The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-30
Exod. iii, 1-l2.


 Context.-After his adoption as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. little is known of Moses until the beginning of his life work Of the intervening period. the Scriptures make slight mention. There Is simply an account of his attempt to befriend one or his countrymen by slay- ing an Egyption, resulting in his flight to the land of Midian. Josephus gives more extended notice of his career in Egypt, claiming that he entered into the service of the Government and gain military distinction in an expedition against the half-savage tribes on the south. There was ample opportunity for such exploits, although they had no re- lation to his subsequent life. However, some scholars are disposed to discredit what Josephus says. believing that like most profane historians. he desired to giorify his hero. Be that as 1t may, the story was appropriately omitted from the sacred narrative. To assume the right attitude, we must locate ourselves in Midian. section of Arabia. with Moses as a fugitive,
 shepherd Verse 1l-Moses was forty years old when he left Egypt and he had been forty years in Midian when the events of our present lesson occurred. During those years he had followed the tumble, life, of his forefathers tGen: Jeshro. his father-in-law, This occupa- ton was in striking contrast with that of his early years as member Of the Egyptian couft. It showed that he had abandoned all hope of political prefer ment, as one step in the choice by which ae became identified with his own peo- Dle (Heb. xi. 25). As q shepherd. he led he flock to the distant side of the des- crt, where was to be had better supply of grass and of water. It was in that region where many tribes were accustom- ed to bring their cattle In times of need. which were by no means rare. Pushing on toward the southwest, he came at length to Mount Horeb. one of two peaks, tthe other called SinaD that lifted their bold forms against the Arabian sky. The title. mountain of God was afterward applied because of divine appearances there.
 Phenomenon CVerses and 3)-It is be- heved by several eminent scholars that as Moses entered into the mountain soli- tudes he became both reverent and thoughtful. the place being suited to such state of mind. and that thereby he was prepared for the approach Of q heavenly messenger. (Psalm Xxxix. 3. Ills attention was attracted bv a remark able phenomenon, which afterward he understood to be the mark of angelic presence. but at the time was full of mystery. bush near by appeared b burn without being consumed. Accord ing to kurtZ. the flame of fire was a symbol of the holiness of God, but Keil thinks that the fire was rather, in it's capacity of burning and consuming Qsa x, ID, a symbol of affiiction and punish ment. or of the christening and punitive justice of God. In northern mythology, this signifcation is manifest. Hence it Is thought that the burning bush typi- fled the severe trials of Israel, which, however. should not consume the unfor- tunate people. Moses turned aside to see more clearly.
 Reverence (Verses and 5)-The first desien of the phenomenon had been reached--it had secured the attention of Moses and led him to investigate con cerning the cause. It was then desirable to make him know that he was not deal- ing with nature alone as he seemed at first to think, but with the supernatural Hence. there came to him out of the bush a voice. speaking his own name, in- dicating a personal approach not unlike that made to the patriarch (Gen. xxi, ID. There Is no record of any previous address to Moses. This was probably the first time in his history that he had been summoned by the Divine being-it was a call not to be disregarded and he promptly replied indicating his readiness