No doubt but beside the more immediate use and purpose for which the
trumpets were sounded, that was a special one, which typified the
sounding of the gospel. For what is the call of JESUS'S gospel, but a
call to the assembling of sinners before the LORD, and his holy word
directing their journey th... [ Continue Reading ]
CONTENTS
This is an interesting chapter. It treats of the form and uses of the
silver trumpets for the calling of the assembly, and for the
journeying of the people. Herein is also contained, the account of the
removal of the people from Mount Sinai to Paran: an affecting relation
of Moses' entreat... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe GOD'S precept. Precepts and promises are sometimes joined
together; not as if the LORD'S mercies were depending upon the desert
of man, but to intimate that the LORD hath graciously appointed means
to the end. The Psalmist hath drawn a nice, but proper distinction
between the means, and the... [ Continue Reading ]
Here again the Gospel is strikingly represented, in the diversity of
sounds. There was in the camp of Israel, the war trumpet, which this
chapter speaks of; Numbers 10:9, the fast trumpet, Joel 2:15, the
jubilee trumpet, Leviticus 25:9. And the trumpet for calling the
assemblies, as here stated. But... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe another striking similitude. The sons of Aaron were to be the
trumpeters. The ministers of JESUS are his heralds, and no other. That
is an awful Scripture of the LORD by the prophet. It were well, if it
were duly considered by all preachers, Jeremiah 23:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
Remark how very gracious the LORD is in his promises. LORD! give me
grace, to be always looking and crying unto thee, in all my warfare. 1
John 5:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
Did not this mean to say, that GOD in CHRIST is to be enjoyed in
everything. And what, indeed, are all our feasts and sacrifices except
JESUS be in them? Psalms 81:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Is there not a great deal of gospel in this verse? What was the
removal of the cloud from off the tabernacle, when near Mount Sinai,
but the intimation that when JESUS in substance of our flesh should
tabernacle among us, that then the cloud of partition between GOD and
us, now reconciled in his SON... [ Continue Reading ]
Moses gives a further account of this, Deuteronomy 1:6. But Reader! do
not forget to remark with me, that though Israel moved forward towards
Canaan at the command of GOD, the removal was but from one wilderness
to another. Reader, it is so and must be so, wholly through life.
Wheresoever we are, ho... [ Continue Reading ]
I must not suffer the Reader to go through this account of the order,
in which Israel took their journeys, without detaining him to observe,
that Judah takes the lead. Doth the Reader ask wherefore? Let him
recollect that our LORD sprang out of Judah. The sceptre was to be in
Judah, and to him the g... [ Continue Reading ]
No doubt the order, here pointed out by divine authority, was not
without particular significance. But it should seem, from a passage in
the Psalms, that each tribe had a special regard to the divine
presence. Psalms 80:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is more than probable, that this Hobab was either the same as
Jethro, or the son of Jethro. Certain it is, that the same word
signifies both father in law, and brother in law. See Exodus 18:1. But
leaving this point, as not very important, I would rather the Reader
should attend to the very inter... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold! the universal voice of nature! See how earthly affections
cleave to the earth. That is an awful scripture, Luke 13:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
Gracious souls cannot give over pleading. See the holy importunity of
Angels on this point. Gen_19:17; Gen_19:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is not positively said, whether Hobab was prevailed upon or not. I
think it most probable, that the grace of GOD inclined him to go, and
that he went with Israel, as we find mention made of his family.
Judges 1:16 and again, 1 Samuel 15:6. But, let us rather attend to
what is said in this memorab... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! remark with me, that it is truly grateful to the soul to have
tokens of JESUS' presence with us, whether in a cloud or more open
manifestations, whether we move or rest. See that sweet promise,
Deuteronomy 28:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
This prayer of Moses is in the spirit of prophecy. As if he had said,
When the LORD goeth before his people their enemies shall be
scattered. And when they rest, the SPIRIT of the LORD is upon them,
causing them to rest. Isaiah 63:14. Reader! remember it is not the
many thousands of Israel, or as th... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS
HERE, my soul, let me pause a little, and in the relation of the
silver trumpet service, calling the LORD'S people to the assembly of
his saints, ask my heart whether I have heard and known the joyful
sound, which is proclaimed in the gospel, of JESUS' blood and
righteousness! and am no... [ Continue Reading ]