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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
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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；
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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 difficulties
and trials seemed unworthy of a thought。
The people now humbled themselves before God。 They came to Moses with their
confessions and entreaties。 〃We have sinned；〃 they said； 〃for we have spoken
against the Lord； and against thee。〃 Only a little before； they had accused
him of being their worst enemy； the cause of all their distress and
afflictions。 But even when the words were upon their lips； they knew that
the charge was false； and as soon as real trouble came they fled to
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him as the only one who could intercede with God for them。 〃Pray unto the
Lord；〃 was their cry； 〃that He take away the serpents from us。〃
Moses was divinely commanded to make a serpent of brass resembling the
living ones； and to elevate it among the people。 To this； all who had been
bitten were to look； and they would find relief。 He did so； and the joyful
news was sounded throughout the encampment that all who had been bitten
might look upon the brazen serpent and live。 Many had already died； and when
Moses raised the serpent upon the pole； some would not believe that merely
gazing upon that metallic image would heal them； these perished in their
unbelief。 Yet there were many who had faith in the provision which God had
made。 Fathers； mothers； brothers； and sisters were anxiously engaged in
helping their suffering； dying friends to fix their languid eyes upon the
serpent。 If these； though faint and dying； could only once look； they were
perfectly restored。
The people well knew that there was no power in the serpent of brass to
cause such a change in those who looked upon it。 The healing virtue was from
God alone。 In His wisdom He chose this way of displaying His power。 By this
simple means the people were made to realize that this affliction had been
brought upon them by their sins。 They were also assured that while obeying
God they had no reason to fear； for He would preserve them。
The lifting up of the brazen serpent was to teach Israel an important
lesson。 They could not save themselves from the