The Brinkley argus., 1919-02-21
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 23
THE BREACH OF THE COVENANT AND MOSES PRAYER FOR IS. RAEL,

(May Be Used With Missionary Applica. LESSON TExr1Exodus R ss1-a.s
 GOLDEN TExT-The effectual ferven, prayer of righteous man availeth much.-James 6:l6.
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAI-Deut. 9:6- zS; Eph. 3:H-21 James 6:16-18
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Ask Gods help for others. Memory verse-James 5:16.
 JUNIOR TOPIC-Praying for other people.
 INTERMEDIATE ToPIc-1ntercedine for others.
 SENIOR AND ADULT ToPIC-Ths value of microscopy prayer.
 Less than six weeks have elapsed since Israel took the oath of allegiance to Jehovah. In less than forty days they flagrantly break the first and sec ond commandments
 1. The Golden Calf (32:1-G).
 1. Moses delay (v. D This they in terpreted to mean that their leader had either lost his way in the dark. ness or had perished in the fire that hoyered over the mount.
 2. The peoples demand (v. D. They demanded of Aaron that he make them god to go before them. Their pro. fession of allegiance to God collapsed as soon as the strong personality of their leader was no longer felt.
 3. Aaron's cowardly compliance (vv 2-4). He was an eloquent man, but lacked moral courage. Many today can talk fluently, but vacillate before the real issues of life. In order to gain time with the rebels he demand. ed that they cast off their jewelry and bring it to him. Perhaps he thought that their love for 1t would cause them to forego their demands, but they cheerfuliy gave up their jewelry for a false god. Aaron, like many compro- missing men of this age, opened a door which he could not shut.
 4. Wanton revelry (vv. 5, 6). See ing their disposition, Aaron erected an altar and proclaimed a fast unto Je- hovah. He no doubt wished them to worship the Lord through the image, but he had made god for them and 1t was a very short step to the heath en orgies connected with idolatrOus worship.
 II. Gods Burning Wrath (32 :7-10).
 Gods nature Is such that he cannot tolerate a rival. No gods shall be be. fore his face. The rival must be re moved or the people must be consumed with divine wrath. God does not own them as his people, for they had cast him off
 III. The Mediation of Moses (32 II 14).
 The declaration of divine purpose to destroy the Israelites did not deter Moses from making intercesslon for them. What was his threefold plea (vv. II, 12, 13).
 Moses knew full we'll that the people deserved to die, therefore he could no, plead any merit on their part. His plea was based wholly on Gods pur pose for Israel. Through his interces sion God relents.
 w. Judgment Falls (32 :15-35).
 l. Moses broke the tables of testi mony (vv. 15-19O emblematic of the breach of their covenant with God.
 2 Moses destroyed the image (v. 20) ter which contained it's dust, thus mak ing them to experience in physical sense the bitterness which results from sin.
 8. Moses showed Aaron that he was inexcusable for his part in the dis graceful affair (vv. 21-24).
 4. Moses called for those who would take a stand for the Lord to gird theil swords and slay all who stood out in rebellion. The tribe of Levi ranged themselves on his side and became the instrument by which God chastened his people (vv. 25-29).
 5. Moses confessed the great sin of the people and begged that God would forgive them. He was willing to sui fer the punishment himself. if possible and let the people go free. The Lord declared to him in answer that every man should bear his own sin (vv. 30 35).
 V. The Covenant Renewed (33 + 4-9).
 l. Moses commission renewed (Ch 3s).
 2. The second tables of the law given GA :1-9). In the giving of these tables he reiterated Gods justice. but gave particular emphasis to his mercy "The Lord God, merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in good ness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniouity of the fathers upon the chil' dren, and upon the children's children unto the third and fourth generation
 What to Pray For.
 Oh, do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for