362
Patriarchs and Prophets
“even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month:
and the people abode in Kadesh.”
Numbers 20:1
.
Here Miriam died and was buried. From that scene of rejoicing on
the shores of the Red Sea, when Israel went forth with song and dance
to celebrate Jehovah’s triumph, to the wilderness grave which ended a
lifelong wandering—such had been the fate of millions who with high
hopes had come forth from Egypt. Sin had dashed from their lips the
cup of blessing. Would the next generation learn the lesson?
“For all this they sinned still, and believed not for His wondrous
works.... When He slew them, then they sought Him: and they returned
and inquired early after God. And they remembered that God was their
Rock, and the high God their Redeemer.”
Psalm 78:32-35
. Yet they
did not turn to God with a sincere purpose. Though when afflicted by
their enemies they sought help from Him who alone could deliver, yet
“their heart was not right with Him , neither were they steadfast in His
covenant. But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and
destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned He His anger away....
For He remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away,
and cometh not again.”
Verses 37-39
.
[411]