patriarchs and prophets-第108章
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been refused。 〃The Lord was wroth with me for your sakes；〃 he said； 〃and
would not hear me。〃 Deuteronomy 3：26。
On every occasion of difficulty or trial the Israelites had been ready to
charge Moses with having led them from Egypt； as though God had had no
agency in the matter。 Throughout their journeyings； as they had complained
of the difficulties in the way； and murmured against their leaders； Moses
had told them； 〃Your murmurings are against God。 It is not I； but God； who
has wrought in your deliverance。〃 But his hasty words before the rock；
〃shall we bring water？〃 were a virtual admission of their charge； and would
thus confirm them in their unbelief and justify their murmurings。 The Lord
would remove this impression forever from their minds； by forbidding Moses
to enter the Promised Land。 Here was unmistakable evidence that their leader
was not Moses； but the mighty Angel of whom the Lord had said； 〃Behold； I
send an Angel before thee； to keep thee in the way； and to bring thee into
the place which I have prepared。 Beware of Him； and obey His voice： 。 。 。
for My name is in Him。〃 Exodus 23：20； 21。
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〃The Lord was wroth with me for your sakes；〃 said Moses。 The eyes of all
Israel were upon Moses； and his sin cast a reflection upon God； who had
chosen him as the leader of His people。 The transgression was known to the
whole congregation； and had it been passed by lightly； the impression would
have been given that unbelief and impatience under great provocation might
be excused in those in responsible positions。 But when it was declared that
because of that one sin Moses and Aaron were not to enter Canaan； the people
knew that God is no respecter of persons； and that He will surely punish the
transgressor。
The history of Israel was to be placed on record for the instruction and
warning of coming generations。 Men of all future time must see the God of
heaven as an impartial ruler； in no case justifying sin。 But few realize the
exceeding sinfulness of sin。 Men flatter themselves that God is too good to
punish the transgressor。 But in the light of Bible history it is evident
that God's goodness and His love engage Him to deal with sin as an evil
fatal to the peace and happiness of the universe。
Not even the integrity and faithfulness of Moses could avert the retribution
of his fault。 God had forgiven the people greater transgressions； but He
could not deal with sin in the leaders as in those who were led。 He had
honored Moses above every other man upon the earth。 He had revealed to him
His glory； and through him He had communicated His statutes to Israel。 The
fact that Moses had enjoyed so great light and knowledge made his sin more
grievous。 Past faithfulness will not atone for one wrong act。 The greater
the light and privileges granted to man； the greater is his responsibility；
the more aggravated his failure； and the heavier his punishment。
Moses was not guilty of a great crime； as men would view the matter； his sin
was one of common occurrence。 The psalmist says that 〃he spake unadvisedly
with his lips。〃 Psalm 106：33。 To human judgment this may seem a light thing；
but if God dealt so severely with this sin in His most faithful and honored
servant； He will not excuse it in others。 The spirit of self…exaltation； the
disposition to censure our brethren； is displeasing to God。 Those who
indulge in these evils cast doubt upon the work of God； and give the
skeptical an excuse for their unbelief。 The more important one's position；
and the greater his influence； the greater is the necessity that he should
cultivate patience and humility。
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If the children of God； especially those who stand in positions of
responsibility； can be led to take to themselves the glory that is due to
God； Satan exults。 He has gained a victory。 It was thus that he fell。 Thus
he is most successful in tempting others to ruin。 It is to place us on our
guard against his devices that God has given in His word so many lessons
teaching the danger of self…exaltation。 There is not an impulse of our
nature； not a faculty of the mind or an inclination of the heart； but needs
to be； moment by moment； under the control of the Spirit of God。 There is
not a blessing which God bestows upon man； nor a trial which He permits to
befall him； but Satan both can and will seize upon it to tempt； to harass
and destroy the soul； if we give him the least advantage。 Therefore however
great one's spiritual light； however much he may enjoy of the divine favor
and blessing； he should ever walk humbly before the Lord； pleading in faith
that God will direct every thought and control every impulse。
All who profess godliness are under the most sacred obligation to guard the
spirit； and to exercise self…control under the greatest provocation。 The
burdens placed upon Moses were very great； few men will ever be so severely
tried as he was； yet this was not allowed to excuse his sin。 God has made
ample provision for His people； and if they rely upon His strength； they
will never become the sport of circumstances。 The strongest temptation
cannot excuse sin。 However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul；
transgression is our own act。 It is not in the power of earth or hell to
compel anyone to do evil。 Satan attacks us at our weak points； but we need
not be overcome。 However severe or unexpected the assault； God has provided
help for us； and in His strength we may conquer。
（422）
Chapter 38
The Journey Around Edom
The encampment of Israel at Kadesh was but a short distance from the borders
of Edom； and both Moses and the people greatly desired to follow the route
through this country to the Promised Land； accordingly they sent a message；
as God had directed them； to the Edomite king
〃Thus saith thy brother Israel； Thou knowest all the travail that hath
befallen us： how our fathers went down into Egypt； and we have dwelt in
Egypt a long time； and the Egyptians vexed us； and our fathers： and when we
cried unto the Lord； He heard our voice； and sent an Angel； and hath brought
us forth out of Egypt： and； behold； we are in Kadesh； a city in the
uttermost of thy border。 Let us pass； I pray thee； through thy country： we
will not pass through the fields； or through the vineyards； neither will we
drink of the water of the wells： we will go by the king's highway； we will
not turn to the right hand nor to the left； until we have passed thy
borders。〃
To this courteous request a threatening refusal was returned： 〃Thou shalt
not pass by me； lest I come out against thee with the sword。〃
Surprised at this repulse； the leaders of Israel sent a second appeal to the
king； with the promise； 〃We will go by the highway： and if I and my cattle
drink of thy water； then I will pay for it： I will only； without doing
anything else； go through on my feet。〃
〃Thou shalt not go through；〃 was the answer。 Armed bands of Edomites were
already posted at the difficult passes； so that any peaceful advance in that
direction was impossible； and the Hebrews were forbidden to resort to force。
They must make the long journey around the land of Edom。
Had the people； when brought into trial； trusted in God； the Captain of the
Lord's host would have led them through Edom；
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and the fear of them would have rested upon the inhabitants of the land； so
that； instead of manifesting hostility； they would have shown them favor。
But the Israelites did not act promptly upon God's word； and while they were
complaining and murmuring； the golden opportunity passed。 When they were at
last ready to present their request to the king； it was refused。 Ever since
they left Egypt； Satan had been steadily at work to throw hindrances and
temptations in their way； that they might not inherit Canaan。 And by their
own unbelief they had repeatedly opened the door for him to resist the
purpose of God。
It is important to believe God's word and act upon it promptly； while His
angels are waiting
