353 lines
27 KiB
XML
353 lines
27 KiB
XML
<div2 id="Num.x" n="x" next="Num.xi" prev="Num.ix" progress="67.47%" title="Chapter IX">
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<h2 id="Num.x-p0.1">N U M B E R S</h2>
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<h3 id="Num.x-p0.2">CHAP. IX.</h3>
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<p class="intro" id="Num.x-p1">This chapter is, I. Concerning the great ordinance
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of the passover; 1. Orders given for the observance of it, at the
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return of the year, <scripRef id="Num.x-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.1-Num.9.5" parsed="|Num|9|1|9|5" passage="Nu 9:1-5">ver.
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1-5</scripRef>. 2. Provisos added in regard to such as should be
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ceremonially unclean, or otherwise disabled, at the time when the
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passover was to be kept, <scripRef id="Num.x-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.6-Num.9.14" parsed="|Num|9|6|9|14" passage="Nu 9:6-14">ver.
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6-14</scripRef>. II. Concerning the great favour of the pillar of
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cloud, which was a guide to Israel through the wilderness,
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<scripRef id="Num.x-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.15" parsed="|Num|9|15|0|0" passage="Nu 9:15">ver. 15</scripRef>, &c.</p>
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<scripCom id="Num.x-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.9" parsed="|Num|9|0|0|0" passage="Nu 9" type="Commentary"/>
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<scripCom id="Num.x-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.1-Num.9.14" parsed="|Num|9|1|9|14" passage="Nu 9:1-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.9.1-Num.9.14">
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<h4 id="Num.x-p1.6">The Law of the Passover. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p1.7">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
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<p class="passage" id="Num.x-p2">1 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p2.1">Lord</span>
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spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of
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the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt,
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saying, 2 Let the children of Israel also keep the passover
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at his appointed season. 3 In the fourteenth day of this
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month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according
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to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies
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thereof, shall ye keep it. 4 And Moses spake unto the
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children of Israel, that they should keep the passover. 5
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And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month
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at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p2.2">Lord</span> commanded Moses, so did the children
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of Israel. 6 And there were certain men, who were defiled by
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the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on
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that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:
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7 And those men said unto him, We <i>are</i> defiled by the
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dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not
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offer an offering of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p2.3">Lord</span> in his
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appointed season among the children of Israel? 8 And Moses
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said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p2.4">Lord</span> will command concerning you. 9 And
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the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p2.5">Lord</span> spake unto Moses, saying,
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10 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of
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you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body,
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or <i>be</i> in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover
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unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p2.6">Lord</span>. 11 The
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fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it,
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<i>and</i> eat it with unleavened bread and bitter <i>herbs.</i>
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12 They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break
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any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover
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they shall keep it. 13 But the man that <i>is</i> clean, and
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is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the
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same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he
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brought not the offering of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p2.7">Lord</span>
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in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin. 14 And
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if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover
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unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p2.8">Lord</span>; according to the
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ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so
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shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger,
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and for him that was born in the land.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Num.x-p3">Here we have,</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Num.x-p4">I. An order given for the solemnization of
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the passover, the day twelvemonth after they came out of Egypt, on
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the fourteenth day of the first month of the second year, some days
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before they were numbered, for that was done in the beginning of
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the second month. Observe, 1. God gave particular orders for the
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keeping of this passover, otherwise (it should seem) they would not
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have kept it, for, in the first institution of this ordinance, it
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was appointed to be kept when they should <i>come into the land of
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promise,</i> <scripRef id="Num.x-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.25" parsed="|Exod|12|25|0|0" passage="Ex 12:25">Exod. xii. 25</scripRef>.
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And, no passover till they came to Canaan, <scripRef id="Num.x-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.5.10" parsed="|Josh|5|10|0|0" passage="Jos 5:10">Josh. v. 10</scripRef>. This was an early indication of
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the abolishing of the ceremonial institutions at last, that, so
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soon after they were first appointed, some of them were suffered to
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lie asleep for so many years. The ordinance of the Lord's supper
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(which came in the room of the passover) was not thus intermitted
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or set aside in the first days of the Christian church, though
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those were days of greater difficulty and distress than Israel knew
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in the wilderness; nay, in the times of persecution, the Lord's
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supper was celebrated more frequently than afterwards. The
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Israelites in the wilderness could not forget their deliverance out
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of Egypt, their present state was a constant memorandum of it to
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them. All the danger was when they came to Canaan; there therefore
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they had need to be reminded of the <i>rock out of which they were
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hewn.</i> However, because the first passover was celebrated in a
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hurry, and was rather the substance itself than the sign, it was
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the will of God that at the return of the year, when they were more
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composed, and better acquainted with the divine law, they should
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observe it again, that their children might more distinctly
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understand the solemnity and the better remember it hereafter.
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Calvin supposes that they were obliged to keep it now, and notes it
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as an instance of their carelessness that they had need to be
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reminded of an institution which they so lately received. 2. Moses
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faithfully transmitted to the people the orders given him,
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<scripRef id="Num.x-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.4" parsed="|Num|9|4|0|0" passage="Nu 9:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. Thus Paul
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delivered to the churches what he <i>received of the Lord</i>
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concerning the gospel passover, <scripRef id="Num.x-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.11.23" parsed="|1Cor|11|23|0|0" passage="1Co 11:23">1
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Cor. xi. 23</scripRef>. Note, Magistrates must be monitors, and
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ministers must <i>stir up men's minds by way of remembrance</i> to
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that which is good. 3. The people observed the orders given them,
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<scripRef id="Num.x-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.5" parsed="|Num|9|5|0|0" passage="Nu 9:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. Though they had
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lately kept the feast of dedication (<scripRef id="Num.x-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.1-Num.7.89" parsed="|Num|7|1|7|89" passage="Nu 7:1-89"><i>ch.</i> vii.</scripRef>), yet they did not desire to
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excuse themselves with that from keeping this feast. Note,
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Extraordinary performances must not supersede or jostle out or
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stated services. They kept the passover even in the wilderness:
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though our condition be solitary and unsettled, yet we must keep up
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our attendance on God by holy ordinances as we have opportunity,
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for in them we may find the best conversation and the best repose.
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Thus is God' Israel provided for in a desert.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Num.x-p5">II. Instructions given concerning those
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that were ceremonially unclean when they were to eat the passover.
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The law of the passover required every Israelite to eat of it. Some
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subsequent laws had forbidden those that had contracted any
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ceremonial pollution to eat of the holy things; those whose minds
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and consciences are defiled by sin are utterly unfit for communion
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with God, and cannot partake, with any true comfort, of the gospel
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passover, till they are cleansed by true repentance and faith: and
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a sad dilemma they are in; if they come not to holy ordinances,
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they are guilty of a contempt of them; if they do come in their
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pollution, they are guilty of a profanation of them. They must
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therefore wash, and then <i>compass God's altar.</i> Now,</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Num.x-p6">1. Here is the case that happened in Israel
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when this passover was to be kept: <i>Certain men were defiled by
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the dead body of a man</i> (<scripRef id="Num.x-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.6" parsed="|Num|9|6|0|0" passage="Nu 9:6"><i>v.</i>
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6</scripRef>), and they lay under that defilement seven days
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(<scripRef id="Num.x-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.19.11" parsed="|Num|19|11|0|0" passage="Nu 19:11"><i>ch.</i> xix. 11</scripRef>), and
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in that time might not eat of the holy things, <scripRef id="Num.x-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.20" parsed="|Lev|7|20|0|0" passage="Le 7:20">Lev. vii. 20</scripRef>. This was not their iniquity, but
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their infelicity: some persons must touch dead bodies, to bury them
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out of sight, and therefore they could, with the better grace,
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bring their complaint to Moses.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Num.x-p7">2. The application made to Moses by the
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person concerned, <scripRef id="Num.x-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.7" parsed="|Num|9|7|0|0" passage="Nu 9:7"><i>v.</i>
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7</scripRef>. Note, It is people's wisdom, in difficult cases
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concerning sin and duty, to consult with their ministers whom God
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has set over them, and to <i>ask the law at their mouth,</i>
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<scripRef id="Num.x-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Mal.2.7" parsed="|Mal|2|7|0|0" passage="Mal 2:7">Mal. ii. 7</scripRef>. These means we
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must use in pursuance of our prayers to God to lead us in a plain
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path. Observe with what trouble and concern these men complained
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that they were kept back from offering to the Lord. They did not
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complain of the law as unjust, but lamented their unhappiness that
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they fell under the restraint of it at this time, and desired some
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expedient might be found out for their relief. Note, It is a
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blessed thing to see people hungering and thirsting after God's
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ordinances, and to hear them complaining of that which prevents
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their enjoyment of them. It should be a trouble to us when by any
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occasion we are kept back from bringing our offering in the
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solemnities of a sabbath or a sacrament, as it was to David when he
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was banished from the altar, <scripRef id="Num.x-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.42.1-Ps.42.2" parsed="|Ps|42|1|42|2" passage="Ps 42:1,2">Ps.
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xlii. 1, 2</scripRef>.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Num.x-p8">3. The deliberation of Moses in resolving
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this case. Here seemed to be law against law; and, though it is a
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rule that the latter law must explain the former, yet he pitied
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these Israelites that were thus deprived of the privilege of the
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passover, and therefore took time to consult the oracles, and to
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know what was the mind of God in this case: <i>I will hear what the
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Lord will command concerning you,</i> <scripRef id="Num.x-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.8" parsed="|Num|9|8|0|0" passage="Nu 9:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. Ministers must take example hence
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in resolving cases of conscience. (1.) They must not determine
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rashly, but take time to consider, that every circumstance may be
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duly weighted, the case viewed in a true light, and spiritual
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things compared with spiritual. (2.) They must ask counsel at God's
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mouth, and not determine according to the bias of their own fancy
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or affection, but impartially, according to the mind of God, to the
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best of their knowledge. We have no such oracle to consult as Moses
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had, but we must have recourse to <i>the law and the testimony,</i>
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and speak according to that rule; and if, in difficult cases, we
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take time to spread the matter in particular before God by humble
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believing prayer, we have reason to hope that the Spirit who is
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promised to <i>lead us into all truth</i> will enable us to direct
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others <i>in the good and right way.</i></p>
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<p class="indent" id="Num.x-p9">4. The directions which God gave in this
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case, and in other similar cases, explanatory of the law of the
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passover. The disagreeable accident produced good laws. (1.) Those
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that happened to be ceremonially unclean at the time when the
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passover should be eaten were allowed to eat it that day month,
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when they were clean; so were those that happened to be <i>in a
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journey afar off,</i> <scripRef id="Num.x-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.10-Num.9.11" parsed="|Num|9|10|9|11" passage="Nu 9:10,11"><i>v.</i> 10,
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11</scripRef>. See here, [1.] That when we are to attend upon God
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in solemn ordinances it is very necessary both that we be clean and
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that we be composed. [2.] That that may excuse the deferring of a
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duty for a time which yet will not justify us in the total neglect
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and omission of it. He that is at variance with his brother may
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<i>leave his gift before the altar,</i> while he goes to be
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<i>reconciled to his brother;</i> but when he has done his part
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towards it, whether it be effected or no, he must <i>come again and
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offer his gift,</i> <scripRef id="Num.x-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.5.23-Matt.5.24" parsed="|Matt|5|23|5|24" passage="Mt 5:23,24">Matt. v. 23,
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24</scripRef>. This secondary passover was to be kept on the same
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day of the month with the first, because the ordinance was a
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memorial of their deliverance on that day of the month. Once we
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find the whole congregation keeping the passover on this fourteenth
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day of the second month, in Hezekiah's time (<scripRef id="Num.x-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.30.15" parsed="|2Chr|30|15|0|0" passage="2Ch 30:15">2 Chron. xxx. 15</scripRef>), which perhaps may help to
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account for the admission of some that were not clean to the eating
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of it. Had the general passover been kept in the first month, the
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unclean might have been put off till the second; but, that being
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kept in the second month, they had no warrant to eat it in the
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third month, and therefore, rather than not eat of it at all, they
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were admitted, though not cleansed <i>according to the purification
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of the sanctuary,</i> <scripRef id="Num.x-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.19-Num.9.20" parsed="|Num|9|19|9|20" passage="Nu 9:19,20"><i>v.</i> 19,
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20</scripRef>. (2.) Whenever the passover was kept in the second
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month, all the rites and ceremonies of it must be strictly
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observed, <scripRef id="Num.x-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.12" parsed="|Num|9|12|0|0" passage="Nu 9:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. They
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must not think that, because the time was dispensed with, any part
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of the solemnity of it might be abated; when we cannot do as we
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would we must do the utmost we can in the service of God. (3.) This
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allowance in a case of necessity would be no means countenance or
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indulge any in their neglect to keep the passover at the time
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appointed, when they were not under the necessity, <scripRef id="Num.x-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.13" parsed="|Num|9|13|0|0" passage="Nu 9:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. When a person is under
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no incapacity to eat the passover in the appointed time, if he
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neglects it then, upon the presumption of the liberty granted by
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this law, he puts an affront upon God, impiously abuses his
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kindness, and he shall certainly <i>bear his sin,</i> and <i>be cut
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off from his people.</i> Note, As those who against their minds are
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forced to absent themselves from God's ordinances may comfortably
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expect the favours of God's grace under their affliction, so those
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who of choice absent themselves may justly expect the tokens of
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God's wrath for their sin. <i>Be not deceived, God is not
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mocked.</i> (4.) Here is a clause added in favour of strangers,
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<scripRef id="Num.x-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.14" parsed="|Num|9|14|0|0" passage="Nu 9:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. Though it was
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requisite that the stranger who would join with them in eating the
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passover should be circumcised as a proselyte to their religion
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(<scripRef id="Num.x-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.48-Exod.12.49" parsed="|Exod|12|48|12|49" passage="Ex 12:48,49">Exod. xii. 48, 49</scripRef>), yet
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this kind admission of those that were not native Israelites to eat
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the passover was an intimation of the favour designed for the poor
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Gentiles by Christ. As then there was one law, so in the days of
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the Messiah there should be one gospel, for the stranger and for
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him that was born in the land; for <i>in every nation he that fears
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God and works righteousness is accepted of him,</i> and this was a
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truth before Peter perceived it, <scripRef id="Num.x-p9.9" osisRef="Bible:Acts.10.34-Acts.10.35" parsed="|Acts|10|34|10|35" passage="Ac 10:34,35">Acts x. 34, 35</scripRef>.</p>
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</div><scripCom id="Num.x-p9.10" osisRef="Bible:Num.9" parsed="|Num|9|0|0|0" passage="Nu 9" type="Commentary"/>
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<scripCom id="Num.x-p9.11" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.15-Num.9.23" parsed="|Num|9|15|9|23" passage="Nu 9:15-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.9.15-Num.9.23">
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<h4 id="Num.x-p9.12">The Pillar of Cloud and
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Fire. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p9.13">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
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<p class="passage" id="Num.x-p10">15 And on the day that the tabernacle was reared
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up the cloud covered the tabernacle, <i>namely,</i> the tent of the
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testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the
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appearance of fire, until the morning. 16 So it was alway:
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the cloud covered it <i>by day,</i> and the appearance of fire by
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night. 17 And when the cloud was taken up from the
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tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and
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in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel
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pitched their tents. 18 At the commandment of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p10.1">Lord</span> the children of Israel journeyed, and
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at the commandment of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p10.2">Lord</span> they
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pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested
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in their tents. 19 And when the cloud tarried long upon the
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tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge
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of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p10.3">Lord</span>, and journeyed not.
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20 And <i>so</i> it was, when the cloud was a few days upon
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the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p10.4">Lord</span> they abode in their tents, and according to
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the commandment of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p10.5">Lord</span> they
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journeyed. 21 And <i>so</i> it was, when the cloud abode
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from even unto the morning, and <i>that</i> the cloud was taken up
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in the morning, then they journeyed: whether <i>it was</i> by day
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or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. 22
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Or <i>whether it were</i> two days, or a month, or a year, that the
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cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children
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of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was
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taken up, they journeyed. 23 At the commandment of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p10.6">Lord</span> they rested in the tents, and at the
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commandment of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p10.7">Lord</span> they
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journeyed: they kept the charge of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p10.8">Lord</span>, at the commandment of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.x-p10.9">Lord</span> by the hand of Moses.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Num.x-p11">We have here the history of the cloud; not
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a natural history: <i>who knows the balancings of the clouds?</i>
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but a divine history of a cloud that was appointed to be the
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visible sign and symbol of God's presence with Israel.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Num.x-p12">I. When the tabernacle was finished this
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cloud, which before had hung on high over their camp, settled upon
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the tabernacle, and covered it, to show that God manifests his
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presence with his people in and by his ordinances; there he makes
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himself known, and to them we must look if we would <i>see the
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beauty of the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="Num.x-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.4 Bible:Ezek.37.26-Ezek.37.27" parsed="|Ps|27|4|0|0;|Ezek|37|26|37|27" passage="Ps 27:4,Eze 37:26,27">Ps. xxvii. 4; Ezek. xxxvii. 26,
|
||
27</scripRef>. Thus God glorified his own appointments, and
|
||
signified his acceptance of his people's love and obedience.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="Num.x-p13">II. That which appeared as a cloud by day
|
||
appeared as a fire all night. Had it been a cloud only, it would
|
||
not have been visible by night; and, had it been a fire only, it
|
||
would have been scarcely discernible by day; but God would give
|
||
them sensible demonstrations of the constancy of his presence with
|
||
them, and his care of them, and that he <i>kept them night and
|
||
day,</i> <scripRef id="Num.x-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.27.3 Bible:Ps.121.6" parsed="|Isa|27|3|0|0;|Ps|121|6|0|0" passage="Isa 27:3,Ps 121:6">Isa. xxvii. 3; Ps.
|
||
cxxi. 6</scripRef>. And thus we are taught to <i>set God always
|
||
before us,</i> and to see him near us both night and day. Something
|
||
of the nature of that divine revelation which the Old-Testament
|
||
church was governed by might also be signified by these visible
|
||
signs of God's presence, the cloud denoting the darkness and the
|
||
fire the terror of that dispensation, in comparison with the more
|
||
clear and comfortable discoveries God has made of his glory in the
|
||
face of Jesus Christ.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="Num.x-p14">III. This pillar of cloud and fire directed
|
||
and determined all the motions, marches, and encampments, of Israel
|
||
in the wilderness. 1. As long as the cloud rested upon the
|
||
tabernacle, so long they continued in the same place, and never
|
||
stirred; though no doubt they were very desirous to be pressing
|
||
forward in their journey towards Canaan, where they longed to be
|
||
and hoped to be quickly, yet as long as the cloud rested, if it was
|
||
a month or a year, so long they rested, <scripRef id="Num.x-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.22" parsed="|Num|9|22|0|0" passage="Nu 9:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. Note, He that believeth doth not
|
||
make haste. There is no time lost while we are waiting God's time.
|
||
It is as acceptable a piece of submission to the will of God to sit
|
||
still contentedly when our lot requires it as to work for him when
|
||
we are called to it. 2. When the cloud was taken up, they removed,
|
||
how comfortably soever they were encamped, <scripRef id="Num.x-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.17" parsed="|Num|9|17|0|0" passage="Nu 9:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. Whether it moved by day or
|
||
night, they delayed not to attend its motions (<scripRef id="Num.x-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.21" parsed="|Num|9|21|0|0" passage="Nu 9:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>), and probably there were some
|
||
appointed to stand sentinel day and night within sight of it, to
|
||
give timely notice to the camp of its beginning to stir, and this
|
||
called <i>keeping the charge of the Lord.</i> The people, being
|
||
thus kept at a constant uncertainty, and having no time fixed for
|
||
stopping or removing, were obliged to hold themselves in constant
|
||
readiness to march upon very short warning. And for the same reason
|
||
we are kept at uncertainty concerning the time of our putting off
|
||
the earthly house of this tabernacle, that we may be always ready
|
||
to <i>remove at the commandment of the Lord.</i> 3. As long and as
|
||
far as the cloud moved, so long and so far they marched, and just
|
||
where it abode they pitched their tents about it, and God's tent
|
||
under it, <scripRef id="Num.x-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.9.17" parsed="|Num|9|17|0|0" passage="Nu 9:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>.
|
||
Note, It is uncomfortable staying when God has departed, but very
|
||
safe and pleasant going when we see God go before us and resting
|
||
where he appoints us to rest. This is repeated again and again in
|
||
these verses, because it was a constant miracle, and often
|
||
repeated, and what never failed in all their travels, and because
|
||
it is a matter which we should take particular notice of as very
|
||
significant and instructive. It is mentioned long after by David
|
||
(<scripRef id="Num.x-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.105.39" parsed="|Ps|105|39|0|0" passage="Ps 105:39">Ps. cv. 39</scripRef>), and by the
|
||
people of God after their captivity, <scripRef id="Num.x-p14.6" osisRef="Bible:Neh.9.19" parsed="|Neh|9|19|0|0" passage="Neh 9:19">Neh. ix. 19</scripRef>. And the guidance of this cloud
|
||
is spoken of as signifying the guidance of the blessed Spirit.
|
||
<scripRef id="Num.x-p14.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.63.14" parsed="|Isa|63|14|0|0" passage="Isa 63:14">Isa. lxiii. 14</scripRef>, <i>The
|
||
Spirit of the Lord caused him to rest, and so didst thou lead thy
|
||
people.</i> This teaches us, (1.) The particular care God takes of
|
||
his people. Nothing could be more expressive and significant of
|
||
God's tenderness of Israel than the guidance of this cloud was; it
|
||
led them by the <i>right way</i> (<scripRef id="Num.x-p14.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.107.7" parsed="|Ps|107|7|0|0" passage="Ps 107:7">Ps.
|
||
cvii. 7</scripRef>), went on their pace: God did by it, as it were,
|
||
cover them with his feathers. We are not now to expect such
|
||
sensible tokens of the divine presence and guidance as this was,
|
||
but the promise is sure to all God's spiritual Israel that he will
|
||
<i>guide them by his counsel</i> (<scripRef id="Num.x-p14.9" osisRef="Bible:Ps.73.24" parsed="|Ps|73|24|0|0" passage="Ps 73:24">Ps.
|
||
lxxiii. 24</scripRef>), <i>even unto death</i> (<scripRef id="Num.x-p14.10" osisRef="Bible:Ps.48.14" parsed="|Ps|48|14|0|0" passage="Ps 48:14">Ps. xlviii. 14</scripRef>), that all the children of God
|
||
shall be <i>led by the Spirit of God</i> (<scripRef id="Num.x-p14.11" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.14" parsed="|Rom|8|14|0|0" passage="Ro 8:14">Rom. viii. 14</scripRef>), that he will <i>direct the
|
||
paths</i> of those who in <i>all their ways acknowledge him,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="Num.x-p14.12" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.6" parsed="|Prov|3|6|0|0" passage="Pr 3:6">Prov. iii. 6</scripRef>. There is a
|
||
particular providence conversant about all their affairs, to direct
|
||
and overrule them for the best. <i>The steps of a good man are
|
||
ordered by the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="Num.x-p14.13" osisRef="Bible:Ps.37.23" parsed="|Ps|37|23|0|0" passage="Ps 37:23">Ps. xxxvii.
|
||
23</scripRef>. (2.) The particular regard we ought to have to God
|
||
in all our ways. In our affections and actions we must follow the
|
||
direction of his word and Spirit; all the motions of our souls must
|
||
be guided by the divine will; at the commandment of the Lord our
|
||
hearts should always move and rest; in all our affairs we must
|
||
follow Providence, reconciling ourselves to all its disposals, and
|
||
bringing our mind to our condition, whatever it is. The people of
|
||
Israel, having the cloud for their guide, were eased of the trouble
|
||
of holding councils of war, to consider when and whither they
|
||
should march, which might have occasioned strifes and debates among
|
||
them: nor needed they to send spies before to inform them of the
|
||
posture of the country, or pioneers to clear the way, or officers
|
||
to mark out their camp; the pillar of cloud did all this for them:
|
||
and those that by faith commit their works to the Lord, though they
|
||
are bound to the prudent use of means, yet may in like manner be
|
||
easy in the expectation of the event. <i>"Father, thy will be
|
||
done;</i> dispose of me and mine as thou pleasest; here I am,
|
||
desirous to be found <i>waiting on my God continually,</i> to
|
||
journey and rest at <i>the commandment of the Lord.</i> What thou
|
||
wilt, and where thou wilt, only let me be thine, and always in the
|
||
way of my duty."</p>
|
||
</div></div2> |