The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1913-08-16
SUNDAY SCHOOL,: 1:
= z
Lesson Vll.-Third Quarter, For
Aug. II, 1913. .as,
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

lea. lxv, 24-commentary Prepared
by Rev. o. M. stcarns. E +
The story Of the Lords dealings with
Israel so long ago is not simply an old
story, but an old and true record, with
q present application for US and still
future reference to Israel, for accord~
ing to the days of their coming out of
the land Of Egypt will the Lord show
unto them marvellous things, and the
nations shall see and be confounded at
all their might (hic. vii, Is. 16). The
whole Bible record from Gen. LII to Rev8
Xxx is that Of God working, the devil
opposing and man on the side Of God
or the devil, God always working for
mans benefit in spite OF his sin, in-
gratitude and unbelief. He chose Is
rael and brought them unto Himself
that they might be unto Him pecuIiar
treasure above all people, holy peos
pie (Ex. xix. 4, 5; Deut. vii. g., His de@
sire being that other nations mighE
know Him through them. 4
The same truths hold concerning be1
lievers now, but as Israel failed so the
church is falling to believe and honor
God as she should. May the truths of
this lesson help US so to live that oth-
ers may want to know the Lord be-
cause Of US. Mark the repeated state1
ments that the Lord brought them out
of Egypt that He might bring them
into the promised land because of His
oath to their fathers (xiii, 8, s, 0, II, II.
16; Deut vi, 23), and let US stop mur1
muring and wondering and be quite
certain that because Of His faithfuInesa
His own can never perish. but will I'M
due time reach His home In glory (John
K, 27-29). q
Note the reference to the faith ana
words Of Joseph, "God will surely visit
you," and see the fulfilIment (xiii, 19s
Gen. !, 25). God did not lead the peo-
pie in the most direct way, but He led
them about, and, though it was q soils
tary way, it was the right way (xiii. 18a
Ps. evil, 4, y. He seemed to lead them,
into difficulties, for we find them very
soon shut in by the sea before them, !
the Egyptians behind them and the
mountains on either side xiv, 9, but it
was to overthrow their enemies and
work for them great deliyerance, and
so it is always in all His dealings with :
His own. N
The pillar Of cloud by day and fire.
by night by which He led. protected &
avenged and delivered them is one OF :
the most striking object lessons In all
their history. He never took it away.
When necessary it stood behind theme =
instead Of going before them. and be-
came their protector. It was darkness
to the Egyptians. but light to Israeli
(xiii, 21, %; xiv, 10, 20). The Lord was .
In 1t. It was the symbol and assurances
Of His presence (xiv, 24l. Note some oE,2
the many references to this wonderful
cloud in Ex. II, 38; Mum tx, Is; Z, 34s
xiv, IA; Deut. 1, 33; Neh. ix, IL, 10; Ps.I
lxxvfti, ID; xcix, z; CIV, 80. and believe
that Jesus Christ Is the same yester-
day, today and forever and loves and
cares for you, II you are redeemed, as
truly as He did for Israel Our tend J,
ency in time OF trouble is to be afraid,
as Israel was, but the many "fear /
nots" should quiet us, and we should
learn to be still and let Him fight our /
battles (xiv, 10, 13. IA, 25,. See g. 81
Of the many assurances in Deut. H. A.
30: Ill, %; Xxx, 3, A; II Chron. XXX, 29As
30; Isa. XII, 10. 13. TI: T},5
There Is time to stand still and a.
time to go forward. time to be stilh
and a time to act xiv, 13, Is; Ruth I'LL
IL; Ps. XVI, 10, III. Moses was told to-
divide the sea, but it was the Lord who
divided 1t oversees 18, Ply. He workgf.
through US and then calls the work. =
ours and gives us credit for it, but it isl
God who worketh in us both to will
and to do (Phil. Ii. 13j. The sea dividJ
ed. and all Israel went through on dry.
land, the waters being a wall unto =
them on their right hand and on their q
left (Verse %; XIV, 10; Mum. Uxxin, 8:
Ps. XVI, g; lxxviii. 13; lisa. lxiti, IL, 13). :
The Egyptians pursued and went In
after them to the midst of the sea, but g
by the hand Of Moses the sea returned z
to his strength, and the Lord overthrew z.
the Egyptians In the midst. Of the sea. Il
There remained not SO much as one OF, 4
them oversees 28-28). 5
1t Is said or the plague OF flies that
when they were removed "there re-
NAMED not one" chapter viii, 31), So I
thoroughly does God work whetheea 4
against flies or Egyptians "Thus tue
Lord saved Israel that day" (xiy, 3Ol. q
ind Israel saw and believed and sang |;
into the Lord. The Lord Jesus said tos{
Thomas, Because thou hast seen mes
,hou hast believed; blessed are they
hat have not seen and yet have beliay.
ID" (John Xxx. 29l. We are expected t0
walk by faith, not by sight, but we ace,
90 often. Ike Israel, singing when We
Zee victory and murmuring when we
lee difficulties. ,., \. ..s
This overthrow of Israeq's enemies
one OF the great morning stories of
he Bible tverses "a. 27l and makes us Z
hink OF the morning for which all true h
should be waiting. referred To 3
2 q Sam. xiii. 4; Ps. XVI. (marginl:: "a
,iix. IA; cxxx, 8. Then shall Israel
ing the song of Moses and the LAM, Il
ccording to Rev. Nv. Then shall Id E
ord come as q man OF war, in RIG it.5 Z
BUSINESS to Judge the nations. and I'll ans II
hall He reign forever and ever
", ?, 18;; Rev. XIX, 11-1G; xx. All. Bless
q are All those who can truly sa i. lsS
fa Tnr& Id 1yryy sss1.,y, ~ i, 7, IA ~,