Article July 18, 1914 Issue

Requirement

GERTRUDE S. MC CALMONT

Almost startling in simplicity of promise and fulfillment is David's statement to the aged Barzillai, when he said, "Whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee." David had ceased to mourn for Absalom; he was returning "in peace unto his own house." Barzillai, with whom he had found shelter at Mahanaim, had come down to conduct him over Jordan. This Jordan was a hard crossing for David. In his appeal to Barzillai, "Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem," gratitude mingled perhaps with a desire for human support was expressed. Barzillai, being "a very great man," went with him over Jordan a little way, and there, before returning "unto his own place," said, "Behold thy servant Chimham [longing]; let him go over with my lord the king." How great a man was Barzillai! teaching David that longing, earnest desire, together with activity, was sufficient to support.

Here it was, after the crossing of Jordan accompanied by Chimham, that David's vision of requirement gained for him the knowledge of possession. His promise to Barzillai may well express a growing recognition of "Emmanuel, ... God with us," the all-powerful, ever-present active law of good. The steps toward this receptive attitude are counted first in gratitude; then faith grows stronger (Chimham being with him), his confidence more secure; and finally victory is assured, as evidenced in his glorious pæan of praise and thanksgiving for deliverance.

Inasmuch as the Scriptures were written for our instruction, this word "require" is worthy of analysis. Derived from the Latin re (again) and quærere (to seek), one learns that it involves the expenditure of effort. A vital meaning of the word given in the Century dictionary is, "insist on having; demand." The word "demand" carries with it a sense of authority, and thus it becomes plain that one must "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Coming boldly is simply claiming as our divine right all good; it is knowing that not one good thing is lacking, because all that the Father hath, all that the divine law of good provides, is legitimately ours; always has been ours. It needs only to be appropriated.

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