The contents of ch. xv.-xix. are of a similar char acter. The facts there recorded relate to a period of thirty-eight years. The conciseness with which they are stated significantly indicates the strictly legal and theocratical principles of the Mosaical legislation. The period of Israel's rejection is char acterised by the circumstance, that the historian is almost silent respecting it, as being a period not strictly belonging to theocratical history. During this period the striking deeds of God, his miracles and signs, the more prominent operations of his grace, and his peculiar blessings, cease. The re jection of the nation consisted in this suspension of the divine operations. During this period God, as it were, ignored his people. Consequently, the historian also almost ignores the rebellious race. But the period in which the divine promises were to be fulfilled again forms a prominent portion of the history. The termination of the penal period is the commencement of the most important era in the Mosaical history. It brings the legislation to a splendid conclusion. The most glorious facts here follow each other in close succession ; facts which were intended clearly to demonstrate that the chosen people entered into the land of promise, not by their own power and might, but that this land was given into their hands by the God of promise.
Miriam was already dead ; and the forty years of wandering in the wilderness were accomplished. Israel was again in sight of the Holy Land on the borders of Edom. Then Moses and Aaron also sinned ; soon after, Aaron died, and was succeeded by Eleazar. Israel sent ambassadors to the king of Edom to obtain permission to pass through his territory, but was haughtily refused (ch. xx.) Everything seemed to be prepared by preceding events already recorded. The dying off of the real emigrants from Egypt might be expected, after the divine decree that this should come to pass had been mentioned ; the unbelief of Moses arose from the protracted duration of the time of punish ment, which at length broke his courage ; the spirit of Edom arose in overbearing animosity, be cause it seemed that Jehovah had forsaken his people. It was appointed that Israel should under go all this in order that they might grow strong in the Lord. Their strength was soon proved against Arad. They vowed to devote all the cities of the Canaanites to Jehovah, who gave them the victory. They were directed to avoid the bound aries of Edom, and to have Canaan alone in view. The people murmured, and the significant symbol of the serpent was erected before them, reminding them of their ancient sill, and how it had been healed and overcome by Jehovah. In all this Is rael is constantly directed to Canaan. They march courageously to the boundaries of the Amorites, singing praises to Jehovah, and, by the power of the Lord, defeat the kings of Heshbon and Basilan (ch. xxi.) In the plains of Moab still greater glory awaits the chosen people. The pagan prophet of Meso potamia, being hired by the king of the Moabites, is overpowered by Jehovah, so that he is com pelled to bless Israel instead of cursing them ; and also directs them to the ancient blessings granted to the patriarchs. The bitterest enemies of the
theocracy are here most deeply humbled, being themselves compelled to contribute to the glory of Jehovah (ch. xxii.-xxiv.) Not the God, but the people of Israel, were dishonoured through the devices of Balaam.
The subsequent account concerning the idolatry into which the people were led, forms a striking contrast with the preceding chapters, and evinces the impotence of the Israelites, whose first attack, therefore, was to he directed against their seducers. This was to he the beginning of the conquest of Canaan, which was essentially a combat against idolatry, and the victory of the kingdom of God over paganism. The conquered country was granted to separate tribes, and for this purpose the people were once more numbered, and Joshua ap pointed their leader.
Jehovah reserves his own rights in the distribu tion of the country, and Israel is directed not to forget the sacrifices to the Lord, the sabbaths, festivals, and vows ; the ordinances concerning which are here briefly repeated, inculcated, and completed.
The people shall certainly gain the victory, but only in strict communion with Jehovah. Thus begins the combat against Midian, according to the directions of the law, and forming as it were a proto type of the later combats of Israel against pagan powers (ch. xxv.-xxxi.) This was the last external work of Moses. Henceforth his eye is directed only to the internal affairs of his people. An entrance has been effected into the country, and the conquered territory is divided among two tribes and a half-tribe (ch. xxxii.) Moses reminds the people of Jehovah's guidance in the wilderness, and of the manner in which the whole land was to be conquered. He commands the destruction of the Canaanites and of their idol atry. He appoints to what extent the land is to be conquered, and in what manner it should be divided ; also the towns to be granted to the Levites, and the cities of refuge. He establishes also the statute, which was of great importance for the preservation of landed property, that an heiress should marry only within het own tribe (ch. xxxiii. xxxvi.) There have frequently been raised strong doubts against the historical credibility of the book of Numbers, although it is impressed with indubitable marks of the age to which it refers, and of perfect authenticity. The numerical statements in ch. i. -iv. are such that they repel every suspicion of forgery. There could apparently be no motive for any fabri cation of this description. The numbering of the people is in perfect harmony with Exod. xxxviii. 26. The amount is here stated in round numbers, be cause a general survey only was required. When requisite, the more exact numbers are also added (ch. iii. 39, 43). A later falsarius, or forger, would certainly have affected to possess the most exact knowledge of those circumstances, and consequently would have given, not round, but particularly defi nite numbers.