The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1913-08-22

The securing of water at Mount Ho-
reb, the battle with the Amalekites
and the visit of Jethro, Moses father
in-law, are the intervening events be
tween this and last weeks lesson.
suggestion as TO the historicity of the
Exodus story is indicated in verse ]
of the lesson. In the third month,
these are not the words of an impos-
tor but of the careful historian. The
place, Mount Sinai, was a familiar one
to Moses 1t was at the base Of this
range of mountains, lat the back OF
the desert that he had met and
received his commission from God.
(Ex. 3:1-12; Acts 1870, 49, Let us
consider the entire chapter.
The Highest Source.
|. "a peculiar treasure" w. is.
Thus far there has been no law TO
guide the Israelites except the word
Of 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 it 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 is in the
nature of its source-God; it's 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 the place
of seclusion with God we may expect
to hear him calling us. (Jas. 4:S.)
Once before God had called to Moses
in this place go and Moses was
taken by surprise. Now it is the man
of experience who joyfully seeks the
Lord that he may receive a message
for his waiting people. God begins
by reminding him of his acts in Egypt
and at the Red Sea (v. ~ and by his
figure, eagles wings" he empha-
sizes the fact that 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 is as yet but babe.
1t is yet to be, however, his peculiar
treasure and upon one condition only
obedience. They are to be a king
dom of priests, persons with a right
access to God, spiritual sovereigns
and holy nation set apart to pre-
serve the knowledge and worship of
God If they obey his voice. On the
ground of what he had already done,
viz, their separation from Egypt. the
negative side, God appeals to them to
take the positive side OF conservation,
to cleave unto him. He seems also to
hint at material blessings also for he
says all the earth is mine" Gods
covenant that day was two-fold, first
what he would do for them, secondly
! what they should do for him. Cps.
| 1903: II. 49, Every promise of God
is conditional
"A peculiar treasure" on the con-
dition of obedience Israel was his
| peculiar people, how sad that they
ever departed from that lofty privi-
| lege. In this present age it ia the
church which is called out to be 2
| chosen generation, a royal priesthood
! an holy nation and the people for
Gods own possession. q Peter 20,
10 R. "; Tit 2:14; Eph. Ill r. v;
Rev 1:6; $40; 20:6 r. W
II. ,sanctified people, w. 7-15-
| That the Israelites might believe
! Moses forever, God was to come and
converse with him from 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.
Ill. A wonderful revelation, w. 10.
25. 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 it was other than a material
trumpet blown by human breath. Read
| in connection with this lesson lisa. 6.
| Our God is not alone a God of love
but he is a being of infinite majesty
and holiness, "a consuming fire" Heb.
1929. Too often we have presented
an emasculated God; we need TO en-
phasize, in this day, both sides of his
| character. At least two locations are
pointed out. each of sufficient area
| to accommodate those gathered I'M
der Moses leadership ". 10. Though
he trembied (Heb. 12:21) yet he ap-
preached with confidence, | John
1921. this interview with God. No
sooner had he gone little way up
the mountain than he is ordered 10 re-
turn in order to keep the people from
breaking through the bounds to gaze,
Wv. 81, %
w. q. % 1t was a great service tC
bring these people out to meet God
no greater comes to any man, yet ey-
cry man has that privilege, but at the
same time it involved the danger OF
over-confdence and daring presump-
ton upon the part of those who be,
held and he who led. The renewal
of those strict intunctions at tina;
| time and under those circumstances
were calculated in the highest degree
to soIemnize and to awe every heart
i, d;viDo prasa0ce This is a warn