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！
unbelief on their part to anticipate that they or their children might die
for hunger。
God had promised to be their God； to take them to Himself as a people； and
to lead them to a large and good land； but they were ready to faint at every
obstacle encountered in the way to that land。 In a marvelous manner He had
brought them out from their bondage in Egypt； that He might elevate and
ennoble them and make them a praise in the earth。 But it was necessary for
them to encounter difficulties and to endure privations。 God was bringing
them from a state of degradation and fitting them to occupy an honorable
place among the nations and to receive important and sacred trusts。 Had they
possessed faith in Him； in view of all that He had wrought for them；
293
they would cheerfully have borne inconvenience； privation； and even real
suffering； but they were unwilling to trust the Lord any further than they
could witness the continual evidences of His power。 They forgot their bitter
service in Egypt。 They forgot the goodness and power of God displayed in
their behalf in their deliverance from bondage。 They forgot how their
children had been spared when the destroying angel slew all the first…born
of Egypt。 They forgot the grand exhibition of divine power at the Red Sea。
They forgot that while they had crossed safely in the path that had been
opened for them； the armies of their enemies； attempting to follow them； had
been overwhelmed by the waters of the sea。 They saw and felt only their
present inconveniences and trials； and instead of saying； 〃God has done
great things for us； whereas we were slaves； He is making of us a great
nation；〃 they talked of the hardness of the way； and wondered when their
weary pilgrimage would end。
The history of the wilderness life of Israel was chronicled for the benefit
of the Israel of God to the close of time。 The record of God's dealings with
the wanderers of the desert in all their marchings to and fro； in their
exposure to hunger； thirst； and weariness； and in the striking
manifestations of His power for their relief； is fraught with warning and
instruction for His people in all ages。 The varied experience of the Hebrews
was a school of preparation for their promised home in Canaan。 God would
have His people in these days review with a humble heart and teachable
spirit the trials through which ancient Israel passed； that they may be
instructed in their preparation for the heavenly Canaan。
Many look back to the Israelites； and marvel at their unbelief and
murmuring； feeling that they themselves would not have been so ungrateful；
but when their faith is tested； even by little trials； they manifest no more
faith or patience than did ancient Israel。 When brought into strait places；
they murmur at the process by which God has chosen to purify them。 Though
their present needs are supplied； many are unwilling to trust God for the
future； and they are in constant anxiety lest poverty shall come upon them；
and their children shall be left to suffer。 Some are always anticipating
evil or magnifying the difficulties that really exist； so that their eyes
are blinded to the many blessings which demand their gratitude。 The
obstacles they encounter；
294
instead of leading them to seek help from God； the only Source of strength；
separate them from Him； because they awaken unrest and repining。
Do we well to be thus unbelieving？ Why should we be ungrateful and
distrustful？ Jesus is our friend； all heaven is interested in our welfare；
and our anxiety and fear grieve the Holy Spirit of God。 We should not
indulge in a solicitude that only frets and wears us； but does not help us
to bear trials。 No place should be given to that distrust of God which leads
us to make a preparation against future want the chief pursuit of life； as
though our happiness consisted in these earthly things。 It is not the will
of God that His people should be weighed down with care。 But our Lord does
not tell us that there are no dangers in our path。 He does not propose to
take His people out of the world of sin and evil； but He points us to a
never…failing refuge。 He invites the weary and care…laden； 〃Come unto Me；
all ye that labor and are heavy…laden； and I will give you rest。〃 Lay off
the yoke of anxiety and worldly care that you have placed on your own neck；
and 〃take My yoke upon you； and learn of Me； for I am meek and lowly in
heart： and ye shall find rest unto your souls。〃 Matthew 11：28； 29。 We may
find rest and peace in God； casting all our care upon Him； for He careth for
us。 See 1 Peter 5：7。
Says the apostle Paul； 〃Take heed； brethren； lest there be in any of you an
evil heart of unbelief； in departing from the living God。〃 Hebrews 3：12。 In
view of all that God has wrought for us； our faith should be strong； active；
and enduring。 Instead of murmuring and complaining； the language of our
hearts should be； 〃Bless the Lord； O my soul： and all that is within me；
bless His holy name。 Bless the Lord； O my soul； and forget not all His
benefits。〃 Psalm 103：1； 2。
God was not unmindful of the wants of Israel。 He said to their leader； 〃I
will rain bread from heaven for you。〃 And directions were given that the
people gather a daily supply； with a double amount on the sixth day； that
the sacred observance of the Sabbath might be maintained。
Moses assured the congregation that their wants were to be supplied： 〃The
Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat； and in the morning bread to
the full。〃 And he added； 〃What are we？ your murmurings are not against us；
but against the
295
Lord。〃 He further bade Aaron say to them； 〃Come near before the Lord： for He
hath heard your murmurings。〃 While Aaron was speaking； 〃they looked toward
the wilderness； and； behold； the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud。〃 A
splendor such as they had never witnessed symbolized the divine Presence。
Through manifestations addressed to their senses； they were to obtain a
knowledge of God。 They must be taught that the Most High； and not merely the
man Moses； was their leader； that they might fear His name and obey His
voice。
At nightfall the camp was surrounded by vast flocks of quails； enough to
supply the entire company。 In the morning there lay upon the surface of the
ground 〃a small round thing； as small as the hoarfrost。〃 〃It was like
coriander seed； white。〃 The people called it 〃manna。〃 Moses said； 〃This is
the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat。〃 The people gathered the
manna； and found that there was an abundant supply for all。 They 〃ground it
in mills； or beat it in a mortar； and baked it in pans； and made cakes of
it。〃 Numbers 11：8。 〃And the taste of it was like wafers made with honey。〃
They were directed to gather daily an omer for every person； and they were
not to leave of it until the morning。 Some attempted to keep a supply until
the next day； but it was then found to be unfit for food。 The provision for
the day must be gathered in the morning； for all that remained upon the
ground was melte