Evening star., 1924-02-09

Jehovah transformed the unorgan-
lied mass OF Israelites into a COM
pact nation during the stay at Sinai's
national training camp. When He
had completed the organization along
civil, religious and disciplinary lines
the command was given to break
camp. The mighty host marched
across the desert to the sacred rem
devious at Kadesh-Barnea, the di-
vfne1y chosen camping ground and
sanctuary on the border Of the prom
ised land. about thirty miles south of
the Dead sea. 1t offered an excellent
opening for the entrance OF Israel
into their promised possessions, but
the nation who less than two years
previously were slaves in Egypt dem
onstrated that they lacked faith and
were unfit to take possession OF the
country that God wished to give to
them as their national home.
The spirit of cowardice revealed it.
self upon their arrival at Kadesh,
when they revealed their lack OF
faith by their suggesting the wis
|
mittee. There Is no evidence that
they had been molested or that their
progress was threatened by any force
at the gateway to the goal OF theft
The spirit that insisted that they
should Took before they leaped" to
some would appear to be an indica-
ton of prudence. The Lord always
gives to men a share in working out
the fortunes of their life. He sane
sion be sent into Palestine, although
He knew that the proposal was in
reality proposition to investigate tie
the promises that He had made to
Israel. Jehovah welcomes investiga-
tion of all His promises. Jesus re-
quested the two disciples of John who
followed Him to come and see" He
still seeks men who will test His
plan Of salvation and service.
Twelve picked men, one from each
tribe, with the exception of that of
Levi. formed the commission appoint
ed to investigate the condition of the
Promised land. They made a rapid
survey of Canaan. They reported no
difficulties experienced by them in
thrS hnurb tas land rhsy syonrp passed ss op
ridge; as far north as Rehob. under
the shadow of the Labanons, and as
they came back by the Jordan valley
they saw that 1t was a land flowing
with milk and honey. The result of
ticular Confirmed Gods word con-
cerning the fruitfulness, resources,
Inhabitants and every material par
ticular, confirmed Gods word con-
corning the country. They agreed
that 1t was a prosperous, well culti-
waited and fruitful land. These ear
liest of Palestine explorers brought
back a bunch Of grapes from Eschol,
carried by two of the men on q pole,
and also pomegranates and figs as
samples Of the lands products.
Although they agreed concerning
the character Of the country, they
submitted a majority and minority re-
port about the possibility of the Is
raelites being able to possess the land.
The minority report recognized the
difficulties that the nation had to
face to obtain possession of Canaan
tion to attempt to possess the land
Immediately. They revealed their
faith in Gods power as they sought
to inspire their countrymen with faith
and courage to attempt to take the
land, because with Gods help they
The majority were politicians, who
reported to the people what they rec
ognized the multitude wished. They
had takon counsel of their fears and
concerning the physical power of the
Inhabitants Of PALESTINE They played
upon the timidity and weakness OF
the nation, who less than two years
previous had been slaves in the fiat
country of Egypt, by their references
to the fortified cities and strong
mountaineers. The majority report
was one that exaggerated certain un-
truths about the physical strength OF
the Inhabitants. While possibly the
Hebrews may have been partially un-
developed as result of their slavery
1t is doubtful that the Amorites and
Hittites were of sucr an overpass.
ing stature. Certainly there were no,
so many strongly fortified cities a.
| they represented. Their errors were
probably due to the fact that they
considered that Israel had to win the
land, and they forgot that Jehovah
planned to place them in Canaan sc
| that He could make Israel blessing
to the world.
Israel faced q national crisis I,
I was one Of those supreme hours thai
] test the character OF . nation Th<