CONTENTS A further interference of divine authority is related in this Chapter, in which the LORD is pleased to manifest thereby, that Aaron was to be the high priest to minister in holy things. The LORD condescended, by way of testifying his pleasure in this business, to settle it by the budding o... [ Continue Reading ]
It is sweet to remark how the LORD is pleased to work, sometimes in a way of judgment as in the foregoing chapter, to punish sin: and sometimes in a way of grace, as in this chapter, to restrain from sin. It should seem by the circumstances of this chapter, that though the LORD had manifested in so... [ Continue Reading ]
Were I permitted to spiritualize this writing of the name of Aaron on the rod of Levi, I would suppose that what JESUS hath left on record in the revelations, of waiting upon each of his people who are made priests and kings by him his new name, that it had symbolic reference in this place. When we... [ Continue Reading ]
Before the testimony means before the ark, and that ark was an express type of JESUS. It is delightful to discover everything referring to our JESUS. Hence David sings, Arise, O LORD, into thy rest: thou, and the ark of thy strength. Psalms 132:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed promise! if GOD undertakes to make the murmurings of his people to cease it shall be done, but without this interference of grace, the most awful judgments lose their effect. Compare what passed in the former chapter where the LORD'S choice was as plainly manifested, but man's stubborn unrec... [ Continue Reading ]
The rod was an apt signification of the head of a family, for the word signifies tribes as well as rod. It is used so: Numbers 34:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
There is somewhat particularly striking in what is said of laying them up before the LORD, meaning a presentation of them; as if to say, LORD, we wait thy determination! The tabernacle of witness is also as striking: for each person of the GODHEAD is the witness, and consequently to each the taberna... [ Continue Reading ]
What could have been more decisive! A dry unpromising rod to bring forth at one and the same time, and in one night, buds, and blossoms, and fruit. But who doth not, or who will not, behold in all this JESUS, who is called in relation to one of his offices the rod of the LORD'S strength? Psalms 110:... [ Continue Reading ]
Doth it not appear to the Reader by the manner of expression, that each man took his rod, as if it was a sullen and not a satisfied acquiescence in the divine appointment. Alas! how often may we detect our hearts in the same spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
Paul hath recorded this circumstance in his epistle to the Hebrews. Hebrews 9:4. But certainly a great deal of gospel is veiled under it. It is JESUS and his perpetual presence, that takes away the greater as well as the less sins of his people. John saw JESUS many years after his ascension, and he... [ Continue Reading ]
Whether the people expressed themselves in these words under a sense of fear or submission, or both, I will not determine. But as the LORD had graciously undertaken to take away their murmurings, it may sense to teach us how very effectual the LORD'S means are when the LORD is pleased to work. And y... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS PAUSE, my soul, in the perusal of this chapter, and behold in how sweet a manner thy GOD and FATHER manifested to the church of old the everlasting priesthood of thy glorious intercessor! None but the rod of JESUS, nothing but his Almighty righteousness and sin-offering atonement can br... [ Continue Reading ]