798 lines
37 KiB
HTML
798 lines
37 KiB
HTML
<HTML>
|
|
<HEAD>
|
|
<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Numbers, Chapter XV].</TITLE>
|
|
<meta name="aesop" content="information">
|
|
<meta name="description" content=
|
|
"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
|
|
<meta name="keywords" content=
|
|
"Prophecy, Rapture,hope,bible map,bible maps, God, tribulation,Second Coming,Christ,large print bible,commentary,complete">
|
|
</HEAD>
|
|
<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
|
|
<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
|
|
on the Whole Bible</h1>
|
|
<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
|
|
</h3>
|
|
</center>
|
|
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC04014.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC04016.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (Begin Body) -->
|
|
|
|
<CENTER>
|
|
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>N U M B E R S</B></FONT>
|
|
<BR>
|
|
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XV.</FONT>
|
|
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
|
|
</CENTER>
|
|
|
|
<FONT SIZE=-1>
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
This chapter, which is mostly concerning sacrifice and offering, comes
|
|
in between the story of two rebellions (one
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:1-45"><I>ch.</I> xiv.</A>
|
|
|
|
the other
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+16:1-50"><I>ch.</I> xvi.</A>),
|
|
|
|
to signify that these legal institutions were typical of the gifts
|
|
which Christ was to receive even for the rebellious,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:18">Ps. lxviii. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
In the foregoing chapter, upon Israel's provocation, God had determined
|
|
to destroy them, and in token of his wrath had sentenced them to perish
|
|
in the wilderness. But, upon Moses' intercession, he said, "I have
|
|
pardoned;" and, in token of that mercy, in this chapter he repeats and
|
|
explains some of the laws concerning offerings, to show that he was
|
|
reconciled to them, notwithstanding the severe dispensation they wee
|
|
under, and would not unchurch them. Here is,
|
|
|
|
I. The law concerning the meat-offerings and drink-offerings
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:1-12">ver. 1-12</A>)
|
|
|
|
both for Israelites and for strangers
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:13-16">ver. 13-16</A>),
|
|
|
|
and a law concerning the heave-offerings of the first of their dough,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:17-21">ver. 17-21</A>.
|
|
|
|
II. The law concerning sacrifices for sins of ignorance,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:22-29">ver. 22-29</A>.
|
|
|
|
III. The punishment of presumptuous sins
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:30,31">ver. 30, 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
and an instance given in the sabbath-breaker,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:32-36">ver. 32-36</A>.
|
|
|
|
IV. A law concerning fringes, for memorandums, upon the borders of
|
|
their garments,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:37-41">ver. 37</A>, &c.</P>
|
|
|
|
</FONT>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_1"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_2"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_3"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_4"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_5"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_6"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_7"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_8"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_9"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_21"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Laws Concerning Sacrifices.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto Moses, saying,
|
|
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye
|
|
be come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you,
|
|
3 And will make an offering by fire unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, a burnt
|
|
offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill
|
|
offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, of the herd, or of the flock:
|
|
4 Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> bring
|
|
a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth
|
|
<I>part</I> of an hin of oil.
|
|
5 And the fourth <I>part</I> of an hin of wine for a drink offering
|
|
shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one
|
|
lamb.
|
|
6 Or for a ram, thou shalt prepare <I>for</I> a meat offering two
|
|
tenth deals of flour mingled with the third <I>part</I> of an hin of
|
|
oil.
|
|
7 And for a drink offering thou shalt offer the third <I>part</I> of
|
|
an hin of wine, <I>for</I> a sweet savour unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
8 And when thou preparest a bullock <I>for</I> a burnt offering, or
|
|
<I>for</I> a sacrifice in performing a vow, or peace offerings unto
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>:
|
|
9 Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering of three
|
|
tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin of oil.
|
|
10 And thou shalt bring for a drink offering half an hin of
|
|
wine, <I>for</I> an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
11 Thus shall it be done for one bullock, or for one ram, or
|
|
for a lamb, or a kid.
|
|
12 According to the number that ye shall prepare, so shall ye
|
|
do to every one according to their number.
|
|
13 All that are born of the country shall do these things after
|
|
this manner, in offering an offering made by fire, of a sweet
|
|
savour unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
14 And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever <I>be</I> among
|
|
you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire,
|
|
of a sweet savour unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; as ye do, so he shall do.
|
|
15 One ordinance <I>shall be both</I> for you of the congregation,
|
|
and also for the stranger that sojourneth <I>with you,</I> an
|
|
ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye <I>are,</I> so shall the
|
|
stranger be before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
16 One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the
|
|
stranger that sojourneth with you.
|
|
17 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto Moses, saying,
|
|
18 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When
|
|
ye come into the land whither I bring you,
|
|
19 Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the
|
|
land, ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
20 Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough <I>for</I> an
|
|
heave offering: as <I>ye do</I> the heave offering of the
|
|
threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.
|
|
21 Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> an
|
|
heave offering in your generations.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here we have,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Full instructions given concerning the meat-offerings and
|
|
drink-offerings, which were appendages to all the sacrifices of
|
|
animals. The beginning of this law is very encouraging: <I>When you
|
|
come into the land of your habitation which I give unto you,</I> they
|
|
you shall do so and so,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
This was a plain intimation, not only that God was reconciled to them
|
|
notwithstanding the sentence he had passed upon them, but that he would
|
|
secure the promised land to their seed notwithstanding their proneness
|
|
to rebel against him. They might think some time or other they should
|
|
be guilty of a misdemeanour that would be fatal to them, and would
|
|
exclude them for ever, as the last had done for one generation; but
|
|
this intimates an assurance that they should be kept from provoking God
|
|
to such a degree as would amount to a forfeiture; for this statute
|
|
takes it for granted that there were some of them that should in due
|
|
time come into Canaan. The meat-offerings were of two sorts; some were
|
|
offered alone, and we have the law concerning those,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+2:1-16">Lev. ii. 1</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. Others were added to the burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, and
|
|
constantly attended them, and about these direction is here given. It
|
|
was requisite, since the sacrifices of acknowledgment (specified in
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>)
|
|
|
|
were intended as the food of God's table, that there should be a
|
|
constant provision of bread, oil, and wine, whatever the flesh-meat
|
|
was. The caterers or purveyors for Solomon's temple provided <I>fine
|
|
flour,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:22">1 Kings iv. 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
And it was fit that God should keep a good house, that his table should
|
|
be furnished with bread as well as flesh, and that his cup should run
|
|
over. In my Father's house there is bread enough. Now the intent of
|
|
this law is to direct what proportion the meat-offering and
|
|
drink-offering should bear to several sacrifices to which they were
|
|
annexed. If the sacrifice was a lamb or a kid, then the meat-offering
|
|
must be a tenth-deal of flour, that is, an omer, which contained about
|
|
five pints; this must be mingled with oil, the fourth part of a hin (a
|
|
hin contained about five quarts), and the drink-offering must be the
|
|
same quantity of wine, about a quart and half a pint,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:3-5"><I>v.</I> 3-5</A>.
|
|
|
|
If it was a ram, the meat-offering was doubled, two tenth-deals of
|
|
flour, about five quarts, and a third part of a hin of oil (which was
|
|
to them as butter is to us) mingled with it; and the same quantity of
|
|
wine for a drink-offering,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
If the sacrifice was a bullock, the meat-offering was to be trebled,
|
|
three omers, with five pints of oil, and the same quantity of wine for
|
|
a drink-offering,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:8-10"><I>v.</I> 8-10</A>.
|
|
|
|
And thus for each sacrifice, whether offered by a particular person or
|
|
at the common charge. Note, Our religious services should be governed,
|
|
as by other rules, so by the rule of proportion.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Natives and strangers are here set upon a level, in this as in
|
|
other matters
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:13-16"><I>v.</I> 13-16</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>One law shall be for you and for the stranger</I> that is
|
|
proselyted to the Jewish religion." Now,
|
|
|
|
1. This was an invitation to the Gentiles to become proselytes, and to
|
|
embrace the faith and worship of the true God. In civil things there
|
|
was a difference between strangers and true-born Israelites, but not in
|
|
the things of God; <I>as you are, so shall the stranger be before the
|
|
Lord,</I> for with him there is no respect of persons. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+56:3">Isa. lvi. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. This was an obligation upon the Jews to be kind to strangers, and
|
|
not to oppress them, because they saw them owned and accepted of God.
|
|
Communion in religion is a great engagement to mutual affection, and
|
|
should slay all enmities.
|
|
|
|
3. It was a mortification to the pride of the Jews, who are apt to be
|
|
puffed up with their birthright privileges. "We are Abraham's seed."
|
|
God let them know that the sons of the stranger were as welcome to him
|
|
as the sons of Jacob; no man's birth or parentage shall turn either to
|
|
his advantage or his prejudice in his acceptance with God. This
|
|
likewise intimated that, as believing strangers should be accounted
|
|
Israelites, so unbelieving Israelites should be accounted strangers.
|
|
|
|
4. It was a happy presage of the calling of the Gentiles, and of their
|
|
admission into the church. If the law made so little difference between
|
|
Jew and Gentile, much less would the gospel make, which broke down the
|
|
partition-wall, and reconciled both to God in one sacrifice, without
|
|
the observance of the legal ceremonies.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. A law for the offering of the first of their dough unto the Lord.
|
|
This, as the former, goes upon the comfortable supposition of their
|
|
having <I>come into the promised land,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now that they lived upon manna they needed not such an express
|
|
acknowledgment of God's title to their daily bread, and their
|
|
dependence upon him for it, the thing spoke for itself; but in Canaan,
|
|
where they should eat the fruit of their own industry, God required
|
|
that he should be owned as their landlord and their great benefactor.
|
|
They must not only offer him the first-fruits and tenths of the corn in
|
|
their fields (these had already been reserved); but when they had it in
|
|
their houses, in their kneading trough, when it was almost ready to be
|
|
set upon their tables, God must have a further tribute of
|
|
acknowledgment, part of their dough (the Jews say a fortieth part, at
|
|
least, of the whole lump) must be heaved or offered up to God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:20,21"><I>v.</I> 20, 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
and the priest must have it for the use of his family. Thus they must
|
|
own their dependence upon God for their daily bread, even when they had
|
|
it in the house with them; they must then wait on God for the
|
|
comfortable use of it; for we read of that which was brought home, and
|
|
yet God did blow upon it, and it came to little,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hag+1:9">Hag. i. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ has taught us to pray not, <I>Give us this year our yearly
|
|
harvest,</I> but <I>Give us this day our daily bread.</I> God by this
|
|
law said to the people, as the prophet long afterwards said to the
|
|
widow of Sarepta
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+17:13">1 Kings xvii. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Only make me thereof a little cake first.</I> This offering was
|
|
expressly kept up by the laws of Ezekiel's visionary temple, and it is
|
|
a commandment with promise of family-mercies
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+44:30">Ezek. xliv. 30</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>You shall give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may
|
|
cause the blessing to rest in thy house;</I> for, when God has had his
|
|
dues out of our estates, we may expect the comfort of what falls to our
|
|
share.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_29"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Sacrifices for Sins of Ignorance.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>22 And if ye have erred, and not observed all these
|
|
commandments, which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath spoken unto Moses,
|
|
23 <I>Even</I> all that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath commanded you by the hand of
|
|
Moses, from the day that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> commanded <I>Moses,</I> and
|
|
henceforward among your generations;
|
|
24 Then it shall be, if <I>ought</I> be committed by ignorance
|
|
without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the
|
|
congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering,
|
|
for a sweet savour unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, with his meat offering, and his
|
|
drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats
|
|
for a sin offering.
|
|
25 And the priest shall make an atonement for all the
|
|
congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven
|
|
them; for it <I>is</I> ignorance: and they shall bring their offering,
|
|
a sacrifice made by fire unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and their sin offering
|
|
before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, for their ignorance:
|
|
26 And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the
|
|
children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them;
|
|
seeing all the people <I>were</I> in ignorance.
|
|
27 And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a
|
|
she goat of the first year for a sin offering.
|
|
28 And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that
|
|
sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>,
|
|
to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
|
|
29 Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through
|
|
ignorance, <I>both for</I> him that is born among the children of
|
|
Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the laws concerning sacrifices for sins of ignorance; the
|
|
Jews understand it of idolatry, or false worship, through the error of
|
|
their teachers. The case here supposed is that they <I>had not observed
|
|
all these commandments,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:22,23"><I>v.</I> 22, 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
If they had failed in the offerings of their acknowledgment, and had
|
|
not brought them according to the law, then they must bring an offering
|
|
of atonement, yea, though the omission had been through forgetfulness
|
|
or mistake. If they failed in one part of the ceremony, they must make
|
|
it up by the observance of another part, which was in the nature of a
|
|
remedial law.
|
|
|
|
1. The case is put of a national sin, committed through ignorance, and
|
|
become customary through a vulgar error
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>)--<I>the
|
|
|
|
congregation,</I> that is, the body of the people, for so it is
|
|
explained
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>All the congregation of the children of Israel.</I> The ceremonial
|
|
observances were so numerous, and so various, that, it might easily be
|
|
supposed, some of them by degrees would be forgotten and disused, as
|
|
particularly that immediately before concerning the heave-offering of
|
|
their dough: now if, in process of time, upon consulting the law, there
|
|
should appear to have been a general neglect of that or any other
|
|
appointment, then a sacrifice must be offered for the whole
|
|
congregation, and the oversight shall be forgiven
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:25,26"><I>v.</I> 25, 26</A>)
|
|
|
|
and not punished, as it deserved, with some national judgment. The
|
|
offering of the sacrifice <I>according to the manner,</I> or
|
|
<I>ordinance,</I> plainly refers to a former statute, of which this is
|
|
the repetition; and the same bullock which is there called <I>a
|
|
sin-offering</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+4:13,21">Lev. iv. 13, 21</A>)
|
|
|
|
is here called <I>a burnt-offering</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
because it was wholly burnt, though not upon the altar, yet without the
|
|
camp. And here is the addition of a <I>kid of the goats for a
|
|
sin-offering.</I> According to this law, we find that Hezekiah made
|
|
atonement for the errors of his father's reign, by <I>seven bullocks,
|
|
seven rams, seven lambs, and seven he-goats,</I> which he offered as a
|
|
<I>sin-offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for
|
|
Judah</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+29:21">2 Chron. xxix. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
and <I>for all Israel,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
And we find the like done after the return out of captivity,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+8:35">Ezra viii. 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. It is likewise supposed to be the case of a particular person: <I>If
|
|
any soul sin through ignorance</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
neglecting any part of his duty, he must bring his offering, as was
|
|
appointed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+4:27-35">Lev. iv. 27</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. Thus atonement shall be made <I>for the soul that sins, when he
|
|
sins through ignorance,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Sins committed ignorantly need to have atonement made for them;
|
|
for, though ignorance will in a degree excuse, it will not justify
|
|
those that might have known their Lord's will and did it not. David
|
|
prayed to be cleansed from his <I>secret faults,</I> that is, those
|
|
sins which he himself was not aware of, the errors he did not
|
|
understand,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+19:12">Ps. xix. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Sins committed ignorantly shall be forgiven, through Christ the
|
|
great sacrifice, who, when he offered up himself once for all upon the
|
|
cross, seemed to explain the intention of his offering in that prayer,
|
|
<I>Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.</I> And Paul
|
|
seems to allude to this law concerning sins of ignorance
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+1:13">1 Tim. i. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly and in unbelief.</I>
|
|
And it looked favourable upon the Gentiles that this law of atoning for
|
|
sins of ignorance is expressly made to extend to those who were
|
|
strangers to the commonwealth of Israel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
but supposed to be <I>proselytes of righteousness.</I> Thus the
|
|
blessing of Abraham comes upon the Gentiles.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_36"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Doom of Presumptuous Sinners.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>30 But the soul that doeth <I>ought</I> presumptuously, <I>whether he
|
|
be</I> born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
|
|
31 Because he hath despised the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and hath
|
|
broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his
|
|
iniquity <I>shall be</I> upon him.
|
|
32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness,
|
|
they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.
|
|
33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto
|
|
Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.
|
|
34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what
|
|
should be done to him.
|
|
35 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to
|
|
death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without
|
|
the camp.
|
|
36 And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and
|
|
stoned him with stones, and he died; as the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> commanded Moses.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
I. The general doom passed upon presumptuous sinners.
|
|
|
|
1. Those are to be reckoned presumptuous sinners that sin <I>with a
|
|
high hand,</I> as the original phrase is
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
that is, that avowedly confront God's authority, and set up their own
|
|
lust in competition with it, that sin for sinning-sake, in
|
|
contradiction to the precept of the law, and in defiance of the
|
|
penalty, that fight against God, and dare him to do his worst; see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+15:25">Job xv. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is not only to sin against knowledge, but to sin designedly against
|
|
God's will and glory.
|
|
|
|
2. Sins thus committed are exceedingly sinful. He that thus breaks the
|
|
commandment,
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>Reproaches the Lord</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>);
|
|
|
|
he says the worst he can of him, and most unjustly. The language of
|
|
presumptuous sin is, "Eternal truth is not fit to be believed, the Lord
|
|
of all not fit to be obeyed, and almighty power not fit to be either
|
|
feared or trusted." It imputes folly to Infinite Wisdom, and iniquity
|
|
to the righteous Judge of heaven and earth; such is the malignity of
|
|
wilful sin.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He <I>despises the word of the Lord,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
There are those who, in many instances, come short of fulfilling the
|
|
word, and yet have a great value for it, and count the law honourable;
|
|
but presumptuous sinners despise it, thinking themselves too great, too
|
|
good, and too wise, to be ruled by it. <I>What is the Almighty that we
|
|
should serve him?</I> Whatever the sin itself is, it is contumacy that
|
|
incurs the anathema. It is rebellion added to the sin that is as
|
|
witch-craft, and stubbornness as idolatry.
|
|
|
|
3. The sentence passed on such is dreadful. There remains no sacrifice
|
|
for those sins; the law provided none: <I>That soul shall be cut off
|
|
from among his people</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>utterly cut off</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>);
|
|
|
|
and that God may be for ever justified, and the sinner for ever
|
|
confounded, <I>his iniquity shall be upon him,</I> and there needs no
|
|
more to sink him to the lowest hell. Thus the Jewish doctors understand
|
|
it, that <I>the iniquity shall cleave to the soul, after it is cut off,
|
|
and that man shall give an account of his sin at the great day of
|
|
judgment.</I> Perhaps the kind of offence might be such as did not
|
|
expose the offender to the censure of the civil magistrate, but, if it
|
|
was done presumptuously, God himself would take the punishment of it
|
|
into his own hands, and into them it is a fearful thing to fall. In the
|
|
New Testament we find the like sentence of exclusion from all benefit
|
|
by the great sacrifice passed upon the blasphemy against the Holy
|
|
Ghost, and a total apostasy from Christianity.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. A particular instance of presumption in the sin of
|
|
sabbath-breaking.
|
|
|
|
1. The offence was the gathering of sticks on the sabbath day
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>),
|
|
|
|
which, it is probable, were designed to make a fire of, whereas they
|
|
were commanded to bake and seeth what they had occasion for the day
|
|
before,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+16:23">Exod. xvi. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
This seemed but a small offence, but it was a violation of the law of
|
|
the sabbath, and so was a tacit contempt of the Creator, to whose
|
|
honour the sabbath was dedicated, and an incursion upon the whole law,
|
|
which the sabbath was intended as a hedge about. And it appears by the
|
|
context to have been done presumptuously, and in affront both of the
|
|
law and to the Law-maker.
|
|
|
|
2. The offender was secured,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:33,34"><I>v.</I> 33, 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that found him <I>gathering sticks,</I> in their zeal for the
|
|
honour of the sabbath, <I>brought him to Moses and Aaron, and all the
|
|
congregation,</I> which intimates that being the sabbath day the
|
|
congregation was at that time gathered to Moses and Aaron, to receive
|
|
instruction from them, and to join with them in religious worship. It
|
|
seems, even common Israelites, though there was much amiss among them,
|
|
yet would not contentedly see the sabbath profaned, which was a good
|
|
sign that they had not quite forsaken God, nor were utterly forsaken of
|
|
him.
|
|
|
|
3. God was consulted, <I>because it was not declared what should be
|
|
done to him.</I> The law had already made the profanation of the
|
|
sabbath a capital crime
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+31:14,Nu+35:2">Exod. xxxi. 14, <I>ch.</I> xxxv. 2</A>);
|
|
|
|
but they were in doubt, either concerning the offence (whether this
|
|
that he had done should be deemed a profanation or no) or concerning
|
|
the punishment, which death he should die. God was the Judge, and
|
|
before him they brought this cause.
|
|
|
|
4. Sentence was passed; the prisoner was adjudged a sabbath-breaker,
|
|
according to the intent of that law, and as such he must be put to
|
|
death; and to show how great the crime was, and how displeasing to God,
|
|
and that others might hear and fear and not do in like manner
|
|
presumptuously, that death is appointed him which was looked upon as
|
|
most terrible: He must be <I>stoned with stones,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, God is jealous for the honour of his sabbaths, and will not hold
|
|
those guiltless, whatever men do, that profane them.
|
|
|
|
5. Execution was done pursuant to the sentence,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>.
|
|
|
|
He was <I>stoned</I> to death <I>by the congregation.</I> As many as
|
|
could were employed in the execution, that those, at least, might be
|
|
afraid of breaking the sabbath, who had thrown a stone at this
|
|
sabbath-breaker. This intimates that the open profanation of the
|
|
sabbath is a sin which ought to be punished and restrained by the civil
|
|
magistrate, who, as far as overt acts go, is keeper of both tables. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:17">Neh. xiii. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
One would think there could be no great harm in gathering a few sticks,
|
|
on what day soever it was, but God intended the exemplary punishment of
|
|
him that did so for a standing warning to us all, to make conscience of
|
|
keeping holy the sabbath.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_40"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu15_41"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Law Concerning Fringes.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>37 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto Moses, saying,
|
|
38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they
|
|
make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout
|
|
their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the
|
|
borders a ribband of blue:
|
|
39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon
|
|
it, and remember all the commandments of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and do them;
|
|
and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes,
|
|
after which ye use to go a whoring:
|
|
40 That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be
|
|
holy unto your God.
|
|
41 I <I>am</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God, which brought you out of the land
|
|
of Egypt, to be your God: I <I>am</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Provision had been just now made by the law for the pardon of sins of
|
|
ignorance and infirmity; now here is an expedient provided for the
|
|
preventing of such sins. They are ordered to make fringes upon the
|
|
borders of their garments, which were to be memorandums to them of
|
|
their duty, that they might not sin through forgetfulness.
|
|
|
|
1. The sign appointed is a fringe of silk, or thread, or worsted, or
|
|
the garment itself ravelled at the bottom, and a blue riband bound on
|
|
the top of it to keep it tight,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
The Jews being a peculiar people, they were thus distinguished from
|
|
their neighbours in their dress, as well as in their diet, and taught
|
|
by such little instances of singularity not to be conformed to the way
|
|
of the heathen in greater things. Thus likewise they proclaimed
|
|
themselves Jews wherever they were, as those that were not ashamed of
|
|
God and his law. Our Saviour, being made under the law, wore these
|
|
fringes; hence we read of the hem or border, of his garment,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:20">Matt. ix. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
These borders the Pharisees enlarged, that they might be thought more
|
|
holy and devout than other people. The phylacteries were different
|
|
things; these were their own invention, the fringes were a divine
|
|
institution. The Jews at this day wear them, saying, when they put them
|
|
on, <I>Blessed be he who has sanctified us unto himself, and commanded
|
|
us to wear fringes.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. The intention of it was to remind them that they were a peculiar
|
|
people. They were not appointed for the trimming and adorning of their
|
|
clothes, but <I>to stir up their pure minds by way of remembrance</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:1">2 Pet. iii. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
that they might <I>look upon the fringe and remember the
|
|
commandments.</I> Many look upon their ornaments to feed their pride,
|
|
but they must look upon these ornaments to awaken their consciences to
|
|
a sense of their duty, that their religion might constantly beset them,
|
|
and that they might carry it about with them, as they did their
|
|
clothes, wherever they went. If they were tempted to sin, the fringe
|
|
would be a monitor to them not to break God's commandments: If a duty
|
|
was forgotten to be done in its season, the fringe would remind them of
|
|
it. This institution, though it is not an imposition upon us, is an
|
|
instruction to us, always to <I>remember the commandments of the Lord
|
|
our God,</I> that we <I>may do them,</I> to treasure them up in our
|
|
memories, and to apply them to particular cases as there is occasion to
|
|
use them. It was intended particularly to be a preservative from
|
|
idolatry: that you <I>seek not after your own heart, and your own
|
|
eyes,</I> in your religious worship. Yet it may extend also to the
|
|
whole conversation, for nothing is more contrary to God's honour, and
|
|
our own true interest, than to <I>walk in the way of our heart</I> and
|
|
in <I>the sight of our eyes;</I> for the <I>imagination of the heart is
|
|
evil,</I> and so is the <I>lust of the eyes.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
After the repetition of some ceremonial appointments, the chapter
|
|
closes with that great and fundamental law of religion, <I>Be holy unto
|
|
your God,</I> purged from sin, and sincerely devoted to his service;
|
|
and that great reason for all the commandments is again and again
|
|
inculcated, <I>I am the Lord your God.</I> Did we more firmly believe,
|
|
and more frequently and seriously consider, that God is the Lord, and
|
|
our God and Redeemer, we should see ourselves bound in duty, interest,
|
|
and gratitude, to keep all his commandments.</P>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
|
|
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC04014.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC04016.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
|
|
|
|
|
|
<!--Matthew_Henry's_Commentary_on_the_Whole_Bible:_Numbers_XV.--><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank"><b>Back to Bibles Net . Com - Online Christian Library </b></a><br>
|
|
<a href="http://biblesnet.com/download.html" target="_blank"><br>
|
|
<b>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Free Download</b></a><br>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<A HREF="http://biblesnet.com/contactus.html" target="_blank"><strong>Contact Us </strong></A><br>
|
|
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
</BODY>
|
|
</HTML>
|