Conflict & Courage

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4.  {CC 109.1}        Notwithstanding the fact that Moses was the meekest man that lived upon the earth, on one occasion he drew the displeasure of God upon himself. . . . The undeserved reproaches of the people which fell upon him led him for a moment to forget that their murmuring was not against...

These men are arrogant and presumptuous--they think nothing of scoffing at the glories of the unseen world. 2 Peter 2:10, Phillips.  {CC 108.1}        It is hardly possible for men to offer greater insult to God than to despise and reject the instrumentalities He would use for their salvation. . . .  {CC 108.2}        In the rebellion of Korah is seen the working out, upon a narrower stage, of the...

Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. Numbers 13:30.  {CC 107.1}        It was Caleb's faith in God that gave him courage; that . . . enabled him to stand boldly and unflinchingly in defense of the right. From the same exalted source, the mighty General of the armies of heaven, every true soldier of the cross of Christ must receive strength and courage to overc...

And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel. Numbers 13:32.  {CC 106.1}        The Lord commanded Moses to send men to search the land of Canaan, which He would give unto the children of Israel. . . . After they had spoken of the fertility of the land, all but two spoke very discouragingly of their ability to possess it. . . . As the people li...

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? Proverbs 27:4.  {CC 105.1}        Their [Miriam's and Aaron's] accusations were borne by Moses in uncomplaining silence. It was the experience gained during the years of toil and waiting in Midian--the spirit of humility and long-suffering there developed--that prepared Moses to meet with patience the unbelief and murmu...

Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? Numbers 12:8.  {CC 104.1}        In the affections of the people and the honor of Heaven she [Miriam] stood second only to Moses and Aaron. But the same evil that first brought discord in heaven sprang up in the heart of this woman of Israel, and she did not fail to find a sympathizer in her dissatisfaction. . . .  {CC 104.2}    ...

They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. Psalm 106:13-15.  {CC 103.1}       Whenever their appetite was restricted, the Israelites were dissatisfied, and murmured and complained against Moses and Aaron, and against God.  {CC 103.2}        G...

He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen. Psalm 105:26.  {CC 102.1}       Aaron was a man of amiable disposition, whom God selected to stand with Moses and speak for him. . . . God might have chosen Aaron as leader; but He who is acquainted with hearts, who understands character, knew that Aaron was yielding and lacked moral courage to stand in defense of the right under all circums...

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Proverbs 20:1.  {CC 101.1}        Nadab and Abihu would never have committed that fatal sin had they not first become partially intoxicated by the free use of wine. They understood that the most careful and solemn preparation was necessary before presenting themselves in the sanctuary, where the divine Presenc...

And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. Leviticus 10:1.  {CC 100.1}        Next to Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu had stood highest in Israel. They had been especially honored by the Lord, having been permitted with the seventy elders to behold His...

And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. Exodus 33:11.  {CC 99.1}        After the transgression of Israel in making the golden calf, Moses again goes to plead with God in behalf of his people. . . . He has learned from experience that in order to have an influence with the people he must first have power with God. The Lord reads the sincerity and unselfish pu...

And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? Exodus 32:21.  {CC 98.1}        Aaron endeavored to shield himself by relating the clamors of the people. . . . But his excuses and prevarications were of no avail. . . .  {CC 98.2}        The fact that Aaron had been blessed and honored so far above the people was what made his sin so heino...

They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. Psalm 106:19, 20.  {CC 97.1}       In the absence of Moses, the judicial authority had been delegated to Aaron, and a vast crowd gathered about his tent, with the demand, "Make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, . . . we wot not what is be...

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1.  {CC 96.1}        The Lord gave an important lesson to His people in all ages when to Moses on the mount He gave instruction regarding the building of the tabernacle. In that work He required perfection in every detail. Moses was proficient in all the learning of the Egyptians;...

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2:8.  {CC 95.1}        Because of Israel's disobedience and departure from God, they were allowed to be brought into close places and to suffer adversity; their enemies were permitted to make war with them, to humble them and lead them to seek God in their trouble and distress. . . .  {CC 95.2}...

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. Exodus 16:2.  {CC 94.1}        Many look back to the Israelites, and marvel at their unbelief and murmuring, feeling that they themselves would not have been so ungrateful; but when their faith is tested, even by little trials, they manifest no more faith or patience than did ancient Israel.  {...

The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: this is my God, and I will praise him; my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2, R.V.  {CC 93.1}        From the most terrible peril one night had brought complete deliverance. That vast, helpless throng--bondmen unused to battle, women, children, and cattle, with the sea before them, and the mighty armies of Egypt pressing...

And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. Exodus 14:15.  {CC 92.1}        God in His providence brought the Hebrews into the mountain fastnesses before the sea, that He might manifest His power in their deliverance and signally humble the pride of their oppressors. He might have saved them in any other way, but He chose th...

He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night. Psalm 105:39.  {CC 91.1}       "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light." . . . The standard of their invisible Leader was ever with them. By day the cloud directed their journeyings or spread as a canopy above the host. It served as a...

And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness. Psalm 105:43.  {CC 90.1}       With sandaled feet, and staff in hand, the people of Israel had stood, hushed, awed, yet expectant, awaiting the royal mandate that should bid them go forth. Before the morning broke, they were on their way. . . . That day completed the history revealed to Abraham in prophetic vision centuries be...

But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. Exodus 10:20.  {CC 89.1}        How does the Lord harden the hearts of men? In the same way in which the heart of Pharaoh was hardened. God sent this king a message of warning and mercy, but he refused to acknowledge the God of heaven, and would not render obedience to His commands. He asked, "Who is the Lor...

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7.  {CC 88.1}        Pharaoh sowed obstinacy, and he reaped obstinacy. He himself put this seed into the soil. There was no more need for God by some new power to interfere with its growth, than there is for Him to interfere with the growth of a grain of corn. All that is required is that a seed s...

Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. Exodus 3:10.  {CC 87.1}        The time for Israel's deliverance had come. But God's purpose was to be accomplished in a manner to pour contempt on human pride. The deliverer was to go forth as a humble shepherd, with only a rod in his hand; but God would make that rod...

The Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6.  {CC 86.1}        In the wilds of Midian, Moses spent forty years as a keeper of sheep. Apparently cut off forever from his life's mission, he was receiving the discipline essential for its fulfillment.  {CC 86.2}        Moses had been learning much that he must unlearn. The influences that had surrounded hi...

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27.  {CC 85.1}        Moses had a deep sense of the personal presence of God. He was not only looking down through the ages for Christ to be made manifest in the flesh, but he saw Christ in a special manner accompanying the children of Israel in all their travels. God was real t...