Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/230

 which He  had  promised  to  his  fathers,  Abraham,  Isaac  and Jacob.

There Moses  died,  at  the  age  of  one  hundred  and  twenty years; and  all  Israel  mourned  him  for  thirty  days.

The Justice  and  Faithfulness  of  God  are  shown  to  us  in  a very awe-inspiring manner  in  this  story. Moses was  a very  holy  servant  of God,  distinguished  for  his  virtues  and  services. But, in  company  with his brother  Aaron,  he,  for  one  short  moment,  doubted  God’s  mercy, and for  their  sin  God  pronounced  on  both  of  them  this  sentence: “You shall  not  bring  these  people  into  the  land  which  I will  give them.” Soon  after  this  Aaron  died  on  Mount  Hor. At last  the Israelites arrived  at  the  borders  of  Chanaan,  and  the  time  had  come for them  to  cross  the  Jordan  and  take  possession  of  the  Promised  Land; but Moses  was  not  allowed  to  go  further. From the  top  of  Mount Nebo, Almighty  God  showed  him  the  beautiful  Land  of  Promise,  and then he  had  to  die;  for  God  always  does  that  which  He  says  He, will do. If the  Lord  God  punished  Moses  so  severely  for  one  venial  sin, how much  ought  we  to  fear  His  justice,  and  avoid  everything  that  is wrong!

In Moses’  parting  discourse  he  exhorted  the  Israelites  as  follows:

1. They were  never  to  forget  the  Covenant  sealed  with  God,  but were always  to  keep  it  faithfully. His exhortation  applies  to  us  also, who ought  never  to  prove  unfaithful  to  our  baptismal  vows.

2. They were  to  worship  God  only,  and  love  Him  with  their  whole hearts. Our Lord  tells  us  that  this  commandment  is  the  first  and  greatest commandment,  for  it  contains  all  the  others.

3. They were  to  bring  up  their  children  in  the  fear  and  love  of  God, and relate  to  them  all  God’s  wonderful  works  and  the  benefits  which He had  showered  on  them,  so  that  they  might  be  moved  to  be  grateful and to  love  Him. It is  a sacred  duty  of  parents  to  bring  up  their children in  the  fear  of  God; for  He  has  done  far  more  for  us  Christians than He  ever  did  for  the  Israelites.

4. If  the  Israelites  kept  the  Commandments,  God  promised them rich  earthly  blessings;  for,  as  the  people  were  sensual  and  earthly,  sensible and  earthly  rewards  were  held  out  to  them. It is  true  in  all  times