Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-10-15
LESSON FOR OCTOBER &c
SIN OF MOSES AND AARON.

Forty years have passed since lsreal
committed It's fatal mistake OF disc
bedience, This lesson Is a three-slded
picture. A murmuring, bllndly DISC
bedient people; God. the righteous d.
rector Of the affairs OF men; Moses
and Aaron. the dlvinely appointed but
sorely tested leaders Of the people.
I. The peoples petition, W. t-5-The
name OF this place was Merlbah ".
49,, which means strife. Il was not
the fault OF God nor the desired lead
ings OF Moses that brought these PEG /
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
sin ingratitude is and how incredibly
ungrateful these people are. They
chode, l. e.. strove ". p with Moses
as though he we're the guilty one. How
we seek to place the blame upon 9th
ers for the results that come from our
dlsobedience. There is here also the
complaint against threatened material
loss, "our cattle shall die" also the re
bellion against discomfort ". 81.
Their Usual Plan.
n. Gods Plan, w. Go. Moses and
Aaron followed their usual. and the
wisest plan OF taking their difficulty
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 w. 3d..
} Other times Mes had had this same
experience, CHI. 14:5; 1874, Elk. 17:4,
etc. II 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, a few
loaves and two small fishes. II Is not
the instrument nor the agent who
uses the instrument, but Jehovah who
is ready to work through his servants
using these instruments. Moses rod
is never mentioned after this occa'
sion.
~. 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" ". 81. They gathered the
people together in the right place "be
! fore the rock" But then began theil
failure. Some may plead eXtenuatint
4 circumstances or great provocation
: But Moses, for he takes the place o
leadership, made a four-fold mistake
which was too serious to be over
:. looked or to go unpublished % HI
~ deceived the people. He had JUS
~ come from tent OF meeting" ". 6
- and. as heretofore, the people expect
"A ed some message from Jehovah
he whereas he gave them not God
~ words, but those OF his own coming
a. This ought to be a warning to mini
-. tiers and teachers, viz, that the peopl
a. have a right to expect from their Coz
he called and instructed leaders, n
o. word, not the opinions of man ne
90 the wisdom of the sages. To stei
the livery of heaven and serve tt
devil, to give stone for bread,
IS serpent for fish, or scorpion for 9
egg will surely meet just retributiC
In from a Just and righteous God. G
He made miserable display of prid
1t is true these people were ''rebel
but 1t is not for him to make Il
pre- accusation. 1t is the spirits wo
rec to convict of sin Ono 1873 r. V
in Jesus commanded that we Judge no
his and adds the reason why, Matt. IL
.ty- and James (ch. All, 12) comments
an this same principle.
ere. Considered Them Rebels.
ere Moses in his pride separated hi
ife. self from the people. He assum
veil "holier-than thou" attitude.
his looked upon the people, over this Ii
any of separation, as being rebels, and G
, to will not allow Christian leaders
was hand out admonition upon plat
to OF anger. 60 He took the glory
on himself This was more serious
It it and was In direct violation OF
not shirt of those laws he had receiN
ans upon the Mount, Elk. 2O:5 Must
,sed fetch you water" is quite differ
from Thou shalt bring them fort
This is that which has set aside ms
,or Christian workers. We must not Ii
'SG to our own understanding nor fall
acknowledge that it is God that wo
'een and to him be the glory LOOK
Gen. 4O:S; Dan. 2:2S-3O; Acts 1912
Cor. 81. (4) Moses smote
rock. God had told Moses to "sp
ners unto the rock" ". 81 whereas
sur smote the rock as though the pc
roul were in the rod or the strong
new back of the rod. Exact obedience
Ihe expected by God and to do anytf
DOuI else is to doubt his power, to rel
npon his word and to draw atten
bear away from him and upon oursel
Hs Our attention has been called to
,uild- ~ 49, ~ rrevions occasion.
17:5, 6, God had commanded MI
lhe to smite the rock, that the rock
the gests Christ q. Cor 10;4), that he
the to be smitten but once and theref
lae%I nearly word of prayer would b
'eueu forth water. see Luke 11:13. No
DC Is essential to Gods plan though {
plans are always worked out thru
~ men. When men fail to see
nos God speedily sets them aside and
sDot points other leaders. Moses
- Aaron fell through unbelief ".
and Moses is compelled to give u
place of leadership and is not ALT
TO enter the land Of promise tn
~, graclously granted view of it, q
. ~ s.2926; S2.4s, 80; S4:D. \
~ ! "spake unadvlsably with his
Ane Moses bsd also to suffer for Israt