_A.M. 2551. B.C. 1453._ This chapter begins the history of the fortieth year of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. Little is recorded of them from the beginning of their second year till this, which brought them to the borders of Canaan. Here is, ( 1,) _ The death of Miriam, Numbers 20:1._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then_ To wit, after many stations and long journeys here omitted, but particularly described, chap. 33., and occupying the space of thirty-eight years, during which time the Lord was executing judgment upon the rebels, whose carcasses were sentenced to fall in the wilderness. _The desert of Zin_ A... [ Continue Reading ]
_No water_ Which, as is generally thought, having followed them through all their former journeys, began to fail them here, because they were now come near countries where waters might be had by ordinary means, and therefore God would not use extraordinary, lest he should seem to prostitute the hono... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before the Lord_ Suddenly, rather than to die such a lingering death. Their sin was much greater than that of their parents, because they should have taken warning by their miscarriages, and by the terrible effects of them, which their eyes had seen.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take the rod_ That which was laid up before the Lord in the tabernacle; whether it was Aaron's rod, which was laid up there, (Numbers 17:10,) or Moses's rod, by which he wrought so many miracles. For it is likely that wonder-working rod was laid up in some part of the tabernacle, though not in or n... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye believed me not_ But showed your infidelity; which they did, either by smiting the rock, and that twice, which is emphatically noted, as if they doubted whether once smiting would have done it; whereas, they were not commanded to smite so much as once, but only to speak to it: or, by the doubtfu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Meribah_ That is, strife. _In them_ Or, _among them, the children of Israel_, by the demonstration of his omnipotency, veracity, and clemency toward the Israelites, and of his impartial holiness and severity against sin, even in his greatest friends and favourites.... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the travail_ All the wanderings and afflictions of our parents, and of us their children, which doubtless have come to thine ears.... [ Continue Reading ]
_An angel_ The angel of the covenant, who first appeared to Moses in the bush, and afterward in the cloudy pillar, who conducted Moses and the people out of Egypt, and through the wilderness. For though Moses may be called an angel or messenger, yet it is not probable that he is meant; partly becaus... [ Continue Reading ]
_The wells_ Or _pits_, which any of you have digged for your private use, not without paying for it, Numbers 20:19; but only of the water of common rivers, which are free to all passengers. No man's property ought to be invaded, under colour of religion. Dominion is founded in providence, not in gra... [ Continue Reading ]
_By me_ Through my country: I will not suffer thee to do so; which was an act of policy, to secure themselves from so numerous a host. _Said_ That is, their messengers replied what here follows.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron_ So these two dear brothers must part! Aaron must die first; but Moses is not likely to be long after him. So that it is only for a while, a little while, that they are separated.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because ye rebelled_ This was one, but not the only reason. God would not have Moses and Aaron to carry the people into Canaan, for this reason also, to signify the insufficiency of the Mosaical law and Aaronical priesthood to make them perfectly happy, and the necessity of a better dispensation, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_His garments_ His priestly garments, in token of his resignation of his office. _Put them upon Eleazar_ By way of admission and inauguration to his office. _In the sight of all the congregation_ That their hearts might be more affected with their loss of so great a pillar, and that they all might b... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Moses stripped Aaron_ And death will strip us. Naked we came into the world; naked we must go out. We shall see little reason to be proud of our clothes, our ornaments, or marks of honour if we consider how soon death will strip us of all our glory, and take the crown off from our head! _Aaron... [ Continue Reading ]
_Saw_ Understood by the relation of Moses and Eleazar, and by other signs. _Thirty days_ The time of public and solemn mourning for great persons.... [ Continue Reading ]