Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-09-06
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lessen Comments for
September 7.
Subject: TIE Prophet Like Moses, Dcut. xiii.
9'n-Go!d.a Text. join vi. IL Memory
Verses. l7-l0-Commeuiary on the
Days Lesson.

Q. Not learn to do" In verses Is the
rights of the priests and the Levites have
been mentioned After the abomina.
tons" Practices connected with idol wor.
ship are often called denominations in the
Old Testament. In the earlier days OF the
sacred history there was no enemy so sub
tie. insidious. difficult to meet az
magic aud soothsaying. Only by actual
prohibition, on pain OF death. could the
case be met. and under these circumstances
there is no need for Us TO apologize for the
Old Testament law: Thou shait not suffer
a witch to live" Ex -: II. At this hour
frauds. is the incubus that rests upon all
the semi-c;vilized or wholly uncivl!l2ed peo-
pie of Africa. ''Of those nations. The
Legislator prohibits the various supersti
lions by which the heather nations OF Ca
raan had sought to explore the future and
to test the will of the Deity.
10. Pass through the fire" The sacri-
ficing of children to Mo!och LEV. Is: FL
is again forbidden. Moloca was the idol OF
tine Ammonites. His statue was of brass
and rested on pedestal of the same metal.
His arms were extended in the attitude of
embracing those who approached him. His
worshiDers dedicated their children to him,
and when this was to be done the statue
was heated by n fire within and the infants
passed through the heated arms, to insure
the favor of the pretended deity. "Divina-
ton In Ezekiel 81: 81 several kinds of
divination are mentioned. 1t is the pre-
tended forecast OF future events. or discov-
cry OF what is lost or hidden. as by super
natural aid. Observer of times" See Z.
V. One who draws omens from the clouds,
or divides days into lucky or unlucky.
"Enchanter." Serpent charmer. Divina-
ton by serpents was common among the
heather. Witch" Probably those who
by means of drugs. herbs. perfumes. etc,
pretended to bring certain celestial influ-
ences to their aid The term witch is usu-
II. "Charmer." Hebrew "spellbinder."
One who binds By nominations; pretends
to subdre some dreadful enemy. Consul
ter" etc. One who consu.ts a sorcerer or
witch. Not only are the sorcerers them
selves condemned. but those who patronize
them, or have dealings with them. WIZ.
ard" A knowing one. a male witch.
inquiries of the dead such rs the witch OF
Endor. There is n distinction between ne.
cromancy and sorcery, enchantment, etc.
The first IS an effort tn gain information
from the dead or from demons: the Others
relate to the creation OF evil through spir-
itual influences.
-. These things" All these are only
species OF the same genus. They are false
prophets. They pretend to possess super
natural powers. to foresee the future, to
protect from evil, to have communion with
deity. AN abomination." The things
mentioned and those who do them are
alike detestable to the Lord. Because of
these" etc. The Canaanitish nations are
about to be driven out and destroyed be-
cause their forms OF worship have become
SO corrupt and degrading.
l3 Thou shalt he perfect" Separated
from sin and worldly customs and wholly
devoted to God. Gods people are to be a
distinct people and not like the nations
around them. So to-day the requirements
of the gospel are nothing short of perfect
heart and blameless life
world in due time. While the people are
forbidden to use heather methods to learn
the will of their deities. Moses assures
Israel that God will provide them a pro-
phet or prophets. whereby the will of Je-
hovah will be clearly revealed. "a pro-
phet. Various opinions have been ex-
pressed regarding this passage. Some hold
that the passage refers exclusively to the
Messiah. others think it has reference to
the entire body of Hebrew prophets. while
still others believe that it contemplates
both Christ and the "order OF true pro
phets whom God commissioned to instruct,
direct and warn His people" Like unto
Me" 1t is evident that this refers to
Christ. for in many respects He alone was
like unto Moses. Chap. "a: 10. /. In his
mediatorial character. Moses is expressly
called a mediator in Gal 8: 49, .. Christ
was like Moses in the peculiar excellency
OF His ministry. 5. In the signs and won
ders-the miracles which He wrought. Com
pare Deut. 81: 10. II and John Is: 81 4.
In his communion with God Moses spoke
with the Lord mouth to mouth Mum u:
~ " I'M roan g..
John L; is D. In his being the founder
OF new disoensation. God never commits
stoned any human beings to give laws to
mankind but Moses and Christ.
10; According" etc See this request
in Ex. 20; 10. The thought of the verse is,
Let not Jehovah speak any more directly
to US; let us have a prophet to announce
dor OF the manifestation of God cease; we
cannot bear it; we shall die
~. well spoken" The Lord approved
OF their request and spake no more directly
with them. but put His words in the
mouth of His prophet.
H.. VIII raise them up" This promise
was fulfilled 1900 years afterward. and both
Peter and Stephen expressly apply it to
Jesus Christ. Acts 5: %. %: 1887.
H. viii not harken." Man is deaf and
blind in the things of God. To his need
and to the remedy he is alike insensible.
ms ear Is open to worldly advice. but to
the gospel he is a perfect statue without
life. will require it." That is. God will
visit the disobedient with severe punish.
ment. Acts 3: 90 The direful conse-
quences of unbelief in Christ and disregard
OF His mission. the Jewish people have
been experiencing for more than 1900 years.
20. But the prophet" etc. This warn
ing gwen to false prophets shows that what
has been said in verses 1919 must in some
respects at least apply to the Hebrew pro.
phets that were to succeed Moses. "Shall
die; Such prophet must be regarded as
a blasphemer and be put to death.
81. How shall we know" It is often
difficult to discern between the true and
the false: but facts and fufilment are the
test; The prediction which does not &C.
cord with the facts is not from God. God
IS truth whether He reveals Himself in ma
ture. science, history or His written word.
and He cannot contradict Himself The
reason there seems to be a contradiction
sometimes between science and the Bible
Is because of our lack of knowledge.
%. "Presumptuously" Impudently as
scrlbing his own vain and lying fancies to
God. mot be afraid" Tha. is. of his pre-.
dictions or threatenings.