Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. Exodus 32:26.

ISRAEL had rebelled against Jehovah, and had set up the golden calf. Moses appeared among them, and in great wrath threw down their idol and rebuked Aaron. The people were awe-struck by the presence of the servant of the Lord, and sought their tents, save only a number of the more hardened who brazened it out. Moses, feeling that this great rebellion must be crushed and punished, summoned the faithful to his standard, and those who came were of the tribe of Levi. These, with stern fidelity, fulfilled their mission, and hence were made teachers of Israel for ever. Decision is that which the Lord looks for in his ministers, and when he sees it he will reward it. Remember the blessing of Levi, in Deuteronomy 33. "And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummin and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar." All true men ought to be decided, for a dreadful conflict is going on at this present day, and a curse will fall on neutrals.

I. THE CONFLICT, AND WHICH IS THE LORD'S SIDE.

· Belief in God against Atheism and other forms of unbelief.

· Scripture in opposition to false philosophy and "modern thought"

· The gospel versus superstition.

· Christ versus self-righteousness.

· The commands of God versus self-pleasing.

· Holiness and right, against sin and oppression.

II. THE LORD'S FRIENDS AND WHAT THEY MUST DO.

· They must own their allegiance openly. "Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord" (verse 29).

· They should come out and rally to the standard: "Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me." We do this by open union with the church, by boldly rebuking sin, by testifying for truth, by not conforming to the world, and by conforming to Christ our Lord (2 Cor. 8:5).

· They must be willing to be in a minority: one tribe against eleven, if need be.

· They must become aggressive. "Put every man his sword by his side" (verse 27).

· Their zeal must overmaster nature's ties. "Neither did he acknowledge his brethren? etc., (Deut. 33:9).

· They must do what they are bidden. "And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses" (Exod. 32:28).

III. THE LORD'S HOST AND ITS ENCOURAGEMENTS.

· Their cause is that of right and truth. A good cause is a firm foundation and a powerful stimulus of velour.

· It is the cause of the Almighty God. "They have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant" (Deut. 30:9).

· Christ himself is our Captain. Who can hesitate with such a Chieftain?" A leader and commander for the people" (Isa. 55:4).

· The Angels are with us. Horses of fire and chariots of fire are round about the Lord's servants (2 Kings 6:17).

· Thousands of the best of men have been on this side (Heb. 12:1).

· It is the side of conscience, and of a clean heart.

· It is that side of the warfare which ends in heaven and victory, world without end (Rev. 19:14).

IV. THE QUESTION OF THE TEXT, AND PROPOSALS FOR ENLISTMENT.

· Take the shilling: by faith receive the promise.

· Put on the colors: by confessing Christ openly in baptism.

· Submit to drill: be willing to learn, and yield to discipline.

· Put on the regimentals: wear the garments of holiness, the livery of love, the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:13-18).

· Gird on your sword: "The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"

· Enter on civil war first. Wage war within your own soul. Slay sin, conquer self, cast down high looks, etc.

· March to the field. Fight with falsehood, superstition, cruelty, oppression, drunkenness, uncleanness, and sin of every sort, anywhere and everywhere.