PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers
Rayner Winterbotham [1842-1924] · 425,969 words · 472 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 61
EXPOSITION. RESTITUTION TO BE MADE FOR TRES- Ver. 9.-Eve17 offering. Hebrew, teru,. PASSES (vers. 5---10). Ver. 6.-Shall com- malt, heave offenng (Exod. xxix. 28). Sep- mit any sin that men commit. Literally, tuagint, ci irapx,). Those offerings, or portions " [one] of ell the tra.nsgressions of men," i. e. of offerin…
1,183 wordsSECTION 62The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 62
up, and makes inquiries nbout his hook. Dut tl,e finder denies all knowledge of it, and it remains in his possession. Among us the criminal law would hnve something to say to this dishonest finder. The meshes of the Hebrew criminal code seem to have been wide enough to let him go. But the holy law of God speaks to h…
867 wordsSECTION 63The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 63
conscience, and a repentance needing not to be repented of. Coneider the benefit David got (PM, Ii.). Confession, restitution, and atonement clennse the bosom of a great deal of" perilous stuff." Restitution, though a loss in possessions, is a gain in peace. Reparation of a wrong done to a fellow-man is to be valued fo…
851 wordsSECTION 64The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 64
of the husband is a dish011our to the wife. sent, as it were, the fruits of her life befon, Barley meal. In the days of Elisha half the God, nnd challenge investigation of them. price of fine flour (2 Kinss vii. 1), and only Bitter water. It was not literally bitter, eaten by the poor (Ezek. 1v, 12; john vi. 9). but…
1,010 wordsSECTION 65The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 65
the Koran ; and ao in the middle ages the of society. The Talmud states that the use C1L11onised Archbishop Edmnnd Rich (1240) of it ceased forty years before the destruction on his death-bed wasbed a crncifu: in water of Jerusalem (if so, during onr Lord's earthly o.nd drank it, saying, "Ye shall drink water lifetime)…
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him, and the great displeasure with which he regards the mere suspicion of it. For this ordeal was not merely or primarily to punish guilt or to restore domestic peace but to remove sin and passion from before the eyes of God. Consider, therefore- !. THAT Goo RESERVED HIS MOST AWFUL VISITATION 01!' OLD TIMBS FOB BUC…
1,183 wordsSECTION 67The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 67
CHAPTER VI. room was left in the religious system of Moses, e.nd which wa.s designed to correct T.IIE vow OF T.JIE NAZ!nITE (vers. 1-21). and supplement in its spiritual freedom the Note.-The Hebrew Nazir hos been written artificial routine of that system. As the pro- Nazorite in English under the mistaken im- phetic…
447 wordsSECTION 68The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 68
sbom locks of those n•ho had taken the vow. Ver. 6.-There shall 110 ruor oome upon It is evident indeed, from the way in which his head. The tneauing of this law is best the N aziiite vow is here spoken of, that it understood from the ease of Samson, whose had been, perhaps long, familiar among the strength was in his …
1,038 wordsSECTION 69The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 69
just who.t the diadem on the mitre was to "perfect law of liberty," itwae only possible the high priest, what the sacred chrism we.s to secure thoroughness and consistency at to the sons of Aaron. Both of these are called by the word fl8U7' (Exod. x:ru:. 6 ; Levit. x.xi. 12), from the same root as 'IIIUir, It was =z…
1,184 wordsSECTION 70The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 70
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-21.-lndwidual consecration to God. fo tl1is section we have, spiritually, the consecration of the individual life to God as a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice (Rom. xii. l). This consecration was the ideal for all Israel (Exod. xix. 6); but inas- much 11.s the people at large could not attai…
665 wordsSECTION 71The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 71
(Luke ix. 24; x. 42; xviii, 22; xxi. 34 ; 1 Cor. vi. 12 ; ix. 25, ~7; 2 Tim. ii. 4 ; and cf. Mutt. xix. 12 ; 1 Cor. vii. 32). IV. THAT THE SECOND OBLIGATION OF THE NAZIRITE WAS TO DEDICATE THE FREE, UNTOUCHED GROWTH OF HIS HAIR TO THE LORD. Even BO the servant of God must dedicate to him the whole forces of his nat…
815 wordsSECTION 72The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 72
liis contemporary, was a hero of a purer and higher type, the earliest of the great ,rophets after Moses, and he too was a Naz1nite 1 by his mother's consecration, before f 1e was born. As Samuel was the first, Joh,i the Baptist was the last, of the old prophets, and be likewise was a N azarite from his birth. I. ·…
870 wordsSECTION 73The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 73
that wns common to him with nll ministers of the gospel ; nor does it refer simply to hie npoetolate. It refers but to his specinl work ae the great missionary apostle, There is room and need in the Christian Church not only for men separated by the authority and call of the Church to official service, but for men olso…
821 wordsSECTION 74The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 74
motive shows a class of men to whom the common level of their neighboum' thoughts ..,onceming religion was quit.e insufficient. I. Consider THE STATE FROM WHICH THE NAZARITE SEPARATED HIMSELF. The name signified the state-separation. The average of religious feeling and activity in the minds of the Israelites must …
844 wordsSECTION 75The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 75
We are to look for them in communion with God nnd following Christ. Our joy is In the Holy Ghost. "Is any merry, let him sing Psalms." 2. The umlwrn head. The Nazarite was not hie own. Not even the least thing about his person was at his own disposal. He was not allowed to ca.st nway even a thing so easily and painl…
1,230 wordsSECTION 76The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 76
hear in their appointed words the voice of seems. to mean the same thing as oi,\V. tt~1, God himself. Saying unto them. The or 0'fP (Gen. :z:liii. 29, d.v11/3>.i-i,ac , , Toi(: benediction here appointed consist.s of three 6~:ta"'-,.,.oic abToii; xliv. 21). To lift up the -chuses, ea.eh complete in itself, and each …
942 wordsSECTION 77The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 77
HOYILETICS. Vere. 22-27.-The Bleuing of God Almighty. In this benediction we have spiritually the love of God, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the com• rnunion of the Holy Ghost, ae imparted unto us in the kingdom of heaven, into which we are called, that we may inherit a blessing (2 Cor. xiii. 14; 1 Pet. …
1,005 wordsSECTION 78The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 78
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vcrs. 22-27.-Th.e bene.dictwn,. So far as I have observed, the blessing o/tlie peojte has less consideration bestowed upon it than any other of the stated ordinances of Divme service. It is seldom made the subject of discourse from the pulpit; divines seldom treat of it in their books; …
534 wordsSECTION 79The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 79
them ; and of the benefits flowing therefrom. 1. " Tlie Lord bless thee, and keep thee," q. d. The Lord is the keeper of Israel. He will care for thee. lie will keep thy land and thine house; he will preserve thy going ont and coming in, and will guard thy life ; he will keep thy soul. He will deliver thy soul from dea…
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ings full enough for the whole world, has an appropriate benediction for the neediest of his children (Ps. xl. 17). The sunlight is for the sake of the tiniest insect and seed,. ling as well 11,8 for the whole human race; and God's blessing fa for the sick child in the cottage as much as for "the holy Church through…
870 wordsSECTION 81The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 81
duties, at times of holy festival and Divine forgiveness. Others might utter idle, powerleRs good wishes, sinking with oft petition into mere politeness. The priest's words officiall solemn, spoken from the tubernncle. Thns they expressed the perma- nent good will of God, in spite of nil negligence nnd forgetfulness to…
790 wordsSECTION 82The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 82
EXPOSITION. CHAPTER VII. ~• stood over." Tho most natural reforence IS to the fact of theil· J_>rosiding over tlie T!iE OFFERINGS OF TJiE PRINCES (eh. vii.). census, and so the Septuo.gmt, ovro1 o, ,rapla• Ver. 1.-0n the day that ltosea had fully r.ri11:orE~ i,d rik l,r11111:o,rij.. But it may mean eet up th!, tab…
948 wordsSECTION 83The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 83
Ver. 10.-For dedicating of the altar. After the shekel of the aanctuary. Accorcl- The altar was "dedicated " in the sense of ing to the standard weight kept in the taber- being consecrated, by the anointing with the nacle (see Exod. xxx. 13). It seems to have sacred oil and with the blood of tho appointed weighed abo…
983 wordsSECTION 84The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 84
perhaps extravagant, profusion displayed at (see Exod. iii. 4 and :u:xiii. 9) ; but this re- the dedication of the temple and alt.ar by cords the fulfilment r1f that promise whicl\ Solomon ; but we may believe they were at was part of God's covenant with Israel, tho,t least as acceptable. The verb substantive he wou…
1,015 wordsSECTION 85The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 85
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ch. vii.-The princes and their princely offeri.ng. Here is perhaps the longest chapter in all the Bible. What is it occupied with? It is, in effect, a List of Subscribers. Certain costly articles were wanted to complete the furnishing of the tabernacle. Twelve men of chief note in their re…
591 wordsSECTION 86The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 86
time of spontaneons bountifulness in God's service is always a time of gladness. Yet even at such times we are not to forget that "'e are ainnerR. The sin offering may 11ot be prominent in this chapter of gifts, yet it has a place in every one of the twelve lists of offerings. What has been said about the nature of …
1,039 wordsSECTION 87The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 87
Ver. 16.-The universality of the sin offering. The sin offering was one of the expiatory sacrifices of the law. We meet with it so often and under such varied circumstances that it bears a striking testimony (1) to tl,e universality of sin, and (2) to the need of an absolute, world-wide, everlasting atonement. Classify…
673 wordsSECTION 88The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 88
Vel"B, 1-9.-Tke wau,on11 for tM Levi.tu. This chapter deacribes two sets of gifts, one of waggons to help. the Levites in transporting the tabernacle, the other for the dedication at the anointing of the altar. The firat gift, when we look into it is seen to be peculiarly beautiful and significant. ' I. IT WAS VOLUNT…
835 wordsSECTION 89The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 89
hie glory and sovereignty over creation. Also correct notions of mrselves as wor- 11hippers. Not with the humility of einleee angels who veil their faces, but as the polluted children of men, with their hands on their mouths, and their mouths in the dust. Our praise must be especially for hie love, wisdom, and power in…
1,082 wordsSECTION 90The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 90
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-4.-The sa.c'red lamps. In this section we have, spiritually, the Divine concern that the light of revelation should be made to shine out and to illumine the whole Church of God by the ministers of his word. Consider, therefore-- I. THAT THE REPETITION HEBE OF WHAT HAD BEEN SUFFICIENTLY DECLARED B…
1,028 wordsSECTION 91The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 91
EXPOSITION. THE HALLOWING OB' THE LEVITES (vers. them. Rather, " water of sin," so ce.lled 15-23). Ver. 6. -The Lord apake unto because it had to do with the removal of Moses. At some time subsequent to tho sin, just &S "water of separation" (eh. xix. command given in eh. iii. 6-13, and no 9, 13) was that which delive…
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can be shown why it should be called II sin whole ceremonie.l was to be symbolice.lly per- water ; " it would seem as reasonable to call formed, for the Levites could not possibly be the water which our Lord turned into wine waved in any literal sense. Some have sup• '' sin water," because it stood there II for the …
1,047 wordsSECTION 93The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 93
duty (of putting away sin) which the rest of Ver. 24.-J'rom twenty and fl.ve years old them failed to perform. Similarly the Levites and upward. A short time before the mini- made an atonement not by offering sacrifice mum age had been fixed at thirty (eh. iv. 3). (which they could no more do than the That direction, h…
850 wordsSECTION 94The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 94
OFFERING, ll'OR AN ATONEMENT. Even so no service, however able and laborious, is acceptable unto God except it have been sanctified through tho sacrifice and self- sacrifice of Christ (Heb. x. 10). VI. THAT THE CHILDREN OF !SRA.EL LAID THEIR HANDS UPON THE LEVITES WHEN THEY WERE DEVOTED. Even so whatever labour be …
791 wordsSECTION 95The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 95
der thll Jaw. Hence the separation of the Levites. When the time came for the evites to enter on dut,r, they were set apart in a service, not so solemn indeed as ~ e service on the occae10n of Aaron's consecration, nevertheless highly impressive, and fitted to suggest many a lesson worthy to be laid to heart by us on …
1,112 wordsSECTION 96The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 96
CH.APTER IX. mentioned below (vers. 11, 12). It is singular that no mention is made of the THE PASSOVER AT SINAI (vers. 1-14). considerable departure which circumstances Ver. 1.-In the :first month of the second necessitated from the original institution. It year. Before the census, and all the other was not possib…
626 wordsSECTION 97The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 97
the difilculty was solved. Nothing perho.ps whole question of numbers in the Intro- better illustrates the mingled rigidity and duction, As to (b), it must be borne in elasticity of the Divine ordinances than the mind that no direction whatever had been observance of theJassover, in which so much given, as far as we kn…
1,048 wordsSECTION 98The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 98
any doctrine of an imruor tal spirit. The time-at which time he was himself to be the Septuagint uses ,/,vxq here. La.mb slain. With unleavened bread and Ver. 7.-Wberefore are we kept baek1 bitter herba. These and the follo,ving di- The direction to remove from the camp all rections a.i:e expressly ad~ed for fear le…
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in the next. How often have faithful people made special effort to join in keeping the Christian passover, and it hne proved to be their last I (Luke xxii. 15; 1 Cor. v. 7). III. THAT THE PASSOVER WAS KEPT II ACCORDING TO ALL THE RITES OF' IT," AND YET THERE WERE SOME RITES AND CEREMONIES WHICH MUST OIi' NECESSITY HAV…
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APPOINTED BEASON (vers. 10, 11). 1. The pemon disabled by uncleanness at the full moon of the first month might keep the feast at the full moon of the 11econd. This was not a perfect remedy. The passover was a national solemnity. It was a witness to the religious unity of the tribes. It was designed at once to express …
854 wordsSECTION 101The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 101
IRw mo.y be fato.l (Jo.mes ii. 10). Yet this stringent law could be modified. It was flexible, beco.nee God was a paterno.l King, and not a despotic martinet. But God alone could modify the law (ver. 8), or condone for its literal non-observance (e. g. 2 Chron. xxx. 15-20). Provision was mo.de for disabilities arising …
806 wordsSECTION 102The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 102
the covenant (Deut. xxix. 10-13), offer sacrifices (Levit. uii. 18), and keep the passover (Exo,l. xii. 43-49 • Numb. ix. 14), And it was required that they be instructed in the law of God (Deut. ux:i. 10-13, rend in the light of Josh. viii. 33- 35). ffaving all these privileges, they were liable to the same punishment…
1,139 wordsSECTION 103The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 103
EXPOSITION. THE SIGNALS OJ' GOD (vers. 15- 23). kept. Apart from the strict grammatical Ver. 15.-0n the day that the tabernacle question, the comparison of other passages was reared up. Here we are sent back cited (especially Exod. xl. 34) seems in again to the great day of Israel's sojourn at favour of the first inte…
1,144 wordsSECTION 104The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 104
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 15--23.-The guiding pillar of cloud and flame. This pillar served more purposes than one; but without doubt the purpose noted here by Moses himself was that principally intended. It was the signal by which the Lord guided the march of the tribes (Neh. i:x:. 12, 19; Ps. lxxviii. 14). …
1,010 wordsSECTION 105The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 105
NUllBIUili, G 82 THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. [OH. tx. 15-28, Ver. 23.-0of£s ceaseless p r ~ a moti™ to prompt obedience. God's presence with Israel waa perpetual (Exod. iii. 12; xiii. 17-18). The eign of it i:n the cloud was given as soon,. and was _continued as long, as it w·as needed (Exod, xiii; 21, 22; xl. 38). God's …
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imperishable, but God will opf.rove no man until his life is ordered in all things by the requirements of the gospe . IIL THE CLOUD BO APPEARING WAS A PROOB' OB' Goo's B'AVOUR, VISIBLE TO ALL A.ND APPRECIABLB BY 'l'BEM. All Israel could see the tabernacle and the cloud. God had told his people they were not to make an…
808 wordsSECTION 107The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 107
and no other. The oamps. Only those on is miit.ant here on earth. Tll(\t the use of the east (Judah, with Issachar and Zebulun) the two silver trumpets was ceremonio.l, and and on the south (Reuben, with Simeon a.nd not practical, after the conquest of Canaan la Gad) are here mentioned. It may be that the evident fr…
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II. That the PBIMABY UBE OF THE BAOBED TRUMPET was-(1) for summoning the people into the more immediate presence of God ; (2) for ordering their march towards Canaan. The gospel is preached, on the one hand, to call men from their caree, and pleasures, and earthly ties, in order to present themselves for pardon and for…
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to draw near ; we are to speak in full assurance of faith. This, I confess, mny be pressed too far. There was notliing of the trumpet-tone in the publican's prayer. ~ere may be a_cc.eptable pra1er in a sigh, in a. cry _of an~uish1 in the groaning o~ a prisoner. But 1t 1s not the Wlll of God that his children s ordin…
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w, not in God. Men have eyes, yet see not; ears, yet hear not. They clamour for more light, more evidence, ·more signs. " If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." .And now they have also Christ and the apostles to listen to. All the great Bppeals and procla…
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them to their immedii.te destination in the patches of 1!8.lld and gravel, is what now wilderness of Paran. Here then ia a plain meets the eye of the traveller in thla forsaken reason for the statement in this verse: the land. It is true tha.t a good deal of rain falls cloud did indeed rest twice between the two at …
1,052 wordsSECTION 112The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 112
journey. The meaning of this is some- Under any ordinary circumstances, however what doubtful The Septuagint has l(;pav (see next note) the work of the rear-guard in ,rpwro,, the foremost set out; the Vulgate, collecting stragglers and in taking charge of profecl,i BWnt per Nrmaa /l'Ua8, Perhaps it such as had fainted …
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and halted very much as the circumstances die or have to be left behind. And as the of the day demanded. But that this was death or loss of one of God's people would not and could not be the case during the have vitiated the temporal promise to them short journey which slwu7d have landed so also it would have vitiated …
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llTAY WHEnE THEY WERE, BUT MUST SET FORTI! TEIROUGil THE RUGGED WILDEnNESS Oll' PARAN, IF THEY WERE EVER TO REAOH CANAAN. Even so the Church cannot attain her rest by studying divinity or perfecting the definitions of morality or the appli- ances of worship; it must walk in faith and righteousness amidst the endless…
758 wordsSECTION 115The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 115
EXPOSITION. 'rim INVITATION TO HoBA.ll (vers. 29~2). gint. It n1ea.ns simply a "marria.ge rela.tioir," Yer. 29.-Rob&b, the aon of llaguel (or and is even u.sed by Zipporali of Moses rather Reuel, of which Ra.guel is simply the bimself (Exod. iv. 26, 26-Hebrew. The Septuagint a.nd Vulgste variation), Kosea' Septungint…
1,189 wordsSECTION 116The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 116
HOMILETICS. Vere. 29-32.-The friendly invilati.-On. Spiritually, we have here the voice of the saints calling to the wavering and undecided to cast in their lot with them, and to be partakers with them in those good things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Thereupon we have the voice of the wavering and …
1,064 wordsSECTION 117The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 117
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 29-32.-Hobah invited; or, the Church's call to them that are witlwut. This incident carries one back in thought to the day, one and forty years ago, when Moses, a fugitive from Egypt, arrived at the well in Midian, and there met with the daughter of Jethro. At the expiry of forty yea…
1,287 wordsSECTION 118The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 118
and in the course of a few months returns to the wilderness with over 600 000 fight,, ing men, beside women and children. So in the Scriptures we find O::any other wonderful God-made changes in human life. Joseph leaving his brethren a slave-- his brethren finding him again prime minister to Pharaoh. The lad David b…
838 wordsSECTION 119The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 119
If even now sweet influences from the rest that remaineth for the people of God possess our souls, these should be used to win others from the illusions of this passing scene. What a blessed occupation to be drawing human spirits into that sphere of the unseen and eternal which alone gives them a fitting service here, …
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EXPOSITION. TlIE ACTUAL DEPA.ltTURE FROM SINAI in the midst o( the host by the Kobtbites, (vers. 88-86). Ver. 33.-.1.nd they de• but that God reserved the place of the ark pa.rted. These words mark the moment of itself to his own immediate disposition. A actual dcpart1ue, which has been anticipated general does not…
999 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.