THE KING’S BUSINESS
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authorities, “The public will have the sa loon, the brothel, the Sunday sport;” so men shift responsibility to their own moral, civil, spiritual ruin. Whatever your ulti mate character, you cannot say,* “There came out this calf.” Whatever comes out is what you put in. It will not do to sav. “We gave birth to, fed, clothed, and sent to school children, and ‘there came out’ these worldlings and prodigals.” It will not help state or city to say, “We licensed saloons; and protected brothels; winked at gambling devices and dens ; gave full swing to ‘the movies,’ and rationalized schools and universities and ‘there came out’ this irreverent, lawless, godless and criminal cit izenship.” You who cast them in the fire, presided over the molding and shaping of a generation doomed to be “ground to powder” (Matt. 21:43, 44; Dan. 2:44) and all in the worship of the golden calf. 6. The People Punished. —vs. 25-29. Moses called on men to show their colors. "Who is on the Lord’s side?” The tribe of Levi responded. No quarter was shown even to kindred, as should always be when righteousness is in question. “God spared not His own Son.” Three thousand de fiant men fell. Better minded, repentant persons kept their tents. Gracious as Je hovah is, He does not spare the impeni tent.
“ready to stone him.” This was» Christ- like (John 8 :59; Luke 23:34) ; he refused the offer to become a great nation .■ , (vs. 10). (2) He disregarded their Sin,—“Why doth thy wrath wax hot?” (vs. 11); as •though he had “not Ibeheld iniquity in Jacob,”—so the Lord (Num. 23:21). (3) His bold and tactful argument, “You brought them out, are you not able to carry them through? or not constant enough?” Think of your reputation; what will the Egyptians say? Remember your sworn promise to Abraham, Isaac and Israel.” Jehovah “ repented / ’ i. e., changed HSs countenance. He did mean to cast off His people whom He foreknew (Rom. 11: 1, 2). It pleased Him to test Moses. It pleased Him more that he so magnificently and magnanimously stood the test. So we may “come boldly to the throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16). We have a better Interces sor (Heb. 7:24, 25), and we shall not be cast off (Rom. 8:39). 4. Hoses’ Indignation. With the tables of the law Moses came down, heard, saw, and his “anger waxed hot.” The people had broken the terms of the covenant and Moses broke the tables of it; ground the calf to powder; cast it in the waters, and made the people, drink it—they drank their god; ate the fruit of their doings. 5. Aaron’s Excuse. —vs. 21-24. It was the old story, “the woman whom thou gavest me;” “Am I my brother's keeper?” (Gen. 3:12; 4:9). “There came out this calf.’’ So says the preacher, “The people demand this sort of preaching;” and the
7. Hoses’ Continued Intercession. In tercession intervenes between sinners and their deserts (Rom. 8:26, 27, 34; 9:1-31; 10:1; Eph. 6:18). LESSON X III. —September 28.— D eliverance and D isobedience . Read Neh. 9:9-21: Acts 7:30-34, REVIEW LESSON. G olden T e x t : Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger,
and abundant in loving kindness. —Neh. 9:17. Remember the key-note of our Exodus lessons is redemption. We suggest for the Review this outline: I. T h e R edeemer : 1. Preserved. 2. Prepared. 3. Appointed.
II. T h e B ondage : 1. Hardship. 2. Helplessness. 3. Holplessness (the broken spirit of the captives). II I. T h e O ppressors : 1. Obstinacy. 2. Oppression. 3. Overthrovb.
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