Children to be Instructed in the Scriptures
D. Bees. Psalm 78:5-8 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers… I. THE PECULIAR BENEFIT WHICH THE LORD CONFERRED UPON ISRAEL. "He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel." The law and the testimony may now be said to belong to us, and to belong to us in a far more eminent sense than they ever did to Israel. The canon of Scripture is now completed. We have not only Moses and the prophets, but also the evangelists and the apostles. We are favoured with all the revelations which in different ages of the world it has pleased God to communicate to His Church, and particularly with the glorious gospel of His grace. II. THE IMPORTANT DUTY WHICH GOD REQUIRED ISRAEL TO DISCHARGE IN VIRTUE OF THE BENEFIT CONFERRED UPON THEM. Having established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, "He commanded the fathers," etc. In proportion as the glory of the Gospel excels that of the law, are our obligations to see that the minds of our children are well imbued with its truths. And is not a knowledge of those truths absolutely necessary to their well-being and happiness? Can they be saved without it? Must they not perish without it? What is the body to the soul? Or what are the concerns of time compared with those of eternity? Let us weigh them in the balances of the sanctuary, end we shall find them to be lighter than vanity. Shall these, then, engross our cares in reference to our children, while we overlook their best and highest interests? (D. Bees.) Parallel Verses KJV: For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: WEB: For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a teaching in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children;