Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 1.pdf/239

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

glories of his Word and kingdom, and that the union of charity and faith, whence springs holiness of life, is the essential of true religion and the means of salvation; so it is at once apparent that NOW the Lord indeed comes in clouds to guide us, by the truths of his Word, to the everlasting habitations of light and peace. Yes! the Son of Man has indeed come in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.


March Twenty-third.

WAR WITH AMALEK.

"The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."Exod. xvii. 16.

THE Amalekites were a powerful people dwelling in Arabia Petrzea, between Havilah and Shur. They lived generally in wandering parties, in caves or in tents. Scarcely had the Israelites passed the Red Sea, when the Amalekites attacked them in the desert of Rephidim, and treacherously slew those who, through fatigue and weakness, were unable to keep up with the main body. For this wanton and cowardly cruelty, Joshua discomfited them, and Moses was commanded to write the account in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua; for "I will (saith the Lord) utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." Thus the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

The Christian in reading this account, must conclude that the eternal war which Jehovah would wage with the Amalekites cannot have reference to them exclusively as a people; for Jehovah declared that he