Evening star., 1907-08-31

CONTENTION the journey from
Sinai to Paran, the beginning of which was
sketched in the last lesson. Israel halted
twice, once at Taberah and once at Haze
roth. At the frst-named place the people
complained and many were destroyed by fre
(Num., xi1-3). Having become weary OF
mama, they sighed for animal food. and
quails were sent, of which they ate so freely
that many died (Num., xi:33). To relieve
the labor of Moses. seventy elders were ap-
pointed, and the spirit of God was given 10
them to him. Through jealousy Aaron
and Miriam raised a Sedition against Moses
at Hazeroth. claiming that they were en-
titled to exercise authority as much as ne
but complaining most of his Ethiopian
wife (Num., xii:D. For this offense Miriam
was stricken with leprosy and shut out OF
the camp for seven days, but was healed
in answer to the prayer of Moses (Num.,
xH:10-14). From HaZeroth the journey was
through a dreary land Deut., i:1O. Our
present lesson pertains to an incident after
the camp was established in Paran (Num.,
Xii:16).
GEOGRAPHY.-The term wilderness,
frequently used in Scripture Matt. iii:D,
does not always signify a wild and desc
late region. 1t is nearly synonymous with
our word country. denoting a sparsely in
habited section. The wilderness or coun-
try place of Paran. for many centuries the
southern border Of the promised land. 1t
was bounded on the east by Edom, the
possession of the descendants of Esau
Gen. xXxvi:43) and on the west stretched
toward Egypt with indefinite limits Some
parts Of Paran were barren wastes; others
were fertile. affording pasturage. The
northern and eastern portions were noun
tainous, and between the lofty ranges were
beautiful valleys. 1t was the evident pur-
pose Of God to lead Israel to its inheritance
by the most direct and expeditions route
through Paran. Following the cloud of the
divine presence, Moses established head
quarters at Kadish-Barnea, in the north
eastern corner. the natural gateway to
southern Palestine, expecting. after recon-
noiteTing. to advance and take possession
Oeut. i.2o).
SPIES.-Before entering Canaan twelve
men, one from each tribe (Num. xii:4-1e).
were sent to examine the country. This
was an act Of good generalship and wise
statesmanship. No leader would conduct
three millions of people into a land with
which he was unacquainted. He would be
especially cautious If enemies were to be
met and battles fought. Besides, God had
prescribed the preliminary advance (Num
xlit:1-2. for reasons which will appear in
the sequel. Withal. there was a popular
demand Oeut.. i:22), showing that the gov
ernment was not purely theocratic. but to
some extent democratic The spies rep
resented all Israel. and went forth to ex-
ercise a right. denied to the whole heathen
world-the right to Judge somewhat con-
cerning policies and measures. 1t was an
exhibition OF the spirit of. personal liberty,
born Of the sense of the moral responsibility
which had been quickened under the new
regime. The Israelites We're no longer
slaves; having escaped from bondage Oeut,
vi12), they purposed to enter their new
home as freemen.
ORDERs.-Defnite Instructions were
OIL %h1
They were directed to ascend the noun
ta1ns from which they might look north
ward. view but little less inviting than
afterward granted to Moses from Pisgah
Deut. xxxiv:D. Thence they were told
to walk through the land, taking careful
note of the cities. the fields, the inhabi-
tamtsn'ndeed' enah,o indeed everything that would
account Oversees 17-19). The chief object
of that visitation was to determine the
method or route of entrance and the best
plan Of settlement Oeut f:oo) A sur
homes OF the different tribes might be
fixed advantageously to themselves Oeut,
xfi:1O. y and wisely for the general good
AS dangers were sure to beset the move
ments of such prospecting party, they
were charged to be of good courage (verse
20). They left at the time Of the first
ripe grapes, June B. c., 149O, and were
absent forty days (verse 25).
COCNIRY.-lt is impossible to give
the itinerary Of the spies. Scholars be-
lieve that they passed directly from south
to north, probably little distance west
of the Jordan. The extreme point men,
toned was Rehob Josh. xix :2S), north
west of the sea Of Galilee, on a line with
the city Of Tyre, about 200 miles in a
right line from Kadfsh-Barnea They
crossed many beautiful valleys, among
them the plain Of Esdraelon, where CEN
turies before Jacobs sons fed their flocks
return trip was nearer the Mediterranean,
for they came to Hebron, very ancient
town. which afterward became famous in
the history of Israel UI Sam, v:3. Thence
bearing eastward and passing through the
far-famed valley Of Eschol, they returned
to camp. This exploration, so thoroughly
conducted made an agreeable impression
upon the minds of men who had lived in
Egypt and in the Wilderness They were
entirely satisfied with the country Deut..
WHO I'D. By its extent, its situation its
variety of climate. It's hills and valleys
its rivers and lakes. It was eminentlv
adapted to be the home Of Gods people.
PRoDUCTs.-Egypt was the land
of corn, the granary Of the world. The
spies, who had seen little agriculture, ex-
cept in the wheat fields of the Nile bottom
lands, were astonished at the productions
OF the country through which they passed
1t was indeed fat land (Neh., tx :25). flow
Ing with milk and honey, as had been
promised (Ex., iii:S. There were not only
variety and abundance. but excellence Of
quality On reaching the valley of Eschol
they found the grape the pomegranate and
the fig, SURPRISING anything they had ever