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themselves in motion; and at the fourth signal those on the north
did so likewise。 They also made use of these trumpets in their
sacred ministrations; when they were bringing their sacrifices to
the altar as well on the Sabbaths as on the rest of the
'festival' days; and now it was that Moses offered that sacrifice
which was called the Passover in the Wilderness; as the first he
had offered after the departure out of Egypt。
CHAPTER 13。
Moses Removed From Mount Sinai; And Conducted The People To The
Borders Of The Canaanites。
A Little while afterwards he rose up; and went from Mount Sinai;
and; having passed through several mansions; of which we will
speak he came to a place called Hazeroth; where the multitude
began again to be mutinous; and to Moses for the misfortunes they
had suffered their travels; and that when he had persuaded to
leave a good land; they at once had lost land; and instead of
that happy state he had them; they were still wandering in their
miserable condition; being already in want water; and if the
manna should happen to fail; must then utterly perish。 Yet while
they spake many and sore things against the there was one of them
who exhorted them to be unmindful of Moses; and of what great
pains he had been at about their common safety; not to despair of
assistance from God。 The multitude thereupon became still more
unruly; and mutinous against Moses than before。 Hereupon Moses;
although he was so basely abused by them encouraged them in their
despairing conditioned and promised that he would procure them a
quantity of flesh…meat; and that not for a few days only; but for
many days。 This they were not to believe; and when one of them
asked; whence he could obtain such vast plenty of what he
promised; he replied; 〃Neither God nor I; we hear such
opprobrious language from will leave off our labors for you; and
this soon appear also。〃 As soon as ever he had this; the whole
camp was filled with quails; they stood round about them; and
gathered great numbers。 However; it was not long ere God punished
the Hebrews for their insolence; those reproaches they had used
towards him; no small number of them died; and still to this day
the place retains the memory of this destruction and is named
Kibrothhattaavah; which is; Graves of Lust。
CHAPTER 14。
How Moses Sent Some Persons To Search Out The Land Of The
Canaanites; And The Largeness Of Their Cities; And Further That
When Those Who Were Sent Were Returned; After Forty Days And
Reported That They Should Not Be A Match For Them; And Extolled
The Strengh Of The Canaanites The Multitude Were Disturbed And
Fell Into Despair; And Were Resolved To Stone Moses; And To
Return Back Again Into Egypt; And Serve The Egyptians。
1。 When Moses had led the Hebrews away from thence to a place
called Paran; which was near to the borders of the Canaanites;
and a place difficult to be continued in; he gathered the
multitude together to a congregation; and standing in the midst
of them; he said; 〃Of the two things that God determined to
bestow upon us; liberty; and the possession of a Happy Country;
the one of them ye already are partakers of; by the gift of God;
and the other you will quickly obtain; for we now have our abode
near the borders of the Canaanites; and nothing can hinder the
acquisition of it; when we now at last are fallen upon it: I say;
not only no king nor city; but neither the whole race of mankind;
if they were all gathered together; could do it。 Let us therefore
prepare ourselves for the work; for the Canaanites will not
resign up their land to us without fighting; but it must be
wrested from them by great struggles in war。 Let us then send
spies; who may take a view of the goodness of the land; and what
strength it is of; but; above all things; let us be of one mind;
and let us honor God; who above all is our helper and assister。〃
2。 When Moses had said thus; the multitude requited him with
marks of respect; and chose twelve spies; of the most eminent
men; one out of each tribe; who; passing over all the land of
Canaan; from the borders of Egypt; came to the city Hamath; and
to Mount Lebanon; and having learned the nature of the land; and
of its inhabitants; they came home; having spent forty days in
the whole work。 They also brought with them of the fruits which
the land bare; they also showed them the excellency of those
fruits; and gave an account of the great quantity of the good
things that land afforded; which were motives to the multitude to
go to war。 But then they terrified them again with the great
difficulty there was in obtaining it; that the rivers were so
large and deep that they could not be passed over; and that the
hills were so high that they could not travel along for them;
that the cities were strong with walls; and their firm
fortifications round about them。 They told them also; that they
found at Hebron the posterity of the giants。 Accordingly these
spies; who had seen the land of Canaan; when they perceived that
all these difficulties were greater there than they had met with
since they came out of Egypt; they were aftrighted at them
themselves; and endeavored to affright the multitude also。
3。 So they supposed; from what they had heard; that it was
impossible to get the possession of the country。 And when the
congregation was dissolved; they; their wives and children;
continued their lamentation; as if God would not indeed assist
them; but only promised them fair。 They also again blamed Moses;
and made a clamor against him and his brother Aaron; the high
priest。 Accordingly they passed that night very ill; and with
contumelious language against them; but in the morning they ran
to a congregation; intending to stone Moses and Aaron; and so to
return back into Egypt。
4。 But of the spies; there were Joshua the son of Nun; of the
tribe of Ephraim; and Caleb of the tribe of Judah; that were
afraid of the consequence; and came into the midst of them; and
stilled the multitude; and desired them to be of good courage;
and neither to condemn God; as having told them lies; nor to
hearken to those who had aftrighted them; by telling them what
was not true concerning the Canaanites; but to those that
encouraged them to hope for good success; and that they should
gain possession of the happiness promised them; because neither
the。 height of mountains; nor the depth of rivers; could hinder
men of true courage from attempting them; especially while God
would take care of them beforehand; and be assistant to them。
〃Let us then go;〃 said they; 〃against our enemies; and have no
suspicion of ill success; trusting in God to conduct us; and
following those that are to be our leaders。〃 Thus did these two
exhort them; and endeavor to pacify the rage they were in。 But
Moses and Aaron fell on the ground; and besought God; not for
their own deliverance; but that he would put a stop to what the
people were unwarily doing; and would bring their minds to a
quiet temper; which were now disordered by their present passion。
The cloud also did now appear; and stood over the tabernacle; and
declared to them the presence of God to be there。
CHAPTER 15。
How Moses Was Displeased At This; And Foretold That God Was Angry
And That They Should Continue In The Wilderness For Forty Years
And Not; During That Time; Either Return Into Egypt Or Take
Possession Of Canaan。
1。 Moses came now boldly to the multitude; and informed them that
God was moved at their abuse of him; and would inflict punishment
upon them; not indeed such as they deserved for their sins; but
such as parents inflict on their children; in order to their
correction。 For; he said; that when he was in the tabernacle; and
was bewailing with ears that destruction which was coming upon
them God put him in mind what things he had done for them; and
what benefits they had received from him; and yet how ungrateful
they had been to him that just now they had been induced; through
the timorousness of the spies; to think that their words were
truer than his own promise to them; and that on this account;
though he would not indeed destroy them all; nor utterly
exterminate their nation; which he had honored more than any
other part of mankind; yet he would not permit them to take
possession of the land of Canaan; nor enjoy its happiness; but
would make them wander in the wilderness; and live without a
fixed habitation; and without a city; for forty years together;
as a punishment for this their transgression; but that he had
promised to give that land to our children; and that he would
make them the possessors of those good things which; by your
ungoverned passions; you have deprived yourselves of。
2。 When Moses had discoursed thus to them according to the
direction of God; the multitude; grieved; and were in affliction;
and entreated Most to procure their reconciliation to God; and to
permit them no longer to wander in the wilderness; but bestow
cities upon them。 But he replied; that God would not admit of any
such trial; for that God was not moved to this determination from
any human levity or anger; but that he had judicially condemned
them to that punishment。 Now we a