_The people wept._ TRUTHS IN TEARS I. That to entrust the important affairs of society to the conduct of men of an inferior type is a great evil. Feeble-minded, and mean-hearted men, at the head of society, have always impeded its onward march, and endangered its interests. II. That whilst it is... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let us return into Egypt._ THE REWARDS OF THE FUTURE NOT TO BE SLIGHTED BECAUSE OF A PRESENT INCONVENIENCE The proposition of the people illustrates anew the principle that all sin is a species of insanity. They proposed to go back to Egypt. How did they suppose they were going to get back? Could... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord is with us: fear them not._ A NOBLE EFFORT TO ARREST A NATION’S REBELLION I. Joshua and Caleb were deeply grieved by reason of the rebellion of the nation. II. Joshua and Caleb nobly endeavoured to arrest the rebellion of the nation. 1. They reassert the excellence of the land. 2. The... [ Continue Reading ]
_How long will this people provoke Me?_ MISTRUST OF GOD DEPLORED AND DENOUNCED I. The sin of israel is here defined: “How long will it be ere they believe Me?” Observe that God’s account of all the murmuring and fear which these people felt was simply that they did not believe Him. They doubtless’... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will smite them. .. and will make of thee a greater nation._ PROFFER OF JEHOVAH, AND ANSWER OF MOSES This is the second time that Jehovah, in His holy anger, had proposed to deal thus with Moses and make him the head of a righteous seed to receive the inheritance which Israel has so justly forfe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pardon, I beseech Thee, the iniquity of this people._ MOSES’ EXPOSTULATION What book but the Bible has the courage to represent a man standing in this attitude before his God and addressing his Sovereign in such persuasive terms? This incident brings before us the vast subject of the collateral co... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have pardoned according to thy word._ GOD’S ANSWER TO MOSES’ PRAYER I. The extremity of the sentence is receded from (Numbers 14:20). “I have pardoned,” so as not to cut them all off at once and disinherit them. See the power of prayer, and the delight God takes in putting an honour upon it. He... [ Continue Reading ]
_My servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed Me fully._ CALEB’S CHARACTER I. The dignity of Caleb’s character “My servant.” 1. The Lord justly demands our services. 2. The Lord distinctly recognises His servants. II. The commendation of Caleb’s piety. “Another sp... [ Continue Reading ]
_The wilderness by the way of the Red Sea._ THE RULE OF THE ROAD Every traveller has heard of the “rule of the road,” which must be obeyed in order to avoid accidents. There are certain rules of the road also to be observed by the pilgrim band on our journey to the Eternal City. 1. First of all,... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have heard the murmurings._ BASE MURMURING Murmuring is not a simple sin, but involves-- 1. Presumption. 2. Ingratitude. 3. Rebellion. I. Murmuring without any cause. II. Murmuring against the best being. 1. Think who and what He is--the Supremely Wise and Good, &c. 2. Think of what He h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities._ GOD OFTEN PUNISHES SIN PROPORTIONABLY God oftentimes punisheth in proportion, so that the judgment is answerable to the sin. Of what kind the sin is, of the same kind is the punishment (Genesis 42:21). God sent upon Sodom a punishment like to t... [ Continue Reading ]
_But they presumed to go up._ A PRESUMPTUOUS ENTERPRISE AND ITS DISASTROUS TERMINATION In these verses we have an illustration of-- 1. The sad perversity of sinful human nature. 2. The confession of sin, and persistence in sin. 3. The great difficulty of walking humbly and patiently in the path... [ Continue Reading ]