patriarchs and prophets-第110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！
their behalf shall be ended。 It was the exalted character of that sacred
office as representative of our great High Priest that made Aaron's sin at
Kadesh of so great magnitude。
With deep sorrow Moses removed from Aaron the holy vestments； and placed
them upon Eleazar； who thus became his successor by divine appointment。 For
his sin at Kadesh； Aaron was denied the privilege of officiating as God's
high priest in Canaanof offering the first sacrifice in the goodly land；
and thus consecrating the inheritance of Israel。 Moses was to continue to
bear his burden in leading the people to the very borders of Canaan。 He was
to come within sight of the Promised Land； but was not to enter it。 Had
these servants of God； when they stood before the rock at Kadesh； borne
unmurmuringly the test there brought upon them； how different would have
been their future！ A wrong act can never be undone。 It may be that the work
of a lifetime will not recover what has been lost in a single moment of
temptation or even thoughtlessness。
The absence from the camp of the two great leaders； and the fact that they
had been accompanied by Eleazar； who； it was well known； was to be Aaron's
successor in holy office； awakened a
427
feeling of apprehension； and their return was anxiously awaited。 As the
people looked about them； upon their vast congregation； they saw that nearly
all the adults who left Egypt had perished in the wilderness。 All felt a
foreboding of evil as they remembered the sentence pronounced against Moses
and Aaron。 Some were aware of the object of that mysterious journey to the
summit of Mount Hor； and their solicitude for their leaders was heightened
by bitter memories and self…accusings。
The forms of Moses and Eleazar were at last discerned； slowly descending the
mountainside； but Aaron was not with them。 Upon Eleazar were the sacerdotal
garments； showing that he had succeeded his father in the sacred office。 As
the people with heavy hearts gathered about their leader； Moses told them
that Aaron had died in his arms upon Mount Hor； and that they there buried
him。 The congregation broke forth in mourning and lamentation； for they all
loved Aaron； though they had so often caused him sorrow。 〃They mourned for
Aaron thirty days； even all the house of Israel。〃
Concerning the burial of Israel's high priest； the Scriptures give only the
simple record； 〃There Aaron died； and there he was buried。〃 Deuteronomy
10：6。 In what striking contrast to the customs of the present day was this
burial； conducted according to the express command of God。 In modern times
the funeral services of a man of high position are often made the occasion
of ostentatious and extravagant display。 When Aaron died； one of the most
illustrious men that ever lived； there were only two of his nearest friends
to witness his death and to attend his burial。 And that lonely grave upon
Mount Hor was forever hidden from the sight of Israel。 God is not honored in
the great display so often made over the dead； and the extravagant expense
incurred in returning their bodies to the dust。
The whole congregation sorrowed for Aaron； yet they could not feel the loss
so keenly as did Moses。 The death of Aaron forcibly reminded Moses that his
own end was near； but short as the time of his stay on earth must be； he
deeply felt the loss of his constant companionthe one who had shared his
joys and sorrows； his hopes and fears； for so many long years。 Moses must
now continue the work alone； but he knew that God was his friend； and upon
Him he leaned more heavily。
Soon after leaving Mount Hor the Israelites suffered defeat
428
in an engagement with Arad； one of the Canaanite kings。 But as they
earnestly sought help from God； divine aid was granted them； and their
enemies were routed。 This victory； instead of inspiring gratitude and
leading the people to feel their dependence upon God； made them boastful and
self…confident。 Soon they fell into the old habit of murmuring。 They were
now dissatisfied because the armies of Israel had not been permitted to
advance upon Canaan immediately after their rebellion at the report of the
spies nearly forty years before。 They pronounced their long sojourn in the
wilderness an unnecessary delay； reasoning that they might have conquered
their enemies as easily heretofore as now。
As they continued their journey toward the south； their route lay through a
hot； sandy valley； destitute of shade or vegetation。 The way seemed long and
difficult； and they suffered from weariness and thirst。 Again they failed to
endure the test of their faith and patience。 By continually dwelling on the
dark side of their experiences； they separated themselves farther and
farther from God。 They lost sight of the fact that but for their murmuring
when the water ceased at Kadesh； they would have been spared the journey
around Edom。 God had purposed better things for them。 Their hearts should
have been filled with gratitude to Him that He had punished their sin so
lightly。 But instead of this； they flattered themselves that if God and
Moses had not interfered； they might now have been in possession of the
Promised Land。 After bringing trouble upon themselves； making their lot
altogether harder than God designed； they charged all their misfortunes upon
Him。 Thus they cherished bitter thoughts concerning His dealings with them；
and finally they became discontented with everything。 Egypt looked brighter
and more desirable than liberty and the land to which God was leading them。
As the Israelites indulged the spirit of discontent； they were disposed to
find fault even with their blessings。 〃And the people spake against God； and
against Moses； Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the
wilderness？ for there is no bread； neither is there any water； and our soul
loatheth this light bread。〃
Moses faithfully set before the people their great sin。 It was God's power
alone that had preserved them in 〃that great and terrible wilderness；
wherein were fiery serpents； and scorpions；
429
and drought； where there was no water。〃 Deuteronomy 8：15。 Every day of their
travels they had been kept by a miracle of divine mercy。 In all the way of
God's leading they had found water to refresh the thirsty； bread from heaven
to satisfy their hunger； and peace and safety under the shadowy cloud by day
and the pillar of fire by night。 Angels had ministered to them as they
climbed the rocky heights or threaded the rugged paths of the wilderness。
Notwithstanding the hardships they had endured； there was not a feeble one
in all their ranks。 Their feet had not swollen in their long journeys；
neither had their clothes grown old。 God had subdued before them the fierce
beasts of prey and the venomous reptiles of the forest and the desert。 If
with all these tokens of His love the people still continued to complain；
the Lord would withdraw His protection until they should be led to
appreciate His merciful care； and return to Him with repentance and
humiliation。
Because they had been shielded by divine power they had not realized the
countless dangers by which they were continually surrounded。 In their
ingratitude and unbelief they had anticipated death； and now the Lord
permitted death to come upon them。 The poisonous serpents that infested the
wilderness were called fiery serpents； on account of the terrible effects
produced by their sting； it causing violent inflammation and speedy death。
As the protecting hand of God was removed from Israel； great numbers of the
people were attacked by these venomous creatures。
Now there was terror and confusion throughout the encampment。 In almost
every tent were the dying or the dead。 None were secure。 Often the silence
of night was broken by piercing cries that told of fresh victims。 All were
busy in ministering to the sufferers； or with agonizing care endeavoring to
protect those who were not yet stricken。 No murmuring now escaped their
lips。 When compared with the present suffering； their former diffic
