This volume is written to prepare the way for a better understanding of the author’s work on the Epistle to the Hebrews. Without any show of learning the vast fields of Jewish literature concerning the Messiah are traversed and their fanciful imaginations disproved, while an abundance of light is cast on the many portions of the Old Testament brought under discussion. The theophanies of the Old Testament are shown to be for the instruction of the church in the Person, nature and office of the Son of God, and in the mystery of His eternal distinct subsistence in the Deity, as also, His future incarnation and condescension unto the office of King and Head and Saviour of His church.
The real objection of the Jews is stated to be their ignorance of the kind of Messiah that they, as sinners, required. In this connection he answers a difficulty which T. V. Moore raises in his book on Haggai in connection with the words “the desire of all nations”, which words T. V. Moore relates to all the things that the nations desire, that is worldly things, and so he argues against it relating to Christ. Owen’s analysis is that it indeed refers to Christ who ought to be the desire of all nations de jure and is the desire of all nations de facto “He is the desirable one”. The ceremonial law and the whole Mosaic economy is expounded in such a way as to afford great light into some passages of the Epistle to the Hebrews as well as having application to other expressions in Scripture re this “law of commandments contained in ordinances.”
For Owen there is no room for argument about the penman being the apostle Paul. Not only so, but the chief motive which led Owen to write his exposition was his observing that all other commentators had failed (notwithstanding all their sedulous labours) to realise that the epistle is directed to the past, present and future conditions of the church of the Jews. That love of the apostle of which we read elsewhere when he could wish himself accursed for his brethren’s sakes, permeates the whole epistle.
Throughout the volume what shines forth clearly is — that there was a Messiah promised, that that Messiah has come and that the Messiah is Jesus. Let no one think that it is but an unnecessary prelude to a greater work — rather let him look upon it as a key which is necessary to open the epistle.
Like all his other works this one too breathes the spirit of devotion and humility.
Alfred MacDonald.
SERMONS ON SECOND SAMUEL by John Calvin. Banner of Truth. £19.95.
The sermons in this suitably bound volume have been translated into English from French, for the first time, by Professor Douglas Kelly, of Reformed Seminary Jackson, Mississippi. To this scholar we owe a debt of gratitude for executing his task so well. The ground covered, is the first thirteen chapters of 2nd Samuel. In our view, Calvin as an expositor of the Word of God, is without rival and that is exemplified in this production. From the youthful author of the Christian Institutes we expect a high theological and hermeneutical standard, and we are not disappointed. At a time when discourses from the Old Testament are, in certain circles greatly outnumbered by those from the New Testament, these sermons are particularly welcome. The author states the main theme or subject to be dealt with in the chapter caption, and then proceeds to elucidate, develop and apply with unusual sanity, caution, precision and fidelity. As we read his observations, and arguments, we found ourselves exclaiming, not only — what an able mind, but what a gracious deeply taught man of God! — what a tender painstaking pastor, and what reverent insight into the Word of God. Whatever the theme in each chapter as a rule, the majesty, the grace, the purity of God are set over against the vanity, the pride and the deceitfulness of man. The sermon entitled ‘Great David’s Greater Son’ is full of the covenant grace of God in Christ. Each chapter concludes with an impressive sweet, solemn holy refrain or cadence.
Just listen to this final paragraph on page 338 “Now let us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of our good God in recognition of the infinite offences of which we are guilty. Let us pray to him that although we are unworthy of the rank even of a worm of the earth, and are totally full of rottenness and infection, yet may He not fail to accept us as His children in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, as He promised us. And although we are poor sinners, may He sustain us in the frailty of our nature, until we are stripped of it; and may He so reform us by His Spirit that we are truly confirmed in this promise of being His inheritance and of bearing His image and His glory in ourselves; and may He bestow this grace not only upon us, but upon all peoples and nations of the earth. . . .”
One marked defect only; we greatly miss the reverential saviour of the Authorised Version in quotations. Otherwise, we cordially recommend to our readers the perusal of this precious volume, which grapples with, both difficult and delicate, yet abidingly relevant topics, both for the Church and for the world.
F.M.