The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-08-21

46; 40:l-38.
Study EXODUS 25:l, 2, 8 8; 20:
43-46; 40:34-3S.
Religion holds the central place
in a nations life. That does not
mean that a nation must be a the
ocracy as even the children of
Israel failed to be in the wilder
ness and in Canaan, nor does it
REQUIRE the union of church nd
state as portrayed in some of the
unhappSest pages of church his
tory; but that the people are so
devoted to God and the good that
the entire national life. is per-
meated by high religious impulses,
ideals, aims and achievements.
Let pilgrim Israel teach us les
son here.
THE COMMAND OF GOD
TO A NATION Exodus 25)
A Nation Needs Churches. In
meeting this vital need we note
three things here: Cd Hear God.
He is speaking. He speaks thru
his servant, Moses. He speaks to
his people, Israel. He speaks to
command. Hear him. (2) Give
TO God. He who has infinite re-
sources calls upon his people to
give to him, every man of them,
but none without a willing heart.
And he specifies the cOntribu-
tons which they have in hand to
make and which he can use in his
program: Precious metals, finest
cloth and leather. most durable
wood, oil, spices and gems. CD
Build for God. He will dwell
among that people who make him
a sanctuary. And whether taber-
nacle or temple, it must be built
according to the divine pattern.
For Israel worship in the wilder
ness called for the erection Of
the Tabernacle with its rectangu-
lar court so yards long and %
yards wide. There must be the
10 great curtains Is yards in
breadth. There must be placed
the ark three feet, nine inches
long and two feet, three inches
broad, all overlaid with gold; the
table Shewbread made of acacia
wood; the golden candlestick with
it's seven embellished branches;
the altar of incense, 81 inches
broad and three feet, six inches
high; the altar of burnt offering
nearly three yards square and
one and one-half yards high; all
must be built according to the di-
vine pattern out of the funds sup
piled by the Lords people.
THE PROMISE OF GOD TO A
NATION Exodus 29)"h'".
A Nation Needs Ministers. The
services of the sanctuary are en-
trusted to men set apart to serve.
So Gods five-fold promise is full
filled. (D The promise of God
meeting, for he meets those who
come reverently to his place of
worship; (2) the promise of God
clarifying, for the very tent glows
with his glory; (S) the promise
of God sanctifying, for he conse-
crates the tent, the altar, and the
priests Aaron and his sons) to
minister in his courts; (4) the
promise of God indwelling, for he
will abide with a people who de-
sire his presence among them;
and 90 the promise of God over
ruling, for if he is their God he
is also their refuge and strength.
THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
FOR A NATION Exodus 29)
A Nation Needs Truth. No ma
ton can live long on lies. And
the truth that is most worthwhile
to a nation as to an individual is
the truth of true religion. Three |
phases of it are limited here: (D
The truth that God is our Lord,
our Sovereign before whom we !
bow, supreme in our individual
and collective life; (2) the truth
that God is our Saviour from sin
with it's servitude to a good life
with its liberty; and (3) the truth
that GOOD is our Friend, living
with us, loving us, lifting us up,
Who can know without knowing
God?
NATION Exodus 40)
A Nation Needs Enduement. A !
nations highest values are its
spiritual values. Note in these
closing verses of Exodus two
things about Israel: On The
value of Gods presence in his
house. The Tabernacle was worth
millions in gold and in gems, but
how paltry in comparison with
the cloud that covered the tent
and the glory of Jehovah that
filled the Tabernacle! (2) The !
value of Gods power on his SER
want. Was Moses master of all
Egyptian learning and the leader
of his people Israel? Yet he stood
back in awe and reverence while
abode the CELESTIAL cloud and the
glory of the Divine Presence.
What people do not need today to
stand in awe before God!
THE GUIDANCE OF GOD IN A
NATION EXODUS 4o) |
A Nation Needs Guidance. And
now as in the olden days it must
be twofold: (1) Guidance in the
path of progress. Israel went on
ward when and only when the
cloud rose from the Tabernacle
and moved onward. So they stay
ed, they started, they stopped,