Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14

CONTEET.-The plague of fiery ser
penis cured the Israeites of their murmur-
ing (Numb. xxi:6> Thereafter they marched
toward Canaan with loyal patience In the
way Moses gave instructions suited 10 their
needs, partly moral partly ceremonial OPP
posed In teeir progress by Sion and Og,
kings of the Amorites and of Bashan, they
gain splendid victory (Numb. xxi:2i-33).
This greatly alarmed Balek, king of Moab,
who requested Balaam. the priest Of Pether.
to curse Israel; but the latter under Di-
b vine direction, pronounced BILE sings tNumb.
xiii :2W. Passing on. the people encamped
on the plains east of the Jordan. opposite
Jericho, where for several months they
rested in full sight Of the promised land.
There. a new census was taken, showing
loss since the former enumeration tNumb.
lisp of nearly 1000 fighting men (Nunb.
xxvi:5D. Having been forbidden to lea II
the people further Numb. xxvii:lM, Mos s
requested a successor and God appoint d
Joshua.
FAREWELL.-The men to whom the
ten commandments wee first delivered had
persisted in the wilderness. 1t seemed nee
essary to repeat and reaffirm that law In
the presence of the new generation, who
were soon to enter upon their inheritance.
In the performance of that service Moss
would take leave of the congregation and
lay down his office 1t Impressive
occasion when the vast assembly stood be-
fore him to hear On account of his eX-
treme age Deut. XXXiX:D, as well as his
long service, they who had grown up about
him must have reverenced him father
and friend The book of Deuteronomy is
a record of the final utterances OF that great
man Deut. i:1-o). Its title, derived from
two Greek words. signifies the second law,
or TIL, second giving of the law. Moses not
only enjoned what God had previously
enacted, but he gave advices, the result OF
his experience and observation, illustrating
and confirming the same numerous histofi-
cal references. This he did, prompted by
desire for Israels prosperity In the new
home (verse b.
BASIS.-Moses was a theist. In phil
osophy Gen. i:D, in religion and In political
economy he always began with some
thought of God. Notwithstanding his Egyp-
tan training (Acts vii:22, he laid chief
emphasis upon the divine unity In laying
a basis for national security and in stating
the conditions for the public welfare he ex-
claimed (verse ~: Hear o Israel the
Lord our God is one Lord He puts the
truth in the forefront BY 1t he would dis
tinguish Israel from all other peoples who
believe in many gods. In was expected
that the firm holding of that doctrine would
awaken lofty ideals and insure the best So
cial order. Advancing from that funda-
mental thought, he enjoined love to God.
This followed as a necessary deduction.
Supreme love-engaging the whole heart.
soul and nights due to a supreme being.
Right thinking should lead to holy affection.
In this Moses anticipated Christ Matt.
xxii:3O showing the unity of the dispense
tons. Essential piety is always the same.
CoMMANDS.-Moses did not pause
with enjoining correct thoughts and feelings
concerning God. He enforced all those
commands which God had delivered by him.
Why should man who loves be bound by
laws? Does not love render law unneces S.
sary? Is not love itself law? So some
teach But Moses was wiser. He was deal
ing with people who must be educated and
elevated for whom institutions had been
established with imposing ceremonial
Some Of the laws regulated those institu-
TONS while other laws pertained to the
relations and duties Of men. Hence he re-
qured that the laws should be committed
to memory Werse 81 that the people might
become law-abiding. Besides this Mosaic
code was transcript of the Divine mind
To know it was a sure way Of knowing
God. psalm i:2). Meditation upon it would
strengthen all the intellectual powers,
psalm kris awaken hope, and purify
and comfort. John xvii:1D. 1t was as
true then as now, and 1t is universally true
that men are made free by truth. John
vii:32). Much sin is attributable to ignor-
ance. (Acts iif:1O. Judaism and Christian
ity are in accord in emphasis of law. Deut
v:29; Matt. v.19.
CHILDHOOD.-By loving God and
keeping His commands. Israel might attain
an exalted condition. psalm clxiv:15). But
that generation would soon pass away
(Eccl. i:4) and those who came after might
quickly pull down what had been buided
Unless provision is made for the young the
nation will fall to decay. psalm lxxviiiS).
Good craftsmanship will seek for the nur-
ture of childhood. 1t is possible by training
to make the future better than the past.
prov. XXii:6. Hence, to avert calamity
and to promote progress every people ought
to give heeu to the little ones Matt. iv:6).
who Gods heritage psalm cxxvi:3).
Moses displayed his wisdom in his farewell
address to Israel by requiring, in the third
item of his advice for their welfare the
instruction of the young Cverse y. Thou
shalt teach them,' not geography, arith-
metic language (strange that a scholar like
Moses should overlook human learning), but
the commands of God" How he exalts
Divine truth in building character! psalm
cxiX 80. How He emphasizes the parental
office! He would make the home a school,
Gods word the chief theme of converse tion
inscribed on the posts of the house and on
the gates oversees and 81.
RICHES.-Moses expected that Israel
would become wealthy. 1t would be diff
cult to keep a God-fearing people poor
prov, ii:16). Righteousness is capital and
its returns are large and sure; and that