Judah, for every thing about them renders “praise” to the Lord. Behold them a living monument of the power and grace of Christ; a monument more to be admired than the fabric of a world, because it shall more abundantly for ever declare to all intelligent creatures the glory and praise of God. The Lord is there, and his delight is there. This people are his “peculiar treasure;” they are “a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of their God,” Isa. lxii. 3. With this immense family of ransomed sinners our great High Priest is surrounded, and invested as with a festal robe, down to the lowest filament of which descends the unction of the Holy One, like the precious anointing poured on the head of Aaron. This people are also the “jewels” which he “maketh up” for the day of his triumph, and as a golden chain worn by the King of kings. Their names shine with heavenly lustre in His priestly “breast-plate of judgment;” their very tears are set as diamonds upon his purple vesture; all their sacrifices are faithfully treasured by him in his sanctuary; and how they are valued by him, let his own sufferings, for their sakes, declare. And when He shall come again in his glory, that all flesh may see it together, he will be attended by the holy myriads of this people: they shall sit down with him on his throne, to judge the world.

Yerily, “Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren,” the angels, <’ shall praise.”

You now know the tribe whereof we speak-But our text does not refer to that small people that dw-elt peaceably among the hills of Zion, and settled along the western bank of Jordan, every man under his own vine and fig-tree; but to Judah abroad upon the march, encamped in the wilderness amidst the sound of trumpets and the din of arms, prepared for war and conflict. The tribe in this condition better typifies the state of the church militant here on earth; for the life of the spiritual Judah is a life of warfare and conflict. Its enemies ye know. They are more, and greater, than Midian and Amalek; they are enemies within and without; they are active and are mighty. There is the prince of the power of the air, with the rulers of the darkness of this world. There are household foes; lusts in the members, and enemies in the heart. There are adversaries in the busy crowd, and adversaries in the secret chamber. There are liers in wait and ambuscades. There are covert mines laid under the way, and even under the encampments. Here, then, is spiritual warfare absolutely necessary for self-preservation.

The tribe of Judah in the wilderness was marshalled into distinct companies, each of which had its own peculiar armament; so is it with the spiritual Judah. The followers of our David are a mixed multitude; they are variously formed and endued; they are not all of the same stamp, complexion, or dialect; neither do they all use the same description of weapons. One sort overcomes the enemy with tears; even as little children when danger is near, instantly run weeping to their mother. They are a timid company; nevertheless they go on conquering and to conquer. Another sort skirmishes like a maidenwarrior; being armed with holy shame and modest diffidence. No sooner does temptation appear, than their heart recoils from it with fear and trembling; “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Genesis xxxix. 9. A third company wields skilfully the sword of the word. Every assault of the tempter is repulsed with, ‘’ It is written:” or, “Get thee be- [lind me, Satan!” for thou meanest not the things which is godly, but that which is “earthly, sensual, deviUsh,” James iii. 15. A fourth company holds out with “strong crying,” Heb. V. 7, and secret breathings to God; and prevails, like Moses, with hands extended towards heaven, and. supported by Aaron; or even as chickens tiud refuge and defence under the wings of the hen: so are they safe. A fifth company makes a successful struggle by a special use of the cross; a single glance at the sufferings of the Son of God dissipates every storm that would rage in their members, and the bolts of the adversary are shot in vain, A sixth company smites down the foe with one effort of simple faith. Emboldened by reliance upon God’s thousand promises, which are written as with “an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever,” they are persuaded that the enemy shall have no advantage against them. Hence they laugh the enemy to scorn, with an indio-nation that obliges him to withdraw.

Moreover, as the weapons which Judah’s several companies oppose to the devil and the flesh are various, so are those with which they overcome the world of despisers and blasphemers. One class always uses the piercing shafts of love and meekness, blessing those who curse, and heaping coals of fire upon their head. Another class is victorious by their well-doing and shining example, that the mouth of the calumniator is condemned to silence. A third company will defeat the counsel of an Ahithophel by their abashing and confounding simplicity. A fourth are distinguished as the swordsmen of the Spirit. They know how to lay truth’s enemies in the dust, by their strong reasons, powerful thoughts, and triumphant methods of proof. Thus, as in Judah’s tribe after the flesh, so also in the spiritual Judah, are there a mixture of persons, and a variety of weapons. Yet the living sword, and harness, and shield of them all, is but one, namely. He who is at their head, the Captain of God’s host; Christ, the Lord.

H. Let us next contemplate this people in their camp.” Judah shall encamy’’ saith the Lord.

And indeed the spiritual Judah is an encamped people. They were not always so. Once they remained in their own houses, elated in self-esteem, living unto themselves, and dreaming of their own powers and projects. But the hand of grace has brought them low, and has bowed down the proud even to the ground. They now lie in the dust, conscious of their own weakness, poverty, and nakedness; and their watch-word is, “In the Lord have I righteousness and strength,” Isa. xlv. 24. They are prepared for march, for conflict, and for victory, in the order and manner which God shall appoint, and by His direction they lay down in their camp with selfabasement and poverty of spirit. As sinners, they prostrate their souls in the dust at the feet of Jesus. Therefore, Get you down all of you into the depths of the camp, ye that are fain to think of your worthiness, and to flatter yourselves with crowns of your own devising. It is not so seen in Judah. Encamp at once; and let your only glorying and consolation be in that crown which your King wore for you before Pilate upon Gabbatha; let it be in His purple and bloody robe, and not in one of your own. Come down, ye who are actuated by that spirit which willeth and runneth after its own imaginary deserts and praises. That is not Judah’s manner. Judah remains quiet in the camp, and lives upon the camp provisions, furnished to his hand from the merits and virtues of Another, who is greater than he. Down from your heights, ye who are endeavouring, by self-chosen amendment, to make good your faults and failings! This is an error, and not Judah’s method. Judah, like his father Jacob, beholds in this wilderness an ascent of steps dropped from heaven, at the summit of which is the throne of grace; and, prostrating himself to the lowest of these, which touches the earth, he hears the Divine oracle declaring all his faults and failings made good by his great High Priest, and covered by His atonement. Such is the position of Judah.

Judah shall encamp, saith the Lord. His people shall “dwell in quiet resting-places,’^ and enjoy what He himself hath conquered for Judah. He hath prepared for him “a table in the wilderness,” and furnished it with all manner of blessed refreshments. His soul shall lie down in these resting-places, which the blood of his Surety hath purchased for him. Oh, blessed place of repose! Peace is there; quietness and assurance are there; for Thou, Lord, makest Judah to dwell in safety. Here then is provided a precious resting-place for our souls. Cast thyself into the very midst of it, as into an asylum of God. Whoever of us has lain with Christ in the dust of Gethsemane, as “a worm, and no man,” Psa. xxii. 6, is invited also to enjoy with him. the blessedness of the camp of Judah.

“Judah shall encamp.” But in what form and order? Upon this we have only to say, with respect to the spiritual Judah, that the mystical cross of their great High Priest embodies itself in all their stations and movements, gives shape to all their hopes and expectations, directs and regulates their prayers, praises, and exertions. Whatever they attempt or whatever they enjoy, is conformed to the cross.

But how slight appears Judah’s camp, compared with the strong fortifications of this world! It consists only of tents and tabernacles, easily set up, and as easily taken down. Spiritual children of Judah are but sojourners here. They are strangers and pilgrims upon earth. Every one among them, and every thing belonging to them, must be in readiness for the march. Amidst all the tenderest relative ties, and circumstances of time and sense, they are to dwell only as in booths, made of branches of palm trees, and willows of the brook, having their affections sitting loose to the things which are seen and temporal. ‘’It remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;” ‘’knowing” that as all other “time,” so the suffering time of tribulation, “is short,” 1 Cor. vii. 29, 30; is but as a sojourning in a tent, for a night. Though “weeping may endure for a night,” they know that “joy cometh in the morning,” Psa. xxx. 5. For here they have no continuing city, but they seek one to come, Heb. vii. 14. Oh, the happy and blessed art of spending the night every where and always as in the tents of sojourners, pilgrims to God! This is learnt only in the school of grace. It is inexpressible how much the heart of fallen man is set upon things temporal and perishable; and there is but one Physician that can disengage us from our morbid attachments. O Judah, blessed art thou in thy pilgrim encampment, in thy moveable tabernacles.

III. The direction in which the camp is situated, is the next object for contemplation.

Judah shall encamp toward the sun-rising. Such too is the cheerful situation of the beloved people; they have the evening behind them, and the morning in their eye. This is characteristic of all the spiritual Judah, from the least to the greatest. The child and the man of grey hairs are looking towards the rising day, towards the Day-star from on high. Where the Rose of Sharon bloomed, and the Root of David sprung up out of a dry ground; where the bright and morninof Star arose to illuminate the nisht of human misery thither are the eyes of all of them directed; thither do their thoughts and affections go forth together. At one time do the hills of Bethlehem rise before them in the distance, and they hear, with an enraptured spirit, the songs of praise of the heavenly host. At another time they behold in spirit the lake of Galilee, and rejoice in the Man whom the winds and the waves obey. Now they would build with Peter, a tabernacle on the mount of transfiguration. — Then they behold Jesus as the reputed son of the carpenter, and as having become their brother in the form of a servant; and they rejoice with joy unspeakable that he is so nearly related to them; they recollect with tears of gladness, that “He is not ashamed to call them brethren,” Heb. ii. 11. They then remember the darkness of Gethsemane, the agony and bloody sweat, the wormwood and the gall; which things are now converted to the healing of their souls, and they rejoice to have found such balm in Gilead, and such a Physician there. Often in their spiritual vision eastward, do they cross the hill of Calvary. Their soul pauses over the spot where hung the penitent malefactor, and seems to suffer there in his stead, exclaiming, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom,” and applies to itself the malefactor’s comfort, “Yerily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise,” Luke xxiii. 42, 43. It then goes to the sepulchre, to behold there the bands of death burst asunder, and the seal broken up for the triumphant disclosure of immortality, by Him who is called “the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” After this, the eye of their faith is attracted by a glistening upon the heights of Olivet. Thither they soar in spirit, and behold the heavens opened, and the Son of God ascending through clouds of witnessing angels. And they strike the harp of David, and join the heavenly harmony, saying, “God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of the trumpet. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in,” Psa. xlvii. 5; xxiv. 7. Thus does the soul of Judah breathe the air of paradise, and stretches forth her wings of devotion, to follow in spirit the exalted King of heaven and earth, up to those bridal mansions of bliss which he is gone to prepare. See, my brethren, how Judah turns to the rising sun, and his position is towards the morning of an eternal day. Yes, “toward the sun-rising,” as awaiting for the Sun of Righteousness to appear. Soon will He come forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and arise upon those that fear the name of the Lord, “with healing in his wings.” The cock-crowing of the early dawn is already perceptible among Christians, Jews, and heathens. A blush already tinges the eastern sky, and the grey mists that await the coming day are already breaking and dispersing. The noxious fumes of rebellion, which for ages have risen up from the camp of the enemy, are beginning to be powerfully disturbed. Soon will He shine forth, and revisit us, who is called “the Day-spring from on high;” and the bride is greeting his approach, and saying, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!” “Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts:” behold, he shall come”

in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory,” Matt. xxiv. 30. The rag-e of Judah’s enemies shall then come to an end; and “the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it,” Isa. ii. 1. Thus are we encamped toward the sun-rising, and keep our eyes watching for the morning; and thouo:h the morninof-watch wherein we live be still accounted midnight by the multitude, we breathe morning air in the spirit of hope and faith.

Judah is encamped toward the sun-rising. Thither does he direct his eyes, filled with tears of hope and joy; and in that direction is his longing soul turned continually. Look throughout the whole city of God, and you will see that every face in it is toward the sun-rising. One is well nigh weary of sojourning in this cold barren land of Meshech; a sickening desire for home burns within him; he is looking after the morning of the everlasting sabbath, that he may be able yet to hold out unto the end of his pilgrimage. Another is satiated with conflict in the land wherein he is a stranger, in this land of storms; and he longs for “a peaceable habitation, in sure dwellings and quiet resting places.” Hence he is constantly inquiring, “Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?” Another, encompassed with gloomy doubts and fears, is continually at his tent door

r* to see whether the dawn is not ready to appear, and to catch a glimpse of the rising turrets of that celestial city, which is coming from God out of heaven. Another, as seeing before him mountains of difficulty and perplexity, would not have courage to advance a step further, did not his eye of hope discern beyond them all, a gleam of that morning of which the poet sings,

“Pilgrim, thine are dreamy fears,
Gone as soon as morn appears.”

And another, though- weeping the tears of nature at the grave of one beloved, is able nevertheless to rejoice in spirit, and is ready, even at that grave, to shout for joy, because his eye is steadily fixed upon the rising of the day, wherein all the saints shall be re-united, to be for ever together with the Lord. Go into any chamber of tears where a single child of God can be found; witness at any bed-side the pain and sufferings of his saints, Psa cxvi. 15; behold one, a brother of Job, and another, a sister of Lazarus; and you may well wonder how they endure all with the same patience and sweet serenity. But know that a rising beam finds its way to their spiritual vision, a ray from the festal morn of the everlasting sabbath, by which the eye of their faith discerns “a crown of glory that fadeth not away,” held out to them by the hand of Jesus; and ten thousand times ten thousand thus crowned already, with Jesus in the midst of them, as the

Author of their eternal life. This is their comfort and their joy. They are looking for the morning, and seem already as if they heard the distant cock-crowing; as if the morning breeze of heaven fanned their pallid faces, and its twilight were gleaming in their dying eyes. Hallelujah! the night is far spent, and the day is at hand.

And as all the companies of Judah now living, are encamped “toward the sun-rising,” so may it likewise be said of the departed saints of the Israel of God. What was mortal belonging to them is sown in hope. Their honoured dust, which once formed a part of the habitation of God, and temple of the Holy Ghost, lies waiting for that morning of the resurrection which will certainly dawn upon it. The wind of the Lord will breathe over it, and the sound of his trumpet will awaken it from its long slumber. Then shall the bodies of the saints come forth from their graves in glory unspeakable, and their souls shall return to them again. Yea, “thy dead men,” O Judah, “shall live,” saith the Lord: and with my own once dead body shall they arise. “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead,” Isa. xxvi. 19. Blessed be thou, O tribe of Judah, that art encamped toward the sun-rising: tarry but a little while, and thy full morning will have arrived. Sing as thou wilt thy home sick lamentation, “I’m a child, and often roam, When the scene is dark and drear: Take me out of tempests here, To my Father’s peaceful home.”

Most unexpectedly shall thy mourning be turned into joy. Go on then to ejaculate, while sojournino in this tabernacle,

“Twilight gleams will not remove
Sighs for home. O Prince of day,
Grant me soon to soar away
To thy realms of light and love.”

Thy mansion is already prepared in those realms, O man of God. Tarry only a little longer on the hills of hope. Lo, while thou art yet repeating that “song in the night,”

“Longings for my home above
Often agitate my mind;
Rest below I cannot find;
‘Tis with Thee, the God of love,”

behold, thy morning dawn has stolen upon thee; the day-star has arisen in thy heart; a few moments more, and the sun is up, which dispels thy night for ever.

IV. Judah’s encampment toward the sun-rising was to be with his banner.

The tribe had a special banner, whereon, tradition says, a lion was represented upon a red flag, suspended probably, after the common ancient manner, upon a cross. Be this as it may.

we know that Christ crucified is the banner of God’s Israel and Judah, the ensign lifted up unto the nations. Banners gave the signal for the people to march; they were planted upon hills and eminences, that they might be seen at a distance, and straightway the hosts marched towards and gathered round them. So it is with our banner of the cross. It is a mao:net of irresistible attraction. Wherever it is lifted up, there is a movement, an excitement, a stir, and the elect of God gather around it with exultation or with weeping. There you may see persons, whom the humiliation of the manger could not affect, nor the throne of majesty overawe, whom the prospect of everlasting welfare could not allure, nor that of everlasting woe alarm. But a glimpse of the cross has riveted their attention; the crown of thorns has touched their very soul; the reedy sceptre has smitten them to the ground, the sufferings of the Son of God have melted their rocky hearts. Where is it that a Rahab and a Magdalene are changed into the daughters of the Lord Almighty? Where is a raging Saul converted into a minister of the Most High? And where is captivity led captive by the Lord? Is it not where the word of the cross is proclaimed, and the banner of the cross is unfurled? The banner of the cross draws and gathers the people unto the Lord. Lo, this is the centre around which many millions of spirits in heaven and on earth stand marshalled day and night; for under this banner is life eternal.

When a host has lost its banner, it is not only a great loss, but a great disgrace, and almost worse than a defeat. Our enemies know this; and what do they more eagerly desire than to wrest, if possible, this banner from our hands? Christ as a holy person, Christ as a Divine person, Christ as a King, Christ as exalted to heaven and glorified, they are willing to allow us, provided they can only deprive us of Christ crucified. All the shafts of their scorn and ridicule are directed against our holding him in this character. To turn it into foolishness and an old wives’ fable, is the object of all their learning and teaching. They would be glad to despoil us of our banner, the banner of our tribe to which we are sworn. Rally therefore around it; and keep in close order about it. Die, rather than permit it to be taken from you.

The banner leads in the van of the host. So does the cross: and Forward’^ is the watchword inspired by it among its foltowers. Does the cross lead the way through tempest and conflict? It inspires us with courage, it gives us patience, it yields us triumph. Does it conduct through suffering and darkness? It calms our fears, and gives us light. Does it direct our way through temptations and trials? It makes the world disgustful, and its vain delights and lusts insipid; it tames and subdues the flesh. Would the remembrance of our past sins, which we have now repented of and forsaken, still depress or affright us 7 Would our own hearts disquiet us, and make us despond? Yet, with the cross of Christ for our guide, that is, with renewing, purifying faith in Christ crucified for us, who is he that shall condemn us? For it is God that justifieth. Does our banner go forward to the valley of the shadow of death? Still it dispels the darkness that would otherwise reign there: the river of death dries up before it, and heaven opens to our view. Lastly, does it lead on to the tribunal of the judgment day? There will it have opened our way into the presence of the great King himself, who will hold out to us the golden sceptre, and charge his angels to bid us welcome. Such manifold power is there in Judah’s spiritual banner. It leads us through difficulties which else were insuperable. That power of the Spirit which accompanies it, dissolves the gate of brass and cuts asunder the bars of iron; it opens a way through stubborn rocks, and over mountains that reach to heaven. When a combatant falls in the field, it is counted an honour for him to be covered with the banner. O Judah, let it be the same with thee If thou fall or grow weak in the conflict, instantly let the banner of atonement wave over thee and cover thee; let it animate thee again to seek glory, honour, and immortality. And when, at length, thou departest this life, depart uer the shadow of this banner; and lo, thou hat

THE ENCAMPMENT OF JUDAH.

been faithful unto death, and shalt receive the crown of life.

y. The text further speaks of Judah’s host and CAPTAIN.

How astonished should we be, what mingled terror and great joy would surprise us, if suddenly those covering angel-hosts, which encompass the spiritual Israel, were to burst the veil which renders them invisible to mortal eyes, and come forth at once into full view! Some in this world have been favoured to behold a portion of those invisible squadrons which always attend the children of God. Jacob was thus favoured when he fled from Laban: “And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said. This is God’s host; and he called the name of that place Mahaiiaim,^^ which signifies two camps or hosts, Gen. xxxii. 1, 2. Elisha’s servant enjoyed a similar sight, when he was with his master at Dothan, whither the king of Syria had sent horses and chariots, and a great host by night to take him. “When the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host encompassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered. Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha,” 2 Kings vi. J 4 — 17. Here was another Mahanaim. Thus the spiritual Judah’s host is the heavenly band of “watchers,” who are sent forth to minister to the safety and welfare of those who shall be heirs of salvation. These are those mighty ones “that excel in strength j” who, with their golden harps before the throne of the Majesty on high, behold in light the face of the Ancient of days. These are those blessed messengers, who, being caused to fly swiftly from heaven, so gladly visit the dear children of God upon earth; so gladly bring their concerns into his presence, and are so desirous to carry back a good report of them into the everlasting habitations; who await the Divine behests at the foot of the throne; and who speed like the winds of a tempest, and as flames of fire, in holy impetuosity, and with the rapidity of lightning, to the assistance and protection of God’s elect. It is the angels of God who alight amidst the community of his saints here below; who go in and out of his city upon earth, to guard our little ones from harm; to encourage our young men in holy enterprises; to invigorate God’s labourers, who are bearing the burden and the heat of the day; to cheer with good tidings our aged and venerable fathers and mothers in Israel, and to let them hear beforehand the first gentle swell of their heavenly harps. Oh! one cannot bat feel a sweet and holy thrill at the thought, that such a host of God invisibly encampeth about them that fear him. And who knoweth how near also those clouds of witnesses who have gone home before us, and of whom the world was not worthy, may be permitted invisibly to return to us! Is it likely that the gate by which a Samuel. a Moses, and an Elias stepped back, though but for a {ew moments, into the circle of their mortal brethren, — is it likely, much less is it certain, that that gate has since all along been shut and barred? Who would assert this? But it is enough that we live already in the midst of the invisible world, and have heavenly beings for our friends and fellow-servants, even the angel-spirits for ouv companions and guardian attendants. And let the naturally timid Christian, and those who think themselves exposed to any personal danger, and are ready to cry out, Alas! how shall we do! console themselves with the certainty, that such an invisible host is always encamped round about them. More are those that are for us, than all those that can be against us. Let us rejoice in this, and have peace.

VI. The name of Judah’s captain is Nah-SHONj SON OF AmMINADAB.

This name, as will be seen by its interpretation, truly belongs to the Prince of the host, the

Captain of our salvation. Nahshon signifies Experience; and who is so experienced in conflict as He who was made perfect in sufferings, and having spoiled principalities and powers, overcame death, and opened to us the gate of everlasting life! Who is so experienced a captain as He, whose unslumbering pastoral care has been exercised for ages in behalf of his people! What arm is like His, who, by himself alone, has all along opened a way for his poor ransomed church to pass through millions of her foes! Who is so experienced in the tumult and alarm of war as He, against whom the infatuated and cold-hearted world have been bearing arms day and night, for so many centuries! And who is so accustomed to triumph as He, who is making all such enemies his footstool, and every where abides last upon the field! Appropriate therefore to Him is the name of Nahshon, or Experience. And well indeed is it with those, who in Him possess such a shield of help, and such a sword of excellency. He is also as truly in character the son of Amminadab. For this name, which signifies Mi, people are a willing gift directs our thoughts first to God the Father, as freely giving to Christ all who will ever come unto him, and as making them also willing in the day of his power. We know that to the incarnate Word, the Son of God, hath been assigned and given from the beginning of the world, a people consisting of lost and ruined sinners, enemies to God by sin and wicked works; who being made willing in the day of his power, show forth the riches of his goodness and grace, to the praise of his glorious name. Hear his own declarations upon this great subject. “All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me: and him that cometh to me 1 will in no wise cast out. This is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day,” John vi. 37, 39. Blessed then for ever and ever are those, who, mpon good and scriptural grounds, can be numbered with this company of his chosen; whom the Father, from everlasting, hath given to the Prince of Peace, not for works of righteousness which they have done, but of his own mercy and grace. These are the true sheep of Christ; and as they belong to an omnipotent Shepherd, he gives unto them eternal life; he promises that they shall never perish, and that none shall be able to pluck them out of his hand.

Therefore, in quietness and confidence, O Judah of God, enjoy the name of thy tribe, thy camp, and its position; thy banner, thy host, thy Captain. Arrogate not the false liberty of marching or halting at your own will. Suppress within you every rising of pride and vanity; and ever number yourselves among the weak and the poor. Live upon grace alone: be nothing in your own eyes; and whatever you are, let it be in your Mediator and Surety, who is your strength and your salvation. Repose only in his merits, his grace and power. Abide under the banner to which you are sworn, and which is both your glory and your consolation; the certain pledge of your victory and your liberty. Let your face be always turned towards the sun-rising; look not behind you after the false glare of this world, till “your light is come, and the glory of the Lord be risen upon you.” Look for the brightness of its rising, and breathe the morning air: for this is the will of your God. Say not in your heart, I will walk in darkness; for twilight at least is before you. Neither let the night visions of your sins, infirmities, or crimes, nor th©body of sin and death, suggest despondency to your penitent heart. Look beyond them all to the morning of the promised jubilee of complete redemption, which is drawing nearer to you every hour. Rise amidst the beamings of hope, and hold converse with heaven itself Triumph over darkness, temptations, and death, by an upward flight of faith; and thus let your spirit mingle with the dawn of eternal day. O Judah, be of good courage; for it is the Lord’s command. Sing cheerfully thy morning song, even in those vales of mist and darkness, through which thy way may conduct thee. He leads us, whose name is Immanuel, God with us. Amen.