The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-07
The International
Sunday-School Lesson
Thlrd Quarter. Lessen y. Numb

Third Quarter Lesson \. Numb
ers xxi 10. september 9, 1907;
THE BRAZEN SERPENT.
A new generation of Israel. one that had
not been debased and corrupted by the seryi-
tude and idolatry OF Egypt. but instead had
enjoyed Divine tutelage, and been Injured
By the hardships OF tho wildornass--such q
nation was approaching the borders OF
Canaan.
one last ordeal for their faith and pa
tience remained to be endured Between
them and the land OF promise lay Edom.
Moses had sent deputation requesting III
most fraternal language the privilege OF
passing through, assuring the King thas
they would keep to his own highway, anu
not deplOy through the country TO the en-
dangerng OF the fields and vineyards. AS
custom was promise WAS made. In addition
to pay for the water used an route
To this ciyi! petition Israel got q eharli ,!,
answer, 4 blank refusal, emphasized by
warlike demonstrations. Tho Israel OF forty
years before would have gotten angry on
the instant. and, whether God willed itgor
not. would have undertaken to have forced
a passage. But tho generation bred III tue
wilderness was more doclle.
But hope deferred, and the exceeding dlf-
foulty of the way--hlnty, arid, ana sand
sYcpt rs It was---naaiiS brooks down the
spirits even OF the new Israel. They raised
tho old murmuring that ought to have died
and been buried with their fathers. IN their
petulance they failed to mention Its real
PpoNPeAsStAASAAS
entrance to. Canaan, and fell to depreciatins
one OF the greatest blooms of providence-
tho mama. without which they would have
long since persisted.
Their punishment was by natural means.
Their path lay through q. tract infested to
this day with venomous serpents Al that
day, undecimated by the Bedouin. VINO
familiar with their traits and haunts avoid
ad them, they had bred In prodisious num-
hers. In these serpent dens the people.
sullen and unwary, walked. The serrlsd
hosts in the rear, unaware o. ILL.,, me sr suuu1
and made escape almost impossible
The brief and pitlfult record y. that much
people Of Israel died. Their manner Of
death was shocking. They were quickly
affected with burning and raging thirst
accompanied with fiery inflammation
The promptnsss and senuineness OF lsraei,s
repentanos is marx rh. OF ssss nee 10
heve been single instance OF wholesome
contrition on the part OF the former genera
ton Moses lntercession was apparently the
only ground on which they were spared red
have snned.'' spray TOR u.s.
The means provided for resignation we're
e ehaSaoser Of the case did not admit ,os
question, II WAS patent to al that there
could be no natural cnnnection between
looking ct q bronze snake, eiinging to 2
| the ullaying of the deadly fever incident
| to the bite OF n vennmous reptile. Strange
artldote for poison that hut the mower
| OF the Almighty WAS IN that improhAb,t
means to all who had faith enough to look
| towards 1t.
Many looked. and ipstantly the deadly
\ fever was allaFed and all impending ane
awful death averted. The mourning OF the
stricken camp was chnsAd Into rejoicing
The mercy and powor OF God were magni-
fed ~, ,,,,x,
+ I. Second approach to Canaan.
"A new nation. t34tS4i si5 4.g
O. Passage through l1dom denied.
s.. Old Israel would have fought y passage
| New 1sraei moro doc,e.
i 1, A shameful lapse
/ old ''lnurmurings'' repeated,
s. Punishment by natural means, s&
II Serpent infested region, n 3lisiisg
N a. Prompt repentance ad ditippal s!En ol
national I'M eyslne