The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-09-16

GOLDEN TEXT-"My little children
guard yourself from idols."--I John 5:21.
1t is incredible that these Israelites
should turn aside after gods made
with mans hands In the very midst
of such a demonstration Of the holi-
ness, majesty and glory Of Jehovah
Yet in life it is always but step from
glory to degradation, and one of the
easiest moments in which to trip up
the saint is at the time of his great
est ecstacies. The human heart IS
absolutely unreliable, unstable, nay
1t is wicked and is desperately de-
ceitful, Jer 1879. Following the CIV
ing of the decalogue God gave Moses,
q series of laws and ordinances which
are an application of that fundamental
law and which form "the book of
the covenant" Then the elders OF
Israel are called up into the mountain,
given vision of God, and given to-
eat and drink in his presence, symbol
izing communion eek. 24). After this
Moses and his servant Joshua leave
Aaron and Hur In charge of the peo-
pie and go up again into the mountain
On the seventh day Moses entered the
cloud and remained for period of 40
days during which time he received
the pattern of the tabernacle and the
order of worship. 1t was during this,
period of time that the people sinned.
The first part of this chapter tells
US the fact of the casting of the calf,
w. 1-6. Gods righteous anger and
Moses prayer of intercession, w. TIA
Israers boast, 1873, 24:3, z, is now re-
vealed as being but utter weakness
and illustrates the worthlessness and
unreliability of human nature. The.
drunkard's promised sobriety, the IN
clean mans promised purity, alike
melt in the fierce heat of temptation.
Their sin was direct, positive vio-
lation of the first commandment, and
in it they also broke the second They
did not want to substitute but rather
sought similitude of God. Aaron
here appears in a poor light; he did
not like their proposition wv. Z, 81,
but did not have strength Of character
sufficient to stand against it. Aaron
is like those in the church and out OF
it who prefer to control movement
which is bad rather than to combat
the movement in its entirety.
Human Fickleness.
Notice Aaron's attempt to link old
ideas with this new-fangled religion,
this modern expression" tomorrow
is the feast of Jehovah" v. s. Men
and women are today attempting to,
gloss evil teaching and open sin by
associating with it the name of Christ.
To call such an association scientific
is travesty. The fact, however, that
Aaron gave the Israelites what they
asked for, shows that he had some
idea at least of Gods attitude towards.
his people. We have here presented
also the fckleness of human gratitude.
Moses is with God on their BEHALF
Heb. 7:25), yet they forget him and
God who had performed such mighty
signs on their behalf, and demand new
new leadership ". 1 and Ps. 106:2D.
Art has a place in religious life, but
spiritual worship alone is acceptable
to God, John aga.
It was a sacrifice wv. 2, 81 of gold
to make possible this calf which was
doubtless representation Of the,
Egyptian god Apis and may or may
not have been life-size, and may have
been solid or only veneer, but Meth
er such earnestness nor sacrifice
saved them.
Gods Word lmmutable.
Moses prayer of intercession, w
lila, is wonderful 1t centers about
the idea that Israel is THY people"
". III, and that Gods word is Inn
mutabIe, Remember" etc. ". 49,.
Moses was moved with pity and had O.
passion for the honor of Gods name.
AS Moses and Joshua approached the
camp they heard music, v. II. What
commentary upon the debasing use,
OF one of Gods noblest gifts to man.,
the gift of music. Reaching the camp,
they beheld the fullness of iniQuity
and depravity which was the develop
ment of this disobedience, v. 25. See
also Rom. 1:21-25, Rom s: %, Jas. lis
Moses passion also manifested itself
against their sin by breaking the ia.
bles. grinding the calf to powder and
compelled them to drink the water
into which 1t was flung.
In order to complete this story We
should call attention (vv. SO-35) how
Moses returned into Gods presence
made confession for the people, truly
taking the place of intercession when
he desired to be blotted out rather
than have their sin go unforgiyen. Go
on into the next chapter, Wv. Ii, IL.
and read his great heart cry and Gods.
answer of grace.
The Teaching. We have here story
! of the frailty Of human nature and
the feebleness of human resolutions
We see in Aaron the weaknes of q
religious leader who attempts to COM
promise or to yield to the clamor OF
mistaken people. There is also pres
ent in this lesson the possibility OF
prostituting right things. The Israel
ties made proper request In their de-
sire to go forward. They lacked pa
thence, and made the mistake Of de-