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collecting it。 However； these strong men； when they had gathered
more than the measure appointed for them； had no more than
others； but only tired themselves more in gathering it； for they
found no more than an omer apiece； and the advantage they got by
what was superfluous was none at all； it corrupting； both by the
worms breeding in it； and by its bitterness。 So divine and
wonderful a food was this！ It also supplied the want of other
sorts of food to those that fed on it。 And even now； in all that
place； this manna comes down in rain； （4） according to what Moses
then obtained of God； to send it to the people for their
sustenance。 Now the Hebrews call this food manna： for the
particle man； in our language； is the asking of a question。 What
is this ？ So the Hebrews were very joyful at what was sent them
from heaven。 Now they made use of this food for forty years； or
as long as they were in the wilderness。
7。 As soon as they were removed thence； they came to Rephidim；
being distressed to the last degree by thirst； and while in the
foregoing days they had lit on a few small fountains； but now
found the earth entirely destitute of water； they were in an evil
case。 They again turned their anger against Moses； but he at
first avoided the fury of the multitude； and then betook himself
to prayer to God； beseeching him； that as he had given them food
when they were in the greatest want of it； so he would give them
drink； since the favor of giving them food was of no value to
them while they had nothing to drink。 And God did not long delay
to give it them； but promised Moses that he would procure them a
fountain； and plenty of water； from a place they did not expect
any。 So he commanded him to smite the rock which they saw lying
there； （5） with his rod； and out of it to receive plenty of what
they wanted； for he had taken care that drink should come to them
without any labor or pains…taking。 When Moses had received this
command from God； he came to the people； who waited for him； and
looked upon him； for they saw already that he was coming apace
from his eminence。 As soon as he was come； he told them that God
would deliver them from their present distress； and had granted
them an unexpected favor； and informed them； that a river should
run for their sakes out of the rock。 But they were amazed at that
hearing； supposing they were of necessity to cut the rock in
pieces； now they were distressed by their thirst and by their
journey； while Moses only smiting the rock with his rod； opened a
passage； and out of it burst water； and that in great abundance；
and very clear。 But they were astonished at this wonderful
effect； and； as it were； quenched their thirst by the very sight
of it。 So they drank this pleasant； this sweet water； and such it
seemed to be； as might well be expected where God was the donor。
They were also in admiration how Moses was honored by God； and
they made grateful returns of sacrifices to God for his
providence towards them。 Now that Scripture； which is laid up in
the temple； （6） informs us； how God foretold to Moses； that water
timid in this manner be derived out of the rock。'
CHAPTER 2。
How The Amalekites And The Neighbouring Nations； Made War With
The Hebrews And Were Beaten And Lost A Great Part Of Their Army。
1。 The name of the Hebrews began already to be every where
renowned； and rumors about them ran abroad。 This made the
inhabitants of those countries to be in no small fear。
Accordingly they sent ambassadors to one another； and exhorted
one another to defend themselves； and to endeavor to destroy
these men。 Those that induced the rest to do so； were such as
inhabited Gobolitis and Petra。 They were called Amalekites； and
were the most warlike of the nations that lived thereabout； and
whose kings exhorted one another； and their neighbors； to go to
this war against the Hebrews； telling them that an army of
strangers； and such a one as had run away from slavery under the
Egyptians； lay in wait to ruin them； which army they were not； in
common prudence and regard to their own safety； to overlook； but
to crush them before they gather strength； and come to be in
prosperity： and perhaps attack them first in a hostile manner； as
presuming upon our indolence in not attacking them before； and
that we ought to avenge ourselves of them for what they have done
in the wilderness； but that this cannot be so well done when they
have once laid their hands on our cities and our goods： that
those who endeavor to crush a power in its first rise； are wiser
than those that endeavor to put a stop to its progress when it is
become formidable； for these last seem to be angry only at the
flourishing of others； but the former do not leave any room for
their enemies to become troublesome to them。 After they had sent
such embassages to the neighboring nations； and among one
another； they resolved to attack the Hebrews in battle。
2。 These proceedings of the people of those countries occasioned
perplexity and trouble to Moses； who expected no such warlike
preparations。 And when these nations were ready to fight； and the
multitude of the Hebrews were obliged to try the fortune of war；
they were in a mighty disorder； and in want of all necessaries；
and yet were to make war with men who were thoroughly well
prepared for it。 Then therefore it was that Moses began to
encourage them； and to exhort them to have a good heart； and rely
on God's assistance by which they had been state of freedom and
to hope for victory over those who were ready to fight with them；
in order to deprive them of that blessing： that they were to
suppose their own army to be numerous； wanting nothing； neither
weapons； nor money； nor provisions； nor such other conveniences
as； when men are in possession of； they fight undauntedly； and
that they are to judge themselves to have all these advantages in
the Divine assistance。 They are also to suppose the enemy's army
to be small； unarmed； weak； and such as want those conveniences
which they know must be wanted； when it is God's will that they
shall be beaten； and how valuable God's assistance is； they had
experienced in abundance of trials； and those such as were more
terrible than war； for that is only against men； but these were
against famine and thirst； things indeed that are in their own
nature insuperable； as also against mountains； and that sea which
afforded them no way for escaping； yet had all these difficulties
been conquered by God's gracious kindness to them。 So he exhorted
them to be courageous at this time； and to look upon their entire
prosperity to depend on the present conquest of their enemies。
3。 And with these words did Moses encourage the multitude； who
then called together the princes of their tribes； and their chief
men； both separately and conjointly。 The young men he charged to
obey their elders； and the elders to hearken to their leader。 So
the people were elevated in their minds； and ready to try their
fortune in battle； and hoped to be thereby at length delivered
from all their miseries： nay； they desired that Moses would
immediately lead them against their enemies without the least