THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NE S S
222
Moses was to be His helper in leading the people to a place of safety and joy. He gave Moses this beautiful promise: “Certainly I will .be With thee” (v. 12).. The burning bush taught M o s e s that God is holy, and that God is kind. These same lessons are shown to us many times in’the Bible, and we may ‘ hear God’s voice when we read His Word just as Moses heard it from the burning bush. Object Lesson S cope a n d R ope OBJECTS: A telescope and "a piece of rope. (If a telescope cannot be ob- táined, an imitation one can be made by rolling wrapping p a p e r in sec tions.) , ( . ' . LESSON: The ships which sail the seas always carry these two objects. The sailor usës the telescope in order that hé may see for a great' distance. If he should see i something on the water which looked like a person, he would take his telescope in order to make sure what it was. If it proved to be a person, he would draw near, a rope such as this one would be thrown overboard, and the person would be rescued. The sailor could see with the telescope, but ,he would use the rope to rescue the person. These two objects remind me of a Jesson found in Exodus 3. The chil dren of Israel were in bondage in Egypt. God heard their, cry. While He did not need a telescope with which to see them, He did look down and see their sad condition. ; There are many in the world who know of the sorrows of others, but who are either unable or unwilling to help. God was both able and willing to help Israel become. free from the Egyptian bondage. The rope reminds us of Moses,- the man whom God called to d e 1i v e r Israel. God did not need a telescope, neither did He use a rope in delivering the captives. He used Moses, and said to him, “Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt” (Ex. 3:10). It was not enough for God to see the captives and hear their cry. They must be delivered. We shall see later how Moses was used of God to bring the children of Israel out of bondage.
Golden Text illustration E xodjjs 3:10
BLACKBOARD LESSON
There is one person in England, and only one, whose calls for a telephone trunk line are honored immediately. That person is King George. When he telephones to the Central Office in London, asking to talk with Wash ington, the number and exchange re quired are written on a card which is stamped with the word “Royal” in red. Ordinarily a call is taken up in the order of its receipt, but King George gets it at once, and holds it as long as he pleases without interrup tions. Is this what occurs when the King of kings calls us up on the telephone of divine appointment? Are all other calls laid aside? Does He have the line to our hearts as long as He wishes to talk with us? King George’s busi ness must be instantly furthered. But is there not another King whose busi ness requires even more prompt atten tion?—Adapted from Amos R. Wells. The Bush Moses Saw E xodu s 3:1-12 MEMORY VERSE: “Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful w o r k s , which thou hast done . . . they are more than can be numbered” (Psa. 40:5). APPROACH: When you haye an im portant lesson to learn in school, does your teacher sometimes show you a picture or object to help to make the will. He spoke to Moses, while he was caring for sheep, and taught him a wonderful lesson. LESSON STORY: While Moses was finding food for his flock, he led them one day to a large quiet place. He saw something very, strange: there was a bush that was burning, but the fire did not hurt or destroy it. Moses went closer. God was pleased when he did that, an(J He called to him from the bush: “Moses, Moses.” When he heard his name, M o s e s answered, “Here I am.” God wanted Moses to know that He, the heavenly Father, is holy. No one else is pure and loving and powerful as God is. Moses bowed his head in God’s presence, as he learned this lesson.. The Lord told Moses of His love for him and his people. He told him that He knew about their troubles, and that He would care for them- He said meaning c l e a r ? God taught H is people this way, - too1—hundreds of years ago, before .the Losd J e s u s c a m e to e a r t h and before people had the Bible as we do t o d a y to show them God’s
'COmEflOUJ THESEFORE, ROD I UJILl 5EÍ1D THEE UOTO PHARAOH, THAT THOU IÎ1HHE5T BRIAO FORTH
acacia thornbush so prevalent in that region, was Israel. Though to the proud Egyptians Israel seemed as a thorny bramble, yet God being in their midst would preserve and d e l i v e r them. The flame was in the bush, but it did not burn one single leaf or stem. 2. "Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight" (v, 3). As God’s servant looked upon this unique sight, he received a vision of God which was to impel him to go down into Egypt to lead forth God’s people. In this vision he recognized God,, first, as a holy Being. The holi ness of God is a fundamental fact in the Word of God. Moses needed this revelation to take to his own people, as well as to the Egyptians. Is there a revelation more needed today? If men were convinced of the holiness of God,' they would not,trifle with His laws and His will as they do. , Second, the flame in the bush was a revelation of God as a God of light and not of darkness. The prevailing idea of the gods of Egypt was that they dwelt in darkness and mystery. But now Moses receives .a vision of God who shines brightly above the light of the desert sun. God is light. * This revelation kept getting brighter and brighter until finally He came who said, “I am the light of the world.” Thirdly, this vision was a rev elation of God as compassionate Sav iour and deliverer (vs. 7, 8). The Voice in the bush spoke of Israel’s afflic tion' in Egypt, and how He was com ing down to deliver. God had not for gotten His people. That revelation was Surely needed then, and it is needed now. God is still in the bush. In our | afflictions He cares and has compas sion. As God came that day to dwell iff a. humble desert bush, so He has deigned to live in believing hearts to give guidance, comfort, and light. ■' Finally, the vision was a revelation qf God whom man can know inti mately. God talked to Moses face to face. He showed Himself to be a God who comes close to His people. Cen turies later in the fullness of time He Came and dwelt in a body of flesh in Order that He might be “touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” This is the God all men need, a God who oomes.close enough to minister to hu man, need.
i
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker