t in very few lives the decisive moment
comes just when it is expected. Men allow themselves to be
self-indulgent, extravagant and even wicked, often upon the calculation
that their present attitude matters little, and they will do very
differently when the crisis arrives, the turning-point in their career
to nerve them. And they waken up with a start to find their career
already decided, their character moulded. As a snare shall the day of
the Lord come upon all flesh; and as a snare come all His great
visitations meanwhile. When Herod was drinking among bad companions,
admiring a shameless dancer, and boasting loudly of his generosity, he
was sobered and saddened to discover that he had laughed away the life
of his only honest adviser. Moses, like David, was "following the ewes
great with young," when summoned by God to rule His people Israel.
Neither did the call arrive when he was plunged in moody reverie and
abstraction, sighing over his lost fortunes and his defeated
aspirations, rebelling against his lowly duties. The humblest labour is
a preparation for the brightest revelations, whereas discontent, however
lofty, is a preparation for nothing. Thus, too, the birth of Jesus was
first announced to shepherds keeping watch over their flock. Yet
hundreds of third-rate young persons in every city in this land to-day
neglect their work, and unfit themselves for any insight, or any
leadership whatever, by chafing against the obscurity of their
vocation.

Who does not perceive that the career of Moses hitherto was divinely
directed? The fact that we feel this, although, until now, God has not
once been mentioned in his personal story, is surely a fine lesson for
those who have only one notion of what edifies--the dragging of the most
sacred names and phrases into even the most unsuitable connections. In
truth, such a phraseology is much less attractive than a certain tone, a
recognition of the unseen, which may at times be more consistent with
reverential silence than with obtrusive utterance. It is enough to be
ready and fearless when the fitting time comes, which is sure to arrive,
for the religious heart as for this narrative--the time for the natural
utterance of the great word, God.

We read that the angel of the Lord appeared to him--a remarkable phrase,
which was already used in connection with the sacrifice of Isaac (Gen.
xxii. 11). How much it implies will better be discussed in the
twenty-third chapter, where