_The people complained._ AGAINST MURMURING I. A dissatisfied spirit causes displeasure to the Lord. 1. This we might infer from our own feelings, when dependents, children, servants, or receivers of alms are always grumbling. We grow weary of them, and angry with them. 2. In the case of men towa... [ Continue Reading ]
_The mixt multitude._ THE MIXED MULTITUDE If Israel, according to its calling, be regarded as a type of the new man, then this “mixed multitude,” a remnant of Egypt, and influenced still by its spirit, will be a type of the old man in the believer But we may take another view of Israel, and say tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_There is nothing at all, beside this manna._ THE MANNA DESPISED I. The complaining of the Israelites in this case was very reprehensible, as it manifested a state of aggravated neglect of the peculiar circumstances in which the despised manna was provided for them. Their soul had been dying away... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore hast Thou afflicted Thy servant?_ THE SUFFERINGS OF THE GOOD IN THE PATH OF DUTY I. Look at the afflictions of godly men in the path of duty as a fact. 1. Good men suffer afflictions. 2. Good men suffer affliction in the path of duty. II. Look at the afflictions of godly men in the p... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gather unto Me seventy men of the elders._ THE ANSWER OF GOD TO THE APPEALS OF MEN I. The Lord’s answer to the appeal of his much-tried servant. 1. The number of the assistants. 2. Their selection. 3. The qualification imparted to them. II. The Lord’s answer to the appeal of his perverse peop... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is the Lord’s hand waxed short?_ GOD’S CHALLENGE TO THE FAITH AND CO-OPERATION OF HIS PEOPLE I. These words have special reference to a divinely-revealed purpose which staggers human reason. 1. Let us look at this purpose. “God hath sent His Son into the world,.. . that the world through Him mig... [ Continue Reading ]
_Eldad and Medad do prophesy._ ELDAD AND MEDAD Eldad and Medad seem instances of unlicensed preaching and prophesying; and this, at a time of scanty knowledge and rare spiritual illumination, was not without its dangers. So thought Joshua, and, jealous for Moses’ supremacy, besought him to rebuke... [ Continue Reading ]
_They gathered the quails._ THE QUAILS I. Israel’s complaint. 1. Its object was food. 2. Its nature was intense. “Fell a lusting.” 3. It was general. 4. It was accompanied with tears. A faint, weary, disappointed people. Tears, chiefly, of discontent. 5. It was associated with the retrospecti... [ Continue Reading ]