December 1931
570
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
Expression M arch O n ! Deuteronomy 2:1-7
b. They confessed. c. They prayed for deliverance. 4. The salvation of the people (Num. 21:8, 9). a. A cure provided—“and the. Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a brazen serpent.” b. A cure available to all—“and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass that every one that is bit ten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.” c. The result assured (Num. 21:9). “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the ; wilderness, even so must the Son of man ' be lifted up : That whosoever believeth 1in him should not perish, but have eter- ; nal life” (John 3 :14, IS), D iscussion 1. Start the discussion by selecting Some person from the group to give a brief running comment pn the first three or four chapters of the book, with the next person taking the following chapters, and so on until the narrative of the entire book has been presented. ! 2, 3. Some of the detailed directions given here for the children of Israel seem father strange to us. However, according to New Testament revelation, they are all given for our admonition and learning. Discuss some of the lessons that might be taken from the first seven chapters, noting especially the stress that was laid upon the part each individual was to play in the or ganization of the whole, the need for abso lute freedom from defilement of sin in the service of God, and the emphasis that was laid upon following God’s direction in all things. 4, 5. Select from chapters 11 to 21 two or more incidents that can be used to illus trate some of the situations in which we find ourselves in this modern day. Note especially God’s punishment upon the chil dren of Israel for grumbling and murmur ing. How do we consider this sin which God punished so Severely ? ; 6, 7. Discuss the closing chapters, 22 (o 36. What do you make of the story of Balak and Balaam ? In this connection, study the notes in the Scofield Bible on 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11, and Revelation 2:14. JANUARY 31, 1932 Deuteronomy, the Book of Obedience T h e book of Deuteronomy is striking courses given by Moses to ;the children of Israel, in which he reviews’and repeats the principle provisions of the law. The key word to the understanding of this book is “obedience,” and though this book is little studied, yet it is extremely practical. In the first four books of the Pentateuch, God chose, redeemed, and presented a pat tern of worship and organization for His people. In Deuteronomy, the order is re versed, and the children of Israel are given the opportunity of deciding whether or not they are willing to choose God. P rep aratio n MONDAY: Read chapters 1 to 6. HI. Conclusion. j
No Room B y M argaret V. T h o m a s No room for Thee within the ancient hostel ? No room for Thee in Herod’s wide domain ? No room for Thee among Thy chosen people, Except in the abode of grief and pain ? Is there no room for Thee ’mid earth ly treasures? No room for Thee among the joys of life? No room for Thee within our fleeting pleasures— Only where anguish and despair are rife? Oh; can it be, that when I reach the portal, And there would gladly enter into rest, I hear the words pronounced by voice immortal, “There is no room for thee among the blest” ! Drive from this heart as Thou didst from the temple . 1 All that is deemed unfit to dwell with Thee; And in the place that Thou hast thus made vacant, Come Thou and evermore “abide with me.” W a t c h m a n - E x a m in e r .
I. The Challenge. :God had brought them to this moun tain, but it was not the goal of their jour ney. Some are saved from wrath to come but never progress farther. Is God saying to you, “Ye have compassed this mountain long enough” ? II. The Command. 1. A lesson in directions—they were to set their faces toward their inheri tance. 2. A lesson in guidance—God will show us the way to go. His way is : a. Through the Word. b. By His Spirit. III. The Warning. “Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren, the children of Esau; meddle not with them.” The Christian passes through the world arid deals with worldly men, but he must not set his af fections on things of this earth. IV. The Reminder. 1. Blessing—“the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand.” 2. Compassion—“he knoweth thy walk ing through this great wilderness,” 3. Presence—“the Lord thy God hath been with thee.” 4. Sufficiency—“thou hast lacked noth ing.” D iscussion 1, 2. Discuss the opening three verses of this book, noting: a. God’s interest in the movements of His people (v. 1)—their position was minutely described, and a faithful record was kept of their doings. b. God’s patience in the teaching; of His people (v. 2)—forty years were spent in making ari eleven ' days’ journey; during all this time, God ’ had been patiently preparing Israel for that which was to come. c. God’s directness in speaking to His people (v. 3)—even as Moses spake unto the children of Israel according to all that the Lord had given him in command to them, so the Bible speaks directly to us according to all the Lord has given in command to us. Discuss the practical application of these three points. 3. Discuss obedience in the light of Christ’s statements in John 15 :14. Is obe dience any less essential to power today than it was in the days of MoSes? 4. Discuss chapters 5 to 11, noting the emphasis upon the sovereignty of God. He is to be loved loyally (chapter 5), wholly (chapter 6), separately (chapter 7), con sciously (chapter 8), humbly (chapter 9), and dependency (chapter 10). 5. Study and discuss the song of Moses as given in chapter 32. 6. Consider the closing events in. Mo ses’ life. Some one has said, “We die as we live. If we live close to God, we die on a mountain. If we live selfish lives, we die in the valley of despair.” 7. Close the discussion for this month with a review of the outstanding points you have discovered in the first five books of God’s Word. Has your study been of prac tical value, and have you been helped by the consideration of the great themes present ed in these marvelous portions of God’s revelation to mankind?
TUESDAY: iRead chapters 7 to 12. WEDNESDAY: Read chapters 13 to 18. THURSDAY: Read chapters 19 to 23. FRIDAY: Read chapters 24 to 28. SATURDAY: Read chapters 29 to 34. SUNDAY:
Select some practical lessons which may be drawn from the study you have been making during the week. Prepare from them an outline for a brief devotional talk. Analysis I. Historical Review (chapters 1 to 4). 1. God has led in times past. 2. Therefore obey Him. II. Legislative Review (chapters 5 to 28).
in th» fact that it covers but forty days of the history of the children of Israel. It presents a series of eight dis
1. Moral laws. 2. Special laws. a. Public worship enjoined, b. Idolatry forbidden, c. Right use of money. d. God’s appointed officers. e. Sundry laws.
3. Results of obedience or disobedience. III. A Covenant with God (chapters 29 and 30). If God’s terms are accepted, He will bless. IV. Closing Events in Moses’ Life (chap ters 31 to 34). 1. Public reading and preservation of the law. 2. Song of Moses. 3. Blessing of Moses. 4. Death of Moses.
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