Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-09-20
The SABBATH SCHOOL.
International Lessen Comments fer
September Il.
Subject: The Death Of Yloses. Dert. xxxiy.. IL.
Golden Text. tx. xxXii, il-Memory
Verses. 5.7-comm:1tary on Lesson.


Dead Sea and Jordan; Nebo was ore Of
the SUBMITS OF this range. 'Of Gi,ead
unto Dan This was the land on the east
OF the Jordan that was TO be possessed by
tine tribes OF Reuben and Cad and the hall
tribes OF Manasseii.
:. All Naqh,aii. Moses also viewed
the AND on the west ot tire Jordan. Naph
tail was TO nave possession on the north.
cra border OF Canaan. the possessions OF
Ephr.iln and Manasseh were IN the cen.
tire, wai,e Judah was to occupv the south.
era part OF the lend. In Christ's time the
three grand divisions on the west or Pa,es
tine were Galilec on the north. Samaria in
the centre. aud Jadea or the south. I'm
10 the utmost Sea-" The Mediterranean
Sea.
3. The south" Probably referring to
the region south OF Canaan proper. toward
the desert. " alley OF Jericho" His view
was from the southern slopes OF Lebanon
southwark, until his eye rested upon the
city Immediately before him. 'Zoar.'
Not definitely located, but probably near
the southern extremity OF the Dead Sea.
:. Into Abraham etc. Gen. u: Z;
&C: .. 4: IS: 1915. To see it, There was
no miraculous power or vision impaired to
Moses. That he should see all that is de-
scrihcd is what any man could do if he at
tanned sufficient elevation. The at:nos-
pherc o. that country Is free from vapor,
and the sight IS carried long distance.
He could not enter the promised land on
earth bat God gave him Il vision OF its
slor;cs from Pissah's top. showing him that
he lad accomplished his work, that his life
had been successful. This scene has ever
been type OF the visions OF heaven. the
earnests and foretastes. the heavenly ex-
perienccs of the Christians promised land,
which God gives TO His people. The set
ting day is radiant with cloud glories un-
seen even at MONDAY. Gods word has
open windows through which shine
elinpses of heaven and ideals of the
b,s;sed life. But these visions come after
faithful service and the rlpeEing OF the
character in love and trust. Shalt no. GO
over" See Num- 20: SIS In Meribah
when the peop.e needed waite: the Lord
tod Moses to speak - the rock, but in
stead o. doing directed he smote it
twice. He also spoke uaadv;sedly with
his lips, calm. the people Rebels" and he
Tae Lord Immediately told Moses and
.iaroa that they would not be permitted to
enter Canaan.
> Servant Of the Lord" This is title
OF great dignity; Moses had bsen eminent
ly iiseiui 1t was more his honor to be the
servant OF the Lord than to be king OF
Jeshurua. No one cen be called the serv-
ant of the Lord who does not conquer the
world. who is not able to overcome all
things. Died" There is mystery in
connection with the death and burial OF
Moses: there are some who think he was
Immediately translated. According to the
word" Literally, at the mouth OF Jeho-
yah. Some OF the rabbns interpret it. BY
4 kiss of Jehovah. The Jerusalem Targum
tence of the decree OF Jehovah. The great.
est men are but instruments in God's
hands. and He can lay them aside when.
ever He chooses. None are indispensable
with Him. This should, l. Cause us to see
or own ittleness.. 2. Dispel our fears FOR
the future OF the church.
e. "He buried him." That is, God bur.
led him. This is an honor no human bc.>s
ever received besides him. From jade .
it appears that Michael. the archangel. was
employed on this occasion, and that Satan
disputed the mater with him. Why did
the Lord bury Moses? 1t hardly seems
probable that the ooject was to keep the
1sraeites from making his tomb an object
Of idolatrous worship. The tomb OF the pa
triarchs was known, and the bones OF
Joseph were then in camp on their way to
burial. yet neither tombs nor bones We're
wo.sh;ped. The following view of Kurtz
is worth considering: Jehovah did not in
tend to leave the body OF Moses to corrup.
ton, but at the very time of his burial
communicated some virtue by His own
hand which saved the body from corrup-
ton, and prepared for the patriarch a
transition into the same state of existence
into which Enoch and Elijah were ad-
mtted without either death or burial. As
an example of justice Jehovah caused him
to die before the people entered the land
o. rest and promise. but as an example OF
grace He prepared him an entrance into an
other land OF promise and rest. This view
is also held by the Homiletic Commentary,
and by the Speakers and Whedon's COM
mentaries.
7. AN hundred and twenty" The Ike
Of Moses was divided into three periods OF
forty years, during which time he was
trained. first in his own home. and af,er-
ward in the household of Pharaoh. ,.
lie was in INDIAN forty years, caring for
the sheep of his father-in-law, in the very
wilderness where he was to lead forth the
children OF Israel. 3, The first eighty
years of his life was only preparation Tor
his life work, which was the dcliverance OF
Israel For forty years he led the people
OF God in their wanderings, as they jour
neyed toward Canaan. Not dim" Moses
did not die OF disease. He was young even
in old age.
s. Thirty days" The usual time of
nence. See Mum. 20: 90.
8. Spirit of wisdom" He possessed
other gifts and graces also, but wisdom is
mentioned as being most necessary Tor the
government to which he was now called
Laid his hands" See Mum. 81: 1923.
The Lord had directed Moses to invest
Joshua with authority. In chapter 81 Z,
S. Moses gives him brief and impressive
charge. ''Hariened." They submitted
themselves respectfully to Joshua, because
God had appointed him is their leader by
the hand OF Moses.
l0lo. "Not-liiie unto Moses" Joshua
was filed with the spirit OF practical wis
dom. but was not like Moses, gifted with
power to work signs and miracles. to found
4 kingdom and create nation. None, ex-
cent Jesus, equalled Moses in official dig
nifty. holy character and intimate friend
ship with God. Moses knew God and free
~ and familiarity conversed with Hin. In
whatever light we view this extraordinary
man the euiogy pronounced in these in
spircd verses viii appear just.
The Game Of Rivers.
First. appoint leader. who startl
the game by assigning to each player
a country. To No. /. We'll say. he as
signs the United States: to No .. Eng
land: to No ,. Scotland: to Nc. 4. Ire
land: to No. ). Germany: to No q.
Russia; and so or until every player
has a country.
When that has been dsne the play.
crs should refrain from talking for
while. so that they may do little
thinking. and you know very well tina:
il you keep on talking to each other