The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1913-11-14

time OF the second arrival at Kadesh-
Barnea, Miriam dies; at Mt. Hor,
Aaron departed and his office is be-
slowed upon his son, Eleazar. Then
quickly followed the plague OF ser
pents, the defeat of the king of the
Amorites, Balaam's folly, the apostasy
of Israel which was cleansed by blood
through the zeal of Phinehas, and final
ly the arrival upon the plains Of
Moab.
Law Confirmed.
Here Moses repeats and confirms
the law to this new generation Of
Israel, delivers his last charge, sings
his last song, ascends Mt. Nebo to
view Canaan, and is forever with
the Lord" In the passage marked out
for this lesson we have the account of
the passing Of this wonderful servant
Of God. Returning to CHI. 31:1-8 and
32:44-52 we see this journey In pros
pect, after that we read Moses parting
blessing and in this section we read
Of the fulfllment Of that prospect
Moses anticipated his departure by a
quiet dignity, absolutely divorced from
haste or fret, that was characteristic
of his life Of submission and was the
essence Of his life Of faith.
Before departure Moses solemnly
charged this newer generation to OBJ
serve the. law, declaring that it is not
vain nor an empty thing, but in deed
and in truth to them the way of life.
Then comes the simple dignifed ac-
count of this last act of obedience, sim
pie, yet sublime. Yonder we see him,
viewed by the hosts of Israel as he
aBcends the mountain alone-yet not
alone-prepared to spend his last
hours upon earth with Jehovah, who
doubtless appeared as the angel
Jehovah and pointed out to him the
land he so much longed to enter but
could not because he failed to sanctify
God in the sight of the people at
critical moment. Taking the glory to
himself on that occasion demanded an
act of punishment as a warning to
the people, hence, 1T went i'll with
Moses for their sakes," Ps. LOG: 80.
There upon the mount Gods covenant
with Abraham is confirmed and with
undimmed eye and undiminished vigor
". y, Moses was shown the fulfil
ment Of that promise, his body was
laid at rest by God himself, in an I'M
known and unmarked sepulchre, "over
against Beth-Peor," v. 6.
u. The New Leader, v. 9. God never
leaves his people without a leader
and hence Joshua is exalted to COM
pensate Israel for the loss of Moses.
1.-The king. Is dead-long live the
king" The worker dies, the work
goes on and many times the victories
of the new leader are fully as great
and far reaching as any won by the
former leader Joshua was not Moses,
he was Joshua and as such called to
face new problems.
III. A Great Character, w. 1912. The
description of Moses is of one who saw
Jehovah face to face, peculiar dig
nifty, and the secret of his greatness.
When Aaron and Miriam murmured
God declared that Moses was different
from all other prophets in that, with
him will speak mouth to mouth, even
manifestly, and not in dark speeches,
and the form of Jehovah shall he be-
hold" Mum. 1868. Moses himself
declared to Israel that when God
spoke to them out Of the midst of the
fire, II stood between the Lord and
you," Deut. ga, 8. The supreme
teaching of this lesson is the fact that
great as Moses was, he was never
theless excluded from the promised
land as warning to Israel
On the other hand this story is a
wonderful illustration of the tender
compassion and watchful care of Jeho-
yah even to the end. Even the discip
line Of Jehovah is accompanied by
gentleness. If he must needs be ex-
cluded yet he is not excluded from
communion with Jehovah.
Thus this saint who was separated
to the will of God passes out of life.
In the hour of the contamination of
his life work his spirit passes into
yet closer fellowship with God. The
Psalmist In the words OF the golden
text most beautifully suggests that
such an hour Is delight to God, and
suggests the welcome which must be
awaiting his saints. Do not forget the
last glorious appearing Of Moses after
the lapse Of the centuries when:
ION the hills he never trod
Spoke OF the strige that won our life
With the Incarnate Son of God"
Death and Judgment were a con-
slant source of fear to me until l real
ICED that neither shall have any hold
ON the child of God" d. L. Moody:
Do not put death out of consideration,
but welcome it as Moses welcomed
1t. When we stand on Pisgah, can
we say we did our full duty? In that
hour the plaudits of men will be
stilled.
Moses was great hero, prophet,
priest, law-glver, poet and general,
yet Israel could erect no monument
over his grave to do him honor. It
was a greater honor to follow his
sdmonitions and obey the law.