Chapter 13:
| 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 13
Concise Complete
Twelve men sent to search the land of Canaan, Their
instructions. (1-20) Their proceedings. (21-25) Their account of the land.
(26-33)
Verses 1-20 A
memorable and melancholy history is related in this and the following chapter,
of the turning back of Israel from the borders of Canaan, and the sentencing
them to wander and perish in the wilderness, for their unbelief and murmuring.
It appears,
deuteronomy 1:22,
that the motion to search out the land came from the people. They had a better
opinion of their own policy than of God's wisdom. Thus we ruin ourselves by
believing the reports and representations of sense rather than Divine
revelation. We walk by sight not by faith. Moses gave the spies this charge, Be
of good courage. It was not only a great undertaking they were put upon, which
required good management and resolution; but a great trust was reposed in them,
which required that they should be faithful. Courage in such circumstances can
only spring from strong faith, which Caleb and Joshua alone possessed.
Verses 21-25
The searchers of the land brought a bunch of grapes with them, and other fruits,
as proofs of the goodness of the country; which was to Israel both the earnest
and the specimen of all the fruits of Canaan. Such are the present comforts we
have in communion with God, foretastes of the fulness of joy we expect in the
heavenly Canaan. We may see by them what heaven is.
Verses 26-33 We
may wonder that the people of Israel staid forty days for the return of their
spies, when they were ready to enter Canaan, under all the assurances of success
they could have from the Divine power, and the miracles that had hitherto
attended them. But they distrusted God's power and promise. How much we stand in
our own light by our unbelief! At length the messengers returned; but the
greater part discouraged the people from going forward to Canaan. Justly are the
Israelites left to this temptation, for putting confidence in the judgment of
men, when they had the word of God to trust in. Though they had found the land
as good as God had said, yet they would not believe it to be as sure as he had
said, but despaired of having it, though Eternal Truth had engaged it to them.
This was the representation of the evil spies. Caleb, however, encouraged them
to go forward, though seconded by Joshua only. He does not say, Let us go up and
conquer it; but, Let us go and possess it. Difficulties that are in the way of
salvation, dwindle and vanish before a lively, active faith in the power and
promise of God. All things are possible, if they are promised, to him that
believes; but carnal sense and carnal professors are not to be trusted. Unbelief
overlooks the promises and power of God, magnifies every danger and difficulty,
and fills the heart with discouragement. May the Lord help us to believe! we
shall then find all things possible.
Chapter 13:
| 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
