Mexico Missouri message., 1913-07-24

,,ssON TEXT--T1x. b1-4
ESSfTJFN TEXT-"BIessed are they |
~ o. .',',rn for they shall be comforted."
Matt 54
o,,y one incident is mentioned with
florence to that long journey Moses
IA N take in returning from INDIAN
rgvnt THE Lord met him and
mi TO kill him." (4:2D. Moses is
.Sant TO pronounce a fearful penalty.
% l.93 and 1t was necessary that he
.,nrebended the terrible meaning Of
t,s threat. Also he had neglected to
ah.erve the sign of covenant peace
/ ,.,rcumcision) with his youngest son,
.rd that was a serious delinquency
%, the future leader of Israel. ut
La necessary at this stage of his ex-
ooriepce that he should learn that God
!. IN earnest when he speaks, and will
sssuredly 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
70 work out through Moses and Aaron
the long promised oeilVerance.
Issue Plainly Stated.
l. Moses Message, w. 10. Moses
and Aaron plainly stated the issue at
tho very outset, THUS saith the Lord
God Of Israeli ". -. This was at
once a challenge as to the boosted su-
re-or greatness of the Egyptian gods.
il 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,
/. was a 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 60" In contempt, Pharaoh ex-
claims. who is Jehovah?" 1t was in
answer to that very question Moses
had been sent and right we'll 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
voice. Pharaoh spoke the truth when
he said II know not the Lord" but
though he seems to boast of that he
little knew what 1t means for man
TO set up his will against that of God.
81 will not" was the proud boast Of O
weak, wilful, ignorant worm OF the
Gust, for all his exalted position among
men. Read Thess. 1:8 and Rom
les.
In reply, ". 81 Moses and Aaron
did 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
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 1t or not, see Deut. 1921
Zech. 14:16-19. etc. This fearlessnes'
angered Pharaoh ". ~ and he com
mands them and their brethren a
once to resume their burdens. Thu
world is constantly accusing the ser
wants of God of uniting people 70
their work, see Amos 7:10, Luke 49,:
and Acts 1876.
Truth Confirmed.
The truth of this narrative is cor
trmed by the bricks found in tn
ruins OF cities built during this perio
Of Egyptian history. The bricks wer
made Of clay mixed with stubble, ratf
cc than the ordinary straw and bake
Ia the sun rather than in fire kiln.
u. Pharaoh's Method, w. 1918.
must have been a severe test of fait
for the Israelites to have had thei
p ropes thus dashed and more grievou
. hurdens thrust upon them. Before
The government furnished the nece
fary ntraw, now they must get
themselves and at the same time kee
UP the usual toll of bricks.
Those who were beaten ". 14) WEI
OF their own number who were hel
accountable under the Egyptian tasl
masters for the conduct of the who'll
is this not suggestive of one othC
man ourselves who bore our sins
ms own body on the tree" and ii
whose stripes we are healed?"
How little we comprehend, eve
with centuries of Christian history {
our guide and the Inspired word {
our teacher, the full meaning of Paul
words, For / reckon that the suffe
ihgs of this present time are NJ
worthy to be compared with the gloi
which shall be revealed in u.s." RoI
MS. But God is mindful of his oN
and as soon as Moses and Aaron tur
&c to him he gives them a most or
clous renewal OF his promise and
the ultimate blessing, see Chapt
6.l-S.
VT The Summary. Gods ways
ueHverance are never easy. His pc
fle are always slow to believe and
enemies have bard hearted and t.
rlble persistence in their opposite
10 him and his plans. But God do
not permit this defeat nor prevent Il
sccomplishment of his purposes. VIII,
pam has done its work he makes it
cease. When the fire has burned o