it ; and his anger was kindled : and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the campf." On another occasion, when " they had journeyed from Mount Hor, by the way of the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom," we are told, " the soul of the peo- ple was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt, to die in the wilderness g?" Nor were their evil passions less called forth by the long suspension of their movements. A whole year without any progress was a severe trial to their impatient minds, when a less space than that had sufficed to bring them from the brick-kilns of Egypt to the borders of the promised land. Had nothing occurred to try them, they would never have " known what spirit they were of;" but, when such frequent occasions were administered for the discovery of their evil dispositions, it was impossible but that they must see and acknowledge that they were indeed " a rebellious and stiff-necked generation."]
2. To shew them what they should be —
[In this respect, the discipline here used was admirably calculated to inform their minds.
Almighty God, by a visible symbol of his presence, gra- ciously undertook to guide them in all their way. On every occasion of need, he shewed himself abundantly sufficient for the task he had undertaken. To his power there was no limit, whether to subdue their enemies, or to supply their wants. What, then, became them, but to express the deepest gratitude for this wonderful condescension, and to commit themselves entirely to his fatherly care ? Their song at the Red Sea should have continued to be their song under all circumstances : " Who is like unto thee, O Lord, amongst the gods ? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders11?"
When circumstances arose that were trying to their feelings, or which they were not altogether able to account for, one might expect that their past experience of God's wisdom and goodness would suffice to allay any rising irritation, and to induce a submission to his sovereign will. They knew what ready acquiescence they themselves expected from their own children and servants, in any appointments which they should make : and it was but reasonable that they should place the same confidence in God, as they themselves required of their fellow-creatures.
The successive orders to proceed or stop would naturally lead them to consider themselves as altogether at God's dis- posal, and to seek all their happiness in serving and obeying
f Numb. xi. 1. s Numb. xxi. 4, 5. h Exod. xv. 11.