4/89 -------------..,

THE EXODUSMOVEMENT

(continued)

Sabbath School LessonsSenior Division

Fourth Quarter 1989

THE EXODUS MOVEMENT

The Covenant Restored 8

The Sin of Nadab and Abihu 12\

Departing from Sinai 16

Rebellion at Hazeroth and Kadesh 20

Lesson

1

2

3

4

5

Title

The Covenant Broken

Page

5

6 The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and

Abiram 24

7 The Wilderness Wandering 28

8 The Smitten Rock 32

9

10

The Journey Around Edom

Victory Over Sihon and Og

36

40

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

11 Balak and Balaam 44

12 Apostasy at the Jordan 48

13 The Death of Moses 52

The Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, The Exodus Movement, (continued), for October-December 1989, is published by the Seventh Day Adventist Reform MovementGeneral Conference, Sabbath School Department. It is printed and distributed byReformation Herald Publishing Association, P. O. Box 7240, Roanoke, Virginia24019-0240, U.S.A.

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000 000 005 837GC Library

FOREWORDAs explained in the foreword to our previous quarterly, the third and

fourth quarters of 1989 have been set apart for a series of studies on the Exodusmovement. The first part, which has already been left behind, dealt mainly withthe birth of Moses and his preparation to lead the movement, the plagues ofEgypt, the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage, the arrival of the Is-raelites at Sinai, and the receiving of the law. The second part, which will bethe object of our studies from October through December 1989, deals with themain events that took place from the Sinai covenant to the death of Moses.

The study of the Exodus movement is recommended by the Spirit of Proph-ecy. Sister White writes:

"We do not make enough of Deuteronomy and Exodus. These books recordthe dealings' of God with Israel."-The SDA Bible Commentary [E.G. White Com-ments], vol. 1, p. 1117.

"The book of Deuteronomy should be carefully studied by those living onthe earth today."-Ibid.

In the victories obtained by the people of Israel we can see how we can ob-tain similar victories. And in the failures of ancient Israel we can read some ofthe failures of the Advent people.

"The history of ancient Israel is a striking illustration of the past ex-perience of the Adventist body. God led His people in the advent movement,even as He led the children of Israel from Egypt. In the great disappointmenttheir faith was tested as was that of the Hebrews at the Red Sea. Had they stilltrusted to the guiding hand that had been with them in their past experience,they would have seen the salvation of God. If all who had labored unitedly in thework in 1844, had received the third angel's message and proclaimed it in thepower of the Holy Spirit, the Lord would have wrought mightily with their ef-forts. A flood of light would have been shed upon the world. Years ago the in-habitants of the earth would have been warned, the closing work completed,and Christ would have come for the redemption of His people."- The Great Con-troversy, pp. 457, 458.

"God is leading His people out from the abominations of the world, thatthey may keep His law; and because of this, the rage of 'the accuser of ourbrethren' knows no bounds. 'The devil is come down unto you, having greatwrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.' The antitypical landof promise is just before us, and Satan is determined to destroy the people ofGod and cut them off from their inheritance. The admonition, 'Watch ye andpray, lest ye enter into temptation,' was never more needed than now."-Patri-archs and Prophets, p. 689.

It is our prayer that the Lord will bless His people, impressing their mindsand hearts with the many lessons that have been recorded for their instruction.

The General Conference Sabbath School Department

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Thirteenth Sabbathfor a

Chapel in Paris, France

Dear Brethren and Sisters around the world,

France is a country with a rich history, particularly religious history. More than400 years ago, at the time when Luther and Calvin began the Reformation, Francemade a poor choice-in favor of the Counter-Reformation under the influence ofRome. "In repelling the gospel, which would have brought her healing, France hadopened the door to infidelity and ruin."-The Great Controversy, p. 282. Two centurieslater, in 1789-just 200 years ago-the French Revolution broke out. Sister White ex-plains well, in the same book, that this was due, to a large extent, to the rejection ofthe Reformation. As the people were led to reject the Bible, they were carried away ininfidelity, insubordination, and violence.

Still today, although many of the French are proud of their past, we suffer cruellyfrom the consequences of that wrong choice. Certainly we have liberty and our coun-try is a land which easily welcomes many foreigners. But the message of the gospeldoes not easily penetrate the hearts of our countrymen, who remain either Catholic orinfidels.

During the past few years, however, our number has grown considerably, thanksto brethren and sisters coming from other countries and now living in France. Nowwe have an urgent need of a chapel in the area of Paris. But properties there are veryexpensive. Although in general the country is not especially poor, those who acceptthe gospel are not often the richest. Therefore, we need your help. Also to expand ourmission house at Saint-Vert, which has become too small for our meetings, financialassistance will be needed.

We count on your gifts, whether small or great, as the Lord has blessed you. Weare encouraged by the spiritual growth of these past few years and we are certain thatthe Lord's work will not lack the means to continue expanding. On our part, we willbe always happy to help you to the extent that we are able.

Fraternally yours,Your brethren in France

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Lesson 1 Sabbath, October 7, 1989

THE COVENANT BROKEN

"Feeling their helplessness in the absence of their leader, they returned totheir old superstitions. The mixed multitude had been the first to indulgemurmuring and impatience, and they were the leaders in the apostasy thatfollowed."-Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 315, 316.

KEY TEXT: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people,which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corruptedthemselves." Exodus 32:7.

THE PEOPLE PROMISE OBEDIENCED Sunday

October 1

1. After the proclamation of the law, who were called up into the mountain?Who alone wastold to come near to the Lord? Exodus 24:1, 2.

2. As the people heard all the words of the Lord as related by Moses, what didthey answer with one voice? Exodus 24:3. Where did Moses write down allthe words of God and what else did he do? Exodus 24:4.

"The minds of the people, blinded and debased by slavery and heathenism, werenot prepared to appreciate fully the far-reaching principles of God's ten precepts.That the obligations of the Decalogue might be more fully understood and enforced,additional precepts were given, illustrating and applying the principles of the TenCommandments. These laws were called judgments, both because they were framedin infinite wisdom and equity and because the magistrates were to give judgmentaccording to them. Unlike the Ten Commandments, they were delivered privately toMoses, who was to communicate them to the people."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 310.

"Upon descending from the mountain, 'Moses came and told the people all thewords of the Lord, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice,and said, All the words which the Lord hath said will we do.' This pledge, togetherwith the words of the Lord which it bound them to obey, was written by Moses in abook."-Ibid., pp. 311, 312.

GOD MAKES A COVENANT WITH ISRAELo Monday

October 2

3. When Moses took the book of the covenant and'read it in the ears of the peo-ple, what did they again promise? Exodus 24:7.

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"Bravely did the Israelites speak the words promising obedience to the Lord,after hearing His covenant read in the audience of the people. They said, 'All that theLord hath said will we do, and be obedient.' Then the people were set apart and sealedto God. A sacrifice was offered to the Lord. A portion of the blood of the sacrifice wassprinkled upon the altar. This signified that the people had consecrated themselves-body, mind, and soul-to God. A portion was sprinkled upon the people. This signi-fied that through the sprinkled blood of Christ, God graciously accepted them as Hisspecial treasure. Thus the Israelites entered into a solemn covenant with God."-The SDA Bible Commentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1107.

4. What did Moses say as he sprinkled the blood of the covenant upon the peo-ple? Exodus 24:8.

MOSES IN THE MOUNT FORTY DAYSo Tuesday

October 3

5. For what purpose was Moses again called into the mount? Exodus 24:12;25:8,9,40. What was seen on Mount Sinai? Exodus 24:15-17.

"During his stay in the mount, Moses received directions for the building of asanctuary in which the divine presence would be specially manifested. 'Let themmake me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them,' was the command of God....

"Henceforth the people were to be honored with the abiding presence of theirKing. 'I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God,' 'and the taber-nacle shall be sanctified by my glory,' was the assurance given to Moses. As the sym-bol of God's authority, and the embodiment of His will, there was delivered to Mosesa copy of the Decalogue engraved by the finger of God Himself upon two tables ofstone, to be sacredly enshrined in the sanctuary, which, when made, was to be thevisible center of the nation's worship."-Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 313, 314.

6. How long was Moses upon the mount with God? Exodus 24:18. How did theLord want to enlighten the world through Israel?

"From a race of slaves the Israelites had been exalted above all peoples, to be thepeculiar treasure of the King of kings. God had separated them from the world, thatHe might commit to them a sacred trust. 'He had made them the depositaries of Hislaw, and He purposed, through them, to preserve among men the knowledge ofHimself. Thus the light of heaven was to shine out to a world enshrouded in darkness,and a voice was to be heard appealing to all peoples to turn from their idolatry. toserve the living God. If the Israelites would be true to ~heir trust, they would becomea power in the world. God would be their defense, and He would exalt them above allother nations. His light and truth would be revealed through them, and they wouldstand forth under His wise and holy rule as an example of the superiority of His wor-ship over every form of idolatry."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 314.

THE GOLDEN CALFo Wednesday

October 4

7. When the people saw that Moses was so long in ~omingdown from the moun-tain, what did they say as they gathered around Aaron? Exodus 32:1.

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MOSES PLEADS WITH THE LORD

"During this period of waiting, there was time for them to meditate upon the lawof God which they had heard, and to prepare their hearts to receive the further revela-tions that He might make to them. They had none too much time for this work; andhad they been thus seeking a clearer understanding of God's requirements, andhumbling their hearts before Him, they would have been shielded from temptation.But they did not do this, and they soon becamer careless, inattentive, and lawless.Especially was this the case with the mixed multitude. They were impatient to be orttheir way to the Land of Promise-the land flowing with milk and honey. It was only oncondition of obedience that the goodly land was promised them, but they had lostsight of this. There were some who suggested a return to Egypt, but whether forwardto Canaan or backward to Egypt, the masses of the people were determined to wait nolonger for Moses."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 315.

8. How did Aaron reveal his weakness? What did the people do? Exodus32:2-6; Psalm 106:19,20. What warning does this awful experience con·tain for us? 1 Corinthians 10:7.

"How often, in our own day, is the love of pleasure disguised by a 'form ofgodliness'! A religion that permits men, while observing the rites of worship, to de-vote themselves to selfish or sensual gratification, is as pleasing to the multitudes nowas in the days of Israel. And there are still pliant Aarons, who, while holding positionsof authority in the church, will yield to the desires of the unconsecrated, and thus en-courage them in sin."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 317.

"We repeat the sin of Aaron, pacifying, when the eyesight should be clear todiscern evil and state it plainly, even if it places us in an unpleasant position, becauseour motives may be misapprehended. We must not suffer wrong upon a brother orany soul with whom we are connected. This neglect to stand up firmly for truth wasthe sin of Aaron. Had he spoken the truth plainly, that golden calf would never havebeen made."-The SDA Bible Commentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1109.

o ThursdayOctober 5

9. What did the Lord say to Moses as He warned him of the apostasy in thecamp? Exodus 32:7-10. How did Moses plead with God in behalf of Israel?Exodus 32:11-13. What did the Lord do in answer to Moses' prayer? Ex-odus 32:14.

"As Moses interceded for Israel, his timidity was lost in his deep interest and lovefor those for whom he had, in the hands of God, been the means of doing so much.The Lord listened to his pleadings, and granted his unselfish prayer. God had provedHis servant; He had tested his faithfulness, and his love for that erring, ungratefulpeople, and nobly had Moses endured the trial. His interest in Israel sprung from noselfish motive. The prosperity of God's chosen people was dearer to him than per-sonal honor, dearer than the privilege of becoming the father of a mighty nation. Godwas pleased with his faithfulness, his simplicity of heart, and his integrity, and Hecommitted to him, as a faithful shepherd, the great charge of leading Israel to thePromised Land."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 319.

10. What lesson should we learn from this apostasy? Matthew 15:14; 2 Timothy4:2.

(Continued on page 27)

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Lesson 2 Sabbath, October 14, 1989

THE COVENANT RESTORED

"At God's command he [Moses) had prepared two tables of stone, and hadtaken them with him to the summit; and again the Lord 'wrote upon thetables the words of the covenant,. the Ten Commandments.' "-Patriarchs andProphets, p. 329.

KEY TEXT: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after thetenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and withIsrael." Exodus 34:27.

MOSES BREAKS THE TABLESo Sunday

October 8

1. What did Moses bring with him when he came down from the mount? Exodus32:15, 16. How did Joshua interpret the noise that he heard in the camp?And Moses? Exodus 32:17, 18.

2. What did Moses do when he saw the idolatry of the people? Exodus 32:19,20. How did Aaron try to justify himself with vain excuses? Exodus32:21-24. How offensive was his attitude in the eyes of God? Deuteronomy9:20.

"If Aaron had had courage to stand for the right, irrespective of consequences, hecould have prevented that apostasy. If he had unswervingly maintained his ownallegiance to God, if he had cited the people to the perils of Sinai, and had remindedthem of their solemn covenant with God to obey His law, the evil would have beenchecked. But his compliance with the desires of the people and the calm assurancewith which he proceeded to carry out their plans, emboldened them to go to greater "lengtns in sin than had before entered their minds.'i-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 323.

THE JUDGMENT OF GOD UPON THE PEOPLEo Monday

October 9

3. What corrective step did Moses take after he had rebuked his brother?Which tribe had not worshiped the golden calf? How many persisted in rebel-lion and what happened to them? Exodus 32:25-29.

"It was necessary that this sin should be punished,. as a testimony to surroundingnations of God's displeasure against idolatry. By executing justice upon the guilty,

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•

Moses, as God's instrument, must leave on record a solemn and public protest against,their crime. As the Israelites should hereafter condemn the idolatry of the neighbor-ing tribes, their enemies would throw back upon them the charge that the people whoclaimed Jehovah as their God had made a calf and worshiped it in Horeb. Thenthough compelled to acknowledge the disgraceful truth, Israel could point to the terri-ble fate of the transgressors, as evidence that their sin had not been sanctioned or ex-cused.

"Love no less than justice demanded that for this sin, judgment should be in-flicted. God is the guardian as well as the sovereign of His people. He cuts off thosewho are determined upon rebellion, that they may not lead others to ruin....

"So with the apostasy at Sinai. Unless punishment had been speedily visited upontransgression, the same results would again have been seen. The earth would havebecome as corrupt as in the days of Noah. Had these transgressors been spared, evilswould have followed, greater than resulted from sparing the life of Cain. It was themercy of God that thousands should suffer, to prevent the necessity of visiting judg-ments upon millions."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 325.

4. What did Moses say to those who were sorry for their sin? Exodus 32:30.How did he pray for them? Exodus 32:31, 32. What was the Lord's answer toMoses? Exodus 32:33-35.

"In the prayer of Moses, our minds are directed to the heavenly records in whichthe names of all men are inscribed, and their deeds, whether good or evil, are faithful-ly registered. The book of life contains the names of all who have ever entered theservice of God. If any of these depart from Him, and by stubborn persistence in sinbecome finally hardened against the influences of His Holy Spirit, their names will inthe judgment be blotted from the book of life, and they themselves will be devoted todestruction. Moses realized how dreadful would be the fate of the sinner; yet if thepeople of Israel were to be rejected by the Lord, he desired his name to be blotted outwith theirs; he could not endure to see the judgments of God fall upon those who hadbeen so graciously delivered. The intercession of Moses in behalf of Israel illustratesthe mediation of Christ for sinful men. But the Lord did not permit Moses to bear, asdid Christ, the guilt of the transgressor. 'Whosoever hath sinned against me,' He said,'him will I blot out of my book.' "-Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 326, 327.

GOD DISPLEASED WITH THE PEOPLEo TuesdayOctober 10

5. How did the people react when they heard that the Lord would not lead themto Canaan because of their sin? Exodus 33:1-6.

6. Where did Moses pitch the tabernacle after this dreadful experience? Howwould they reveal themselves who truly sought the Lord? What token showedthat there was still hope for them? Exodus 33:7-10.

"The tent was pitched without the encampment, but Moses called it 'the taber-nacle of the congregation.' All who were truly penitent, and desired to return to theLord, were directed to repair thither to confess their sins and seek His mercy. Whenthey returned to their tents Moses entered the tabernacle. With agonizing interest thepeople watched for some token that his intercessions in their behalf were accepted. IfGod should condescend to meet with him, they might hope that they were not to be ut-

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terly consumed. When the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the entrance of thetabernacle, the people wept for joy, and they 'rose up and worshiped, every man in histent door.' "-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 327.

MOSES OBTAINS GOD'S ASSURANCEo Wednesday

October 11

7. What assurance did Moses obtain from the Lord? Exodus 33:11-17. Howcan we obtain the same assurance?

"This experience-above all else the promise that the divine presence would at-tend him-was to Moses an assurance of success in the work before him; and hecounted it of infinitely greater worth than all the learning of Egypt or all his at-tainments as a statesman or a military leader. No earthly power or skill or learningcan supply the place of God's abiding presence."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 328.

" 'Go to God and tell Him as did Moses, I cannot lead this people unless Thypresence shall go with me.' And then ask still more; pray with Moses, 'Show me Thyglory.' What is this glory?-the character of God. That is what He proclaimed toMoses. Let the soul, in living faith, fasten upon God. Let the tongue speak His praise.When you associate together, let the mind be reverently turned to the contemplationof eternal realities. Thus you will be helping one another to be spiritually minded.When your will is ,in harmony with the divine will, you will be in harmony with oneanother; you will have Christ by your side as a counselor.' "-Testimonies to Ministers,p.499,

8. What further request did Moses make and what was the Lord's answer? Ex-odus 33:18-23. What is our privilege in this connection?

"The goodness, mercy, and love of God were proclaimed by Christ to Moses.This was God's character."-Testimonies to Ministers, p. 362.

"It is our privilege to reach higher and still higher for clearer revealings of thecharacter of God. When Moses prayed, 'I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory,' theLord did not rebuke him, but He granted his prayer. God declared to His servant, 'Iwill make all My goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lordbefore thee.' Exodus 33:18, 19.

"It is sin that darkens our minds and dims our perceptions. As sin is purged fromour hearts, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, il-luminating His word and reflected from the face of nature, more and more fully willdeclare Him 'merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness andtruth.' Exodus 34:6.

"In His light shall we see light, until mind and heart and soul are transformed intothe image of His holiness. For those who thus lay hold of the divine assurances ofGod's word, there are wonderful possibilities."-The Ministry of Healing, pp. 464, 465.

THE TABLES ARE RENEWEDo Thursday

October 12

9. With what instruction did Moses again go up into the mount? Exodus34:1-4. How did the Lord proclaim His name to Moses? Exodus 34:5-7. Forwhat did Moses still pray and what answer did he obtain? Exodus 34:.8-17,24,27.

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"Moses was full of confidence in God because he had appropriated faith. He need-ed help, and he prayed for it, grasped it by faith, and wove into his experience thebelief that God cared for him. He believed that God ruled his life in particular. He sawand acknowledged God in every detail of his life and felt that he was under the eye ofthe All-seeing One, who weighs motives, who tries the heart. He looked to God andtrusted in Him for strength to carry him uncorrupted through every form of tempta-tion. He knew that a special work had been assigned to him, and he desired as far aspossible to make that work thoroughly successful. But he knew that he could not dothis without divine aid, for he had a perverse people to deal with. The presence of Godwas sufficient to carry him through the most trying situations in which a man could beplaced.

"Moses did not merely think of God; he saw Him. God was the constant visionbefore him; he never lost sight of His face. He saw Jesus as his Saviour, and he believedthat the Saviour's merits would be imputed to him. This faith was to Moses no guess-work; it was a reality. This is the kind of faith we need, faith that will endure thetest."- Testi~onies, vol. 5, pp. 651, 652.

10. What did Moses bring down from the mount after forty days? How did thepeople feel when they saw Moses? Exodus 34:28-30, 33. Why are many, to-day, unable to understand the lessons contained in the Old Testament? John5:46; 2 Corinthians'3:14, 15. '

"While Moses was in the mount, God presented to him; not only the tables of thelaw, but also the plan of salvation. He saw that the sacrifice of Christ was prefiguredby all the types and symbols of the Jewish age; and it was the heavenly light stream-ing from Calvary, no less than the glory of the law of God, that shed such a radianceupon the face of Moses. That divine illumination symbolized the glory of the dispen-sation of which Moses was the visible mediator, a representative of the one true Inter-cessor.

"The glory reflected in the countenance of Moses illustrates the blessings to bereceived by God's commandment-keeping people through the mediation of Christ. Ittestifies that the closer our communion with God, and the clearer our knowledge ofHis requirements, the more fully shall we be conformed to the divine image, and themore readily do we become partakers of the divine nature."-Patriarchs and Prophets,p.330.

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONSo Friday

October 13

a. How should Aaron have acted in order to check the apostasy at Sinai?

b. What would have happened if that apostasy had not been severely punished?

c. Why did the people weep for joy when they saw that the pillar of cloud camedown and stood at the entrance of the tabernacle?

d. How did the Lord answer Moses' prayer ("Shew me Thy glory")? How can wehave a similar experience? What was the key to the remarkable success ofMoses' work?

.(e. What should we learn from the glory reflected 1,Il the countenance of Moses

when he came down from the mount with the tables of the newly written law? •

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Lesson 3 Sabbath, October 21, 1989

THE SIN OF NADAB AND ABIHU

"Those who have any connection with the work of God are not to walk in thevanity of their own wisdom, but in the wisdom of God, or they will be indanger of placing sacred and common things on the same level, and thusseparate themselves from God."-Evangelism, p. 639.

KEY TEXT: "And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy andprofane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and theclean." Ezekiel 44:23.

AARON AND HIS SONS CONSECRATEDD SundayOctober 15

1. Describe in a few words the ceremony of consecration of Aaron and his sonsfor the service of the sanctuary. Leviticus 8:1-9, 12, 13,24,30,33.

"After the dedication of the tabernacle, the priests were consecrated to theirsacred office. These services occupied seven days, each marked by special ceremo-nies. On the eighth day they entered upon their ministration. Assisted by his sons,Aaron offered the sacrifices that God required, and he lifted up his hands and blessedthe people. All had been done as God commanded, and he accepted the sacrifice, andrevealed His glory in a remarkable manner; fire came from the Lord, and consumedthe offering upon the altar. The people looked upon this wonderful manifestation ofdivine power, with awe and intense interest. They saw in it a token of God's glory andfavor, and they raised a universal shout of praise and adoration and fell on their facesas if in the immediate presence of Jehovah."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 359.

2. What condition was required especially of those who were called to serve inthe presence of the Lord? Exodus 19:22; 28:36-38, 41 (last part); Ezekiel44:23. What disqualifies men for sacred responsibilities?

"If one [who accepts sacred responsibilities] has not a vital connection with God,his own spirit and sentiments will prevail. These may be well represented as strangefire offered in the place of the sacred. Man has woven into the work of God his owndefects of character, devices that are human and earthly, delusions ensnaring tohimself and to all who accept them."- Testimonies to Ministers, p. 371.

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NADAB AND ABIHU SLAINo MondayOctober 16

3. What action on the part of Nadab and Abihu showed that they were not qual-ified for the sacred office that was given them? Leviticus 10:1. How do pro-fessed Christians use strange fire in our days?

"The converting power of God must come upon men who handle sacred things,yet who are unable, through some cause best known to God, to distinguish betweenthe sacred fire of God's own kindling and the strange fire which they offer. Thatstrange fire is as dishonoring to God as was that presented by Nadab and Abihu. Thesacred fire of God's love would make men tender and kind and sympathetic towardthose in peril. Those who indulge in sharp, overbearing words, are really saying: I am

• holier than thou. Do you not see my exalted position?"- Testimonies to Ministers, p. 356.

4. How was their profane behavior punished? Leviticus 10:2.

"But they [Nadab and Abihu] transgressed His [God's] command by the use of"strange fire." For burning the incense they took common instead of the sacred firewhich God Himself had kindled, and which He had commanded to be used for thispurpose. For this sin a fire went out from the Lord and devoured them in the sight ofthe people."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 359.

THE EFFECT OF A FAULTY TRAININGo TuesdayOctober 17

5. As Moses was able, immediately, to pinpoint the cause of the trouble, whatdid he say to Aaron? Leviticus 10:3. What made the sin of Nadab and Abihuall the more grievous in the eyes of God?

"Next to Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu had stood highest in Israel. Theyhad been especially honored by the Lord, having been permitted with the seventyelders to behold His glory in the mount. But their transgression was not therefore tobe excused or lightly regarded. All this rendered their sin more grievous. Becausemen have received great light, because they have, like the princes of Israel, ascendedto the mount, and been privileged to have communion with God, and to dwell in thelight of His glory, let them not flatter themselves that they can afterward sin with im-punity, that because they have been thus honored, God will not be strict to punishtheir iniquity. This is a fatal deception."-Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 359, 360.

6. What kind of training received by Nadab and Abihu in their earlier days wasthe real cause of their irresponsible attitude? (Note.) What lesson should welearn, by contrast, from Aaron's failure to discipline his sons? Proverbs 22:6.

"Nadab and Abihu had not in their youth been trained to habits of self-control.The father's yielding disposition, his lack of firmness for right, had led him to neglectthe discipline of his children. His sons had been permitted to follow inclination. Hab-its of self-indulgence, long cherished, obtained a hold upon them which even theresponsibility of the most sacred office had not power to break. They had not beentaught to respect the authority of their father, and they did not realize the necessity ofexact obedience to the requirements of God. Aaron's mistaken indulgence of his sons,

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prepared them to become the subjects of the divine Judgments."-Patriarchs and Proph-ets, p. 360.

THE SURVIVORS ARE WARNEDD Wednesday

October 18

7. Why were Aaron and his surviving sons not permitted to mourn the death ofNadab and Abihu? Leviticus 10:6,7.

"The death of his [Aaron's] sons, cut down without warning, in so terrible a sin-a sin which he now saw to be the result of his own neglect of duty-wrung the father'sheart with anguish, but he gave his feelings no expression. By no manifestation ofgrief must he seem to sympathize with sin. The congregation must not be led to mur-mur against God.

"The Lord would teach His people to acknowledge the justice of His corrections,that others may fear. There were those in Israel whom the warning of this terriblejudgment might save from presuming upon God's forbearance until they, too, shouldseal their own destiny. The divine rebuke is upon that false sympathy for the sinnerwhich endeavors to excuse his sin. It is the effect of sin to deaden the moral percep-tions, so that the wrongdoer does not realize the enormity of transgression, andwithout the convicting power of the Holy Spirit he remains in partial blindness to hissin. It is the duty of Christ's servants to show these erring ones their peril. Those whodestroy the effect of the warning by blinding the eyes of sinners to the real characterand results of sin often flatter themselves that they thus give evidence of their charity;but they are working directly to oppose and hinder the work of God's Holy Spirit;they are lulling the sinner to rest on the brink of destruction; they are makingthemselves partakers in his guilt and incurring a fearful responsibility for his im-penitence. Many, many, have gone down to ruin as the result of this false and decep-tive sympathy."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 361.

8. What warning did the Lord give them against the use of alcoholic beverages?Leviticus 10:8-11.

"Nadab and Abihu would never have committed that fatal sin had they not firstbecome partially intoxicated by the free use of wine. They understood that the mostcareful and solemn preparation was necessary before presenting themselves in thesanctuary, where the divine Presence was manifested; but by intemperance theywere disqualified for their holy office. Their minds became confused and their moralperceptions dulled so that they could not discern the difference between the sacredand the common."-Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 361, 362.

•

A LESSON FOR USD Thursday

October 19

9. Why was the sin of Nadab and Abihu recorded? Romans 15:4. How is this sinbeing repeated in the popular churches in our days?

"God designed to teach the people that they must approach Him with reverenceand awe, and in His own appointed manner. He cannot accept partial obedience. Itwas not enough that in this solemn season of worship nearly everything was done asHe had directed. God has pronounced a curse upon those who depart from His com-mandments, and put no difference between common and holy things."-Patriarchs andProphets, p. 360.

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REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS

"God has not changed. He is as particular and exact in His requirements now asHe was in the days of Moses. But in the sanctuaries of worship in our day, with thesongs of praise, the prayers, and the teaching from the pulpit, there is not merelystrange fire, but positive defilement. Instead of truths being preached with holy unc-tion from God, it is sometimes spoken under the influence of tobacco and brandy.Strange fire indeed! Bible truth and Bible holiness are presented to the people,' andprayers are offered to God, mingled with the stench of tobacco! Such incense is mostacceptable to Satan! A terrible deception is this! What an offense in the sight of God!What an insult to Him who is holy, dwelling in light unapproachable!"-The SDA BibleCommentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1111.

10. What kind of men does the Lord call to occupy positions of sacred respon-sibility? 1 Peter 1:15, 16; 2:9.

"A minister of Christ should be pure in conversation and in actions. He shouldever bear in mind that he is handling words of inspiration, words of a holy God. Hemust also bear in mind that the flock is entrusted to his care, and that he is to beartheir cases to Jesus, and plead for them as Jesus pleads for us with the Father. I waspointed back to the children of Israel anciently and saw how pure and holy theministers of the sanctuary had to be, because they were brought by their work into aclose connection with God. They that minister must be holy, pure, and withoutblemish, or God will destroy them. God has not changed."-Early Writings, p. 103.

D FridayOctober 20

a. How can men in the work of God offer strange fire? Give examples.

b. What mistake did Nadab and Abihu make and what happened to them?

c. Describe the education they had received and the type of character they haddeveloped.

d. How do some believers feel false sympathy for wrongdoers in the church?Give examples.

e. What lesson should we learn from the way God dealt with Nadab and Abihu? •

•"The work of apostasy begins in some secret

rebellion of the heart against the requirements ofGod's law. Unholy desires, unlawful ambitions, arecherished and indulged, and unbelief and darknessseparate the soul from God." - That,! May Know Him, p. 254.

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Lesson 4 Sabbath, October 28, 1989

DEPARTING FROM SINAI

"The repeated murmurings of the Israelites, and the visitations of God'swrath because of their transgressions, are recorded in sacred history for thebenefit of God's people who should afterward live upon the earth, but moreespecially to prove a warning to those who should live near the close oftime."-The Story of Redemption, p. 152.

KEY TEXT: "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and theyare written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world arecome." 1 Corinthians 10:11.

THE ISRAELITES' MARCHo SundayOctober 22

1. According to the Jewish calendar, (a) when did Israel leave Egypt? Exodus12:1-3, 17, 18; 13:4; (b) when did they encamp before Mount Sinai? ~xodus19:1; (c) when did they leave Sinai? Numbers 10:11, 12.

"[I]t was almost with reluctance that many left the place where they had so longencamped. They had come almost to regard it as their home. Within the shelter ofthose granite walls God had gathered His people, apart from all other nations, torepeat to them His holy law. They loved to look upon the sacred mount, on whosehoary peaks and barren ridges the divine glory had so often been displayed."-Patri-archs and Prophets, pp. 376, 377.

2. What kind of musical instruments was Moses directed to provide and forwhat purpose? Numbers 10:1-10. When the first alarm of the trumpets wasgiven, which tribes marched first and what went before each tribe? Numbers10:14-16.

"At the signal from the trumpeters, however, the entire camp set forward, thetabernacle borne in the midst, and each tribe in its appointed position, under its ownstandard. All eyes were turned anxiously to see in what direction the cloud wouldlead. As it moved toward the east, where were only mountain masses huddled to-gether, black and desolate, a feeling of sadness and doubt arose in many hearts."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 377.

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THE ISRAELITES' MARCH (continued)D MondayOctober 23

3. Whom did Moses invite to accompany the people of Israel and why? Numbers10:29-31. What evidence do we have that Hobab finally accepted the invita-tion? Judges 1:16; 4:11.

"Of this tribe [the Kenites] was the brother-in-law of Moses, Hobab, who had ac-companied the Israelites in their travels through the wilderness, and by his knowl-edge of the country had rendered them valuable assistance."-Patriarchs and Prophets,p.628.

4. What prayer would Moses offer when the cloud would lift and the ark would,• set out? And what prayer would he offer when the ark would rest again?

Numbers 10:35, 36.

"God Himself directed the Israelites in all their travels. The place of their en-campment was indicated by the descent of the pillar of cloud; and so long as theywere to remain in camp, the cloud rested over the tabernacle. When they were to con-tinue their journey it was lifted high above the sacred tent. A solemn invocation mark-ed both the halt and the departure."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 376.

THE MURMURERS ARE PUNISHEDD TuesdayOctober 24

5. Through what sort of land did the people of Israel travel after they had leftSinai? Deuteronomy 1:19; 8:15, 16; 32:10; Jeremiah 2:6.

"As they advanced, the way became more difficult. Their route lay through stonyravine and barren waste. All around them was the great wilderness-'a land ofdeserts and of pits,' 'a land of drought, and of the shadow of death,' 'a land that noman passed through, and where no man dwelt.' The rocky gorges, far and near, werethronged with men, women, and children, with beasts and wagons, and long lines offlocks and herds. Their progress was necessarily slow and toilsome; and themultitudes, after their long encampment, were not prepared to endure the perils anddiscomforts of the way."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 377.

6. How did some of the people react to the discomforts of the way and whatpunishment was meted out to the murmurers? Numbers 11:1. How was thefire quenched? Numbers 11:2,3.

"After three days' journey, open complaints were heard. These originated withthe mixed multitude, many of whom were not fully united with Israel, and were con-tinually watching for some cause of censure. The complainers were not pleased withthe direction of the march, and they were continually finding fault with the way inwhich Moses was leading them, though they well knew that he, as well as they, wasfollowing the guiding cloud, Dissatisfaction is contagious, and it soon spread in theencampment."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 377.

"They [the people of Israel] had received great light, as they had been witnessesto the majesty, the power, and the mercy of God; and their unbelief and discontent in-curred the greater guilt. Furthermore, they had covenanted to accept Jehovah astheir king, and to obey His authority. Their murmuring was now rebellion, and as

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such it must receive prompt and signal punishment, if Israel was to be preserved fromanarchy and ruin."-Ibid., p. 379.

THE PEOPLE LUST FOR FLESHD Wednesday

October 25

7. For what did the Israelites clamor after the bitter Taberah experience? Withwhom did the murmuring begin? Numbers 11:4-6; Psalm 78:18-20.

"The Israelites, during their bondage in Egypt, had been compelled to subsist onthe plainest and simplest food; but the keen appetite induced by privation and hardlabor had made it palatable. Many of the Egyptians, however, who were now amongthem, had been accustomed to a luxurious diet; and these were the first to complain.At the giving of the manna, just before Israel reached Sinai, the Lord had granted •them flesh in answer to their clamors; but it was furnished them for only one day.

"God might as easily have provided them with flesh as with manna, but a restric-tion was placed upon them for their good. It was His purpose to supply them withfood better suited to their wants than the feverish diet to which many had become ac-customed in Egypt. The perverted appetite was to be brought into a more healthystate, that they might enjoy the food originally provided for man-the fruits of theearth, which God gave to Adam and Eve in Eden. It was for this reason that the Is-raelites had been deprived, in a great measure, of animal food." -Patriarchs and Proph-ets, pp. 377, 378.

"The state of the mind has largely to do with the health of the body, and especial-ly with the health of the digestive organs. As a general thing, the Lord did not provideHis people with flesh meat in the desert, because He knew that the use of this dietwould create disease and insubordination. In order to modify the disposition, and bringthe higher powers of the mind into active exercise, He removed from them the fleshof dead animals. He gave them angels' food, manna from heaven."-The SDA BibleCommentary [E.G. White Comments], yol. 1, pp. 1112, 1113.

8. How was their demand for flesh food granted and what were the results?Numbers 11:31-34; Psalms 78:26-32; 106:14, 15.

"God gave the people that which was not for their highest good, because they per-sisted in desiring it; they would not be satisfied with those things that would prove abenefit to them. Their rebellious desires were gratified, but they were left to sufferthe result."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 382.

A LESSON FOR USD Thursday

October 26•

9. What lesson should we learn from the rebellious behavior of Israel in thewilderness? 1 Corinthians 10:5,6, 11.

"God brought the Israelites from Egypt, that He might establish them in the landof Canaan, a pure, holy, and happy people. In the accomplishment of this object Hesubjected them to a course of discipline, both for their own good and for the good oftheir posterity. Had they been willing to deny appetite, in obedience to His wise restric-tions, feebleness and disease would have been unknown to them. Their descendantswould have possessed both physical and mental strength. They would have had clear

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perceptions of truth and duty, keen discrimination, and sound judgment. But their un-willingness to submit to the restrictions and requirements of God, prevented them, toa great extent, from reaching the high standard which He desired them to attain, andfrom receiving the blessings which He was ready to bestow upon them."-Patriarchsand Prophets, p. 378.

10. What admonition should we take into serious consideration? Luke 21:34,35; Romans 13:11-14.

"The author of disease and misery will assail men where he can have the greatestsuccess. Through temptations addressed to the appetite he has, to a large extent, ledmen into sin from the time when he induced Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit. It wasby this same means that he led Israel to murmur against God. Intemperance in eatingand drinking, leading as it does to the indulgence of the lower passions, prepares theway for men to disregard all moral obligations. When assailed by temptation, theyhave little power of resistance."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 378.

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS

a. Describe the departure of Israel from Sinai.

o FridayOctober 27

b. How did God use the pillar of cloud to direct the wanderings of Israel?

c. Describe the discomforts and difficulties that the Israelites had to face andthe problems that they often caused.

d. For what purpose did the Lord want His people to refrain from using animalfood? What happened as a result of their rebellious demand?

e. What admonition should we take from the unwillingness of the Israelites tosubmit to the heaven-imposed restrictions? •

•"The better you observe the laws of health, the moreclearly can you discern temptations, and resist them,and the more clearly can you discern the value of eternalthings."-My Life Today, p. 141.

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Lesson 5 Sabbath, November 4, 1989

REBELLIONAT HAZEROTH AND KADESH

..

"Those who carry forward God's work should be distinguished from allothers by their humility. Of the man who is noted for his meekness, Christsays, He can be trusted. Through him I can reveal Myself to the world," - TheSDA Bible Commentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. I, p. 1113.

KEY TEXT: "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which wereupon the face of the earth." Numbers 12:3.

SEDITION OF MIRIAM AND AAROND SundayOctober 29

1. What was the sin of -Miriam and Aaron at Hazeroth? What special quality ofMoses' character was tested during the sedition? How did the Lord in-tervene? Numbers 12:1-9.

"God had chosen Moses, and had put His Spirit upon him; and Miriam andAaron, by their murmurings, were guilty of disloyalty, not only to their appointedleader, but to God Himself. The seditious whisperers were summoned to the taber-nacle, and brought face to face with Moses. 'And Jehovah came down in the pillar ofthe cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam.'Their claim to the prophetic gift was not denied; God might have spoken to them invisions and dreams. But to Moses, whom the Lord Himself declared 'faithful in allMine house,' a nearer communion had been granted. With him God spake mouth tomouth. 'Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against My servant Moses? Andthe anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and He departed.' The cloud disap-peared from the tabernacle in token of God's displeasure, and Miriam was smitten."-Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 384, 385.

2. How did the Lord show His displeasure, especially against Miriam? Whatconfession did Aaron make? How did Moses plead for Miriam and how washer punishment mitigated? Numbers 12:10-16'.

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"This manifestation of the Lord's displeasure was designed to be a warning to allIsrael, to check the growing spirit of discontent and insubordination. If Miriam's envyand dissatisfaction had not been signally rebuked, it would have resulted in great evil.Envy is one of the most satanic traits that can exist in the human heart, and it is one ofthe most baleful in its effects. Says the wise man, 'Wrath is cruel, and anger is out-rageous; but who is able to stand before envy?' It was envy that first caused discord inheaven, and its indulgence has wrought untold evil among men. 'Where envying andstrife is, there is confusion and every evil work.'

"It should not be regarded as a light thing to speak evil of others or to makeourselves judges of their motives or actions....

"He who has placed upon men the heavy responsibility of leaders and teachers ofHis people will hold the people accountable for the manner in which they treat Hisservants. Weare to honor those whom God has honored. The judgment visited uponMiriam should be a rebuke to all who yield to jealousy, and murmur against thoseupon whom God lays the burden of His work."-Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 385, 386.

SPIES SENT INTO CANAAND MondayOctober 30

3. What is the distance between Sinai [Horeb] and Kadesh [in the wilderness ofParan]? Deuteronomy 1:2. For what purpose were spies sent from Kadesh in-to the land of Canaan? Numbers 13:1-3, 17-20; Deuteronomy 1:20-25.

4. After how many days did the spies return to Kadesh and what visible tokensof the fertility of the land did they bring back? Numbers 13:21-26.

"They [the spies] went, and surveyed the whole land, entering at the southernborder and proceeding to the northern extremity. They returned after an absence offorty days. The people of Israel were cherishing high hopes and were waiting in eagerexpectancy. The news of the spies' return was carried from tribe to tribe and washailed with rejoicing. The people rushed out to meet the messengers, who had safelyescaped the dangers .of their perilous undertaking. The spies brought specimens ofthe fruit, showing the fertility of the soil."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 387.

THE SPIES' REPORTD TuesdayOctober 31

5. What report did ten of the spies bring? Numbers 13:27-29, 31-33. Whatdid Joshua and Caleb say? Numbers 13:30; 14:6-9. What is one of our greatneeds today?

"These men [the ten spies], having entered upon a wrong course, stubbornly setthemselves against Caleb and Joshua, against Moses, and against God. Every ad-vance step rendered them the more determined.... When men yield their hearts tounbelief they place themselves under the control of Satan, and none can tell to whatlengths he will lead them."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 389.

"Calebs have been greatly needed in different periods of the history of our work.Today we need men of thorough fidelity, men who follow the Lord fully, men who arenot disposed to be silent when they ought to speak, WI;lO are as true as steel to princi-ple, who do not seek to make a pretentious show, but who walk humbly with God, pa-tient, kind, obliging, courteous men, who understand that the science of prayer is to

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exercise faith and show works that will tell to the glory of God and the good of Hispeople."-The SDA Bible Commentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1113.

6. How did the people receive the conflicting reports of the spies? Numbers14:1-4, 10. Why did they believe some reports and disbelieve others?

"Hope and courage gave place to cowardly despair, as the spies uttered the sen-timents of their unbelieving hearts, which were filled with discouragement promptedby Satan. Their unbelief cast a gloomy shadow over the congregation, and the mightypower of God, so often manifested in behalf of the chosen nation, was forgotten. Thepeople did not wait to reflect; they did not reason that He who had brought them thusfar would certainly give them the land; they did not call to mind how wonderfully Godhad delivered them from their oppressors, cutting a path through the sea and destroy-ing the pursuing hosts of Pharaoh. They left God out of the question, and acted asthough they must depend solely on the power of arms.

"In their unbelief they limited the power of God and distrusted the hand that hadhitherto safely guided them. And they repeated their former error of murmuringagainst Moses and Aaron. 'This, then, is the end of our high hopes,' they said. 'This isthe land we have traveled all the way from Egypt to possess.' They accused theirleaders of deceiving the people and bringing trouble upon Israel."-Patriarchs andProphets, p. 388.

"Revolt and open mutiny quickly followed; for Satan had full sway, and the peo-ple seemed bereft of reason."-Ibid., p. 389.

•

THE PEOPLE MURMURD Wednesday

Novemberl

7. How did Moses and Aaron act when they saw that the people had acceptedthe cowardly report and were getting rebellious? Numbers 14:5. How did theLord intervene at this crucial moment and what did He say? Numbers14:10-12.

"In humiliation and distress, 'Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all theassembly of the congregation of the children of Israel,' not knowing what to do to turnthem from their rash and passionate purIJose."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 389.

8. How did Moses plead with the Lord? What reason did he give why the peopleof Israel should be pardoned and spared? Numbers 14:13-19.

THE MURMURERS PUNISHEDD Thursday

November 2

9. What sentence did the Lord pronounce upon the murmurers and rebels?Numbers 14:20-23,27-33,35. How did He punish the ten spies who gavethe evil report? Numbers 14:36,37.

"In their rebellion the people had exclaimed, 'Would God we had died in thiswilderness!' Now this prayer was to be granted. The Lord declared: 'As ye havespoken in Mine ears, so will I do to you: your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness,

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and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twentyyears old and upward.... But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, themwill I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.' And of Caleb hesaid, 'My servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followedMe fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possessit.' As the spies had spend forty days in their journey, so the hosts of Israel were towander in the wilderness forty years.

"When Moses made known to the people the divine decision, their rage waschanged to mourning. They knew that their punishment was just. The ten unfaithfulspies, divinely smitten by the plague, perished before the eyes of all Israel; and intheir fate the people read their own doom."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 391.

10. What sin of presumption did the murmurers commit the next day? What wasthe result? Numbers 14:39-45; Deuteronomy 1:41-44.

"Forced to submission at last, the survivors 'returned, and wept before the Lord;'but 'the Lord would not hearken to their voice.' By their signal victory the enemies ofIsrael, who had before awaited with trembling the approach of that mighty host, wereinspired with confidence to resist them. All the reports they had heard concerning themarvelous things that God had wrought for His people, they now regarded as false,and they felt that there was no cause for fear. That first defeat of Israel, by inspiringthe Canaanites with courage and resolution, had greatly increased the difficulties ofthe conquest. Nothing remained for Israel but to fall back from the face of their vic-torious foes, into the wilderness, knowing that here must be the grave of a whole gen-eration.' '-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 394.

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONSD Friday

November 3

a. On what pretext did Miriam and Aaron start murmuring against Moses?What was the real cause of their sedition?

b. What instruction did Moses give the twelve spies as to the information theywere to bring back?

c. Describe the conflicting reports of the spies and the way they were received.

d: How did Moses and Aaron face the crisis, and how did the Lord revealHimself when the people wanted to stone the two God-appointed leaders,choose another leader, and go back to Egypt?

"

e. What happened among the Israelites right after that rebellion?

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•

Lesson 6 Sabbath, November 11, 1989

THE REBELLION OFKORAH, DATHAN, AND ABIRAM

"The former rebellions had been mere popular tumults, arising from thesudden impulse of the excited multitude; but now a deep-laid conspiracywas formed, the result of a determined purpose to overthrow the authorityof the leaders appointed by God Himself."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 395.

KEY TEXT: "And they [Korah, Dathan, and Abiram] rose up before Moses, withcertain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of theassembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown." Numbers16:2.

A CONSPIRACYo Sunday

November 5

1. What conspiracy developed among the Israelites while they were chafingunder the Lord's decision that they must wander in the wilderness fortyyears? Who were the main conspirators? Numbers 16:1-3.

"Korah, the leading spirit in this movement, was a Levite, of the family ofKohath, and a cousin of Moses; he was a man of ability and influence. Though ap-pointed to the service of the tabernacle, he had become dissatisfied with his positionand aspired to the dignity of the priesthood. The bestowal upon Aaron and his houseof the priestly office, which had formerly devolved upon the first-born son of everyfamily, had given rise to jealousy and dissatisfaction, and for some time Korah hadbeen secretly opposing the authority of Moses and Aaron, though he had not ven-tured upon any open act of rebellion. He finally conceived the bold design of over-throwing both the civil and the religious authority. He did not fail to find sym-pathizers."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 395.

2. What test did Moses propose to the conspirators to prove the divine call?Numbers 16:4-7, 16-18. Why were the people inclined to sympathize withthe rebels?

"To those who are in the wrong, and deserving of r.eproof, there is nothing morepleasing than to receive sympathy and praise. And thus Korah and his associates

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..

gained the attention and enlisted the support of the congregation. The charge that themurmurings of the people had brought upon them the wrath of God was declared tobe a mistake. They said that the congregation were not at fault, since they desirednothing more than their rights; but that Moses was an overbearing ruler; that he hadreproved the people as sinners, when they were a holy people, and the Lord wasamong them."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 397.

"The people thought if Korah could lead them, and encourage them, and dwellupon their righteous acts, instead of reminding them of their failures, they shouldhave a very peaceful, prosperous journey, and he would without doubt lead them, notback and forward in the wilderness, but into the Promised Land. They said that it wasMoses who had told them that they could not go into the land, and that the Lord hadnot thus said. Korah in his exalted self-confidence gathered all the congregationagainst Moses and Aaron, 'unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation." - TheSDA Bible Commentary [E.G. White Comments). vol. 1, p. 1115.

MOSES' APPEALS AND WARNINGSo Monday

November 6

3. How did Moses try to reason with the main rebels and of what did they ac-cuse him? Numbers 16:8-15.

"It was evident that the sympathies of the people were with the disaffected party;but Moses made no effort at self-vindication. He solemnly appealed to God, in thepresence of the congregation, as a witness to the purity of his motives and the up-rightness of his conduct, and implored Him to be his judge."-Patriarchs and Prophets,p.399.

4. What efforts did Moses and Aaron make to save the congregation fromdestruction? Numbers 16:22-30. What was the result of their efforts?

"The warning [of Moses and Aaron] was obeyed, for an apprehension of impend-ing judgment rested upon all. The chief rebels saw themselves abandoned by thosewhom they had deceived, but their hardihood was unshaken. They stood with theirfamilies in the door of their tents, as if in defiance of the divine warning."-Patriarchsand Prophets, p. 400.

THE REBELS PUNISHED

5. What fate befell the rebels? Numbers 16:31-35.

o TuesdayNovember 7

"When Moses was entreating Israel to flee from the coming destruction, thedivine judgment might even then have been stayed, if Korah and his company had re-pented and sought forgiveness. But their stubborn persistence sealed their doom.The entire congregation were sharers in their guilt, for all had, to a greater or lessdegree, sympathized with them. Yet God in His great mercy made a distinction be-tween the leaders in rebellion and those whom they had led. The people who had per-mitted themselves to be deceived were still granted space for repentance."-Patriarchsand Prophets, p. 401.

6. What use was made of the censers of the rebels? To what end was a memorialand warning set up? Numbers 16:36-40.

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THE PEOPLE PUNISHEDD Wednesday

November 8

7. In spite of the evidences that were given to the congregation, what course didthey pursue toward Moses and Aaron on the next day? Numbers 16:41.

"It is hardly possible for men to offer greater insult to God than to despise and re-ject the instrumentalities He would use for their salvation. The Israelites had not onlydone this, but had purposed to put both Moses and Aaron to death. Yet they did notrealize the necessity of seeking pardon of God for their grievous sin. That night ofprobation was not passed in repentance and confession, but in devising some way toresist the evidences which showed them to be the greatest of sinners. They stillcherished hatred of the men of God's appointment, and braced themselves to resisttheir authority. Satan was at hand to pervert their judgment, and lead them blindfoldto destruction."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 402.

8. In what way did the Lord have to intervene once more with a severe punish-ment? What did Moses and Aaron do to avert the judgment? How many diedin the plague? Numbers 16:44-49.

"The morning after the destruction of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and their con-federates, the people came to Moses and Aaron, saying, 'Ye have killed the people ofthe Lord.' For this false charge on the servants of God, thousands more were killed,for there was in them sin, exultation and presumptuous wickedness."-The SDA BibleCommentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. I, p. 1114.

A TESTIMONY AGAINST REBELLIOND Thursday

November 9

9. What test settled the question of the priesthood forever? Where was Aaron'srod kept as a witness? Numbers 17:1-11.

"All the remarkable changes in the rod occurred in one night, to convince themthat God had positively distinguished between Aaron and the rest of the children ofIsrael. After this miracle of divine power, the authority of the priesthood was nolonger called in question. This wonderful rod was preserved to be frequently shownto the people to remind them of the past, to prevent them from murmuring, and againcalling in question to whom the priesthood rightfully belonged. After the children ofIsrael were fully convinced of their wrong, in unjustly accusing Moses and Aaron, asthey had done, they saw their past rebellion in its true light, and they were terrified."-The SDA Bible Commentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1115.

10. What warning comes to us from that great rebellion? 1 Corinthians 10:10,11; Jude 4, 10, 11.

"Do not the same evils still exist that lay at the foundation of Korah's ruin? Prideand ambition are widespread; and when these are cherished, they open the door to en-vy, and a striving for supremacy; the soul is alienated from God, and unconsciouslydrawn into the ranks of Satan. Like Korah and his companions, many, even of theprofessed followers of Christ, are thinking, planning, and working so eagerly for self-exaltation that in order to gain the sympathy and support of the people they areready to pervert the truth, falsifying and misrepresenting the Lord's servants, and

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even charging them with the base and selfish motives that inspire their own hearts.By persistently reiterating falsehood, and that against all evidence, they at last cometo believe it to be truth. While endeavoring to destroy the confidence of the people inthe men of God's appointment, they really believe that they are engaged in a goodwork, verily doing God service."-Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 403, 404.

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONSD Friday

November 10

a. What was the real cause of the rebellion of Korah? On what state of things, inIsrael, did he capitalize?

b. How did Moses and Aaron endeavor to save those involved in the rebellion?

c. In what way did God manifest His displeasure against the rebels?

t d. Instead of showing repentance and confessing their sin, what did theIsraelites do the next day?

e. What lesson should we learn from that tragic experience?

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"Of all the sins that God will punish, none are more grievous in His sight thanthose that encourage others to do evil. God would have His servants prove their loyaltyby faithfully rebuking transgression, however painful the act may be. Those who arehonored with a divine commission are not to be weak, pliant time-servers. They arenot to aim at self-exaltation, or to shun disagreeable duties, but to perform God'swork with unswerving fidelity."-Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 323, 324.

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONSD FridayOctober 6

a. What did the Lord give to the people of Israel, in addition to the Decalogue,in order to make the Ten Commandments more explicit to them?

b. What do you know about the covenant that God made with Israel at the footof Mount Sinai?

c. What pattern was shown to Moses for the building of a sanctuary?

d. Point out the right attitude which, if adopted, would have shielded theIsraelites from temptation. What wrong attitude on their part lay at thecause of their apostasy?

e. For what purpose did God say to Moses with reference to the people of Israel,"Let me alone, ... that I may consume them:llDd I will make of thee a greatnation"? •

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Lesson 7 Sabbath, November 18, 1989

THE WILDERNESS WANDERING

"The wilderness wandering was not only ordained as a judgment upon therebels and murmurers, but it was to serve as a discipline for the risinggeneration, preparatory to their entrance into the Promised Land."- Patriarchsand Prophets, p. 407.

KEY TEXT: "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God ledthee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to provethee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep hiscommandments, or no." Deuteronomy 8:2.

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UNDER DIVINE REBUKE AND MERCYo Sunday

November 12

1. How long did the children of Israel wander in the wilderness before theycame again to Kadesh and crossed the Brook Zered? Deuteronomy 2:14.What lesson should we learn from the fact that the wanderings of Israel wereextended through Satan's efforts?

"God gave positive evidence that He rules in the heavens, and rebellion was pun-ished with death. Only two of those who as adults left Egypt, saw the Promised Land.The wanderings of the people were extended until the rest were buried in the wilder-ness.

"Today Satan is using the same devising to introduce the same evils, and his ef-forts are followed by the same results that in the days of Israel laid so many in theirgraves."-The SDA Bible Commentary [E.G. White Comments]. vol. 1. pp. 1113. 1114.

"It was not the will of God that Israel should wander forty years in the wilderness.. . . In like manner, it was not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be solong delayed and His people should remain so many years in this world of sin and sor-row. But unbelief separated them from God. As they refused to do the work which Hehad appointed them, others were raised up to proclaim the message. In mercy to theworld, Jesus delays His coming, that sinners may have an opportunity to hear thewarning and find in Him a shelter before the wrath of God shall be poured out."-TheGreat Controversy. p. 458.

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2. In rehearsing the whole history of their wanderings since their departurefrom Egypt, what did Moses say? Deuteronomy 2:7; 8:4. How did the Lordshow His mercy toward them? Deuteronomy 8:15, 16; Nehemiah 9:19-21;Psalm 105:37.

"Every day of their travels they had been kept by a miracle of divine mercy. In allthe way of God's leading they had found water to refresh the thirsty, bread fromheaven to satisfy their hunger, and peace and safety under the shadowy cloud by dayand the pillar of fire by night. Angels had ministered to them as they climbed therocky heights or threaded the rugged paths of the wilderness. Notwithstanding thehardships they had endured, there was not a feeble one in all their ranks. Their feethad not swollen in their long journeys, neither had their clothes grown old. God hadsubdued before them the fierce beasts of prey and the venomous reptiles of the forestand the desert."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 429.

UNDER DIVINE REBUKE AND MERCY (continued)D Monday

November 13

3. How does the Bible show that the wilderness wandering was ordained notonly as a judgment upon the rebellious adult generation, but also as a disci-pline for the rising generation? Deuteronomy 8:2, 3; Leviticus 18:4, 5.

"The law of God was often to be repeated to Israel. That its precepts might not beforgotten, it was to be kept before the people, and was ever to be exalted andhonored. Parents were to read the law to their children, teaching it to them line uponline, precept upon precept. And on public occasions the law was to be read in thehearing of all the people.

"Upon obedience to this law depended the prosperity of Israel. If they were obe-dient, it would bring them life; if disobedient, death."- The SDA Bible Commentary [E.G.White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1117.

4. What was the behavior of the adult generation of Israelites during that longperiod of time and what happened to them? Hebrews 3:8-11, 17-19;Deuteronomy 2:15-18.

"Had Israel obeyed the directions given them by Moses, not one of those whostarted on the journey from Egypt would in the wilderness have fallen a prey todisease or death. They were under a safe Guide. Christ had pledged Himself to leadthem safely to the Promised Land if they would follow His guidance. This vastmultitude, numbering more than a million people, was under His direct rule. Theywere His family. In every one ofthem He was interested."- The SDA Bible Commentary[E.G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1118.

SINS OF IGNORANCE AND SINS OF PRESUMPTIOND Tuesday

November 14

5. What class of people often proved to be troublemakers? Numbers 11:4 (firstpart).

"The mixed multitude that came up with the Israelites from Egypt were a sourceof continual temptation and trouble. They professed to have renounced idolatry and

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to worship the true God; but their early education and training had molded theirhabits and character, and they were more or less corrupted with idolatry and with ir-reverence for God. They were oftenest the ones to stir up strife and were the first tocomplain, and they leavened the camp with their idolatrous practices and their mur-murings against God."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 408.

6. What distinction was made between sins of ignorance and sins of presump-tion? Numbers 15:24-31. What is written in the New Testament about thisdistinction? 1 John 5:16; Hebrews 10:26-29.

"When the light shines, making manifest and reproving the errors that were un-discovered, there must be a corresponding change in the life and character. The mis-takes that are the natural result of blindness of mind are, when pointed out, no longersins of ignorance or errors of judgment; but unless there are decided reforms inaccordance with the light given, they then become presumptuous sins. The moraldarkness that surrounds you will become more dense; your heart will become harderand harder, and you will be more offensive in the sight of God." - Testimonies, vol. 5, pp.435,436.

o WednesdayPUNISHMENT UPON INDIVIDUAL TRANSGRESSORS November 15

7. Bring forth an example showing how contempt for divine authority andviolation of the third commandment was punished. Leviticus 24:10-16, 23.

"On one occasion the son of an Israelitish woman and of an Egyptian, one of themixed multitude that had come up with Israel from Egypt, left his own part of thecamp, and entering that of the Israelites, claimed the right to pitch his tent there. Thisthe divine law forbade him to do, the descendants of an Egyptian being excluded fromthe congregation until the third generation. A dispute arose between him and an Is-raelite, and the matter being referred to the judges was decided against the offender.

"Enraged at this decision, he cursed the judge, and in the heat of passion blas-phemed the name of God.... God Himself pronounced the sentence; by the divinedirection the blasphemer was conducted outside the camp and stoned to death. Thosewho had been witnesses to the sin placed their hands upon his head, thus solemnlytestifying to the truth of the charge against him. Then they threw the first stones, andthe people who stood by afterward joined in executing the sentence."-Patriarchs andProphets, pp. 407, 408.

8. What would have happened if that offense had been overlooked? (Note.)What did the Lord declare concerning those who take His name in vain? Ex-odus 20:7; Matthew 5:33-35.

"There are those who will question God's love and His justice in visiting so severepunishment for words spoken in the heat of passion. But both love and justice requireit to be shown that utterances prompted by malice against God are a great sin. Theretribution visited upon the first offender would be a warning to others, that God'sname is to be held in reverence. But had this man's sin been permitted to pass un-punished, others would have been demoralized; and 'as the result many lives musteventually have been sacrificed."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 408.

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EXHORTATIONS TO OBEDIENCED ThursdayNovember 16

9. Give an example showing how deliberate Sabbath-breaking was punished.Numbers 15:32-36. Name other sins that also received capital punishment.Leviticus 20:9-16; 24:17; Deuteronomy 21:18-21.

"In our day there are many who reject the creation Sabbath as a Jewish institu-tion and urge that if it is to be kept, the penalty of death must be inflicted for its viola-tion; but we see that blasphemy received the same punishment as did Sabbath-breaking.Shall we therefore conclude that the third commandment also is to be set aside as ap-plicable only to the Jews? Yet the argument drawn from the death penalty applies tothe third, the fifth, and indeed to nearly all the ten precepts, equally with the fourth.Though God may not now punish the transgression of His law with temporal penal-ties, yet His word declares that the wages of sin is death; and in the final execution ofthe judgment it will be found that death is the portion of those who violate His sacredprecepts."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 409.

10. What did Moses repeat to the children of Israel forty years after their depar-ture from Egypt, and what exhortations did he add? Deuteronomy 4:1-4,13-16; 5:1-22; 6:6-9; 8:1, 2.

"I ask you to study the fourth to the eighth chapters of Deuteronomy, that youmay understand what God required of His ancient people that they might be a holypeople unto Himself. We are nearing the day of God's great final review, when thepeople of this world must stand before the Judge of all the earth to answer for theirdeeds. We are now in the time of investigation. Before the day of God's review, everycharacter will have been investigated, every case decided for eternity. Let the wordsof God's servant recorded in these chapters be read with profit." - The SDA Bible Com-mentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1118.

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONSD Friday

November 17

a. What parallel can be drawn between the wanderings of the people of Israel inthe wilderness and the course of the Advent people?

b. What would have happened if the adult generation which left Egypt hadfaithfully followed the divine directions?

~ c. Give the distinction between sins of ignorance and sins of presumption.

;. d. What punishment was inflicted upon those who blasphemed the name of God~ or showed contempt for divine authority? What other sins incurred the death

penalty?

e. What counsel is directed to us with reference to the book of Deuteronomy?Why? •

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Lesson 8 Sabbath, November 25, 1989

THE SMITTEN ROCK

"By saying, 'Must we fetch you water out of this rock?' Moses virtually said tothe people that they were correct in believing that he himself was doing themighty works that had been done in their behalf. This made it necessary forGod to prove to Israel that his admission was not founded on fact." - The SDABible Commentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1116.

KEY TEXT: "And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed menot, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore yeshall not bring this congregation into the land which I have giventhem." Numbers 20:12.

THE FAITH OF THE PEOPLE TESTEDo Sunday

November 19

1. How were the Israelites supplied with water during their wilderness wander-ing? Psalm 105:41; Isaiah 48:21. Who was the source of all their temporal aswell as spiritual blessings? 1 Corinthians 10:4.

•'From the smitten rock in Horeb, first flowed the living stream that refreshedIsrael in the desert. During all their wanderings, wherever the need existed, theywere supplied with water by a miracle of God's mercy. The water did not, however,continue to flow from Horeb. Wherever in their journeyings they wanted water, therefrom the clefts of the rock it gushed out beside their encampment."-Patriarchs andProphets, p. 411.

2. What trial of their faith did they have when they again came to Kadesh?What was their reaction? Numbers 20:1-5. t,

"Just before the Hebrew host reached Kadesh, the living stream ceased that forso many years had gushed out beside their encampment. It was the Lord's purposeagain to test His people. He would prove whether they would trust His providence orimitate the unbelief of their fathers."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 413.

"Before God permitted them to enter Canaan, they must show that they believedHis promise. The water ceased before they had reached Edam. Here was an oppor-tunity for them, for a little time, to walk by faith instead of sight. But the first trialdeveloped the same turbulent, unthankful spirit that'had been manifested by theirfathers. No sooner was the cry for water heard in the encampment than they forgot

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the hand that had for so many years supplied their wants, and instead of turning toGod for help, they murmured against Him, in their desperation exclaiming, 'WouldGod that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord!' (Numbers 20:1-13);that is, they wished they had been of the number who were destr6yed in the rebellionof Korah."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 414.

THE LORD SPEAKS TO MOSESo Monday

November 20

3. What did Moses and Aaron do when they heard the complaints of the people?Numbers 20:6.

4. What were Moses and Aaron directed to do to satisfy the needs of the people?Numbers 20:7,8. What mistaken idea, still cherished by the people, was theLord trying to correct?

"In all their wanderings, the children of Israel were tempted to attribute to Mosesthe special work of God, the mighty miracles that had been wrought to deliver themfrom Egyptian bondage. They charged Moses with bringing them out of the land ofEgypt. It was true that God had manifested Himself wonderfully to Moses. He hadspecially favored him with His presence. To him God had revealed His exceedingglory. Upon the mount He had taken him into a sacred nearness to Himself, and hadtalked with him as a man speaks to a friend. But the Lord had given evidence afterevidence that it was He Himself who was working for their deliverance."-The SDABible Commentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. 1, pp. 1115, 1116.

MOSES AND AARON SIN AGAINST GODo Tuesday

November 21

5. In carrying out the directions of God, what mistake did Moses make? Howdid he dishonor the Lord? Numbers 20:9-11.

"By his rash act Moses took away the force of the lesson that God purposed toteach. The rock, being a symbol of Christ, had been once smitten, as Christ was to beonce offered. The second time it was needful only to speak to the rock, as we have on-ly to ask for blessings in the name of Jesus. By the second smiting of the rock thesignificance of this beautiful figure of Christ was destroyed.

"More than this, Moses and Aaron had assumed'power that belongs only to God.The necessity for divine interposition made the occasion one of great solemnity, and

.. the leaders of Israel should have improved it to impress the people with reverence forGod and to strengthen their faith in His power and goodness. When they angrily cried,'Must we fetch you water out of this rock?' they put themselves in God's place, asthough the power lay with themselves, men possessing human frailties and passions."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 418,

6. How did the Lord rebuke Moses and Aaron for their thoughtless action?What punishment did they bring upon themselves? Numbers 20:12;Deuteronomy 3:23-27.

"God did not on this, occasion pronounce judgmeIits upon those whose wickedcourse had so provoked Moses and Aaron. All the reproof fell upon the leaders.

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Those who stood as God's representatives had not honored Him. Moses and Aaronhad felt themselves aggrieved, losing sight of the fact that the murmuring of the peo-ple was not against them but against God. It was by looking to themselves, appealingto their own sympathies, that they unconsciously fell into sin, and failed to set beforethe people their great guilt before God.

"Bitter and deeply humiliating was the judgment immediately pronounced....With rebellious Israel they must die before crossing the Jordan." -Patriarchs and Proph-ets, pp. 418, 419.

"The transgression was known to the whole congregation; and had it been passedby lightly, the impression would have been given that unbelief and impatience undergreat provocation might be excused in those in responsible positions. But when it wasdeclared that because of that one sin Moses and Aaron were not to enter Canaan, thepeople knew that God is no respecter of persons, and that He will surely punish thetransgressor." -Ibid., p. 420.

THE SMITTEN ROCK, A TYPEo Wednesday

November 22

7. Of whom was the smitten rock a type and why was it wrong to smite the rockagain? Isaiah 53:3, 4.

"The smitten rock was a figure of Christ, and through this symbol the mostprecious spiritual truths are taught. As the life-giving waters flowed from the smittenrock, so from Christ, 'smitten of God,' 'wounded for our transgressions,' 'bruised forour iniquities,' the stream of salvation flows for a lost race. As the rock had been oncesmitten, so Christ was to be 'once offered to bear the sins of many.' Our Saviour wasnot to be sacrificed a second time; and it is only necessary for those who seek theblessings of His grace to ask in the name of Jesus, pouring forth the heart's desire inpenitential prayer."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 411.

8. On what occasion and how was the flowing of water from the rock celebratedby the Jewish people in the days of Christ? John 7:37-39.

"The flowing of the water from the rock in the desert was celebrated by theIsraelites, after their establishment in Canaan, with demonstrations of great rejoicing.In the time of Christ this celebration had become a most impressive ceremony. It tookplace on the occasion of the Feast of Tabernacles, when the people from all the landwere assembled at Jerusalem. On each of the seven days of the feast the priests wentout with music and the choir of Levites to draw water in a golden vessel from the springof Siloam. They were followed by multitudes of the worshipers, as many as could getnear the stream drinking of it, while the jubilant strains arose, 'With joy shall ye drawwater out of the wells of salvation.' Then the water drawn by the priests was borne tothe temple amid the sounding of trumpets and the solemn chant, 'Our feet shall standwithin thy gates, 0 Jerusalem.' The water was poured out upon the altar of burnt-offering, while songs of praise rung out, the multitudes joining in triumphant choruswith musical instruments and deep-toned trumpets."-Patnarchs and Prophets, p. 412.

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A LESSON FOR USo ThursdayNovember 23

9. What lesson should we learn from the mistake of Moses? Psalm 106:33.

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"Moses was not guilty of a great crime, as men would view the matter; his sinwas one of common occurrence. The psalmist says that 'he spake unadvisedly withhis lips.' To human judgment this may seem a light thing; but if God dealt so severelywith this sin in His most faithful and honored servant, He will not excuse it in others.The spirit of self-exaltation, the disposition to censure our brethren, is displeasing toGod. Those who indulge in these evils cast doubt upon the work of God, and give theskeptical an excuse for their unbelief. The more important one's position, and thegreater his influence, the greater is the necessity that he should cultivate patience andhumility.

"If the children of God, especially those who stand in positions of responsibility,can be led to take to themselves the glory that is due to God, Satan exults. He hasgained a victory. It was thus that he fell. Thus he is most successful in temptingothers to ruin. It is to place us on our guard against his devices that God has given inHis word so many lessons teaching the danger of self-exaltation."-Patriarchs andProphets, pp. 420, 421.

10. What warnings are calculated to keep us from self-exaltation? Micah 6:8;James 4:6,7; 1 Corinthians 10:12.-

"There is not a blessing which God bestows upon man, nor a trial which He per-mits to befall him, but Satan both can and will seize upon it to tempt, to harass anddestroy the soul, if we give him the least advantage. Therefore however great one'sspiritual light, however much he may enjoy of the divine favor and blessing, he shouldever walk humbly before the Lord, pleading in faith that God will direct every thoughtand control every impulse.

"All who profess godliness are under the most sacred obligation to guard thespirit, and to exercise self-control under the greatest provocation. The burdens placedupon Moses were very great; few men will ever be so severely tried as he was; yetthis was not allowed to excuse his sin. God has made ample provision for His people;and if they rely upon His strength, they will never become the sport of circumstances.The strongest temptation cannot excuse sin. However great the pressure brought tobear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hellto compel anyone to do evil. Satan attacks us at our weak points, but we need not beovercome. However severe or unexpected the assault, God has provided help for us,and in His strength we may conquer."-Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 421.

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONSD Friday

November 24

.. a. How did the people of Israel behave when they again came to Kadesh andrealized that there was no water?b. How were the Israelites, in all their wanderings in the wilderness, inclined to

interpret the mighty wor