Korah was head of a family as well as Dathan and Abiram; and as they were joined by no less than 250 princes of the assembly of the highest order of the people, the rebellion became of consequence the more formidable. Alas! in the rebellions of our nature against the LORD and his righteous governmen... [ Continue Reading ]
CONTENTS This is a most interesting Chapter, not merely as an historical relation of man's rebellion and GOD'S awful judgments following, but principally as herein we behold as glorious a representation, typically considered, as perhaps the Old Testament scripture contains of JESUS, represented by A... [ Continue Reading ]
What an awful state must that mind be given up to, that in the very moment of daring sin fancies itself holy! JESUS describes the church of Laodicea in this dreadfully deluded state, as counting herself to be rich and needing nothing, when in reality she was wretchedly poor and miserable before GOD.... [ Continue Reading ]
What a convincing view at once was this of Moses' mind! So LORD, let me fall before thy throne of grace, whenever Satan accuseth or the reproaches of the ungodly make me afraid. If the Reader would improve this subject, he may learn under the divine teachings, a sweet lesson suited in Psalms 31:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
It should seem that there is somewhat more of doctrine in this subject, than at first view might be supposed. If the congregation be everyone of them holy they need no Mediator. And if they need no Mediator then might each approach in his own righteousness. Moses therefore refers this decision to th... [ Continue Reading ]
I humbly conceive in this expostulation of Moses, and his mention of Aaron in so humiliating a manner, What is Aaron that you murmur against him? that the man of GOD pointed thereby to the infirmity of the man, as if to convince them that the acceptance of Aaron could not be for anything in himself,... [ Continue Reading ]
It is astonishing to observe in the daring confidence of sinners, how they sacrifice truth to resentment. What a perversity must there have been in the minds of these men, to talk of being brought up out of the bondage of Egypt, as the being taken from a land flowing with milk and honey.-But pause,... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! Behold in the instance of Moses, and his meekness for the moment forsaking him, the weakness of poor human nature universally. It was thou only, dearest JESUS! that couldst exercise mercy unrestrained, when in that hour of unequalled suffering on the cross, thou didst pray for thine enemies!... [ Continue Reading ]
It is really astonishing, considering the badness of their cause, that Korah and his party should have been willing to put things to such an issue. But, Reader! when our hearts are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, what judgments of GOD do we not brave? How often hath my stubborn unsubdued... [ Continue Reading ]
What an awful moment was it when the Shechinah, the glory of the LORD appeared! GOD was come to judgment. But what an awful moment of the like nature will it be when the LORD JESUS shall be revealed in flaming fire, to take vengeance on them that know not GOD and obey not the gospel of JESUS? In the... [ Continue Reading ]
Though the LORD knoweth them that are his, and can and will hide them in the day of the visitation of the ungodly, yet the precept is, come out from among them and separate yourselves. See 2 Corinthians 6:17; Revelation 18:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
From the precious comment upon the supplication of Moses by the Psalmist, not only upon this occasion, but another, (Exodus 32:10.) we have authority to conclude, that in both Moses typified and represented that great and only intercessor, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. And very sweet is it to the soul of e... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! may we not without violence to the sacred text, picture to ourselves in this conduct of Moses an infinitely greater than Moses, calling, in all the sweet and persuasive language of the gospel to his people: Come out my people from among the unclean, and be not partakers of their sins. Revela... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe how sin hardens; one should have thought that the rebellious party when deserted by the people, would have taken alarm and humbled themselves before the LORD. I say one should have thought so, if the word of GOD did not teach us, that evil men and seducers wax worse and worse. 2 Timothy 3:13... [ Continue Reading ]
We cannot but be struck with the astonishing degree of faith which Moses manifested upon this occasion. What holy confidence! What a firm assurance did he here display in the faithfulness of GOD? Reader! Oh, may you and I learn from it the sweet and invaluable privilege of the faithful. See similar... [ Continue Reading ]
What a tremendous judgment is here! What an answer was it to the whole business! And what a decisive testimony did it afford of the LORD'S approbation of his servants! But, my soul! pause over the review, and ask thyself whether to thy repeated acts of disobedience and rebellion, if the LORD had cau... [ Continue Reading ]
If all Israel fled at the cry of the sufferers, think, my soul, with what awakened earnestness wouldst thou flee from the wrath to come, didst thou but see with thine eyes the horrible pit of the damned; or with thine ears hear the doleful shrieks of the everlastingly wretched spirits, who dwell in... [ Continue Reading ]
While the LORD'S judgments were manifesting to the rebellious in the camp, the LORD was manifesting himself as a consuming fire to the ring-leaders at the door of the tabernacle. See what an awful thing it is to fall into the hands of the living GOD? But my soul! contemplate with all due reverence t... [ Continue Reading ]
This may serve to teach us how jealous the LORD is of his honour. But chiefly no doubt, with an eye to the everlasting priesthood of JESUS, to point out its vast importance. Dearest LORD! be thou my high priest, and under the censer of thy merits and righteousness my soul will be safe. Hebrews 4:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
The man that hath not studied human nature very closely, and yet more especially hath not been taught by the HOLY GHOST the great evil of sin, and the plague of his own heart, will be astonished that a mutiny after such a tremendous judgment as had but just taken place, should, again break out. The... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, the LORD waits not for any longer appeal. Vengeance is mine, JEHOVAH saith, I will recompense. Romans 12:19. Compared with Deuteronomy 32:35.... [ Continue Reading ]
The dying all around convinced Moses, that wrath was gone forth from the LORD.... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we see Aaron representing the LORD JESUS indeed! For surely there was nothing of holiness in Aaron, that could interpose between an offended GOD and perishing sinners. But beheld with an eye to JESUS, we see one of the most interesting views of the Redeemer in his priestly office putting on the... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold the awful ravages of sin! Reader, contemplate, yet more the awful ravages of the first sin, by which death passed upon all men, because all have sinned. It is now nearly six thousand years since Adam's original transgression, and yet the LORD'S anger manifested to sin by death is not turned a... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS HERE stand, my soul, and contemplate the melancholy effects of a fallen nature, manifesting itself in such astonishing instances of rebellions, and murmurings, and disobedience, and ingratitude. And when thou hast duly pondered over the awful subject in the dreadful example of Korah and... [ Continue Reading ]