4. Military Training. We trace in the history of those forty years a great advance in military discipline. After crossing the Red Sea, Mo´ses did not wish to lead them by the direct route to Ca´naan lest they should "see war" (Exod. 13. 17, 18). Attacked by the Am´a-lek-ites soon after the exodus, the Is´ra-el-ites were almost helpless (Exod. 17. 8-16; Deut. 25. 17-19). A year later they were the easy prey of the Ca´naan-ites at Hor´mah (Num. 14. 40-45). Forty years after they crossed the Jor´dan, and entered Ca´naan a drilled and trained host, a conquering army. This discipline and spirit of conquest they gained under Mo´ses and Josh´u-a in the wilderness.
5. Religious Education. This was the greatest of all the benefits gained in the wilderness. They were brought back from the idolatries of E´gypt to the faith of their fathers. They received God's law, the system of worship, and the ritual which brought them by its services into a knowledge of God. Moreover, their experience of God's care taught them to trust in Je-ho´vah, who had chosen them for his own people. Even though the mass of the people might worship idols, there was always from this time an Is´ra-el of the heart that sought and obeyed God.
Blackboard Outline
III. Jour. and Even. Jour. 1. Ram.—R. S. 1.) Cr. R. S.
Jour. 2. R. S.—Mt. Sin. 2.) Wat. Mar. 3.) Rep. Am. 4.) Giv. 1.
Jour. 3. Mt. Sin.—Kad.-bar. 5.) Sen. sp. 6.) Def. Hor.
Jour. 4. Kad.-bar.—Des. Par.—Ret. 7.) Wat. roc. Kad. 8.) Rep. Ar.
Jour. 5. Kad.-bar.—Ed.—Riv. Jor. 9.) Bra. ser. 10.) Vic. ov. Amo. 11.) Dea. Mos.
IV. Res. Wan. 1. Ins. 2. Nat. Un. 3. Ind. Lib. 4. Mil. Tra. 5. Rel. Ed.
Review Questions
State the route of the first journey. What was the great event of this journey? What was the second journey? What events are named with this journey? What was the third journey? What two events took place with this journey? What was the longest journey? Name four places of this journey? Name two events near its close. What was the last journey? What events took place at this time? Where was the last encampment of the Is´ra-el-ites? What institutions originated during this period? What was the political effect of this epoch upon the people? How did it give them liberty? What was the influence in military affairs? What were its results upon the religion of the people?