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pure； firm； and unselfish to the close of his work had been overcome at
last。 God had been dishonored before the congregation of Israel； when He
should have been magnified and exalted。
God did not on this occasion pronounce judgments upon those whose wicked
course had so provoked Moses and Aaron。 All the reproof fell upon the
leaders。 Those who stood as God's representatives had not honored Him。 Moses
and Aaron had felt themselves aggrieved； losing sight of the fact that the
murmuring of the people was not against them but against God。 It was by
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looking to themselves； appealing to their own sympathies； that they
unconsciously fell into sin； and failed to set before the people their great
guilt before God。
Bitter and deeply humiliating was the judgment immediately pronounced。 〃The
Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron； Because ye believed Me not； to sanctify Me
in the eyes of the children of Israel； therefore ye shall not bring this
congregation into the land which I have given them。〃 With rebellious Israel
they must die before the crossing of the Jordan。 Had Moses and Aaron been
cherishing self…esteem or indulging a passionate spirit in the face of
divine warning and reproof； their guilt would have been far greater。 But
they were not chargeable with willful or deliberate sin； they had been
overcome by a sudden temptation； and their contrition was immediate and
heartfelt。 The Lord accepted their repentance； though because of the harm
their sin might do among the people； He could not remit its punishment。
Moses did not conceal his sentence； but told the people that since he had
failed to ascribe glory to God； he could not lead them into the Promised
Land。 He bade them mark the severe punishment visited upon him； and then
consider how God must regard their murmurings in charging upon a mere man
the judgments which they had by their sins brought upon themselves。 He told
them how he had pleaded with God for a remission of the sentence； and had
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 spor