A.C. 1486.] (6.) The sprinkling of the leper was a type of baptism. (7.) After the ceremony of cleansing, the leper was ordered to shave and wash his whole body, to shew that believers must lead new and clean lives, putting away all moral filthiness. (8.) The leper was anointed with oil, to shew that the believer is sanctified by the Holy Ghost. CHAPTER II. Introduction. THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. B.C. 1486-1447. COTEMPORARY EVENTS. The inhabitants of Arcadia and Thessaly, called Pelasgians. 1466. Danäus, with his 50 daughters, arrived in Greece about this time. 1453. The first Olympic games supposed to have been held, though the Olympic era does not commence till в.c. 776. Book of Numbers, The Book of Numbers was by whom written. written by Moses, but some few alterations have been made by the very early transcribers. called. Why 80 The book is called Numbers, because it contains the census or numbering of the Hebrews in the wilderness. embraces. What period it It comprises a period of 38 years; but the narrative is chiefly confined to the events which happened at the beginning and close of this period. The census, when taken. Moses numbered the people twice: once in the second year of their departure from Egypt; and again a short time prior to their entrance into Canaan. How classified. In the former numbering he arranged them into 12 tribes, over each of which he appointed a prince or ruler. The gross number. The gross number of fighting men above 20 years of age, was on both occasions about six hundred thousand. JOURNEYINGS IN THE WILDERNESS. (From the Second to the Fortieth Year.) B.C. 1486-1447. NUMBERS XI.-XIV. Section I. FROM SINAI TO KADESH-BARNEA. When Sinai was left. The Israelites left Sinai about 15 months after their exodus from Egypt, and proceeded to Kadesh-bar'nea on the borders of Canaan. M 3 How the journey was marked. This journey was marked especially by murmurings and rebellions, of which the four following are the most remarkable: murmuring was. When the first The First Murmuring was at Tabe'rah, a little above Sinai, where the people complained of the fatigues of the journey. punished. How they were God punished them by sending fire from heaven to destroy them; a visitation which was arrested only by the prayers of Moses. murmuring was. When the second The Second Murmuring was at Kibroth-hattaa vah, the next station; where the people said they loathed the manna which God sent them, and demanded flesh to eat. punished. How they were God sent them quails in vast abundance, but punished them for their murmuring by a dreadful pestilence which destroyed many. next complaint. Who caused the The Third Complaint was provoked by Aaron and his sister A.C. 1486.] Miriam, who were jealous of Moses their younger brother. The punishment God inflicted. God summoned all three to the door of the tabernacle, and punished Miriam, the chief instigator, with leprosy. Why Aaron was not punished. Aaron was not punished because he repented of his fault; and even Miriam was restored to health after seven days, at the intercession of her brother Moses. rebellion was. What word they brought back. When the fourth The Fourth Rebellion was at Kadesh-bar'nea, when Moses sent 12 spies into Canaan "to search the land." The spies were absent 40 days. They brought back word that the land was very fertile, "flowing with milk and honey;" but 10 of them declared that the inhabitants were giants, and so alarmed the people that they refused to encounter them. The spies brought with them a bunch of grapes so large that it was carried by two men on a pole (Num. xiii. 24.) Doubdan says he has seen |
