_Without the camp._ THE TABERNACLE WITHOUT THE CAMP I. First, then, they that seek the Lord must go without the camp. 1. It is scarcely necessary for me to say that no man can be a true seeker of God who has anything to do with the camp of the profane. We must take care that our garments are enti... [ Continue Reading ]
_Put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee._ THE WORK OF LENT Lent is a season with a likeness to Jewish ordinances, because man in his nature and wants is ever the same; it is a Christian season, because its one object is to make us know more of the nearness of God to... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord talked with Moses._ SPEAKING TO GOD In the minds of many prayer seems to differ widely from other forms of communication. Not perceiving any tangible object of address, they feel as if to pray were to talk with nothing. “How can you pray with vigour into the empty air?” asked a candid do... [ Continue Reading ]
_My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest._ GOD’S PRESENCE GIVING REST This is a word in season to every one who is weary. I. In what sense has God said, “My presence shall go with thee”? He is present to the believer as a Friend whose love has been accepted, and whose conversati... [ Continue Reading ]
_If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence._ THE WITHDRAWAL OF GOD’S PRESENCE DEPRECATED What was the special grace desired by Moses in these memorable words? What withdrawal of honour and privilege was threatened? If we had only this chapter, we might infer that the difference in God’s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Show me Thy Glory._ MOSES’ ASPIRATION It was a fine aspiration, worthy of the man who uttered it, and the occasion on which he spoke it--“Show me Thy glory.” It was the reaching out of a darker dispensation after gospel light--the reflections wishing to lose themselves in the great original. It w... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will be gracious._ ELECTION NO DISCOURAGEMENT TO SEEKING SOULS Because God is the Maker, and Creator, and Sustainer of all things, He has a right to do as He wills with all His works. I. Let us begin with this assertion, which we are absolutely sure is correct: this doctrine does not oppose an... [ Continue Reading ]
_My face shall not be seen._ GOD’S GLORY MUST BE VEILED FROM HUMAN SIGHT If God had revealed all His glory--if He had not put the shadow of His hand upon Moses, if He had not revealed merely His skirts, as it were, as He passed by--Moses would have been overwhelmed. And this explains to you what is... [ Continue Reading ]