Outlines of Bible study. A four-years course for schools and colleges

Preface

These " Outlines " are designed for the use of those who desire to take a systematic course of study of the English Bible. It is intended especially for students in academies, preparatory schools, and colleges, but it will also be found useful to adult Bible-classes, and as a guide to any persons who are privately associating for the purpose of methodical study of the Holy Scriptures. The purpose contemplated is to give a good general knowledge of the character and contents of the Scriptures, using only the Bible as a text-book. The "Outlines'' are not given as lessons to be learned, but as guides and suggestions of method. The plan chiefly adopted is that of analysis and syllabus, with suggestive questions.

In pursuing the studies of the several series, much is, of course, left to the discretion of the teacher. It will be found that, in cases of not greatly advanced and not largely disciplined minds, some of the lessons will be too long. In such cases, judicious selections can be made.

The work is divided into four series or courses, covering the study of four years. The first year's course embraces the Patriarchal and Hebrew history, from the creation to the end of the reign of Solomon ; the second course completes the Hebrew history. There are also added outlines of the poetic and prophetic books. The third course comprises the Life of Christ as contained in the four Gospels ; the fourth course embraces the history of the Propagation of the Gospel as narrated in the Acts of the Apostles and illustrated in the Epistles and the Book of Revelation.

In the Hebrew history, the Bible narratives are followed somewhat minutely, with the exception of that part of the Pentateuch

IV PREFACE.

containing the ceremonial law, which is only slightly treated. The poetic and prophetic books are gone over much more cursorily, and the study is more nearly analogous to the study of authors in courses in literature in our schools. It is only intended to give a good knowledge of the general character, purpose, style, and religious teachings of these books. The introductions here are much more full, both containing information not readily accessible to the ordinary student, and grouping in convenient forms some of the matter contained in the books themselves.

In the Life of Christ, it has been the design to present the events in their chronological order, and also to harmonize the different narratives. Dr. Strong's "Harmony of the Gospels'' has been followed for the most part.

The treatment of the Propagation of the Gospel is similar to that of the Life of Christ — that is, it is treated chronologically, the History and the Epistles being taken together in the order of time. This gives added interest to both, as well as a pleasing variety by the change from one to the other. The introductions both here and in the Life of Christ are more full than in the Hebrew history, but they are designed to be suggestive and stimulating, not substitutive, in relation to the sacred text. The plan throughout is to keep simply to the study of the Word itself, and it is believed that there is not a question or an item anywhere in the series that contains a denominational implication, or indicates a preference for any theological party among those who regard the Scriptures as a Divine Kevelation.

It will be found in practice better sometimes to vary the order of study in the " Outlines " to a certain extent. Thus in the second year's course it may be found more profitable with a certain class of students to take up the Life of Christ immediately after the conclusion of the Hebrew history, and upon its completion return to the poetic and prophetic books, as the latter demand more disciplined minds in order to a full understanding of them.

The lists of reference books given in connection with the several courses is not intended so much for the students as for teachers.

PREFACE. V

To many of the former they would not be accessible, nor would they be competent to use them to advantage. With them the main purpose should be to get a correct idea of the Bible history and the Bible teachings. It is obvious that, to secure this desirable result, and to save time and work for the teacher, each member of the class should he provided icith a cojjy of the " Outlines.''^

The study of the divine Word pursued in this way has been found exceedingly interesticg and profitable, and has attracted much attention from those who have been cognizant of it. That the students of our American schools should become at least as well acquainted with the sources of our religion as they are required to do with those of ancient heathen nations would seem to be selfevident, even if our religion were as mythical as much of those is acknowledged to be. How much more, not only when a large majority of our citizens recognize it to be the true and only religion, but when it is made the basis of our civilization, and is implied and involved in our whole national life ! Yet the ignorance of large proportions of even educated and fairly intelligent people among us, of the Bible, is painfully obvious. That some method should be devised that would make the study of these sacred writings as attractive as that of any other literature, is very desirable. That this humble attempt in this direction, if not a great success, may not prove a failure, is the hope of the compiler of these " Outlines."

The thanks of the Author and Publishers are due to the Rev. Francis N. Peloubet, D. D., for valuable suggestions in the preparation of the list of Eeference Books.

FIRST YEAR'S COURSE.

PATKIARCHAL AND HEBREW HISTORY. — FROM

THE CREATION TO THE DEATH

OF SOLOMON.

BOOKS OF REFERENCE. — FIRST year.

GENERAL. — Smith's Old Testament Histoby.

Geikie's Hours with the Bible.

Milman's History of the Jews.

Stanley's History of the Jewish Church, 1st and 2d Series. Josephus' Jewish Antiquities.

Thompson's The Land and the Book. New ed. , 3 vols. Stanley's Sinai and Palestine.

Kiumraacher's David King of Israel.

Walker's Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation.

Professor Blakie's Manual of Bible History.

Sime's Kingdom of all Israel. • Cowle's Pentateuch.

Cowle's Hebrew History.

Eand, McNally & Co.'s Manual of Biblical History and Geography.

SCIENCE. — Professor Birch's Ancient History from the Monuments. Professor Sayce's Fresh Light from the Ancient Monuments. Eawlinson's "Historical Illustrations of the Old Testament. Bishop Walsh's Echoes of Bible History.

ON CREATION. —Professor Guy of s Creation.

Hugh Miller's Testimony of the Rocks.

Rev. Dr. Geo. B. Boardman's The Creative Week.

Charles B. Warring' s The Miracle of To-day.

Professor Tayler Lewis' The Six Days of Creation. R. S. Poole's The Genesis of Earth and Man.

Rev. Dr. Joseph Thompson's Man in Genesis and Geology. Dr. J. M. Gibson's Ages Before Moses.

Principal Dawson's Nature and the Bible.

Dr. E. Burgess' Antiquity and Unity of the Human Race. The Order of Creation. (Discussion by Gladstone, Huxley et al. ) President W. F. Warren's Paradise Found.

ON THE DELUGE. — Hugh Miller's Testimony of the Rocks. Geo. Smith's Chaldean Account of Genesis.

Lenormant's Ancient History of the East.

ON ABRAHAM TO MOSES. — Ebers' Uarda, and The Sisters. Tompkin's Studies in the Life of Abraham.

J. Oswald Dykes' Abraham the Friend of Gob.

Thornley Smith's Joseph and his Times.

Taylor's Joseph the Prime Minister.

Taylor's Moses the Lawgiver.

Hamilton's Moses the Man of God.

Edersheim's Exodus and the Wanderings.

Brugsch's Egypt under the Pharaohs.

Publications of the Egyptian Exploration Fund.

Dawson's Egypt and Syria.

Wardlaw on Miracles.

Trumbull's The Blood Covenant.

JOSHUA TO SOLOMON. — Thornley Smith's Joshua and his Times. Principal Douglas' The Gospel in the Book of Joshua. Miss Smiley's Fulness of Blessing.

Edersheim's Samuel and Saul.

Taylor's David King of Israel.

Blakie's David King of Israel.

McLaren's Life of David as reflected in the Psalms. Tuck's The First Three Kings of Israel.

Maurice's Prophets and Kings. 2

PALESTINE

IN THE TEME

OF THE PATRIARCHS

Illustratin<r the Pentateuch

5 7iu T

Witt t Co. Enga. N.Y,

Patriarchal and Hebrew History,

I. General Character of the Bible

1. Not one treatise, hut semral.

There are, in all, about sixty-six different books : thirty-nine in the Old Testament, and twenty-seven in the New.

3. A great 'cariety in the character of the writers.

(a) There were about thirty of them in the Old Testament; and probably nine in the New.

(b) Some of them lived in palaces, and some in prisons. Some were princes; some were philosophers and scholars; and others were shepherds, fishermen, or mechanics.

3. The time covered.

(a) They extend over fifteen hundred or sixteen hundred years.

(b) The earliest were probably written about 1500 B. C. ; the latest about 96 A. D.

4. Division of the books.

{a) Historical, (b) Poetical, (c) Prophetic, (d) Biographical, (e) Epistolary.

Some of these embrace more than one of these characteristics. Let the student, as far as possible, classify the books according to the above differences.

5. The great characteristic object of the whole collection : a revelation of Religious Truth from God to man.

II

Prom the Creation to the Close of the Flood.

1 The opening statement of the Sacred History. Gen. i. 1. 2. Give in order the six formative periods, and what was done in each. Chap, i

3. The creation of man, the place assigned him, and the injunction laid upon him. ii.

4. The Fall of Man and the consequence, iii.

5. What promise here pointing to the Messiah? 15.

6. Story of Cain and Abel. iv.

7. Genealogy of the descendants of Adam and Seth. Names and ages of the six who lived the longest. Relation of Methuselah to ISToah. Was he contemporary with Adam, and how long before the Flood did he die ? v.

8. The character of men as they multiplied, and the consequence, vi. 1—7.

9. God's command to Noah. The dimensions of the Ark, in English measure, vi, 13 — 22.

10. The story of the Flood, vii.

11. The subsiding of the waters. The place where the Ark rested. The going forth from the Ark. God's promise, viii.

III. From the Plood to the Call of Abraham

1. The Divine Blessing, the Divine Injunction, and the Divine Covenant. Gen. ix.

2. The sons of Noah. How many sons had each? x.

3. Through which of the three sons came the Messiah? and through which of his sons? x., xi.

4. Give an account of the confusion of tongues, xi. 1 — 9.

5. Who was Abraham, and what was his character? Who were some of his ancestors? His birthplace? What important personages among his descendants? Give the account of his call, his journeyings, and the kind of life he led. xi. , xii.

IV

From the Call of Abraham to the Birth of Isaac,

1. Separation of Abraham and Lot. Renewal of the Divine promise, xiii.

2. War of the confederates, and Abraham's rescue of Lot. xiv.

3. God's promise to Abraham concerning his posterity. Remarkable character of this promise, xv.

PATRIARCHAL AKD HEBREW HISTORY. 5

4. Destruction of the cities of the plain. Abraham's plea for Sodom. Lot's deliverance. Give the story, xviii.,xix.

5. What do you think of the character of Lot?

V

From the Birth of Isaac to Jacob's Journey to Padan-aram.

Abraham's character is one of the most interesting in the Old Testament history, or indeed in any history. He is among the few great men of all time. There is a majesty and dignity about him that is seldom equaled. It is all the more remarkable, from the fact that his situation is not such as to call into exercise the great energies of a great mind. The chief traits about him are his moral courage, his extraordinary faith, his profound religious convictions, all of which are evinced in his separation from his people, and beginning a wandering life among strangers; his generosity and magnanimity, as evinced in his conduct towards Lot and on other occasions; and his dignity of demeanor, and power to command respect, which we see in his intercourse with all the princes and great men with whom he came into communication. They instinctively honored him. He appears also to have been a man of large intelligence and extraordinary wisdom. That he was not free from moral infirmities is evident; and the scriptural account sets them plainly before us, as the Bible is wont to do.

1. Age of Abraham at the birth of Isaac? xxi. 5. What great feast is mentioned, and what happened at the time? xxi. 8 — 21. The subsequent history of Ishmael and his race. xxv. 12.

2. The offering up of Isaac, xxii. 2 — 14. What virtue did Abraham manifest here in a remarkable manner? Renewal of the Divine covenant, xxii. 15 — 19. How many times is this covenant repeated in the history?

3. Death and burial of Sarah, xxiii. First record in history of the use of money. 8 — 16.

4. Selection of a wife for Isaac, xxiv. Reasons for seeking one at such a distance, xxiv. 3. The account of the journey of Abraham's servant, and what occurred at the end of it. xxiv. 10 — 35. Departure of Rebecca, and I'he meeting with Isaac, xxiv. 58 — 67.

5. Birth of Esau and Jacob. Difference in their character and style of life. xxv. 27.

6. How Jacob, who was the younger, came to have the pre-eminence which belonged to Esau. xxv. 29 — 34.

7. Isaac's sojourn in Gerar, and his false statement about his wife. His prosperity, and his trouble with his neighbors, xxvi.

8. Esau's marriage, and its effect on his parents. Why was this? xxvi. 34, 35.

9. Jacob's fraud upon his father and against his brother; his mother's influence, xxvii. 1 — 24. He is constituted the head of the family, and receives the paternal and prophetic blessing, xxvii. 26 — 29. Esau's discovery of the fraud, xxvii. 30 — 36. Had Esau, who had bartered away his right, any real occasion to complain? Was Jacob's deception and general conduct, therefore, justifiable?

10. The purpose to send Jacob to his mother's relatives, xxvii. 42 — 46. Twofold reason for this, xxviii. 1 — 9.

VI

From Jacob's Journey to Padan-aram to the Selling of Joseph by his Brothers

1. Jacob's journey and vision at Bethel, xxviii. 10 — 17. The effect of this vision on Jacob. The beginning of his religious life.

2. His arrival at Padan-aram, and what befell him there, xxix. 1 — 12. His sojourn with his uncle, Laban, the wages he was to have, and the fraud practiced on him. xxix. 15 — 26.

3. The change of Jacob's wages and his prosperity by reason of it. XXX. 27—43.

4. Jacob's departure from Padan-aram. Laban's pursuit of him, and the result, xxxi.

5. Continuation of the journey. News of the approach of Esau, and its effect upon Jacob. His prayer and precaution against hostilities. The wrestling with the mysterious stranger, and the Divine blessing. The change of name and its signification, xxxii.

6. The meeting with Esau, and its amicable result, xxxiii. 1 — 16. Jacob's further journey, and temporary settlement. 17 — 20.

7. Jacob at Bethel, and the religious reformation of his household. XXXV. 1 — 7. The renewal of the Divine covenant. 9 — 15. Birth of Benjamin, and death of Eachel. 16 — 20. Names of Jacob's sons. 23 — 26. Through which of these did Christ come?

8. Keturn of Jacob to his father. Death and burial of Isaac, xxxv. 27—29.

9. Esau's descendants, and their formation into a nation, xxxvi.

10. Jacob's partiality to Joseph, and its effect on his other sons. Joseph's dreams, and what they indicated, xxxvii. 3 — 11.

11. The plot of Joseph's brothers, and their final disposal of him. 18 — 28. The report made to Jacob, and his great grief. 31 — 35. Joseph in Egypt. 36.

12. How old was Joseph at this time?

PATRIAKCHAL AND HEBREW HISTORY. 7

VII. From Joseph's Arrival in Egypt to Ms Death

1. Joseph becomes tlie slave of Potiphar, the Egyptian officer. Finds favor in his sight, and is promoted to be steward of his house, xxxix. 1 — 6.

2. Through the wickedness of Potiphar's wife, he is cast into prison. xxxix. 7 — 23. His experience there, and the remarkable incident which befell him. xl. 1—23.

3. Pharaoh's dreams, and failure of his wise men to interpret them, xli. 1 — 8. Joseph sent for. His interpretation, consequent exaltation, and the success that came to him. 9 — 44. His marriage, and the birth of his children. 45—52.

4. The famine. It extends to Canaan, and affects Jacob's family, xlii. 1, 2. The sons of Jacob going down to Egypt for corn, and their meeting with Joseph. His conduct towards them, and their return. 3 — 38.

5. Their second journey to Egypt, and reception by Joseph. His device to try them, and their consequent distress, xliii., xliv. His final revelation of himself, and his sending for his father's family, xlv.

6. Jacob's journey to Egypt, and his meeting with Joseph, xlvi. 1— ^29. The settlement of the family in Goshen. 30 — 34. Introduction of Joseph's father and brothers to Pharaoh, xlvii. 1 — 10.

7. Continuance and effect of the famine, xlvii. 13 — 26. Jacob's old age, and charge to Joseph. 28 — 31.

8. His final conversation with Joseph, and his blessing of Joseph's children, xlviii.

9. Jacob's prophetic benediction upon his sons, and his death, xlix. 1—33.

10. The burial of Jacob in the land of Canaan, 1. 1 — 13. The apprehensions of Joseph's brothers lest he should avenge himself on them for their former ill-treatment of him. His magnanimous conduct towards them. 1. 15—21.

11. Joseph's last days and death. 1. 22 — 26.

VIII

From the Death of Joseph to the Institution of the Passover.

This period embraces nearly two-thirds of the life of Moses, one of the half-dozen most remarkable men that have ever lived. He was born of a Hebrew family while his people were slaves, and under an edict of the Egyptian king, which required every male child of his people to be put to

O BIBLE STUDY.

death. By a device of his mother, he was set afloat on the river in a little chest. Being discovered by the daughter of the king, he was adopted as her son, brought up as a royal prince, and instructed in all the learning of those times. His education, combined with extraordinary natural capabilities, made him a person of great power, skill, and executive ability. How he used these in the emancipation of his people, and their organization into a nation with a system of religion which has endured unto this day, and which would have been marvelous had it been only human, is shown in the sacred narrative. But more than this is given, evincing the revelation of God to this, his chosen servant. It is from this time that we begin to get some scattered glimpses of ancient history. It was about this age that Athens is supposed to have been founded, and Troy built; also Corinth, and perhaps Thebes in Bceotia.

Exodus i.— X.

1. Original number of Jacob's family in Egypt. Their rapid increase, and the apprehensions of the Egyptians. Exod. i. 1 — 10.

2. The enslavement of the Israelites. Attempt of the Egyptians to prevent their increase, by slaying the male children. 11 — 22.

3. Birth of Moses. His mother's device to prevent his being slain. His adoption by Pharaoh's daughter, and his education as a prince of Egypt. ii. 1—10.

4. He becomes acquainted with his people, sympathizes with them, and takes their part. 11 — 14.

5. His flight to Midian, and residence there. 15 — 22.

6. Miracle of the burning bush, and God's revelation to Moses. Moses' call to be the deliverer of his people, iii. 1—22.

7. Moses' hesitancy, and God's encouragement of him. Aaron, his brother, appointed to help him. iv. 1 — 17.

8. Moses' departure from Midian. His meeting with Aaron, and their announcement to the Israelites. 18 — 31.

9. Message to Pharaoh and his defiant tone. v. 2 — 4. The consequent persecution of the people, and the increase of their burdens. Their discontent. 5—23.

10. God confirms his promise of deliverance, and sends Moses again to Pharaoh, vi.

11. Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh, and their miracle in his presence, vii. 1 — 14. T7ie first plague : the water turned to hlood. 15 — 28.

12. Second plague. Its effect upon Pharaoh. Its removal, and the hardening of his heart, viii 1 — 15.

13. Third and fourth plagues. Pharaoh's promise to let them go, and the violation of it. 16 — 32.

14. Mfth plague, ix. 1 — 7. Sixth plague. 8 — 12.

15. Solemn warning to Pharaoh. Seventh plague. Pharaoh's alarm. His promise, and its violation. 13 — 35.

16. Eighth plague. Its effect upon the king. x. 1 — 20.

17. Ninth plague. The wrath of Pharaoh. 21— 29.

IX. From the Institution of the Passover to the Giving of the

Law.

1. The Lord's direction to Moses concerning the coming of the great and final plagne. xi. 1 — 10.

2. Institution of the Passover. Meaning of the word, and its memorial character. A type of what? Description of the manner of its celebration, xii. 1 — 20. Moses' direction to the people. 21 — 27.

3. Destruction of the first-born in Egypt, and the consequent distress and terror of the inhabitants. Hurried departure of the Israelites, and their spoiling of their oppressors. 28—36.

4. Their first journey. The number of the people, the manner of their going out, and the importance of the event. 37 — 51.

5. Further instruction concerning the celebration of the event in the future. Continuation of the journey, and how they were guided, xiii.

6. Pharaoh recovers from his fright, and attempts to recapture the Israelites, xiv. 1 — 10. The alarm of the latter, and their reassurance by Moses. 11 — 14.

7. The miraculous passage through the Red Sea. The destruction of Pharaoh and his army, and deliverance of the people. 15 — 31.

8. The song of victory, xv,

9. Continued journeys of the liberated Israelites. Their apprehension of famine, and their murmurings. The miraculous supply of quails and manna. Directions concerning the gathering of the manna. Disobedience and its consequences, xvi. 1 — 36.

10. Lack of water, and its miraculous supply, xvii. 1 — 7.

11. First battle with a hostile nation. 8 — 16.

12. Visit of Moses' father-in-law, and his counsel as to the method of governing the people, xviii,

13. Moses on Mt. Sinai, and God's charge to him and the people. The awe inspired by the demonstrations about the mountain, and the evidence of the Divine Presence, xix.

X. Prom the Griving of the Law to the Worship of the Golden

Calf.

Part First

1. The Ten Commandments, xx. 2—17. (To be committed verbatim.)

2. The two divisions of the decalogue, (a) The first table containing duties growing out of our relations to God: fou?' commandments. 2 — 11.

BIBLE STUDY.

(b) The second, containing laws growing out of our relations to our fellow-men: s?aj commandments. 13 — 17.

3. How are these all summed up in the New Testament? Matt, xxii., 37—39.

4. Effect upon the people of these utterances of the voice of God. xx. 18—21.

5. Sundry civil and moral ordinances given to Moses for the Government of the Israelites, xxi.— xxiii. (a) What four offenses are mentioned, of which the punishment was death? xxi. 12—15. (b) What penalty for destroying an eye, a tooth, etc. ? 24, 25. (c) What restitution for stealing an ox or a sheep? xxii. 1. (d) What for other trespass or destruction of property? 5 — 9. (e) What three great annual feasts were the Israelites commanded to keep? xxiii. 14 — 17.

Part Second

1. Account of Moses going up into the mount to meet God? xxxiv.

2. Offerings for the tabernacle and sanctuary, xxv. 3 — 7.

3. What three principal articles of furniture for the tabernacle are described in chapter xxv? 10, 23, and 31.

4. The tabernacle and its enclosure, (a) The dimensions ( English measure) of the enclosure or "court of the tabernacle." xxvii. 9 — 18. (6) Dimensions of the tabernacle, xxvi. 15—22. (c) How was the tabernacle divided? xxvi. 33. (d) What was in each of the divisions? xxvi. 33—35.

5. Whence, probably, came all the rich materials for the building and decorating of the tabernacle, and for its furniture? xii. 35, 36.

6. The great apostasy, (a) The worship of the golden calf, xxxii. 1 — 6. {b) Anger of the Lord. 7 — 10, (c) Moses' prayer, (d) Moses' discovery of the idol, and its effect on him. 15 — 24. (e) The consequence to the people. 25—35.

XI

From the Setting Up of the Tabernacle to the Appointment of Men to go and Explore the Promised Land.

Exod. xl. ; Num. i.— xii. A. M. 2514, B. C. 1490. 1. The setting up of the tabernacle. Describe the divisions and the contents. Exod. xl.

N.

2. The numbering of the tribes. Num. i. 19 — 46. Were all the tribes numbered, and why? Num. i. 47 — 50 and iii. 11 — 13. Did the numbers given embrace all the people of the other tribes? i. 45.

3. How nearly did the numbers of the first-born males of all the tribes correspond with the number of the tribe of Levi? iii. 39 and 43.

4. Arrangement of the host into camps, and the location of the general camps in relation to the tabernacle, ii. 1 — 31. "Where did the Levites take position? iii. 23, 29, 35, 38.

5. The offense of Nadab and Abihu. Probable cause of their sacrilegious conduct. Lev. x. 8 — 11.

6. The offerings of the princes of the tribes for the service of the tabernacle. What were the offerings of each? Num. vii.

7. How long after leaving Egypt before the Israelites left the vicinity of Mount Sinai? Num. x. 11. What was the occasion of their long delay, and what had occupied the time ? (Last part of Book of Exodus, Leviticus, and the first part of Numbers.)

8. What was the signal for the departure of the children of Israel from any locality, and what the signal of their encamping? ix. 17. When was their signal of departure given in the wilderness of Sinai? x. 11. How long was their journey at this time? x. 33. Moses' invocation at setting out, and the halting, x. 35, 36.

9. Whither did they take their journey? Deut. i. 6, 7. What was the general direction? The character of the country? Deut. i. 19.

10. A spirit of mutiny among the people, and the cause of it. Num. xi. 4 — 6. How was the complaint met? 31, 32. Punishment of the people. 33. Allusion to this in Ps. Ixxviii. 27 — 31.

11. What new feature in the government of the people was introduced? 16, 17 and 25.

12. Jealousy of Miriam and Aaron against Moses. The cause of it, and God's vindication of his servant, xii. The great characteristic of Moses. xii. 3.

XII

From the Sending of the Spies to Explore the Land to the Invasion of Moab.

1. Appointment of men to explore the country. Num. xiii. 1 — 20. Their journey. 21—25. Their report. 26—33.

2. The effect of this report upon the people, xiv. 1 — 4. Remonstrance of Moses and Aaron, Joshua and Caleb. 5 — 9. The Lord's indignation and judgment against the people, and especially against those who brought back the evil report. 11 — 38.

12 BIBLE STUDT.

3. The too late repentance and rash undertaking. 39 — 45. Beginning of the forty years' wandering in the wilderness.

4. Three incidents of history during this period, {a) Punishment of a man for violating the Sabbath, xv. 32 — 36. (b) Mutiny of Korali, Dathan and Abiram, and their summary punishment, with the further fatal consequences, xvi. ] — 35 and 41 — 50. {c) The miracle of the rods. xvii.

5. Death of Miriam, xx. 1. Who was she, and what have we previously heard about her?

6. Complaint of the people of lack of water. The miracle of the fountain in the rock. The fault of Moses and his condemnation. 2 — 13.

7. Close of the forty years' wandering, and the preparation for the invasion of Canaan. King of Edom refuses permission to march by the direct route through his territory. 14 — 21.

8. Death of Aaron, and the mourning for him. 23 — 29.

9. The Israelites' journey around the land of Edom. xxi. 4. Murmurings of the people, and their destruction by serpents. The Brazen Serpent. 5 — 9.

10 Continued journeyings toward the east of the Jordan. 10—20. First great battle, and beginnings of conquest and occupation. 21 — 25. Second great success, and acquisition of territory. 33 — 35.

XIII. From the Conquest of Heshbon and Bashan to the Death

of Moses.

1. Alarm of Balak, king of Moab, and his device to thwart the Israelites. Num. xxii. 2 — 6.

2. Character of Balaam. A worshiper of the true God— a prophet — but corrupt and mercenary. •

3. The negotiations with Balaam. 7 — 21. How are we to reconcile God's permission to Balaam to go with the messengers, and his subsequent rebuke and condemnation.

4. Account of Balaam's journey. 22 — 41. Balaam's prophetic utterances and the Divine overruling of his speech, and Balak's disappointment, xxiii. , xxiv.

5. The Israelites lured into idolatry by their intercourse with the Moabites. xxv. 2, 3. The judgment of the Lord against them. 5—9.