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hearken to those who had aftrighted them； by telling them what
was not true concerning the Canaanites； but to those that
encouraged them to hope for good success； and that they should
gain possession of the happiness promised them； because neither
the。 height of mountains； nor the depth of rivers； could hinder
men of true courage from attempting them； especially while God
would take care of them beforehand； and be assistant to them。
〃Let us then go；〃 said they； 〃against our enemies； and have no
suspicion of ill success； trusting in God to conduct us； and
following those that are to be our leaders。〃 Thus did these two
exhort them； and endeavor to pacify the rage they were in。 But
Moses and Aaron fell on the ground； and besought God； not for
their own deliverance； but that he would put a stop to what the
people were unwarily doing； and would bring their minds to a
quiet temper； which were now disordered by their present passion。
The cloud also did now appear； and stood over the tabernacle； and
declared to them the presence of God to be there。
CHAPTER 15。
How Moses Was Displeased At This； And Foretold That God Was Angry
And That They Should Continue In The Wilderness For Forty Years
And Not； During That Time； Either Return Into Egypt Or Take
Possession Of Canaan。
1。 Moses came now boldly to the multitude； and informed them that
God was moved at their abuse of him； and would inflict punishment
upon them； not indeed such as they deserved for their sins； but
such as parents inflict on their children； in order to their
correction。 For； he said； that when he was in the tabernacle； and
was bewailing with ears that destruction which was coming upon
them God put him in mind what things he had done for them； and
what benefits they had received from him； and yet how ungrateful
they had been to him that just now they had been induced； through
the timorousness of the spies； to think that their words were
truer than his own promise to them； and that on this account；
though he would not indeed destroy them all； nor utterly
exterminate their nation； which he had honored more than any
other part of mankind； yet he would not permit them to take
possession of the land of Canaan； nor enjoy its happiness； but
would make them wander in the wilderness； and live without a
fixed habitation； and without a city； for forty years together；
as a punishment for this their transgression； but that he had
promised to give that land to our children； and that he would
make them the possessors of those good things which； by your
ungoverned passions； you have deprived yourselves of。
2。 When Moses had discoursed thus to them according to the
direction of God； the multitude； grieved； and were in affliction；
and entreated Most to procure their reconciliation to God； and to
permit them no longer to wander in the wilderness； but bestow
cities upon them。 But he replied； that God would not admit of any
such trial； for that God was not moved to this determination from
any human levity or anger； but that he had judicially condemned
them to that punishment。 Now we are not to disbelieve that Moses；
who was but a single person； pacified so many ten thousands when
they werre in anger； and converted them to a mildness temper； for
God was with him； and prepared way to his persuasions of the
multitude； and as they had often been disobedient； they were now
sensible that such disobedience was disadvantageous to them and
that they had still thereby fallen into calamities。
3。 But this man was admirable for his virtue； and powerful in
making men give credit to what he delivered； not only during the
time of his natural life； but even there is still no one of the
Hebrews who does not act even now as if Moses were present； and
ready to punish him if he should do any thing that is indecent；
nay； there is no one but is obedient to what laws he ordained；
although they might be concealed in their transgressions。 There
are also many other demonstrations that his power was more than
human； for still some there have been； who have come from the
parts beyond Euphrates； a journey of four months； through many
dangers； and at great expenses； in honor of our temple； and yet；
when they had offered their oblations； could not partake of their
own sacrifices； because Moses had forbidden it； by somewhat in
the law that did not permit them； or somewhat that had befallen
them； which our ancient customs made inconsistent therewith； some
of these did not sacrifice at all； and others left their
sacrifices in an imperfect condition； many were not able； even at
first； so much as to enter the temple； but went their ways in
this as preferring a submission to the laws of Moses before the
fulfilling of their own inclinations； they had no fear upon them
that anybody could convict them； but only out of a reverence to
their own conscience。 Thus this legislation； which appeared to be
divine； made this man to be esteemed as one superior to his own
nature。 Nay； further； a little before the beginning of this war；
when Claudius was emperor of the Romans； and Ismael was our high
priest； and when so great a famine （27） was come upon us； that
one tenth deal ＇of wheat＇ was sold for four drachmae； and when no
less than seventy cori of flour were brought into the temple； at
the feast of unleavened bread； （these cori are thirty…one
Sicilian； but forty…one Athenian medimni；） not one of the priests
was so hardy as to eat one crumb of it； even while so great a
distress was upon the land； and this out of a dread of the law；
and of that wrath which God retains against acts of wickedness；
even when no one can accuse the actors。 Whence we are not to
wonder at what was then done； while to this very day the writings
left by Moses have so great a force； that even those that hate us
do confess； that he who established this settlement was God； and
that it was by the means of Moses； and of his virtue； but as to
these matters； let every one take them as he thinks fit。
BOOK IV。
Containing The Interval Of Thirty…Eight Years。
From The Rejection Of That Generation To The Death Of Moses。
CHAPTER 1。
Fight Of The Hebrews With The Canaanites Without The Consent Of
Moses； And Their Defeat。
1。 Now this life of the Hebrews in the wilderness was so
disagreeable and troublesome to them； and they were so uneasy at
it； that although God had forbidden them to meddle with the
Canaanites； yet could they not be persuaded to be obedient to the
words of Moses； and to be quiet； but supposing they should be
able to beat their enemies； without his approbation； they accused
him； and suspected that he made it his business to keep in a
distressed condition； that they might always stand in need of his
assistance。 Accordingly they resolved to fight with the
Canaanites； and said that God gave them his assistance； not out
of regard to Moses's intercessions； but because he took care of
their entire nation； on account of their forefathers； whose
affairs he took under his own conduct； as also； that it was on
account of their own virtue that he had formerly procured them
their liberty； and would be assisting to them； now they were
willing to take