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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
June, 1935
INTERNATIONAL LESSON Commentary Outline and Exposition Blackboard Lesson Children’s Division Golden Text Illustration Object Lesson B y B. B. S utcliffe B y B essie B. B urch B y H elen G äiley 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 la in , Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio
JULY 7, 1935 MOSES (Leader and Lawgiver) E xodus 24
Lord descended and the entire top o f the mountain became as fire (vs. 16, 17). That glory was an unearthly thing and calcu lated to fill the human heart with dread. But because of his trust in the Lord, Moses could calmly gaze upon the sight which otherwise would have sent him hurrying from the Scene in dread and terror. How ever mysterious the experience, the child of God may have perfect calmness, re membering that God is behind all and con trols all that concerns the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Rom. 8:28). The fearlessness o f Moses is further re vealed in the fact that he entered alone into that mysterious cloud which appeared to be fire (v. 18). Unlike many others be fore his time and since, Moses was able to boldly face such an experience with quiet confidence. The secret o f 'this man’s greatness is found in his absolute trust in God, his full surrender to God, and his readiness to obey God. It is still true today that where there is the same trustfulness, yieldedness, and obedience that Moses displayed, there will be the manifested presence and bless ing of the Lord. Points and Problems It is rather unfortunate that verses 9 to 11 were omitted from the printed text of this week’s lesson, for the section from 6 to 11 contains a remarkable threefold type of the threefold Christian doctrine of sanctification. The New Testament clearly teaches that we have been sanctified by blood, that we are being sanctified by the Word, and that we shall be finally sancti fied by seeing our Lord at His coming. No tice the types in our lesson. 1. In verse 6, Moses “ took . . . the blood," and “sprinkled” it. In like manner our Lord sanctified us “with his own
this instance, he heard the command: “ Come up to me into the mount,” and with the command the promise was given: “I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written.” Moses was to receive the law from the Lord and then teach it to the people. His response was immediate (v. .13). At once he left whatever he was doing and hastened to obey the Lord, taking Joshua his servant with him. He “ went up into the mount o f God” without any question as to what awaited him there. Moses was a wise leader. Before beginning his jour ney, he faithfully arranged for the wel fare of the people during his absence (v. 14). Aaron and Hur were to be Moses’ representatives until he returned. Thus provision was made for attendance to any matters that might require immediate at tention. This faithfulness o f Moses is an evidence of his fitness to be the leader that God called him to be. III. T h e F earlessness of M oses (15-18). “Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount” (v. 15). The servant o f the Lord proved his 'fearless ness by boldly approaching whatever lay behind that mysterious and supernatural cloud. Since it was God’s voice that was calling him there, Moses was assured that no harm could come to him by obeying that voice. Such dependence upon and trust in the Lord always go far in remov ing fear o f all that is mysterious and un known. The cloud was suddenly made all the more awe-inspiring when the glory o f the
Lesson T ext: E x. 24:3-8, 12-18. Golden T ext: “ Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psa. 33:12). Outline and Exposition I. T h e F idelity of M oses (3 -8 ). M oses would conceal nothing o f what the Lord had spoken (v. 3). In stead of softening the message or adapting it to the prejudice or passion of the people, he would have them know ex actly what the Lord had said. Clearly, dis tinctly, and fully he told the people “all” the words of the Lord and “all” the judg ments. With the utmost fidelity to his Master, Moses, in speaking to the people, omitted nothing from the message o f the Lord, and he added nothing to it. There is great need today for such loyalty to God on the part of all preachers and teachers of His Word. When Moses’ message was concluded, there, was unanimous agree ment on the part of the people to “do” all that the Lord had said. Their blind ignor ance and settled legalism caused them to respond confidently: “All the words which the Lord hath said will we do.” Israel stood on the ground of created man, in the flesh; hence, Israel could not deny her obligation to God, and neither could she fulfill that obligation. But, in demonstra tion o f that legalism which is natural to all human beings, the people were ready to enter into an agreement to do what they could not do apart from the pure peace of God. The ideal of the law ennobles, but it cannot enable one to reach its high stan dard. It can give man high aspiration, but it cannot supply the ability to realize that aspiration. It reveals the righteousness of God and points to man’s need o f a Sav iour. Moses faithfully informed the peo ple o f all the law required, even though they could never be justified by the law, apart from the grace and mercy o f God. Moses made plain to the people that in their obedience to the word o f the Lord the whole nation was to be included (vs. 4, 5). Moses “builded an altar,” repre sentative of God’s requirements, and twelve pillars, which stood for the twelve tribes o f Israel; and the blood brought both sides into the covenant (vs. 6-8). God was a party to that covenant, as seen by the blood upon the altar; the law was pre sented and read to all the people; and finally the people themselves became a party to the covenant by the sprinkled blood. While they did not realize it at that time, the blood that bound them to the covenant was also their protection when they, failed. ' II. T he F aithfu ln ess of M oses (1 2-14). Moses was never so much occupied with present affairs that he failed to hear and answer the voice of the Lord (v. 12). In
A L O N E By A LIC E E. SH E RW O O D
"Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me" (John 16:32). Alone, dear Lord, in solitude serene, Thy servant Moses was constrained to go,
Into the silent desert with the sheep; The silvery stars his lonely vigil know. And Paul, the fiery warrior, zealous, bold, In desert places, 'neath Arabian skies,
Learned God's own lessons, harkened to His voice, Grew calm, resourceful, humble, meek and wise. Alone, dear Lord, I fear to be alone; M y heart demands the blest companionship O f those that love Thee; friendship's nectar sweet, With those beloved, I evermore would sip. But in the desert, Moses, David, Paul, Were not alone, afar from love or care, They companied with heav'nly visitors, They knew no loneliness, for Thou wert there.
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