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1994-03-01
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11957
#11-28 After the Israelites had continued nearly a year at mount
Sinai, and all was settled respecting their future worship, they
began their march to Canaan. True religion begins with the
knowledge of the holy law of God, and humiliation for sin, but
we must go on towards perfection, in acquaintance with Christ
and his gospel, and those effectual encouragements, motives, and
assistances to holiness, which it proposes. They took their
journey according to the commandment of the Lord, #De 1:6-8|,
and as the cloud led them. Those who give themselves to the
direction of God's word and Spirit, steer a steady course, even
when they seem bewildered. While they are sure they cannot lose
their God and Guide, they need not fear losing their way. They
went out of the wilderness of Sinai, and rested in the
wilderness of Paran. All our removes in this world are but from
one wilderness to another. The changes we think will be for the
better do not always prove so. We shall never be at rest, never
at home, till we come to heaven, but all will be well there.
11975
#29-32 Moses invites his kindred to go to Canaan. Those that are
bound for the heavenly Canaan, should ask and encourage their
friends to go with them: we shall have none the less of the joys
of heaven, for others coming to share with us. It is good having
fellowship with those who have fellowship with God. But the
things of this world, which are seen, draw strongly from the
pursuit of the things of the other world, which are not seen.
Moses urges that Hobab might be serviceable to them. Not to show
where they must encamp, nor what way they must march, the cloud
was to direct that; but to show the conveniences of the place
they marched through, and encamped in. It well consists with our
trust in God's providence, to use the help of our friends.
11979
#33-36 Their going out and coming in, gives an example to us to
begin and end every day's journey and every day's work with
prayer. Here is Moses's prayer when the ark set forward, "Rise
up, and let thine enemies be scattered." There are those in the
world who are enemies to God and haters of him; secret and open
enemies; enemies to his truths, his laws, his ordinances, his
people. But for the scattering and defeating of God's enemies,
there needs no more than God's arising. Observe also the prayer
of Moses when the ark rested, that God would cause his people to
rest. The welfare and happiness of the Israel of God, consist in
the continual presence of God among them. Their safety is not in
their numbers, but in the favour of God, and his gracious return
to them, and resting with them. Upon this account, Happy art
thou, O Israel! who is like unto thee, O people! God will go
before them, to find them resting-places by the way. His promise
is, and their prayers are, that he will never leave them nor
forsake them.
11983
* The burning at Taberah. (1-3) The people lust for flesh, and
loathe the manna. (4-9) Moses complains of his charge. (10-15)
Elders appointed to divide the charge. Flesh meat promised.
(16-23) The Spirit rests on the elders. (24-30) Quails are
given. (31-35)
#1-3 Here is the people's sin; they complained. See the
sinfulness of sin, which takes occasion from the commandment to
be provoking. The weakness of the law discovered sin, but could
not destroy it; checked, but could not conquer it. They
complained. Those who are of a discontented spirit, will always
find something to quarrel or fret about, though the
circumstances of their outward condition be ever so favourable.
The Lord heard it, though Moses did not. God knows the secret
frettings and murmurings of the heart, though concealed from
men. What he noticed, he was much displeased with, and he
chastised them for this sin. The fire of their wrath against God
burned in their minds; justly did the fire of God's wrath fasten
on their bodies; but God's judgments came on them gradually,
that they might take warning. It appeared that God delights not
in punishing; when he begins, he is soon prevailed with to let
it fall.
11986
#4-9 Man, having forsaken his proper rest, feels uneasy and
wretched, though prosperous. They were weary of the provision
God had made for them, although wholesome food and nourishing.
It cost no money or care, and the labour of gathering it was
very little indeed; yet they talked of Egypt's cheapness, and
the fish they ate there freely; as if that cost them nothing,
when they paid dearly for it with hard service! While they lived
on manna, they seemed exempt from the curse sin has brought on
man, that in the sweat of his face he should eat bread; yet they
speak of it with scorn. Peevish, discontented minds will find
fault with that which has no fault in it, but that it is too
good for them. Those who might be happy, often make themselves
miserable by discontent. They could not be satisfied unless they
had flesh to eat. It is evidence of the dominion of the carnal
mind, when we want to have the delights and satisfaction of
sense. We should not indulge in any desire which we cannot in
faith turn into prayer, as we cannot when we ask meat for our
lust. What is lawful of itself becomes evil, when God does not
allot it to us, yet we desire it.
11992
#10-15 The provocation was very great; yet Moses expressed
himself otherwise than became him. He undervalued the honour God
had put upon him. He magnified his own performances, while he
had the Divine wisdom to direct him, and Almighty power to
dispense rewards and punishments. He speaks distrustfully of the
Divine grace. Had the work been much less he could not have gone
through it in his own strength; but had it been much greater,
through God strengthening him, he might have done it. Let us
pray, Lord, lead us not into temptation.
11998
#16-23 Moses is to choose such as he knew to be elders, that is,
wise and experienced men. God promises to qualify them. If they
were not found fit for the employ, they should be made fit. Even
the discontented people shall be gratified too, that every mouth
may be stopped. See here, I. The vanity of all the delights of
sense; they will cloy, but they will not satisfy. Spiritual
pleasures alone will satisfy and last. As the world passes away,
so do the lusts of it. 2. What brutish sins gluttony and
drunkenness are! they make that to hurt the body which should be
its health. Moses objects. Even true and great believers
sometimes find it hard to trust God under the discouragements of
second causes, and against hope to believe in hope. God here
brings Moses to this point, The Lord God is Almighty; and puts
the proof upon the issue, Thou shalt see whether my word shall
come to pass or not. If he speaks, it is done.