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Let us then endeavour to ascertain a few of the most important features of Abraham's character and conduct, as a Father and a Master. "And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him."*

First, His behaviour at home is inferred from his known character.

men.

The Almighty here, in order to impress our minds more deeply, condescends to adopt the language of "I know Abraham, that he will" do so and so. This is not only a natural, but it is almost the universal way in which we judge, and it agrees with common observation to this hour. It is on this principle, as safe as any which can be adopted, that the most judicious selection is made of an individual, or the most important charge committed to him; and it is on this principle alone that we often repose the utmost confidence, or anticipate the greatest good. "I know him," said Jehovah," that he will," as a natu.ral and necessary effect, resulting from his fear of me, "command his family, and his household after him, to keep the way of the Lord." On any express precept given to him, which Abraham might have been expected to venerate, Jehovah rested not-but on ground higher far than this, he knew that the pa

* Genesis xviii. 17-19.

triarch would certainly proceed. So, when a man possesses the fear of God akin to that of Abraham, he will act in the same way: where this is wanting, whatever may be his profession, he as certainly will

not.

Second,―Abraham's care over his family, and his affection for all under his eye, were to be discovered by his maintaining his authority over all.

Of Abraham being a very affectionate man there can be no question. His bringing his nephew into Canaan with him, and the manner of his parting with that nephew afterwards; his memorable exclamation over Ishmael, and the language used by God himself, when he called upon him to surrender Isaac, alike prove this beyond a doubt. Yet, there is a more unequivocal proof of an affectionate heart; much more formidable than any temporary trial can discover, or any warm expression can evince. Such a proof is here fixed upon-" he will command his children and his household after him."

Many persons complain of the cares of a family, and of the difficulties connected with managing their Servants; but let them be candid; let them do justice to Abraham, and see what a family was here! At one period of his residence in Canaan, he could muster not fewer than three hundred and eighteen trained or instructed Servants, all born in his house; and his household after this still increased. In short, the number of souls, old and young, under his care at one time, must have exceeded a thousand, and they have been rated as high as fifteen hundred. In such a household, too, there must have been immense variety of character. There were servants within and

without, of the tent and of the field; men-servants and maid-servants; shepherds and camel-drivers. A number of these had come from Haran, in Mesopotamia, nearly five hundred miles distant; some were from Egypt, and the steward of his house from Damascus, in Syria. Now, in such a family, it is manifest he would meet with much to try the strength of his principles, every day he rose. In some he would meet with disinclination or reluctance, and in others with instances of disobedience. This indeed seems positively anticipated in the language of God, and herein lies the strength of his commendation. These were the very incidents which would give celebrity to his determined soul, and, in the certain prospect of them, the Almighty knew how he would conduct himself. His authority, when questioned, so far as the religious care of his house was concerned, could not be long concealed; and, when once discovered, this authority was not to be wrested from him. In such a well-regulated household, his interposition in such a way could be only occasional, but the occasion for it once occurring, he would certainly be obeyed.

Thus, all went on with as much harmony as the case would admit. There was no strife within his knowledge which he would not effectually heal. Between his own herdmen and that of his own nephew he could not bear it, much less in his own family.

Third, His authority was maintained, not for its own sake, but from his desire to reach an end, and that a religious end.

Some men maintain a most rigorous sway over their families; but this is often only to give themselves ease, or to gratify an imperious temper. The

Servants of Nabal, addressing their own Mistress, said that he was "such a son of Belial, that a man could not speak to him." How different was the sceptre which Abraham swayed! The promised blessing of God on himself he highly valued, yet did he desire to stand upon still higher ground. This good man wanted to be a blessing: therefore did he maintain his authority, with a view to others receiving the good which he himself enjoyed. Well, it should seem, did he know that when Jehovah appoints to an end, he also equally appoints the means to that end; and therefore did he so conduct himself.

This fine character of Abraham is, however, the more remarkable, from the positive security which had been already given, that all would be well with him. "In thee and in thy seed," had the Lord assured him, “shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Now, a man of other or of inferior principles might have said—" What signifies it to me, what becomes of these many Servants of mine? My own name will remain, it seems, while the world endures, and my posterity are provided for by Heaven itself." But no; he was a good man, and would certainly proceed as was supposed, that the Lord, in consistency with his character as well as his promise, might bring upon Abraham all that he had spoken of him.

Fourth,-Such, on the whole, was the perfection with which Abraham maintained his place and character, as a Parent and as a Master, that success is positively anticipated from his exertions.

In the whole of this passage of sacred writ, the reader does not find one hypothetical particle. "I

know him that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." Upon them shall thus descend the blessing of which the Parent and the Master was full. Now, this is an intimation and encouragement at once delightful and cheering to every succeeding conscientious head of a family. He that plougheth must plough in hope; but after this, if God's word is true, and we are faithful to it, there is no quarter to which a man can bend his eye with stronger hope than to his family. Over the world, as such, he may have little or no control; his business, with all his ingenuity, may not succeed; but, assuredly, the man who treads in Abraham's footsteps shall not be left without a blessing corresponding to that of Abraham.

As a proof of this good man's success, I might point to a specimen of each class into which his family was divided,—to Isaac, his Son, and to Eliezer, his Servant, in themselves a host; though, doubtless, Abraham was the spiritual Father of many more,but, as the character of each of these individuals is glanced at elsewhere, averse from repetition, to these passages I must beg leave to refer the reader.*

Such, then, is the connexion between obedience and success, and though we have now to view a most heart-rending picture in contrast, the serious contemplation, as it is not less necessary, may not be less profitable.

* See pages 70-72, and 156.

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