The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-09
Moses Discouraged, Heart Broken

Moses Discouraged, Heart Broken
Trusting in the Lords promise, Moses
believed that the time had come for the
deliverance of the Israelites from their
bondage. He knew we'll of his miraculous
preservation. and had the assurance of
Gods promise that this signifed that God
had a special work for him to do He
was ready and anxious to begin that work
He knew not of his own unreadiness.
Nothing was further from his thought
than that he would require 40 years more
of special schooling.
An occasion to show his zeal for his
brethren came when heNsaw an Egyptiaa
abusing one of them uniusty. He threw
himself into the conflict. The Egyptian
was killed in the scuffle. The Israelite
was delivered. Moses perceived that none
of the Egyptians isnew of this matter, SO
he buried the victim in the sand. Iie
doubted not that his bretheren would pass
the world along that he was their friend
and defender, and that they would look to
him with confidence as their leader. when
Gods providence would open the door for
them to leave Egypt.
But all these dreams faded when, on the
following day he perceived that there was
no such loyalty among his brethren as
he had expected, and that instead of be-
ing his followers, they were ready to de-
liver him to the Egyptian authorities foi
having rendered assistance to one of their
race.
Thoroughly discouraged and fearing Cor
his life. Moses fed to the wilderness of
Midian. 1t looked as though all of l,is
loyalty and all of bis 40 years of educa-
ton and development had gone to vast.
He had supposed that he was being pre-
pared to be the captain of the Lords host
and to lead il forth. In one thour all OF
4. - l.
gitive. fearing to show his face in the
palace amongst the Egyptians or amongst
those of his own race
Moses JethrO's Shepherd
As the fugitive sat upon the casing Of
we'll shepherds brought their hocks to
it for water. Amongst the sheep tenders
were Jethros daughters, and opposing
them some ungallant shepherds. Moses,
full of the instinct of justice, not only
took their part, Dut helped by drawing
water for their fiocks, and incidentally
walked with them toward their home.
Jethro was appreciative of the stranger,
who did not disclose his identity. He who
was learned in AL the learning of the
Egyptians. and who had been one of the
generals of Egypt, was now thoroughly
crestfallen, meek, tractable, teachable.
Moses married one of Jethro's daugh-
ters, and continued to be humble shep-
herd for 40 years He did not at the time
understand the Lords providence in his
affairs, but he was all those years learn
ing a most important lesson of meekn sss,
of full submission to the divine will.
When the lesson had been learned. God $
time had come to put His thus doubly ed
ucated servant into a most important
place, for which be would have never
been qualified without Just such exper-
iences.
n
the general principles of His dealings with
all those Of whom He would make special
servants prepared for special services.
Our Lord Jesus in the heavenly courts
testified His loyalty and fidelity to the
Almighty. AS a means toward his further
exaltation the opportunity was given Him
of becoming the Savior of mankind and
thus of carrying cut the divine pro-
gramme. He gladly responded. although
He was a Son, yet learned He obedience
by the things which He suffered. He
brews 5:S.
st. PaPul declares that because of this
demonstration Of His full submission to
the Fathers will unto death, even the
death of the cross" therefore God highly
exalted our Lord in His resurrection, not
only as high as He was before. but high
er-"far above angels. principalities aud
powers. and every name that is named. 2
Philippians, 2:9:11.
Similarly, during this gospel age God is
calling out of the world sanity COM
pany. little flock, to be associated with
Jesus in His great work Of the futuro--
as promised by God to Abraham, saying,
I'm thv seed shall all the families of the
earth be blessed" Those responsive to
this special invitation are required to
demonstrate stheir loyalty to God. All
those whom God Is now receiving as mem
bers Of the royal priesthood must be
tested in respect TO their humility-their
suhmissiveness to the divine will.
Only those who learn this lesson and
become "copfes of Gods dear Son. will be
meet for the inheritance of the saints in
light'--prepared for glory. honor and Inn
mortality.