CONTENTS This sacred volume opens in this Chapter, with the Lord's command to Moses, for the numbering the people: the persons appointed to this service; and exception of the Levites. Numbers 1:1 The period in which the Lord gave this commandment is not unmeriting notice. The Reader, by calculati... [ Continue Reading ]
Had not this method of numbering by families a particular design, more clearly thereby to ascertain the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ? Hebrews 7:14 Let the Reader remark with me, what dignity God hath put upon his people, in thus causing them to be numbered. At this time there were many nation... [ Continue Reading ]
I only detain the Reader, after the perusal of these verses of names, (with whose sound we are scarcely acquainted, and of the persons themselves to whom they belong, we know nothing) I only detain him to observe, what a succession of persons and of generations doth the pilgrimage of the human life... [ Continue Reading ]
However uninteresting this account of names may seem to the Reader, yet spiritually considered, may it not serve to teach the happiness of those whose names are written in the book of life. Reader! depend upon it, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And if the Lord said to Moses, I know thee by name... [ Continue Reading ]
It is very endearing to behold the Lord Jesus giving in the account of his people. John 17:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
There is certainly somewhat very striking in those scriptures which mention the number of the children of Israel. It is plain, that it is of the highest importance in the divine esteem, otherwise the Holy Ghost would not have caused it to be so particularly set down. Compare this with Revelation 7:4... [ Continue Reading ]
Pause again, my brother, and reflect, what a standing miracle of mercy must it have been in the Lord, to have fed this great multitude in the wilderness, day by day for forty years together. And when the Reader hath duly contemplated this subject, let him consider further, what an everlasting miracl... [ Continue Reading ]
The separation of the Levites had certainly some very important signification. Perhaps to manifest the distinguishing tokens of grace. And it is probable, that it meant to show, that as in profession the whole people of Israel were distinguished from all other nations; so in a special manner among I... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS Who can behold the Lord's attention to Israel, as recorded in this chapter, in commanding the people to be numbered and registered; without calling to mind the blessed and distinguishing privileges of the Lord's Israel in all ages. Oh! the happiness of that people and that person, whom... [ Continue Reading ]