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).

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.

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.).

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.'

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.).

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.

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.).