The Brinkley argus., 1913-10-17
INTERNATIONAL S(JlYl6YSCIlOOL
 LESSON
(By E. o. SELLERS. Director of Evenine Department The Moody Bible Institute Chicego)
LESSON FOR OCTOBER
SIN or MosEs AND AARON.

~~~<~ ss>o mouth and the meditation of my heAr be acceptable in Thy sighk Jehcven. my rock and my redeemer." Ps. D:A
 Forty years have passed since Isreal committed It's fatal mistake of disc bedience. This lesson is three-sided picture. A murmuring, bhndly diso- bedient people; God, the righteous d. rector of the affairs of men: Moses and Aaron, the divinely appointed but sorely tested leaders of the people.
 l.. Tho peoples petition, w. f-s-The name of this place was Meribah (v. 13), which means strife. It was not the fault of God nor the desired lead ings of Noses that brought these peo- pie to this place. Forty years of wan dering seemingly had not taught them this lesson. Many people accuse God when they 'themselves are to be blamed for the evil that comes upon them. James 1:13-15. What terrible st.i' ingratitude is and how incredibly angrateful these people are.
 Their Usual Plan.
 II. Code Plan, w. 6-8. Moses and Aaron followed their usual. and the wisest plan of taking their difncuity to God. Separated from the people they throw themselves upon their faces before him and he graciously manifested himself unto them and gave them explicit directions (v. B.. Other times Moses had had this same oh x ( etc. It is an inspiration to recall the multiplied times God has used these common agencies in the hands of his consecrated servants to work his mighty deeds-an ox-goad. a boys sling, lamp and a pitcher. g few loaves and two small fishes.
 lll. Moses and Aaron's Pride, w. e-13. These servants began very prop erly to carry out Gods instructions. They took the rod from God, ''as com manded" (v. 9). They gathered the people together in the right place be fore the rock" But then began their failure. Some may plead extenuating circumstances or great provocation. But Moses, for he takes the place of leadership, made a four-fOld mistake which was too serious to be over looked or to go unpunished- CD He deceived the people. He had just come from "tent of meeting" (v. 6) and, as heretofore, the people expect ed some message from Jehovah, whereas he gave them not Gods words, but those of his own coining. This ought to be a warning to minis ters and teachers, viz. that the people have right to expect from their God called and instructed leaders. his word. not the opinions of man nor the wisdom of the sages.
 Considered Them Rebels.
 Noses in his pride separated him. self from the people. He assumed a "holier-than thou attitude. He looked upon the people. over this line l of separation, as being rebels, and God will not allow Christian leaders to hand out admonition upon platter of anger. (3) He took the glory to himself. This was more serious still and was in direct violation of the spirit of those laws he had received upon the Mount, Elk. 20:5. Must we fetch you water" Is quite different from "Thou shalt bring them forth. '' This is that which has set aside many Christian workers. We must not lean to our own understanding nor fail to acknowledge that it is God that works and to him be the glory. Look up Gen. 40:S; Dan. 2:2S-30; Acts 3:12-16; L Cor. 3:7. (4) Moses smote the rock. God had told Moses to speak unto the rock" (v. 8 whereas he smote the rock as though the power were in the rod or the strong arm back of the rod. Exact obedience is expected by God and to do anything else is to doubt his power. to reflect upon his word and to draw attention away from him and upon ourselves Our attention has been called to the fact that on previous occasion. Ex 17:5, 6, God had commanded Moses to smite the rock, that the rock sug. gests Christ U Cor. 10:4). that he was to be smitten but once and thereafter nearly word of prayer would bring forth water. see Luke 11:13. No man is essential to Gods plan though God Is plans are always worked out through men. When men fail to see this God speedily sets them aside and ap points other leaders. Moses and Aaron fell through unbelief (v. 13) and Moses is compelled to give up his place of leadership and is not allowed to enter the land of promise though 1 graciously granted view of 1t, (Deut
 3:2a26; 32:49, 50; 34:4). Mosea "spake unadvisably with his lips
 Moses had also to suffer for Israel l w. The chief points. There are three great teachings in this lesson
 The wrong of having a provoked spirit, one contrary to that of the God of Mercy and Grace. It is hard to learn that God is hindered by those
 who profess to be his servants but
 who manifest such spirit. Again
 God must be represented, glorifed
 by those who profess to be his serv.
 ants. To let our methods, our per. sonality or our ideals come between
 man and God invokes his jealousy l And lastly, the measure of pr1vilera
 Is the measure of reapnna1hnoly
 and understandtng.
 =