Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-01-31

IC-Knowing and Obeying Gods Law.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Foundation of Israels Life.
Deuteronomy, the book from which
our lesson is taken, means second
law" 1t is a second law in the sense
that 1t is restatement and interpre-
tation of the law given at Sinai, for a
new generation in a new country. This
new generation needed a true coneep-
ton of God and also an apprehension
of the wonderful grace which had
selected them and made them a chan.
mel through which Gods grace would
flow to the world.
|. Gods Unparalleled Goodness to
Israel (Deut. 4 1924.
This was shown:
/. BY Speaking Audibly Out Of the
Midst Of the Fire wv. 80, 49,. This
honor conferred upon them was
unique. 1t was unequalled. Q) In
past history-"the days that are past
since the day that God created man
upon the EARTH" (2). Anywhere
from one side of heaven unto the
other" (3) In character" there hath
been no such great thing as this great,
thing is" az In story or rumor-
"or hath been heard like it" 90 In
dignity and majesty-"did ever people
hear the voice Of God speaking out
of the midst Of the fire.
2. BY His Marvellous Deliverance
of Israel From the Egyptian Bondage
(v. 34). Here, too, His grace Is unique.
~ In liberation take him nation
from the midst Of another nation"
~ In the method employed. (a) BY
temptations-tes that is, plaques.
(b) By signs and wonders-crossing
Red sea, pillar Of cloud. Co By war
(See Exod. 14:4; Is :3-10). (d) BY out
stretched arm-Divine interposition,
such as opening the Red sea for Israel
and closing it upon the Egyptians. (e)
By great terrors-the death of Che
first born.
II. The Reason Why the Lord SO
Dealt With Israel (Deut. :35-38).
1. That They Might Know That the
Lord Is Unique in the Midst of a
World of Idolaters. Gods aim was to
establish nation who would know
Him as the only God and make this
essential and blessed truth known to
other nations.
2. That They Might Know His Love
for Them (vv. 81, 49,. He loved them
for their fathers sake and through
them would make real His covenant
purpose.
III. The Obligation Of Israel (Deut.
4:39, 40).
They were to consider and receive
in their heart the thought that the
Lord was the alone God. What we
think about God is revealed in our
lives The law to which obedience
was to be rendered was that set forth
in the Ten Commandments, as record
ed in Exodus 2:1-17.
l. The first emphasizes the unity
of God and enjoins the obligation of
single hearted worship and service
". 81.
2. The second is directed against
the worship of the true God under
IalSe forms.
3. The third is directed against the
taking of Gods name in vain; that is,
in a lying, deceptive, unreal way.
4. The fourth enjoins work on six
days and forbids work on the seventh.
5. The fifth rests upon the fact
that parents stand to their children in
the place Of God-therefore enjoins
obedience to them.
8. The sixth shows the sanctity of
human life and that the one who MUIR
ders has sinned against God, for man
was created in the likeness and image
of God.
Z. The seventh is the buiwark
thrown around the home. This com
mandment may be broken by unclean
thoughts and affections as well as by
outward acts.
8. The eighth stkikes at the sin of
theft.
8. The ninth strikes at the sin of
lying.
10. The tenth strikes at the desire.
for that which is unlawful to own.