The Brinkley argus., 1913-07-11

GOLDEN TEXT-"Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth Matt. 5:5.
 Meekness does not imply any lack of aggressiveness; it does not imply 8 mildness of temper. Moses, we judge from a study of this chapter. was not as yet meek above all men
 In last weeks lesson we considered the birth, salvation. nursing and train ing of Moses as child. After Jochebed had nursed Moses tv. 9) he was re turned to Pharaoh's daughter and be came her son." thereby obtaining all the rights, privileges and training oi the Egyptian court.
 |. His Qualifications. G) He had a godly parentage and an early godly training Do we appreciate the Ire mendous advantage of the child who is well born and well trained? True. en- v,ronment is not alLsufficient, but it is a great asset. The psalmist empha- sizes this when he exclaims thou hast given me the heritage of them that fear thy name" Ps. 61:5.
 (2) Moses had a knowledge of the conditions. Born and nursed In a slaves home he knew of the oppres- sion of Israel Reared in Pharaohs court, he knew how the Egyptians feared these same Israelites tCh. 1:s, lO). Moses saw (v. ID the burdens borne by those of his own race.
 Heart of Sympathy.
 (3) Moses had heart of sympathy (v. ID. Seeing an Egyptian task master evilly entreating a kinsman Moses heart rebelled and at once he flew to his support and defence. Our Lord was moved with compassion" A like righteous indignation impelled the Master to drive the money changers from the temple and to de nounce the hypocritical Pharisees. Moses had not. however. learned self restraint, and that he should express his sympathy at the pror"r time and in the most effective manner.
 (4) Moses was brave and zealous, V. F. But he acted before God told him to act. He looked this way and that" but he did not look upward.
 
 already seen how he was taught by his own mother and that he received the training of the Egyptians, Acts 7:22. Being brave and mighty in deeds was not enough: he was mighty in words and deeds" Thus he was prepared to stand before Pharaoh (not the father of his deliverer, but another Pharaoh, v. 24), meet him on an equal footing and intelligently combat his religion with that of Jehovah.
 (6) Moses had assurance. True, he had not as yet received Gods call (see Oh. 8 for particular work and his re- liance upon force, his tit-for-tat policy liverance. But Moses was obedient, and as he obeyed, God honored each step of his faith
 Moses Mistake.
 CD Moses was meek. 0. g., teach. able. To us this was his greatest as set A man may be well born. well trained and know the needs and the resources at his command. but if he lack a teachable spirit he Is doomed to failure. Moses made mistake when he slew the Egyptian. At later date when he had learned of God he undertook the same task and no diff ficulties daunted him. The change from a princess position at the court to one of an humble shepherd. des pissed calling, was as essential as had been those 40 years at the Egyptian schools.
 II. His error. Moses endeavored to work relief by the strength of his own arm, mistake many Christian work CTS are constantly making. Our war fare is not with carnal weapons Moses had no warrant for killing the Egyptian. He was not obeying any command other than that of impulse The life of Moses had been miracu lously spared. nor had he been sub ject to slavery. Yet he did not know Gods method nor was 1t Gods oppor tune time to strike the blow for deliy crance. It is true that the sufferingf of the Israelltes increased and that nc one seemed to heed their cry. But Goo remembered
 III. His pilgrimage. Some one haf suggested that Moses entered another school of patience which would cause him to exercise all of his meekness when he married Zipporah. Ch. 4:2o26 It is true that his father-in-law wal more generous and proved better friend than his daughter, Oh. IS l3 27. Moses gave evidence that he rec ognized his pilgrim character D. the names he gave to his sons. V. 22 and ch. Is.3. 4 The Christian needs con stantly to De reminded that he is but a pilgrim and a stranger here below
 w. A summary. Again we have brought before us Gods wonderful method of preparing his chosen instru inert for the carrying out Of his prom isef Not all. of course. is recorded. life Is saved and preserved. IL receives . brief period of instruction at its most critical stage from the hands oi its own mother. He becomes proficient in all of the learning Of rich and opulent court Then comes time when definite crisis Of responsibility : sense of persons relation to the poor and oppressed of his own blood. forces him to make choice. He is con vinced of his own incompetence.
 For Weakness and sza of Appetite Tbe f3fd G.anAsrd veneYA pg4henIng tonic.