meant thirst--our heart overflowed with joy as we accepted the gift.
Oh, the thirst with which we had sat down, but oh, the joy with which we
sprang from our seat, praising the LORD that the thirsting days were all
past, and past for ever! For, as our LORD continues, "the water that I
shall give him shall be _in him_ a well of water, springing
up--overflowing--unto everlasting life." Perhaps, however, we should
draw attention to the words of CHRIST, "whosoever drinketh"; not
drank--once for all--but "drinketh," that is habitually: as in chap.
vii. 38, 39, where, after promising that out of him "shall flow rivers
of living water," it is significally added, "this spake He of the
SPIRIT, which they that believe"--_i.e._, keep believing--should
receive.

Is it not sad that so free a gift should be so little esteemed, so often
neither enjoyed nor sought after? It is intended for _each one_ of
us--"lift up His countenance upon _thee_, and give _thee_ peace." Would
that each reader would accept the gift _now_, and evermore enjoy it, to
the glory of GOD.

SEALING WITH THE NAME OF GOD: verse 27.

_"And they shall put My Name upon the children of Israel; and I will
bless them."_

With these words this wonderful chapter closes, and the great object of
GOD in bestowing His blessing upon His people is revealed: "They shall
put _My Name_ upon the children of Israel," or, in other words, shall
cause them not only to become the people of GOD, but also to become
manifestly such.

In olden time names were not meaningless, but were descriptive of
character or relationship. The various names of GOD are all full of
significance, and each is always used designedly in the Bible: failing
to recognize this, learned, but spiritually-ignorant men have imagined
the Old Testament writings to have been mere compilations from the works
of different authors, and have failed to see the beautiful
appropriateness of the various names of GOD as they are used in
different connections.

In the preceding benediction the thrice repeated Name of JEHOVAH has
revealed to us the triune GOD in His gracious relations with His
redeemed people, and has also reminded us that in these relationships He
is the unchanging One, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; for all
this is contained in the Name JEHOVAH. And thus the expression, "They
shall put _My Name_ upon the children of Israel," implies the purpose
of GOD that in His people should be mani