Teachers as Examples of Christian Integrity
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the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command
you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.”
I have been instructed, as God’s messenger, to dwell particularly
upon the record of Moses’ sin and its sad result, as a solemn lesson to
those in positions of responsibility in our schools, and especially to
those acting as presidents of these institutions.
Of Moses God’s word declares, “Now the man Moses was very
meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” Long
had he borne with the rebellion and obstinacy of Israel. But at last his
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patience gave way. They were on the borders of the promised land.
But before they entered Canaan, they must show that they believed
God’s promise. The supply of water ceased. Here was an opportunity
for them to walk by faith instead of by sight. But they forgot the hand
that for so many years had supplied their wants, and instead of turning
to God for help, they murmured against Him.
Their cries were directed against Moses and Aaron: “Why have
ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, that
we and our cattle should die there? And wherefore have ye made us to
come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? It is no place
of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any
water to drink.”
The two brothers went before the multitude. But instead of speak-
ing to the rock, as God had directed, Moses smote the rock angrily,
crying, “Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this
rock?”
Bitter and deeply humiliating was the judgment immediately pro-
nounced. “The Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed
Me not, to sanctify Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore
ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given
them.” With rebellious Israel they must die before crossing the Jordan.
From the experience of Moses the Lord would have His people
learn that when they do that which gives prominence to self, His work
is neglected, and He is dishonored. The Lord will work counter to
those who work counter to Him. His name, and His alone, is to be
magnified on the earth.
For more than twenty years strange things have at different times
been coming in among us. Those who have become unfaithful, who
have not exalted the principles of righteousness, need now to seek the