CONTENTS This is a most interesting Chapter, and as an apostle had it in commission from the HOLY GHOST, to tell the church that the written account of Israel's history was intended for our example, that we come not into the same condemnation through unbelief; it demands our attention the more. Her... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! stand still, and solemnly review the awful progress of sin. First, it broke out in unavailing cries and tears a whole night. Next, in murmurings against the divine government. Then, in daring wishes, that they had died in Egypt or even in the wilderness, and this in the very moment when they... [ Continue Reading ]
It is very refreshing to a gracious soul to behold through all this eventful history, how the LORD JESUS in his glorious character of our intercessor, is typified by his servants. The apostle hath given a faint idea of the strong cryings and tears of the Redeemer on these occasions. Hebrews 5:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is worthy the Reader's notice, the leading arguments the true spies made use of to still the minds of the people; that the LORD not being with their enemies, was a sure token of victory; while on the other hand his presence with Israel already insured their success. That is a precious scripture t... [ Continue Reading ]
It should seem that the rulers or persons of greater influence than the common people, were leaders in this rebellion. But is there not a spiritual sense here? Have not the holy men and prophets of the LORD in all ages, been stoned and persecuted by the enemies to divine things, when executing their... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, how everything of grace and mercy is made to pass through Moses. Herein reader! do not overlook Moses as a type of the ever blessed JESUS. See Isaiah 42:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Nothing can be more beautiful and interesting, than these pleas of Moses. Reader! remark with me the arguments he makes use of; all which terminate in this one grand consideration; namely, the glory and honour of the LORD'S holy name. Every promise of GOD which is in CHRIST JESUS, is secured to his... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe the expression, I have pardoned. Yes, JESUS is the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Hence the efficacy of that blood which cleanseth from all sin, reacheth through all ages. Revelation 13:8. It is one of the most precious doctrines of the gospel this, that our GOD hath already pr... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD'S glory is the ultimate object of all his dispensations. The work of creation, is expressly put down to this design. Revelation 4:11. The work of redemption the same. Isaiah 43:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
If the reader wishes to count the ten times here spoken of, he will find them as I have here marked them. First, at the Red Sea, Exodus 11:1, Secondly, At the waters of Marah. Exodus 23:1, Thirdly, In the wilderness of Zin. Exodus 2:1, Fourthly, In rebelling against GOD'S commandment, in leaving of... [ Continue Reading ]
This is that memorable instance so pathetically mourned over in the New Testament, and so solemnly held up to our view to warn against the same dreadful example of unbelief. The apostle Paul dwells upon it very largely. 1 Corinthians 10:1. And again: Hebrews 4:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! while you pause over this verse, to mark, in the instance of Caleb, the blessed effects of distinguishing grace; be very particular to note the cause of this mercy, in the precious gift this man had of another spirit from the evil spies. It is this which makes all the difference between one... [ Continue Reading ]
What an awful going back is here! They were now within a short stage of Canaan, but in consequence of their rebellion, they are to wander yet longer in the wilderness. And is there not in all this a most striking type of the wilderness dispensations of the LORD'S people how, when for backsliding and... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! remark with me, with what precision and exactness even in divine judgments, a man's own ways determine the event. The people had waited for the spies' return very patiently 40 days: was it not just that in their punishment for unbelief they should wait 40 years for the fulfillment of GOD'S p... [ Continue Reading ]
There must have been somewhat very striking and awful in the sudden death of these men. And the more so, as it was a specimen of what GOD had said of the death of all that congregation. Indeed the remarkable cases of divine judgments, which in every age have been shown in the sudden destruction of s... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! do not overlook the care of a gracious GOD, which he exerciseth in the same moment with his chosen ones, while punishing the ungodly. That's a sweet scripture to this effect: Malachi 3:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
By what follows in the close of the chapter, it appears that this sorrow was not a gracious sorrow for having offended the LORD, but for having lost Canaan. Reader! learn to distinguish between that sorrow which worketh death, and that godly sorrow which worketh repentance unto salvation, not to be... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, the LORD had commanded the people to go back towards the way by the Red Sea. But they, self-willed and presumptuous, wilt go up towards Canaan. Alas! what a continual perverseness there is in our unhumbled nature! What unbelief and daring presumption. My soul! look within. Am I not too freq... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS I WOULD charge it upon my soul, while reading in this chapter the unhappy conduct of Israel, to seek continually for grace, lest I fall after the same example of unbelief. For am I better than they! No! in no wise. They sinned, it is said, ten times, in tempting GOD, and not hearkening t... [ Continue Reading ]