Page 155 - Bible History

128 GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE ENTER THE PROMISED LAND
caused the rebellion, were struck dead. Josue and Caleb had made a favorable report and they were spared. The Israelites, too, were punished for this rebellion. All who were over twenty years of age were condemned to linger in the desert until they died. Only Josue and Caleb were permitted to enter the Promised Land.
But the spirit of revolt continued. Some of the Israelites tried to enter Chanaan against God's com­ mand. When they saw that Moses would not lead them, they attempted to enter of their own accord. But God was not with them, and the Amalecites, who dwelt near the border, slew many of them and drove the rest back.
The
ders
troyed not escape the pumshment of God, and that they were
After this defeat the Israelites knew that they could
doomed to wander in the desert until death. But some were still disobedient. Core, Dathan and Abiron, with two hundred and fty leaders of the people, tried to perform the duties of the priests, but the earth opened up and swallowed them, with all their possessions. Others sought to injure Moses and Aaron, but they ed to the Tabernacle for safety. God then sent a plague to destroy all the rebels.
Now that the leaders of the revolt had been re­ moved, peace was restored. To show the people that this peaceful spirit pleased Him, God caused Aaron's rod to bloom miraculously. This was to be to them a sign that Aaron's priesthood placed him above all leaders except Moses. After this miracle, the rod of Aaron was placed in the Ark of the Covenant.