Education of Israel
27
full” (
Exodus 16:3
), yet the wisdom of God’s choice for them was
vindicated in a manner they could not gainsay. Notwithstanding the
hardships of their wilderness life, there was not a feeble one in all their
tribes.
In all their journeyings the ark containing the law of God was to
lead the way. The place of their encampment was indicated by the
descent of the pillar of cloud. As long as the cloud rested over the
tabernacle, they remained in camp. When it lifted, they pursued their
journey. Both the halt and the departure were marked by a solemn
invocation. “It came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses
said, Rise up, Lord, and let Thine enemies be scattered.... And when it
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rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.”
Numbers 10:35, 36
.
As the people journeyed through the wilderness, many precious
lessons were fixed in their minds by means of song. At their deliv-
erance from Pharaoh’s army the whole host of Israel had joined in
the song of triumph. Far over desert and sea rang the joyous refrain,
and the mountains re-echoed the accents of praise, “Sing ye to the
Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously.”
Exodus 15:21
. Often on the
journey was this song repeated, cheering the hearts and kindling the
faith of the pilgrim travelers. The commandments as given from Sinai,
with promises of God’s favor and records of His wonderful works for
their deliverance, were by divine direction expressed in song, and were
chanted to the sound of instrumental music, the people keeping step
as their voices united in praise.
Thus their thoughts were uplifted from the trials and difficulties of
the way, the restless, turbulent spirit was soothed and calmed, the prin-
ciples of truth were implanted in the memory, and faith was strength-
ened. Concert of action taught order and unity, and the people were
brought into closer touch with God and with one another.
Of the dealing of God with Israel during the forty years of wilder-
ness wandering, Moses declared: “As a man chasteneth his son, so the
Lord thy God chasteneth thee;” “to humble thee, and to prove thee,
to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His
commandments, or no.”
Deuteronomy 8:5, 2
.
“He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilder-
ness; He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple
of His eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young,
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