The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-23
Tessnir Series tnr 1883.
THIRD QUARTER.
STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
july 4, 1883.
LESSON XXVI.-G0D'S COVENANT
WITH ISRAEL.
BY REV. ROBERT T. POLK.
Eessni1 Series tnr 1883.
THIRD QUARTER.
STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
july 4, 1883.
BY REV. ROBERT T. POLK.
Exodus xiv. 1-12.)
SINAI.

THE CONTEMPORARIES a years study
of the Gospel by Matthew, we turn again to
lessons selected from the Old Testament,co
tinuing the story of the journey OF the israel
ties from Egypt to Canaan, the land OF tnelr
promised inheritance, and their organization
and establishment there as powerful nation
whose supreme ruler was acknowledged 10
be COP, who had delivered his people, and
had been their guide and protector. Moses,
"the man of GoD," their Divinely appointed
leader. had conducted them to Mount Sinai,
where, amidst an awful display OF Divine
power and glory, he delivered to them the
Ten Commandments, description OF wnlcn
concluded the last years series of Old Tesla
ment le ssons Xxx. 1-2D. The present lesson
describes events which Immediately followed
the giving of the Commandments. Moses
had Withdrawn from the camp of the lsrael-
ties unto the cloud enveloped Mount OF GOD,
where he received Divinely given Astruc-
tions, to be delivered to the people, concern
ing forms of worship and individual rights
and duties, and the promise of GOD that ne
would prosper and bless them in the iand Oh
their inheritance, whittier he was leading
them, if they would faithfully obey all his
laws which he delivered unto them Xxx. y
xxiii). The first two verses of our lesson are
a part of what the LORD said unto Moses"
in this recorded discourse, and properly be
long with chapter xiii.
WHAT GOD SAID TO M0sEs.-The de-
scribed discourse of GoD to Moses relates to
a covenant or agreement of COP with his
people, and the ceremonial conhrmatlon
which was in reality the ratification by the
people, of the laws which Moses would have
delivered unto them. Moses was directed
to come into the Holy Mount, the symbol OF
COPS invisible presence, with his brother
Aaron and his two sons, and seventy OF the
elders of Israel, that is, heads OF families,
while the people were to worship, or, appa-
rently, to eat their sacrifice in the valley be-
low. Anciently, bargains or covenants were
ratified and confirmed by sacrifclal meal.
The "elders" were chosen to represent the
people. Why seventy were chosen we may
not know. 1t may have been with reference
to the seventy persons who are represented
as having originally gone to Egypt and con-
stituted the seed which, under the blessing
of COP, had grown into the numerous people
that Moses led out of the "house of bond
age," to take possession of the promised
land deuteronomy K. 22). Some have
thought that the Israelites comprised seventy
families, the descendants of Jacobs grand
sons, as the twelve tribes were descended
from his sons (see Numbers xvii. The
Sanhedrin, the supreme council or court OF
the Hebrew nation, was afterward oonsti-
tuted of seventy members. Aaron and his
SONS were appointed priests when the wor-
ship of the tabernacle was established (Le-
viticus viii. 81. What COP said to Moses was
what he inspired his devout soul to do as the
leader of his people. 1t was the result of his
devout meditation In the Sacred Mount. In
that awful Presence and display of Divine
power and glory, he was Divinely inspired to
do what is described. GoD speaks to the
soul by his spirit. He spoke to the Israelites
by Moses, his servant, and the prophets
whom he inspired to declare his law. He
speaks to us by his son, JESUS CHRIST and the
Holy Spirit of truth and Love that may
dwell in us.
"Speak with us LORD Thyself reveal,
While here on earth we rove;
Speak to our hearts, and let us feel
The kindlings of Thy love-"