Chapter 20:
| 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 20
Concise Complete
The people come to Zin, They murmur for water, Moses
directed to smite the rock, The infirmity of Moses and Aaron. (1-13) The
Israelites are refused a passage through Edom. (14-21) Aaron reigns the priest's
office to Eleazar, and dies in mount Hor. (22-29)
Verses 1-13
After thirty-eight years' tedious abode in the wilderness, the armies of Israel
advanced towards Canaan again. There was no water for the congregation. We live
in a wanting world, and wherever we are, must expect to meet with something to
put us out. It is a great mercy to have plenty of water, a mercy which, if we
found the want of, we should more own the worth of. Hereupon they murmured
against Moses and Aaron. They spake the same absurd and brutish language their
fathers had done. It made their crime the worse, that they had smarted so long
for the discontent and distrusts of their fathers, yet they venture in the same
steps. Moses must again, in God's name, command water out of a rock for them;
God is as able as ever to supply his people with what is needful for them. But
Moses and Aaron acted wrong. They took much of the glory of this work of wonder
to themselves; "Must we fetch water?" As if it were done by some power or
worthiness of their own. They were to speak to the rock, but they smote it.
Therefore it is charged upon them, that they did not sanctify God, that is, they
did not give to him alone that glory of this miracle which was due unto his
name. And being provoked by the people, Moses spake unadvisedly with his lips.
The same pride of man would still usurp the office of the appointed Mediator;
and become to ourselves wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and
redemption. Such a state of sinful independence, such a rebellion of the soul
against its Saviour, the voice of God condemns in every page of the gospel.
Verses 14-21
The nearest way to Canaan from the place where Israel encamped, was through the
country of Edom. The ambassadors who were sent returned with a denial. The
Edomites feared to receive damage by the Israelites. And had this numerous army
been under any other discipline than that of the righteous God himself, there
might have been cause for this jealousy. But Esau hated Jacob because of the
blessing; and now the hatred revived, when the blessing was about to be
inherited. We must not think it strange, if reasonable requests be denied by
unreasonable men, and if those whom God favours be affronted by men.
Verses 22-29
God bids Aaron prepare to die. There is something of displeasure in these
orders. Aaron must not enter Canaan, because he had failed in his duty at the
waters of strife. There is much of mercy in them. Aaron, though he dies for his
transgression, dies with ease, and in honour. He is gathered to his people, as
one who dies in the arms of Divine grace. There is much significancy in these
orders. Aaron must not enter Canaan, to show that the Levitical priesthood could
make nothing perfect; that must be done by bringing in a better hope. Aaron
submits, and dies in the method and manner appointed; and, for aught that
appears, with as much cheerfulness as if he had been going to bed. It was a
great satisfaction to Aaron to see his son, who was dear to him, preferred; and
his office preserved and secured: especially, to see in this a figure of
Christ's everlasting priesthood. A good man would desire, if it were the will of
God, not to outlive his usefulness. Why should we covet to continue any longer
in this world, than while we may do some service in it for God and our
generation?
Chapter 20:
| 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
