to return to Egypt; and they actually appointed* a captain over them, to lead them thither.
What " madness is there in the heart of mang" ! Who would conceive it possible, that that whole nation should so soon forget all their past deliverances, and form so strange a resolution as that of returning to Egypt ? This was an expedient more im- practicable in its nature than the conquest of Canaan, and more dreadful in its consequences than death itself upon the
field of battle11 Yet such is the effect of discontent : it
magnifies every difficulty ; undervalues every enjoyment ; and rushes upon evils greater than those which it attempts to shun.]
2. The manner —
[The boldness of Joshua and Caleb, in opposing all their colleagues together with the whole congregation of Israel, was truly commendable. That it was at no little risk they ventured to remonstrate, is evident from the effect : for no sooner had they spoken, than all the people threatened to stone them ; and would undoubtedly have carried their menace into immediate execiition, if God himself had not interposed, by a signal manifestation of his glory, to restrain them1. But they would have accounted themselves happy to suffer martyrdom in such a cause. And this is the very courage which we also should possess. We should be witnesses for God in a degenerate world. We should never be deterred from testifying against sin, either by the number or authority of our opponents. If even we stood alone, as Elijah did, it would become us to maintain the truth with steadfastness, and to venture life itself in the service of our Lord.
Supposing these remonstrants not to be intimidated, we might expect them to be filled with indignation at the wicked- ness of the people, and to give vent to their feelings in terms of severity and reproach. But behold, they are- penetrated with grief; and "rend their clothes" for anguish of heart: and in their whole address they exhibit a beautiful specimen of " the meekiiess of wisdom." O that there were in all of us such an heart ! that we could weep over sinners, instead of being angry with them ; and that we could " in meekness in- struct them that oppose themselves," bearing with their froward- ness, and pitying their perverseness ! This union of fortitude and compassion is the very thing which we should labour to acquire, and which alone can fit us for reproving with effect.]
f This is not mentioned by Moses ; but it is asserted by Nehe- miah : Neh. ix. 17. g Eccl. ix. 3.
h Could they expect God to follow them with miraculous supplies of bread and water ; or their state in Egypt to be better than before ?
' ver. 10.