The Brinkley argus., 1913-08-29
INTERNATIONAL SUNDYSCDOOL
 LESSON (Dy E. O. SELLERS, Director of Even ing Department The Moody Bible ln- stitute of Chicago)
LESSON FOR AUGUST 31
ISRAEL AT SINAI.

ISRAEL AT SINAI.
 LESSON TExT-Ex 1e.i-6. l6-2l.
 GOLDEN TExT-"Let us have grace whereby we may offer service well-pleas- ing to God with reverence and awe. = Heb. 1928 K. V.
 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. A 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 familiar one to Moses. It was at the base of this range of mountains, "at the back oi the desert," that he had net and received his commission from God (Ex. 3:1-12; Acts 7:30, 3S.) 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 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 these 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; it's sacredness is in the nature of its source-God, its strength is in the matter of their obedience.
 Moses went up" and the Lord separation from man and the 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 1t 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. 4) 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 a babe.
 It 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.
 "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 is the church which is called out to be a chosen generation, royal priesthood, an holy nation and the people for Gods own possession. q Peter 29, 10 R. "; Tit. 2:14; Eph. Ill R. VI; Rev. 1:6: 5:10: 20:6 R. VI
 II. A 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 toe near and be put to death (v. 12). Gods s 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. 16 25. Gods descent was signalized by every object of grandeur and awe that imagination can conceive. The burning mountain suggests the con suming fire to the transgressors ol 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 ths attention of ages? The enyelopint cloud reminds us of another noun trumpet emphasizes the supernatural that it was other than materia trumpet blown by human breath. Reat in connection with this lesson Isa Our God is not alone a God of lovs but he is being of infinite majesty and holiness. "a consuming fre," Heb 11:79 Too often we have presented m emascuiated God; we need to em phasixe. in this day. both sides of hit character. At least two locations arr pointed out, each of sufficient are; to accommodate those gathered un der Moses leadership (v. 17). Thougf he trembled (Heb. 12:2D yet he ap preached with confidence, Johr 3:z1, this interview with God Nc sooner had he gone a little way uI the mountain than he Is ordered to re turn in order to keep the people from breaking through the bounds to gaze w. 21. 22
 oDmmary. The murmurings at Re phi6im (ch. ID seem incredible SC soon after the song of Moses tch. l5l and the supply of mama tch. l6l yet bow soon darkness makes us for get the brightness of bygone light. i'm minent danger to forget previous de liverance Man alone cannot cope with these emergencies: God aion, can provide. Gods revelation ant declaration have in this dispensatior bean repeated in almost Identical Ian guage to the heavenly people. ths church of Christ q Pet. 2:9. HI methods, though seemingly stern, ar'