The Elbert County tribune., 1913-10-10
LESSON FOR OCTOBER IL.
JEALOUSY AND ENVY PUNISHED

LESSON TEXT-Numbers. chapter 12
GOLDEN TExT-'Love envieth NOT;
love love yaunteth not itself. Is not puffed up.
1874. r. V.
In order the events from Sinai to
Kadesh-Barnea were: "a The march
ing host, Nu. 1911; (2) The fire Of
the Lord at Taberah, 11:1; (3j The
lusting after Egyptian fesh-pots,
liza; (D The complaint of Moses,
11:10; (5) The selection of elders,
11:16; (6) The two irregular prophets,
11:26; (7) the quails and the plague,
11:31. and (s) Sedition, chapter 10,
which forms today's lesson.
MirIam's Leadership.
!. The Accusation, w. 1, 2. This
is not the first nor the last time a
marriage has caused a family quarrel.
Who this Ethiopian woman was we
are not told. though we are inclined
to believe that it was Zipporah (Ex.
2:2D, and not a second wife whom
Moses married recently. OF all peo-
pie. we would least expect jealousy to
show itself in this family circle.
among these the chosen leaders OF
Israel. Nothing SO hinders the work
OF God, or gives more delight to the
devil, than just such a situation as
this one. 1t brings confusion and de-
lay ". 15). The occasion was not,
however SO much the wife of Moses
as it was envy of Moses (See Luke
22:24-26; I Cor. 1:11-15. and 8 Johr.
., 1O). 1t may have been that Moses
was culpable, for no man is perfect
(Rom. 3:23), but Miriam and Aaron
were not his judges. We must re-
member in this connection last Sun
days lesson wherein we had present
ed such radical change in the form
of government. Miriam and Aaron
were desirous of having an equal
place with Moses and because he did
thing they could not understand
they criticised him (Rom. 14.3, A;
Jude 81.
II. The Arrest, w. q, 5. "The Lord
heard it, ". 2. 1 CO. God hears what
we say in criticism of those whom he
has set over us. Instead of being
jealous of the preference accorded to
others we ought to rejoice (Phil. 2:3).
Though we are free to admit such a
course often proves the measure of
his grace In our hearts. God did not
let this matter stand nor run the
course of idle gossip. He at once,
and in person. came down to cham
pion the cause of Moses ". s, see
also 1920. 2D.
He Saw jehovah.
III. The Arraignment, w. 6-s. Je-
hovah pointed out very clearly not
only the difference between them and
Moses, but also between Moses and
all other prophets. They were proph-
cts, SO was Moses, and more. To the
prophets God revealed himself in
visions (see Ezek. IL, lisa. 6:1, Dan.
S:2. Luke 1:1D, and many other SINH
lar instances. but with Moses God
spake mouth to mouth even mani.
testify that is, others heard Gods
voice speaking audibly to Moses (Ex.
1919 and 33:11). This voice was
clear and distinct, 1t did not demand
any Interpretation. Verse does not
imply that Moses had a full revela-
ton of the person of Jehovah, but he
did have visible manifestation of
the similitude C'form" R. W of God
John 1:1S).
w. ".
parting cloud from off the tabernacle
was token of Gods displeasure. Let
us not forget that future time when
1t will be others who will depart
Matt. 25:4D. The lifted cloud re-
vealed to Aaron Miriam smitten with
leprosy. that most terrible of all dis
eases. loathsome. contagious, incur
able. Read the stories of Naaman
and Uzziah
Aaron's Sin.
v. Intereession, w. 11-16. Aaron
In his appeal to Moses acknowledges
his equal transgression with Miriam,
his foolishness and his sin, and in
turn Moses revealed his noble Christ
3ike character. Christ prayed for his
enemies Uuke 29-34). Moses was
not overcome of evil but overcame
evil with good Rom. 1870. His
prayer was an effectual one James
5:16). Some have viewed this epi.
sode in a typical light. Moses repre-
senting Christ is rejected by his own
people; the Ethiopian bride as the
church, chiefly Gentiles; Aaron and
Miriam as Jews opposed to any such
union; the leprosy as divine judg-
ment upon the Jews who are inter
ceded for by those whom they oppose:
the Christian church; Miriam shut
out Of the camp. the period of Is
rael's rejection after which period
she will be restored to her land and
her God in Christ Jesus.
This lesson is a great .eaching of
the Jealousy of Jehovah tor those
upon whom he confers honor. We
oar,.o hin, lsr l,ia a...t...---.