The Jasper news., 1919-03-27
IMPROVED uklroRN INTERNATIONAL
SUNlAySQlOOL
LESSON
By REV. P. B. FITzwATER, D. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute OF Chicago.)
Copyright. 1919. by Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR MARCH 30
REVIEW.
GODS HAND IN A NATIONS LIFE

SELECTION FOR READING-John "a:
M-2s.
GOLDEN Acknowledgement exalt-
eth a nation; but sin Ii a reproach to any
people.-Proverbs 1874.
PRIMARY ToP1C-How God led his
people Psalms T:20).
JUNIOR TOPIC - Recognizing Gods
leading
INTERMEDIATE ToP1c-Evidence. of
Gods guidance.
Since Israel was theocratic nation,
perhaps the best method of review will
be to trace Gods hand in that nations
life. Israel was led, fed, clothed and
disciplined by God.
Lesson !. Gods hand Is clearly dis
cernible in the experiences Of Israel
In Egypt. Israel was to be the relig-
ious teacher Of the world, therefore
the nation must sojourn in Egypt, the
most advanced In learning of any no.
ton at that time. In order that Moses
the great lawgiver might be equipped
with the best possible education God
used Pharaoh to Cypress the people.
This oppression served threefold pur-
pose: U 1t served the testimony to
the Egyptian nation that the living God
was the God Of Israel. The more they
oppressed them, the more they multi
piled. (2) 1t served beneflcent pur-
pose In bringing the nation into its
own. 1t required the cruclble Of suf-
fering to bring humanity into its own.
(S) 1t made the nation willing to leave
Egypt and go to Canaan, the promised
land. Had not the hand Of oppression
been upon them they would have
chosen to remain In Goshen.
Lesson II. When Israel was ready to
60 to Canaan God had leader ready
for the difficult task. His parentage,
education at his mothers knee and at
Pharaohs court, and communication
with God in the desert Of indian had
equipped him for this work.
Lesson III. Though enslaved by
powerful nation, God undertook free
dom for Israel. and by ten telling
strokes--the plagues-he tore the
shackles from their hands and set them
free. The Passover is a memorial Of
that blessed dellverance.
Lesson w. God opened the Red sea
and made path OF safety for Israel to
cross, but overwhelmed Pharaoh and
his hosts In the sea.
Lesson v. Israel bitterly complained
when they faced the wilderness with.
out food. God sent them mama and
Quails. The mama did not fail them
until they came into Canaan.
Lesson vi. God sent Jethro to give
needed counsel to Moses. The strength
Of Moses was about to break. God took
one outside of the commonwealth of
Israel and through him communicated
the wisdom which Moses needed to
save him from collapse through over
work.
Lesson VII. At Sinai Israel Is organ
lied into nation, and the ten COM
mandments are given as their consti-
tuition. In this constitution IS clearly
set forth mans duty to God and his
obligation to his fellow men.
Lesson VIII. Gods hand is seen in
his burning anger against the nation
for turning away from him to worship
the golden calf. He Is Jealous God
he will not tolerate a rival.
Lesson TX. Through unbelIef the
spies are sent to search out Canaan.
When they were urged to take posses
sion Of the land according to Gods
promise they rebelled. Because of this
failure God caused them to wander In
the wilderness for 3S years.
Lesson X. When Gods disciplinary
measures had run their course the peo-
pie were back again upon the borders
of Canaan. Joshua was chosen by
God to lead the people, as Moses time
to depart had come.
Lesson XII. In the cities Of refuge
God provided that revenge should not
take the place of justice.
Lesson XII. Before Joshua's death
God through him set forth the condi-
tons upon which the nations welfare
could be maintained, namely, whole
hearted obedience to God and separa.
tlon from their wicked neighbors.