The Elbert County tribune., 1913-08-22


The Psalm of praise (Ex. 15) is fol.
lowed by the sorrows OF sin. After
leaving the bitter waters OF Marah
(1a:23-26) the Israelites encamped for
time at Elm ". 27). They then en-.
tered the wilderness OF sin (16:D.
This name is certainly suggestive for
1t was the sin of unbelief that lay be.
hind their murmurings.
|. Despair, w. 2, 8. We sometimes
censure the Israelites for their com
planning within a month after their
miraculous deliverance from the Red
Sea, but If we examine ourselves
closely we will not be surprised al
their lack OF faith nor at the Savior's
delight when he discovered faith
cLuke 7:9). Their song, Chapter 15
of deliverance has scarcely died on
their lips when q new danger con.
fronts them. viz, that OF privation.
How many today fail at Just this point,
and think only OF the "fiesh-pots." !"
They complained more over the priva,
tions OF Gods service than over the
slavery of Pharaoh. though as a mat
ter OF fact the man in Egypt does not
have bread to the full" John ALB,
Eccl. 1:S. Truly Moses and Aaron
had task on their hands for "the
whole congregation murmured." They
had to bear the brunt OF 1t all for they
we're Gods visible representatives
Cps. 69:9; Rom. 1873. Human ma
ture Is ever the same. Rather to die
by the hand OF Pharaoh with a full
stomach than to live in freedom
which was accomplished by any priya
tions. The trouble was that having
everything done for them they lacked
tnat moral backbone, that fixedness OF
purpose, which a great principle in
spires and moves men to suffer and 70
overcome. The life of slavery in Egypt
had made the Israelites craven.
Gods Answer.
u. Deliverancc, w. 4-10. God an
swered their grumbling with a most
gracious promise. He met their bitter
cry with a bounteous provision OF
bread. That they might know it was
he who provided. God said Il will rain
bread from heaven" But to guard
against oriental improvidence or ex
cess. they were directed to gather
days portion for the day ". marg.
This provision was also to be a test
to see II they would obey him, wall
in my law, or no." Some of then
failed at the very first. and that which
they attempted to keep over spoiled
see w. 10, 20. To hoard Is to lose, tc
use is to- increase, Prov. 1924, 25
To hoard wealth, whether 1t be tenn
poral or spiritual. is to distrust God
and it was this very distrust which
God was combating. 1t was a super
natural gift aud was a type of Christ
John 6:31-33, 35. The mama sustain
ed life for day at time; he, Christ
Bustains forever. John 6:58. Notice
God did not place the mama in theii
mouths. each must gather, appro
pirate, for himself. SO also must they
who feed on the bread OF life, Chris,
Jesus. and as they were to gather
daily, SO also must we feed anew
each day on Jesus. Matt Gil.
Visible Proof.
That the Israelites might realize
fully that Moses and Aaron were not
working some trick OF necromancy, OF
taking advantage OF some botanical OF
ornithological knowledge of the coun
try, God revealed to all, at the breah
Of day, his glory. v. 10; and that theiI
descendants might see and know OF
Gods marvellous goodness and deliv
erance, they were commanded to fill
vessel with mama as a visible con
vincing proof ". 32). Nor did thi,
supply fall as long as 1t was needful
v. 35. Phil. 4:19.
III. Delight, w. 11-16. What emo
tions must have filed the hearts OF
the IsraeIites when at evening they
beheld the quails and In the morning
the mamma The mighty God who
brought them out of Egypt has again
shown his power. The mama was tc
teach them that man does not live
by bread alone but by every word thai
proceedeth out of the mouth of the
Lord" Deut. 8:2. 8. Do not lose time
speculating upon what the mama was
like. simply read Wv. 1877 and Mum
l1;7, 3. Strangely enough mot all
were satisfied with the bread from
heaven Mum. 215) but they had to
eat 1t or die. Some cried out for the
food Of Egypt, (Num. 11:5, 81 even as
today some who profess to be Chris
tians are not satisfied with Christ As
against these feelings of delight there
must have been a sense OF rebuke ".
- when God through Aaron com
manded the Israelites to come near
before the Lord"
~. The Teaching. The gift of the
mama taught the Israelites that they
must depend upon God. Man not only
needs spiritual relationship but mate
rial sustenance for the maintenance
Of his life.
The words OF the golden text were
spoken In connection with our Lords
ieeding the multitude. He is able to