370
Patriarchs and Prophets
The history of Israel was to be placed on record for the instruction
and warning of coming generations. Men of all future time must see
the God of heaven as an impartial ruler, in no case justifying sin. But
few realize the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Men flatter themselves that
God is too good to punish the transgressor. But in the light of Bible
history it is evident that God’s goodness and His love engage Him to
deal with sin as an evil fatal to the peace and happiness of the universe.
Not even the integrity and faithfulness of Moses could avert the
retribution of his fault. God had forgiven the people greater trans-
gressions, but He could not deal with sin in the leaders as in those
who were led. He had honored Moses above every other man upon
the earth. He had revealed to him His glory, and through him He
had communicated His statutes to Israel. The fact that Moses had
enjoyed so great light and knowledge made his sin more grievous. Past
faithfulness will not atone for one wrong act. The greater the light and
privileges granted to man, the greater is his responsibility, the more
aggravated his failure, and the heavier his punishment.
Moses was not guilty of a great crime, as men would view the
matter; his sin was one of common occurrence. The psalmist says
that “he spake unadvisedly with his lips.”
Psalm 106:33
. To human
judgment this may seem a light thing; but if God dealt so severely with
this sin in His most faithful and honored servant, He will not excuse
it in others. The spirit of self-exaltation, the disposition to censure
our brethren, is displeasing to God. Those who indulge in these evils
cast doubt upon the work of God, and give the skeptical an excuse for
their unbelief. The more important one’s position, and the greater his
influence, the greater is the necessity that he should cultivate patience
and humility.
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If the children of God, especially those who stand in positions of
responsibility, can be led to take to themselves the glory that is due to
God, Satan exults. He has gained a victory. It was thus that he fell.
Thus he is most successful in tempting others to ruin. It is to place us
on our guard against his devices that God has given in His word so
many lessons teaching the danger of self-exaltation. There is not an
impulse of our nature, not a faculty of the mind or an inclination of
the heart, but needs to be, moment by moment, under the control of
the Spirit of God. There is not a blessing which God bestows upon
man, nor a trial which He permits to befall him, but Satan both can