No doubt but beside the more immediate use and purpose for which the trumpets were sounded, that was a special one, which typified the sounding of the gospel. For what is the call of JESUS'S gospel, but a call to the assembling of sinners before the LORD, and his holy word directing their journey th... [ Continue Reading ]
CONTENTS This is an interesting chapter. It treats of the form and uses of the silver trumpets for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the people. Herein is also contained, the account of the removal of the people from Mount Sinai to Paran: an affecting relation of Moses' entreat... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe GOD'S precept. Precepts and promises are sometimes joined together; not as if the LORD'S mercies were depending upon the desert of man, but to intimate that the LORD hath graciously appointed means to the end. The Psalmist hath drawn a nice, but proper distinction between the means, and the... [ Continue Reading ]
Here again the Gospel is strikingly represented, in the diversity of sounds. There was in the camp of Israel, the war trumpet, which this chapter speaks of; Numbers 10:9, the fast trumpet, Joel 2:15, the jubilee trumpet, Leviticus 25:9. And the trumpet for calling the assemblies, as here stated. But... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe another striking similitude. The sons of Aaron were to be the trumpeters. The ministers of JESUS are his heralds, and no other. That is an awful Scripture of the LORD by the prophet. It were well, if it were duly considered by all preachers, Jeremiah 23:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
Remark how very gracious the LORD is in his promises. LORD! give me grace, to be always looking and crying unto thee, in all my warfare. 1 John 5:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
Did not this mean to say, that GOD in CHRIST is to be enjoyed in everything. And what, indeed, are all our feasts and sacrifices except JESUS be in them? Psalms 81:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Is there not a great deal of gospel in this verse? What was the removal of the cloud from off the tabernacle, when near Mount Sinai, but the intimation that when JESUS in substance of our flesh should tabernacle among us, that then the cloud of partition between GOD and us, now reconciled in his SON... [ Continue Reading ]
Moses gives a further account of this, Deuteronomy 1:6. But Reader! do not forget to remark with me, that though Israel moved forward towards Canaan at the command of GOD, the removal was but from one wilderness to another. Reader, it is so and must be so, wholly through life. Wheresoever we are, ho... [ Continue Reading ]
I must not suffer the Reader to go through this account of the order, in which Israel took their journeys, without detaining him to observe, that Judah takes the lead. Doth the Reader ask wherefore? Let him recollect that our LORD sprang out of Judah. The sceptre was to be in Judah, and to him the g... [ Continue Reading ]
No doubt the order, here pointed out by divine authority, was not without particular significance. But it should seem, from a passage in the Psalms, that each tribe had a special regard to the divine presence. Psalms 80:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is more than probable, that this Hobab was either the same as Jethro, or the son of Jethro. Certain it is, that the same word signifies both father in law, and brother in law. See Exodus 18:1. But leaving this point, as not very important, I would rather the Reader should attend to the very inter... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold! the universal voice of nature! See how earthly affections cleave to the earth. That is an awful scripture, Luke 13:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
Gracious souls cannot give over pleading. See the holy importunity of Angels on this point. Gen_19:17; Gen_19:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is not positively said, whether Hobab was prevailed upon or not. I think it most probable, that the grace of GOD inclined him to go, and that he went with Israel, as we find mention made of his family. Judges 1:16 and again, 1 Samuel 15:6. But, let us rather attend to what is said in this memorab... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! remark with me, that it is truly grateful to the soul to have tokens of JESUS' presence with us, whether in a cloud or more open manifestations, whether we move or rest. See that sweet promise, Deuteronomy 28:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
This prayer of Moses is in the spirit of prophecy. As if he had said, When the LORD goeth before his people their enemies shall be scattered. And when they rest, the SPIRIT of the LORD is upon them, causing them to rest. Isaiah 63:14. Reader! remember it is not the many thousands of Israel, or as th... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS HERE, my soul, let me pause a little, and in the relation of the silver trumpet service, calling the LORD'S people to the assembly of his saints, ask my heart whether I have heard and known the joyful sound, which is proclaimed in the gospel, of JESUS' blood and righteousness! and am no... [ Continue Reading ]