25:13. Phinehas was zealous for his God. Zeal is the flame of the
5. It flourishes when a Christian is full of holy ZEAL. Numb 25:13. Phinehas was zealous for his God. Zeal is the flame of the affections, it turns a saint into a seraphim. A zealous Christian is impatient when God is dishonored. Rev 2:2. He will wrestle with difficulties, he will swim to Christ through a sea of blood. Acts 21:13. Zeal loves truth when it is despised and opposed. "They have made void your law, therefore I love your commandments." Psalm 119:126, 127. Zeal resembles the Holy Spirit. "There appeared cloven tongues like as of fire, which sat upon each of them." Acts 2:3. Tongues of fire were an emblem of that fire of zeal which the Spirit poured on them.
6. The kingdom of grace increases when a Christian is as diligent in his particular calling, as he is devout in his general calling. He is the wise Christian, who carries things equally; who so lives by faith—that he lives in a calling. Therefore it is worthy of notice, that when the apostle had exhorted the Thessalonians to increase in grace, he presently adds, "And that you mind your own business, and work with your own hands." 1 Thess 4:10, 11. It is a sign grace is increasing, when Christians go cheerfully about their secular calling.
Indeed, to be all the day in the mount with God, and to have the mind fixed on glory, is more sweet to a man's self, and is a heaven upon earth; but to be conversant in our callings, is more profitable to others. Paul says, "To be with Christ is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you." Phil 1:23, 24. So, to converse with God in prayer and sweet meditation all the week long, is more for the comfort of a man's own person; but to be sometimes employed in the business of a calling, is more profitable for the family to which he belongs. It is not good to be as the lilies, which toil not, neither do they spin. It shows the increase of grace, when a