The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1913-08-28

The securing Of water at Mount Ho
reb, tho battle with the Amalekttes
and the visit Of Jethro, Moses father.
ln-laW, are the intervening events be-
tween this n last weeks lesson. A
suggestion rs to the historicity OF the
Exodus story is indicated In verso !
OF tho lesson. "In the third month. I"
these are not the words Of an impos.
tor out OF tho careful historian The
place, Mount Sinai, was q familiar one
TO Moses. 1t was at the base Of this
range or mountains, "at tho back OF
the desert" that he had met and
received his commission from God.
(Ex. S:1-12; Acts 7:3O. 49, Let us
consider the entire chapter.
The Highest Source.
!. "A peculiar treasure" W.. 1-e.
Thus far there has been no law to
guide the lsraelites except the word
or God by the mouth OF the prophet
AS a nation they must have laws and
the proper time has now arrived to
promulgate those laws. But 1t is nee
essary TO Impress the nation with the
source, the sacredness and the
strength Of law. It's source is the
highest-God; its ~sacredness la in the
nature of it's source-God; its strength
Is IN the matter Of their obedience.
Moses went up" and "the Lord
called" When we seek the place of
separation from man and tho place
OF seclusion with God we may expect
to hear him calling us. GAS. 4:8.)
once before God had called to Moses
IN this place (3:4) and Moses was
taken by surprise. Now it is the man
OF experience who joyfully seeks the
ord that he may receive a. message
FOR his waiting people. God begins
by reminding him Of his acts in Egypt
n at the Red Sea ". ~ and by his
figure, eagles WINGS" he empha-
sizes the fact hat none else but Je-
hovah wrought this deliverance. Even
as the eagle bears It's young upon it's
wings SO has he borne out of Egypt
this nation which IL as yet but a babe.
1t Is yet to be. however, his peculiar
treasure and upon one condition only
obedience. They are to be q king.
dom of priests, persons with q right
access to God, spiritual sovereigns
n a holy nation set apart to pre-
serve tho knowledge and worship Of
God If they obey his voice.
"A peculiar treasure" on the con.
dition Of obedience Israel was his
peculiar people. how sad that they
over departed from hat lofty privi-
lege. In this present age it la the
church which is called out to be a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood,
an holy nation and the people for
dod's own possession. q Peter 80,
10 r. "; Tit. 2:14; Eph. iii r. w.:
Rev. 1:6; $40; 2O:6 r. W
II. A sanctifled people, W.. 7-1b.
That tho Israelites might believe
Moses forever, God was to cone and
converse with him from a thick cloud.
Before this took place, however. they
must cleanse themselves, set guards
about the mountain lest any draw too
near and be put to death ". 12). Gods
revelations to men are never made to
those who with lust In their hearts
cling to- their sins.
Trumpet Not Material.
III. A wonderful revelation, w. 49,
Is. Gods descent was signalized by
every object Of grandeur and awe
that imagination can conceive. The
burning mountain suggests the con-
Stunning fire to the transgressors of
the law about to be revealed. The
booming thunder and flashing light
ming amid the stiffness OF the wilder.
ness would arouse universal attention.
and has not the law thus attracted the
attention Of ages? The enyeloping
cloud reminds US Of another noun
tain experience, see Matt. 17:5. The
trumpet emphasizes the supernatural.
that 1T was other than q material
trumpet blown by human breath. Read
in connection with this lesson lisa. 6.
Our God Is not alone q God Of love
but he is q being Of infinite majesty
and holiness, "a consuming fire." Heb.
1928. Too often we have presented
all emasculated God; we need to ON.
pllaslze, in this day. both sides Of his
character. At least two locations are
pointed out, each Of sufficient area
to accommodate those gathered un-
der Moses leadership ". I'D. Though
no trembled (Heb. 12:21) yet he ap-
preached with confidence, I John
S:21, this Interview with God. No
sooner had he como IL little way up
the mountain than he Is ordered to re-
turn In order to keep the people from
breaking through the bounds to gaze,
Wv. Fl, 90.
Summary. The ~murmurings at Re-
phidlm Och. ~ seem incredible so
coon after the song Of Noses (ch. 15)
and the supply OF mama tch. 16).
yot how soon darkness makes us for.
get tho brightness Of bygone light, i'm
minent danger to forget previous de-
n%verance. Man alone cannot cope
with these emergencies; God alono
can provide. Gods revelation and
declaration have In this d~ispensation
been repeated in almost identical Ian.
guagc to the heavenly people, the
church Of Christ. CT Pet. 80. His
Methods. though seemingly stern. are
L}Dnn 81 grace and mercy.