In following the history of the children of Israel from the time they left Egypt, till they were brought to Kadesh, on the borders of the promised land, we find that God was in truth with them, and did bring them forth with a mighty hand, an outstretched arm, and the numerous deliverances wrought for them, we should naturally suppose would have inspired them with confidence in Him, that he would perform what he had promised, and give them the land which he sware unto their fathers he would give them.
We find on their arrival, that twelve spies are sent forth to examine the land, (one for each tribe,) ten of them brought back an evil report, and two of them a good report; but all agreed that it was a goodly land, flowing with milk and honey, and also, that the people possessing it were strong—the cities walled and very great. Caleb, (one of the spies,) stilled the people before Moses, and said, let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went with him said: We be not able to go against the people, for they are stronger than we, and went on to tell them about the giants, &c. And the congregation lifted up their voice and cried, and the people wept, and murmured against Moses and Aaron, and also against the Lord who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, to perish. And when Caleb and Joshua stood up, all the congregation said, Stone them. We find that after Moses had interceded for them, and God had altered his purpose of utterly destroying them, their sins were pointed out, and the consequences thereof made known to them; then it was they repented, and said, We will go up, &c. But alas! their repentance came too late. In this history we see plainly, that Israel did not enter the land, because of unbelief; and their sin consisted in this,—that they received the testimony of man, rather than the plain positive promise of God. What a striking analogy have we here, to the unbelief of these last days! If this sin was visited with such awful consequences upon that people who had just merged from the degradation of an Egyptian bondage, how much sorer punishment suppose ye, they of this generation will be thought worthy, who are brought to the borders of that glorious land which God sware to our fathers that he would give unto them, and their seed, for an everlasting inheritance, and who enter not because of unbelief. From the eminence we now occupy, we can look and see every part of the covenant God made with Abraham, concerning his lineal seed, literally fulfilled. We see also every part of the other Covenant in like manner fulfilled, except the entering and possessing the land. And the cry has gone forth throughout the land and the world, "Behold the Bridegroom cometh, arise, go ye out to meet him!" &c., and in support of which the plain positive promises of God are brought in rich effusion, and spread out in a manner that cannot be gainsaid or resisted. Yet we see the testimony rejected, by saint and sinner, as a thing beneath or unworthy of notice. And why is it so? Is it not because they are turned aside from the truth unto fables, and believe like Israel of old, the testimony of men rather than the testimony of God? O it is but too true, and I greatly fear that nothing will cause them to give up their unbelief, but the sounding of the trump of God to call the quick and the dead to judgment. And then how awful will be their condition—their repentance will come too late—there will then be no Moses or Saviour, to stand up and plead their cause before an offended and insulted God.