The Republican., 1943-09-16

Sin is a serious matter, and even
though men in our day may not call
it by its real name, it is as much
here as it was in the days of Moses
and it is just as aWfully sinful as
ever.
Sin is universal; it appears not
only among the people, but also
among their leaders. Gods dealing
with it is on the basis of greater
privilege, greater responsibility"
No leader, especially in Gods cause,
can expect special consideration of
his weakness. He must meet God
and answer for his sin.
/. The Unbelicf of the People wv.
1-5).
1t is well to bear in mind that
the people of Israel who were now
at Kadcsh-Barnca, on the border
land of Canaan, had been here once
bcforc-40 years before. Here they
had rcbellcd against God in unbclief
because of the report of the spies
concerning the lard. Because of
their unWillingness to take God at
His word, they had been sent to
wander 40 years in the wilderness
until the complaincrs had died. Read
that graphic and instructive story
in Numbers Is and ID.
: Now they were back at Kadesh-
and a new generation shows that
the spirit of unbelief and distrust
has a hold on humanity, and makes
son like father.
They had run short of water. The
spring which had served their IA
Tiers on the previous visit to Kadesh
had run dry.
One would have supposed that all
the mighty dealings of God in their
dcliveranccs over and over again,
would have indicated the need OF
faith; but they had only wailing
criticism OF God and His leaders.
II. The Answcr-God's Power
(vv 6-8).
Moses and Aaron, now old men
but still Gods chosen leaders, took
their sorrow to Him ". g. 1t was
the right place to go, for power be-
longcth unto the Lord (Ps. GID.
Instead of Furnishing the people
for their unbelef, God calls upon
His servant Moses to show them
that He (God) is able. At word
from Moses, the rock would bring
forth water before their eyes.
Is not that the perfect answer to
all mans questioning and lack of
faith-thc revelation of the omnipo-
tcncc of Gcd?
But Gods purpose is defeated Cat
least in a mcasurc) by the
III. Unbelief of the Leaders wv.
Gid.
Instead of taking their place as
the servants and subordinates of
God, Moses and Aaron claimed that
they would provide water ". 100.
Instead of showing Gods power by
speaking to the rock, and His mercy
in providing for the people, they ut
tered a rcbuke; and then, by smit-
ing the rock, took to themselves the
honor that really belonged to God,
When called upon to act for God,
they acted fer themselves, and in
their own name. They used for their
own glory the power delegated to
them by God. Let us beware that
we do not fall into the same error.
Let US also note that if the pun
ishmcnt seems severe, we should
recall that they had broken type of
Christ. Christ was the Rock He
was to be smittcn at Calvary, that
the water of life might flow forth.
But He died once for sin q Cor
10:D and is not to be smittcn again.
We need now only speak to Him in
faith and receive life.
In Exodus 17:5, 6, Moses smote
the rock, presenting the first half
of the type forcshadowing the work
of Christ; now he was to speak to
it, fulfilling the type, and in unbclicf
he destroyed Gods picture or type Of
redemption. 1t was a grievous sin.
". The Answcr-Judgmcn wv.
12, 13, 27, 28).
Moses and Aaron were not to be
permitted to enter the promised
land, because of their failure. No
doubt it was true that their dcpar-
ture to be with the Lord was in a
sense "far better" for them: and
yet it cannot be denied that there
was disappointment in not seeing
the conclusion of their long and ar
duous labors.
The lesson is clear We may serve
God long and faithfully, but THAI is
not any excuse for letting down" in
our closing years We dare not
presume, as though our intimate
touch with God and place of leader
ship gave us an 'inside track"
right to take it easy, spiritually or
morally.
Sin is always sin; and it is espe-
cially gricvous in one who has the
privilege of high position and of
power with God.
God buried His workmcn; but His
work went on. For Aaron there was
his son Eleazar w. 28), For Moses
there was a Joshua, full of the
spirit of wisdom" (Deut. 34:9). 1t is
always So None of us is indispen-
sable.