Union of temporal and spiritual authority . God, by entrusting the highest spiritual and the highest temporal authority to the two brothers, Aaron and Moses, gave it to be understood that in all ages spiritual and temporal authority, Church and State, ought to work together for the good of mankind.
Application. Do you show reverence for your spiritual and temporal superiors, your priests and teachers? Are you unruly or obstinate? Do you ever pray for them?
Chapter XLII.
THE DOUBT OF MOSES— THE BRAZEN SERPENT.
[Numb, 10—11.]
IN the beginning of the fortieth year of their wanderings[1], the Israelites— the children of those that had died in the desert — suffered from the want of water, and began to murmur against the Lord. Then the Lord appeared in glory, and said to Moses: “Speak[2] to the rock, and it shall yield waters.” Then Moses, taking the rod[3] from the Tabernacle, assembled the people before the rock, which he was about to strike. Then he raised the rod and struck; but doubting[4] a little he struck a second time.
That momentary diffidence, which was only a venial sin, and which made Moses strike the rock a second time, was displeasing to the Lord, and He told Moses and Aaron: “Because you have not believed[5] Me, you shall not bring these people into the land which I will give them.”
Thence the Israelites removed their camp and came to Mount Hor[6], where Aaron died[7], and Eleazar, his son, became High
- ↑ Their wanderings. The Israelites were now back again at Cades on the borders of Chanaah.
- ↑ Speak. “Command it to bring forth water.”
- ↑ The rod. The miraculous rod, kept in the Tabernacle.
- ↑ Doubting. He doubted whether God would work another great miracle for this refractory people.
- ↑ Not believed. Not believed quite firmly enough. If Moses had not believed at all, he would not have assembled the people before the rock.
- ↑ Mount Hor. As it was not easy to enter Chanaan on the south side, Moses wished to enter it from the east. He went round to the south- east and came to Mount Hor (see map).
- ↑ Died. On Mount Hor God called Aaron to Himself at the age of a hundred and twenty-three years; for he, equally with Moses, was not allowed to enter the Promised Land.
