Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/216

 with them  figs,  grapes,  and  other  rich  fruits,  as  specimens  of  what the land  produced.

They told  Moses  and  all  the  people  that  the  Land  of  Chanaan was good,  flowing  with  milk  and  honey,  as  might  be  seen  by these  fruits;  but  that  it  would  be  very  difficult  to  conquer  the country, as  the  men  were  big  and  strong,  and  the  cities  surrounded by  walls. They added: “There  we  saw  certain  monsters of the  sons  of  Enac,  of  the  giant  kind,  in  comparison  to  whom we seemed  like  locusts."  Then  the  people,  losing  courage and  confidence  in  God,  began  to  murmur  against  Moses  and Aaron,  wishing  that  they  had  died  in  Egypt,  or  in  the  desert. They  exclaimed:  “Let  us  appoint  a captain  and  return  to Egypt!"

In vain  did  Caleb  and  Josue,  who  were  of  the  number  of  the spies, or  explorers,  endeavour  to  appease  the  anger  of  the  multitude, saying  that  the  Land  of  Chanaan  was  very  good,  and  that, if the  men  of  that  country  were  strong,  the  Lord  would  fight  for the children  of  Israel. But the  people  would  not  listen  to  reason. They threatened  to  put  Josue  and  Caleb  to  death.

Then the  glory  of  the  Lord  appeared  over  the  Ark,  and  God said to  Moses:  “How  long  will  this  people  detract  Me? How long will  they  not  believe  Me  for  all  the  signs  that  I have  wrought before them? I will strike  them,  therefore,  with  pestilence,  and consume them."  Moses  interceded  for  the  people,  saying:  “Forgive, I beseech  Thee,  the  sin  of  the  people,  according  to  the greatness  of  Thy  mercy."

The Lord  answered:  “I  have  forgiven,  according  to  thy  word. But yet,  all  the  men  that  have  seen  the  signs  that  I have  done in Egypt  and  in  the  wilderness,  and  have  tempted  Me  now  ten times, shall  not  see  the  land. You shall  wander  forty  years  in