Scripture warrants, it will also fully satisfy, our in- quiries on this head. The promise has relation to us, as well as to the Israelites ; and teaches us to expect,
1. God's presence in our way —
[God had refused to proceed any further with the Israelites, on account of their worshipping the golden calf. In answer however to the supplications of Moses, he had condescended to say, that he would " send an angel" in his stead. But when Moses would not be satisfied with that, and continued to plead for a complete restoration of his favour to Israel, God, over- come, as it were, by his importunity, promised to go before them still in the pillar and the cloud a. More than this they did not need; and less than this could never satisfy one, who had ever experienced the divine guidance and protection. And has not our blessed Lord made the same promise to us? Has he not said, " Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the worldb?" Has not his prophet assigned this as a reason why we should dissipate our fears, and look forward to the eternal world with confidence and joy c? On this promise then let us rely ; and let us know, that if we have God for our guide, our protector, and provider, we have all that can be necessary for us in this dreary wilderness.]
2. His glory as our end —
[Canaan was a place of rest to the Israelites after the many difficulties that they sustained in their way to it: and heaven will be indeed a glorious rest to us after our weary pilgrimage in this world. Now as the prospect of the land flowing with milk and honey, sweetened all the fatigues and dangers of their journey in the wilderness, so the hope of " that rest which re- maineth for God's children," encourages us to persevere in our labours to attain it : and this rest is promised us, in spite of all the exertions of men or devils to deprive us of it. Our con- flicts may be many, and our trials great ; but our rest is sure ; for God hath said, " I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee d ".]
These blessings being so necessary, we should anxiously inquire into, II. The means of attaining them —
Moses is here to be considered in a double view, as a type of Christ, and as an example to us : and, in these two capacities, he teaches us to look for these blessings,
1 . Through the intercession of Christ —
a Exod. xxxii. 34. with the text. b Matt, xxviii. 20.
c Tsai. xli. 10. d Compare Josh. i. 5. with Heb. xiii. 5, 6.