patriarchs and prophets-第109章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
purpose of God。
It is important to believe God's word and act upon it promptly； while His
angels are waiting to work for us。 Evil angels are ready to contest every
step of advance。 And when God's providence bids His children go forward；
when He is ready to do great things for them。 Satan tempts them to displease
the Lord by hesitation and delay； he seeks to kindle a spirit of strife or
to arouse murmuring or unbelief； and thus deprive them of the blessings that
God desired to bestow。 God's servants should be minutemen； ever ready to
move as fast as His providence opens the way。 And delay on their part gives
time for Satan to work to defeat them。
In the directions first given to Moses concerning their passage through
Edom； after declaring that the Edomites should be afraid of Israel； the Lord
had forbidden His people to make use of this advantage against them。 Because
the power of God was engaged for Israel； and the fears of the Edomites would
make them an easy prey； the Hebrews were not therefore to prey upon them。
The command given them was； 〃Take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore：
meddle not with them； for I will not give you of their land； no； not so much
as a foot breadth； because I have given Mount Seir unto Esau for a
possession。〃 Deuteronomy 2：4； 5。 The Edomites were descendants of Abraham
and Isaac； and for the sake of these His servants； God had shown favor to
the children of Esau。 He had given them Mount Seir for a possession； and
they were not to be disturbed unless by their sins they should place
themselves beyond the reach of His mercy。 The Hebrews were to dispossess and
utterly destroy the inhabitants of Canaan； who had filled up the measure of
their iniquity but the Edomites were still probationers； and as such were to
be mercifully dealt with。 God delights in mercy； and He manifests His
compassion before He inflicts His judgments。 He
424
teaches Israel to spare the people of Edom； before requiring them to destroy
the inhabitants of Canaan。
The ancestors of Edom and Israel were brothers； and brotherly kindness and
courtesy should exist between them。 The Israelites were forbidden； either
then or at any future time； to revenge the affront given them in the refusal
of passage through the land。 They must not expect to possess any part of the
land of Edom。 While the Israelites were the chosen and favored people of
God； they must heed the restrictions which He placed upon them。 God had
promised them a goodly inheritance； but they were not to feel that they
alone had any rights in the earth； and seek to crowd out all others。 They
were directed； in all their intercourse with the Edomites； to beware of
doing them injustice。 They were to trade with them； buying such supplies as
were needed； and promptly paying for all they received。 As an encouragement
to Israel to trust in God and obey His word they were reminded； 〃The Lord
thy God hath blessed thee； 。 。 。 thou hast lacked nothing。〃 Deuteronomy 2：7。
They were not dependent upon the Edomites； for they had a God rich in
resources。 They must not by force or fraud seek to obtain anything
pertaining to them； but in all their intercourse they should exemplify the
principle of the divine law； 〃Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself。〃
Had they in this manner passed through Edom； as God had purposed； the
passage would have proved a blessing； not only to themselves； but to the
inhabitants of the land； for it would have given them an opportunity to
become acquainted with God's people and His worship and to witness how the
God of Jacob prospered those who loved and feared Him。 But all this the
unbelief of Israel had prevented。 God had given the people water in answer
to their clamors； but He permitted their unbelief to work out its
punishment。 Again they must traverse the desert and quench their thirst from
the miraculous spring； which； had they but trusted in Him； they would no
longer have needed。
Accordingly the hosts of Israel again turned toward the south； and made
their way over sterile wastes； that seemed even more dreary after a glimpse
of the green spots among the hills and valleys of Edom。 From the mountain
range overlooking this gloomy desert； rises Mount Hor； whose summit was to
be the place of Aaron's death and burial。 When the Israelites came to this
mountain； the divine command was addressed to Moses
425
〃Take Aaron and Eleazar his son； and bring them up unto Mount Hor： and strip
Aaron of his garments； and put them upon Eleazar his son： and Aaron shall be
gathered unto his people； and shall die there。〃
Together these two aged men and the younger one toiled up the mountain
height。 The heads of Moses and Aaron were white with the snows of sixscore
winters。 Their long and eventful lives had been marked with the deepest
trials and the greatest honors that had ever fallen to the lot of man。 They
were men of great natural ability； and all their powers had been developed；
exalted； and dignified by communion with the Infinite One。 Their life had
been spent in unselfish labor for God and their fellow men； their
countenances gave evidence of great intellectual power； firmness and
nobility of purpose； and strong affections。
Many years Moses and Aaron had stood side by side in their cares and labors。
Together they had breasted unnumbered dangers； and had shared together the
signal blessing of God； but the time was at hand when they must be
separated。 They moved on very slowly； for every moment in each other's
society was precious。 The ascent was steep and toilsome； and as they often
paused to rest； they communed together of the past and the future。 Before
them； as far as the eye could reach； was spread out the scene of their
desert wanderings。 In the plain below were encamped the vast hosts of
Israel； for whom these chosen men had spent the best portion of their lives；
for whose welfare they had felt so deep an interest； and made so great
sacrifices。 Somewhere beyond the mountains of Edom was the path leading to
the Promised Landthat land whose blessings Moses and Aaron were not to
enjoy。 No rebellious feelings found a place in their hearts； no expression
of murmuring escaped their lips； yet a solemn sadness rested upon their
countenances as they remembered what had debarred them from the inheritance
of their fathers。
Aaron's work for Israel was done。 Forty years before； at the age of
eighty…three； God had called him to unite with Moses in his great and
important mission。 He had co…operated with his brother in leading the
children of Israel from Egypt。 He had held up the great leader's hands when
the Hebrew hosts gave battle to Amalek。 He had been permitted to ascend
Mount Sinai； to approach into the presence of God； and to behold the divine
glory。 The Lord had conferred upon the family of Aaron the
426
office of the priesthood； and had honored him with the sacred consecration
of high priest。 He had sustained him in the holy office by the terrible
manifestations of divine judgment in the destruction of Korah and his
company。 It was through Aaron's intercession that the plague was stayed。
When his two sons were slain for disregarding God's express command； he did
not rebel or even murmur。 Yet the record of his noble life had been marred。
Aaron committed a grievous sin when he yielded to the clamors of the people
and made the golden calf at Sinai； and again； when he united with Miriam in
envy and murmuring against Moses。 And he； with Moses； offended the Lord at
Kadesh by disobeying the command to speak to the rock that it might give
forth its water。
God intended that these great leaders of His people should be
representatives of Christ。 Aaron bore the names of Israel upon his breast。
He communicated to the people the will of God。 He entered the most holy
place on the Day of Atonement； 〃not without blood；〃 as a mediator for all
Israel。 He came forth from that work to bless the congregation； as Christ
will come forth to bless His waiting people when His work of atonement in
their behalf shall be ended。 It was the exalted character of that sacred
office as representative
