THE KING’S BUSINESS
473 good cause, make light of the lives of others, where is no risk of their own. IV. T h e W rath of th e L ord (14:10-38). 1. The Appearance of the Glory. The Lord heard their craven speeches, so dis honoring to Him, and suddenly the glory- cloud stood before them, and they saw and heard their offended God, It will be so again (Jude 14-19). It were better to “face a frowning world” than a frowning God then. 2. Moses’ Intercession. Reflect on the generosity of it. The men had stones for the head now bowed to plead for them (Acts 7:59, 60; Rom. 9:1-3; Luke 23:34). Moses refused to become the author of a people at the cost of Israel, and in his prayerful travail God made him a spiritual father to them all. Israel is Moses’ nation who owe their life to him (Matt. 5 :43- 45. 10-12). Weigh each phrase of Moses’ prayer and learn how to pray for the 'Church, yes, for the world. 3. The Sentence and the Exceptions. God forgave the nation, but excluded the unbelieving generation. Their " carcases” should fall in the wilderness. As they had spent 40 unbelieving days questioning God’s promise, so they should spend 40 unfruitful years wandering in the desert. But God spares “little” ones, and liberally reckons them up to 20 years. We believe children dying before the years of respon sibility, who have not rejected the Gospel, are among the elect (14:29; Jonah 4:11; Matt. 19:13-15); ■Read Hebrews 3 and 4. Caleb and Joshua got their reward (Joshua 14:6-15; Rev. 7:13, 14).
but would choose one of themselves, a “grasshopper,” for a captain! And we ? Forgetful of past mercies; fearful of fu ture evils; full of vain regrets; coming short of His rest; following their example of unbelief, in departing from the living God, make to ourselves .captains, false trusts, and false guides (Heb. 3:12; 4:1, 11). Let us fear, lest failing of rest now, we fail forever. Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption (Heb. 3:7-9; Eph. 4:30). When the Dutch cause seemed hopeless, and the astonished foe asked William of Orange the source of hi« confidence—Who could have promised succor? he replied, “Before entering into this conflict I en tered into alliance with the Lord of Hosts.”- And Luther, with the same Ally, said, “I’ll go to Worms though there be? there devils as many as tiles on the housetops.” III. T h e E ndeavor to S ave the ' P fople (14:5-9). 1. 7 he Mute Appeal of Moses and Aaron. They fell on their faces before the assembly. They realized the enormity of the people’s sin, this sin of unbelief (John 16:8, 9; Heb. 3:17-19), and trembling for them,' made appeal to the mad multitude. 2. The Remonstrance of Joshua and Caleb. They “rent their clothes” in token of grief and consternation. Read their brave and faith-filled words. The people should be “bread” for them, they would, eat them—giants and all. What people could stand against the devouring inroads of such-grasshoppers? Oh, for brethren like these to plead against the fearful and un believing. And yet Joshua and Caleb only got stones for their loyalty. 3. The People’s Response. “Stone them with stones 1” Stones were always the reward of prophets and patriots (Exod. 17:4; Heb. 11:37; Acts 5:26; 14:19; 7:59; 2 Cor. 11:25; Matt., 21:35; 23:37; John 8:59; 10:31). Faithful ministers, teachers, and brethren may expect abuse. Cowards who will not risk their own lives in a
“Stand up, stand up for Jesus, • The trum pet call obey: F orth to the m ighty conflict In this H is glorious day; Ye th a t are men now serve Him Against unnumbered foes; L et courage rise with danger, And strength to strength oppose.”
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The strife will not be long. This day the noise of battle, The next the victor’s song.
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker