prophecy of Balaam was well known, and during the hundreds of years which elapsed before our Lord’s Incarnation, the tradition of this prophecy was preserved, and there existed a living expectation of the rising of a wonderful star, and at the same time of a sceptre, i. e. a king who should spring up out of Israel. Therefore, the three kings from the east, as soon as they had seen the wonderful star, went straight to Judea, to look for Him, the new-born king, whose birth was heralded by the star.
Application. Do not curse! Say to yourselves: “There is a God, who cannot be mocked.”
Chapter XLIV.
PARTING ADVICE OF MOSES.— HIS DEATH.
[Deut. 1—34. Numb. 27.]
THE hour [1] had come at last when Moses, was to be taken away from his people. Before he died, God commanded him to lay his hands [2] upon Josue, in the presence of all the people, so that they might obey him as their ruler. For God had said to Moses: “Thou shalt not pass over this Jordan; but Josue shall bring the people into the land which I swore I would give to their fathers.”
Then Moses made his farewell[3] discourse to the people in the most touching manner: “Hear, O ye heavens, the things I speak; let the earth give ear to the words of my mouth. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God[4] with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole strength. Let none be found among you that consult soothsayers, or observe dreams and omens. These things the Gentiles do; but thou art otherwise instructed. The Lord thy
- ↑ The hour. The forty years of wandering were drawing to a close, and the time had come for the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. Moses, hoivever, was not to lead them in (chapter XL1I).
- ↑ To lay his hands. From henceforward Josue was to be God’s chosen leader of His people, instead of Moses. Therefore Moses had to lay his hand upon him in the presence of all the Israelites, that they might know that he was their appointed leader. You have already heard about Josue in chapters XXXV and XL.
- ↑ His farewell. Pay particular attention to these parting words of Moses.
- ↑ Thy God. Who has done such great things for you, and has made you His chosen people.
