Numbers 20

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XX.—Much of our time is spent as a tale that is told, passed away in God’s wrath, without any thing worth remarking. And death at length makes quick and repeated inroads in families which have been long forborne. Miriam, Aaron, and Moses, now die all in one year. And, as it was with them, so God often writes indignation upon the death of his own people, who are saved in the Lord their God: for in the chastisement of his choicest saints he is severely strict, as, indeed their sins dishonour him in a distinguished manner. Children readily imitate their parents in their wickedness. Bad customs and tempers cleave close to men, and shew themselves whenever an occasion presents itself: and those are often ready to wish for death who are very unfit for it. Men’s principal friends are often treated the worst; but the mercy and power of God are exerted for the relief of sinful rebels against him. Yet, alas! how prone are the best of men to unbelief under long or repeated trials, and to passion under great provocations! And often reproaches, just in their matter, may be very sinful in their manner. How lasting are quarrels between families and nations; and how inveterate the hatred of Edomites of the world against the church and people of God! Little of earthly comforts can we hope for in our way to the Caiaan above! But when believers look most beautiful on the borders of the grave, and when faith disarms death of all its terrors—when they depart deliberately and cheerfully into the joy of our Lord—how comely and how comfortable! And it is a peculiar joy to dying ministers to see the cause of God transmitted into the hands of zealous and faithful successors. But let me not bid adieu to Aaron, the saint of God, till I behold in him, as in a figure, Jesus, the great High Priest of my profession! Seasonable and divinely solemn was his call to his work! With an unmeasurable unction of the Holy Ghost, and perfect purity of nature, was he prepared for it. By his miracles; his destruction of his Jewish and Gentile opposers; by the marvellous influence of the gospel-rod of his strength: is his office confirmed and ratified of God! He delivers his chosen tribes from spiritual slavery; justifies and sanctifies them; leads them up through this wilderness world; and he can well speak to their respective cases and doubts. He is our sole High Priest, and the spiritual Father of all such as are made priests unto God; and with amazing holiness, courage, labour, patience, and pity, he executes his work. At the expense of his life he averted the plague of infinite vengeance from his unreasonable abusers: and, having finished his work of obedience, he publicly and willingly, upon mount Calvary, resigned himself unto death, leaving his robes of finished righteousness to his spiritual seed