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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>N U M B E R S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XIV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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This chapter gives us an account of that fatal quarrel between God and
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Israel upon which, for their murmuring and unbelief, he swore in his
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wrath that they should not enter into his rest. Here is,
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I. The mutiny and rebellion of Israel against God, upon the report of
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the evil spies,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
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II. The fruitless endeavour of Moses and Aaron, Caleb and Joshua, to
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still the tumult,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:5-10">ver. 5-10</A>.
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III. Their utter ruin justly threatened by an offended God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:11,12">ver. 11, 12</A>.
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IV. The humble intercession of Moses for them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:13-19">ver. 13-19</A>.
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V. A mitigation of the sentence in answer to the prayer of Moses; they
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shall not all be cut off, but the decree goes forth ratified with an
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oath, published to the people, again and again repeated, that this
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whole congregation should perish in the wilderness, and none of them
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enter Canaan but Caleb and Joshua only,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:20-35">ver. 20-35</A>.
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VI. The present death of the evil spies,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:36-39">ver. 36-39</A>.
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VII. The rebuke given to those who attempted to go forward
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notwithstanding,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:40-45">ver. 40-45</A>.
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And this is written for our admonition, that we "fall not after the
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same example of unbelief."</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Nu14_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu14_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu14_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu14_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Murmuring of the Israelites.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried;
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and the people wept that night.
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2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and
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against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would
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God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had
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died in this wilderness!
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3 And wherefore hath the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> brought us unto this land, to
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fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a
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prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
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4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let
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us return into Egypt.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here we see what mischief the evil spies made by their unfair
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representation. We may suppose that these twelve that were impanelled
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to enquire concerning Canaan had talked it over among themselves before
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they brought in their report in public; and Caleb and Joshua, it is
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likely, had done their utmost to bring the rest over to be of their
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mind, and if they would but have agreed that Caleb, according to his
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pose, should have spoken for them all, as their foreman, all had been
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well; but the evil spies, it should seem, wilfully designed to raise
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this mutiny, purely in opposition to Moses and Aaron, though they could
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not propose any advantage to themselves by it, unless they hoped to be
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captains and commanders of the retreat into Egypt they were now
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meditating. But what came of it? Here in these verses we find those
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whom they studied to humour put into a vexation, and, before the end of
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the chapter, brought to ruin. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. How the people fretted themselves: <I>They lifted up their voices
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and cried</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>);
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giving credit to the report of the spies rather than to the word of
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God, and imagining their condition desperate, they laid the reins on
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the neck of their passions, and could keep no manner of temper. Like
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foolish froward children, they fall a crying, yet know not what they
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cry for. It would have been time enough to cry out when the enemy had
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beaten up their quarters, and they had seen the sons of Anak at the
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gate of their camp; but those that cried when nothing hurt them
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deserved to have something given them to cry for. And, as if all had
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been already gone, they sat down and <I>wept that night.</I> Note,
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Unbelief, or distrust of God, is a sin that is its own punishment.
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Those that do not trust God are continually vexing themselves. The
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world's mourners are more than God's, and the <I>sorrow of the world
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worketh death.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. How they flew in the face of their governors--<I>murmured against
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Moses and Aaron,</I> and in them reproached the Lord,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:2,3"><I>v.</I> 2, 3</A>.
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The congregation of elders began the discontent
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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but the contagion soon spread through the whole camp, for <I>the
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children of Israel murmured.</I> Jealousies and discontents spread like
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wildfire among the unthinking multitude, who are easily taught to
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<I>despise dominions, and to speak evil of dignities.</I>
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1. They look back with a causeless discontent. They wish that they had
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died in Egypt with the first-born that were slain there, or in the
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wilderness with those that lately died of the plague for lusting. See
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the prodigious madness of unbridled passions, which make men prodigal
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even of that which nature accounts most dear, life itself. Never were
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so many months spent so pleasantly as these which they had spent since
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they came out of Egypt, loaded with honours, compassed with favours,
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and continually entertained with something or other that was
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surprising; and yet, as if all these things had not made it worth their
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while to live, they wished they had died in Egypt. And such a light
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opinion they had of God's tremendous judgments executed on their
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neighbours for their sin that they wished they had shared with them in
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their plagues, rather than run the hazard of making a descent upon
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Canaan. They wish rather to die criminals under God's justice than live
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conquerors in his favour. Some read it, <I>O that we had died in Egypt,
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or in the wilderness! O that we might die!</I> They wish to die, for
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fear of dying; and have not sense enough to reason as the poor lepers,
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when rather than die upon the spot they ventured into an enemy's camp,
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<I>If they kill us, we shall but die,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+7:4">2 Kings vii. 4</A>.
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How base were the spirits of these degenerate Israelites, who, rather
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than die (if it come to the worst) like soldiers on the bed of honour,
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with their swords in their hands, desire to die like rotten sheep in
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the wilderness.
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2. They look forward with a groundless despair, taking it for granted
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>)
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that if they went on they must fall by the sword, and pretend to lay
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the cause of their fear upon the great care they had for their wives
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and children, who, they conclude, will be a prey to the Canaanites. And
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here is a most wicked blasphemous reflection upon God himself, as if he
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had brought them hither on purpose that they might fall by the sword,
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and that their wives and children, those poor innocents, should be a
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prey. Thus do they, in effect, charge that God who is love itself with
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the worst of malice, and eternal Truth with the basest hypocrisy,
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suggesting that all the kind things he had said to them, and done for
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them, hitherto, were intended only to decoy them into a snare, and to
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cover a secret design carried on all along to ruin them. Daring
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impudence! But what will not that tongue speak against heaven that is
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set on fire of hell? The devil keeps up his interest in the hearts of
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men by insinuating to them ill thoughts of God, as if he desired the
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death of sinners, and delighted in the hardships and sufferings of his
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own servants, whereas he knows his thoughts to us-ward (whether we know
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them so or no) to be <I>thoughts of good, and not of evil,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:11">Jer. xxix. 11</A>.</P>
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<P>
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III. How they came at last to this desperate resolve, that, instead of
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going forward to Canaan, they would go back again to Egypt. The motion
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is first made by way of query only
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
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<I>Were it not better for us to return into Egypt?</I> But the ferment
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being high, and the spirits of the people being disposed to entertain
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any thing that was perverse, it soon ripened to a resolution, without a
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debate
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>Let us make a captain and return to Egypt;</I> and it is lamented
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long after
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+9:17">Neh. ix. 17</A>)
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that <I>in their rebellion they appointed a captain to return to their
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bondage;</I> for they knew Moses would not be their captain in this
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retreat. Now,
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1. It was the greatest folly in the world to wish themselves in Egypt,
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or to think that if they were there it would be better with them than
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it was. If they durst not go forward to Canaan, yet better be as they
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were than go back to Egypt. What did they want? What had they to
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complain of? They had plenty, and peace, and rest, were under a good
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government, had good company, had the tokens of God's presence with
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them, and enough to make them easy even in the wilderness, if they had
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but hearts to be content. But whither were they thus eager to go to
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better themselves? To Egypt! Had they so soon forgotten the sore
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bondage they were in there? Would they be again under the tyranny of
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their taskmasters, and at the drudgery of making brick? And, after all
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the plagues which Egypt had suffered for their sakes, could they expect
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any better treatment there than they had formerly, and not rather much
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worse? In how little time (not a year and a half) have they forgotten
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all the sighs of their bondage, and all the songs of their deliverance!
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Like brute-beasts, they mind only what is present, and their memories,
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with the other powers of reason, are sacrificed to their passions. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+106:7">Ps. cvi. 7</A>.
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We find it threatened
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+28:68">Deut. xxviii. 68</A>),
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as the completing of their misery, that they should be brought into
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Egypt again, and yet this is what they here wish for. Sinners are
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enemies to themselves; and those that walk not in God's counsels
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consult their own mischief and ruin.
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2. It was a most senseless ridiculous thing to talk of returning
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thither through the wilderness. Could they expect that God's cloud
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would lead them or his manna attend them? And, if they did not, the
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thousands of Israel must unavoidably be lost and perish in the
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wilderness. Suppose the difficulties of conquering Canaan were as great
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as they imagined, those of returning to Egypt were much greater. In
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this let us see,
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(1.) The folly of discontent and impatience under the crosses of our
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outward condition. We are uneasy at that which is, complain of our
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place and lot, and we would shift; but is there any place or condition
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in this world that has not something in it to make us uneasy if we are
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disposed to be so? The way to better our condition is to get our
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spirits into a better frame; and instead of asking, "Were it not better
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to go to Egypt?" ask, "Were it not better to be content, and make the
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best of that which is?"
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(2.) The folly of apostasy from the ways of God. Heaven is the Canaan
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set before us, a land flowing with milk and honey; those that bring up
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ever so ill a report of it cannot but say that it is indeed a good
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land, only it is hard to get to it. Strict and serious godliness is
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looked upon as an impracticable thing, and this deters many who began
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well from going on; rather than undergo the imaginary hardships of a
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religious life, they run themselves upon the certain fatal consequences
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of a sinful course; and so they transcribe the folly of Israel, who,
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when they were within a step of Canaan, would make a captain, and
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return to Egypt.</P>
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<A NAME="Nu14_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu14_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu14_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu14_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu14_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu14_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Expostulation of Joshua and Caleb.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the
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assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.
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6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh,
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<I>which were</I> of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
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7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of
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Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it,
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<I>is</I> an exceeding good land.
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8 If the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> delight in us, then he will bring us into this
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land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
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9 Only rebel not ye against the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, neither fear ye the
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people of the land; for they <I>are</I> bread for us: their defence is
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departed from them, and the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>is</I> with us: fear them not.
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10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And
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the glory of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> appeared in the tabernacle of the
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congregation before all the children of Israel.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The friends of Israel here interpose to save them if possible from
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ruining themselves, but in vain. The physicians of their state would
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have healed them, but they would not be healed; their watchmen gave
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them warning, but they would not take warning, and so their blood is
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upon their own heads.</P>
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<P>
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I. The best endeavours were used to still the tumult, and, if now at
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last they would have understood the things that belonged to their
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peace, all the following mischief would have been prevented.</P>
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<P>
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1. Moses and Aaron did their part,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Though it was against them that they murmured
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
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yet they bravely overlooked the affront and injury done them, and
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approved themselves faithful friends to those who were outrageous
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enemies to them. The clamour and noise of the people were so great that
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Moses and Aaron could not be heard; should they order any of their
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servants to proclaim silence, the angry multitude would perhaps be the
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more clamorous; and therefore, to gain audience in the sight of all the
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assembly, they fell on their faces, thus expressing,
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(1.) Their humble prayers to God to still the noise of this sea, the
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noise of its waves, even the tumult of the people.
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(2.) The great trouble and concern of their own spirits. They fell down
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as men astonished and even thunder-struck, amazed to see a people throw
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away their own mercies: to see those so ill-humoured who were so well
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taught. And,
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(3.) Their great earnestness with the people to cease their murmurings;
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|
they hoped to work upon them by this humble posture, and to prevail
|
|
with them not to persist in their rebellion; Moses and Aaron beseech
|
|
them, as though by them God himself did beseech them, to be reconciled
|
|
unto God. What they said to the people Moses relates in the repetition
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|
of this story.
|
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+1:29,30">Deut. i. 29, 30</A>,
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|
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|
<I>Be not afraid; the Lord your God shall fight for you.</I> Note,
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|
Those that are zealous friends to precious souls will stoop to any
|
|
thing for their salvation. Moses and Aaron, notwithstanding the posts
|
|
of honour they are in, prostrate themselves to the people to beg of
|
|
them not to ruin themselves.</P>
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<P>
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|
2. Caleb and Joshua did their part: they rent their clothes in a holy
|
|
indignation at the sin of the people, and a holy dread of the wrath of
|
|
God, which they saw ready to break out against them. it was the greater
|
|
trouble to these good men because the tumult was occasioned by those
|
|
spies with whom they had been joined in commission; and therefore they
|
|
thought themselves obliged to do what they could to still the storm
|
|
which their fellows had raised. No reasoning could be more pertinent
|
|
and pathetic than theirs was
|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:7-9"><I>v.</I> 7-9</A>),
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|
and they spoke as with authority.</P>
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<P>
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|
(1.) They assured them of the goodness of the land they had surveyed,
|
|
and that it was really worth venturing for, and not a land that <I>ate
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|
up the inhabitants,</I> as the evil spies had represented it. It is an
|
|
<I>exceedingly good land</I>
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|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>);
|
|
|
|
it is <I>very, very good,</I> so the word is; so that they had no
|
|
reason to <I>despise this pleasant land.</I> Note, If men were but
|
|
thoroughly convinced of the desirableness of the gains of religion,
|
|
they would not stick at the services of it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) They made nothing of the difficulties that seemed to lie in the
|
|
way of their gaining the possession of it: "<I>Fear not the people of
|
|
the land,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Whatever formidable ideas have been given you of them, the lion is not
|
|
so fierce as he is painted. <I>They are bread for us,</I>" that is,
|
|
"they are set before us rather to be fed upon than to be fought with,
|
|
so easily, so pleasantly, and with so much advantage to ourselves shall
|
|
we master them." Pharaoh is said to have been given them for meat
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+74:14">Ps. lxxiv. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
and the Canaanites will be so too. They show that, whatever was
|
|
suggested to the contrary, the advantage was clear on Israel's side.
|
|
For,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Though the Canaanites dwell in walled cities, they are naked:
|
|
<I>Their defence has departed from them;</I> that common providence
|
|
which preserves the rights of nations has abandoned them, and will be
|
|
no shelter nor protection to them. The other spies took notice of their
|
|
strength, but these of their wickedness, and thence inferred that God
|
|
had forsaken them, and therefore <I>their defence had departed.</I> No
|
|
people can be safe when they have provoked God to leave them.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Though Israel dwell in tents they are fortified: <I>The Lord is
|
|
with us,</I> and his name is a strong tower; <I>fear them not.</I>
|
|
Note, While we have the presence of God with us, we need not fear the
|
|
most powerful force against us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) They showed them plainly that all the danger they were in was from
|
|
their own discontents, and that they would succeed against all their
|
|
enemies if they did not make God their enemy. On this point alone the
|
|
cause would turn
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>If the Lord delight in us,</I> as certainly he does, and will if we
|
|
do not provoke him, <I>he will bring us into this good land;</I> we
|
|
shall without fail get it in possession by his favour, and the light of
|
|
his countenance
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+44:3">Ps. xliv. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
if we do not forfeit his favour and by our own follies turn away our
|
|
own mercies." It has come to this issue
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Only rebel not you against the Lord.</I> Note, Nothing can ruin
|
|
sinners but their own rebellion. If God leave them, it is because they
|
|
drive him from them; and they die because they will die. None are
|
|
excluded the heavenly Canaan but those that exclude themselves. And,
|
|
now, could the case have been made more plain? could it have been urged
|
|
more closely? But what was the effect?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. It was all to no purpose; they were deaf to this fair reasoning;
|
|
nay, they were exasperated by it, and grew more outrageous: <I>All the
|
|
congregation bade stone them with stones,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
The rulers of the congregation, and the great men (so bishop Patrick),
|
|
ordered the common people to fall upon them, and knock their brains
|
|
out. Their case was sad indeed when their leaders thus <I>caused them
|
|
to err.</I> Note, It is common for those whose hearts are <I>fully set
|
|
in them to do evil</I> to rage at those who give them good counsel.
|
|
Those who hate to be reformed hate those that would reform them, and
|
|
count them their enemies because they tell them the truth. Thus early
|
|
did Israel begin to misuse the prophets, and <I>stone those that were
|
|
sent to them,</I> and it was this that filled the measure of their sin,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+23:37">Matt. xxiii. 37</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Stone them with stones!</I> Why, what evil have they done? No crime
|
|
can be laid to their charge; but the truth is <I>these two witnesses
|
|
tormented those</I> that were obstinate in their infidelity,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+11:10">Rev. xi. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Caleb and Joshua had but just said, <I>The Lord is with us; fear them
|
|
not</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
|
|
|
and, if Israel will not apply those encouraging words to their own
|
|
fears, those that uttered them know how to encourage themselves with
|
|
them against this enraged multitude that spoke of stoning them, as
|
|
David in a like cause,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+30:6">1 Sam. xxx. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that cannot prevail to edify others with their counsels and
|
|
comforts should endeavour at least to edify themselves. Caleb and
|
|
Joshua knew they appeared for God and his glory, and therefore doubted
|
|
not but God would appear for them and their safety. And they were not
|
|
disappointed, for immediately <I>the glory of the Lord appeared,</I> to
|
|
the terror and confusion of those that were for stoning the servants of
|
|
God. When they reflected upon God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
his glory appeared not to silence their blasphemies; but, when they
|
|
threatened Caleb and Joshua, they touched the apple of his eye, and his
|
|
glory appeared immediately. Note, Those who faithfully expose
|
|
themselves for God are sure to be taken under his special protection,
|
|
and shall be hidden from the rage of men, either under heaven or in
|
|
heaven.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_19"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Intercession of Moses.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>11 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Moses, How long will this people
|
|
provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all
|
|
the signs which I have showed among them?
|
|
12 I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them,
|
|
and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.
|
|
13 And Moses said unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, Then the Egyptians shall hear
|
|
<I>it,</I> (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among
|
|
them;)
|
|
14 And they will tell <I>it</I> to the inhabitants of this land:
|
|
<I>for</I> they have heard that thou L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>art</I> among this people,
|
|
that thou L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> art seen face to face, and <I>that</I> thy cloud
|
|
standeth over them, and <I>that</I> thou goest before them, by day
|
|
time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.
|
|
15 Now <I>if</I> thou shalt kill <I>all</I> this people as one man, then
|
|
the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,
|
|
16 Because the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> was not able to bring this people into the
|
|
land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in
|
|
the wilderness.
|
|
17 And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great,
|
|
according as thou hast spoken, saying,
|
|
18 The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>is</I> longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving
|
|
iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing <I>the
|
|
guilty,</I> visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children
|
|
unto the third and fourth <I>generation.</I>
|
|
19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people
|
|
according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast
|
|
forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
I. The righteous sentence which God gave against Israel for their
|
|
murmuring and unbelief, which, though afterwards mitigated, showed what
|
|
was the desert of their sin and the demand of injured justice, and what
|
|
would have been done if Moses had not interposed. When the glory of
|
|
the Lord <I>appeared in the tabernacle</I> we may suppose that Moses
|
|
took it for a call to him immediately to come and attend there, as
|
|
before the tabernacle was erected he went up to the mount in a similar
|
|
case,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+32:30">Exod. xxxii. 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus, while the people were studying to disgrace him, God publicly put
|
|
honour upon him, as the man of his counsel. Now here we are told what
|
|
God said to him there.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He showed him the great evil of the people's sin,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
What passed between God and Israel went through the hands of Moses:
|
|
when they were displeased with God they told Moses of it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>);
|
|
|
|
when God was displeased with them he told Moses too, <I>revealing his
|
|
secret to his servant the prophet,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+3:7">Amos iii. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Two things God justly complains of to Moses:--
|
|
|
|
(1.) Their sin. They <I>provoke me,</I> or (as the word signifies) they
|
|
<I>reject, reproach, despise</I> me, for <I>they will not believe
|
|
me.</I> This was the bitter root which bore the gall and wormwood. It
|
|
was their unbelief that made this a day of provocation in the
|
|
wilderness,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+3:8">Heb. iii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Distrust of God, of his power and promise, is itself a very great
|
|
provocation, and at the bottom of many other provocations. Unbelief is
|
|
a great sin
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+5:10">1 John v. 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
and a root sin,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+3:12">Heb. iii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Their continuance in it: <I>How long will they do so?</I> Note,
|
|
The God of heaven keeps an account how long sinners persist in their
|
|
provocations; and the longer they persist the more he is displeased.
|
|
The aggravations of their sin were,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Their relation to God: <I>This people,</I> a peculiar people, a
|
|
professing people. The nearer any are to God in name and profession,
|
|
the more he is provoked by their sins, especially their unbelief.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The experience they had had of God's power and goodness, in <I>all
|
|
the signs</I> which he <I>had shown among them,</I> by which, one would
|
|
think, he had effectually obliged them to trust him and follow him. The
|
|
more God has done for us the greater is the provocation if we distrust
|
|
him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He showed him the sentence which justice passed upon them for it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
"What remains now but that I should make a full end of them? It will
|
|
soon be done. <I>I will smite them with the pestilence,</I> not leave a
|
|
man of them alive, but wholly blot out their name and race, and so
|
|
disinherit them, and be no more troubled with them. <I>Ah, I will ease
|
|
me of my adversaries.</I> They wish to die; and let them die, and
|
|
neither root nor branch be left of them. Such rebellious children
|
|
deserve to be disinherited." And if it be asked, "What will become of
|
|
God's covenant with Abraham then?" here is an answer, "I shall be
|
|
preserved in the family of Moses: <I>I will make of thee a greater
|
|
nation.</I>" Thus,
|
|
|
|
(1.) God would try Moses, whether he still continued that affection for
|
|
Israel which he formerly expressed upon a like occasion, in preferring
|
|
their interests before the advancement of his own family; and it is
|
|
proved that Moses was still of the same public spirit, and could not
|
|
bear the thought of raising his own name upon the ruin of the name of
|
|
Israel.
|
|
|
|
(2.) God would teach us that he will not be a loser by the ruin of
|
|
sinners. If Adam and Eve had been cut off and disinherited, he could
|
|
have made another Adam and another Eve, and have glorified his mercy in
|
|
them, as here he could have glorified his mercy in Moses, though Israel
|
|
had been ruined.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The humble intercession Moses made for them. Their sin had made a
|
|
fatal breach in the wall of their defence, at which destruction would
|
|
certainly have entered if Moses had not seasonably stepped in and made
|
|
it good. Here he was a type of Christ, who interceded for his
|
|
persecutors, and <I>prayed for those</I> that <I>despitefully used</I>
|
|
him, leaving us an example to his own rule,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+5:44">Matt. v. 44</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The prayer of his petition is, in one word, <I>Pardon, I beseech
|
|
thee, the iniquity of this people</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
that is, "Do not bring upon them the ruin they deserve." This was
|
|
Christ's prayer for those that crucified him, <I>Father forgive
|
|
them.</I> The pardon of a national sin, as such, consists in the
|
|
turning away of the national punishment; and that is it for which Moses
|
|
is here so earnest.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The pleas are many, and strongly urged.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He insists most upon the plea that is taken from the glory of God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:13-16"><I>v.</I> 13-16</A>.
|
|
|
|
With this he begins, and somewhat abruptly, taking occasion from that
|
|
dreadful word, <I>I will disinherit them. Lord</I> (says he), <I>then
|
|
the Egyptians shall hear it.</I> God's honour lay nearer to his heart
|
|
than any interests of his own. Observe how he <I>orders this cause</I>
|
|
before God. He pleads,
|
|
|
|
[1.] That the eyes both of Egypt and Canaan were upon them, and great
|
|
expectations were raised concerning them. They could not but have heard
|
|
<I>that thou, Lord, art among this people,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
The neighbouring countries rang of it, how much this people were the
|
|
particular care of heaven, so as never any people under the sun were.
|
|
|
|
[2.] That if they should be cut off great notice would be taken of it.
|
|
"The <I>Egyptians will hear it</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
for they have their spies among us, and they will <I>tell it to the
|
|
inhabitants of the land</I>"
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>);
|
|
|
|
for there was great correspondence between Egypt and Canaan, although
|
|
not by the way of this wilderness. "If this people that have made so
|
|
great a noise be all consumed, if their mighty pretensions come to
|
|
nothing, and their light go out in a snuff, it will be told with
|
|
pleasure in Gath, and published in the streets of Askelon; and what
|
|
construction will the heathen put upon it? It will be impossible to
|
|
make them understand it as an act of God's justice, and as such
|
|
redounding to God's honour; <I>brutish men know not this</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+92:6">Ps. xcii. 6</A>):
|
|
|
|
but they will impute it to the failing of God's power, and so turn it
|
|
to his reproach,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
They will say, He slew them in the wilderness because he was not able
|
|
to bring them to Canaan, his arm being shortened, and his stock of
|
|
miracles being spent. Now, Lord, let not one attribute be glorified at
|
|
the expense of another; rather let mercy <I>rejoice against
|
|
judgment</I> than that almighty power should be impeached." Note, The
|
|
best pleas in prayer are those that are taken from God's honour; for
|
|
they agree with the first petition of the Lord's Prayer, <I>Hallowed be
|
|
thy name. Do not disgrace the throne of thy glory.</I> God pleads it
|
|
with himself
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+32:27">Deut. xxxii. 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>I feareth the wrath of the enemy;</I> and we should use it as an
|
|
argument with ourselves to walk so in every thing as to give no
|
|
occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+6:1">1 Tim. vi. 1</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He pleads God's proclamation of his name at Horeb
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:17,18"><I>v.</I> 17, 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Let the power of the Lord be great.</I> Power is here put for
|
|
pardoning mercy; it is his power over his own anger. If he should
|
|
destroy them, God's power would be questioned; if he should continue
|
|
and complete their salvation, notwithstanding the difficulties that
|
|
arose, not only from the strength of their enemies, but from their own
|
|
provocations, this would greatly magnify the divine power: what cannot
|
|
he do who could make so weak a people conquerors and such an unworthy
|
|
people favourites? The more danger there is of others reproaching God's
|
|
power the more desirous we should be to see it glorified. To enforce
|
|
this petition, he refers to the word which God had spoken: <I>The Lord
|
|
is long-suffering and of great mercy.</I> God's goodness had there been
|
|
spoken of as his glory; God gloried in it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+34:6,7">Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now here he prays that upon this occasion he would glorify it. Note, We
|
|
must take our encouragement in prayer from the word of God, upon which
|
|
he has <I>caused us to hope,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:49">Ps. cxix. 49</A>.
|
|
|
|
"Lord, be and do <I>according as
|
|
thou hast spoken;</I> for hast thou spoken, and wilt thou not make it
|
|
good?" Three things God had solemnly made a declaration of, which Moses
|
|
here fastens upon, and improves for the enforcing of his petition:--
|
|
|
|
[1.] The goodness of God's nature in general, that he is
|
|
long-suffering, or slow to anger, and of great mercy; not soon
|
|
provoked, but tender and compassionate towards offenders.
|
|
|
|
[2.] His readiness in particular to pardon sin: <I>Forgiving iniquity
|
|
and transgression,</I> sins of all sorts.
|
|
|
|
[3.] His unwillingness to proceed to extremity, even when he does
|
|
punish. For in this sense the following words may be read: <I>That will
|
|
by no means make quite desolate, in visiting the iniquity of the
|
|
fathers upon the children.</I> God had indeed said in the second
|
|
commandment that he would thus visit, but here he promises not to make
|
|
a full end of families, churches, and nations, at once; and so it is
|
|
very applicable to this occasion, for Moses cannot beg that God would
|
|
not at all punish this sin (it would be too great an encouragement to
|
|
rebellion if he should set no mark of his displeasure upon it), but
|
|
that he would not <I>kill all this people as one man,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
He does not ask that they may not be corrected, but that they may not
|
|
be disinherited. And this proclamation of God's name was the more
|
|
apposite to his purpose because it was made upon occasion of the
|
|
pardoning of their sin in making the golden calf. This sin which they
|
|
had now fallen into was bad enough, but it was not idolatry.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) He pleads past experience: <I>As thou hast forgiven this people
|
|
from Egypt,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
This seemed to make against him. Why should those be forgiven any more
|
|
who, after they had been so often forgiven, revolted yet more and more,
|
|
and seemed hardened and encouraged in their rebellion by the lenity and
|
|
patience of their God, and the frequent pardons they had obtained?
|
|
Among men it would have been thought impolitic to take notice of such a
|
|
circumstance in a request of this nature, as it might operate to the
|
|
prejudice of the petitioner: but, as in other things so in pardoning
|
|
sin, God's thoughts and ways are infinitely above ours,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+55:9">Isa. lv. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Moses looks upon it as a good plea, <I>Lord, forgive, as thou hast
|
|
forgiven.</I> It will be no more a reproach to thy justice, nor any
|
|
less the praise of thy mercy, to forgive now, than it has been
|
|
formerly. Therefore the <I>sons of Jacob are not consumed,</I> because
|
|
they have to do with a <I>God that changes not,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:6">Mal. iii. 6</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_35"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>God's Answer to Moses; The Israelites Threatened.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>20 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said, I have pardoned according to thy word:
|
|
21 But <I>as</I> truly <I>as</I> I live, all the earth shall be filled
|
|
with the glory of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my
|
|
miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have
|
|
tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my
|
|
voice;
|
|
23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their
|
|
fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:
|
|
24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with
|
|
him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land
|
|
whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.
|
|
25 (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.)
|
|
To morrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of
|
|
the Red sea.
|
|
26 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
|
|
27 How long <I>shall I bear with</I> this evil congregation, which
|
|
murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of
|
|
Israel, which they murmur against me.
|
|
28 Say unto them, <I>As truly as</I> I live, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, as ye
|
|
have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:
|
|
29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that
|
|
were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty
|
|
years old and upward, which have murmured against me,
|
|
30 Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, <I>concerning</I>
|
|
which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of
|
|
Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
|
|
31 But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them
|
|
will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have
|
|
despised.
|
|
32 But <I>as for</I> you, your carcases, they shall fall in this
|
|
wilderness.
|
|
33 And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty
|
|
years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in
|
|
the wilderness.
|
|
34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land,
|
|
<I>even</I> forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your
|
|
iniquities, <I>even</I> forty years, and ye shall know my breach of
|
|
promise.
|
|
35 I the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil
|
|
congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this
|
|
wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here God's answer to the prayer of Moses, which sings both of
|
|
mercy and judgment. It is given privately to Moses
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:20-25"><I>v.</I> 20-25</A>),
|
|
|
|
and then directed to be made public to the people,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:26-35"><I>v.</I> 26-35</A>.
|
|
|
|
The frequent repetitions of the same things in it speak these resolves
|
|
to be unalterable. Let us see the particulars.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The extremity of the sentence is receded from
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>I have pardoned,</I> so as not to cut them all off at once, and
|
|
disinherit them." See the power of prayer, and the delight God takes in
|
|
putting an honour upon it. He designed a pardon, but Moses shall have
|
|
the praise of obtaining it by prayer: it shall be done <I>according to
|
|
thy word;</I> thus, as a prince, he has power with God, and prevails.
|
|
See what countenance and encouragement God gives to our intercessions
|
|
for others, that we may be public-spirited in prayer. Here is a whole
|
|
nation rescued from ruin by the effectual fervent prayer of one
|
|
righteous man. See how ready God is to forgive sin, and how easy to be
|
|
entreated: <I>Pardon,</I> says Moses
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>I have pardoned,</I> says God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
David found him thus swift to show mercy,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+32:5">Ps. xxxii. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>He deals not with us after our sins,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+103:10">Ps. ciii. 10</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The glorifying of God's name is, in the general, resolved upon,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is said, it is sworn, <I>All the earth shall be filled with the
|
|
glory of the Lord.</I> Moses in his prayer had shown a great concern
|
|
for the glory of God. "Let me alone," says God, "to secure that
|
|
effectually, and to advance it, by this dispensation." All the world
|
|
shall see how God hates sin even in his own people, and will reckon for
|
|
it, and yet how gracious and merciful he is, and how slow to anger.
|
|
Thus when our Saviour prayed, <I>Father, glorify thy name,</I> he was
|
|
immediately answered, <I>I have glorified it, and will glorify it yet
|
|
again,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:28">John xii. 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Those that sincerely seek God's glory may be sure of what they
|
|
seek. God having turned this prayer for the glorifying of himself into
|
|
a promise, we may turn it into praise, in concert with the angels,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+6:3">Isa. vi. 3</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>The earth is full of his glory.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The sin of this people which provoked God to proceed against them
|
|
is here aggravated,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:22,27"><I>v.</I> 22, 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is not made worse than really it was, but is shown to be exceedingly
|
|
sinful. It was an evil congregation, each bad, but altogether in
|
|
congregation, very bad.
|
|
|
|
1. They tempted God--tempted his power, whether he could help them in
|
|
their straits--his goodness, whether he would--and his faithfulness,
|
|
whether his promise would be performed. They tempted his justice,
|
|
whether he would resent their provocations and punish them or no. They
|
|
dared him, and in effect challenged him, as God does the idols
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+41:23">Isa. xli. 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
to do <I>good,</I> or do <I>evil.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. They murmured against him. This is much insisted on,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
As they questioned what he would do, so they quarrelled with him for
|
|
every thing he did or had done, continually fretting and finding fault.
|
|
It does not appear that they murmured at any of the laws or ordinances
|
|
that God gave them (though they proved a heavy yoke), but they murmured
|
|
at the conduct they were under, and the provision made for them. Note,
|
|
It is much easier to bring ourselves to the external services of
|
|
religion, and observe all the formalities of devotion, than to live a
|
|
life of dependence upon, and submission to, the divine Providence in
|
|
the course of our conversation.
|
|
|
|
3. They did this after they had seen God's miracles in Egypt and in the
|
|
wilderness,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
They would not believe their own eyes, which were witnesses for God
|
|
that he was in the midst of them of a truth.
|
|
|
|
4. They had repeated the provocations ten times, that is, very often:
|
|
the Jewish writers reckon this exactly the tenth time that the body of
|
|
the congregation had provoked God. First, at the Red Sea,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+14:11">Exod. xiv. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
In Marah,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+15:23,24">Exod. xv. 23, 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
In the wilderness of Sin,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+16:2">Exod. xvi. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
At Rephidim,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+17:1,2">Exod. xvii. 1, 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
The golden calf,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+32:1-35">Exod. xxxii</A>.
|
|
|
|
Then at Taberah. Then at Kibroth-Hattaavah,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+11:1-35"><I>ch.</I> xi</A>.
|
|
|
|
And so this was the tenth. Note, God keeps an account how often we
|
|
repeat our provocations, and will sooner or later set them in order
|
|
before us.
|
|
|
|
5. They had not hearkened to his voice, though he had again and again
|
|
admonished them of their sin.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The sentence passed upon them for this sin.
|
|
|
|
1. That they should not see the promised land
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
nor <I>come into it,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>He swore in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+95:11">Ps. xcv. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Disbelief of the promise is a forfeiture of the benefit of it.
|
|
Those that despise the pleasant land shall be shut out of it. The
|
|
promise of God should be fulfilled to their posterity, but not to them.
|
|
|
|
2. That they should immediately <I>turn back into the wilderness,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Their next remove should be a retreat. They must face about, and
|
|
instead of going forward to Canaan, on the very borders of which they
|
|
now were, they must withdraw towards the Red Sea again. <I>To-morrow
|
|
turn you;</I> that is, "Very shortly you shall be brought back to that
|
|
vast howling wilderness which you are so weary of. And it is time to
|
|
shift for your own safety, for <I>the Amalekites lie in wait in the
|
|
valley,</I> ready to attack you if you march forward." Of them they had
|
|
been distrustfully afraid
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+13:29"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
and now with them God justly frightened them. <I>The fear of the wicked
|
|
shall come upon him.</I>
|
|
|
|
3. That all those who had now grown up to men's estate should die in
|
|
the wilderness, not all at once, but by degrees. They wished that they
|
|
might die in the wilderness, and God said <I>Amen</I> to their
|
|
passionate wish, and made their sin their ruin, <I>snared them</I> in
|
|
the <I>words of their mouth,</I> and <I>caused their own tongue to fall
|
|
upon them,</I> took them at their word, and determined that their
|
|
<I>carcases should fall in the wilderness,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:28,29"><I>v.</I> 28, 29</A>,
|
|
|
|
and again,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:32,35"><I>v.</I> 32, 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
See with what contempt they are spoken of, now that they had by their
|
|
sin made themselves vile; the mighty men of valour were but carcases,
|
|
when the Spirit of the Lord had departed from them. They were all as
|
|
dead men. Their fathers had such a value for Canaan that they desired
|
|
to have their dead bodies carried thither to be buried, in token of
|
|
their dependence upon God's promise that they should have that land for
|
|
a possession: but these, having despised that good land and disbelieved
|
|
the promise of it, shall not have the honour to be buried in it, but
|
|
shall have their graves in the wilderness.
|
|
|
|
4. That in pursuance of this sentence they should wander to and fro in
|
|
the wilderness, like travellers that have lost themselves, for forty
|
|
years; that is, so long as to make it full forty years from their
|
|
coming out of Egypt to their entrance into Canaan,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:33,34"><I>v.</I> 33, 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus long they were kept wandering,
|
|
|
|
(1.) To answer the number of the days in which the spies were searching
|
|
the land. They were content to wait forty days for the testimony of
|
|
men, because they could not take God's word; and therefore justly are
|
|
they kept forty years waiting for the performance of God's promise.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That hereby they might be brought to repentance, and find mercy
|
|
with God in the other world, whatever became of them in this. Now they
|
|
had time to bethink themselves, and to consider their ways; and the
|
|
inconveniences of the wilderness would help to humble them and prove
|
|
them, and <I>show them what was in their heart,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+8:2">Deut. viii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus long they <I>bore their iniquities,</I> feeling the weight of
|
|
God's wrath in the punishment. They were made to groan under the burden
|
|
of their own sin that brought it upon them, which was <I>too heavy for
|
|
them to bear.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) That they might sensibly feel what a dangerous thing it is for
|
|
God's covenant-people to break with him: "<I>You shall know my breach
|
|
of promise,</I> both the causes of it, that it is procured by your sin"
|
|
(for God never leaves any till they first leave him), "and the
|
|
consequences of it, that it will produce your ruin; you are quite
|
|
undone when you are thrown out of covenant."
|
|
|
|
(4.) That a new generation might in this time be raised up, which could
|
|
not be done all of a sudden. And the children, being brought up under
|
|
the tokens of God's displeasure against their fathers, and so
|
|
<I>bearing their whoredoms</I> (that is, the punishment of their sins,
|
|
especially their idolatry about the golden calf, which God now
|
|
remembered against them), might take warning not to tread in the steps
|
|
of their fathers' disobedience. And their wandering so long in the
|
|
wilderness would make Canaan at last the more welcome to them. It
|
|
should seem that upon occasion of this sentence Moses penned the
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+90:1-17">ninetieth Psalm</A>,
|
|
|
|
which is very apposite to the present state of Israel, and wherein they
|
|
are taught to pray that since this sentence could not be reversed it
|
|
might be sanctified, and they might learn to <I>apply their hearts unto
|
|
wisdom.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. The mercy that was mixed with this severe sentence.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Mercy to Caleb and Joshua, that though they should wander with the
|
|
rest in the wilderness, yet they, and only they of all that were now
|
|
above twenty years old, should survive the years of banishment, and
|
|
live to enter Canaan. Caleb only is spoken of
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
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and a particular mark of honour put upon him, both,
|
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(1.) In the character given of him: he had <I>another spirit,</I>
|
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different from the rest of the spies, an <I>after-spirit,</I> which
|
|
furnished him with second thoughts, and he <I>followed the Lord
|
|
fully,</I> kept close to his duty, and went through with it, though
|
|
deserted and threatened; and,
|
|
|
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(2.) In the recompence promised to him: <I>Him will I bring in due time
|
|
into the land whereinto he went.</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] It ought to be the great care and endeavour of every one of us to
|
|
follow the Lord fully. We must, in a course of obedience to God's will
|
|
and of service to his honour, follow him universally, without
|
|
dividing,--uprightly, without dissembling,--cheerfully, without
|
|
disputing,--and constantly, without declining; and this is following
|
|
him fully.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Those that would follow God fully must have another spirit,
|
|
another from the spirit of the world, and another from what their own
|
|
spirit has been. They must have the spirit of Caleb.
|
|
|
|
[3.] Those that follow God fully in times of general apostasy God will
|
|
own and honour by singular preservations in times of general calamity.
|
|
The heavenly Canaan shall be the everlasting inheritance of those that
|
|
follow the Lord fully. When Caleb is again mentioned
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>)
|
|
|
|
Joshua stands with him, compassed with the same favours and crowned
|
|
with the same honours, having stood with him in the same services.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Mercy to the children even of these rebels. They should have a seed
|
|
preserved, and Canaan secured to that seed: <I>Your little ones,</I>
|
|
now under twenty years old, <I>which you,</I> in your unbelief, <I>said
|
|
should be a prey, them will I bring in,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
They had invidiously charged God with a design to ruin their children,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
But God will let them know that he can put a difference between the
|
|
guilty and the innocent, and cut them off without touching their
|
|
children. Thus the promise made to Abraham, though it seemed to fail
|
|
for a time, was kept from failing for evermore; and, though God
|
|
chastened their transgressions with a rod, yet his <I>loving kindness
|
|
he would not utterly take away.</I></P>
|
|
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|
<A NAME="Nu14_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_40"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_42"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_43"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_44"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu14_45"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Death of the Evil Spies.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>36 And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who
|
|
returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by
|
|
bringing up a slander upon the land,
|
|
37 Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the
|
|
land, died by the plague before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
38 But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh,
|
|
<I>which were</I> of the men that went to search the land, lived
|
|
<I>still.</I>
|
|
39 And Moses told these sayings unto all the children of
|
|
Israel: and the people mourned greatly.
|
|
40 And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into
|
|
the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we <I>be here,</I> and will go up
|
|
unto the place which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath promised: for we have sinned.
|
|
41 And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the
|
|
commandment of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>? but it shall not prosper.
|
|
42 Go not up, for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>is</I> not among you; that ye be not
|
|
smitten before your enemies.
|
|
43 For the Amalekites and the Canaanites <I>are</I> there before
|
|
you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away
|
|
from the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, therefore the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> will not be with you.
|
|
44 But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless
|
|
the ark of the covenant of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and Moses, departed not out
|
|
of the camp.
|
|
45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which
|
|
dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, <I>even</I>
|
|
unto Hormah.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
I. The sudden death of the ten evil spies. While the sentence was
|
|
passing upon the people, before it was published, they <I>died of the
|
|
plague before the Lord,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:36,37"><I>v.</I> 36, 37</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. God hereby showed his particular displeasure against those who
|
|
<I>sinned and made Israel to sin.</I>
|
|
|
|
(1.) They sinned themselves, in bringing up a slander upon the land of
|
|
promise. Note, Those greatly provoke God who misrepresent religion,
|
|
cast reproach upon it, and raise prejudices in men's minds against it,
|
|
or give occasion to those to do so who seek occasion. Those that
|
|
represent the service of God as mean and despicable, melancholy and
|
|
uncomfortable, hard and impracticable, needless and unprofitable, bring
|
|
up an <I>evil report</I> upon the good land, <I>pervert the right ways
|
|
of the Lord,</I> and in effect give him the lie.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They <I>made Israel to sin.</I> They designedly <I>made all the
|
|
congregation murmur</I> against God. Note, Ring-leaders in sin may
|
|
expect to fall under particular marks of the wrath of God, who will
|
|
severely reckon for the blood of souls, which is thus spilt.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. God hereby showed what he could have done with the whole
|
|
congregation, and gave an earnest of the execution of the sentence now
|
|
passed upon them. He that thus cut off one of a tribe could have cut
|
|
off their whole tribes suddenly, and would do it gradually. Note, The
|
|
remarkable deaths of notorious sinners are earnests of the final
|
|
perdition of ungodly men,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+2:5,6">2 Pet. ii. 5, 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus the wrath of God is revealed, that sinners may hear and fear.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The special preservation of Caleb and Joshua: <I>They lived
|
|
still,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is probable that all the twelve spies stood together, for the eyes
|
|
of all Israel were now upon them; and therefore it is taken notice of
|
|
as very remarkable, and which could not but be affecting to the whole
|
|
congregation, that when the ten evil spies fell down dead of the
|
|
plague, a malignant infectious distemper, yet these two that stood
|
|
among them lived, and were well. God hereby confirmed their testimony,
|
|
and put those to confusion that spoke of stoning them. He likewise
|
|
gave them an assurance of their continued preservation in the
|
|
wilderness, when thousands should fall on their right hand and on their
|
|
left,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+91:7">Ps. xci. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Death never misses his mark, nor takes any by oversight that were
|
|
designed for life, though in the midst of those that were to die.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The publication of the sentence to all the people,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>.
|
|
|
|
He told them all what the decree was which had gone forth concerning
|
|
them, and which could not be reversed, that they must all die in the
|
|
wilderness, and Canaan must be reserved for the next generation. It was
|
|
a very great disappointment, we may well think, to Moses himself, who
|
|
longed to be in Canaan, as well as to all the people; yet he
|
|
acquiesced, but they wept and mourned greatly. The assurance which
|
|
Moses had of God's being glorified by this sentence gave him
|
|
satisfaction, while the consciousness of their own guilt, and their
|
|
having procured it to themselves, gave them the greatest vexation. They
|
|
wept for nothing
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
and now they have cause given them to weep; so justly are murmurers
|
|
made mourners. If they had mourned for the sin when they were
|
|
faithfully reproved for it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
the sentence would have been prevented; but now that they mourned for
|
|
the judgment only their grief came too late, and did them no service;
|
|
they <I>found no place for repentance, though they sought it carefully
|
|
with tears,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:17">Heb. xii. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Such mourning as this there is in hell, but the tears will not quench
|
|
the flames, no, nor cool the tongue.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The foolish fruitless attempts of some of the Israelites to enter
|
|
Canaan, notwithstanding the sentence.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. They were now eager to go forward towards Canaan,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>.
|
|
|
|
They were up early, mustered all their force, got together in a body,
|
|
and begged of Moses to lead them on against the enemy, and now there is
|
|
no more talk among them of making a captain to return into Egypt. They
|
|
confess their fault: <I>We have sinned;</I> they profess reformation:
|
|
<I>Lo, we be here, and will go up.</I> They now desire the land which
|
|
they had despised, and put a confidence in the promise which they had
|
|
distrusted. Thus when God judges he will overcome, and, first or last,
|
|
will convince sinners of the evil of all their ungodly deeds, and hard
|
|
speeches, and force them to recall their own words. But, though God was
|
|
glorified by this recantation of theirs, they were not benefited by it,
|
|
because it came too late. The decree had gone forth, the consumption
|
|
was determined; they did not seek the Lord while he might be found, and
|
|
now he would not be found. O, if men would but be as earnest for heaven
|
|
while their day of grace lasts as they will be when it is over, would
|
|
be as solicitous to provide themselves with oil while the bridegroom
|
|
tarries as they will be when the bridegroom comes, how well were it for
|
|
them!</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Moses utterly disallows their motion, and forbids the expedition
|
|
they were meditating: <I>Go not up,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:41-43"><I>v.</I> 41-43</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He gives them warning of the sin; it is <I>transgressing the
|
|
commandment of the Lord,</I> who had expressly ordered them, when they
|
|
did move, to move back towards the Red Sea. Note, That which has been
|
|
duty, in its season, when it comes to be mistimed may be turned into
|
|
sin. It is true the command he refers to was in the nature of a
|
|
punishment, but he that has not obeyed the law is obliged to submit to
|
|
the penalty, for the Lord is our Judge as well as Lawgiver.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He gives them this warning of the danger: "<I>It shall not
|
|
prosper,</I> never expect it." Note, It is folly to promise ourselves
|
|
success in that which we undertake contrary to the mind of God. "<I>The
|
|
Canaanites are before you</I> to attack you, and <I>the Lord is not
|
|
among you</I> to protect you and fight for you, and therefore look to
|
|
yourselves <I>that you be not smitten before your enemies.</I>" Those
|
|
that are out of the way of their duty are from under God's protection,
|
|
and go at their peril. It is dangerous going where we cannot expect God
|
|
should go along with us. Nay, he plainly foresees and foretels their
|
|
defeat: <I>You shall fall by the sword</I> of the Amalekites and
|
|
Canaanites (who were to have fallen by their sword); <I>Because you are
|
|
turned away from the Lord,</I> from following the guidance of his
|
|
precept and promise, <I>therefore the Lord will not be with you.</I>
|
|
Note, God will certainly leave those that leave him; and those that are
|
|
left of him lie exposed to all misery.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. They venture notwithstanding. Never was people so perverse and so
|
|
desperately resolved in every thing to walk contrary to God. God bade
|
|
them go, and they would not; he forbade them, and they would. Thus is
|
|
the <I>carnal mind enmity to God: They presumed to go up unto the
|
|
hill-top,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:44"><I>v.</I> 44</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here,
|
|
|
|
(1.) They struggled against the sentence of divine justice, and would
|
|
press on in defiance of it.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They slighted the tokens of God's presence, for they would go
|
|
though they left Moses and the ark of the covenant behind them. They
|
|
had distrusted God's strength, and now they presume upon their own
|
|
without his.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. The expedition speeds accordingly,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:45"><I>v.</I> 45</A>.
|
|
|
|
The enemy had posted themselves upon the top of the hill, to make good
|
|
that pass against the invaders, and, being informed by their scouts of
|
|
their approach, sallied out upon them, and defeated them, and it is
|
|
probable that many of the Israelites were killed. Now the sentence
|
|
began to be executed that their <I>carcases should fall in the
|
|
wilderness.</I> Note, That affair can never end well that begins with
|
|
sin. The way to obtain peace with our friends, and success against our
|
|
enemies, is to make God our friend, and keep ourselves in his love. The
|
|
Jews, like these their ancestors, when they had rejected Christ's
|
|
righteousness, attempted to establish their own, and it sped as
|
|
this.</P>
|
|
|
|
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