BALAAM THE SOOTHSAYER.

53

people had died, Moses lifted up in the camp a brazen serpent, and those who had been bitten only needed to look at this, when they were immediately cured.

The fiery serpents were a figure of sin, but the brazen serpent was an emblem of Christ, who was lifted up on the cross, that we might look to Him, and 'be healed.

CHAPTER XXIV.

BALAAM THE SOOTHSAYER.-DEATH OF MOSES.

S the Israelites, in their wanderings, drew near

As to the Promised to

to the Promised Land, they began to meet with warlike tribes who opposed their progress. They gained so many victories over these pagans, that they were feared by all the surrounding people. Balac, king of the Moabites, sent to Balaam, a man who had the reputation of being a great prophet. He begged him to come and curse the Israelites, that they might conquer them. Balaam was warned by God that he should not do this; he refused, therefore, telling the messengers that he dared not curse a people whom God had blessed. The king sent again; and as Balaam was fond of money, he was tempted by the rich pres ents that were offered him, and consented to go.

On the way, a great wonder happened; for an

What was the brazen serpent, and why is it remarkable? What did the king of the Moabites ask of Balaam?

angel stood in a narrow path, and would not suffer the ass on which the prophet rode to go any farther. Then he began to beat the animal, but God opened its mouth, and it spoke to rebuke him. Immediately he saw the angel, and was so much terrified, that he fell prostrate on the ground. Then the angel ordered him to go to Balac, but to speak nothing regarding the Israelites save what God should put into his heart.

Balaam went as he had been commanded. Balac led him to a place where sacrifices had been prepared, and desired him to curse his enemies. Balaam tried three times to do as the king wished, but each time he spoke blessings instead. He was forced by God to prophesy many things concerning the Israelites. He spoke of the coming of Christ, saying: "A star shall rise out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall spring up from Israel."

Moses had now brought the Israelites as far as the river Jordan, which he was not permitted to pass. He knew his death to be at hand, and desired at least to look upon the Land of Promise, before he closed his eyes. He ascended Mount Nebo, which commanded a view of the country: there he gave his last blessing to the tribes of Israel, and expired peacefully in the hundred and twentieth year of his age.

Moses was buried in the valley of the land of Moab; but no one has ever known the place of his tomb.

What occurred to Balaam on his journey? Give an account of the death of Moses.

THE ISRAELITES ENTER THE PROMISED LAND. 55

THE PENTATEUCH.

The events we have related are contained in the Pentateuch, or five books of Moses, which embrace a period of about 2553 years. The first book is called Genesis, the second Exodus, the third Leviticus, the fourth Numbers, the fifth Deuteronomy. This last book was not concluded by Moses, but by some other inspired writer after his death.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE ISRAELITES ENTER THE PROMISED LAND.-VICTORIES OF JOSUE.

FTER the death of Moses, Josue was ac

A knowledged as his successor in the government.

The Israelites under his command prepared to pass the Jordan, that they might enter the Land of Promise. When they came to the banks of the river, which was wide and deep, they had no means of crossing. By the command of Josue, the priests advanced first, carrying the Ark, and when their feet touched the water, the stream divided; on one side, the waters flowed away to the sea; on the other, they were piled up like a mountain. This continued until the whole

What period of time do the books of Moses embrace? What is the first book? What is the second book? The third? The fourth? The fifth? Relate the passage of the Jordan.