The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 207

bo forgiven," &c. (Matt. xii. 82 ; 1 John v. 16). 8. The difficulty of exactly deciding, either under the law or the goepel, what sins are beyond the power of expiation, and expoee us to be "cut off," adds to their danger, All sins are like, poisons, fotnl if remedies are not applied. But if some are certainly fatal, and we know not which, what need for faith in the Physician, and prayer that we may be, kept from all sine so ae to be guarded from preeumptuoue eins among them (Ps. xix. 12-14).-P. Vere. 1-16.-God giving laws/or the distant future. I. HE TREATS THE ll'UTURE AS THE PRESENT. The people had been very near to a land of habitations, and to a time when the requirements of this passage would have been close upon them. That time is now moved int > a distant future ; but it is equally certain to come, and the requirements are equally practice.I. The land of promise was Israel's inheritance, and to become its possession, even though Ame.lekite and Canaanite had just been victorious. God can epeak of things that are not as if they were. And after so much gloom as the previoue chapter presents, such a rebellious, unmanageuble spirit and ominous outlook, there was need of something bright, such as we find in the state of things which these ordinances of offering imply. II. HE POINTS TO A ll'UTURE ll'ULL 011' SATISFACTION TO THE PEOPLE. It will be approved by them e.e according with his prediction to Moses: " a good land and a large, a land flowing with milk and honey." They shall have cause for all manner of voluntary offerings over and above the necessary offerings for sin. Fulfilled desires would lead to the fulfilment of vows. The very mention of these sacrifices as possible indicated that Israel would be rich in flocks and herds, in corn and wine and oil. There would be reason for much gratitude in the heart, and consequent gifts of thanksgiving. And thus, in spite of all that may be a cause of despondency in the Christian's present outlook, there will yet be cause of thanksgiving to him. We must not judge the future from our present humiliation and almost vanished hopes, but from the greatness of God's power and purposes. He sees the rich, bright future of his people even when they do not. III. HE COUNTS ON THE EXISTENCE 011' A THANKll'UL SPIRIT. There would be abundant cause for such a spirit, and so it was right to provide for any effects that might appear. In spite of all present murmuring and ingratitude, in spite of all sullen compliance with the compulsion to tum back into the wilderness, there would surely some day be a thankful spirit, a devout recognition of God in the midst of prosperity. Thus we may take it that there is something of prophecy, something of reasonable expectation, as well as of appointed duty in the commands here given. Just as the regulations for the Ne.zarite (eh. vi.) indicated an expectation that there would be much of the feeling leading men to the Nazarite vow, so here there is an expectation of much in the way of free-will offerings. IV. These free-will offerings must be joined with offerings from the corn, the oil, and the wjne TO MAKE ALL INTO ONE COMPLETE AND ACCEPTABLE BACB!ll'ICE. 'l'he desire to d<S something acceptable to God needs to be directed by a knowledge of what is acceptable. The thankful soul will ever be glad to learn his will. No offer- ing to him is worth anything unlees it be a cheerful one; but the most cheerful gifts may be nullified for the want of other needed qualities. Hence there should ever be a careful pondering of God's will in all our o:fferinge to him, so that they may be good nnd perfect according to the mensure of human ability. When most of all we are free agents, then most of all should we look to be directed by necessary com- mandments from on high. V. THE PROVISION ll'0R STRAN0EBB. The land of promise was to be attractive and beneficent to them as well as to Israel. They also would she.re in its advantages, and be stirred to a corresponding acknowledgment. Thus ever and anon does God raise his warning against all disposition to exclusiveness. He had the case of the stranger and proselyte ever before him. A word of hope this for Hobab, whose heart may have been cast down within him, when he snw how contemptuously Moses had been treated of le.te.-Y. Vere. 11-21.-.Ar.ojferingfromthedough: domesticreligion. I. A DAILY 0B'FER- urn, or if not daily, so frequent aa to be practically daily, God has spoken so far of  THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. [Gll. XV, 1--81.