The Green Forest tribune., 1913-07-25
LESSON FOR JULY 27.
NOSES REQUEST REFUSED.

MOSES REQUEST REFUSED.
 LESSON TEXT-Ex. 5:1-14.
 GOLDEN TEXT-"Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." Matt 54.
 Only one incident is mentioned with reference to that long journey Moses had to take in returning from Midian to Egypt. "The Lord met him and sought to kill him." (4:2D. Moses is about to pronounce a fearful penalty, see 4:23, and it was necessary that be comprehended the terrible meaning of his threat Also he had neglected to observe the sign of covenant peace (circumcision) with his youngest son, and that was serious delinquency for the future leader of Israel. Tt was necessary at this stage of his ex- perience that he should learn that God Is 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.
 l. Moses Message, w. 1-9. Moses and Aaron plainly stated the issue at the very outset, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel" (v. D. This was at once challenge as to the boasted su- perior greatness of the Egyptian gods. It also touched Pharaoh's pride for he was an absolute monarch and can he allow these representatives of an op- pressed people any liberties? Lastly, It was a question of economic impor- tance. Dare he allow these people thus to congregate? And there was not only civil danger, but also-a prob able financial loss. It was an auda- cious request yet it is presented fear lessly, for Moses no longer was lean- Ing upon the strength of his own right arm. Moses was fully aware of Egyp- dan court procedure and of Pha- raoh's arrogance, cruelty, and power, yet there is no suggestion of him bow ing as suppliant.
 Pharaoh looked upon these Israel Ites as his own property, now they are claimed for another. Let my peo- pie go." In contempt, Pharaoh ex- claims, "Who is Jehovah?" It was in answer to that very question Moses had been sent and right well was Pha- raoh to learn the answer ere the ac- count is settled Men are fippantly asking that same question today, both by word and conduct, who will find put to their final sorrow who Jehovah is, and why they should obey his voice. Pharaoh spoke the truth when he said "I know not the Lord" but though he seems to boast of that he little knew what 1t means for a man to set up his will against that of God. T will not" was the proud boast of weak, wilful ignorant worm of the dust, for all his exalted position among men. Read 2 Thess. Is and Rom. I:2S.
 In reply, (v 3 Moses and Aaron did not seek to argue the case. Very little is ever gained by such a meth od, much better for us to deliver Gods message verbatim and tr st to the holy spirit to bring conviction. Moses and Aaron were far more afraid of the pestilence and sword of Jehovah than the boasted power of Pharaoh. God does punish disobedience whether we like 1t or not, see Deut. 2S:21. zech. 14:16-19, etc. This fearlessness angered Pha' T (v. 4) and he com mands them d their brethren at once to resume their burdens. The world is constantly accusing the ser wants of God of uniting people for their work, see Amos 7:10, Luke 23:2 and Acts 17:6.
 Truth Confirmed.
 The truth of this narrative Is con- firmed by the bricks found in the ruins of cities built during this period of Egyptian history. The bricks were made of clay mixed with stubble, rath- CT than the ordinary straw and baked In the sun rather than in a fire kiln.
 Pharaoh accuses Moses and Aaron of speaking lies (v. g R. VI. Men to- day, sometimes by direct accusation and more often by implication, accuse Gods word of being lie. but these will one day find those words to be the truth. Matt. 5:1S. Their attitude will not affect the truthfulness of the word nor the validity and justness of Gods demands.
 II. Pharaoh's Method, w. 1915. It must have been severe test of faith for the Israelites to have had their | hopes thus dashed and more grievous | burdens thrust upon them. Before, the government furnished the neces- 1 sary straw, now they must get it themselves and at the same time keep up the usual toll of bricks. But this Is only the beginning of the struggle. | From their joy the Israelites are 1 turned to murmuring and despair which even Moses seems to have shared, w. 22, 23. Is this not sugges- tive of the gospel awakened soul that begins to realize the power of sin with. In and its own inability to meet and to master 1t? Such an experience means that we have not as yet appre. hended all the content and power of the gospel and does not imply that the gospel has failed.
 Those who were beaten (v. 14) were of their own number who were held accountable under the Egyptian task masters for the conduct of the whole Is this not suggestive of one other than ourselves "who bore our sins ir bis own body on the tree" and "bJ whose stripes we are healed?"
 How little we comprehend. ever with centuries of Christian history al l our guide and the inspired word 6;