mh_parser/vol_split/4 - Numbers/Chapter 14.xml

<div2 id="Num.xv" n="xv" next="Num.xvi" prev="Num.xiv" progress="70.21%" title="Chapter XIV">
<h2 id="Num.xv-p0.1">N U M B E R S</h2>
<h3 id="Num.xv-p0.2">CHAP. XIV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Num.xv-p1">This chapter gives us an account of that fatal
quarrel between God and Israel upon which, for their murmuring and
unbelief, he swore in his wrath that they should not enter into his
rest. Here is, I. The mutiny and rebellion of Israel against God,
upon the report of the evil spies, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.1-Num.14.4" parsed="|Num|14|1|14|4" passage="Nu 14:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>. II. The fruitless endeavour of
Moses and Aaron, Caleb and Joshua, to still the tumult, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.5-Num.14.10" parsed="|Num|14|5|14|10" passage="Nu 14:5-10">ver. 5-10</scripRef>. III. Their utter ruin
justly threatened by an offended God, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.11-Num.14.12" parsed="|Num|14|11|14|12" passage="Nu 14:11,12">ver. 11, 12</scripRef>. IV. The humble intercession
of Moses for them, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.13-Num.14.19" parsed="|Num|14|13|14|19" passage="Nu 14:13-19">ver.
13-19</scripRef>. V. A mitigation of the sentence in answer to the
prayer of Moses; they shall not all be cut off, but the decree goes
forth ratified with an oath, published to the people, again and
again repeated, that this whole congregation should perish in the
wilderness, and none of them enter Canaan but Caleb and Joshua
only, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.20-Num.14.35" parsed="|Num|14|20|14|35" passage="Nu 14:20-35">ver. 20-35</scripRef>. VI.
The present death of the evil spies, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.36-Num.14.39" parsed="|Num|14|36|14|39" passage="Nu 14:36-39">ver. 36-39</scripRef>. VII. The rebuke given to those
who attempted to go forward notwithstanding, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.40-Num.14.45" parsed="|Num|14|40|14|45" passage="Nu 14:40-45">ver. 40-45</scripRef>. And this is written for our
admonition, that we "fall not after the same example of
unbelief."</p>
<scripCom id="Num.xv-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Num.14" parsed="|Num|14|0|0|0" passage="Nu 14" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Num.xv-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.1-Num.14.4" parsed="|Num|14|1|14|4" passage="Nu 14:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.14.1-Num.14.4">
<h4 id="Num.xv-p1.10">The Murmuring of the
Israelites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p1.11">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Num.xv-p2">1 And all the congregation lifted up their
voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.   2 And all
the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron:
and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had
died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this
wilderness!   3 And wherefore hath the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p2.1">Lord</span> brought us unto this land, to fall by the
sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it
not better for us to return into Egypt?   4 And they said one
to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into
Egypt.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p3">Here we see what mischief the evil spies
made by their unfair representation. We may suppose that these
twelve that were impanelled to enquire concerning Canaan had talked
it over among themselves before they brought in their report in
public; and Caleb and Joshua, it is likely, had done their utmost
to bring the rest over to be of their mind, and if they would but
have agreed that Caleb, according to his pose, should have spoken
for them all, as their foreman, all had been well; but the evil
spies, it should seem, wilfully designed to raise this mutiny,
purely in opposition to Moses and Aaron, though they could not
propose any advantage to themselves by it, unless they hoped to be
captains and commanders of the retreat into Egypt they were now
meditating. But what came of it? Here in these verses we find those
whom they studied to humour put into a vexation, and, before the
end of the chapter, brought to ruin. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p4">I. How the people fretted themselves:
<i>They lifted up their voices and cried</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.1" parsed="|Num|14|1|0|0" passage="Nu 14:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>); giving credit to the report of
the spies rather than to the word of God, and imagining their
condition desperate, they laid the reins on the neck of their
passions, and could keep no manner of temper. Like foolish froward
children, they fall a crying, yet know not what they cry for. It
would have been time enough to cry out when the enemy had beaten up
their quarters, and they had seen the sons of Anak at the gate of
their camp; but those that cried when nothing hurt them deserved to
have something given them to cry for. And, as if all had been
already gone, they sat down and <i>wept that night.</i> Note,
Unbelief, or distrust of God, is a sin that is its own punishment.
Those that do not trust God are continually vexing themselves. The
world's mourners are more than God's, and the <i>sorrow of the
world worketh death.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p5">II. How they flew in the face of their
governors—<i>murmured against Moses and Aaron,</i> and in them
reproached the Lord, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.2-Num.14.3" parsed="|Num|14|2|14|3" passage="Nu 14:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2,
3</scripRef>. The congregation of elders began the discontent
(<scripRef id="Num.xv-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.1" parsed="|Num|14|1|0|0" passage="Nu 14:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), but the
contagion soon spread through the whole camp, for <i>the children
of Israel murmured.</i> Jealousies and discontents spread like
wildfire among the unthinking multitude, who are easily taught to
<i>despise dominions, and to speak evil of dignities.</i> 1. They
look back with a causeless discontent. They wish that they had died
in Egypt with the first-born that were slain there, or in the
wilderness with those that lately died of the plague for lusting.
See the prodigious madness of unbridled passions, which make men
prodigal even of that which nature accounts most dear, life itself.
Never were so many months spent so pleasantly as these which they
had spent since they came out of Egypt, loaded with honours,
compassed with favours, and continually entertained with something
or other that was surprising; and yet, as if all these things had
not made it worth their while to live, they wished they had died in
Egypt. And such a light opinion they had of God's tremendous
judgments executed on their neighbours for their sin that they
wished they had shared with them in their plagues, rather than run
the hazard of making a descent upon Canaan. They wish rather to die
criminals under God's justice than live conquerors in his favour.
Some read it, <i>O that we had died in Egypt, or in the wilderness!
O that we might die!</i> They wish to die, for fear of dying; and
have not sense enough to reason as the poor lepers, when rather
than die upon the spot they ventured into an enemy's camp, <i>If
they kill us, we shall but die,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.7.4" parsed="|2Kgs|7|4|0|0" passage="2Ki 7:4">2
Kings vii. 4</scripRef>. How base were the spirits of these
degenerate Israelites, who, rather than die (if it come to the
worst) like soldiers on the bed of honour, with their swords in
their hands, desire to die like rotten sheep in the wilderness. 2.
They look forward with a groundless despair, taking it for granted
(<scripRef id="Num.xv-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.3" parsed="|Num|14|3|0|0" passage="Nu 14:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>) that if they
went on they must fall by the sword, and pretend to lay the cause
of their fear upon the great care they had for their wives and
children, who, they conclude, will be a prey to the Canaanites. And
here is a most wicked blasphemous reflection upon God himself, as
if he had brought them hither on purpose that they might fall by
the sword, and that their wives and children, those poor innocents,
should be a prey. Thus do they, in effect, charge that God who is
love itself with the worst of malice, and eternal Truth with the
basest hypocrisy, suggesting that all the kind things he had said
to them, and done for them, hitherto, were intended only to decoy
them into a snare, and to cover a secret design carried on all
along to ruin them. Daring impudence! But what will not that tongue
speak against heaven that is set on fire of hell? The devil keeps
up his interest in the hearts of men by insinuating to them ill
thoughts of God, as if he desired the death of sinners, and
delighted in the hardships and sufferings of his own servants,
whereas he knows his thoughts to us-ward (whether we know them so
or no) to be <i>thoughts of good, and not of evil,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Jer.29.11" parsed="|Jer|29|11|0|0" passage="Jer 29:11">Jer. xxix. 11</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p6">III. How they came at last to this
desperate resolve, that, instead of going forward to Canaan, they
would go back again to Egypt. The motion is first made by way of
query only (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.3" parsed="|Num|14|3|0|0" passage="Nu 14:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>):
<i>Were it not better for us to return into Egypt?</i> But the
ferment being high, and the spirits of the people being disposed to
entertain any thing that was perverse, it soon ripened to a
resolution, without a debate (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.4" parsed="|Num|14|4|0|0" passage="Nu 14:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>): <i>Let us make a captain and return to Egypt;</i>
and it is lamented long after (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.9.17" parsed="|Neh|9|17|0|0" passage="Ne 9:17">Neh. ix.
17</scripRef>) that <i>in their rebellion they appointed a captain
to return to their bondage;</i> for they knew Moses would not be
their captain in this retreat. Now, 1. It was the greatest folly in
the world to wish themselves in Egypt, or to think that if they
were there it would be better with them than it was. If they durst
not go forward to Canaan, yet better be as they were than go back
to Egypt. What did they want? What had they to complain of? They
had plenty, and peace, and rest, were under a good government, had
good company, had the tokens of God's presence with them, and
enough to make them easy even in the wilderness, if they had but
hearts to be content. But whither were they thus eager to go to
better themselves? To Egypt! Had they so soon forgotten the sore
bondage they were in there? Would they be again under the tyranny
of their taskmasters, and at the drudgery of making brick? And,
after all the plagues which Egypt had suffered for their sakes,
could they expect any better treatment there than they had
formerly, and not rather much worse? In how little time (not a year
and a half) have they forgotten all the sighs of their bondage, and
all the songs of their deliverance! Like brute-beasts, they mind
only what is present, and their memories, with the other powers of
reason, are sacrificed to their passions. See <scripRef id="Num.xv-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.106.7" parsed="|Ps|106|7|0|0" passage="Ps 106:7">Ps. cvi. 7</scripRef>. We find it threatened (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.28.68" parsed="|Deut|28|68|0|0" passage="De 28:68">Deut. xxviii. 68</scripRef>), as the completing
of their misery, that they should be brought into Egypt again, and
yet this is what they here wish for. Sinners are enemies to
themselves; and those that walk not in God's counsels consult their
own mischief and ruin. 2. It was a most senseless ridiculous thing
to talk of returning thither through the wilderness. Could they
expect that God's cloud would lead them or his manna attend them?
And, if they did not, the thousands of Israel must unavoidably be
lost and perish in the wilderness. Suppose the difficulties of
conquering Canaan were as great as they imagined, those of
returning to Egypt were much greater. In this let us see, (1.) The
folly of discontent and impatience under the crosses of our outward
condition. We are uneasy at that which is, complain of our place
and lot, and we would shift; but is there any place or condition in
this world that has not something in it to make us uneasy if we are
disposed to be so? The way to better our condition is to get our
spirits into a better frame; and instead of asking, "Were it not
better to go to Egypt?" ask, "Were it not better to be content, and
make the best of that which is?" (2.) The folly of apostasy from
the ways of God. Heaven is the Canaan set before us, a land flowing
with milk and honey; those that bring up ever so ill a report of it
cannot but say that it is indeed a good land, only it is hard to
get to it. Strict and serious godliness is looked upon as an
impracticable thing, and this deters many who began well from going
on; rather than undergo the imaginary hardships of a religious
life, they run themselves upon the certain fatal consequences of a
sinful course; and so they transcribe the folly of Israel, who,
when they were within a step of Canaan, would make a captain, and
return to Egypt.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Num.xv-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.5-Num.14.10" parsed="|Num|14|5|14|10" passage="Nu 14:5-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.14.5-Num.14.10">
<h4 id="Num.xv-p6.7">The Expostulation of Joshua and
Caleb. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p6.8">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Num.xv-p7">5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces
before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of
Israel.   6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of
Jephunneh, <i>which were</i> of them that searched the land, rent
their clothes:   7 And they spake unto all the company of the
children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to
search it, <i>is</i> an exceeding good land.   8 If the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p7.1">Lord</span> delight in us, then he will bring us
into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and
honey.   9 Only rebel not ye against the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p7.2">Lord</span>, neither fear ye the people of the land;
for they <i>are</i> bread for us: their defence is departed from
them, and the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p7.3">Lord</span> <i>is</i> with
us: fear them not.   10 But all the congregation bade stone
them with stones. And the glory of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p7.4">Lord</span> appeared in the tabernacle of the
congregation before all the children of Israel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p8">The friends of Israel here interpose to
save them if possible from ruining themselves, but in vain. The
physicians of their state would have healed them, but they would
not be healed; their watchmen gave them warning, but they would not
take warning, and so their blood is upon their own heads.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p9">I. The best endeavours were used to still
the tumult, and, if now at last they would have understood the
things that belonged to their peace, all the following mischief
would have been prevented.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p10">1. Moses and Aaron did their part,
<scripRef id="Num.xv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.5" parsed="|Num|14|5|0|0" passage="Nu 14:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. Though it was
against them that they murmured (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.2" parsed="|Num|14|2|0|0" passage="Nu 14:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), yet they bravely overlooked the
affront and injury done them, and approved themselves faithful
friends to those who were outrageous enemies to them. The clamour
and noise of the people were so great that Moses and Aaron could
not be heard; should they order any of their servants to proclaim
silence, the angry multitude would perhaps be the more clamorous;
and therefore, to gain audience in the sight of all the assembly,
they fell on their faces, thus expressing, (1.) Their humble
prayers to God to still the noise of this sea, the noise of its
waves, even the tumult of the people. (2.) The great trouble and
concern of their own spirits. They fell down as men astonished and
even thunder-struck, amazed to see a people throw away their own
mercies: to see those so ill-humoured who were so well taught. And,
(3.) Their great earnestness with the people to cease their
murmurings; 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 of this story. <scripRef id="Num.xv-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.1.29-Deut.1.30" parsed="|Deut|1|29|1|30" passage="De 1:29,30">Deut. i. 29, 30</scripRef>, <i>Be not afraid; the Lord
your God shall fight for you.</i> Note, 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>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p11">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 (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.7-Num.14.9" parsed="|Num|14|7|14|9" passage="Nu 14:7-9"><i>v.</i>
7-9</scripRef>), and they spoke as with authority.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p12">(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 up the inhabitants,</i> as the evil
spies had represented it. It is an <i>exceedingly good land</i>
(<scripRef id="Num.xv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.7" parsed="|Num|14|7|0|0" passage="Nu 14:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>); 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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p13">(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> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.9" parsed="|Num|14|9|0|0" passage="Nu 14:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.74.14" parsed="|Ps|74|14|0|0" passage="Ps 74:14">Ps. lxxiv. 14</scripRef>), 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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p14">(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 (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.8" parsed="|Num|14|8|0|0" passage="Nu 14:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>): "<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 (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.44.3" parsed="|Ps|44|3|0|0" passage="Ps 44:3">Ps. xliv. 3</scripRef>),
if we do not forfeit his favour and by our own follies turn away
our own mercies." It has come to this issue (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.9" parsed="|Num|14|9|0|0" passage="Nu 14:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>): <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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p15">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> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.10" parsed="|Num|14|10|0|0" passage="Nu 14:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>.
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, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.23.37" parsed="|Matt|23|37|0|0" passage="Mt 23:37">Matt. xxiii. 37</scripRef>. <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, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.11.10" parsed="|Rev|11|10|0|0" passage="Re 11:10">Rev. xi. 10</scripRef>. Caleb and Joshua had but
just said, <i>The Lord is with us; fear them not</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.9" parsed="|Num|14|9|0|0" passage="Nu 14:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>): 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, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.6" parsed="|1Sam|30|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:6">1 Sam. xxx. 6</scripRef>.
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
(<scripRef id="Num.xv-p15.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.3" parsed="|Num|14|3|0|0" passage="Nu 14:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), 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>
</div><scripCom id="Num.xv-p15.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.14" parsed="|Num|14|0|0|0" passage="Nu 14" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Num.xv-p15.8" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.11-Num.14.19" parsed="|Num|14|11|14|19" passage="Nu 14:11-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.14.11-Num.14.19">
<h4 id="Num.xv-p15.9">The Intercession of Moses. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p15.10">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Num.xv-p16">11 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p16.1">Lord</span>
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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p16.2">Lord</span>, 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p16.3">Lord</span> <i>art</i> among this people, that thou
<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p16.4">Lord</span> 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
<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p16.5">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p16.6">Lord</span> <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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p17">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, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.32.30" parsed="|Exod|32|30|0|0" passage="Ex 32:30">Exod. xxxii. 30</scripRef>.
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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p18">1. He showed him the great evil of the
people's sin, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.11" parsed="|Num|14|11|0|0" passage="Nu 14:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>.
What passed between God and Israel went through the hands of Moses:
when they were displeased with God they told Moses of it (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.2" parsed="|Num|14|2|0|0" passage="Nu 14:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>); when God was displeased
with them he told Moses, too, <i>revealing his secret to his servant
the prophet,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Amos.3.7" parsed="|Amos|3|7|0|0" passage="Am 3:7">Amos iii. 7</scripRef>.
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,
<scripRef id="Num.xv-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.3.8" parsed="|Heb|3|8|0|0" passage="Heb 3:8">Heb. iii. 8</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:1John.5.10" parsed="|1John|5|10|0|0" passage="1Jo 5:10">1 John v.
10</scripRef>), and a root sin, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p18.6" osisRef="Bible:Heb.3.12" parsed="|Heb|3|12|0|0" passage="Heb 3:12">Heb.
iii. 12</scripRef>. (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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p19">2. He showed him the sentence which justice
passed upon them for it, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.12" parsed="|Num|14|12|0|0" passage="Nu 14:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>. "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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p20">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, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.5.44" parsed="|Matt|5|44|0|0" passage="Mt 5:44">Matt. v.
44</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p21">1. The prayer of his petition is, in one
word, <i>Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people</i>
(<scripRef id="Num.xv-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.19" parsed="|Num|14|19|0|0" passage="Nu 14:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>), 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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p22">2. The pleas are many, and strongly
urged.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p23">(1.) He insists most upon the plea that is
taken from the glory of God, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.13-Num.14.16" parsed="|Num|14|13|14|16" passage="Nu 14:13-16"><i>v.</i> 13-16</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.14" parsed="|Num|14|14|0|0" passage="Nu 14:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>.
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> (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p23.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.13" parsed="|Num|14|13|0|0" passage="Nu 14:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>), for they have their spies
among us, and they will <i>tell it to the inhabitants of the
land</i>" (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p23.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.14" parsed="|Num|14|14|0|0" passage="Nu 14:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>);
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> (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p23.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.92.6" parsed="|Ps|92|6|0|0" passage="Ps 92:6">Ps. xcii.
6</scripRef>): but they will impute it to the failing of God's
power, and so turn it to his reproach, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p23.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.16" parsed="|Num|14|16|0|0" passage="Nu 14:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p23.7" osisRef="Bible:Deut.32.27" parsed="|Deut|32|27|0|0" passage="De 32:27">Deut. xxxii. 27</scripRef>),
<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, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p23.8" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.6.1" parsed="|1Tim|6|1|0|0" passage="1Ti 6:1">1 Tim. vi. 1</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p24">(2.) He pleads God's proclamation of his
name at Horeb (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.17-Num.14.18" parsed="|Num|14|17|14|18" passage="Nu 14:17,18"><i>v.</i> 17,
18</scripRef>): <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, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.34.6-Exod.34.7" parsed="|Exod|34|6|34|7" passage="Ex 34:6,7">Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.49" parsed="|Ps|119|49|0|0" passage="Ps 119:49">Ps. cxix.
49</scripRef>. "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>
<scripRef id="Num.xv-p24.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.15" parsed="|Num|14|15|0|0" passage="Nu 14:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p25">(3.) He pleads past experience: <i>As thou
hast forgiven this people from Egypt,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.19" parsed="|Num|14|19|0|0" passage="Nu 14:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. 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,
<scripRef id="Num.xv-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.55.9" parsed="|Isa|55|9|0|0" passage="Isa 55:9">Isa. lv. 9</scripRef>. 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>
<scripRef id="Num.xv-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:Mal.3.6" parsed="|Mal|3|6|0|0" passage="Mal 3:6">Mal. iii. 6</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Num.xv-p25.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.20-Num.14.35" parsed="|Num|14|20|14|35" passage="Nu 14:20-35" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.14.20-Num.14.35">
<h4 id="Num.xv-p25.5">God's Answer to Moses; The Israelites
Threatened. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p25.6">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Num.xv-p26">20 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p26.1">Lord</span>
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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p26.2">Lord</span>.  
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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p26.3">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p26.4">Lord</span>, 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p26.5">Lord</span> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p27">We have here God's answer to the prayer of
Moses, which sings both of mercy and judgment. It is given
privately to Moses (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.20-Num.14.25" parsed="|Num|14|20|14|25" passage="Nu 14:20-25"><i>v.</i>
20-25</scripRef>), and then directed to be made public to the
people, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p27.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.26-Num.14.35" parsed="|Num|14|26|14|35" passage="Nu 14:26-35"><i>v.</i> 26-35</scripRef>.
The frequent repetitions of the same things in it speak these
resolves to be unalterable. Let us see the particulars.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p28">I. The extremity of the sentence is receded
from (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.20" parsed="|Num|14|20|0|0" passage="Nu 14:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>): "<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 (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.19" parsed="|Num|14|19|0|0" passage="Nu 14:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>); <i>I
have pardoned,</i> says God, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p28.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.20" parsed="|Num|14|20|0|0" passage="Nu 14:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>. David found him thus swift to show mercy, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p28.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.32.5" parsed="|Ps|32|5|0|0" passage="Ps 32:5">Ps. xxxii. 5</scripRef>. <i>He deals not with us
after our sins,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p28.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.103.10" parsed="|Ps|103|10|0|0" passage="Ps 103:10">Ps. ciii.
10</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p29">II. The glorifying of God's name is, in the
general, resolved upon, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.21" parsed="|Num|14|21|0|0" passage="Nu 14:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p29.2" osisRef="Bible:John.12.28" parsed="|John|12|28|0|0" passage="Joh 12:28">John xii. 28</scripRef>.
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, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p29.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.6.3" parsed="|Isa|6|3|0|0" passage="Isa 6:3">Isa. vi. 3</scripRef>,
<i>The earth is full of his glory.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p30">III. The sin of this people which provoked
God to proceed against them is here aggravated, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.22 Bible:Num.14.27" parsed="|Num|14|22|0|0;|Num|14|27|0|0" passage="Nu 14:22,27"><i>v.</i> 22, 27</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p30.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.41.23" parsed="|Isa|41|23|0|0" passage="Isa 41:23">Isa. xli.
23</scripRef>), to do <i>good,</i> or do <i>evil.</i> 2. They
murmured against him. This is much insisted on, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p30.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.27" parsed="|Num|14|27|0|0" passage="Nu 14:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p30.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.2" parsed="|Num|14|2|0|0" passage="Nu 14:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p30.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.14.11" parsed="|Exod|14|11|0|0" passage="Ex 14:11">Exod. xiv.
11</scripRef>. In Marah, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p30.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.15.23-Exod.15.24" parsed="|Exod|15|23|15|24" passage="Ex 15:23,24">Exod. xv.
23, 24</scripRef>. In the wilderness of Sin, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p30.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.16.2" parsed="|Exod|16|2|0|0" passage="Ex 16:2">Exod. xvi. 2</scripRef>. At Rephidim, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p30.8" osisRef="Bible:Exod.17.1-Exod.17.2" parsed="|Exod|17|1|17|2" passage="Ex 17:1,2">Exod. xvii. 1, 2</scripRef>. The golden calf, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p30.9" osisRef="Bible:Exod.32.1-Exod.32.35" parsed="|Exod|32|1|32|35" passage="Ex 32:1-35">Exod. xxxii</scripRef>. Then at Taberah. Then
at Kibroth-Hattaavah, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p30.10" osisRef="Bible:Num.11.1-Num.11.35" parsed="|Num|11|1|11|35" passage="Nu 11:1-35"><i>ch.</i>
xi</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p31">IV. The sentence passed upon them for this
sin. 1. That they should not see the promised land (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.23" parsed="|Num|14|23|0|0" passage="Nu 14:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>), nor <i>come into
it,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p31.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.30" parsed="|Num|14|30|0|0" passage="Nu 14:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>. <i>He
swore in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest,</i>
<scripRef id="Num.xv-p31.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.95.11" parsed="|Ps|95|11|0|0" passage="Ps 95:11">Ps. xcv. 11</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p31.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.25" parsed="|Num|14|25|0|0" passage="Nu 14:25"><i>v.</i>
25</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p31.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.13.29" parsed="|Num|13|29|0|0" passage="Nu 13:29"><i>ch.</i> xiii.
29</scripRef>), 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> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p31.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.28-Num.14.29" parsed="|Num|14|28|14|29" passage="Nu 14:28,29"><i>v.</i> 28, 29</scripRef>, and again,
<scripRef id="Num.xv-p31.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.32 Bible:Num.14.35" parsed="|Num|14|32|0|0;|Num|14|35|0|0" passage="Nu 14:32,35"><i>v.</i> 32, 35</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p31.8" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.33-Num.14.34" parsed="|Num|14|33|14|34" passage="Nu 14:33,34"><i>v.</i> 33,
34</scripRef>. 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>
<scripRef id="Num.xv-p31.9" osisRef="Bible:Deut.8.2" parsed="|Deut|8|2|0|0" passage="De 8:2">Deut. viii. 2</scripRef>. 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 <scripRef id="Num.xv-p31.10" osisRef="Bible:Ps.90.1-Ps.90.17" parsed="|Ps|90|1|90|17" passage="Ps 90:1-17">ninetieth
Psalm</scripRef>, 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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p32">V. The mercy that was mixed with this
severe sentence.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p33">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 (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p33.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.24" parsed="|Num|14|24|0|0" passage="Nu 14:24"><i>v.</i>
24</scripRef>), and a particular mark of honour put upon him, both,
(1.) In the character given of him: he had <i>another spirit,</i>
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, (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 (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p33.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.30" parsed="|Num|14|30|0|0" passage="Nu 14:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>) 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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p34">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> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.31" parsed="|Num|14|31|0|0" passage="Nu 14:31"><i>v.</i>
31</scripRef>. They had invidiously charged God with a design to
ruin their children, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p34.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.3" parsed="|Num|14|3|0|0" passage="Nu 14:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="Num.xv-p34.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.36-Num.14.45" parsed="|Num|14|36|14|45" passage="Nu 14:36-45" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.14.36-Num.14.45">
<h4 id="Num.xv-p34.4">Death of the Evil Spies. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p34.5">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Num.xv-p35">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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p35.1">Lord</span>.   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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p35.2">Lord</span> hath
promised: for we have sinned.   41 And Moses said, Wherefore
now do ye transgress the commandment of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p35.3">Lord</span>? but it shall not prosper.   42 Go not
up, for the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p35.4">Lord</span> <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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p35.5">Lord</span>, therefore the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p35.6">Lord</span> will not be with you.   44 But they
presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the
covenant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xv-p35.7">Lord</span>, 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p36">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>
<scripRef id="Num.xv-p36.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.36-Num.14.37" parsed="|Num|14|36|14|37" passage="Nu 14:36,37"><i>v.</i> 36, 37</scripRef>.
Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p37">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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p38">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,
<scripRef id="Num.xv-p38.1" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.2.5-2Pet.2.6" parsed="|2Pet|2|5|2|6" passage="2Pe 2:5,6">2 Pet. ii. 5, 6</scripRef>. Thus the
wrath of God is revealed, that sinners may hear and fear.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p39">II. The special preservation of Caleb and
Joshua: <i>They lived still,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p39.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.38" parsed="|Num|14|38|0|0" passage="Nu 14:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p39.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.91.7" parsed="|Ps|91|7|0|0" passage="Ps 91:7">Ps. xci. 7</scripRef>.
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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p40">III. The publication of the sentence to all
the people, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p40.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.36" parsed="|Num|14|36|0|0" passage="Nu 14:36"><i>v.</i> 36</scripRef>.
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 (<scripRef id="Num.xv-p40.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.1" parsed="|Num|14|1|0|0" passage="Nu 14:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), 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
(<scripRef id="Num.xv-p40.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.9" parsed="|Num|14|9|0|0" passage="Nu 14:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), 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> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p40.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.17" parsed="|Heb|12|17|0|0" passage="Heb 12:17">Heb. xii.
17</scripRef>. Such mourning as this there is in hell, but the
tears will not quench the flames, no, nor cool the tongue.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p41">IV. The foolish fruitless attempts of some
of the Israelites to enter Canaan, notwithstanding the
sentence.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xv-p42">1. They were now eager to go forward
towards Canaan, <scripRef id="Num.xv-p42.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.40" parsed="|Num|14|40|0|0" passage="Nu 14:40"><i>v.</i>
40</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p43">2. Moses utterly disallows their motion,
and forbids the expedition they were meditating: <i>Go not up,</i>
<scripRef id="Num.xv-p43.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.41-Num.14.43" parsed="|Num|14|41|14|43" passage="Nu 14:41-43"><i>v.</i> 41-43</scripRef>. (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 foretells 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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p44">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> <scripRef id="Num.xv-p44.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.44" parsed="|Num|14|44|0|0" passage="Nu 14:44"><i>v.</i> 44</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Num.xv-p45">4. The expedition speeds accordingly,
<scripRef id="Num.xv-p45.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.45" parsed="|Num|14|45|0|0" passage="Nu 14:45"><i>v.</i> 45</scripRef>. 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>
</div></div2>