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What was the particular Sin of the Jews, in the Wilderness, here called a Tempting of Christ.
II. THE particular Sin refer∣red to of the Israelites, was their impatient Murmuring and Discontent, their Dissatisfaction and Complaint, concerning the way which God took to lead them into Canaan, and of the Provisions he made for them in the way, and of the Time and Season of it. For
in their March through the Wil∣derness they had some Success a∣gainst the Canaanites, who came out of their own Country to fight against them; and thereupon being puft up with their Victory, they supposed they should as easily prevail against the Idumeans, who refused them leave to pass through their Country. They hoped that with the like Suc∣cess against them, they might di∣rectly and speedily enter into the promised Land. But, instead of this short and easy way to Canaan, God resolves to spare the Idumeans at this time, and commands the Israelites to compass the Land of Edom, and take a long Circuit round the Mountains of Idumea. Upon this occasion, we find this People break out into Discontent against God their Leader, forgetting all the former Wonders of his Good∣ness and Power. And this is that which the Apostle calls a tempting of Christ, who as the Angel of the
Covenant conducted them in the Wilderness. As he calls the Suffe∣rings and Afflictions which the Isra∣elites indured in Egypt, the Reproach of Christ; it being part of the Commendation of Moses by the Apostle, and an Instance of his Faith, that he preferred the Re∣proach of Christ before the Treasures of Egypt.
UPON this, and several other Occasions, they complained and murmured; and are therefore said to have tempted God ten times, after they had seen his Miracles, and had abundant Proof of his Presence and Care. The Jewish Writers do particularly reckon up the several ten Temptations; but whether the exact number of ten be intended in the Expression, is very doubtful; it may rather import repeated, mul∣tiplied Temptations; as when Ja∣cob told Laban, † Thou hast changed
my Wages Ten Times; that is, very frequently.
THEIR Sin might very pro∣perly be called a tempting of him: For they were not content to go to Canaaan in the way which he would have led them, nor were they satisfied with the Provisions that he made for them in the way; but complained of their Manna, as light Bread, despising of it. They would have every thing they had a Mind to, and in that way and man∣ner which they themselves would chuse; and thereupon would have put the Power and the Wisdom, the Truth, and the Goodness of God, to farther trial: And by falling of∣ten into such a Sin, they tempted his Patience, to see how long he would bear with them. How often, says the Psalmist, did they provoke him in the Wilderness; and tempt him in the Desart? Yea, they turned back and tempted God; and limited the Holy One of Israel. Psal. 78.40, 41.
Numb. 21.4, 5, 6.
Numb. 14.22.
Gen. 31.41.