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thought of love underlying bondmanship, so supremely set out

for us in Jesus Himself.

So that as the Lord gives direction to a true bondman

He would take account of the features of trustworthiness

marking him; He would take account of the features of love

and obedience with him. The bondman, seeking to do his

master’s will, would be subject to his master; he would be at

his master’s bidding.

Then it says he has “given to his bondmen the authority”.

Authority is needed. As we come into the house we come into

the family circle, where there are family relationships, family

affections, so this authority is not arbitrary, it is moral, and

based on affection. So the matter is worked out in the house.

Those in the house are subject one to another, they are

obedient to authority. How necessary this is if the pleasure of

the Lord is to be known in the house, because that is where

His pleasure is. If His rights are to be maintained in the house,

authority is needed. Then, “and to each one” (belonging to the

house) “his work”. Who could apportion the work like the Lord

Jesus Himself? because He knows you and He knows me,

and He apportions the work to each. He does not give us what

we are not equal for; He gives us what we are qualified for

and, what is more, He gives us faith and grace to carry out the

work. Let us therefore be under His direction to carry out the

work until He comes. He is coming very soon, let us be among

those who are workmen in the house, in view of maintaining

what is due to Him, His rights, and His pleasure.

All that is said to the doorkeeper is “Watch”. What an essential

piece of work the doorkeeper’s is. Under David’s regime there

were as many door-keepers as there were singers, and in that

scripture the door-keepers are put before the singers, to

emphasize, I believe, how important door-keeping is. The

door-keeper is to watch. I believe one of the first things in his

mind is his