CHAPTER XIV _The whole congregation weep at the account brought by the_ _spies_, 1. _They murmur_, 2, 3; _and propose to make themselves a captain, and go back to_ _Egypt_, 4. _Moses and Aaron are greatly affected_, 5. _Joshua and Caleb endeavour to appease and encourage the_ _people_, 6-9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 14:4. _LET US MAKE A CAPTAIN_] Here was a formal renunciation of the authority of Moses, and flat rebellion against God. And it seems from Nehemiah 9:17 that they had actually appointed _another leader_, under whose direction they were about to return to Egypt. How astonishing is this!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 14:6. _AND JOSHUA, C._] See on the preceding chapter, Numbers 13:33, Numbers 13:33.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 14:9. _THEIR DEFENCE_] צלם _tsillam, their shadow_, a metaphor highly expressive of _protection_ and _support_ in the sultry eastern countries. The _protection_ of God is so called; see Psalms 91:1; Psalms 121:5; see also Isaiah 51:16; Isaiah 49:2; Isaiah 30:2. The Arabs and Persians... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 14:10. _THE GLORY OF THE LORD APPEARED_] This timely appearance of the Divine glory prevented these faithful servants of God from being stoned to death by this base and treacherous multitude. "Every man is immortal till his work is done," while in simplicity of heart he is following hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 14:14. That _THY CLOUD STANDETH OVER THEM_] This _cloud_, the symbol of the Divine glory, and proof of the Divine presence, appears to have assumed _three_ different forms for three important purposes. 1. It appeared by day in the form of a _pillar_ of a sufficient height to be seen b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 14:18. _THE LORD IS LONGSUFFERING_] Exodus 34:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 14:19. _PARDON, I BESEECH THEE, THE INIQUITY OF THIS PEOPLE_] From Numbers 14:13-4 inclusive we have the words of Moses's intercession; they need no explanation, they are full of simplicity and energy; his arguments with God (for be did reason and argue with his Maker) are pointed, cog... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 14:20. _I HAVE PARDONED_] That is, They shall not be cut off _as_ they deserve, because thou hast interceded for their lives.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 14:21. _ALL THE EARTH SHALL BE FILLED, C._] כל הארץ _kol_ _haarets_, all THIS land, i. e., the land of Canaan which was only fulfilled to the letter when the preaching of Christ and his apostles was heard through all the cities and villages of Judea. It does not appear that the whole o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 14:24. _BUT MY SERVANT CALEB, C._] Caleb had _another_ _spirit _- not only a bold, generous, courageous, noble, and heroic spirit but the Spirit and influence of the God of heaven thus raised him above human inquietudes and earthly fears, therefore be _followed God fully_; וימלא אחרי... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 14:34. _AFTER THE NUMBER OF THE DAYS_] The spies were _forty_ _days_ in searching the land, and the people who rebelled on their evil report are condemned to wander _forty years_ in the wilderness! Now let them make them a captain and go back to Egypt _if they_ _can_. God had so hedge... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 14:37. _THOSE MEN THAT DID BRING UP THE EVIL REPORT - DIED_] Thus ten of the twelve that searched out the land were struck dead, by the justice of God, on the spot! _Caleb_, of the tribe of Judah, and _Joshua_, of the tribe of Ephraim, alone escaped, because they had followed God fully... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 14:40. _WE - WILL GO UP UNTO THE PLACE, C._] They found themselves on the very borders of the land, and they heard God say they should not enter it, but should be consumed by a forty years' wandering in the wilderness notwithstanding, they are determined to render vain this purpose of... [ Continue Reading ]