The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 292

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 4.-The disC01J,ragements of tlie way_. The circumstances of the Israelites suggest some of the discouragements of Christian _pilgrims. These may arise from- I. THE DIRECTION 011' THE WAY. lt led away from Canaan j it was apparently a retreat. Our circumstances may seem to be drawing us further and further from God and heaven; but if we are in God's way it must lead right at last. Illustrate from Exod. xiii. 17, 18, and cf. Ps. n:v. 4, 5, 10. II. THE LENGTH OF THE WAY. It might have been shorter, through Edom instead of round it; but it would have been a way of war, on which God's blessing would not have rested. The length avoided loss. Our short cuts may be perilous ; e. g. David (1 Sam. xxvii. 1), Jeroboam (1 Kings xii. 26-30). III. THE ROUGHNESS OF THE WAY. Among rocky mountain defiles and treacherous foes. Portions of our pilgrimage are among the green pastures of peace ; but others over hills of difficulty, intricate paths, and rugged mountain passes, and amidst powers of darkness that tempt us to despair. Illustrate Jeremiah in hi9 trying and unpopular mission (Jer. xii. 5, 6; xv. 10-21), IV. THE COMPANIONSHIPS 011' THE WAY, Some of our comrades are complainers, and may infect us; others laggards, and tempt us to sloth; others apostates, who turn back and bring an evil report of the way beyond us (like Bunyan's Timorous and Mistrust). But God may be our companion to the end of the way (Ps. xlviii. 14; l.xxiii. 24). V. THE PROVISIONS OIi' THE WAY (ver. 5). This a discouragement of their own seeking, and most culpable. Applicable to those who are dissatisfied with the truth provided as spiritual food for the pilgrimage (its quality, or quantity, or the menns of imparting it, as though God must be expected to satisfy every intellectual whim). Applicable also to those who distrust the providence and promises of God in regard to temporal supplies.· Our only safe course is to "walk in" (Col. ii. 6) Christ, "the Way."-P. Vere. 6-9.-The brazen serpent as a type of Christ. If this narrative was II bare record of facts, it would supply precious lessons respecting sin and salvation; but being one of the typical histories, applied by the Saviour to himself, it has in itself "no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory which excelleth." It was a type, not through the discernment of men, but by the preordination of God" Among the analogies the following may be suggested, from which such truths may be selected as will best further the object for which the subject is used in the pulpit. 1. The origin of the evil in the camp nnd in the world was the same sin. 2. The fiery serpents apt "ministers" (2 Cor. xi. 16) of "the old serpent," and so sufferings nnd death the natural work of Satan, who "was a murderer from the beginning," and who bath "the power of death" (Rom. vi. 23; Heh. ii. 14). 3. The devil could have no power to injure "except it were given him from above." "The Lord sent the serpents" (cf. Isa, xlv. 7; Amos iii, 6; 1 Cor. v. 5; 1 Tim. i. 20), 4. The help- lessness of the sufferers the same. A new life needed in each case. But neither herbs, nor oordials, nor caustics, nor charms could expel the poison from the blood. And neither reformation, nor tears, nor services, nor ceremonies can nvert the consequences of sin. 6. The remedy of Divine appointment. " God, sent forth T2  276 THl!l BOOK OF NUMBERS. [en. n1. 4-9.