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UNBELIEF AND ITS PUNISHMENT

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 22, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 16.

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UNBELIEF AND ITS PUNISHMENT.

(Lesson 19, May 11, 1889.)
1. How far did the Israelites travel after they left Sinai before they encamped again? "And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days' journey; and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting-place for them." Num. 10:33.
2. How were they guided in selecting a place to camp?—Ib.
3. What did Moses say when the ark set forward? "And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee." Verse 35.
4. What did he say when it rested? "And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel." Verse 36.
5. When the people again complained, what followed? "And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp." Num. 11:1.
6. What does the psalmist say was the reason they were punished? Ps. 78:20-22.
7. What made this murmuring inexcusable? Verses 23, 24.
8. Is it any less excusable if God's people complain now? "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness." Lam. 3:22, 23.
9. In the instance under consideration, how were the people saved? "And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was quenched." Num. 11:2.
10. What was proved by that? "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16.
11. Did this lesson prove sufficient to keep the people from murmuring? Num. 11:4-6.
12. When Moses heard their murmurings, how did he feel? Verses 11, 14.
13. What provision did the Lord make to lighten his burden? Verses 16, 17.
14. What did he say the people should have? Verse 18.
15. How abundantly did he say they should be supplied? Verses 19, 20.
16. What did Moses say of this great promise? Verses 21, 22.
17. What did the Lord reply to his implied doubt? Verse 23.
18. How was the promise fulfilled? Verse 31; Ps. 78:27-29.
19. How did the people manifest their greed, and their distrust in God? Num. 11:32; Ps. 78:30, 31.
20. What was the result? "And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague." Num. 11:33.
21. Did this cause the rest of the people to believe God? "For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works." Ps. 78:32.