(Ian 5/2) First off, I think the entire covenant from Abraham on should be
taken
into account. The original covenent had no strings attached to it. Abraham
never
saw the promised land as Yhwh promised. Neither did Isaac, even though some
strings were attached. Nor did Jacob although still more strings were attached.
In fact, at least 450 years went by from the time Abraham mutilated his
penis and
that of Ishmael until the Exodus.
(DAVE 5/2) Ian: Agreed.
(Ian 5/2) We are expected to believe that this Hebrew Horde is still following
the great God Yhwh after all this time. So let's say we accept this.
(DAVe 5/2) Ian: I think we should accept it at this point - there are many
examples of peoples following a certain religion or ideology for periods
longer than this. I guess Christianity would be one example, and it has
gone on for a lot longer than 450 years, waiting for the "event".
Ian
I will grant
the Christians this much, the last 38 years of roaming around the desert was
because they were a bunch of low life cowards and the great God Yhwh would not
let them go to the Promised Land.
(Ian 5/2) What about the first two years? Why did they build the tabernacle out
in the middle of the desert when in less than the span of time it took them to
build the tabernacle, they could have crossed the desert?
(DAVE 5/2) Ian: Good question, but I don't think it is relevant in light
of the discrepancy on the death locations for Aaron. certainly the
Israelites didn't want to be in the desert for that time period, as
demonstrated by their complaining. This would imply to me that they either
(a) didn't know where they were headed or (b) for some reason couldn't get
there. I can only guess what reasons those would be, and have little
evidence to support it, although we are told in a couple of places of them
having to "avoid" enemies. I also wonder too (and this is the manager in me
talking) if there was a certain degree of mismanagement of the group for the
first couple of years - as God was teaching Moses, it took Moses some time
before he understood the directives and objectives well enough to convey
them to the people. Without clear understanding of their objectives, the
people would obviously be disgruntled.
I don't know the answer to your question, but this is a start anyway.
Ian
You mighty Christians
out there may say, "Who are we to question Yhwh's will?"
(DAVE 5/2) Ian: Well, I am certainly not "mighty" and I always question
Yahweh's "will", so I'm not sure if you are implying me or not here.
Ian
Well, all I have to say
is, "What the hell is wrong with your brain power?"
(DAVE 5/2) Ian: Nothing. I think it is a major way for us to understand
things.
Ian
P.S. It wouldn't hurt some of you Christians to help David out on this
seeing how
he's busy at this time of the year. Besides, it would be nice to get some other
views.
(DAVE 5/2) Ian: Agreed. Thank you. I have the good fortune of a rainy
day today - I have a couple of hours to myself here so I can respond to some
of the posts. But it would be terrific to get some other Christians on here.
Regards.
Dave.
"If Joseph Smith composed this book, the act was clearly a miracle. Keeping
awake while he did it was, at any rate."
- Mark Twain on the Book of Mormon