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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
July, 1937
IN T E R N A T IO N A L LE S SO N Commentary Outline and Exposition Blackboard Lesson Childrens Division Golden Text Illustration Object Lesson B y B. B. S utcliffe B y G retchbn S ibley B y H elen G ailey B y A lan S. P earce B y E lmer L. W ilder Points and Problems B y A lva J. M c C lain
AUGUST 1, 1937 GOD LEADS A PEOPLE E xodus 13:17 to 15:21
ing that otherwise would be obtained. But when the command to “go forward” is obeyed, the obstructing wall fades away, and in its place appears an open path. But that path is one in which none but the Lord’s own believing ones may walk; when others attempt to walk therein, it becomes a death trap for them. Points and Problems 1. “God led them not through the voay of the land of the Philistines” (Ex. 13:17). The shortest way from the Goshen district of Egypt into the land of Palestine was along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea by way of Gaza and Ascalon, the distance being not moré than two hundred miles. But this route would have brought the Israelites inevitably into conflict with the warlike Philistines who certainly would have disputed their passage. So the Lord graciously led them by a longer and safer way. Israel, so recently a nation of slaves, needed divine discipline and nurture before being called upon to face so fierce a foe. So the Lord deals with us graciously while we are weak, always suiting the path and foe to our feeble strength. 2. “The children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt” (v. 18). The word “harnessed” is an old term once used to designate the armor worn by sol diers. Thus the idea would be that the Israelites wore armor when they left Egypt. But this is improbable, and some of the best authorities regard the Hebrew word as re ferring to “military organization,” the thought being that the people had been or ganized for marching purposes. Certainly without such organization, the movement of millions of people would Ijave been nothing but confusion. 3. "Ye shall carry up my bones” (v. 19). This command on the part of Joseph, made so long before the exodus, reveals two very interesting things: First, it shows that Jo seph believed the promise made by God concerning the future of his people. How ever long the fulfillment of the promise might be delayed, Joseph was sure it would come to pass. Second, the command shows the very deep regard shown to the physical body by the Old Testament saints. Even in death the body was something precious, to be treated with respect and care. This furnishes the background of the hope of the resurrection of the body, so clearly taught in the New Testament.
Lesson Text: Ex. 13:17-22; 14:10-15. Golden Text: “The Lord shall guide thee continually” (Isa. 58:11). Outline and Exposition I. T he D ivine G uidance (13:17-22) T here was no evidence of God’s lead ing of the people out of Egypt until after the observance of the. Passover which emphasized their redemption by blood. This recognition of atonement is the first step in the obtaining of all divine guid ance. God deals governmentally with peo ple of every sort, but morally only with those who are redeemed by blood. He will not, because He cannot, have moral deal ings with man upon any other ground. The Lord did not lead the children of Israel out of their bondage by means of the shortest way (vs. 17, 18). He directed them in a roundabout course. The short way would have brought them into touch with the Philistines, a warlike people, ready to fight all who came within their borders, and Israel was as yet little more than an unorganized mob without arms or experi ence in war. God knew also that His peo ple were faint-hearted. The least hint that danger threatened would cause them to turn away from God’s path (cf. Num. 14:1-4). When they departed from Egypt, they took with them the bones of Joseph which had been interred there (v. 19). Believing God’s word concerning the promised coun- try, Joseph, in faith, had commanded that this transfer of his remains should be made. Moses believed the time of the fulfillment of the divine promise had come, and his faith was evidenced in his obedience to Jo seph’s request. Moses found the people ready to follow as long as nothing danger ous appeared in the way. They came to Etham at the edge of the wilderness (v. 20 ). The pillar of cloud, discernible by day, and the pillar of fire, seen by night (vs. 21, 22), were unmistakable symbols of divine guidance. Nothing was left to the choice of the people. Thus simply and surely does the Lord lead those who are willing to be led. The Word of God is the “pillar” for the Christian’s guidance by day and night, and the Holy Spirit illumines the [These lessons are developed from out lines prepared by the Committee on Im proved Uniform Lessons of the Interna tional Council. The outlines are copy righted by the International Council of Religious Education and used by permis sion .— E ditor .]
way so that the wayfaring man though a fool need not err therein, but as he listens may hear, “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isa. 30:21). The Word of God be comes a lamp to the feet and a light to the path of all who will walk in its beams (Psa. 119:105). We need only to look, to follow, and, for heart satisfaction, to trust. The pillar “departed not from before the people” (v. 22, R. V.). We are accustomed to think of this world as a wilderness for the believer, but we also are assured of per fect guidance through that wilderness as we look to the Lord. II. T he D ivine P rotection (14:10-15) Remembering the state and position of the children of Israel, we understand readily their need for divine protection. They were hemmed in on every side, and there ap peared no escape from the threatened de struction. Humanly speaking, their grave position was hopeless because they were helpless. Facing this ■ extremity, they were filled with fear (v. 10). And then they did the sensible thing; they cried unto the Lord. But at once they did the senseless thing; they railed against Moses. They well knew that Moses had been sent to them from the Lord, but they refused to recognize him as the Lord’s agent, and they murmured against him (vs. M 12). Moses told them that the Lord was pres ent with them, that He would deliver them from the danger, and that the Egyptians whom they feared would be seen no more. The reason for his bold words was in his confidence that the Lord would fight for them (vs. 13, 14). The deliverance would be complete and final. The experience of the deliverance would come to them through their obedience (v. 15). They were to go forward even though the road appeared to be blocked by the Red Sea. By refusing to step out into the way which the Lord indicates, because that path appears to end in a blank wall, the Chris tian of today frequently loses much bless-
BLACKBOARD LESSON
Golden T ext Illustration I saiah 58:11
A yacht was cruising among the isles of Scotland, when a gale caught the frail craft off a perilous lee shore. The skipper made for a harbor leagues away. Through the darkness the yacht went plunging on her course. At length she swung into smooth
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