The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 388

place, but publicly, and before 1111 the congregation, that they as well as Joshua, might hear. On the other hand, Moses laboured to strengthen hie aucoeasor's heart. No man was so well able to comfort Joshua as Moses ,vas. The Lord in calling Moses at the bush had given him the promise, "Surely I will be with thee."· He had kept the promise. Moses was able to testify that when God calls a man to any duty, he will be ·with him in the discharge of the duty ; so that the moat timid man may "'ell be strong and of a good courage in the work the Lord has given him to do.-B. V~rs. 12, 13.-The alleviatUJ?M of death_. Death a p~nalty even in the adopted family of God, though turned mto a blessmg to the behaver. Some of the allevia- tions of the penalty suggested by this command to Moses. Through faith· in Christ we may enjoy- I. A (,'LEAR VIEW OF THE GLORIOUS FUTURE OF THE CHURCH. As Moses saw th& land, not yet possessed, but already "given," so may faith anticipate the goodly heritage of the future. Illustrate Joseph's death-bed (Gen. I. 24) ;- David's antici- pations of an age of glory under Solomon; the bright glimpses of the future with , which nearly every one of the minor prophets concludes. - II. A RELEASE l"BOM THE GRAVE RESPONSIBILITIES 01" THAT FUTURE. Moses was- spared from the wars of the Lord in the conquest of Canaan. And •Christians, though willing, like the aged Dr. Lyman Beecher, to "enlist again· in a minute/' "to u begin life over again, and work once more ('Autobiography,' ii. 552:), are spared,- from the conflicts of the "perilous times " of the future, III. AN ASSURANCE THAT THE WORK OF GOD WILL BE EFFICIENTLY CARRIED ON WITH• OUT us. Not even a Moses is essential to the Church of God ; Joshua will do the work: as well. IV. AN ADMITTANCE TO THE COMPANY OF THE PIOUS DEAD. "Thy people," who died in faith, and now live with God. With brighter hopes than any heathens, or even•- than Moses, we may say, "I go to the majority." V. A PEACEFUL DEPARTURE BUCH A6 OTHER LOVED ONES HAVE EXPERIENCED. 11 As- Aaron thy brother was gathered." We have seen "the end of their course'' (Heb .. xiii 7), and may expect grace for dying hours such as they enjoyed.---'P, Vere. 18-21.-The q=lifi,M,tions for the public service of God. Some of these- are illustrated in the case of Joshua. I. THE INDWELLING OF THE SPIRIT OF Goo (ver. 18). This obvious from the· past history of Joshua, especially at Kadesb (chs. xiii., xiv.). Union with Chrisil through faith, attested by his Holy Spirit, essential for us. •· IL A CLEAR CONVICTION OF DUTY. We need the assurance of a mission, "a charge •~ (ver. 19), whether addressed from without or beard in the secret of the soul. III. A PROVIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT. "Lay thine hand upon him." Not every im'- pulse ie to be taken for a Divine" charge," lest we should run witbout'being sent (cf.. Ps. x:xv. 4, 5; cxliii. 8). IV. THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF GoD (ver. 20; cf. l Tim; iii. 7). In-carry;. ing on our work we may need the cheerful co-operation, or even "obedience" (ver. 20), which confidence in our character and commission inspires. • V. CEASELESS COMMUNION WITH AND DIRECTION FROM GoD (ver. 21). For the wel- fare of a "congregation " or of a nation may depend on the instructions given, or assumed to be given, in God's name.-P. Vers. 12-23.-Preparing for the end. God bas kept in view this solemn depar- ture of Moses, even from the time of sentence on him for his transgres~ion. T~e heights of Abarim were visible to God from Meribah. And now Israel hes at their· base, the work of Moses is done, and God intimates the immediate preparations for l,is departure. God had already said to him that afte• taking vengeance on the Midianites be should be gathered to his people (eh. :xxxi. 2). (Evidently the events of eh. :uxi. are earlier in time than those of eh. :xxvii. 12-23.) I. THE PLACE OF DEPARTURE IS ALSO THE PLACE OF A GLORIOUS VISION. The eyes of tb~ dying leader closed upon the sight of the land which the Lord -bad given to the children of Israel. We may be sure that God directed the feet of Moses to the on& OD. XXVII. 12-23.] THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. 375