p. 572 | CLARENCE SANTEE by Clarence Santee

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 12, 1913

CLARENCE SANTEE

By Clarence Santee

From Egypt to Canaan

CLARENCE SANTEE

For more than a year the children of Israel were encamped before Sinai. The most wonderful experience that has ever come to a nation, before or since, was given them at this place. The voices of God the Father and Christ the Son were heard by human ears, proclaiming in unison the ten commandments, the law of the great universe which they uphold and over which they rule. I read: “Christ and the Father standing side by side upon the mount, with solemn majesty, proclaimed the ten commandments.”—“Historical Sketches of Foreign Missions,” by Mrs. E. G. White, page 231.

The law that had been spoken before the angelic hosts of heaven by the voice of God, before the fall of Satan, was now rehearsed to them. The Lord said by David, “Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, harkening unto the voice of his word.” Ps. 103:20.

There was but eleven days’ journey from Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, on the borders of Canaan. Deut. 1:2. Israel started out with buoyant hopes, thinking that a few days would find them resting secure in Canaan. This was possible, but because of distrust and murmuring these few days were lengthened to more than thirty-eight years before their feet stood on the other side of Jordan. During this long period, graves were made day by day, and loved ones were left behind as they marched onward.

How like the experience of the Israel of God who are called the “remnant”! They started out with every encouragement to carry the “third angel’s message” quickly to the world, then to cross the Jordan to the land of promise, there to inherit the country given to Abraham. But doubts filled hearts, and from time to time companies turned back, weakening the hands of those who would have pressed forward. In this way, years have passed by, many have been laid away on this side, and the journey, which might have been made long ere this, is not yet ended. “Great Controversy,” page 458, tells of this: “It was not the will of God that Israel should wander forty years in the wilderness; he desired to lead them directly to the land of Canaan, and establish them there, a holy, happy people. But ‘they could not enter in because of unbelief.’ Because of their backsliding and apostasy, they perished in the desert, and others were raised up to enter the promised land. In like manner, it was not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be so long delayed, and his people should remain so many years in this world of sin and sorrow. But unbelief separated them from God.”

This testimony was given more than a score of years ago, and even then the delay had been long to the Spirit of God. How sorely these years of lukewarmness on the part of his people must have tried and grieved him!

As Israel left the encampment of Sinai with its memories,—some sad and many sweet,—their trials increased. They had spent a year of educational advantages never equaled by others. The law of God and its breadth of meaning, the results of its transgression, the sanctuary, its furniture, offerings, and services, giving hope to the sinner,—all these were given to a people who had been all their lifetime in hopeless bondage. The world has never seen its like, a transformation with which no decade of these days of remarkable progress in which we now dwell can in any way compare. Now, as the oak that has shared the soft breezes and life-giving rains of summer in which to grow rapidly, is subjected to the biting frosts and withering cold of winter to toughen and make strong the soft fibers, so Israel must be strengthened under hardship.

Under different experiences Israel soon found cause for complaint. The manna sent from heaven was not acceptable food. The “mixed multitude” started the complaint, and soon many of Israel joined them. They said, “But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.” Num. 11:6. They expressed their contempt for this food by saying, “Our soul loatheth this light bread.” Num. 21:5, last clause. This was the real trouble. It matters not how good the food may be, when the mind is set against it, evil will result. Before this it could be said, “There was not one feeble person among their tribes.” Ps. 105:37. There were no graves at Sinai. Many today, when advised to accept the wholesome diet that God prepared for man (Gen. 1:29), turn away, accepting as their lot diseased bodies, and, as a consequence, clouded minds, loss of faith, doubt, darkness, and death.

As they encamped at Hazeroth, another cause of trouble arose in an unexpected quarter. When Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came to him in the wilderness, he counseled Moses, and God blessed the counsel to the good of Moses and the people. Ex. 18:17-24. This aroused the jealousy of Miriam and Aaron. For a time it was held back, but at Hazeroth the flame burst out, and as is usually the case, the past failures of Moses were made the basis of present accusation. Moses had married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, a Midianite, instead of marrying an Israelite.

The Lord’s displeasure was manifested toward Aaron and Miriam, and as he departed from them, Miriam was seized with leprosy. Num. 12:1-10. Moses, forgetful of self, sought the Lord for Miriam, and the plague was stayed, but Israel delayed seven days, until Miriam could be brought again into the camp. Verse 15. The sin of one has often delayed the progress of God’s people. How careful, then, should we be as individuals, that God may not account us as an Achan or an Ananias or a Miriam.

Those who enter the heavenly city, will not do so as tribes, nor as families, but as individuals of whom the Lord can say, “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.” Ps. 37:31.