Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-06
for SUNDAY Scboob.
STAR LESSON FOR JULY 7,
By Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, DID,,
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
econ FEEDS ISRAEL WILDERNESS" Exodus xvi LIS

vanced Intellectually as to receive the
truth. John, viii 1927 In the early times
when men lived on lower plane appeals
were also made to the senses by impressive
phenomena. Moses, therefore, directed
Aaron to assemble all Israel before the
Lord. This had been supposed to refer to
some particular place, where religious rites
and ceremonies were had. AS the great
tabernacle had not been constructed 1t Is
probabl that a small tent called the taber-
nacle of the congregation eek, xxxiii:O
served the purpose at that time. About II
the people were gathered on certain occa-
sions, and now for special purpose. The
offense committed by their murmuring
must be forgiven While Aaron was speak
ing, pursuant to these directions the chill
dren of Israel looked toward the wilder
ness, the open place behind the tent of the
congregation. and there they saw in a
cloud the glory of the Lord, the same glory
previously manifested, an unmistakable
proof that God was among them and that
Moses to be trusted.
SIGNlFIED VERSES II and 12).-There
was very interesting series of events on
that occasion-frst, the words of Moses to
the people: second, the words of Aaron to
the people; afterward the manifestation Of
glory. fifth feature completed the Incl
dent-God spake to Moses, directing him to
say to the people what supplemented, en-
forced and explained all that had gone be-
fore. This was the emphatic sentence, 'Ye
shall know that / am the Lord your God"
The flesh sent in the evening and the bread
sent in the morning should signify this. 1t
should be a conclusive argument, leaving
no room for doubt. but establishing faith
that could not be shaken. This point gain
ed would be of incalculabe value to peo-
pie so long oppressed, who knew little OF
the God Of their fathers, who in a time OF
distress were ready to reject their leader,
forsake their purpose to go to Canaan and
return to Egypt simply for food. Nothing
was more needed than firm persuasion
that Col with them.
FULFILLED (Verses 10, IA and 15).-
A nation is in the keeping of the Almighty
His word. If He fails in His promise they
must die and their bodies must lie upon
the open plain to perish. In all history
there has never been a time of such ex-
tremity and peril that into which Israel
was brought in the wilderness of sin. But
God will not fail. His promises are sure.
Oh Peter, iii:9). When night came the
Quails were sent into the camp in large
numbers. They came from the Red sea,
which was a few miles to the west. The
appearance of feathered fowls in large
numbers psalm, lxXviii:2O was a remark
able interposition, celebrated in after his
tory in the service of the temple In the
morning after the dew there lay on the
ground a nutritious substance small and
round, which the people called mama, be-
cause they did not know what 1t was I'M
til Moses told them it was promised bread.
Some scholars have tried to show that the
causes. What Of it? Cannot God work
through nature, or without 1t?
REFLECTIONS.-1, In the discharge
Of duty on the accomplishment of a mis-
sion one must expect privations, hardship
and suffering, and these must be met with
fortitude and resignation. 2 He who en-
counters trouble while walking in the Lords
way must not look backward to the good
things left behind duke, ix:62), but for
ward to the better things which are before.
8, We must not complain when adversely
comes, but turn to God for support in it
or deliverance from it. We may better
die where God has placed us duke, xviii:33)
than attempt to order our course contrary
to His will. 4. 1t is folly to blame leader
in matters beyond his control, for in SO
doing We weaken his purpose and increase
his burden, and make matters worse. 5,
There is a good and mighty God who pre-
sides over the destinies of people and who
will care for them who put their trust in
Him. 6, Frequently God sends or suffers
His people to come into great straits
that they may learn to seek Him, and He
afterward blesses them abundantly, even
in fulfilment of His gracious promise