They then

them a golden calf. worshipped the calf. God was angry, and said he would destroy them. Many were slain for this sin. Afterwards the Tabernacle was erected, and Aaron and his sons appointed to be priests therein.

were

"And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen." Acts vii. 41; 44.

Lesson 24. Nadab and Abihu slain.

Nadab and Abihu were consumed with fire from heaven for doing wrong in the Tabernacle of the Lord. After this God commanded that the priests should not drink wine nor strong drink when they went into

the Tabernacle.

God accepted the

Levites to serve him in the Tabernacle, and Moses consecrated them.

When we go into the house of God we must go with reverence. God is a holy God, and his people and his ministers must be holy too.

The people murmured for flesh, and God sent them quails. They were afflicted with a great plague, and many died. Twelve spies were sent forth to examine Canaan. They brought a large bunch of grapes, and said Canaan was a land flowing with milk and honey. Ten of the spies reported evil of the land.

They "lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul." Psalm evi. 14, 15.

Lesson 26. The Sentence. Korah's Rebellion.

God said the Israelites should not enter Canaan, but wander forty years in the wilderness. He said their children should possess the land; but that the two faithful spies should enter Canaan. The unfaithful spies died of the plague. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rebelled against Moses. The earth opened and swallowed them up.

"The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. And a fire was kindled in their company, the flame burnt up the wicked," Psalm cvi. 17, 18.

Lesson 27. Fiery Serpents sent.

The people murmured for water, and God commanded Moses to speak to the rock. He struck it twice, and spoke angrily; for which God

said he should not enter into Canaan. When the people again rebelled, God sent fiery serpents which bit them. Moses was directed to place a brazen serpent on a pole, and those who looked on it were healed.

They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes; because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips." Psalm cvi. 32, 33.

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." John iii. 14, 15.

Lesson 28. Balaam sent for. Idolatry in Moab.

Balak, king of Moab, sent for Balaam, a wicked prophet, to curse the Israelites. He came to Mount Peor, and God caused him to bless them. The Israelites were ensnared

into idolatry with the Midianites in Moab; and many were smitten with a plague for this sin. They afterwards slew the Midianites in battle.

"They did not destroy the nations concerning whom the Lord commanded them: but were mingled among among the heathen, and learned their works. And they served their idols which were a snare unto them." Psalm cvi. 34—36.

Lesson 29. The Death of Moses.

The tribes of Reuben and Gad asked Moses for the countries which had been taken from Sihon, king of. the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, because it was a good land for cattle. God made it known that he had appointed Joshua to succeed Moses. Moses beheld the land of Canaan from Mount Nebo, and then died.