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MOSES THE MAN OF GOD - 4 The Anger of Moses. "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3). "The man Moses was very great" (Ex. 1 1:3). The meekness, or humility, of Moses was an essential part of his greatness. Without it, he could never have survived his forty years of trials and difficulties with the children of Israel in the wilderness. The family dispute in Numbers 12 reveals the true measure of the man. When Miriam and Aaron challenged his leadership - "Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses?" - he just met their criticisms in the spirit of Psalm 38:13 - " I, as a deaf man, heard not;" also in the spirit of his own words to the Israelites at the Red Sea - "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace". And, true enough, "the anger of the Lord was kindled against them". He "spake suddenly", re-asserting the leadership of Moses, then He smote Miriam with leprosy and withdrew His presence from the camp. Throughout it all, Moses maintained his composure, praying to God for Miriam's recovery and the return of normal life to the camp. This is the man whose uncharacteristic moments of anger we wish to study. "He went out from Pharaoh in a great anger" (Ex. 1 1:8). Moses was angry here, for he knew God was angry, and His patience with Pharaoh was wearing thin. Weeks and months had passed since Moses had first faced the king with a demand for the Israelite's release, only to hear Pharaoh say, "I know not the Lord who He is, and I will not let Israel go". Despite a series of unprecedented plagues, the attitude of Pharaoh remained unchanged, and Moses could see the storm clouds of divine wrath about to burst. God "is angry with the wicked every day" (Psa.7:11), and each day He becomes more angry than the day before. In like manner the heart of Pharaoh was becoming harder day by day, until he finally ordered Moses to leave and not to return on pain of death. It was at this stage that the anger of Moses surfaced, with the impending death of Egypt's firstborn sons written on his face. We see something similar in the way the Pharisees opposed the Lord Jesus, despite His mighty works of power, and how He "looked round about on them in anger, being grieved for the hardness (or, hardening) of their hearts" (Mark 3). "Some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms and stank; and Moses was wroth with them" (Ex. 1-6:20). The anger of Moses is here directed against his own people, the Israelites, who actually gave him more heartaches than Pharaoh ever did. During their time in the wilderness, God met their daily needs with manna, "bread from heaven". This manna prefigured their Messiah, the one who in due time came down from heaven as "the bread of life" for all mankind (John 6). The manna had to be gathered each morning (Sabbaths excepted), and none was to be kept overnight. But this is just what some of them did, and it "bred worms, and stank". The root cause of their disobedience was sheer, rank unbelief, a fear that the supply might fail the next morning. One would hope that the stench in their homes made them realise how offensive their unbelief was to the Lord. God always has a fresh supply of grace for His people according to their needs. "As soon as ... he saw the calf ... Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount" (Ex.32:19). If in the previous incident we see latent unbelief, here we have open idolatry; and if ever Moses had cause to be angry, it was then. He had just been on the mount in communion with the Holy One of Israel, and right before his eyes was the unholy behaviour of the children of Israel. The Bible says, "Moses' anger waxed hot", and if it was hot against the people, it was even hotter against the idol, for he "burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder". He also mixed the powder with water and made the idolatrous people drink it. But he went even further, summoning all who were true to Jehovah in heart to come forward, take a stand and execute judgment on the unrepentant. Well did John Dryden write: "Beware the fury of a patient man". "And Moses ... sought the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron" (Lev.10:16). The background here is the death of two of Aaron's sons who approached God with "strange fire", and were consumed on the spot. One can imagine with what tremulous hands and feet Aaron and his remaining sons resumed their duties. One of those duties was to offer a sin offering for the people, after which the priestly family were to eat a part of that offering before God. In this way they not only "bore the iniquity of the children of Israel", but also feasted on the forgiveness the sin offering brought. On this occasion, however, they burnt the sin offering instead of eating it - which angered Moses. Aaron's explanation, while too subjective by far, was at least honest. He recalled the events of the day - "such things have befallen me" - events that had made him wonder if he and his remaining sons could have eaten of the offering with the Lord's approval. Moses accepted Aaron's explanation with a sympathetic heart, thus showing that true godly anger is never unreasonable or devoid of feeling for others. "Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families ... and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased" (Num.11:10). Here it is the Lord's anger that is emphasised. He was angry because the manna, 2 which so beautifully typified His beloved Son, was being openly criticised by some who still hankered after the things of Egypt. The instigators of this agitation were "the mixed multitude", who had left Egypt with the Israelites, but still retained a love for Egypt in their hearts. Let us ask two questions. Where do we ever read of these people looking forward to the food and fruits of Canaan, the land flowing with milk and honey? And where do we ever read of Moses expressing any desire to return to the lavish meals he used to enjoy in the Egyptian palace? It must have riled his spirit more than once to hear these former slaves talk about the joys of Egypt! There must have been times when he was sorely tempted to tell them bluntly that, in forsaking Egypt, he had given up more than all of them put together. "And Moses was very wrath, and said: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them" (Num.16:15). This must have been one of the most dreadful experiences in the life of Moses. Korah and his fellow conspirators were not just unhappy about conditions in the desert; it was a case of outright rebellion with a view to ousting Moses and Aaron from their God-appointed positions of leadership. These rebels even laid claim to the priesthood, bringing some most outrageous charges against Moses at the same time. Moses did not stop to trade insults with them, but he must have been white with anger as he realised the implications for the whole nation in what was being said and done. With prophetic insight he foretold the awful doom that awaited Korah and his followers, and ordered the Israelites to separate from them without delay. It was a terrible end, to go down alive into hell at the hand of God and in the sight of His honoured servant whom they had insulted and maligned. More terrible still is the use Jude makes of this incident to foretell the doom of similar men in Christendom, "to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever". "It went ill with Moses for. .. they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips" (Ps.106:32-33). This takes us to events in Numbers 20, where a younger generation of Israelites were displaying the same traits as their fathers, blaming Moses for all their misfortunes and expecting him to solve all their problems. Again they lacked water, and again God came to the rescue. In this case, however, Moses received special instructions, which gave unusual prominence to Aaron as priest. Moses was to take Aaron's rod and, "speak ye to the rock" - notice the 'ye'. But in the event, Moses (1) spoke on his own, (2) spoke to the people instead of the rock, and (3) smote the rock twice instead of speaking to it. True, the water gushed forth to refresh man and beast, but the Lord was greatly displeased with Moses, so displeased indeed that He refused to let him enter Canaan with the Israelites. At God's command a rock had been smitten years before to bring forth water, and that prefigured Christ in His death. Here, however, God's instructions were calculated to set forth Christ as High Priest in heaven, ever ministering to the needs of His people as they speak to Him in prayer. The Lord's directions to Moses had been designed to illustrate this vital distinction. 3 Was Moses not terribly disappointed at God's refusal to let him enter Canaan? Yes, at the time; but not now. Moses did gain access to Canaan, and in a way he could never have imagined. God had a special appointment for him centuries later when he and Elijah appeared with Christ in glory on the Mount of Transfiguration, there to discuss the Saviour's coming decease (Gr. exodus) in Jerusalem. How wonderful for Moses to realise that his own exodus with the children of Israel from Egypt was about to be eclipsed by an infinitely greater exodus when Christ would emancipate the redeemed of all nations from the tyranny of sin and Satan. The joy of Moses knew no bounds. It was all so wonderful. God had not let him down. No, he had no regrets about forsaking Egypt as a young man. Yes, he still remembered his favoured position in the royal palace, with the prospect of a life of pomp and power, and then virtual deification after death. Still he had no regrets - none whatever. Ten thousand times better to have a glorified body with the Messiah in Canaan than a mummified body with the Pharaohs in Egypt! To be continued - W. McVey.
THE CHILDREN OF GOD Early in His conversation with Nicodemus, the Lord Jesus made this fundamental, all-embracing statement, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). The reason for this is clear from other scriptures. The natural man, whether Jew or Gentile, religious or irreligious, is spiritually dead in trespasses and sins, and is controlled by the world, the flesh and the devil (Eph.2:1-3). Those who have not been saved by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and His completed work on the Cross, are without hope and without God in the world (Eph.2:12). They are the children of disobedience, children of wrath (Eph.2:2,3), heading on towards judgement, eternal punishment and separation from God. As the Lord Jesus said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again" (John 3:6,7). Birth. God is holy (Lev.19:2; 1 Pet.1:16), but He is rich in mercy (Eph.2:4). He is the God of all grace (1 Pet.5:10), and He has withheld from us the punishment we deserve for our sins. He sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. When He came, those who received Him, believing on His Name, became the children of God. They were born of God (John 1:10-13). This is true of believers today, as we read in 1 Pet.1:23,25, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever .. and this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you". When we believe the Gospel we become heirs of salvation and "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ". (Rom.8:16,17). Life. Having been "born again" by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit (Tit.3:5), and having become the children of God, we have God as our heavenly Father and He has "delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son" (Col. 1:13). We are a new creation (2 Cor.5:17). Doing that which is righteous as enabled by the Holy Spirit, and loving other believers, are evidences that we are indeed children of God (1 John 3:10; John 13:35). We have been set free from the dominion of sin (Rom.6:14), and can overcome sin through the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer (I Cor.6:19; Gal.5:16). If a believers does sin, when he confesses that sin, God will forgive him (]John 1:9) because of the eternal efficacy of the precious blood of Christ, shed at the Cross for us (1 Pet. 1:19; Rev.5:6), and we have "an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1). Death. Both physical death, and eternal death which is eternal separation from God, are a result of sin (Gen.2:17; Rom.5:12; Rev.20:14). Most people have an instinctive fear of death. When all appears to be going well they will often joke about death, but deep down there is a fear of death and what will happen after death. God has put some awareness of eternity in men's hearts (Eccl.3:1 1). The child of God has been delivered from the fear of death and can say, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Cor.15:55). The Lord Jesus Christ is eternally holy (Luke 1:35). He could not sin, yet He suffered "the just for the unjust" (1 Pet.3:18). He died, that through death He might take from the devil the power of death, and in so doing, deliver those who lived their lives in fear of death (Heb.2:14,15). Eternity. The children of God are eternally secure (John 3:36; 10:28-30), and their eternal prospect is wonderful and beautiful beyond human imagination. In heaven there is "fulness of joy", and "there are pleasures for evermore" (Ps. 16:11). In His amazing love, the Father has bestowed upon us the right to be called the children of God, for this is what, by grace, we are (1 John 3:1). God is our heavenly Father, but as long as we are on this earth our likeness to Him is marred by our sin. However, the Lord could return at any moment to take all believers to be for ever with Himself (1 Thess.4:16,17), and then we shall be free from sin. We are told in 1 John 3:2,3 that "when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as He is pure". - C. Jones.
THE CHRISTIAN'S DAILY LIFE The great ambition of a Christian ought to be to please God in everything. His one aim in life should be to do everything worthy of the One whose he is and whom he serves. There is nothing too trivial to be done to the glory of God, worthy of the Name of the Lord Jesus. The guiding principle of the Christian's life is summed up in the words - "Do all to the glory of God". "Do all in 5 the Name of the Lord Jesus". The humblest duties in employment, whether in warehouse or workshop, the daily tasks about the home, the caring for the children, or the management of a business come equally under this great rule. The little things as well as the great are to be governed by it. Were this continually kept in remembrance by the children of God, what a transformation it would work in many a life! What a dignity it would impart to the commonplace things of daily toil! To do our daily work "heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men", brings God into everything. There would be no negligence in work done for our employer, no wasting of time charged to the customer, no using of material inferior to that which is named in the contract. All would be done as under the eye of the Lord, and with His approval in mind. There would be fewer complaints against those who profess the Name of Christ, whether as employer or employee, whether in the work place or in management, or in business dealings, if this elementary "law of the kingdom" were better observed, as it ought to be in all good conscience by the followers of the Lord Jesus. With too many, Christianity is a Sunday religion, put aside with all care with their better clothes till the day of worship comes round again, having no place in the daily round of life. But God's Christianity as it is revealed in the Word, is a power in every sphere of life, and for every hour of the day. This is simply because it flows out from the living Christ within, and is controlled by His living and all-powerful Word which dwells richly in His people, governing, guiding, and giving a heavenly character to their lives and actions. - Selected. Slightly abridged.
THE PERFECTIONS OF CHRIST I want you to think of a glorious Man - the Lord Jesus Christ. God says, "I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love" (Hosea 11:4). Boundless love is brought out in the wondrous fact that He who was (and is) God has become Man. The ways of God to win the lost are wonderful. By various means He brings souls under the sound of the Gospel, and strives with them by His Spirit. One silken cord of grace and one golden chain of mercy after another are thrown around the rebellious heart. But all this comes to a definite point some day. The soul comes to the parting of the ways, to the decisive point in its history. That moment for you may be now. Death is busy among us, and eternity is near. The reality of this forbids us to be foolish. May the reader, like the writer, be serious and in earnest. Does it not move you to see God stooping in grace to conquer the pride of your stubborn heart? Does it bring no conviction to your conscience, no tear to your eye? In the presence of such grace, do not keep your heart hard and unrepentant any longer. Think of the perfection of His person. One thief, crucified at His side, said of Him, "This Man has done nothing amiss". He never offended in thought, word or deed. He did no sin; He knew no sin (that is, in His own experience); in Him is no sin. But He, the only righteous One who ever lived on earth, was taken and crucified. Where do you stand in relation to Him? You cannot do as Pilate tried to do - wash your hands of Him. You must have to do with Christ. You will have to meet Him some day, either as Saviour or judge. "Truly this Man was the Son of God", said the Roman centurion as he stood by the cross. Those who condemned Him owed their very existence to Him. Think of it! Every breath you take and every beat of your heart you owe to the Son of God! And have you thought little or nothing of Him? Sad to say, you may soon die without Him and be lost forever. Think of the perfection of His work. "This Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God" (Heb.10:12). The Lord Jesus died that God's house might be thrown open for a world of sinners, and that God's messengers might go out and say, "Come, for all things are now ready" (Luke 14:17). Think of the perfection of His grace. "This Man receiveth sinners" (Luke 15:2). Yes, though He knows all about you, He waits to receive you in grace. He knows what your nearest friend does not know, all the foolish, ambitious, wicked thoughts of your heart. Yet He will receive you. You need not be afraid of knowing the worst about yourself. The Lord Jesus knows it all. He can tell you all things that you ever did, and yet meet you in perfect grace and save you. Think of the perfection of His blessing. Consider all' that is presented in and through Him! Through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things" (Acts 13:38-39). Can you trust Him? All His perfections surely win the confidence of your heart. The cross, the empty grave, the Father's throne where He is now seated, all proclaim His glory and His worth. May you trust Him? Every Christian on earth and in heaven would answer, "Yes" Then receive Christ and the eternal blessing of God now. If you do not come to know Him as Saviour, you will have to know Him as your Judge (Acts 17:31). What sorrow for the unbelievers in the day of judgement! Then do not throw your soul away in the folly of unbelief. "Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts" (Heb.4:7). - C.A. Coates.
EDITORIAL As we date this issue we are reminded that we are about to enter a new year in the will of the Lord. Looking back over the one that has almost passed, we take to heart the words of David, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all His benefits". How easy it is to forget them. The Lord Jesus said, "Your heavenly Father knoweth what things ye have need of", and this is certainly true. While our printing and mailing costs are considerable, with above 18,500 copies of each issue going into many countries, in the goodness of God, these costs have been abundantly met throughout another year. So we gladly acknowledge His faithfulness. But we are also greatly indebted to the Lord's people whose kindness He uses in this way, as well as to those who uphold us in prayer, and for their fellowship and support we extend our grateful thanks. We are thankful too, for the interest and help of those who have contributed articles for publication, and our special thanks goes to our friends in Mosgiel who still give of their time to envelope and mail the magazine. Looking forward into the new year, it is our desire that it will be one rich with the peace and blessing of the Lord for all our readers. While we cannot expect world conditions to improve, for He said, "Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold", yet He has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee". He is the same, yesterday and today and forever, and we have His promise, " I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with Mine eye". May we all be encouraged to follow Him more closely each day until He comes. Ed.
SAFELY UPHELD "Hold Thou me up and I shall be safe" Psalm 119:117. Oh Lord I'm like a little child, Afraid lest I should stray; Oh, guard me through this desert wild, And lead me in Thy way.
Be near me when the tempest howls, And makes my soul afraid; And when the tempter round me prowls, Be near to give Thine aid.
I know no other source of power, To none else would I fly; With Thee I triumph every hour, I'm safe when Thou art nigh.
Keep me at all times by Thy side, Thy tender love to share; Beneath Thy wings I would abide, No foe can reach me there.
Thus shall my soul 'midst earthly strife, Be kept in perfect peace; Blest foretaste of that fuller life, Whose joys shall never cease. W.R.
Please address Wholesome Words correspondence to:R.M. Goatley, P.O. Box 353, Taree, N.S.W. 2430, Australia. Please address Wholesome Words correspondence to: R.M. Goatley, |