The Brinkley argus., 1913-10-31
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 5
MOSES, CRY FOR HELP.

MOSES CRY FOR HELP.
 LESSON TExT-Numbers il :10-1S. A. 1:
 GOLDEN TExT-'The suprlication oa . righteous man ayaileth much Tn ns working "-James b:lS
 This lesson is taken from the book of Numbers, the book of journey ings," or aptly called the book of mur- murings." The events of Exodus and Leviticus cover perhaps one or two years, whereas those recorded in Num- bers occupy about 38 years. Read inthis connection Ps. 96: 10 and Cor. 10.' From Sinai to Kadesh- Barnea are found four general murmurings. The first was at Taberah, 11:3, and the events Of to- days lesson which occurred at Kibroth, 11:34. The other two were at Hazeroth, 12:15, 16, and Kadesn, 13:26. This book Is full of impress i've warnings about worldliness.
 Moses Wac Human.
 |. Complaint and Controversy w. 1915. Moses was great but he was human. No man is faultless, and Tn this lesson we have another incident Illustrating the weakness of Moses. Yet despite all this we find inserted in the very next chapter Gods estl- mate of his character, 1923. Moses had been subjected to terrible strain, the details of his leadership, the con stant murmuring of the people un- der this load he gave way, just as ne had previously yielded to impulse. Ex. 2:12. and as he did subsequently, On. | 2O:1O-13. The Israelites are 8 strlk- ing illustration of the natural d1scon- tent of the human heart. Any ai- fiiction. and discomfort or privation, and we forget Gods marvellous works on our behalf His wonderful good ness. That God was displeased IS 1n- dicated by verse 10, but that did moi imply that Moses, too, was to lose his temper, to resort to murmuring. and to accuse God of being respon sible for the burden or that he would not help to share the load, V. II. God placed great honor .lpon Moses by 1 calling bira to this task of leadership and LOW he complains, and doutts for moment Gods sustaining grace, 7 Cor. 12:9; Phil. 4:13. The language here used, w. 12-14, is wonderfully suggestive. The utter weakness of the Israelites, the promised goal. the hunger of soul and body, the sorrows or affliction are all graphically set l before us Moses own weakness is revealed (v. 13) by his words, where l should have flesh to give?' He seems to forget absolutely Gods dealings with Israel before they reached Sinai 1 (Ex. 16), as though God expected any such thing from him. The height of his petulance and bitterness is reach ed when he exclaims, kill me pray thee and let me not see my wretchedness,' V. 15.
 l Burden Distributed.
 1 II. Comfort and Counsel. w. 16-16, 24. 25. Moses had been warned not to bear the entire burden of leadership by his father-in-law, Jethro, Elk. 18:17. IS. Now that he is unwilling to take the full honor of undivided leadership God most graciously grants his re- l quest and appoints others to share the burden and responsibility. There was no more power, however, but more machinery. God distributed the bur- den and revealed the fact that Moses power was in proportion to his burden. Human nature always looks for the arm of flesh upon which to rely, but such a reliance usually brings curse not blessing upon those who seek it, ter. 17:5. God dealt in mercy with Moses. Notice how gently he passes by this exhibition of infirmity' and notwithstanding this lapse bears tes- timony to his faithfulness C12:D. Yet he is impartial in chronicling his faults and thereby giving us ar incidental and thereby giving us the truth.
 What a suggestion in the words q will come down and talk with thee,
 yet that is the privilege of the believ. CT in Christ, John 14:16, IT and 16: 13 God calls tent meeting" V. 16 R. ". but before he meets them they must sanctify themselves, for so only is one prepared to meet God, Ex 1910 15, P. These people had been lust ing for the food of Egypt even as to- day many who have professed to ac cept Christ are forever longing for the pleasures of time and sense. They forget the bitterness of past slavery iu the privations of the present. entire ly forgetful of the goal of luxury and freedom, Rom. 10:28, Cor AIT. God granted their request, V. IS, to theiI sorrow, v. 20. The whole trouble was then rejected the Lord V. 20 R. V
 The granting of material prosperity tends to leanness of soul, Ps. 1O6 15 It frequently happens that God does not answer our prayers because he
 knows that to answer them actually and literally would spell disaster in our lives.
 Conclusion. This lesson brings
 Moses very near to us. Such a re
 markable man as he is he sometimes
 seems to be far removed from ouI
 actual experiences in life, Yet as we
 consider him faltering for a moment
 beneath his staggering, crushing bur
 den of responsibility, with strength
 and courage gone, we share our sym pathy with him and he seems to enter into the actualities of our daily life
 God reveals himself as one who un
 derstands perfectly, one who knows <.~n nntv oil kkrk A-l :,