Gods Sabbath

S UCCESS AND F AILURES

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perience took place when their wilderness wandering with all its trials and tribulations was behind them and they ought to have shown evidence of having learned from what they had already passed through. Instead, their responses were most discoura ging to their leader. It is no wonder that Moses was disheart ened by what he witnessed. While this event further indicated their unreadiness to over come their enemies, the Lord was able to bring about two valu able objectives through their failure. Firstly, those locked in un belief were weeded out as they refused to look upon the brazen symbol of their Saviour. And secondly, the survivors were taught an important lesson in faith. As a result of this strengthening of faith, a change began to as sert itself. Two great battles were fought, the first against Sihon, king of the strong and warlike Amorites, and the second against Og, the giant king of Bashan. (See Numbers 21:21–35; Deuteron omy 3:1–11.) Word was sent to the Amorites requesting a peace ful passage through their land but they refused, as had the Ed omites. (See Numbers 21:21–23; Deuteronomy 2:26–30.) This was backed up by the deployment of the Amorite army, the numbers and strength of which “struck terror to the Israelites, who were poorly prepared for an encounter with well-armed and well-disci plined forces. So far as skill in warfare was concerned, their ene mies had the advantage. To all human appearance, a speedy end would be made of Israel.” Patriarchs and Prophets , 433.2. But the inequality of military power and preparedness was not for Israel to worry about. Even though the detour was made necessary because of their unbelief, they had been under divine leadership when confronted by this threat. It was their privilege to rest in the assurance that the Lord was not caught by sur prise when faced with this emergency. He had a correct assess ment of the enemy’s forces and of Israel’s inability to meet them, and had devised a perfect solution before the problem even ap peared. They had only to put their complete trust in Him, wait for His specific orders, and follow them exactly. The Results of Faith