land of Egypt, entered Palestine from the east.
Throughout all its history the east-Jordan land has
witnessed the constant transition of Arab tribes from
the nomadic life of the desert to the more settled
civilization, of agricultural Palestine. Here
on the eastern heights that overlook the Jordan valley
and the land of Canaan the traveller still finds the
Arab tents and flocks of the nomads beside the plowed
fields of the village-dwellers. On the rolling
plains of northern Moab and southern Gilead there are
few commanding heights or natural fortresses.
The important towns, like Dibon and Heshbon, lay
on slightly rising hills. The character of the
ruins to-day does not indicate that they were ever
surrounded by formidable walls. Whether the Hebrews
conquered them by open attack or by strategy, as in
the case of the town of Ai, is not stated. It
is certain, however, that here they first gained a
permanent foothold in agricultural Palestine.
From the conquered they here learned their initial
lessons in the arts of agriculture and became acquainted
with that more advanced Canaanite civilization which
they later absorbed. Coming fresh from the desert,
where only the fittest survived, their numbers rapidly
increased in this quieter and more favorable environment.
Soon to the constant pressure of the desert population
on the east was added that of over-population, so
that necessity, as well as ambition, impelled them
to cross the Jordan to seek homes among the hills
to the west.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MOSES’ WORK.
The study of the beginnings of Israel’s history
in the light of its physical, social and economic
environment reveals clearly the many powerful forces
then at work. At the same time these do not
alone explain Israel’s later history and the
uniqueness of its character and faith. These
later facts plainly point back to a strong, commanding
personality, who shaped the ideals and institutions
of this early people and left upon them the imperishable
imprint of his own unique individuality. Although
the traditions regarding him have been transmitted
for centuries from mouth to mouth, they portray the
character and work of Moses with remarkable clarity
and impressiveness. Moses was primarily a patriot.
He was also a prophet-statesman, able to grasp and
interpret the significance of the great crises in
the life of his people and to suggest practical solutions.
Moreover, he was able to inspire confidence, and to
lead as well as direct. In the harsh environment
of the wilderness he was able to adjust himself to
most difficult conditions. In leading the Hebrew
serfs from the land of Egypt, he became indeed the
creator of the future Hebrew nation. In the wilderness
be trained that child nation. As judge and counsellor,
he taught concretely the broad principles which became
the foundation of later Hebrew law.