Vers. 12-21.-Israel in the desert. The people now recount tha mercies of God to their fathers in the desert, and confess the sins of which they were guilty there. After deliverance from Egypt, the desert had to be passed before Canaan could be reached; and there the people were instructed and organised, tried and proved, disciplined and chastised, and thus prepared for orderly settlement as a nation in the promised land. I. THE DIVINE FAVOURS llY WHICH THEY WERE DISTINGUISHED. 1. Miraculous guidance (vers. 12, 19). 2. Miraculous provisions (vers. 15, 20, 21). 3. Miraculous legislation (vers. 13, 14). (1) How the laws were given. Partly by the voice of God from Sinai (ver. 13), chiefly by the mediation of Moses (ver. 14). (2) Of what they consisted. In general they are described as "right judgments and true laws,'' &c. (vers. 13, 14). In particular, the institution of the Sabbath is mentioned (ver. 14)- one of the greatest and best gifts of God to them. 4. The gift of God's " good Spirit" (ver. 20). Reference may be made to the Spirit of God as given to Moses, and to the seventy elders (Numb. xi. 17, 25), or even Bezaleel and Aho~ab (Exod. mv. 31-35). But looking at such passages as Pa. Ii. 11; cxliii. 10, it is quite as possible that the enlightening influence of the Spirit on the minds and hearts of the people in general may be referred to. 5. The command to enter Canaan. Ver. 15, where "promisedst them" (lit. "saidst to them") should probably be "com- mandedst them." The command, however, virtually included a renewed promise. God had " sworn to give them " it; now they are bid to go in and take possession of it ; implying that God would give them possession if they obeyed his call. II. THE GROSS INIQUITIES BY WHICH THEY DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES, Notwith- standing the wonderful manifestations of God amongst them, and his great kindness. 1.-Proud and stubborn disobedience (vers. 16, 17). 2. Purpose to return to Egypt (ver. 17; see Numb. xiv. 1--4). Just on the borders of the promised land they refused to advance into it, terrified by the report of most of the spies, and not exer- cising faith in his power who had wrought for them eo mightilr, Yea, they proposed to return to the land of bondage, and "appointed a captain ' to lead them thither. 3. Idolatry (ver. 18). A violation of the fundamental principle of their law. III. THE DIVINE FORBEARANCE, MERCY, AND CONSTANCY (vers. 17, 19, 20). They "wrought great provocations," and numbers of them were heavily punished ; yea, all who came out of Egypt, except two, were forbidden to enter Canaan, and died in the wilderness; yet even these continued during their lives to enjoy Divine guidance and sustenance, so that "they lacked nothing." God showed himself "ready to pardon," &c. (ver. 17), and displayed his "manifold mercies," and did not forsake them. To the children be fulfilled the promises, the benefit of which the fathers had forfeited. IV. THE LONG DURATION OF HIS MIRACULOUS BUBTENANOE OF THEM (ver. 21). Lessons :-1. The goodness of God and the depravity of man. The history of Israel ie full of both. So is all history,. " The earth is full of the goodness on. 1x. 1-38.J THE BOOK OF NEBEMIAB.
of the Lord," and also full of human wickedness. Each is rendered more con- spicuous by the other; and the contrast makes one appear more glorious the other more hideous. 2. As, after deliverance from Egypt, the desert had to be traversed before Canaan could be enjoyed, so is it in the Christian life. This world is a desert in comparison with heaven, and the journey through it is dif- ficult and perilous. But it lies between conversion and heaven, and must be crossed. 3. Through this desert, however, God conducts his people. He guides, provides, protects, instructs, governs, and thus trains and prepares them for the promised inheritance. This is our comfort amid all the discomforts and dangers of the journey. 4. In ordinary mercies the agency of God is as real as in the miraculous. Our food, drink, clothing, &c. are as truly his gifts as the manna, &c. which he bestowed on Israel. His power, wisdom, and goodness are as really displayed in them, and both more extensively and more marvellously. 5. Amongst God's Oest gifts are his revel- ations of himself and hie laws; his crowning gift is his Spirit. Under the Christian dispensation all these are far superior to the similar blessings vouchsafed to Israel. Our responsibilities are, therefore, greater; our moral and spiritual state should be far higher, our thankfulness more ardent. 6. We have a promise of a better inherit- ance than Canaan, with a command to journey steadily towards it ; let us beware lest we come short of it through unbelief and disobedience.