Chapter 9:
| 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 9
Concise Complete
Of the Passover. (1-14) The removals of the Israelites.
(15-23)
Verses 1-14 God
gave particular orders for the keeping of this passover, and, for aught that
appears, after this, they kept no passover till they came to Canaan,
joshua 5:10. It early
showed that the ceremonial institutions were not to continue always, as so soon
after they were appointed, some were suffered to sleep for many years. But the
ordinance of the Lord's Supper was not thus set aside in the first days of the
Christian church, although those were days of greater difficulty and distress
than Israel knew in the wilderness; nay, in the times of persecution, the Lord's
Supper was celebrated more frequently than afterward. Israelites in the
wilderness could not forget the deliverance out of Egypt. There was danger of
this when they came to Canaan. Instructions were given concerning those who were
ceremonially unclean, when they were to eat the passover. Those whose minds and
consciences are defiled by sin, are unfit for communion with God, and cannot
partake with comfort of the gospel passover, till they are cleansed by true
repentance and faith. Observe with what trouble and concern these men complained
that they were kept back from offering to the Lord. It should be a trouble to
us, when by any occasion we are kept back from the solemnities of a sabbath or a
sacrament. Observe the deliberation of Moses in resolving this case. Ministers
must ask counsel of God's mouth, not determine according to their own fancy or
affection, but according to the word of God to the best of their knowledge. And
if, in difficult cases, time is taken to spread the matter before God by humble,
believing prayer, the Holy Spirit assuredly will direct in the good and right
way. God gave directions in this case, and in other similar cases, explanatory
of the law of the passover. As those who, against their minds, are forced to
absent themselves from God's ordinances, may expect the favours of God's grace
under their affliction, so those who, of choice, absent themselves, may expect
God's wrath for their sin. Be not deceived: God is not mocked.
Verses 15-23
This cloud was appointed to be the visible sign and symbol of God's presence
with Israel. Thus we are taught to see God always near us, both night and day.
As long as the cloud rested on the tabernacle, so long they continued in the
same place. There is no time lost, while we are waiting God's time. When the
cloud was taken up, they removed, however comfortably they were encamped. We are
kept at uncertainty concerning the time of our putting off the earthly house of
this tabernacle, that we may be always ready to remove at the command of the
Lord. It is very safe and pleasant going when we see God before us, and resting
where he appoints us to rest. The leading of this cloud is spoken of as
signifying the guidance of the blessed Spirit. We are not now to expect such
tokens of the Divine presence and guidance; but the promise is sure to all God's
spiritual Israel, that he will guide them by his counsel. #Ps 73:24|, even unto
death,
psalms 48:14.
All the children of God shall be led by the Spirit of God,
romans 8:14. He will
direct the paths of those who in all their ways acknowledge him,
proverbs 3:6. At the
commandment of the Lord, our hearts should always move and rest, saying, Father,
thy will be done; dispose of me and mine as thou pleasest. What thou wilt, and
where thou wilt; only let me be thine, and always in the way of my duty. In
applying general precepts to particular circumstances, there should be good
counsel and fervent prayer. When any undertaking is evidently wrong, or
doubtfully right, and yet the mind leans that way, in such a case "the moving of
the cloud," as men sometimes miscall it, is generally no more than a temptation
Satan is permitted to propose; and men fancy they are following the Lord, when
they are following their own wayward inclinations. The record of his mercy will
conduct us with unerring truth, through Christ, to everlasting peace. Follow the
pillar of the cloud and of fire. Lay the BIBLE to heart, and receive with
meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Chapter 9:
| 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
