patriarchs and prophets-第99章
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rebuke to all who yield to jealousy； and murmur against those upon whom God
lays the burden of His work。
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Chapter 34
The Twelve Spies
Eleven days after leaving Mount Horeb the Hebrew host encamped at Kadesh； in
the wilderness of Paran； which was not far from the borders of the Promised
Land。 Here it was proposed by the people that spies be sent up to survey the
country。 The matter was presented before the Lord by Moses； and permission
was granted； with the direction that one of the rulers of each tribe should
be selected for this purpose。 The men were chosen as had been directed； and
Moses bade them go and see the country； what it was； its situation and
natural advantages； and the people that dwelt therein； whether they were
strong or weak； few or many； also to observe the nature of the soil and its
productiveness and to bring of the fruit of the land。
They went； and surveyed the whole land； entering at the southern border and
proceeding to the northern extremity。 They returned after an absence of
forty days。 The people of Israel were cherishing high hopes and were waiting
in eager expectancy。 The news of the spies' return was carried from tribe to
tribe and was hailed with rejoicing。 The people rushed out to meet the
messengers； who had safely escaped the dangers of their perilous
undertaking。 The spies brought specimens of the fruit； showing the fertility
of the soil。 It was in the time of ripe grapes； and they brought a cluster
of grapes so large that it was carried between two men。 They also brought of
the figs and pomegranates which grew there in abundance。
The people rejoiced that they were to come into possession of so goodly a
land； and they listened intently as the report was brought to Moses； that
not a word should escape them。 〃We came unto the land whither thou sentest
us；〃 the spies began； 〃and surely it floweth with milk and honey； and this
is the fruit of it。〃 The people were enthusiastic； they would eagerly obey
the voice of the Lord； and go up at once to possess the land。 But
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after describing the beauty and fertility of the land； all but two of the
spies enlarged upon the difficulties and dangers that lay before the
Israelites should they undertake the conquest of Canaan。 They enumerated the
powerful nations located in various parts of the country； and said that the
cities were walled and very great； and the people who dwelt therein were
strong； and it would be impossible to conquer them。 They also stated that
they had seen giants； the sons of Anak； there； and it was useless to think
of possessing the land。
Now the scene changed。 Hope and courage gave place to cowardly despair； as
the spies uttered the sentiments of their unbelieving hearts； which were
filled with discouragement prompted by Satan。 Their unbelief cast a gloomy
shadow over the congregation； and the mighty power of God； so often
manifested in behalf of the chosen nation； was forgotten。 The people did not
wait to reflect； they did not reason that He who had brought them thus far
would certainly give them the land； they did not call to mind how
wonderfully God had delivered them from their oppressors； cutting a path
through the sea and destroying the pursuing hosts of Pharaoh。 They left God
out of the question； and acted as though they must depend solely on the
power of arms。
In their unbelief they limited the power of God and distrusted the hand that
had hitherto safely guided them。 And they repeated their former error of
murmuring against Moses and Aaron。 〃This； then； is the end of our high
hopes；〃 they said。 〃This is the land we have traveled all the way from Egypt
to possess。〃 They accused their leaders of deceiving the people and bringing
trouble upon Israel。
The people were desperate in their disappointment and despair。 A wail of
agony arose and mingled with the confused murmur of voices。 Caleb
comprehended the situation； and； bold to stand in defense of the word of
God； he did all in his power to counteract the evil influence of his
unfaithful associates。 For an instant the people were stilled to listen to
his words of hope and courage respecting the goodly land。 He did not
contradict what had already been said； the walls were high and the
Canaanites strong。 But God had promised the land to Israel。 〃Let us go up at
once and possess it；〃 urged Caleb； 〃for we are well able to overcome it。〃
But the ten； interrupting him； pictured the obstacles in darker colors than
at first。 〃We be not able to go up against the people；〃
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they declared； 〃for they are stronger than we。 。 。 。 All the people that we
saw in it are men of a great stature。 And there we saw the giants； the sons
of Anak； which come of the giants： and we were in our own sight as
grasshoppers； and so we were in their sight。〃
These men； having entered upon a wrong course； stubbornly set themselves
against Caleb and Joshua； against Moses； and against God。 Every advance step
rendered them the more determined。 They were resolved to discourage all
effort to gain possession of Canaan。 They distorted the truth in order to
sustain their baleful influence。 It 〃is a land that eateth up the
inhabitants thereof；〃 they said。 This was not only an evil report； but it
was also a lying one。 It was inconsistent with itself。 The spies had
declared the country to be fruitful and prosperous； and the people of giant
stature； all of which would be impossible if the climate were so unhealthful
that the land could be said to 〃eat up the inhabitants。〃 But when men yield
their hearts to unbelief they place themselves under the control of Satan；
and none can tell to what lengths he will lead them。
〃And all the congregation lifted up their voice； and cried； and the people
wept that night。〃 Revolt and open mutiny quickly followed； for Satan had
full sway； and the people seemed bereft of reason。 They cursed Moses and
Aaron； forgetting that God hearkened to their wicked speeches； and that；
enshrouded in the cloudy pillar； the Angel of His presence was witnessing
their terrible outburst of wrath。 In bitterness they cried out； 〃Would God
that we had died in the land of Egypt！ or would God we had died in this
wilderness！〃 Then their feelings rose against God： 〃Wherefore hath the Lord
brought us unto this land； to fall by the sword； that our wives and our
children should be a prey？ were it not better for us to return into Egypt？
And they said one to another； Let us make a captain； and let us return into
Egypt。〃 Thus they accused not only Moses； but God Himself； of deception； in
promising them a land which they were not able to possess。 And they went so
far as to appoint a captain to lead them back to the land of their suffering
and bondage； from which they had been delivered by the strong arm of
Omnipotence。
In humiliation and distress 〃Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all
the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel；〃 not knowing
what to do to turn them from their rash and passionate purpose。 Caleb and
Joshua attempted to quiet the
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tumult。 With their garments rent in token of grief and indignation； they
rushed in among the people； and their ringing voices were heard above the
tempest of lamentation and rebellious grief： 〃The land； which we passed
through to search it； is an exceeding good land。 If the Lord delight in us；
then He will bring us into this land； and give it us； a land which floweth
with milk and honey。 Only rebel not ye against the Lord； neither fear ye the
people of the land； for they are bread for us： their defense is departed
from them； and the Lord is with us： fear them not。〃
The Canaanites had filled up the measure of their iniquity； and the Lord
would no longer bear with them。 His protection being removed； they would be
an easy prey。 By the covenant of God the land was ensured to Israel。 But the
false report of the unfaithful spies was accepted； and through it the whole
congregation were deluded。 The traitors had
