J'lny into the hnnds of those wl10 don't want to <lo anything, :md to furnish them with cxcu~e~ :rn<l arguments for delay. It was ~o hero. 'l'he real secret of the desire of the people to h1we spies sent out was their lurking disbelief and fear. 'l'ho spies themsclvee ~hared in this fear. \Vith the exception of Caleb and Joshua, they scorn to hnvo hnd an eye for little else thnn difficulties. They admitted the goodliness of tho land, and hrought with them a splendid sample of its fruit (vor. 25). But in every other respect their report was calculated to dispirit. It is a sad thing for the Chmch when those who ougbt to animate and encourage her begin themselves to show the craven spirit. Yet owr-cautious people are apt, often unwittingly, to do the very work of these spies, by magnifying difficulties, looking only to discouragements, and standing in the way of plans and cfTort.s which would do great good. III. A mrnELLION oF THE PEOPLE. That rebellion was the result of downright un- belief (l'cr. 3:!), and illnstratcs its work (cf. Heh. iii. 19). We see in it bow unbelief: l. Looks only to the seen. They thought only of the size of the people and the strength of the cities (ver. 28). 'l'he help of their invisiblo King was to them as if it were not. They had not the sli:;htest hold upon the reality of it. 2. Sees only the diswuragmumts of duly. There wns a bright side as well as a dnrk one to tbo report brought to them, but nothing would make them look at the bright one. '!'he same two sides-a bright and hopeful side, and a side of difficulty-exist in every situation, nnd it is a test of character which we arc most gh·en to dwell upon. 3. Misrmds the providence of God. What greater perversion. of God's kind dealings oould human nature be guilty of than that in vcr. 2i? 4. Is blind to the lessons of the past. '!'hey had just been delivered from Egypt, had seen mighty miracles, had been brought across the Red Sea, had been strengthened to conquer the Amalekites, etc.; but all is already forgotten. 5. Issues in flat refusal to do God's will. ··'!'hat is the upshot of unbelief, where,·er it exists. 'l'he report of the spies, confirmed by the grapes of Eschol, suggests that. there. is ,·cry much in the world which makes. it worth conquering for Christ (genius, ut, beautiful natural cbaract1Jristics, etc.).-J. 0.
Ycrs. 31-33.-Loiie in the wilderness. A beautiful passage, laden with God's compassions. We have in it-- • - L '!'ENDER LOVE. The love is likened to that of the best of fathers to a son (cf;·Ps. ciii. 13). The New Testament goes further. It not only lilcens God to a father, but tells us he is one. He is "our Father in bca::vcn," "the God and Father of Jesus Christ our Lord." 'This full revelation of Fatherhood only a Son could have given i and as given in the gospel it is the believer's daily comfort (Matt. vi. 25-34). II. CoNsTAN'l' c,ARE. '!"his arises out of the relation and the love. It is a care: 1. Unceasing. "All the way." 2. Prnuident. "Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in." 3. Comprehensive; embracing c,·ery want of our lives. God "bare" Israel, i.e. took the entire charge of the nation upon himself; the whole responsibility of seeing them fed., led, clothed, kept, and broucrht safely to their final destination. So docs be provide for bis children in Chri~t. 4. Tenderly sympathetic. "As a man doth bear his son." And God has to bear with, as well as bear us. III. SPECIAL GUIDANCE. This is includrd in the care, but is more prominent as a peculiar manifestation of it (ver. 33). Guidance is never wanting to those who need it. It is f1om day to day-just sufficient to show us present duty. It is given in the Bible, io the indications of providence, and in that inward illumination which enables us to discern the Lord's will in both. It was. furnished· to the Israelites through the pillar of cloud and fire-the symbol: 1. Of fiery guardianship with grateful shade. ~- Of guiding liglit with attendant mystery. 3. Of light bhining to us in the midst of dark providences. 4. Of the adaptation of God's guidance to our needs-by day ibe cloud, by night the fire.-J. 0.
Yers. 34-40.-Tl,e excluded and t!te admitted. I. Tm: EXCf,UDED. 1. Tliat whole wnbelieuing generation, with two excrptions (,•er. 35). Note: (1) Their unbelief an<l disobedience did :cot frustrate God'., purposo of the occupation of the land, CanWl.n was occupied afkr .all. So .hcarnn will be peopled, the world conque1·cd, clt. t. 19-46.) •nm 1300K 01<' DEUTEIWNOMY. 27