Exodus 3:12

will be with thee.

The Lord is not moved from his purpose by the objection of Moses. He obviates it by undeniable argument, I will be with thee. The power of God with us certainly surmounts all difficulties. This promise will hereafter be embodied in. name, Immanuel --God with us. Here it is framed in. sentence importing the active presence of the Almighty with his chosen servant. This has been the source of the Church's life, strength and hope in all ages.

This shall be. token.

The mass of modern interpreters understand the token here spoken of to refer, not to the vision of divine glory in the burning bush, but to the actual future result of the mission now devolved upon Moses. The sign promised was no other than the event itself which was predicted, "Go now and try, and you shall find by the event that. have sent you."-- Bush.

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

God's call comes, not to idlers, but busy men; Moses is called from his flocks; David from his sheep; Elisha from his oxen; the apostles from their fishing.

God's call comes to men of humble position oftener than to those of lofty rank. Ver. 1. God's call comes to men when they have been trained by experience and made patient by adversity. Ver. 1. God's call has attestations and evidences proportioned to the importance of the work required. Vers. 2-4. God's call is attended with. proclamation of himself so clear and strong as to leave no doubt to those whom he summons. Ver. 6. God's call is not to ease and enjoyment, but to work of difficulty and danger. Vers. 7-10. God's call to duty is ever accompanied with the promise of his presence and help. Ver. 12.

Strange contrasts occur in life. Moses was reared in the palace of the Pharaohs. Forty years had he spent there. But now he is an exile in the wilderness of Midian. He who refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter seeks the hand of. shepherd's daughter and busies himself with the shepherd's lowly toil,. calling despised of the Egyptians. Genesis 46:34.

Apropos of the distrust of Moses of his own ability for the grand work to which he was called, it is remarked that the modest deportment of the real wise men, when contrasted to the assuming air of the young and ignorant, may be compared to the differences of wheat, which while its ear is empty, holds up its bead proudly, but as soon as it is filled with grain bends modestly down, and withdraws from observation.-- J. Beaumont.

The bush that lives unscathed by the lambent flame that winds round all its leaves and branches is an emblem of that which is pure and holy, and, therefore, of the true Church of God In the furnace of affliction. The lowliness of the shrub comports well with the seeming feebleness and insignificance of the people of God; the flame of fire corresponds with the fiery trial through which they have had to pass that the lusts of the flesh which had grown up in Egypt might be consumed, and faith and its kindred virtues he left behind in all their vigor and beauty.-- Bush.

POINTS FOR TEACHERS.

1. Outline the leading events of the three periods in the life of Moses. 2. Bring out how it came that at 80 years of age he was tending flocks at Horeb. 3. Contrast the circumstances of the first and second periods of forty years. 4. Show how each period helped to prepare him for his great mission. 5. Bring out the circumstances of his call at Horeb. 6. Apply the thought that God never forgets, his people, sees their oppressions, hears their cries, pities their sorrows but sometimes permits their afflictions for their discipline. 7. Note that the oppressor of God's people is observed, his conduct noted, and the day of punishment declared. 8. Note that God's promises all are kept. In due time he delivered Israel and led the people to the promised land. 9. Note the modesty of Moses; all who are really fitted for. great work trust in God rather than themselves. 10. Bring out the strength of Moses, faith in the Divine Help. 11. Note that God elects and calls his servants, ever and anon, to special works; Noah, Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist, Paul, and other great servants who do not belong to the Bible period.