CONTENTS A melancholy relation is contained in this Chapter. The children of Israel fall into idolatry. The LORD'S visitation in a way of judgment follows. Phinehas distinguisheth himself amidst the general corruption in his zeal for the LORD'S honor, and is solemnly blessed of GOD for it. Numbers... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, the temptation is first to the body, and next to the soul. The Moabites first decoy Israel to bodily fornication, and then to spiritual. Alas! how speedily is the transition made, from bodily sins to spiritual. For if the mind be first defiled with uncleanness, the soul is soon given up to... [ Continue Reading ]
It is supposed, and with great appearance of truth, that commerce with the women formed a part of the idolatrous worship of the Moabites. So that while Israel was giving themselves up to their lust in the arms of the daughters of Moab; the bowing to the idols of Moab, was the sure consequence of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
What an awful visitation is implied in these verses! For I would have the Reader remark, that nothing more is said of it, than it is the fierce anger of the LORD; and the dreadful effects are mentioned in the course of the chapter; that no less than four and twenty thousand of the people became the... [ Continue Reading ]
It is hardly possible to conceive any act so daring as this. But, alas! what is not the human heart capable of perpetrating, when given up to its own lusts! That is a most awful scripture which saith, Let Ephraim alone he is joined to his idols. Hosea 4:17. Reader! put it down as a sure maxim: when... [ Continue Reading ]
What a lovely view is here afforded of Phinehas? How ought it to have endeared him to the congregation? How hath it endeared his name in the church! The psalmist recorded the memorable and holy zeal of this man many ages after, when it said of him, that it was accounted unto him for righteousness un... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle to the Corinthians, counts three and twenty thousand. Probably the slaughter of the Judges made them both added together four and twenty thousand. Compare 1 Corinthians 10:8, with this verse and Numbers 25:4; as also with Deuteronomy 4:3... [ Continue Reading ]
We here plainly behold the outlines of him, who hath indeed an everlasting priesthood, and in whom, no doubt, Phinehas's zeal was accepted. Hebrews 7:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
The HOLY GHOST is particular in mentioning the names of the delinquents. It is awful when great names are only recorded, in order to particularize their greater shame and infamy.... [ Continue Reading ]
If we take this precept spiritually, it teaches that we are not to spare, nor suffer our eye to pity any, however dear or near to us in nature, who tempt us from our GOD. Deuteronomy 13:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS PAUSE, my soul, over this chapter now again in the close of it, and while taking a leisurely review of the sad consequences of a fallen state, look up for grace to keep thee from the stratagems of Satan and all his agents, lest thou fall after the same example of unbelief. I would conve... [ Continue Reading ]