Numbers 14

Numbers 14:1-4

Here is, 1. The rebellion of Israel against God, upon the report of the evil spies, ver. 1—4. 2. The fruitless endeavour of Moses and Aaron, Caleb and Joshua, to fill the tumult, ver. 5—10. 3. Their utter ruin justly threatened by an offended God, ver. 11, 12. 4. The humble interception of Moses for them, ver. 13—19. 5. A mitigation of the sinuous, ver. 20—35. 6. The present death of the evil spies, ver. 36—39. 7. The rebels given to them who attempted to go forward notwithstanding, ver. 40—45. And this is written for our admonition, that we fall not after the same example of unbelief.

1. AND all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses, and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt, or would God we had died in this wilderness. 3. And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives, and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? 4. And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

Discontent now spreads through the camp, every face gathers blackneck, despair finds the courage of the hoff, and unmanly tears bespoke their coward terrors. The bitterest fortress the heart knows are often those we make ourselves, without cause or reason. They clamour loud against Moses

and Aaron, and wish they had died in Egypt or the wilderness, rather than be reduced to their imaginary deliveries; and, as the devils power is then confirmed, when he can suggest hard thoughts of God, they charge that gracious Jehovah, who had fed and preserved them so long, and so richly, with the most horrid delight of deceiving and destroying them. At last they fix the desperate design of returning to Egypt, and resolve to chuse a captain, perhaps actually did so, in order to head their mutiny, and lead them back to that land of bondage! The purpose was fully, the attempt matters. How should they return when God had left them, without provision or a guide? And what could they hope in Egypt but a repetition of misery, to which death itself were preferable? Nate, (1.) The head-strong and unremitted passions of sinners hurry them on to their ruin. (2.) They who are dishonoured under God’s providences, and resolve to mind themselves, will ever make bad wares. (3.) How much need have we to fear, least after suffering many only, we don’t like Israel at new difficulties, turn back and walk no more with Jesus! Dreadful state of apostasy! attended with certain and eternal peredition.

5. Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. 6. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes. 7. And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. 8. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which stoweth with milk and honey. 9. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. 10. But all the congregation hide stone them with stones: and the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation, before all the children of Israel.

Numbers 14:5-10

Vain is every attempt to stay those who are bent on their own ruin.

1. Moses and Aaron fall upon their faces, either amazed at their mad procedure, and intreating them to desist, or rather, conscious of their great sin, to supplicate God’s patience and continuance of the mercies which they had forfeited. None know the deep concern which ministers feel, when they see immortal souls rafts headlong to their destruction. Caleb and Joshua second their prayers, with every humble argument. With indignation at their baseness, and grief for their rebellion, they send their clothes, entreat them to consider, declare the fallacy of the report, and the unreasonableness of their fears. 1. The land is a good land, exceeding good. 2. The people were nothing so formidable as apprehended, their defence was gone, as forsaken of God, and they might eat them up as bread. 3. God was their helper; if their enemies were ten times as numerous or strong, they need not fear, when strengthened by the arms of Omnipotence. Nothing was to be feared but their own rebellious spirits, that would stay the current of his mercies to them. Nate, (1.) The moment God leaves a sinner, he is an easy prey to every invader. (2.) With God’s presence and favour we never need fear. (3.) The soul that is lost will have none to blame but his own rebellious self.

2. Deaf to every remonstrance, instead of taking their advice, the rulers of the congregation bid the people stone these faithful witnesses. Truth is most exasperating to those who hate to be reformed; and they who will be faithful must often put their lives in their hands.

3. God appears to confound such a daring deed of wickedness, and to rescue his servants. They who dare to be zealous for God, may safely trust him to save them from the madness of the people.

4. And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? 12. I will from them with the prelulence, and disinherit them, and will make of the greater nation and mightier than they. 13. And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall bear it (for thou broughteth) up this people in thy might from among them, 14. And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goeth before them, by day-time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. 15. Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man; then the na-

tions Before Christ 1890.

Numbers 14:36-45

1. Upon the ten men who were the principals in the mutiny; they were struck immediately dead, as they stood before the Lord. Note, (1.) Ringleaders in sin, shall the full and deepest in suffering. (2.) It is amongst the greatest of sins, to misrepresent the good ways of the Lord, and to look to prejudice the minds of men against them, as melancholy, or impracticable. (3.) The minister that misleads the souls of sinners, shall be accountable for their blood. Caleb and Joshua are spared, a living proof of the truth they spoke, and a present affluence of the favour God would throw them hereafter. None ever left in the end by their fidelity to him.

2. Moses acquaints the people with God’s decree, and deeply they appear affected, but it is irreversible. Note, (1.) Many mourn for their punishments, who do not mourn for their sins. (2.) In fact, the sinner’s decree will neither affwage his consent, nor reverse his sentence.

3. They resolve, contrary to Moses’ injunctions, to go up; they would not go at God’s bidding; it is at their peril now if they attempt it. Note, When the day of grace is over, it is too late to thrive.

4. They proceed, and are rooted. God was not with them, and if he leave us, we are weak indeed. The sentence pronounced against them, the sword of their enemies thus begins to fulfill. Note, (1.) God’s counsel will stand, in spite of every effort to defeat it. (2.) We can only hope to have the neck of our spiritual enemies, when we have secured God for our friend.