LESSON LXVI.

THE ISRAELITES FED WITH MANNA.-EXOD. XVI.

Text-John vi. 58,

First consider the history, and then what it typifies. The children of Israel in the wilderness are fed with bread from heaven called manna. So the souls of Christians are fed by the true bread, Jesus Christ who camefrom heaven. Every day must the Israelites go out to gather the manna. So every day we must come to Christ for spiritual food.

LESSON LXVII.

THE ISRAELITES MURMUR FOR WATER.-EXOD. XVII. 1-7.

Text-1 Cor. x. 4.

As manna is a type of Jesus Christ the food of our souls, so is the water obtained from the rock, a type of Christ, whose blood cleanseth from all sin. Direct the children's observation to the effects of water. What are its effects on a drooping plant? It is quite new life to it. So Christ is like water; his Spirit is a life-giving power within us. How does water act on anything defiled? It cleanses. So Christ cleanses our souls from the defilement of sin. The consideration of natural objects may thus help to the perception of spiritual truths.

LESSON LXVIII.

THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING THE GIVING OF THE

COMMANDMENT.-EXOD. XIX.

Text-Psalm cxix. 35, first clause.

The law was delivered with solemn and terrific majesty. The people were to be sanctified. The outward purification of water represented that inward preparation of the heart, that fits us for keeping the commandments. Bounds were to be set round the mountain, to keep off the people, and impress them with a sense of the awful majesty and purity of the Almighty, and their own sinfulness. How impressive was the sight when the Lord descended in a cloud, the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness, with thunderings, lightnings, and the noise of the trumpets, so exceeding loud that they all trembled. How awful must have been the scene. What does it teach? The holiness and majesty of God; the necessity of a mediator between God and man; that it is no slight matter to sin against commandments delivered in so terrific and awful a manner, and written on tables of stone.

LESSON LXIX.

THE COMMANDMENTS.-EXOD. xx. 1-17.

Text-Rom. xiii. 10, last clause, Love, &c.

Let the children repeat the commandments, and lead them to observe that the four first relate to their duty to God, the six last to their duty to man. Will they be able from merely knowing these commandments to keep them? No; God must write them on their hearts, must give them the desire to do his will, and this he has promised to do. We cannot have a better prayer than that we use when repeating the commandments in the communionservice in which we seek for mercy for our past failures and help to enable us to keep God's commandments in future.

LESSON LXX.

THE TABERNACLE-ITS ERECTION AND FURNITURE.EXOD. XXV-XXVII.

Text-Lev. xix. 30.

Observe first, that the Lord only accepted what was freely offered. The spoils of the Egyptian supplied the materials. See that the children clearly understand what a tabernacle is,—a kind of tent

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which could be moved and pitched at pleasure. The children will understand why at this time the Israelites required such a sanctuary. Endeavour next to convey by the help of prints and explanations, a clear idea of the form, dimensions, and parts of the tabernacle. First, its court, where the people worshipped, in which was the altar of burntoffering, and the brazen laver. At the west end of the court was what was called the tabernacle, it had four coverings; and was divided into two parts -one called the Holy Place, into which only the priests entered, and which contained the altar of incense, the table of shew-bread, and the goldencandlestick; the other part was smaller, and separated by a veil, it was called the Holy of Holies, and in it were deposited the ark of the covenant, with the golden pot of manna, Aaron's rod, and a copy of the law of Moses. Here the high-priest entered once a year, with the blood of the paschal lamb. What were the Israelites taught by all this? How far sin had separated us from God. But when Christ died, the veil that divided the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place was rent, to show that he had made a way for his people through his flesh, into the Holy of Holies, the type of heaven; where he now is making intercession for them. The furniture of the tabernacle also conveyed some typical lesson. The ark was a chest that contained the two tables of the law; it had a covering of massive gold at the top, called the mercy-seat. At each end

were two cherubims, leaning over with expanded wings. It was here that the Divine presence was made visible. No doubt this was a type of Christ, who has kept the law for us, and who is the mercyseat, where God vouchsafes to meet us. In the Holy Place was the table of shew-bread, and the golden candlestick; types also of Christ, who in his ordinances furnishes us with food for our souls, and by his Spirit and his word, light to guide us. The altar of incense represents the continual intercession of Jesus Christ; his merits alone make our persons and services acceptable to God the Father. In the court where the people worshipped, was the brazen altar, on which was offered the sacrifices that typified the offering of Jesus Christ, and taught that without shedding of blood there was no remission of sin. The laver was a vessel to contain water; here the priests washed their hands and feet whenever they went in to minister; showing the holiness that God requires, in those who draw near to him. The truths which the Jews were taught by types and shadows, are more plainly revealed to us in the New Testament. We are without excuse, if we do not seek to know them.