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to do His will. In the apostle’s charge to Timothy he exhorts him to
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“preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.”
The Hebrews were not willing to submit to the directions and re-
strictions of the Lord. They simply wanted their own way, to follow the
leadings of their own mind, and be controlled by their own judgment.
Could they have been left free to do this, no complaints would have
been made of Moses; but they were restless under restraint.
God would have His people disciplined and brought into harmony
of action, that they may see eye to eye and be of the same mind and of
the same judgment. In order to bring about this state of things, there is
much to be done. The carnal heart must be subdued and transformed.
God designs that there shall ever be a living testimony in the church.
It will be necessary to reprove and exhort, and some will need to be
rebuked sharply, as the case demands. We hear the plea: “Oh, I am so
sensitive, I cannot bear the least reflection!” If these persons would
state the case correctly, they would say: “I am so self-willed, so self-
sufficient, so proud-spirited, that I will not be dictated to; I will not be
reproved. I claim the right of individual judgment; I have a right to
believe and talk as I please.” The Lord would not have us yield up our
individuality. But what man is a proper judge of how far this matter of
individual independence should be carried?
Peter exhorts his brethren: “Likewise, ye younger, submit your-
selves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be
clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to
the humble.” The apostle Paul also exhorts his Philippian brethren to
unity and humility: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ,
if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels
and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same
love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through
strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better
than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every
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man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was
also in Christ Jesus.” Again Paul exhorts his brethren: “Let love be
without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which
is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in
honor preferring one another.” In writing to the Ephesians he says:
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”