* The people murmur at the account of the spies. (1-4) Joshua and
Caleb labour to still the people. (5-10) The Divine threatenings, The
intercession of Moses. (11-19) The murmurers forbidden to enter the
promised land. (20-35) Death of the evil spies. (36-39) Defeat of the
people, who now would inva... [ Continue Reading ]
1-4 Those who do not trust God, continually vex themselves. The
sorrow of the world worketh death. The Israelites murmured against
Moses and Aaron, and in them reproached the Lord. They look back with
causeless discontent. See the madness of unbridled passions, which
makes men prodigal of what natu... [ Continue Reading ]
5-10 Moses and Aaron were astonished to see a people throw away their
own mercies. Caleb and Joshua assured the people of the goodness of
the land. They made nothing of the difficulties in the way of their
gaining it. If men were convinced of the desirableness of the gains of
religion, they would no... [ Continue Reading ]
11-19 Moses made humble intercession for Israel. Herein he was a type
of Christ, who prayed for those that despitefully used him. The pardon
of a nation's sin, is the turning away the nation's punishment; and
for that Moses is here so earnest. Moses argued that, consistently
with God's character, in... [ Continue Reading ]
20-35 The Lord granted the prayer of Moses so far as not at once to
destroy the congregation. But disbelief of the promise forbids the
benefit. Those who despise the pleasant land shall be shut out of it.
The promise of God should be fulfilled to their children. They wished
to die in the wilderness... [ Continue Reading ]
36-39 Here is the sudden death of the ten evil spies. They sinned in
bringing a slander upon the land of promise. Those greatly provoke
God, who misrepresent religion, raise dislike in men's minds toward
it, or give opportunity to those to do so, who seek occasion. Justly
are murmurers made mourners... [ Continue Reading ]
40-45 Some of the Israelites were now earnest to go forward toward
Canaan. But it came too late. If men would but be as earnest for
heaven while their day of grace lasts, as they will be when it is
over, how well would it be for them! That which has been duty in its
season, when mistimed, may be tu... [ Continue Reading ]