PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 2 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 273,224 words · 589 reading sections
The Brasen Serpent.
Application — [Certain it is that " we have need of patience, in order that, when we have done the will of God, we may inherit the promises." But let not any of the sons and daughters of affliction yield to discouragement. If their trials be great, their supports and consolations shall be great also. Are they par…
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ings, sent fiery flying serpents to destroy them; but, on the intercession of Moses, had appointed them an easy remedy, by the use of which their wounds were healed, and their calamities removed. We propose to consider, I. The appointment itself — The need of God's interposition was exceeding urgent — [The wild…
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II. The mystery contained in it — That the deepest mysteries of our holy religion were shadowed forth by it, we are well assured, because our blessed Lord has expressly referred to it as illus- trative and explanatory of them. Let us, for distinct- ness' sake, consider, 1. The provision made — [God ordered that …
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were they to do any thing either to merit, or to increase its efficacy : they were simply to look unto the serpent, as God's ordinance for their recovery. Here then we behold a further mystery. Never from the foundation of the world was the way of salvation more plainly, more fully, or more intelligibly de- clared…
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efficacy of faith, are here distinctly answered. If suppositions are made which can never be verified, no wonder if difficulties occur which cannot be solved : but let us only remember, that faith is a looking to Christ for salvation, and that that faith is uniformly and universally productive of good works ; and t…
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n Gal. vi. 14. Balaam's character. Numb. xxii. 18, 19. And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the ivord of the Lord my God, to do less or more. Noiv therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know …
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c ver. 22 — 34. with 2 Pet. ii. 1G. d Compare Numb. xxxi. 16. with Rev. ii. 14. regard for holiness, and of a desire after everlasting happiness ; and what an astonishing inconsistency will appear! But, in truth, though his circumstances were peculiar, his state is common. Many, many are the people, who, amidst h…
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Learn then from this history, 1. The danger of indulging any besetting sin — [The sin of Balaam was covetousness : and we see how it hurried him from one iniquity to another, till it brought him finally to destruction, both of body and soul. Nor is this an uncommon case. There is scarcely any principle more common…
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Numb. xxii. 31. Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand : and he bowed down his head, and fell fiat on his face. THE ministry of angels is frequently asserted both in the Old and New Testament : but, because it is not seen, it …
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execution. Elihu, in his address to Job, directly affirms, that God does interpose, and in a variety of ways too, for this gra- cious end d: and the Scriptures universally attest the truth of his remark. Sometimes God endeavours to divert men from their purpose by a dream, (as Pilate, by a dream of his wifee;) some…
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that he wished for a sword that he might kill her. Had he known at the time what danger he was exposed to, and what obligations he owed to his beast for that very conduct which so incensed him, he would have seen, that he had reason for unbounded thankfulness, where he thought that he had the greatest reason to co…
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sins, and professed a willingness to forsake them. But no sooner have the impediments been removed, than " our good- ness has proved as the morning dew ; and as the early cloud it has passed away." Thus it was with Pharaoh, when God, by many successive judgments, strove to overcome his obstinacy : and thus it was …
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Balaam's first attempt to curse Israel. Numb, xxiii. 7 — 10. And he took up his parable, and said, JBalak, the king of Moab, hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the East, saying, Come, curse me Jacob; and come, defy Israel. Hoio shall I curse whom God hath not cursed ? or how shall I defy whom the L…
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How little it was in the power of Balaam to effect, we see in every renewed attempt that he made. So far from being able to inflict a curse on Israel, he was not able even to denounce one : for God overruled and constrained him to bless the people whom he desired to curse. Having offered seven bullocks and seven …
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III. Their happiness — Balaam proclaims them happy also in their eternal state — [Here he must refer to those who were the true Israelites; since an ungodly Jew can no more be saved, than an ungodly heathen. And it is worthy of notice, how strongly he asserts e Gen. xxviii. 14. f Isai. lxv. 20. s Rev. vii. 10. t…
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1 Rom. viii. 35 — 39. Balaam's second attempt to curse Israel. Numb, xxiii. 18 — 23. And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, BalaJc, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor : God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or …
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people, the Lord himself met Balaam again, and con- strained him, in his reply to Balak, to declare, I. The immutability of God — Balaam had endeavoured to turn God from his pur- pose; and perhaps, from having, as he conceived, prevailed upon him to reverse his word before, he hoped to succeed in like manner agai…
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Regarding us thus as objects of his favour, he delights to dwell amongst us, to abide with us, to manifest himself to us, and to " fill us with joy and peace in believing ;" so that he enables us to say with the Apostle, " Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ Jesus ! " Truly, " the children…
556 wordsSECTION 139Reflecting,
1. How great are their obligations to God! [Here, as in a glass, we may see them very distinctly: and we read this history to little purpose, if we see not in it transactions of the present day. To recapitulate the mercies of God towards us, or to point out their correspondence with those that were vouchsafed to I…
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Numb, xxiii. 19. God is not a man, that he should lie. THERE is scarcely any thing that more strongly manifests the depravity of our nature, than that pro- pensity to lying which we perceive in children, as soon as they begin to speak a. Even when men are grown to the full exercise of their reason, they too often …
489 wordsSECTION 141174.] God Will Fulfil His Word. 151
While some do not hesitate to entertain these dis- honourable thoughts of God, II. Others fear he may lie — This is common with persons, 1. Under conviction of sin — [When men are deeply convinced of sin, they find it exceeding difficult to rest simply on the promises of the Gospel. God promises to cast out none…
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oracles, and as the unbelief of men is so inveterate, we submit to the necessity, and proceed to shew that, 1. He will not lie — [First, let us hear the testimonies of those who have tried him. Had ever any one more opportunities of proving his fidelity than Moses, Joshua, and Samuel ? Yet they all attest in the …
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"he cannot deny himself r;" and again in still stronger terms, " It is impossible for God to lies." Nor let it be thought that this detracts from God's power : for to be able to lie, would be a weakness rather than a perfection : and as it is man's disgrace that he is prone to violate his word, so it is God's honou…
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Balaam's third attempt to curse Israel. Numb. xxiv. 5, 9. Hoiv goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, 0 Israel/ Blessed is he that blesseth thee; and cursed is he that curseth thee. IF there were no other instance than that before us, we could never doubt the influence of God over all his creatures. …
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The declaration in our text must further be con- sidered, II. In reference to the spiritual Israel — If only we reflect, that this declaration was a repe- tition of the promise made to Abraham and to Jacob, its application to the spiritual seed of Abraham will be obvious and undeniable0. Let us consider then, 1.…
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Numb. xxiv. 15 — 17. And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of JBeor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, who heard the words of God, and knew the Jcnoivledge of the Most High, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open : I shall…
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that the expectation which obtained throughout the East, that a prince should arise out of Judea and rule the whole world, was occasioned very much by this prophecy. It is remarkable that the Eastern Magi no sooner saw the supernatural star, than they concluded that this Prince was born, and came immediately to Ju…
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doms of Edom and Moab. This was fulfilled in David, who subjugated the Moabites, and slew every male in Edomf. But there can be no doubt of its ultimately referring to Christ himself. Christ is called in Scripture " the Day-star," "the bright and morning Star ;" nor did ever any one arise with splendour comparable…
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world become his undivided empire." May I not say too that even in the hearts of many here present he has set up his throne ? Yes, and I hope that in due season " he will bruise Satan himself under our feet," and " bring every thought into captivity" to his holy will. If we then be not thankful, me- thinks " the v…
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Numb. xxv. 10 — 13. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath aivay from the children of Israel, (while he zvas zealous for my sake among them,) that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. Wherefore say, Be- hold, I give unt…
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To punish it as it deserved, Phinehas stood forth with holy zeal — [He seized a javelin, and followed the abandoned criminals to the tent, and pierced them through in the midst of their guilty pleasures. This might appear to have been an usurpa- tion of legal authority : but it was not so : for the chief ma- gist…
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was a testimony of divine acceptance to Phinehas himself0, and (as long as the priesthood should last) the means of maintaining peace between God and his people : it also shadowed forth that better priesthood, which should be the means of reconciling the whole world to God, and God unto the world. This priesthood,…
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responsible to God: and, if they shrink not from using it, because the exercise of it would subject them to the re- proaches of the ungodly, let them bear in mind, that they shall receive commendations from their God ; and that, by every friend of piety and of order, they will be reckoned, like Phinehas, the trues…
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Numb. xxvi. 63 — 65. These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab, by Jordan near Jericho. But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wildernes…
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nation of Israel had offended God, and were to be excluded from the promised land : but two individuals, who had with- stood the torrent of iniquity, were to have the honour and happiness of entering into Canaan. Now on the borders of that land the people are numbered a second time ; and after a complete survey of…
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[Though at first, when sent back into the wilderness, the people confessed their sins with apparent contrition, they soon relapsed into their former habits ; and probably after a season indulged a hope, that they should succeed as well as those to whom the promises had been made. This is the way of sin- ners: " be…
469 wordsSECTION 157Appointment Of Joshua To Succeed Moses.
you is, " Fear not, little flock ; it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Only " commit your souls to God in well-doing, as into the hands of a faithful Creator," and he will "preserve you blameless unto his heavenly kingdom."] Numb, xxvii. 15 — 21. And Moses spake unto the Lord, saying, Let t…
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The last forty years of his life he had spent entirely in their service : and now that he could superintend them no longer, he was anxious that a successor should be appointed by God himself; that so all occasion for rivalship might be cut off, and all discord and anarchy be prevented. In this he acted, 1. As a t…
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their good in both respects. Hence he prayed, that God would set one over them, who should " go in and out before them," leading them by his example, as well as directing them by his authority : and though doubtless this might principally refer to the wars which they were about to wage, yet it certainly comprehend…
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should chiefly seek, for a profitable discharge of their respec- tive offices.] 2. He prescribed the mode of his ordination to it — [" Set him before Eleazar, and before all the congregation," said the Lord; " and lay thine hand upon him, and give him a charge in their sight, and put some of thine honour upon him …
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of obtaining instruction is now at an end: but the prayer of faith will yet prevail, so that God's ministers and people shall not seek his face in vain. If they truly desire his direction, they shall be preserved from any important error, and be guided into all necessary truth: " The meek he will guide in judgment…
357 wordsSECTION 162180.1 The Morning And Evening Sacrifice. 173
Numb, xxviii. 3 — 10. Thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the Lord; two lambs of the first year without spot, day by day, for a continual burnt-offering. Tlie one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even ; and a tenth part o…
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upon Aaron and Moses, but of other sacrifices which depended more upon the people, and which they had neglected to offer on the proper occasions, that the prophet speaks : and consequently, that there was some other reason for renewing the appointment of the ordinance before us. The true reason seems to be, that,…
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180.] to point out the correspondence between Christ and these spotless lambs, in the perfection of his nature, in the holiness of his life, or in the intent of his death : but, passing by these tilings as known and understood among you ', we shall content ourselves with saying, that, in this offering, there was v…
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II. The manner in which it was presented — Many offerings were only occasional ; but this was stated, and was renewed daily throughout the year. The things to which we would more particularly call your attention are, 1. The union of the different materials — [Meat-offerings and drink-offerings were indeed sometim…
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181.] 3. The increase of them on the Sabbath-day — [This is particularly noticed in the text : the lambs, and the meat and drink-offerings, were doubled on that day. What a reverence for the Sabbath was this calculated to inspire ! It shewed to all, that though that day is a day of rest from worldly business, it …
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Numb. xxxi. 48 — 50. And the officers tvhich were over thou- sands of the host, the captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses : and they said unto Moses, Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of 'war which are under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us. We have therefore …
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Now this victory is instructive, whether we regard it in an historical, or typical, view. As an historical fact, it teaches us, that no power can withstand the arm of the Lord ; that, when aided by him, we are infallibly sure of victory ; and that all who determinately set themselves against him shall perish. They…
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slaughter of their captives. The case was peculiar, and not applicable to modern warfare ; nor was it intended as an example to us : but, as a lesso?i, it is of great importance ; since it shews us, that peculiar judgments await those who tempt others to sin : and that, though they may escape for a time, the most …
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truly astonishing :) and lastly, as a testimony of their gratitude; a sense of which they desired to retain to the end of life ; and to transmit to their latest posterity. O that there were in all of us such an heart ! that we could see in such a view our obligations to God ! and that we were thus forward to expre…
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Numb, xxxii. 6, 7. And Moses said unto the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here ? And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord hath given them ? ACTIONS are good or evil according to the …
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many sanguinary contests. Perhaps, after all, the victory over them might be dearly purchased, or possibly might never be attained : hence also might arise the willingness of the suitors to forego their share in what was uncertain, if they might be permitted to possess what was already gained. Such was the constru…
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[It is but too common to express our fears and jealousies to others, and to conceal them from the person who is the sub- ject of them. But Moses abhorred any such concealment: he felt the importance of suggesting all his fears to those who were most interested in being made acquainted with them; and he accordingly…
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This subject will naturally furnish us with some im- portant hints : — 1. Maintain on all occasions a jealousy over your- selves— [The heart is justly said to be " deceitful above all things:" and " Satan can easily transform himself into an angel of light." Even the Apostles themselves on some occasions " knew n…
438 wordsSECTION 175The Certainty That Sin Will Find Us Out.
a better spirit, and " esteem it a kindness, if the righteous smite and reprove us :" let us receive their admonitions " as an excellent oil, which shall not break our head1'," but rather heal the wounds which our own misconduct may have occasioned.] 3. Endeavour so to walk, that your actions may carry their own e…
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We may take occasion from them to consider, I. In what manner we have sinned against the Lord — It would be endless to attempt an enumeration of all the sins we have committed. We shall confine ourselves to that view of them which the context suggests — [The sin against which Moses cautioned the two tribes was, …
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[Conscience, stupified or seared, often forgets to execute its office ; nor speaks, till God, by his providence or grace, awaken it. Sometimes years elapse before it reproves our iniquities h : sometimes it testifies to our face as soon as our sin is committed1. Whenever it thus condemns us, our sins may be said t…
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long ago, and imagine that they are effaced from God's memory as well as from our own: but every action, word, and thought, is noted in the book of his remembrance. He sees the trans- actions of former years as if they had this moment passed. All our iniquities are viewed by him in one accumulated mass ; nor does …
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Numb. xxxv. 24 — 28. TJie congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood, according to these judg- ments : and the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled ; and he sh…
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appointment of cities of refuge, whither persons, who had accidentally or wilfully taken away the life of a fellow-creature, might flee for safety till the matter should be examined, and the judgment of the con- gregation declared respecting it. This enactment, which is to be the subject of the present Discourse,…
358 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.