The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-04-20

LESSON TEXT-ExoduS 18:19-24; 1898. /
GOLDEN TEXT righteousness exalteth d
nation: but sin is q reproach to any people.
Proverbs 14:34.
God has a purpose for the lives
of men and of nations. Happy are
those who seek His guidance SO that
their lives may be directed in right
and useful channels.
Gods threefold purpose for Israel,
which we noted in our lesson of last
week, could only be worked out in
a nation which was separated unto
Him, following holiness in its life
and service.
Moses, one of the greatest and
most able figures of all history, was
Gods appointed leader. His success
is explained by his willingness to fol-
low Gods leading. He sought:
/. Gods Counsel (18:19).
Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses,
having observed how he was bur-
dened constantly by the affairs Of
the people, came to offer him adj
vice. He started in the right place,
by urging Moses to continue to seek
God, yes, to spend even more time
in the Lords presence, asking His
wisdom and guidance.
No man can lead people in the
right way if he does not have his
| own life in constant touch with the
throne of God. Much. of the failure
of our day centers right there. We
talk much to other men about our
national and international problems.
There are multiplied meetings and
conferences. They do have value,
but very little, unless there is
seeking of Gods will.
A day of national repentance and
| prayer would do more for us than
many weeks of discussion and de-
bate. We need to seek Gods coun-
sci.
Note that the coming of Moses to
God concerned the daily affairs Of
his people. That reminds us that not
only the life of our nation, but that,
| of our own homes-and our PERSONAL
beings-an need Gods counsel.
To aid Moses in administering the
affairs Of the nation, Jethro recon-
mended the appointment of men who
| were to serve as: /!
III. Gods Counselors (18:20-24).
There has been not little criti-
cism Of Moses for accepting this adj
vice. It is pointed out that when
God puts heavy burdens on us, the
way out Is not to shift the load on
someone else, but to seek Gods spe-'
cial graG,. to bear it and to do it
acceptably.
There is value in such an interpre-
tation; but when one considers the
devout and careful approach of Jeth-,
70 to the matter wv. 9-12) and his
evident desire to glorify God in it all,
there is ground for believing that he
was giving Moses good advice.
The great unorganized host of pos
sibly twa million people were going
through a very difficult experience.
The result was dissension and strife,'
often over trivial things, which need.
| ed to be settled. For all this to come
to Moses seemed undesirable; there
fore other men were chosen to be
counselors to the people, inter-
preting for them the law and the
will of God.
While each of us should carry
every God-given responsibility with
gladness, that does not mean that
we are to assume that only we are
able to do things. There is no more
tragic figure than the pastor or
church officer who tries to do every
thing. Why not put others to work?
How can our young people and new
converts ever find place of service
if older Christians hold on to every
| job in the church? Let us train
them; then trust them with real re-
sponsibility. Counsel, encourage,
pray, direct if need be, but do not
try to do it all yourself!
Now we come to the solemn and
crucial moment when God was ready
to establish His people and they were
ready to accept:
iii. Gods Covenant (19:3-8).
In the sacred and awe-inspiring
meeting place before Mount Sinai,
where the Lord was to give them
His law (Exod. 20), they made a sol
emn covenant with God.
In preparation for it He reminded
them of what He had done for them
In the past. God is the unchanging
One. If He was tender and gracious
toward them in the past, they could
enter the future confident of His
blessing. And so may we!
Note verses S and 6, for they give
us Gods great purpose for Israel
All they had to do was to obey His
voice by keeping His covenant. This
they. in solemn assembly, agreed to
do ". 81. How different their his
tory-and that of the wordsworth
have been had they kept their prom
Use.
We lament their failure, but what
about us who are SO highly favored
that we have Christ in our midst?
Are we obedient?
- 9~s- - L. ~~,.~