Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1907-08-21
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson vllI.-Third Quarter, Fol
Aug. %, 1907.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

copyright, 1907, by American Press Association
A little over year and month has
| passed since Israel left the bondage of
Egypt suggestive Of the bondage of
the world lying in the wicked One), to
find that they carried tyrant within
them, the self that would not be sub
dued and that caused them so much
| trouble by its perverse and persistent
murmuring, yet the Lord who re-
deemed them and loved them, knowing
all about them, arranged to dwell in
their midst and be their God and pro-
vided a way whereby they could al
ways approach Him and learn His will
in all things.
While Exodus is the redemption
book and Levitious the book of wor-
ship, Numbers is the book of journey
ings. 1t also tells Of the numbering of
the people at Sinai in the beginning of
the second year after leaving Egypt
and of their numbering a second time,
thirty-eight years later in the plains Of
Moab, by Jordan, near Jericho Chap
ters l and XVII, and this significant
statement concerning the second num-
bering. Among these there was not
man of them whom Moses and Aaron,
the priest, numbered when they num-
bered the children Of Israel In the will
derness of Sinai save Caleb,
the son Of Jephunneh, and Joshua, the
son of Nun" (xxvi, GA, 60. These num-
behring's did not include the tribe Of
Levi q, Al, 49). The book Of Numbers
illustrates the life Of the believer In
the wilderness Of this world, and Ca
naan suggests the rest into which we
should enter after we are redeemed,
and we know that but few Of the re-
deemed seem to enter into rest (Heb.
Iii, 10, to iv, 100. In the first month Of
the second year they kept the Passover
at the appointed season Qx, 80, for
we must never forget that we are re-
deemed by the blood Of the Lamb and
separated from the world unto God to
be His own possession.
In the second year, on the twentieth |
day Of the second month, everything |
being in readiness, they start from |
Sinai on their journeyings under the |
immediate care and guidance Of the |
Lord who redeemed them and who |
never forsoOk them Notwithstanding all |
their rebellion verses lib. The pres
ence of the Lord in the pillar of cloud |
by day and fire by night was every
thing to them, their perfect oracle and
guide, protector and avenger. Note in
chapter TX, 1923, the sevenfold "at
the commandment of the Lord" con-
corning all their movements, for the
one thing required Of the believer is
whole hearted, willing obedience Elsa.
|, 19). The silver trumpets of chapter
x, ITO, for the assembling of the peo-
pie, ETC., have also q reminder Of atone
ment (EX. Xxx, 49, and seem to be ever
saying, II have redeemed thee; 1 have
called thee by name; thou art mine"
,Isa xiii, u.
In verses IA to % Of our lesson chap
Ter we have the order of march of the
.ribes, for God is a God of order and
and peace, never of con-
'usion or unquietness q Cor. xiv, 49,
l0. First came the camp Of Judah,
Isachar and Zebulun; then,
lnder the care Of Gershon and Merari
# the tribe of Levi, all the heavier
PARTS of the tabernacle on six covered
wagons, drawn by twelve oxen Chap
er vii, 6-S); then the camp of Reuben,
Simeon and Cad, followed by
he Kohathites bearing the holy YES
els on their shoulders; then the other
wo camps of Ephraim and Dan, includ-
ne the six remaining tribes Every
ribe knew its place and every man OF
4evi his work, and to be happy each
ne had only to accept his place and
york and keep 1t and do it.
A lot Of restless Christians seem to
hink that God does not know the best
lace for His people nor the work He
an best accomplish through them, and
o they are ever complaining Perfect
onhdence in the loving management
f our Redeemer would be so much
etter and save us from q lot of fret
illness. We read In Lex. xviii that :
loses father-in-law came to visit him.
ringing Moses wife and two sons. but
ne last verse Of the chapter said that =.
e departed and went his way into :
is own land. Verses 20. 80, of our les !.
IN may refer to an incident of that
lsit, which he may have prolonged for
everal months, or else this is the rec
I'd of another visit, but that is not so
nportant a matter as the words of -,
loses In this connection. 1--WE are
unto the place of which the
ord said, will give it you" Are we u
} resting with the quiet assurance on
e faithfulness IF God and His pre-
Gus promises that we are ready to
": "The Lord hath spoken good con- d
rning us. Come thou with us, and we a .,
III do thee good" Do such words as u
'hn /, II; K, %, 20; Rev. Iii, 81; v. 0. IL
J.; Col lii, 4, so fill us that we can p
It help saying to others. Come with u
and share this redemption and king u
M and glory? Or, as far as others
n judge of US, does it all seem to be
thing to us, not worth mentioning? J.,
Verse 81 seems weak and unbeliev- "
g on the part Of Moses, for was not -
e presence of God In the clond all o.
ay needed? The knowledge Of mortals -
to how to encamp, ETC., was wholly
DIVIDED out by the presence and
lniscience Of God. But It is such q
,ture of ourselves. With such assur- d,
ces as Ps. xxi, 8; lisa. XXX, p, we a.
e so apt to lean upon human help :"
d guidance and say f1attering words. G.