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October 29, I9i3.
A MMiLY PAPEJiH
the world; and that his sepulchre might not
i)e turned into a shrine, and his bones mad;
relics for AAorship.
III. WELL PRESERVED BO'DY. (v.
7.)
"And Aloses Avas a hundred and twenty
vears old when he died; his eye Avas not dim,
nor his natural force
abated.!' Aloses' life
naturally divides itself into three periods of
forty years each.
First as a courtier, second
as a shepherd, and third as a prophet, laAvgiver
and leader in -Israel.
Moses outlived
most of his contemporaries, even though he
had had a greater burden to carry than any
other man in his day. No doubt, the remarkable
vitality of Moses in his old age
was due to his hfe oT meekness, purity and
faith. Moses' vigor in old age is an admonition
to all the servants of God to strive for
a gentle spirit, a life of holiness, and a life
of close communion Avith God, that their vitality
be not consumed, and the physical man
wrecked by the Aveighty responsibilities of the
office of the ministry.
IV. A GREAT LAAIENTATION, (v,
8.)
".And the children of Israel Avept for Moses
—thirty days," Grief laid hold upon Israel,
and the whole nation was stirred and rent
as when a great storm sweeps over a forest.
The whole nation of Israel, that at tiniies had
murmured and complained against him, and
in a measure had at times entered into rebellion
against him, was now stricken with
a terrible grief, Moses, their noblest patriot,
their greatest lawgiver and judge,
their wisest and most tender leader,
had been taken from them. They were
called now upon to drink of the cup
in which Avere the recollections of all his
wisdom, his kindness and patience mingled
with the heart aches and pains which they
by their faithlessness and stubbomess
had caused him. They were called
to pass through the throes of anguish
and sorrow of a people who have lost
the presence of a great and godly leader, and
who are only awakened by his death or departure
to all that he has been to them, and
their failure to appreciate and respect hira
when with them. It was the death of Lincoln
that awakened both the North and the
South to the Avorth of their martyred chief.
And it has not been until many a mother,
lather or minister has been taken away that
those who have been the subject-of their ministrations
have ,ibeen awakened to realize
their priceless AA-orth,
V. A SUITABLE SUCCESSOR, (v. 9.)
'"And Joshua the son of Nun w'as full of
*he spirit of wisdom." Joshua, the successor
01 Moses was honored in the privilege of
t.vpifying Christ, in whom are hidden the
treasures of Avisdom, Joshua received his
endowment of Avisdom when Moses, by divine
command, had laid his hands on him
and ordained him to the office of a r,uler in
Israel, He needed a rich abundance of wisdom,
as he had a peevish people to rule and
very shrewd enemies to overcome. Joshua
had been for a number of years under the
training of Aloses for leadership. It was
only a step from the position which he had
occupied in Israel before the death of Aloses
to the place he was now called to fill. He
Avas acquainted with the duties of the oflice,
and the people were acquainted Avith him as
a ruler. So there was no break in the civil
affairs in Israel at this time. Herein is a lesson
for the church, that God raises up leaders
suited to take the place of those called
away, but that it is her duty to take steps to
prepare them for leadership before old and
recognized leaders are Avithdrawn. Then
Zion Avill never cease to prosper.
VI, A GREAT PROPFIET, (v. 10-12,)
"And' there arose not a prophet since in
Israel like unto Aloses," Aloses was not only
a poet, patriot, and historian, but he was
also a prophet. He was the firstand foremost
prophet of the Jews. He enjoyed the
closest intimacy Avith God. The (Lord talked
with him face to face. Thus he saw more
of the glory of God. None of the other Old
Testament prophets wrought such great sigms
and wonders as did Moses, In all this he
Avas a type of Him of whom Moses said: "A
prophet shall the Lord your God raise up
unto you of your brethren, like unto me;
him shall ye hear,"—Acts 7:37.
Eskridge, Kansas.
Lesson VII, November IC, 1913,
LESSON FOR THE CHILDREN
By Anna Pritchard George,
THE DEATH OF MOSES,
Deut. 31:1-8; 32:48-52; 34:1-12,
How many of you boys and girls have had
friends who have died? "My father died," Yes,
Elmer, and Francis' mother and Helen's sister
have gone home to God, Some people are afraid
to die. They think it is a terrible thing. It is
terrible for bad people—for those who do not
love God, but it is grand for one of God's children
to be taken home to Him, When a good
boy or girl dies—one who loves Jesus—they go
to live with Him where there is no more pain,
no sickness, and they do not tire any more as
your mother did so often, Francis. Everyone is
always happy and well, and all love each other,
and together with Jesus they watch over and care
for us till we go home to heaven too.
Today's lesson is about the beautiful death of
one of God's saints. Ruth, when Balak sent for
Balaam to curse the Jews, had the Children of
Israel crossed the Jordan into Palestine? "No,
they were in the plains of Moab," They are still
there in today's lesson. You remember that all
the Jews who believed the false spies forty years
before this time, and refused to cross over into
Palesfne, were to die in the wilderness. So these
Jews are the children grown up.
On the table hollow out the sand for the Dead
Sea and the course of the Jordan. Pile up the
sand for the mountains five miles east of the Jordan.
This high mount east of the northern end
of the Dead Sea is Mt. Nebo. All these sticks on
the plains of Moab are for the Joavs. Across the
river form these stones into a square for the walled
city of Jericho.
Moses is a grand old man now, with snowy
white locks—120 years old. Here he stands on
this little hill talking with the Jews. Has he
worked hard, James? Yes, he has served God all
his lile and has been leading the Jews through
the wilderness for forty years. Was that easy,
May? "No, the Jews were always growling and
complaining." Was Moses cross with them, Elmer?
No, Moses was the meekest man. He
only forgot himself once. Who can tell about
that? Yes, Ethel, He smote the rock for water
when God told him to speak to it. And so, for
this sin, as good a man as Moses has to suffer,
even though God hag forgiven him. He cannot
enter-the Promised Land.
God has told Moses he must soon die, so he is
sayaig good-bye to the people. Is he afraid, Buster?
'He never was afraid of anything." And
now he knows he is going home to heaven. Why
should he be afraid? He says, "I can no more go
out and come in * '' '• Joshua, he shall go
over before thee: * -i- * Be strong and of a
good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for
the Lord thy God, He it is that does for with
thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
Moses calls Joshua to him. Here he comes. Moses
says to him, "Be strong and of a good courage;
for thou must go with this people unto the land
which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to
give them; * * -• fear not." Even at the very
last of his life iMoses' heart is with the people
he loves, thinking and planning for them—the
people who have been so cruel to him. That is
one reason God loves Moses so much—because
he is so forgiving.
Now God calls Moses. "Get thee up * * •* unto
Mount Nebo." So Moses climbs this very high
mountain. Here God points out to him all the
Promised Land which the Jews are soon to enter.
Here is Jericho with beautiful palm trees. He
can see far away to the north and the south, and
away over here to the west. Moses sees the land
that it is beautiful and prosperous, and he is
content. He knows God will help the Jews conquer
it, and that the people whom he loves and
has served so faithfully will enter into their own.
Moses' work on earth is finished. He is ready
to go. God has other work waiting in heaven
for Moses to do.
So when Moses has seen all the Promised Land
and is satisfied, God takes him home with Him.
"Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in
the land of Moab, according to the word of the
Lord." No one with him but God and the angels.
Just quietly he slips away home with God. No
pain, just happiness. And there in heaven he will
Avatch while God leads the Jews under Joshua
into the land of promise.
After our friends have died, we bury their
bodies in which their souls have lived here on
earth. Who will bury Moses' body? Listen to
what the (Bible says: "And he (that is God)
buried him in a valley in the land of Moab over
against Beth-peor; but no man knoweth of his
sepulchre unto this day," God himself buries
Moses. Is there anything to fear in a death like
this, Ellsworth? Moses has lived so near to God
all his life, and has talked with Him face to face,
that it is far better to go than to stay. So it is
with every child of God. No one who lives close
to God will be afraid to die. You are not afraid
to place your hand in your father's and go where
he may lead. So if you love God and keep your
hand in His all the time, when it comes time to
die. He will just lead you over into heaven and
you Avill be, oh so glad to go. "Precious in the
sight of Jehovah is the death of his saints."