patriarchs and prophets-第75章
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God would be powerless to resist them。 They had not been injured or
threatened by the Israelites。 Their assault was wholly unprovoked。 It was to
manifest their hatred and defiance of God that they sought to destroy His
people。 The Amalekites had long been high…handed sinners； and their crimes
had cried to God for vengeance； yet His mercy had still called them to
repentance； but when the men of Amalek fell upon the wearied and defenseless
ranks of Israel； they sealed their nation's doom。 The care of God is over
the weakest of His children。 No act of cruelty or oppression toward them is
unmarked by Heaven。 Over all who love and fear Him； His hand extends as a
shield； let men beware that they smite not that hand； for it wields the
sword of justice。
Not far distant from where the Israelites were now encamped was the home of
Jethro； the father…in…law of Moses。 Jethro had heard of the deliverance of
the Hebrews； and he now set out to visit them； and restore to Moses his wife
and two sons。 The great leader was informed by messengers of their approach；
and he went out with joy to meet them； and； the first greetings over；
conducted them to his tent。 He had sent back his family when on his way to
the perils of leading Israel from Egypt； but now he could again enjoy the
relief and comfort of their society。 To Jethro he recounted the wonderful
dealings of God with Israel； and the patriarch rejoiced and blessed the
Lord； and with Moses and the elders he united in offering sacrifice and
holding a solemn feast in commemoration of God's mercy。
As Jethro remained in the camp； he soon saw how heavy were the burdens that
rested upon Moses。 To maintain order and discipline among that vast；
ignorant； and untrained multitude was indeed a stupendous task。 Moses was
their recognized
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leader and magistrate； and not only the general interests and duties of the
people； but the controversies that arose among them； were referred to him。
He had permitted this； for it gave him an opportunity to instruct them； as
he said； 〃I do make them know the statutes of God； and His laws。〃 But Jethro
remonstrated against this； saying； 〃This thing is too heavy for thee； thou
art not able to perform it thyself alone。〃 〃Thou wilt surely wear away；〃 and
he counseled Moses to appoint proper persons as rulers of thousands； and
others as rulers of hundreds； and others of tens。 They should be 〃able men；
such as fear God； men of truth； hating covetousness。〃 These were to judge in
all matters of minor consequence； while the most difficult and important
cases should still be brought before Moses； who was to be to the people；
said Jethro； 〃to God…ward； that thou mayest bring the causes unto God： and
thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws； and shalt show them the way
wherein they must walk； and the work that they must do。〃 This counsel was
accepted； and it not only brought relief to Moses； but resulted in
establishing more perfect order among the people。
The Lord had greatly honored Moses； and had wrought wonders by his hand； but
the fact that he had been chosen to instruct others did not lead him to
conclude that he himself needed no instruction。 The chosen leader of Israel
listened gladly to the suggestions of the godly priest of Midian； and
adopted his plan as a wise arrangement。
From Rephidim the people continued their journey； following the movement of
the cloudy pillar。 Their route had led across barren plains； over steep
ascents； and through rocky defiles。 Often as they had traversed the sandy
wastes； they had seen before them rugged mountains； like huge bulwarks；
piled up directly across their course； and seeming to forbid all further
progress。 But as they approached； openings here and there appeared in the
mountain wall； and beyond； another plain opened to view。 Through one of the
deep； gravelly passes they were now led。 It was a grand and impressive
scene。 Between the rocky cliffs rising hundreds of feet on either side；
flowed in a living tide； far as the eye could reach； the hosts of Israel
with their flocks and herds。 And now before them in solemn majesty Mount
Sinai lifted its massive front。 The cloudy pillar rested upon its summit；
and the people spread their tents upon the plain beneath。 Here was to be
their home for nearly a year。 At
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night the pillar of fire assured them of the divine protection； and while
they were locked in slumber； the bread of heaven fell gently upon the
encampment。
The dawn gilded the dark ridges of the mountains； and the sun's golden rays
pierced the deep gorges； seeming to these weary travelers like beams of
mercy from the throne of God。 On every hand vast； rugged heights seemed in
their solitary grandeur to speak of eternal endurance and majesty。 Here the
mind was impressed with solemnity and awe。 Man was made to feel his
ignorance and weakness in the presence of Him who 〃weighed the mountains in
scales； and the hills in a balance。〃 Isaiah 40：12。 Here Israel was to
receive the most wonderful revelation ever made by God to men。 Here the Lord
had gathered His people that He might impress upon them the sacredness of
His requirements by declaring with His own voice His holy law。 Great and
radical changes were to be wrought in them； for the degrading influences of
servitude and a long…continued association with idolatry had left their mark
upon habits and character。 God was working to lift them to a higher moral
level by giving them a knowledge of Himself。
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Chapter 27
The Law Given to Israel
Soon after the encampment at Sinai； Moses was called up into the mountain to
meet with God。 Alone he climbed the steep and rugged path； and drew near to
the cloud that marked the place of Jehovah's presence。 Israel was now to be
taken into a close and peculiar relation to the Most Highto be
incorporated as a church and a nation under the government of God。 The
message to Moses for the people was：
〃Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians； and how I bare you on eagles'
wings； and brought you unto Myself。 Now therefore； if ye will obey My voice
indeed； and keep My covenant； then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me
above all people： for all the earth is Mine： and ye shall be unto Me a
kingdom of priests； and an holy nation。〃
Moses returned to the camp； and having summoned the elders of Israel； he
repeated to them the divine message。 Their answer was； 〃All that the Lord
hath spoken we will do。〃 Thus they entered into a solemn covenant with God；
pledging themselves to accept Him as their ruler； by which they became； in a
special sense； the subjects of His authority。
Again their leader ascended the mountain； and the Lord said unto him； 〃Lo； I
come unto thee in a thick cloud； that the people may hear when I speak with
thee； and believe thee forever。〃 When they met with difficulties in the way；
they were disposed to murmur against Moses and Aaron； and accuse them of
leading the hosts of Israel from Egypt to destroy them。 The Lord would honor
Moses before them； that they might be led to confide in his instructions。
God purposed to make the occasion of speaking His law a scene of awful
grandeur； in keeping with its exalted character。 The people were to be
impressed that everything connected with the service of God must be regarded
with the greatest reverence。
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The Lord said to Moses； 〃Go unto the people； and sanctify them today and
tomorrow； and let them wash their clothes； and be ready against the third
day： for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the
people upon Mount Sinai。〃 During these intervening days all were to occupy
the time in solemn preparation to appear before God。 Their person and their
clothing must be freed from impurity。 And as Moses should point out their
sins； they were to devote themselves to humiliation； fasting； and prayer；
that their hearts might be cleansed from iniquity。
The preparations were made； according to the command； and in obedience to a
fu
