The Indianapolis journal., 1895-08-10

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CONTEXT.-The evil report of the ten
spies was received with loud lamenta-
tons. The people murmured against Moses
for bringing them out, and proposed to
elect another captain and return to Egypt.
They were ready to stone Joshua and Caleb
who insisted that with faith in God they
might advance. (Numb. XIV, 6-10) Gods
anger was kindled. but He spared the peo-
pie in answer TO Moses's prayer. yet
doomed them to die IN the wilderness.
(Numb. xxvi. s5.) This last intelligence led
TO penitence, and an, attempt to enter
Canaan without Divine approval proved
disastrous. CSumb. xiv, Az The events fol-
lowing cannot be mentioned in chronology
ical order. The rebellion of Korah. the put
ting to death OF the Sabbath breaker the
instruction of the Levites. the death of
Miriam. the budding of Aaron's rod, the
bringing of water from the rock, the death
of Aaron-these are recorded only i'm
portant incidents in the course of several
years to furnish occasional insight to the
life Of the people and register their moral
and social condition.
Amalekites Numb. xiv. 4O-45) the Israel
ties wandered in the wilderness. At first
they vainly sought a passage way to the
promised land. Their history is almost a
blank for thirty-eight years, the events
mentioned In the last paragraph being all
that is recorded. God was executing His
judgments upon them for disobedence. The
mystery which hangs over that long space
- ia s<..r ~f.$r
ferings of men, women, children and cattle
were piteous, with no assignable purpose.
except to spend out the allotted years and
leave their carcasses by the way. (Numb.
xiv. 2s) The imagination may picture
whole generation dropping off year by
year CNumb. XVI, e4) sinking away into
silence, and leaving their children, who. i'm
pressed by the sad lesson of failure, sin and
death, were destined under Joshua to cross
the Jordan and enter into rest. Josh. l. 1-2.)
DISCOURAGEMENTS- EARLY in the year
1852 B. c.. the wanderings were about to
come to an end. Having returned to Kadesh
the new nation is to be taken home Per-
mission to cross the country Of the Edom-
.tes had been refused CNumb. XXX. 2D. and
they will be led around it. In order to do
that they must go southwark hundred
arm of the Red sea- Thence, bearing TO the
northward again. they might advance to
the east side of the Edomites and proceed
until they came on the far side OF the
Jordan. To those not in command this
marching and counter-marching would be
extremely dispiriting; In part it would be
along the way by which the journey was
made from Sinai. an apparent retreat.
Besides. ii was "a great and terrible will
derness Deut. /. 49, through which they
passed, nearly destitute of vegetation, i'm
-arfaa IL cd v.-fth xx-ofn Thn hoo ortC
of the people sank within them as they
to.led day after day, weary. thirsty, faint,
hopeless. ~
pie were discouraged in that terrible march.
They had no light of the after days TO
cheer them Qdeb xi. 2o9, and the past was
misfortunes became the occasions of sin.
They cried out against Moses, as their faith
ers had done eek. xvi, p, forgetting that his
burdens were not less sgrievi0us than theirs.
(Gal. vi. % They even spoke against God.
while recognizing themselves under His
guidance. The substance Of their complaint
and that the mamma, sent forth from heav-
en-, their only food, which they called Tight
bread" had become loathsome. Tbs was.
they might have done with some propriety.
Man Is permitted TO tell his sorrows to God.
Games v. A. But they went on beyond per.
US out of Egypt to die in the wilderness"
they inquired. Ungrateful words, If spoken
to Moses, their best friend: blasphemy,. if
spoken to God: supreme folly, If Egyptian
bondage is remembered. (Ex. Iii. - Shall
physical comfort measure divine wisdom?
(Acts xiv, 22) Are no sacrifices to- be ac-
cePteNS PPHNIsrfMENr.@Tnat s qSss That was sad day in
Israel. The old spirit Of stubborn selfish
ness and rebellous unbelief has teen re-
thence and fortitude and faith are demand
ed This second generation must be chas-
tised as their fathers were. lisa !. % Like
missive 0Ieb. xii, s. if the Lords will is to
be done by them. If they are to become
heirs of the promises and progenitors of
God-fearing people. Punishment had been
inflicted upon the nation by various meth
ods-by instant death, by leprosy. by
plague. by fire. In. each instance there had
been close relation between the offense
and the penalty. In the childhood state or
the people II was necessary to make them
know something Of retributive, justice.
(Eccl. viii, H. In this instance fiery SER
pents were sent among the peop,e-so
named, perhaps, because of their color, or,
possibly, because of their malignant virus.
ance. Gen. ill., IL Many were bitten ana
many died. Groanings from pain and be-
reavement were heard throughout the
PENITENCE.-The afflicted people were
quick to learn the cause OF the calamity
that had befallen them: Before the days
of science every unusual circumstance was
assigned to some supernatural influence
(Acts xviii. ~, and the sudden appearance
of misfortune awakened a, sense OF Ill
desert. Perhaps for those reasons, or. be-
cause of direct impression made by the
spirit of God. the people came promptly
forward to confess Moses. They did not at
tempt to extenuate the matter. I'VE have
sinned" they exclaimed. 1t Is a notable
day in the life Of an individual and of a
nation when transgressions are humbly ac-
knowledged. What a speedy change had
been wrought in these people How soon
were their rebellious hearts converted. The
sernent's bite. had power in 1t; Now the
prayer. They do at last what they ought
10 have done at first. pray unto the Lord, :"
they cried. that He may take away the
serpents" They had learned Moses s
worth. They believed in Gods mercy and
power The time of their extremity had
come. They must have help or die. Matt.
PRAYER-"And Moses prayed for the
people" This is the most eloquent SEN
ing the end of his SIX score years Dsut.
xxxiv, y. double the age of the oldest of
Israel Numb. xxxii, III, burdened for forty
years with the cares or great people.
often unjustly condemned by those to whom
he had given his life-the leader dealt
gently with the erring and became interces-
sor in their behalf He exhibited the same
spirit, which, through all the years. had
distinguished him eek. xxxii I'D as man OF
neekness Numb. xii, 81 and faith. adapted
TO the exalted position TO which he had
been called. Entering into the tabernacle
by the appointed mode lex. xxx, 20), he
poured out his hearts desires. The words
Of that PRAYER are not recorded-they do
not belong TO after generations. 1t was a
spectacle on which after ages. might gaze
with delight. and even with wonder. One
Cn1 r,la for 1xr;r rc