CONTENTS In this chapter, as Israel is now approaching the frontiers of the promised land, here is related an account of the first campaign in the contest with Arad at Hormach. Interspersed with this history, is the relation of the people's murmuring afresh, and the LORD'S chastisement of them, by... [ Continue Reading ]
Such should be our conduct, with all our spiritual foes. Nothing but the total destruction of them can bring us peace. Reader! let you and I long for that hour, when we shall sing that song; Now is come salvation and strength, for the accuser of our brethren is cast down. Revelation 12:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
It was no doubt fatiguing to the people to go round Edom, when by going through it the way would have been shortened. But, as it was the LORD'S way, was it not the right way? And, Reader, is it not so now? You and I are sometimes prompted to think, why not taken home to our GOD and Saviour at once,... [ Continue Reading ]
What perpetual proofs doth Israel's history afford of the corruption and deceitfulness of the human heart? Reader! do not overlook, in the instance of this people, the universal conduct of mankind. Alas! how often may we detect our hearts loathing a fulness of divine mercies.... [ Continue Reading ]
There is a striking connection between the sin and the punishment. The people murmured for want of water; and here the LORD sent them a thirst which no water could satisfy. It should be observed that those fiery flying serpents were nothing new; the wilderness was full of them. So Moses tells us: De... [ Continue Reading ]
In Moses praying for the people, observe a lively type of JESUS in his glorious mediatorial character. Job is another lively type of the same. Job 42:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
We cannot possibly err in considering this whole service, as wholly and altogether typical of the redemption by JESUS, since he himself hath so explained it. John 3:14. But Reader, it is sweet as well as profitable to analyze, and, like the bee, gather out of this precious flower of scripture, the s... [ Continue Reading ]
Oboth hath an allusion to bottles or vessels; probably the people carried water from it in their vessels.... [ Continue Reading ]
These were several marches, and it should seem quickly made. Canaan was almost now in their view, and the people longed to be there. Even waters in their progress when they approach the mouth of the sea will rush with greater velocity. And ought not true believers in JESUS, when they approach the bo... [ Continue Reading ]
It is probable, that Israel, upheld by the arm of JEHOVAH, accomplished some mighty acts here. But the record of them is not come down to us. See Exodus 17:14. But some have thought, and not without reason, that as the Red Sea is mentioned here, the children of Israel, in the view of the brooks of A... [ Continue Reading ]
If, as some suppose, the name of Beer, which means the ^four t-e! or well of life, was given in this place to intimate the well of life; we may learn a sweet lesson from this journey. All our pilgrimage here is but as from one Oboth to another; where the sweet enjoyments of creature comforts are but... [ Continue Reading ]
Oh! how sweet are songs of praise to the highest! I hope the Reader will not need that I should point out to him in this place, the evident traces we have in it of GOD the HOLY GHOST. It is well known, that through the whole of the Bible, GOD the SPIRIT is uniformly pointed out under this delightful... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we are come to the end of Moses' journey; for from the heights of Pisgah, he was permitted to see, but not go over, to the promised land. Deuteronomy 34:1. It is somewhat singular, but worthy to be observed in this place, that although we have several Chapter s more to go through, in this book,... [ Continue Reading ]
If you consult Deuteronomy 2:9, you will find that Moab was not to be fought with, being descendants of Lot: and therefore, when Israel passed before Oboth, they did not attack Moab; see Deuteronomy 2:11. But the Amorites had no such privilege of exemption; and hence became a prey to Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
Moab it should seem had heretofore those cities, but now being in the possession of the Amorite, they were to be conquered by Israel by the divine appointment. Genesis 15:18. But, Reader, it is sweet to trace all mercies to their fountain head. Hence, therefore, if you consult another scripture on t... [ Continue Reading ]
It should seem that these words were a kind of saying, well understood, no doubt, in those days, like proverbial sayings with us now.... [ Continue Reading ]
The same observation meets us, concerning the king of Bashan and his courts, as the king of the Amorites and his. The victories of Israel were all of covenant engagements, and all accomplished by the LORD GOD of Israel, in confirmation of covenant promises. But what these things were in history, hav... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS IN the perusal of this chapter, I would charge it upon my soul, to fix her meditation more intensely, while paying due respect to all the other interesting circumstances of Israel's history, upon that beautiful and most gracious type of the LORD JESUS, as explained by himself, which I be... [ Continue Reading ]