Page 156 - Bible History
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THE WANDERINGS OF THE ISRAELITES 129
3. THE ISRAELITES ARE CONDEMNED TO WANDER FORTY YEARS IN THE DESERT
The Israelites wandered about Cades, not far from T the southern border of the Promised Land. During c these wanderings, Miriam, the sister of Moses, died
and was buried at Cades.
About this time the people complained because they were without water. Moses and Aaron went into the Tabernacle and fell at on the ground and prayed for the people. God said to Moses, "Take the rod, and assemble the people together, thou and Aaron thy brother, and speak to the rock before them and it shall yield waters.''
Moses felt that the people had tried God's patience too far. He doubted the mercy of God for just a moment,and struck the rock twice instead of speaking
to it as God had commanded.
God was displeased with this lack of faith and be-
cause of it Moses was not permitted to enter e Promised Land.
Thirty-eight years had passed, and Moses knew that Tbund
the time of exile was nearly over. God told him to move away from Cades and the desert of Seir, but not to engage in battle with the people of Edom, Moab, or Ammon. This was glad news for Moses. He asked the king of Edom to be allowed to pass through his territory, and promised to pay for everything the Israelites might use on their way. ยท The king of Edom refused. So Moses marched around Edom and came to Mount Hor.
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