Heroes of Israel Part 16

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

117. After the Revolutionary War, the thirteen American states adopted a const.i.tution. Was.h.i.+ngton was the great leader. We all honor him now, but during his life many were jealous of him and the people often found fault with him and lost confidence in him. He was greatly tried and would have given up the presidency but for his sense of duty. So it was with Moses. He brought deliverance to the people and gave them their first great laws, but they constantly murmured against him and against G.o.d. The long story of his leaders.h.i.+p of Israel during forty years in the wilderness is told in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. We shall study a few of the main incidents.

118 (--40A). After the victory over the Egyptians, Moses led the people toward Mt. Sinai. Notice on the map the mountain range in the Sinai Peninsula. What difficulty soon arose? How did the people meet it? This was the beginning of a number of trials that Moses had in his leaders.h.i.+p.

119 (--40A). How long did it take to reach Mt. Sinai? The gathering at the mountain was a very solemn occasion. Israel was to receive a const.i.tution. Think of the solemn time when the const.i.tution of the United States was adopted.

120 (--40B). What do we call these great words? Every student should know them by heart. If they were learned in the Primary Department it would be well to recall them.

121 (--40B). How were the people impressed by the holy law? Let us understand that when we speak of "the fear of the Lord" it does not mean that we are afraid of him, but that we have a great reverence for him.

122 (--41A). How long had Moses remained in the mountain to which he had gone to receive the laws? The people could not understand a G.o.d whom they could not see. They wanted an idol such as the Egyptians had. Tell the story of the golden calf.

123 (--41A). How did Moses learn of what had happened? What did Moses bring down from the mountain? What did Joshua hear? What did Moses do when he found what had happened? Is it ever right to be angry?

124 (--41B). The people had greatly disappointed Moses, but he was very sorry for their sin. He went to pray for them. Read carefully his wonderful prayer. Moses well knew G.o.d's love, but he knew also that wickedness must be punished.

125. We shall consider another great rebellion in connection with the next two heroes whom we study. It resulted in the Hebrews being sentenced to travel about for forty years. Moses led them. He was their chief, ruling over them, and their general, enabling them to conquer their enemies.

126 (--42A). Moses had led the people for forty years. At last the grand old man brought them to the very border of the Promised Land. What river was all that separated them from Canaan? Locate the place of the last camp just opposite Jericho. The book of Deuteronomy gives the farewell speeches of Moses. This section is a part of what he said to them. Tell it in your own words. What great American gave a Farewell Message to his countrymen?

127 (--42B). It was a great disappointment to Moses that he could not lead the people into Canaan, but he cheerfully accepted G.o.d's will. It must have been a wonderful sight that the old man saw from the mountain.

Imagine yourself on Mt. Nebo. Look over Canaan and tell what Moses saw.

Where did Moses die? How did Israel mourn for him? What did the writer of the last verses think of this great man? Learn Mrs. Alexander's beautiful poem.

THE BURIAL OF MOSES

By Nebo's lonely mountain, On this side Jordan's wave, In a vale in the land of Moab, There lies a lonely grave; But no man dug that sepulchre, And no man saw it e'er, For the angels of G.o.d upturned the sod, And laid the dead man there.

That was the grandest funeral That ever pa.s.sed on earth; But no man heard the tramping, Or saw the train go forth.

Noiselessly as the daylight Comes when the night is done, And the crimson streak on ocean's cheek Grows into the great sun,

Noiselessly as the springtime Her crown of verdure weaves, And all the trees on all the hills Open their thousand leaves, So, without sound of music, Or voice of them that wept, Silently down from the mountain crown The great procession swept.

This was the bravest warrior That ever buckled sword; This the most gifted poet That ever breathed a word; And never earth's philosopher Traced, with his golden pen, On the deathless page, truths half so sage As he wrote down for men.

And had he not high honor?

The hillside for his pall; To lie in state while angels wait, With stars for tapers tall; And the dark rock-pines, like tossing plumes, Over his bier to wave; And G.o.d's own hand, in that lonely land, To lay him in the grave.

WRITTEN REVIEW

Draw a picture of two large tables of stone. Write the first five commandments on one, using just the first sentence of each commandment.

Write the last five commandments on the other in full, except that for the tenth commandment use only its first four words. Do this very neatly.

REVIEW

XIII. THE HEROES OF ISRAEL'S WANDERINGS

XIII. THE HEROES OF ISRAEL'S WANDERINGS

128. Our studies have brought us to the time when the Hebrews were about to enter the land of Canaan. Up to that time they were a wandering people going from place to place, seeking pasture for their flocks or refuge from famine. After they settled down they used to tell the stories of the heroes of the old wandering days. We have studied five of these. Who was called the Father of the Faithful? Who was his son? Who was the man who gave his name to the nation? Which of his sons became the ruler of Egypt? Who was the deliverer of the people from Egypt? Let us recall some of the stories of these five heroes.

129 (5-7, --2). Tell the story of Abraham's journey westward to the new land. Who did he believe called him and led him? What people in our own history did we compare with him?

130 (12, 13, --5). Abraham had a nephew with him: what was his name? What great wealth did these two men have? What trouble was caused by the increase of their wealth? How did Abraham settle the matter? Why did we call him "magnanimous"?

131 (23, 24, --8). Abraham was most anxious to do what he thought was right. Tell the wonderful story of how G.o.d showed him that he need not sacrifice his son.

132. Read --11A and see if you can recall the story of Jacob's deception of Isaac.

133 (50, --16). After many years and after Jacob had learned many hard lessons he turned back to his own land. Tell the story of his meeting with the brother whom he had wronged.

134 (--19). How many sons had Jacob? Who was his favorite? Why did his brothers hate him? Tell the story of how they sold him as a slave.

135 (--23C). Joseph prospered in Egypt, but through false accusation was thrown into prison. Here he interpreted the dreams of two men: who were they? which of the men was pardoned by the king and forgot Joseph? The king dreamed: how did this lead to Joseph's promotion?

136 (--27C). There were seven years of good crops followed by seven years of famine. How did the famine bring Joseph's brothers to Egypt? Why did they not recognize him when he knew them? What plan did he use to make them sorry for their unkindness and to make one of them willing to be a slave to save his youngest brother? Tell the story of the forgiveness.

137 (84, 89, 90, --30). After the Hebrews had been a long time in Egypt they became very numerous. Pharaoh was alarmed at their numbers. What order did he give so that there should be no more men? Tell the story of Moses' safety and adoption.

138 (97, 98, --34A). Moses had been obliged to flee from Egypt and had lived a long time in the wilderness thinking about how his people could be saved. Perhaps sometimes he thought that he ought to deliver them, but he hesitated. Tell the story of the Burning Bush and how G.o.d encouraged him to go back to Egypt and be the deliverer.

139 (114, --38B). Moses boldly went back and told the king he must let the people go. After ten awful plagues Pharaoh let them go. But no sooner were they gone than he repented and followed after them. How did Moses lead them into safety by G.o.d's good providence?

140 (127, --42B). How many years did Moses lead his people in the wilderness? To what point did he bring them at last? There he made them a n.o.ble farewell speech of encouragement. Tell the story of how he saw Canaan, and of his death. What did the writer of the Book of Deuteronomy think of Moses?

WAR HEROES

XIV. JOSHUA AND CALEB

XV. GIDEON, THE WARRIOR

XVI. SAMSON, THE STRONG MAN

XIV. JOSHUA AND CALEB