Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc09/v11900

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 7KB | 114 lines

11902
 #5-26 Here we have directions for the solemn ordination of the
 Levites. All Israel must know that they took not this honour to
 themselves, but were called of God to it; nor was it enough that
 they were distinguished from others. All who are employed for
 God, must be dedicated to him, according to the employment.
 Christians must be baptized, ministers must be ordained; we must
 first give ourselves unto the Lord, and then our services. The
 Levites must be cleansed. They must be clean that bear the
 vessels of the Lord. Moses must sprinkle the water of purifying
 upon them. This signifies the application of the blood of Christ
 to our souls by faith, that we may be fit to serve the living
 God. God declares his acceptance of them. All who expect to
 share in the privileges of the tabernacle, must resolve to do
 the service of the tabernacle. As, on the one hand, none of
 God's creatures are his necessary servants, he needs not the
 service of any of them; so none are merely honorary servants, to
 do nothing. All whom God owns, he employs; angels themselves
 have their services.
11924
 * Of the Passover. (1-14) The removals of the Israelites.
 (15-23)

 #1-14 God gave particular orders for the keeping of this
 passover, and, for aught that appears, after this, they kept no
 passover till they came to Canaan, #Jos 5:10|. It early showed
 that the ceremonial institutions were not to continue always, as
 so soon after they were appointed, some were suffered to sleep
 for many years. But the ordinance of the Lord's Supper was not
 thus set aside in the first days of the Christian church,
 although those were days of greater difficulty and distress than
 Israel knew in the wilderness; nay, in the times of persecution,
 the Lord's Supper was celebrated more frequently than afterward.
 Israelites in the wilderness could not forget the deliverance
 out of Egypt. There was danger of this when they came to Canaan.
 Instructions were given concerning those who were ceremonially
 unclean, when they were to eat the passover. Those whose minds
 and consciences are defiled by sin, are unfit for communion with
 God, and cannot partake with comfort of the gospel passover,
 till they are cleansed by true repentance and faith. Observe
 with what trouble and concern these men complained that they
 were kept back from offering to the Lord. It should be a trouble
 to us, when by any occasion we are kept back from the
 solemnities of a sabbath or a sacrament. Observe the
 deliberation of Moses in resolving this case. Ministers must ask
 counsel of God's mouth, not determine according to their own
 fancy or affection, but according to the word of God to the best
 of their knowledge. And if, in difficult cases, time is taken to
 spread the matter before God by humble, believing prayer, the
 Holy Spirit assuredly will direct in the good and right way. God
 gave directions in this case, and in other similar cases,
 explanatory of the law of the passover. As those who, against
 their minds, are forced to absent themselves from God's
 ordinances, may expect the favours of God's grace under their
 affliction, so those who, of choice, absent themselves, may
 expect God's wrath for their sin. Be not deceived: God is not
 mocked.

11938
 #15-23 This cloud was appointed to be the visible sign and
 symbol of God's presence with Israel. Thus we are taught to see
 God always near us, both night and day. As long as the cloud
 rested on the tabernacle, so long they continued in the same
 place. There is no time lost, while we are waiting God's time.
 When the cloud was taken up, they removed, however comfortably
 they were encamped. We are kept at uncertainty concerning the
 time of our putting off the earthly house of this tabernacle,
 that we may be always ready to remove at the command of the
 Lord. It is very safe and pleasant going when we see God before
 us, and resting where he appoints us to rest. The leading of
 this cloud is spoken of as signifying the guidance of the
 blessed Spirit. We are not now to expect such tokens of the
 Divine presence and guidance; but the promise is sure to all
 God's spiritual Israel, that he will guide them by his counsel.
 #Ps 73:24|, even unto death, #Ps 48:14|. All the children of God
 shall be led by the Spirit of God, #Ro 8:14|. He will direct the
 paths of those who in all their ways acknowledge him, #Pr 3:6|.
 At the commandment of the Lord, our hearts should always move
 and rest, saying, Father, thy will be done; dispose of me and
 mine as thou pleasest. What thou wilt, and where thou wilt; only
 let me be thine, and always in the way of my duty. In applying
 general precepts to particular circumstances, there should be
 good counsel and fervent prayer. When any undertaking is
 evidently wrong, or doubtfully right, and yet the mind leans
 that way, in such a case "the moving of the cloud," as men
 sometimes miscall it, is generally no more than a temptation
 Satan is permitted to propose; and men fancy they are following
 the Lord, when they are following their own wayward
 inclinations. The record of his mercy will conduct us with
 unerring truth, through Christ, to everlasting peace. Follow the
 pillar of the cloud and of fire. Lay the BIBLE to heart, and
 receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save
 your souls.
11947
 * The silver trumpets. (1-10) The Israelites remove from Sinai
 to Paran. (11-28) Hobab entreated by Moses to continue. (29-32)
 The blessing pronounced by Moses. (33-36)

 #1-10 Here are directions concerning the public notices to be
 given the people by sound of trumpet. Their laws in every case
 were to be Divine, therefore, even in this matter Moses is
 directed. These trumpets typify the preached gospel. It sounds
 an alarm to sinners, calls them to repent, proclaims liberty to
 the captives and slaves of Satan, and collects the worshippers
 of God. It directs and encourages their heavenly journey; stirs
 them up to combat against the world and sin, encouraging them
 with the assurance of victory. It leads their attention to the
 sacrifice of Christ, and shows the Lord's presence for their
 protection. It is also necessary that the gospel trumpet give a
 distinct sound, according to the persons addressed, or the end
 proposed; whether to convince, humble, console, exhort, reprove,
 or teach. The sounding of the trumpet of the gospel is God's
 ordinance, and demands the attention of all to whom it is sent.