1._Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad. _In this narrative we behold, as in a glass, that whilst each individual is but too attentive to his own private interests, he forgets what is just and right. Those, indeed, who seek their own advantage, do not reflect that they are doing injury... [ Continue Reading ]
2._The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came. _Their request was apparently a reasonable one, that, since God had driven out the inhabitants of the land, and its fertility invited them to dwell there, the possession of these empty and deserted fields should not be denied them. Their modest... [ Continue Reading ]
6._And Moses said unto the children of Gad. _So sharp and severe a reproof shews us the greatness of the wrong: for neither did inconsiderate warmth carry away Moses into such violent anger, nor did he fall into error, so as to deliver his opinion on a point which he did not well understand. He knew... [ Continue Reading ]
8._Thus did your fathers. _He amplifies their crime by reference to their continued perverseness: for so far is the imitation of ungodly parents from being an excuse for their children, that it rather doubles their guilt. Thus also does Stephen allege against the Jews of his days, their persevering... [ Continue Reading ]
14._And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers’ stead. _He signifies that, by their evil doings, they were “filling up the measure” of their fathers, as Jesus spoke of the Jews of His own time. In this sense he calls them an addition _(accessio,) _which word I take to mean a climax _(cumulus.) _Fo... [ Continue Reading ]
16._And they came near tinto him, and said. _It is probable that they returned after having held a consultation: and now, — when they had considered what they ought to do, before promising what they had not previously thought of, — they assent to the decision of Moses, in accordance with their gener... [ Continue Reading ]
20._And Moses said unto them. _Moses might seem to err on the side of excessive good-nature, in that he extends the boundaries prescribed by God, in complying with their wish. For, since their inheritance had been promised them in the land of Canaan, they ought to have been contented with that as th... [ Continue Reading ]
23._But if ye will not do so. _He makes a solemn protestation that they will deal wickedly, if they break their promise: and at the same time denounces punishment against them, as if he were summoning them before the tribunal of God. But, although he speaks conditionally of that particular engagemen... [ Continue Reading ]
28._So concerning them Moses commanded. _Moses annexes these conditions to his decision, lest, when the Reubenites and their companions had performed their military tasks:, they should be falsely alleged to have passed over Jordan for the purpose of seeking a new home; whilst at the same time, if th... [ Continue Reading ]
33._And Moses gave unto them. _We must understand that Moses _gave _it in such sort, as that, relying on God’s command, he laid down an inviolable law. For, although it is not expressly stated that God interposed His authority, still His subsequent approbation fully assures us of it. So also, althou... [ Continue Reading ]