The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-07-05


was lin the day of intercession, when one
man represented many at the throne of
the 4nflnite The Almighty cared for His
people. though they scarcely knew the
fact n(1sa. i.3). He never calls into way
that Ybrings trouble but he offers deliver
anceN Il Cor. KID. In this instance there
camR to Moses promise of bread. daily
port lon to be sent directly from heaven-a
niraycle should he performed to feed the
hung Ery thousands. miracle, moreover,
unlil Ee any wrought before or since.
TheAe was one condition prescribed-so
on he seventh day. which was the Sab
BATH there need he no gathering. This
reuuI uIirement made before the moral law
was promulgated CFIx. xx:1O), is a strong
indi cation that day of rest had been
known in the early history of the chosen
peor|e, or ELSE It was designed as a test
Of obedience, an intimation Of subse-
auef 1t law.
1NFORMED.-(Verses G. and 81. This
mesosage received directly from God was
deli 9ered by Moses and Aaron, repre-
sentlng the judicial and prlestly func-
tionSs, to the people, but worded In sOme-
WHAT different form accompanied with re-
pro1fs. 1t was said that in the morning
bread would be given Matt. vi:11), and
In the evening flesh, as furnishing a mixed
diet1 Of animal and vegetable matter. but
with one item at meal 9. 1t was said
that in the morning the glory Of the Lord
sho1ild be seen elsa. xi:5), perhaps a
visi pie effulgence such as had appeared in
the clouds which, occurring by daylight,
would attest the Divine presence. 3. 1t
wasI said that this would be the proof to
all that God and not Moses had conduct
ed 4he exodus from Egypt. L. is said
that the Lord had heard the - lurmuring,
WHICH. although directed ag INST Moses,
was in reality against the Almighty Such
instructions. SO plainly and faithfully de-
livelred, were well suited to prepare these
Ignorant people for what afterward oc-
curfed and to give them spiritual quick
enil hs.
AlPPEARED.-(Verse 9 and 10) In
strJiction Is quite sufficient for all who
areJ so advanced intellectually to receive
theI truth (John viii:32). In the early
tim kes, when men lived on a lower plane,
impressive phenomena. Moses, therefore,
directed Aaron to assemble all Israel be-
for\, the Lord. This has been supposed to
refer to some particular place, where
relf fgiOus rites and ceremonies were had.
AsI the great tabernacle had not been con-
strficted. 1t is probable that a small tent
allied the tabernacle of the congrega-
tio41 eek. xxxiii:O. served the purpose at
that time. About it the people were gath
ereed on certain occasions. and now for
special purpose. The offense committed
byV their murmuring must be forgiven.
WY1ile Aaron was speaking. pursuant to
thfse directions the children of Israel
looked toward the wilderness, the open
plaI Ice behind the tent of the congregation,
andl there they saw in a cloud the glory
Of the Lord, the same glory previously
maynifested, an unmstakable proof that
GoSd was among them and that Moses was
to be trusted.
$IGNIFIED.-(Verses II and 12). There
WIS very interesting series Of events on
thvat occasion-first the words of Moses to
thte people. second the word of Aaron to
thd, people. afterward the manifestation of
gibry. fifth feature completed the in
cifent-God spoke to Moses. directing him
to- say to the people, what supplemented.
nfforced and explained all that had gone
before. This was the emphatic sentence.
Ne shall know that l am the Lord your
Cpd" The flesh sent in the evening and
thFe bread sent in the morning should sig
Nifty this. 1t should be a conclusive argu-
m1ent, leaving no room for doubt, but es-
taIblishing faith that could not be shaken.
his point gained would be Of incalcu-
lafble value to people so long oppressed.
who knew little of the God of their
READY to reject their leader, forsake their
Purpose to go to Canaan. and return to
Egypt, simply for food. Nothing was
More needed than a firm persuasion that
Gyod was with them.
fFULFILLED.-(Verse 10, IA and 15). A
nation is in the keeping of Almighty God
MIillions of men are dependent upon His
WORD. If He fails In His promise they
MUST died and their bodies must lie upon
t4e open plain to perish. In all history
There has never been a time of such ex-
t1enity and peril as that into which Is
rstel was brought in the wilderness of SIM
But God will not fail. His promises are
sure QI Pet. iii:O. When the night came
t4e quails In large numbers were sent
into the camp. They came from the Red
spa which was a few miles to the west
tHumb. xi:3D The appearance of feath-
cred fowls in large numbers psalm
l4xviii:2O. was remarkable interposi-
t1on celebrated in after history in the
Services of the temple. In the morning
after the dew there lay on the ground a
nutritious substance, small and round,
Which the people called mama, because
they did not know what it was. until
Moses informed them that 1t was the
promised bread John vi:S1). Some schol-
airs have tried to show that the quails and
rhanna were produced by natural causes.
What of it? Cannot God work through
Nature or without 1t?
REFLECTION.-1. In the discharge of
ciuty on the accomplishment OF a mission
9ne must expect privation. hardship and
Suffering, and these must be met with
1ortitude and resignation. .. He who en-
dounters trouble while walking in the
lords way must not look backward to
9he good things left behind duke iX62l,
put forward to the better things which
sfre before. 3. We must not complain
when adversity comes, but turn to God
FOR support in 1t or deliverance from 1t.
We may better die where God has placed
MS Q4uke xvii:33). than attempt to order
pur course contrary to his will, T. 1t is
Holly to blame leader for matters beyond
ifis control. for in so doing we weaken
IBIS purpose and increase his burden and
70 make matters worse. 8. There Is
good and mighty God who presides over
the destinies of peoples and who will care
for them who put their trust In him. g.
Frequently God sends or suffers His peo-
pie to come into great straits that they
may learn to seek Him, and He after
ward blesses them abundantly even In
fulflment of His gracious promise.