THE GOD OF JESHURUN

Gesenius and James Strong agree that Jeshurun is a symbolical name for Israel meaning ‘upright’. It must bean indication of the nation’s standing before God rather than a description of their conduct, for the behaviour of Jeshurun was erratic, Deut. 32.15. ‘Jeshurun’ is a reminder of Balaam’s pronouncement that ‘He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel’, Num. 23. 21. That truth is very precious, but, ideally, what a man is by grace should be evidenced in his behaviour, for ‘he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous’, 1 John 3. 7.

The uniqueness of the God of Jeshurun is the emphasis in today’s reading. As early as Exod. 15.11, the people of Israel had grasped this, for after their deliverance they sang their song of praise, ‘Who is like unto thee?’. His holiness is unmatched by any other being. Hannah celebrated the uniqueness of His dependability, 1 Sam. 2. 2. David rejoiced in the uniqueness of His greatness, 2 sam. 7. 22. solomon worshipped Him for the uniqueness of His faithfulness, 1 Kgs. 8. 23. The Psalmist was impressed with the uniqueness of His righteousness, Ps. 71. 19. Not even in heaven can any be ‘compared unto the LORD’, Ps. 89. 6. Truly, ‘there is none like unto the God of Jeshurun’.

What was true of Israel’s God was true of Israel’s Messiah. We call Him the incomparable Christ, the One who is ‘fairer than the children of men’, Ps. 45. 2. Some of the ‘children of men’ exhibited delightful moral traits. The faith of Abraham, the purity of Joseph, the meekness of Moses, and the patience of Job are all well attested, but the fact that these men had predominant characteristics implies a deficiency in other moral qualities. There was only One in whom every moral excellence uniquely blended: He alone was ‘full of grace and truth’, John 1. 14. The mingling of some principle spices created a unique holy anointing oil, and the balancing of sweet spices a unique perfume for the incense altar, Exod. 30. 22-38. Similarly, the blending of moral features in the life of the Lord Jesus demonstrates that He stands alone. We worship and proclaim, ‘there is none like unto thee, O Lord’, Ps. 86. 8.