Saturday 24 February 2018
Tuesday 13 February 2018
Notes from Num 26
This book is called Numbers, from the numberings of the children of Israel, of which it gives an account. Once they were numbered at Mount Sinai, in the first year after they came out of Egypt, which we had an account of, ch. 1 and 2. And now a second time they were numbered in the plains of Moab, just before they entered Canaan, and of this we have an account in this chapter. We have,
I. Orders given for the doing of it (v. 1-4).
II. A register of the families and numbers of each tribe (v. 5-50), and the sum total (v. 51).
III. Direction given to divide the land among them (v. 52-56).
IV. The families and numbers of the Levites by themselves (v. 57-62).
V. Notice taken of the fulfilling of the threatening in the death of all those that were first numbered (v. 63-65), and to this there seems to have been a special regard in the taking and keeping of this account.
I. Orders given for the doing of it (v. 1-4).
II. A register of the families and numbers of each tribe (v. 5-50), and the sum total (v. 51).
III. Direction given to divide the land among them (v. 52-56).
IV. The families and numbers of the Levites by themselves (v. 57-62).
V. Notice taken of the fulfilling of the threatening in the death of all those that were first numbered (v. 63-65), and to this there seems to have been a special regard in the taking and keeping of this account.
Notes from Num 25
Israel, having escaped the curse of Balaam, here sustains a great deal of damage and reproach by the counsel of Balaam, who, it seems, before he left Balak, put him into a more effectual way than that which Balak thought of to separate between the Israelites and their God. "The Lord will not be prevailed with by Balaam's charms to ruin them; try if they will not be prevailed with by the charms of the daughters of Moab to ruin themselves.' None are more fatally bewitched than those that are bewitched by their own lusts. Here is,
I. The sin of Israel; they were enticed by the daughters of Moab both to whoredom and to idolatry (v. 1-3).
II. The punishment of this sin by the hand of the magistrate (v. 4, 5) and by the immediate hand of God (v. 9).
III. The pious zeal of Phinehas in slaying Zimri and Cozbi, two impudent sinners (v. 6-8, 14, 15).
IV. God's commendation of the zeal of Phinehas (v. 10-13).
V. Enmity put between the Israelites and the Midianites, their tempters, as at first between the woman and the serpent (v. 16, etc.).
I. The sin of Israel; they were enticed by the daughters of Moab both to whoredom and to idolatry (v. 1-3).
II. The punishment of this sin by the hand of the magistrate (v. 4, 5) and by the immediate hand of God (v. 9).
III. The pious zeal of Phinehas in slaying Zimri and Cozbi, two impudent sinners (v. 6-8, 14, 15).
IV. God's commendation of the zeal of Phinehas (v. 10-13).
V. Enmity put between the Israelites and the Midianites, their tempters, as at first between the woman and the serpent (v. 16, etc.).
Notes from Numbers 24
This chapter continues and concludes the history of the defeat of the counsels of Balak and Balaam against Israel, not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts; and as great an instance it is of God's power over the children of men, and his favour towards his own children, as any of the victories recorded in the book of the wars of the Lord. What preparation was made the third time for the cursing of Israel we read of in the close of the foregoing chapter. In this chapter we are told,
I. What the blessing was into which that intended curse was turned (v. 1-9).
II. How Balak dismissed Balaam from his service thereupon (v. 10-13).
III. The predictions Balaam left behind him concerning Israel, and some of the neighbouring nations (v. 14, etc.).
I. What the blessing was into which that intended curse was turned (v. 1-9).
II. How Balak dismissed Balaam from his service thereupon (v. 10-13).
III. The predictions Balaam left behind him concerning Israel, and some of the neighbouring nations (v. 14, etc.).
Notes from Num 23
In this chapter we have Balak and Balaam busy at work to do Israel a mischief, and, for ought that appears, neither Moses nor the elders of Israel know any thing of the matter, nor are in a capacity to break the snare; but God, who keeps Israel, and neither slumbers nor sleeps, baffles the attempt, without any intercession or contrivance of theirs. Here is,
I. The first attempt to curse Israel.
1. The preparation made for it by sacrifice (v. 1-3).
2. The contrary instruction God gave Balaam (v. 4, 5).
3. The blessing Balaam was compelled to pronounce upon Israel, instead of a curse (v. 7-10).
4. The great disappointment of Balak (v. 11, 12).
II. The second attempt, in the same manner made, and in the same manner frustrated (v. 13-26).
III. Preparations made for a third attempt (v. 27-30), the issue of which we have in the next chapter.
I. The first attempt to curse Israel.
1. The preparation made for it by sacrifice (v. 1-3).
2. The contrary instruction God gave Balaam (v. 4, 5).
3. The blessing Balaam was compelled to pronounce upon Israel, instead of a curse (v. 7-10).
4. The great disappointment of Balak (v. 11, 12).
II. The second attempt, in the same manner made, and in the same manner frustrated (v. 13-26).
III. Preparations made for a third attempt (v. 27-30), the issue of which we have in the next chapter.
Notes from Num 22
At this chapter begins the famous story of Balak and Balaam, their attempt to curse Israel, and the baffling of that attempt; God's people are long afterwards told to remember what Balak the king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, that they might know the righteousness of the Lord, Mic. 6:5. In this chapter we have,
I. Balak's fear of Israel, and the plot he had to get them cursed (v. 1-4).
II. The embassy he sent to Balaam, a conjurer, to fetch him for that purpose, and the disappointment he met with in the first embassy (v. 5-14).
III. Balaam's coming to him upon his second message (v. 15-21).
IV. The opposition Balaam met with by the way (v. 22-35).
V. The interview at length between Balak and Balaam (v. 36, etc.).
I. Balak's fear of Israel, and the plot he had to get them cursed (v. 1-4).
II. The embassy he sent to Balaam, a conjurer, to fetch him for that purpose, and the disappointment he met with in the first embassy (v. 5-14).
III. Balaam's coming to him upon his second message (v. 15-21).
IV. The opposition Balaam met with by the way (v. 22-35).
V. The interview at length between Balak and Balaam (v. 36, etc.).
notes from Num 21
The armies of Israel now begin to emerge out of the wilderness, and to come into a land inhabited, to enter upon action, and take possession of the frontiers of the land of promise. A glorious campaign this chapter gives us the history of, especially in the latter part of it. Here is,
I. The defeat of Arad the Canaanite (v. 1-3).
II. The chastisement of the people with fiery serpents for their murmurings, and the relief granted them upon their submission by a brazen serpent (v. 4-9).
III. Several marches forward, and some occurrences by the way (v. 10-20).
IV. The celebrated conquest of Sihon king of the Amorites (v. 21-32), and of Og king of Bashan (v. 33-35), and possession taken of their land.
I. The defeat of Arad the Canaanite (v. 1-3).
II. The chastisement of the people with fiery serpents for their murmurings, and the relief granted them upon their submission by a brazen serpent (v. 4-9).
III. Several marches forward, and some occurrences by the way (v. 10-20).
IV. The celebrated conquest of Sihon king of the Amorites (v. 21-32), and of Og king of Bashan (v. 33-35), and possession taken of their land.
Notes from Num 20
At this chapter begins the history of the fortieth year (which was the last year) of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness. And since the beginning of their second year, when they were sentenced to perform their quarantine in the desert, there to wear away the tedious revolution of forty years, there is little recorded concerning them till this last year, which brought them to the borders of Canaan, and the history of this year is almost as large as the history of the first year. This chapter gives an account of,
I. The death of Miriam (v. 1).
II. The fetching of water out of the rock, in which observe,
1. The distress Israel was in, for want of water (v. 2).
2. Their discontent and murmuring in that distress (v. 3-5).
3. God's pity and power engaged for their supply with water out of the rock (v. 6-9).
4. The infirmity of Moses and Aaron upon this occasion (v. 10, 11).
5. God's displeasure against them (v. 12, 13).
III. The negotiation with the Edomites. Israel's request (v. 14-17), and the repulse the Edomites gave them (v. 18-21).
IV. The death of Aaron the high priest upon Mount Hor, the instalment of Eleazar in his room, and the people's mourning for him (v. 22, etc.).
I. The death of Miriam (v. 1).
II. The fetching of water out of the rock, in which observe,
1. The distress Israel was in, for want of water (v. 2).
2. Their discontent and murmuring in that distress (v. 3-5).
3. God's pity and power engaged for their supply with water out of the rock (v. 6-9).
4. The infirmity of Moses and Aaron upon this occasion (v. 10, 11).
5. God's displeasure against them (v. 12, 13).
III. The negotiation with the Edomites. Israel's request (v. 14-17), and the repulse the Edomites gave them (v. 18-21).
IV. The death of Aaron the high priest upon Mount Hor, the instalment of Eleazar in his room, and the people's mourning for him (v. 22, etc.).
Notes from Num 19
This chapter is only concerning the preparing and using of the ashes which were to impregnate the water of purification. The people had complained of the strictness of the law, which forbade their near approach to the tabernacle, ch. 17:13. In answer to this complaint, they are here directed to purify themselves, so as that they might come as far as they had occasion without fear. Here is,
I. The method of preparing these ashes, by the burning of a red heifer, with a great deal of ceremony (v. 1-10).
II. The way of using them.
1. They were designed to purify persons from the pollution contracted by a dead body (v. 11-16).
2. They were to be put into running water (a small quantity of them), with which the person to be cleansed must be purified (v. 17-22). And that this ceremonial purification was a type and figure of the cleansing of the consciences of believers from the pollutions of sin appears by the apostle's discourse, Heb. 9:13, 14, where he compares the efficacy of the blood of Christ with the sanctifying virtue that was in "the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean.'
I. The method of preparing these ashes, by the burning of a red heifer, with a great deal of ceremony (v. 1-10).
II. The way of using them.
1. They were designed to purify persons from the pollution contracted by a dead body (v. 11-16).
2. They were to be put into running water (a small quantity of them), with which the person to be cleansed must be purified (v. 17-22). And that this ceremonial purification was a type and figure of the cleansing of the consciences of believers from the pollutions of sin appears by the apostle's discourse, Heb. 9:13, 14, where he compares the efficacy of the blood of Christ with the sanctifying virtue that was in "the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean.'
Notes from Num 18
Aaron being now fully established in the priesthood abundantly to his own satisfaction, and to the satisfaction of the people (which was the good that God brought out of the evil opposition made to him), in this chapter God gives him full instructions concerning his office or rather repeats those which he had before given him. He tells him,
I. What must be his work and the care and charge committed to him, and what assistance he should have the Levites in that work (v. 1-7).
II. What should be his and the Levites' wages for this work.
1. The perquisites or fees peculiar to the priests (v. 8-19).
2. The settled maintenance of the Levites (v. 20-24).
III. The portion which must be paid to the priests out of the Levites' maintenance (v. 25-32). Thus every one knew what he had to do, and what he had to live upon.
I. What must be his work and the care and charge committed to him, and what assistance he should have the Levites in that work (v. 1-7).
II. What should be his and the Levites' wages for this work.
1. The perquisites or fees peculiar to the priests (v. 8-19).
2. The settled maintenance of the Levites (v. 20-24).
III. The portion which must be paid to the priests out of the Levites' maintenance (v. 25-32). Thus every one knew what he had to do, and what he had to live upon.
Notes from Num 17
Enough had been done in the chapter before to quash all pretensions of the families of the tribe of Levi that would set up in competition with Aaron, and to make it appear that Aaron was the head of the tribe; but it seems, when that matter was settled, the princes of the rest of the tribes began to murmur. If the head of a tribe must be a priest, why not the head of some other tribe than that of Levi? He that searches the heart knew this thought to be in the breast of some of them, and before it broke out into any overt act graciously anticipated it, to prevent bloodshed; and it is done by miracle in this chapter, not a miracle of wrath, as before, but of grace.
I. The matter is put upon trial by the bringing of twelve rods, one for each prince, before the Lord (v. 1-7).
II. Upon trial, the matter is determined by the miraculous blossoming of Aaron's rod (v. 8, 9).
III. The decision of the controversy is registered by the preservation of the rod (v. 10, 11).
IV. The people acquiesce in it with some reluctance (v. 12, 13).
I. The matter is put upon trial by the bringing of twelve rods, one for each prince, before the Lord (v. 1-7).
II. Upon trial, the matter is determined by the miraculous blossoming of Aaron's rod (v. 8, 9).
III. The decision of the controversy is registered by the preservation of the rod (v. 10, 11).
IV. The people acquiesce in it with some reluctance (v. 12, 13).
Notes from Num 16
The date of the history contained in this chapter is altogether uncertain. Probably these mutinies happened after their removal back again from Kadesh-barnea, when they were fixed (if I may so speak) for their wandering in the wilderness, and began to look upon that as their settlement. Presently after new laws given follows the story of a new rebellion, as if sin took occasion from the commandment to become more exceedingly sinful. Here is,
I. A daring and dangerous rebellion raised against Moses and Aaron, by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (v. 1-15).
1. Korah and his accomplices contend for the priesthood against Aaron (v. 3). Moses reasons with them, and appeals to God for a decision of the controversy (v. 4-11).
2. Dathan and Abiram quarrel with Moses, and refuse to obey his summons, which greatly grieves him (v. 12-15).
II. A solemn appearance of the pretenders to the priesthood before God, according to order, and a public appearance of the glory of the Lord, which would have consumed the whole congregation if Moses and Aaron had not interceded (v. 16-22).
III. The deciding of the controversy, and the crushing of the rebellion, by the cutting off of the rebels.
1. Those in their tents were buried alive (v. 23-34).
2. Those at the door of the tabernacle were consumed by fire (v. 35), and their censers preserved for a memorial (v. 37-40).
IV. A new insurrection of the people (v. 41-43).
1. God stayed in the insurrection by a plague (v. 45).
2. Aaron stayed the plague by offering incense (v. 46-50).
The manner and method of recording this story plainly show the ferment to have been very great.
I. A daring and dangerous rebellion raised against Moses and Aaron, by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (v. 1-15).
1. Korah and his accomplices contend for the priesthood against Aaron (v. 3). Moses reasons with them, and appeals to God for a decision of the controversy (v. 4-11).
2. Dathan and Abiram quarrel with Moses, and refuse to obey his summons, which greatly grieves him (v. 12-15).
II. A solemn appearance of the pretenders to the priesthood before God, according to order, and a public appearance of the glory of the Lord, which would have consumed the whole congregation if Moses and Aaron had not interceded (v. 16-22).
III. The deciding of the controversy, and the crushing of the rebellion, by the cutting off of the rebels.
1. Those in their tents were buried alive (v. 23-34).
2. Those at the door of the tabernacle were consumed by fire (v. 35), and their censers preserved for a memorial (v. 37-40).
IV. A new insurrection of the people (v. 41-43).
1. God stayed in the insurrection by a plague (v. 45).
2. Aaron stayed the plague by offering incense (v. 46-50).
The manner and method of recording this story plainly show the ferment to have been very great.
Notes from Num 15
This chapter, which is mostly concerning sacrifice and offering, comes in between the story of two rebellions (one ch. 14, the other ch. 16), to signify that these legal institutions were typical of the gifts which Christ was to receive even for the rebellious, Ps. 68:18. In the foregoing chapter, upon Israel's provocation, God had determined to destroy them, and in token of his wrath had sentenced them to perish in the wilderness. But, upon Moses' intercession, he said, "I have pardoned;' and, in token of that mercy, in this chapter he repeats and explains some of the laws concerning offerings, to show that he was reconciled to them, notwithstanding the severe dispensation they wee under, and would not unchurch them. Here is,
I. The law concerning the meat-offerings and drink-offerings (v. 1-12) both for Israelites and for strangers (v. 13-16), and a law concerning the heave-offerings of the first of their dough (v. 17-21).
II. The law concerning sacrifices for sins of ignorance (v. 22-29).
III. The punishment of presumptuous sins (v. 30, 31), and an instance given in the sabbath-breaker (v. 32-36).
IV. A law concerning fringes, for memorandums, upon the borders of their garments (v. 37, etc.).
I. The law concerning the meat-offerings and drink-offerings (v. 1-12) both for Israelites and for strangers (v. 13-16), and a law concerning the heave-offerings of the first of their dough (v. 17-21).
II. The law concerning sacrifices for sins of ignorance (v. 22-29).
III. The punishment of presumptuous sins (v. 30, 31), and an instance given in the sabbath-breaker (v. 32-36).
IV. A law concerning fringes, for memorandums, upon the borders of their garments (v. 37, etc.).
Notes from Num 14
This chapter gives us an account of that fatal quarrel between God and Israel upon which, for their murmuring and unbelief, he swore in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest. Here is,
I. The mutiny and rebellion of Israel against God, upon the report of the evil spies (v. 1-4).
II. The fruitless endeavour of Moses and Aaron, Caleb and Joshua, to still the tumult (v. 5-10).
III. Their utter ruin justly threatened by an offended God (v. 11, 12).
IV. The humble intercession of Moses for them (v. 13-19).
V. A mitigation of the sentence in answer to the prayer of Moses; they shall not all be cut off, but the decree goes forth ratified with an oath, published to the people, again and again repeated, that this whole congregation should perish in the wilderness, and none of them enter Canaan but Caleb and Joshua only (v. 20-35).
VI. The present death of the evil spies (v. 36-39).
VII. The rebuke given to those who attempted to go forward notwithstanding (v. 40-45). And this is written for our admonition, that we "fall not after the same example of unbelief.'
I. The mutiny and rebellion of Israel against God, upon the report of the evil spies (v. 1-4).
II. The fruitless endeavour of Moses and Aaron, Caleb and Joshua, to still the tumult (v. 5-10).
III. Their utter ruin justly threatened by an offended God (v. 11, 12).
IV. The humble intercession of Moses for them (v. 13-19).
V. A mitigation of the sentence in answer to the prayer of Moses; they shall not all be cut off, but the decree goes forth ratified with an oath, published to the people, again and again repeated, that this whole congregation should perish in the wilderness, and none of them enter Canaan but Caleb and Joshua only (v. 20-35).
VI. The present death of the evil spies (v. 36-39).
VII. The rebuke given to those who attempted to go forward notwithstanding (v. 40-45). And this is written for our admonition, that we "fall not after the same example of unbelief.'
Notes from Num 13
It is a memorable and very melancholy story which is related in this and the following chapter, of the turning back of Israel from the borders of Canaan, when they were just ready to set foot in it, and the sentencing of them to wander and perish in the wilderness for their unbelief and murmuring. It is referred to Ps. 95:7, etc., and improved for warning to Christians, Heb. 3:7, etc. In this chapter we have,
I. The sending of twelve spies before them into Canaan (v. 1-16).
II. The instructions given to these spies (v. 17-20).
III. Their executing their commission according to their instructions, and their return from the search (v. 21-25).
IV. The report they brought back to the camp of Israel (v. 26, etc.).
I. The sending of twelve spies before them into Canaan (v. 1-16).
II. The instructions given to these spies (v. 17-20).
III. Their executing their commission according to their instructions, and their return from the search (v. 21-25).
IV. The report they brought back to the camp of Israel (v. 26, etc.).
Notes from Num 12
In the foregoing chapter we had the vexation which the people gave to Moses; in this we have his patience tried by his own relations.
I. Miriam and Aaron, his own brother and sister, affronted him (v. 1-3).
II. God called them to an account for it (v. 4-9).
III. Miriam was smitten with a leprosy for it (v. 10).
IV. Aaron submits, and Moses meekly intercedes for Miriam (v. 11-13).
V. She is healed, but put to shame for seven days (v. 14-16). And this is recorded to show that the best persons and families have both their follies and their crosses.
I. Miriam and Aaron, his own brother and sister, affronted him (v. 1-3).
II. God called them to an account for it (v. 4-9).
III. Miriam was smitten with a leprosy for it (v. 10).
IV. Aaron submits, and Moses meekly intercedes for Miriam (v. 11-13).
V. She is healed, but put to shame for seven days (v. 14-16). And this is recorded to show that the best persons and families have both their follies and their crosses.
Notes from Numbers 11
Hitherto things had gone pretty well in Israel; little interruption had been given to the methods of God's favour to them since the matter of the golden calf; the people seemed teachable in marshalling and purifying the camp, the princes devout and generous in dedicating the altar, and there was good hope that they would be in Canaan presently. But at this chapter begins a melancholy scene; the measures are all broken, God has turned to be their enemy, and fights against them-and it is sin that makes all this mischief.
I. Their murmurings kindled a fire among them, which yet was soon quenched by the prayer of Moses (v. 1-3).
II. No sooner was the fire of judgment quenched than the fire of sin breaks out again, and God takes occasion from it to magnify both his mercy and his justice.
1. The people fret for want of flesh (v. 4-9).
2. Moses frets for want of help (v. 10-15). Now,
(1.) God promises to gratify them both, to appoint help for Moses (v. 16, 17), and to give the people flesh (v. 18-23). And,
(2.) He presently makes good both these promises. For,
[1.] The Spirit of God qualifies the seventy elders for the government (v. 24-30).
[2.] The power of God brings quails to feast the people (v. 31, 32). Yet
[3.] The justice of God plagued them for their murmurings (v. 33, etc.).
I. Their murmurings kindled a fire among them, which yet was soon quenched by the prayer of Moses (v. 1-3).
II. No sooner was the fire of judgment quenched than the fire of sin breaks out again, and God takes occasion from it to magnify both his mercy and his justice.
1. The people fret for want of flesh (v. 4-9).
2. Moses frets for want of help (v. 10-15). Now,
(1.) God promises to gratify them both, to appoint help for Moses (v. 16, 17), and to give the people flesh (v. 18-23). And,
(2.) He presently makes good both these promises. For,
[1.] The Spirit of God qualifies the seventy elders for the government (v. 24-30).
[2.] The power of God brings quails to feast the people (v. 31, 32). Yet
[3.] The justice of God plagued them for their murmurings (v. 33, etc.).
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