is also the reason, why the verse under consideration continues: "That he may rule over the fish of the sea, over the birds, over the cattle, and over the whole earth." And the Psalmist says beautifully (8 Ps.): And thou madest him but little * ותחסרהו מעט מאלהים וכבוד והדר תעטרהו תמשילהו במעשי ידיך כל שתה less than angels, and crown glory; thou gavest him dominion over the works of thy hands, and placedst all at his feet.” 27. What do you understand by—god is one and alone? That this spiritual, self-existent Being, is simple, and the only true Deity. Simple, without parts and members; one, of whom no plurality can be imagined; and alone, to whom no other being, however great, can bear any similitude. And שמע ישראל ה' אלהינו ה' אחד 66 Hear, O Israel! the Eternal our God, is the only eternal being." (Deut. 6 ch. 4 v.) 28. What is meant by-GOD IS ETERNAL? That this solely self-existent Being has been from eternity, and will ever remain like himself and unchanged for eternity. God is without beginning and without end; so that his notbeing or ceasing to exist is an impossibility and inconceivable. Thus also Isaiah: I am the first, and I am אני ראשון ואני אחרון ומבלעדי אין אלהים • the last, and besides me there exists no God." (44 ch. 6 v.) 29. What duty arises to us, from the acknowledgment of this truth, that the Eternal our God is one and alone, and that there is none besides him? That we are bound to adore this only God solely, and no other being besides him; that is, we ought ever to place before our mind, in the strongest and most impressive manner we are capable of, his infinite greatness, goodness, and mercy; and we should expect our temporal and permanent happiness from him only, and call upon him alone for blessing and prosperity, and for aid and assistance in our troubles. זבח לאלהים יחרם בלתי לה' לבדו • "He, who sacrifices to any idol, shall be condemned; to the Eternal only is this honour due." (Exo. 22 ch. 19 v.) 30. What do we express by the word ALMIGHTY? God can do, make, and create all, that he wills, and requires not the assistance of any other being. Man, after exerting all his powers, can only give to already existing things an outward form, such as he may desire, but all creatures together are unable to create the slightest imaginable trifle, i. e. to produce something, without having previously the materials or matter to make the same. But God, on the contrary, has created and produced every thing we see, all creatures and beings, together with all their powers and inclinations--the whole system of nature-from nothing, without any previous matter, without any instrument; but solely and alone through his potent will. With the same goodness and almighty power he continues to maintain and to govern all his creatures, which he can utterly annihilate in a moment of time. commanded, and it stood." (Ps. 33, v. 9.) For he spoke, and it was : he * כי הוא אמר ויהי הוא צוה ויעמד • ,Turnest thou thy face away * תסתיר פניך יבהלון תוסף רוחם יגועון • they become affrighted; thou takest their breath-they perish." (Ps. 104, v. 29.) 31. To what must the remembrance of the great and mighty wonder of the creation lead us? To a belief in the possibility of miracles; that God, who instituted the laws of nature, can easily change them for a short period, and thereby produce extraordinary occurrences, whenever it pleases his wisdom, to produce any effect on many persons, and to impress doctrines upon their minds, which they could not have attained in any other manner. This, for instance, was the case with Pharaoh and the Egyptians; the Israelites and many others. We read also: (Ex. 9 ch. 29 v.) למען תדע כי לה' הארץ "That thou mayest experience, that the earth belongs to the Eternal" (and can, therefore, do thereon whatever he pleases). . 66 ,That thou mayest know, that I * למען תדע כי אני ה' בקרב הארץ • the Eternal, am in the midst of the land" (and extend my watchfulness to every man in particular). (Ex. 8 ch. 18 v.) the heavens and the earth, Eternal God! Thou hast made * אהה אדני ה' הנה אתה עשית את השמים ואת הארץ בכחך הגדול ובזרעך הנטויה לא יפלא ממך כל דבר • through thy great power and out-stretched arm; to thee nothing is impossible." (Jer. 32 ch. 17 v.) 32. What is meant by-GOD IS ALL-KNOWING? God knows all that ever has been done; that which now happens, and all that can ever come to pass; nothing is hidden from him. For he is omnipresent, the whole world is full of his glory, and nothing escapes his all comprehending knowledge. He notices the actions and thoughts of his creatures, and nothing can be done without his sufferance. "He, who formed the hearts of all, understands also all their actions." (Ps. 33, v. 15.) אל כל מעשיהם • המבין היצר יחד לבם Should he not hear, who » הנטע אזן הלא ישמע אם יצר עין הלא יביט המלמד אדם דעת ה' ידע מחשבות אדם כי המה הבל . fixeth the ear? Should eth the eye? He, who teaches man knowledge, the Eternal, knows the thoughts of man, though they be directed to vanity." (Ps. 94, v. 9.) 66 Thou, Lord ! who art * גדל העצה ורב העליליה אשר עיניך פקחות על כל דרכי בני אדם לתת לאיש כדרכיו great in council, and וכפרי מעלליו • Whose eyes are fixed upon all the ways of the sons of man; to give to each according to his deeds, and the fruits of his actions." (Jer. 32 ch. 19 v.) 33. What impression must this truth,—the omniscience and omnipresence of God-make upon us? That we ought to endeavour to lead an upright and a godpleasing course of life, and to preserve our hands always clean of wrong, and our hearts free from guilt. That we should always maintain truth, and never sin, even in the most secret corner, and always place the all-seeing, most just and holy God before us as present, and reflect, that he will reward the good and punish the evil. And thus also spoke the pious David: 66 I always place the Eternal as present before » שויתי ה' לנגדי תמיד me." (Ps. 16. v. 8.) *MINUD NYDA ND8 "Behold, thou desirest truth in secret even." (Ps. 51, 8 v.) ,Behold, he sees my ways * הלא הוא יראה דרכי וכל צעדי יספור • and numbers all my steps." (Job. 31 ch. 4 v.) If even a man conceal himself in » אם יסתר איש במסתרים ואני לא אראנו נאם ה' הלוא את השמים ואת a secret place, should I not see do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" (Jer. 23 ch. 24 v.) הארץ אני מלא • I, the Eternal, search the heart, and » אני ה' חקר לב בחן כליות • prove the kidneys" (that is-know the innermost thoughts of man). (Jer. 17 ch. 10 v.) 34. What is understood by-GOD IS ALL-GOOD? God desires only the welfare of his creatures. He, in his wisdom, has organised them in such a manner, and given them such powers, inclinations and capacities, that all—each according to its kind and destination-should be perfectly happy. He also supports and preserves them through his grace and kindness; and when he punishes, he corrects us only from motives of pure love. Hatred, malice, and anger are defects of a weak mortal only, and they are therefore incompatible with the character of the most mighty and perfect of all beings. has no end, for his mercy never ceases." (Lam. 3 ch. 23 v.) The goodness of the Eternal » חסדי ה' כי לא תמנו כי לא כלו רחמיו. The Eternal is good to all, and * טוב ה' לכל ורחמיו על כל מעשיו • ,Good and just is the Eternal * טוב וישר ה' על כן יורה חטאים בדרך his mercies are over all his works." (Ps. 145, v. 9.) therefore he leads the sinners upon the right path." (Ps. 25, v. 8.) 35. To what must the proper reflection upon the foregoing lead us? That we should always submit with cheerfulness to the holy will of this benignant God; to receive with filial resignation all his dispensations, although we may sorely feel their pressure, and not be able to discover their beneficial consequences; and it is our duty, to thank him, our Father, for whatever he may be pleased to mete out to us. ,For the Eternal corrects him * כי את אשר יאהב ה' יוכיח וכאב את בן ירצה • whom he loves, like a father who will make his son better." (Prov. 3 ch. 12 v.) And know in thy heart, that * וידעת עם לבבך כי כאשר ייסר איש את ,the Eternal has punished thee בנו ה' אלהיך מיסרך : as a father punishes his son." (Deut. 8 ch. 5 v.) |