Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/219



Are you  inclined  to  tell  lies  and  to  exaggerate? It was  on  account  of  a lie  that  God  punished  the  ten  spies with sudden  death. Learn from  this  how  much  God,  who  is truth  itself,  abhors  lies. “Putting away  lying,  speak  ye  the  truth every man  with  his  neighbour”  (Eph.  4,  25).

Have you  the  evil  habit  of  uttering  curses  or  imprecations?

NE day,  whilst  the  children  of  Israel  were  in  the  wilderness, they found  a man  gathering  wood  on  the  Sabbath-day,  and they brought  him  to  Moses  and  Aaron,  who  put  him  in  prison, to see  how  he  should  be  punished. But the  Lord  said  to  Moses: “Let that  man  die;  let  all  the  multitude  stone  him  without  the camp.” So  it  was  done.

Some time  after,  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  belonging  partly to the  tribe  of  Reuben,  and  partly  to  the  tribe  of  Levi,  and  having for leaders  Core,  a Levite,  and  Dathan  and  Abiron ,  both  of the  tribe  of  Reuben — all  these  rose  up  against  Moses  and  Aaron. They were  envious  of  the  high  position  of  Moses  and  Aaron,  and accused them  of  tyranny  and  ambition. They said: “All  the  people are holy ;  why  do  ye  raise  yourselves  above  the  people  of  God?” Moses, hearing  this,  and  knowing  that  it  was  a revolt  against  God Himself, was  much  afflicted,  and  fell  flat  on  his  face.

He afterwards  spoke  to  the  rebellious  Levites,  saying:  “Is  it because  God  has  chosen  you  to  serve  near  the  Tabernacle,  that you wish  to  usurp  the  dignity  of  the  priesthood  also? To-morrow