The Brinkley argus., 1913-07-25
LESSON FOR JULY 27.
MosEs. REQUEST REFUSED.

MosEs' REQUEST REFUSED.
 1ESSON TExT-Ex. 5:1-l4.
 GOLDEN TExT-"Blessed are the, fAot mourn for they shall be comforted.' Matt 6A.
 Only one incident is mentioned witf 0eference to that long journey Moses nd to take in returning from Midiar to Egypt. "The Lord met him and sought to kill him." (4:24. Moses Is about to pronounce fearful pesalty Dee 4:23, and it was necessary that he soomprehended the terrible meaning of a hio threat Also he had neglected to observe the sign of covenant peace 4circumcision) with his youngest son and that was a serious delinquency for the future leader of Israel. Tt vas necessary at this stage of his ex. perience that he should learn that God ' in earnest when he speaks, and will assuredly perform all that he has Threatened" (Murphy)
 Showing himself with Aaron, the elders of Israel are soon convinced that God had sent them and was about to work out through Moses and Aaron the long promised deliverance.
 Issue Plainly Stated.
 |. Moses' Message, w. 1-9. Moses and Aaron plainly stated the issue at the very outset, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel" tv. D. This was at once challenge as to the boasted su- Der1or greatness of the Egyptian gods II also touched Pharaoh's pride for he vas m absolute monarch and can he allow these representative of an op pressed people any liberties? Lastly, it was . question of economic impor- Z tance.
 Pharaoh looked upon these Israel ties as his own property. now they are claimed for another. Let my peo- p1o go." In contempt, Pharaoh ex- claims, "Who is Jehovah7" It was in answer to that very question Moses haA been sent and right well was Pha- raoh to learn the answer ere the ac- count is settled. Men are flippantly asking that same question today, both by word and conduct, who will find out to their final sorrow who Jehovah =. and why they should obey his xvuice. Pharaoh spoke the truth when 6e said T know not the Lord" but Though he seems to boast of that he little knew what 1t means for man tc ret up his will against that of God. Fl will not" was the proud boast of a weak, wilful, ignorant worm of the dust, for all his exalted position among mon. Read 2 Thess. 1:S and Rom. 1:28.
 In reply, (v. 8 Moses and Aaron oid not seek to argue the case. Very little is ever gained by such a meth cd, much better for us to deliver Gods message verbatim and trust to the h.sy spirit to bring conviction. Moses and Aaron were far more afraid of tho pootilence and sword of Jehovah tn the boasted power of Pharaoh. Cd does punish disobedience whether No Ike it or not, see Deut. 28:21. Eoch. 14:161s. etc. This fearlessness oneored Pharaoh (v. 4) and he com. mands them and their brethren at GnCe to resume their burdens. The world b constantly accusing the ser. Nonts of God of uniting people for Ghodr work. sec Amos 7:10. Luke 23:2 sand Acts 17:6.
 Truth Confirmed.
 The truth of this narrative is con .l0rmed by the bricks found in the ,Suins of cities built during this period IT Egyptian history. The bricks were arnade of clay mixed with stubble. rath- - than the ordinary straw and baked n the sun rather than in fire kiln. v il. pharsoh's Method, w. 1915. It Uust have been . severe test of faith s fCe the Israelites to have had their ' hopes thus dashed and more grievous bnrdens thrust upon them. Before, s ths government furnished the neces. eayy straw, now they must get it sehomseives and at the same time keep ID the usual toll of bricks.
 Those who were beaten tv. 14 were ue their own number who were held \ accountable under the Egyptian task. masters for the conduct of the whole ln this not suggestive of one other than ourselves who bore our sins fin z htD own body on the tree" and "by WhOse stripes we are healed?"
 How little we comprehend, even Z with centuries of Christian history as our guide and the inspired word as our teacher. the full meaning of Paul's words. For I reckon that the suffer lngs of this present time are not \ worthy to be compared with the glory 2 which shall be revealed in us" Rom BIS. But God is mindful of his own and as soon as Moses and Aaron turn od to him he gives them most gra Is cious renewal of his promise and oi tho ultimate blessing. see Chapter os1-8.
 lil. The Summary. Gods ways oi 5 Doliyerance are never easy. His peo 0ao are always slow to believe and his Gnemies have hard hearted and ter
 1ble persistence in their opposition
 o him and his plans. But God does kof permit this defeat. nor prevent the
 ooomplishment of his purposes. Wher
 nln has done its work he makes 1t tc SiS nnse. When the fire has burned out
 " dross he will extinguish it. Pha sn nooh esteemed human life cheaply hoW about the sweat shop of today es{4et my people go" is the watch-wort
 - the light that is still in progress