[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 addressed himself to the people themselves.
He set before them the pernicious tendency of their example, which was calculated to discourage all the children of Israel : he also reminded them of the similar conduct of their fathers, which had involved them all in one common ruin ; and assured them, that they would bring a similar destruction on the present generation, if they persisted in such unreasonable desires0.
Thus he acted like a true friend, and a faithful servant of the Lord. It was thus that St. Paul also acted towards Peter, when by a temporizing and timid policy he was endangering the liberty of the Christian Church : and thus also are we to act, agreeably to that precept, " Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and shalt not suffer sin upon himd."]
From them it called forth a satisfactory explana- tion—
[They did not, on the one hand, either acknowledge, or deny, the fault imputed to them ; nor on the other hand, did they take the slightest offence at it. But for the satisfaction of Moses they voluntarily engaged to accompany their brethren in arms, and even to go before them to the battle ; and to continue with them till the whole land should be subdued, and every tribe should be in possession of its destined inheritance. This was fair and equitable : and Moses readily acquiesced in the proposal. He warned them however, that, if they should ever recede from their purpose, and violate their engagement, " their sin should surely find them out," and be visited upon them.
Thus were matters settled to the satisfaction of all parties : the jealousy of Moses evinced his concern for their welfare ; and, if it did not give birth to the proposal which was made, it certainly confirmed the people in their determination to execute it with boldness and fidelity. A similar instance of jealousy towards these very tribes occurred, when they were returning to their families after the conquest of Canaan e. On that occa- sion indeed they were evidently blameless, notwithstanding the appearances were, as in the present case, very much against them. But the issue in both was happy : and we learn from both to admonish with candour, and to receive admonitions with humble gratitude ; being more intent on satisfying the minds of those who are offended, than on lowering our accusers by any recriminations.]
c ver. 6 — 15. d Lev. xix. 17. e Josh. xxii. 11 — 33.