The National tribune., 1888-07-05


study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated above!
SUBJECT: COPS FAVOR, PRESENCE AND
GLORY.
l. References
The Bible is largely its own interpreter.
Thou sayest unto me, Bring" (V. 12.) See
80: 81; 33 1. Not let me know whom" tV.
12.) Compare 81: "a; 33:2. Il know thee
by name" ". ~ See 3:4; st. john, 3,
Il; III 2;I9. Moses found favor in Gods
sight. (V. 12,) See, c. g., 80: 10. If have
found grace" (V. 49, See 34:9. Show me
thy way" See Ps., %: 4; 81: II; Sc: IL 119:
So Thy people" See Deu, 8 %, % Joel,
2:17. My presence shall go with thee" (V,
IA See 1921; 40: 1873; Isa., 60: 8.
GIVE thee rest" See Deu., 30; JOSH 1
IS, Is; 2I:44; 22:4; 23:1 ST. Matt, IL 2s;
Heb, 4: 8. Gods presence would be evidence
to their enemies that the Israelites were in
Gods grace or favor. (V. 49, See M, IA:
ID; Ps., 70 10. . So shall we be separated"
Deu., 4: 81; 2 Sam. z: %; l XII, 5 So; PSI
4:3; Cor, 6:17. The prayer Of Moses was
answered. (Y. H. See Gen, 1921; ST.
James, 3: 16 Show me thy glory" " 49,
See Deu., 5 "a; ST. Matt, IVA. God mani
goodness" Ps., 81 {: S; Jer., 3l:14; RO, 2: 4.
God is gracious and merciful to certain persons
as he wills ". 49, See Ro., 8: 10, Is, Is.
Z" Canst not see my face" tY. 20.) See Ex.,
"a: 10; Deu., 5:24 judi, 6: %; 10 p; 2 Chr,
III 2; Isa., 65; st. Matt, Il: Is; Acts, 8:
9, 4, 9; l Ii, 6: 16; l John, 3;2; Rev, 1 :16,
II; %: 4. A clear vision of God is impossible
to the mortal. There may be presence by an
agent acting as medium of communication
between God and the human. See % 20; 81:
"a; 1872 Throughout the wilderness God
was seen in the guiding cloud.
2 Time.
The events of the lesson happened 2513 A.
NJ, or 1891 b. c., or 1919 years ago. 1t is well
to realize the sweep of time since. genera
tion is estimated to be about SO years, and hence
there are about three generations in each cen
fury. Therefore we study events which oc-
CURED l02 generations ago. Since then the
world has died over and over more than 100
times.
8. Place.
We find ourselves at the foot of Mt Sinai
Verses 8 and IL speak Of the tabernacle. We
are not to understand the large ecclesiastiG tab
ernacle used for religious purposes by the Jews
until the building Of the temple. That tabsr-
nacle was not yet built. We understand in
verses 9, II the tent OF Moses. The word taber
naCle in said verses means temporary resting
place, mere tent for sacred uses. The tent OF
Moses was probably eXtempOriZed into place
where God and he could talk with each other.
T. Facts as to Moses.
he GOD had given him (ALosesJ to lead the
people from Egypt to Canaan. By aid of the
cloud going in advance, Moses had succeeded
in getting the people as far as Sinai. But
many miles and much time and hosts OF enc
mics interviewed between Sinai and the Prom
ised Land For the special order to Moses to
continue leading the Israelites see 81 "a.
"See ~ II means take notice, mark, think
Bring" means guide, instruct, encourage.
2 Moses did not know who was TO give di-
rections as to routes, times of marching, etc.
God had often spoken to him through various
means The cloud had been a conductor An
angel is promised in %: 20; 81 81; 30 2, 3.
The angel was in fact in the cloud. IA 20 }
Moses led the Israelites only as he himself was
led. Hearing God, but not seeing him in reality;
receiving communications through mediums,
as, e. g., the burning bush, but not coming into
contact with personality; guided by the beck
onings of cloud, but not beholding back OF the
| flmy hand the form of living, breathing agent,
| Moses was always eager for greater intimacy
between God and himself-he wanted TO see
| God. He wished to have God walk by his side
and talk as friend. He could not yet take
in the idea of q spiritual guidance operating
! through visible agents or mediums He
! thought it curious that One who could call
/ him by his name, Moses, and who had shown
such constant consideration for him, would not
| show himself.
! .. IL IN verse Is ana II IN verse 10 &c
| not imply Moses doubted Gods promises. If y
! expresses rather assent than incredulity. II
means, seeing that.
| 4. The people had greatly sinned, and were
worthy punishment from God. But the prin-
| ciple of intercession has always been recog-
nized. One who is familiar with another, and
| whom that other greatly regards, is the fl per
son to seek favor from him. So Moses uses
/ his influence in the interest of the Israelites
He prays to God for them. He advances three
arguments-(a) His own acquaintance and in.
/ timacy with God. (b) The fact the Israelite:
| were his Gods own children. (c) Then God
honor was involved in the condition of the
Israelites so far as the opinion of the heather
nations was concerned.
g. Moses begged that the command to leaG
the Israelites TO Canaan be Cancelled, providing
God would not accompany them. He argued
thus-(a) If God would not continue with them
| it would not be known by the surrounding
idolaters that God favored his people and dis
tinguished between the good and the evil. ID
IL God would not go with them, guiding anC
protecting, they would soon cease to be sepa
rate from the heather in the sense of beinI
mOnotheists while the heather were idol wor
shippers and polytheists. (c) He besought Goo
for more sensible visible manifestation of tn
Deity as a person, friend, etc., than had ye
been allowed. He had thus far known God il
the cloud (Deu., 81 10 J in the fire, Elk, 10
10; "a lis, 49, by slmIlitude, tx, p gil
M, II 81 The more we know of God tn
more we want to know But men are ignO
rant, and cannot tell what is best for them
1t would have killed Moses to grant hi
prayer. In mercy God softened the radianc
of his presence And even then Moses wa
forced to cry out for lessening of the glory
Thus God appeared in an unmistakable wa,
convincing Moses of his power. All intima
tions from God after that had more of the fore
of personal direction. Thus he answered th
request of Moses in verse is as he promised il
verse II he would do He became a reality
the real leader of the Israelites. Thus presen
he accomplished wonderful things during tn
travels of the Israelites in the wilderness, con
vincng all the surrounding nations that NOR
than human power accompanied the pilgrims.
5. Miscellaneous Items.
/. Notice the Jews are even yet peculiar
separate people.
2 1t was kind of God not to manifest hi
, justice; that would be uncomfortable to sinners
He showed instead goodness, grace, mercy,
, disposition to forgive. Hence, too, we see tina
, Moses had only partial sight of God.
3. Moses i'll verse 13 by "thy" evidentl
meant to throw on God ownership of the pee
ple and thus degree of responsibility on hi
, part for their nature and conduct. God i
: 81: 2 told Moses the people were his (Moses's
Moses rebuts in 81: II, saying "thy Goods
, people" But it is not fair to hold God account
able for the wicked conduct of human being
II IS hattar we he free moral AGENTS able tn az