Chapter 11:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Leviticus Deuteronomy
Numbers 11
Concise Complete
The burning at Taberah. (1-3) The people lust for
flesh, and loathe the manna. (4-9) Moses complains of his charge. (10-15) Elders
appointed to divide the charge. Flesh meat promised. (16-23) The Spirit rests on
the elders. (24-30) Quails are given. (31-35)
Verses 1-3 Here
is the people's sin; they complained. See the sinfulness of sin, which takes
occasion from the commandment to be provoking. The weakness of the law
discovered sin, but could not destroy it; checked, but could not conquer it.
They complained. Those who are of a discontented spirit, will always find
something to quarrel or fret about, though the circumstances of their outward
condition be ever so favourable. The Lord heard it, though Moses did not. God
knows the secret frettings and murmurings of the heart, though concealed from
men. What he noticed, he was much displeased with, and he chastised them for
this sin. The fire of their wrath against God burned in their minds; justly did
the fire of God's wrath fasten on their bodies; but God's judgments came on them
gradually, that they might take warning. It appeared that God delights not in
punishing; when he begins, he is soon prevailed with to let it fall.
Verses 4-9 Man,
having forsaken his proper rest, feels uneasy and wretched, though prosperous.
They were weary of the provision God had made for them, although wholesome food
and nourishing. It cost no money or care, and the labour of gathering it was
very little indeed; yet they talked of Egypt's cheapness, and the fish they ate
there freely; as if that cost them nothing, when they paid dearly for it with
hard service! While they lived on manna, they seemed exempt from the curse sin
has brought on man, that in the sweat of his face he should eat bread; yet they
speak of it with scorn. Peevish, discontented minds will find fault with that
which has no fault in it, but that it is too good for them. Those who might be
happy, often make themselves miserable by discontent. They could not be
satisfied unless they had flesh to eat. It is evidence of the dominion of the
carnal mind, when we want to have the delights and satisfaction of sense. We
should not indulge in any desire which we cannot in faith turn into prayer, as
we cannot when we ask meat for our lust. What is lawful of itself becomes evil,
when God does not allot it to us, yet we desire it.
Verses 10-15
The provocation was very great; yet Moses expressed himself otherwise than
became him. He undervalued the honour God had put upon him. He magnified his own
performances, while he had the Divine wisdom to direct him, and Almighty power
to dispense rewards and punishments. He speaks distrustfully of the Divine
grace. Had the work been much less he could not have gone through it in his own
strength; but had it been much greater, through God strengthening him, he might
have done it. Let us pray, Lord, lead us not into temptation.
Verses 16-23
Moses is to choose such as he knew to be elders, that is, wise and experienced
men. God promises to qualify them. If they were not found fit for the employ,
they should be made fit. Even the discontented people shall be gratified too,
that every mouth may be stopped. See here, I. The vanity of all the delights of
sense; they will cloy, but they will not satisfy. Spiritual pleasures alone will
satisfy and last. As the world passes away, so do the lusts of it. 2. What
brutish sins gluttony and drunkenness are! they make that to hurt the body which
should be its health. Moses objects. Even true and great believers sometimes
find it hard to trust God under the discouragements of second causes, and
against hope to believe in hope. God here brings Moses to this point, The Lord
God is Almighty; and puts the proof upon the issue, Thou shalt see whether my
word shall come to pass or not. If he speaks, it is done.
Verses 24-30 We
have here the fulfilment of God's word to Moses, that he should have help in the
government of Israel. He gave of his Spirit to the seventy elders. They
discoursed to the people of the things of God, so that all who heard them might
say, that God was with them of a truth. Two of the elders, Eldad and Medad, went
not out unto the tabernacle, as the rest, being sensible of their own weakness
and unworthiness. But the Spirit of God found them in the camp, and there they
exercised their gift of praying, preaching, and praising God; they spake as
moved by the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of God is not confined to the tabernacle,
but, like the wind, blows where He listeth. And they that humble themselves
shall be exalted; and those who are most fit for government, are least ambitious
of it. Joshua does not desire that they should be punished, but only restrained
for the future. This motion he made out of zeal for what he thought to be the
unity of the church. He would have them silenced, lest they should occasion a
schism, or should rival Moses; but Moses was not afraid of any such effects from
that Spirit which God had put upon them. Shall we reject those whom Christ has
owned, or restrain any from doing good, because they are not in every thing of
our mind? Moses wishes all the Lord's people were prophets, that he would put
his Spirit upon all of them. Let the testimony of Moses be believed by those who
desire to be in power; that government is a burden. It is a burden of care and
trouble to those who make conscience of the duty of it; and to those who do not,
it will prove a heavier burden in the day of account. Let the example of Moses
be followed by those in power; let them not despise the advice and assistance of
others, but desire it, and be thankful for it. If all the present number of the
Lord's people were rendered prophets, or ministers, by the Spirit of Christ,
though not all agreed in outward matters, there is work enough for all, in
calling sinners to repentance, and faith in our Lord Jesus.
Verses 31-35
God performed his promise to the people, in giving them flesh. How much more
diligent men are in collecting the meat that perishes, than in labouring for
meat which endures to everlasting life! We are quick-sighted in the affairs of
time; but stupidity blinds us as to the concerns of eternity. To pursue worldly
advantages, we need no arguments; but when we are to secure the true riches,
then we are all forgetfulness. Those who are under the power of a carnal mind,
will have their lusts fulfilled, though it be to the certain damage and ruin of
their precious souls. They paid dearly for their feasts. God often grants the
desires of sinners in wrath, while he denies the desires of his own people in
love. What we unduly desire, if we obtain it, we have reason to fear, will be
some way or other a grief and cross to us. And what multitudes there are in all
places, who shorten their lives by excess of one kind or other! Let us seek for
those pleasures which satisfy, but never surfeit; and which will endure for
evermore.
Chapter 11:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Leviticus Deuteronomy
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
