Chapter 12:
| 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 12
Concise Complete
God rebukes the murmuring of Aaron and Miriam. (1-9)
Miriam struck with leprosy, and healed at the prayer of Moses. (10-16)
Verses 1-9 The
patience of Moses was tried in his own family, as well as by the people. The
pretence was, that he had married a foreign wife; but probably their pride was
hurt, and their envy stirred up, by his superior authority. Opposition from our
near relations, and from religious friends, is most painful. But this is to be
looked for, and it will be well if in such circumstances we can preserve the
gentleness and meekness of Moses. Moses was thus fitted to the work he was
called to. God not only cleared Moses, but praised him. Moses had the spirit of
prophecy in a way which set him far above all other prophets; yet he that is
least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he; and our Lord Jesus
infinitely excels him,
hebrews 3:1. Let Miriam
and Aaron consider whom it was they insulted. We have reason to be afraid of
saying or doing any thing against the servants of God. And those are
presumptuous indeed who are not
2 peterGod's presence is the
surest and saddest token of God's displeasure. Woe to us, if he depart! he never
departs, till by sin and folly we drive him from us.
Verses 10-16
The cloud departed, and Miriam became leprous. When God goes, evil comes: expect
no good when God departs. Her foul tongue, as Bishop Hall says, was justly
punished with a foul face. Aaron, as priest, was judge of the leprosy. He could
not pronounce her leprous without trembling, knowing himself to be equally
guilty. But if she was thus punished for speaking against Moses, what will
become of those who sin against Christ? Aaron, who joined his sister in speaking
against Moses, is forced for himself and his sister, to beseech him, and to
speak highly of him whom he had so lately blamed. Those who trample upon the
saints and servants of God, will one day be glad to make court to them. It is
well when rebukes produce confession of sin and repentance. Such offenders,
though corrected and disgraced, shall be pardoned. Moses made it appear, that he
forgave the injury done him. To this pattern of Moses, and that of our Saviour,
who said, "Father, forgive them," we must conform. A reason is given for
Miriam's being put out of the camp for seven days; because thus she ought to
accept the punishment of her sin. When under the tokens of God's displeasure for
sin, it becomes us to take shame to ourselves. This hindered the people's
progress in their march forward towards Canaan. Many things oppose us, but
nothing so hinders us in the way to heaven, as sin.
Chapter 12:
| 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
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Nahum
Habakkuk
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Haggai
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Malachi
Matthew
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John
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1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
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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
