The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-07-29
THE DUEL BETWEEN KINGS.
III. International Sunday School Les.
~on for August 3 Is, THE Plaques Of
lyypt." Ps. 1O5:23-26.

Nil ~ AN VI
Egypt" Ps. 1O5:23-28.
. by WILLIAM T. ELLIS.)
one Of the most interesting stories
in The Bible, and one which is fast
.ned in the memory from childhood
days. is the narrative of the ten
plaques Of Egypt. These were the
weapons used by Jehovah in the great
contest with Pharaoh for the deliver |
ance Of the Children of Israel from
bondage. The story is repiete with
dramatic incident. 1t has all the
thrill which "a great contest ever ex-
cites, and then it has the multitude
shepherds rod which in Aaron's hand
became a serpent; the clever efforts
of the Egyptian magicians to match
the miracles, the repeated interviews
between the Prince-Shepherd-E manci-
pator, and Pharaoh, with mutual de-
frances: and then the nature OF the
plaques themselves.
We do not have to take Pharaoh
at his own valuation, as VIZ find his
might vauntingiy set forth on the
monuments, to understand that he
was one of the two lords Of the world
in his time. He was an absolute de-
spot. with power of life and death
over every man and woman in a large
section Of the known world. He was
worshipped as a God by his people.
TO him Jehovah was but as n Of the
tribal gods Of the heathen: the tutelar
deity Of these despised Hebrews. In
such a contest PharOah thought that
the odds were all with the builders of
the pyramids and Of the great tenn
pies.
The story is crowded with mes
Sages for everyday life, for the strug-
gle etwee God and the proud hui
man soul is written in the book of the
heart Of many a man and woman who
viii read these words.
The Covenant That Counts.
The modern school of fiction writ
,ng plunges into the middle of things,
with the first sentence of the opening
chapter. The older way, which is
truer to life, recalls what went be-
fore. We are introduced to this spec
tacular duel between deity and earthly
king, by reminders of Jehovah's an.
Client covenant. We find Abraham and
isaac and Jacob here. Their sou
transaction with the infinite are Z
factor in the great struggle in Egypt
God recalled to Moses the cOvenan
Thai heb ad made with the patri
Archs. He takes very seriously hi
agreements with man. Does one sa.
that the covenant had been rendered
invalid because the party of the sec
"nd part had broker it? Not 50; GO'
keeps faith. IF we are faithless. h
abideth faithful; for He cannot den
Himself"
One Of the changeless things O
time and eternity is the spoken wor
al Cod. Into this compact morta
may enter. The covenant-keepin
character Of jehovah is the comfo1
81 parents who have dedicated thei
children to him; and it is the SIP
port of all who have pledged the
hves TO Coo in the great ~transRctio
which is the mountain peak OF huma
experience. Amid the flash and Cls
moi Of this conflict in Did Pharaoh
court, We n e in clear and shiT
ing letters the eternal truth that j
h"vah is a covenant-keeping o
The Patience Of n Strong.
whether We view history in II
large, or study some detailed inc
gwen cause to marvel at the p;
thence of the Omnipotent. Consid'
what God has borne at the hands
men. Behold how He has waite
through the centuries in benign p
tlence. Well could the Psalmist G.
mat Jehovah is slow to anger, al
pienteous in mercy" His course wi
Is his course luTOuSIO
NE. He gave this proud ~pOtentate o.
warning after another. OppOrtuni
Tor repentance succeeding oppOrt
nity.
he would nave been justified
overwhelming Egypt with one swi
smashing blow: but, He hath n
nealt with us after our sins. nor 7
~arded us according to our iniQl
ues. Watching this due we pc
ceive Inc homeiy and yet lefty IL
son that a proof Of strength is p
uence. h wise know o to Wa
me strong are the slowest TO I
'helr strength. 1t is the weak w
are the impatient and the excitab
children van everything done on t
instant. The mature know that :
1ocr patience We shall win yo
souls This quality is an attrib,
al The Infinite: and it should mark
VITO share His life.
inc sd Witt, the Big Guns.
Napoleon nee c~ynically remark
'hat he noticed that w was u: