Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-07-24

| GOLDEN TEXT-"Blessed are they
that mourn for they shall be comforted."
Matt 5:4.
Only one incident Is mentioned with
reference to that long journey Moses
had to take in returning from indian
to Egypt. The Lord met him and
sought to kill him." (4:24. Moses Is
about to pronounce fearful penalty,
see 4:23, and it was necessary that he
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. ut
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.
!. Moses Message, w. 1-9. Moses
and Aaron plainly stated the issue at
the very outset, Thus saith the Lord
God Of Israel" w. u. This was at
once challenge as to the boasted SUI
perior greatness Of the Egyptian gods.
1t also touched Pharaoh's pride for he
was an absolute monarch and can he
allow these representatives of an OPP
pressed people any liberties? Lastly,
1t was question OF economic impor-
lance.
Pharaoh looked upon these Israel
ties as his own property, now they
are claimed for another. Let my peo-
pie CO." In contempt, Pharaoh ex-
claims, "Who is Jehovah?" II 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 fiippantly
asking that same question today, both
by word and conduct, who will find
out to their final sorrow who Jehovah
is, and why they should obey his
voice. Pharaoh spoke the truth when
he said Il know not the Lord" but
though he seems to boast of that he
| little knew what it means for man
to set up his will against that of God.
Il will not" was the proud boast Of a
weak, wilful, ignorant worm of the
dust, for all his exalted position among
men. Read Thess. 1:8 and Rom.
1928.
In reply, ". 81 Moses and Aaron
did not seek to argue the case. Very
little is ever gained by such meth
cd, much better for us to deliver Gods
! message verbatim and trust to the
holy spirit to bring conviction. Moses
and Aaron were far more afraid of
the pestilence and sword of Jehovah
| than the boosted power of Pharaoh.
God does punish disobedience whether
we like it or not, see Deut. 1921.
Zech. 14;16-fo, etc. This fearlessness
angered Pharaoh ". ~ and he com.
mands them and 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 20: 2
and Acts 1876.
| 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-
| er than the ordinary straw and baked
in the sun rather than in fire kiln.
Ha%LoL ,,. fOdE
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.
sary straw now they must get it
themselves and at the same time keep
up the usual toll of bricks
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 in
his own body on the tree" and "by
whose stripes we are healed?"
How little we comprehend, even
with centuries of Christian history as
our guide and the inspired word as
our teacher. the full meaning Of Paul's
words, For reckon that the suffer.
ings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed In u.s." Rom
8;18 But God is mindful of his own
and as soon as Moses and Aaron turn
ed to him he gives them most gra-
| cious renewal of his promise and of
the ultimate blessing. see Chapter
6:1-8.
III. The Summary. Gods ways of
| deliverance are never easy. His peo-
pie are always slow to believe and his
enemies have hard hearted and ter
rible persistence in their opposition
/ to him and his plans. But God does
not permit this defeat, nor prevent the
accom- plishment of his purposes. When
pain has done it's work he makes it to
cease. When the fire has burned out
hn ;rI, -