THE AWFUL DESERT

Just as Israel had displayed sullenness and lack of faith upon
approaching the sea, so did they upon leaving it. Hardly had they
seen that the Egyptians met death in the waters of the sea, when
they spoke to Moses, and said: "God had led us from Egypt only to
grant us five tokens: To give us the wealth of Egypt, to let us walk
in clouds of glory, to cleave the sea for us, to take vengeance on
the Egyptians, and to let us sing Him a song of praise. Now that all
this has taken place, let us return to Egypt." Moses answered: "The
Eternal said, 'The Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, yes shall
see them again no more forever.'" But the people were not yet
content, and said, "Now the Egyptians are all dead, and therefore
we can return to Egypt." Then Moses said, "You must now redeem
your pledge, for God said, 'When thou hast brought forth the
people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.'" Still
the people remained headstrong, and without giving heed to
Moses, they set out on the road to Egypt, under the guidance of an
idol that they had brought with them out of Egypt, and had even
retained during their passage through the sea. Only through sheer
force was Moses able to restrain them from their sinful
transgression. [72] This was the second of the ten temptations with
which Israel tempted God during their wanderings through the
desert. [73]

There was one other difficulty with the people that Moses had to
overcome: The sea cast up many jewels, pearls and other treasures
that had belonged to the Egyptians, drowned in its waves, and
Israel found it hard to tear themselves away from the spot that