Numbers 7:89

_AND WHEN MOSES WAS GONE INTO THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION TO SPEAK WITH HIM, THEN HE HEARD THE VOICE OF ONE SPEAKING UNTO HIM FROM OFF THE MERCY SEAT THAT WAS UPON THE ARK OF TESTIMONY, FROM BETWEEN THE TWO CHERUBIMS: AND HE SPAKE UNTO HIM._ And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation. Since a king gives private audience to his minister, so special license was granted to Moses, who, though not a priest, was admitted into the sanctuary to receive instructions from his Heavenly King as occasion demanded. THEN HE HEARD THE VOICE OF ONE SPEAKING UNTO HIM. The sound issued from above the propitiatory, which was over the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubim. Though standing on the outer side of the veil, he could distinctly hear it; and the mention of this circumstance is important as the fulfillment, at the dedication of the tabernacle, of a special pro...

89._And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle _There seems at first sight to be a kind of contradiction between this passage and the other, in which we saw that a thick cloud stood in the door of the tabernacle, so that Moses could not enter it. It might, indeed, be answered that this only occurred once; but to me it appears more probable that, Moses sought the replies of God at the mercy-seat, until Aaron began to exercise the priesthood, and then abandoned his dignity, which was only temporary, as far as regarded the entering of the sanctuary. For we know that by the established Law of God the priesthood was distinct from the civil government; and therefore that he could not, except by special privilege, be at the same time the leader and the priest. (404) If this exposition be accepted, he does not here record in its proper place that answers were given to him by God from the mercy-...

10-89 The princes and great men were most forward in the service of God. Here is an example to those in authority, and of the highest rank; they ought to use their honour and power, their estate and interest, to promote religion and the service of God in the places where they live. Though it was a time of joy and rejoicing, yet still, in the midst of their sacrifices, we find a sin-offering. As, in our best services, we are conscious that there is sin, there should be repentance, even in our most joyful services. In all approaches to God we must by faith look to Christ as the Sin-offering. They brought their offerings each on a day. God's work should not be done confusedly, or in a hurry; take time, and we shall have done the sooner, or, at least, we shall have done the better. If services are to be done for twelve days together, we must not call it a task and a burden. All their offeri...

Verse Numbers 7:89. _TO SPEAK WITH HIM_] To confer with God, and to receive farther discoveries of his will. _HE HEARD THE VOICE OF ONE SPEAKING UNTO HIM_] Though Moses saw no similitude, but _only heard a voice_, yet he had the fullest proof of the _presence_ as well as of the _being_ of the Almighty. In this way God chose to manifest himself during that dispensation, till the fulness of the time came, in which the WORD _was made_ _flesh, and_ DWELT AMONG US. No man hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. _THE MERCY-SEAT_] Exodus 25:17, Exodus 25:17

WITH HIM - i. e. as marginal, “with God,” not (as some) with himself. HE HEARD THE VOICE OF ONE SPEAKING - Rather, he heard the voice speaking, or conversing. The effect was as though Moses was audibly addressed by another person: how this effect was produced we are not told. Thus was the promise of Exodus 25:20 fulfilled; and that as an immediate response on the part of God to the cheerful readiness with which the tribes had made their offerings, and supplied everything needful for the Holy place and its service. All being now complete as God had appointed, and the camp purified from defilements, God meets Moses the mediator of the people, not as before on the peak of Sinai far away, but in the midst of them, in the dwelling-place which He henceforth vouchsafed to tenant....

EXPOSITION THE OFFERINGS OF THE PRINCES (Numbers 7:1). NUMBERS 7:1 ON THE DAY THAT MOSES HAD fully SET UP THE TABERNACLE. This expression, "on the day", has given rise to considerable difficulty. Strictly speaking it should mean the first day of the first month of the second year (Exodus 40:17); and so the Targum of Palestine, "It was on the day which begins the month Nisan." It is, however, quite clear from the narrative itself, as well as from its position, that the offerings were not actually made until after the taking of the census and the distribution of their resp

AND WHEN MOSES WAS GONE INTO THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, TO SPEAK WITH HIM,.... With God, to consult him on some affair or another, or to learn whether he had anything else to communicate to him, to be delivered to the children of Israel; or whether he had any directions and instructions to give him about the presents and gifts of the princes, since this seems to be immediately after their offerings: THEN HE HEARD THE VOICE OF ONE SPEAKING UNTO HIM; the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it, the voice of the Spirit; but rather the voice of the Shechinah, or Word of God, the eternal "Logos", is what was heard; who in the fulness of time was to be made flesh, and dwell among men, and be heard, and seen, and handled by them; for as for the voice of the Father, the was not heard at any time, John 5:37; from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of the testimon

5. THE OFFERINGS OF THE PRINCES CHAPTER 7 _ 1. The princes present their offerings (Numbers 7:1)_ 2. The command concerning these offerings and the Levites (Numbers 7:4) 3. The twelve princes and what they offered (Numbers 7:12) 4. Moses hears the voice from the mercy-seat (Numbers 7:89) This is the longest chapter in Numbers. The princes of Israel appear to bring their free-will offerings in six covered wagons drawn each by two oxen. No command had been given. With a willing heart they devoted of their possessions to the service of the sanctuary. The Lord accepting the offerings gave directions that

OFFERINGS OF VESSELS, ANIMALS, AND OTHER MATERIALS FOR USE IN SACRIFICE. The weights of each charger, bowl, and spoon (or cup) presented by the several princes were about 60, 33, and 4¾ oz. respectively. NUMBERS 7:10. FOR THE DEDICATION: better (_mg._), the dedication gift; and so in Numbers 7:11; Numbers 7:84; Numbers 7:88. Numbers 7:89. This verse is incomplete at both its beginning and its close; for the words with him must refer to Yahweh, who is not mentioned in the preceding context, whilst the statement he spake unto him is n

TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION. Hebrew tent of meeting. See App-40. WITH HIM: i.e. with Jehovah. Compare Numbers 7:11. MERCY SEAT. See note on Exodus 25:17....