Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-01


lesson Moses fled from Pharaoh and found
asylum in the land of INDIAN. That coun-
try lay east of Egypt in the southern part
of Arabia. To reach il a journey on foot
of several hundred miles was required. The
land was inhabited by people called Md
ianites descendants of Abraham by his
second wife, Keturah Gen. xxvi:2), and
therefore distantly related to the Israel
ties. 1t will be remembered that Joseph
was sold by his brethren Gen. xxxvi:2S)
to a company of merchant men from
indian. In later biblical history the Mid
iantes were arrayed against the Israelites
and the latter were divnely ordered to ey-
terminate them. Numb xxv:17) After
the settlement in Canaan there were fire.
quent wars between the two peoples.
Judges viil:2S) 1t in retired spot
in that land that Moses found security.
SHEPHERD (verse D.-Moses was
forty years old when he left Egypt, and
he had been forty years In indian when
the events of our present lesson occurred
During those years he had followed the
humble life of his forefathers Gen.
xlvii:3). and had kept the flock of Jethro
his father-in-law. This occupation was in
striking contrast with that of his earlier
years as a member of the Egyptian court
It showed that he had abandoned all hope
of political preferment, as one step in the
choice by which he became identified with
his own people. H1eb xi:25.) AS a shep-
herd he led the flock to the distant side or
the desert. where was to be had better
supply of grass and of water. 1t was In
that region where many tribes were ac-
customed to bring their cattle in times OF
need. which were by no means rare. Push
ing on toward the southwest, in the way to
Egypt. he, came at length to Mount Horeb
one of two peaks the other called SinaD
Arabian sky. The title Mountain of
God" was afterward applied because or
Divine appearances there.
PHENOMENON oversees . and 3)-r
is believed by several eminent scholars
that as Moses entered into the mountain
solitudes he became both reverent and
thoughtful. the place being suited to such
state of mind. and that thereby he was
prepared for the approach of heavenly
messenger. psalm xxxix:3) His atten-
ton was attracted by a remarkable phe-
nomenon. which afterward he understood
to be the mark of an angelic presence, but
nearby appeared to burn without being
consumed According to Kurtz, the flame
of fire was a symbol of the holiness Of God.
but Keil thinks rather that the fire was,
in its capacity of burning and consuming
Gsa KID, a symbol of afflicton and pun
ishment, or of the Christening and punitive
justice of God: In northern mythology this
Specification Is manifest. Hence 1t Is
thought that the burning bush typified the
seven trials of Israel. which, however,
should not consume the unfortunate peo-
pie. Moses turned aside to see more
REVERENCE oversees 4 and 5).-The
first design of the phenomenon had been
reached-it had secured the attention OF
ing the cause. 1t was then desirable to
make him know that he was not dealing
with nature alone as he seemed at first to
think, but with the supernatural Hence,
|, to nff ha Inch VOL
speaking his own name, indicating per-
sonal approach not unlike that made to the
patriarch. Gen. xxi:11) There is no rec
ord of any previous address to Moses.
This was probably the first time in his his
tory that he had been summoned by the
Divine being-it was call not to be dis
regarded. and he promptly replied. indi-
eating his readiness for any duty that
might be imposed. Here am t. he said,
as If waiting for instruction. There was
one other lesson to be learned, namely,
reverence. psalm cxi:1O) This was taught
by an order to remove the shoes Goshua
v:15). an oriental custom continued even
to this day.
Disclosures (verse 6.-An that
had thus far transpired was in fact pre-
liminary. 1t was intended to make Moses
attentive and responsive, that communi-
cation of great Importance might be deliv-
cred to him. The man who has opened his
eyes and mind and adjusted his will may
be instructed as other can be. God has
no message for the careless and Indifferent
Matt. vi:6). but he waits to mpart all that
men are ready to receive. prov. ix:9D The
revelations of God are along the lines of
spiritual development Hence. the speaker,
who has by these manifestations secured
nearer, now proceeds to disclose himself.
II am the God of thy father" he said. "of
Abraham of Isaac and of Jacob" Under
these titles were included the patriarchs
and all the promises made to them, and by
them from the calling out of Ur of the
Chaldees. Gen. xi:31) The announce
x.,StI I, : %l,1 90
liar people. of which Moses must have been
we'll informed. With becoming reverence
and humility. therefore, he hid his face,
knowing the penalty affixed to sacrilege.
Qsa. vi:5D
PURPOSE oversees I and S.-But why
has Jehovah appeared in this manner to
this shepherd of indian, this fugitive from
Egypt? Why does He disclose Himself to
the Hebrew Egyptian, now eighty years
old? (EX vii:7D The covenant and prom
Use made to Abraham concerning his pos
terity Gen. Xv:13-14 had not been forgot