FRANCIS MONROE BURG by Francis Monroe Burg

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 25, 1914

FRANCIS MONROE BURG

By Francis Monroe Burg

Moses and Christ—No. 4

FRANCIS MONROE BURG

God honored Moses in a special manner, as shown in previous articles. And it will not be without interest in this connection to note the fact that other men have been chosen and given honored places of trust in the working out of God's great plan. David was blessed in this way. See Isa. 55:3, 4. Abraham was "called . . . alone" and blessed. See Isa. 51:1, 2; Gen. 12:1-3. The reasons that enter into the selection and appointment of these men furnish a very interesting field of study, but space will not permit us to enter it here.

As truly as God singled out and appointed the men named above to offices of special honor and trust, so truly has he called many men and set them apart with a divine commission to preach the gospel of salvation to the world. Standing in the very forefront of this class of God's trusted servants is the apostle Paul.

In the third chapter of Second Corinthians he, in very definite terms, affirmed his call and appointment to the sacred work. He claimed nothing for himself, but said that his ability and sufficiency were from God, who had given him his work. Verse 5.

As proof to men that he had this divine appointment, he pointed to the people who were saved through his ministry. He said they were his "epistles of commendation," "known and read of all men." Verses 1, 2.

He said the minister is not called to preach the mere "letter," or form, of the gospel. "The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." Verse 6. It is possible for a man to preach the mere form of the gospel without its life and power. So the disciples were told not to begin preaching till they were "endued with power from on high."

The law, written on stones, condemned the sinner to death. This is its office, as before shown, in working out God's plan to save sinners. In this way the sinner is led to come to Christ, where, under the blessed work of the Holy Spirit upon him, he is begotten to a new life,—to a life of freedom, a life of peace and joy, a life of power and victory, a life full of hope.

So while condemnation for sin and a Spirit-born conviction are "glorious" experiences, as the apostle says (verse 9), the experience that follows—of justification, peace, and righteousness, and of "joy in the Holy Ghost"—is far more glorious (verses 9, 10). The former loses its glory for the far exceeding blessedness of the latter. Verse 10. But who has ever found Christ in this, God's own way, who does not recall with thankfulness the time when his heart melted down under the power of conviction, and when he came a trembling sinner to the cross and found the blessed cleansing? It was a "glorious" experience.

However, this first experience is temporal, and passes away when Christ is found, even as the glory on Moses' face was temporal. Verse 7. The more glorious experience is permanent; it is one that "remaineth," or abides. Verse 11. So it is in the working out of God's plan to save sinners. His law condemns the guilty, and under the power of the Holy Spirit deep conviction and sorrow possess the soul. This experience does not continue after faith has taken hold upon the assurance offered in Christ for the "remission of sin;" then peace "like a river," and joy everlasting fill the ransomed soul, and his mouth is "filled with laughter," and his "tongue with singing." Ps. 126:1, 2.

Such a hope as this inspires the gospel herald to use "great plainness of speech." 2 Cor. 3:12. He does not "put a veil over his face," as Moses did when he came from the mount, and the people were afraid for the glory upon his countenance. He preaches the gospel plainly, which first brings condemnation and then the everlasting peace and rest.

The apostle continues: Men are blind as they read the writings of Moses and the Old Testament; not, as it is often construed to mean, blinded because they read these blessed scriptures; but rather being blinded, they fail to see the precious revelation of Christ in what Moses wrote, and in what other Old Testament men have written. And so the sad and incongruous aspect presents itself today, of men who claim to preach the gospel of salvation to this dying world, railing against Moses and stigmatizing this wonderful "servant" of God, and the writings that came from his pen. May God pity their blindness, and lead them to know Christ, that the blindness may be taken away.

In conclusion, we recall the words of Jesus concerning Moses, "He wrote of me." And let us take this statement, with all the meaning that is couched in these four words, and hereafter read the writings of Moses from an angle that, as through a telescope, we may see the glory of Christ shining "more and more unto the perfect day."

When the blessed gospel has completed its work, the great, numberless throng who have experienced its transforming power, will sing through all the "ages to come" the "song of Moses and the Lamb."