The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 436

knew, with difficult conditions, ever tending to incree.se in difficulty. Moses himself would not be with them across the Jordan, and when he had vanished from the scene, who else was to enforce with equal energy and authority the promise he had extorted? Moreover, the promise had been made on behalf of a heterogeneous crowd. Some of the better sort might be inclined to persevere in keeping it; others might only too readily make it an excuse that their leaders had promised without suffi- ciently consulting them. The great bulk had already shown themselves to be steeped in selfishness ; were they likely then to stick at desertion, if only it could be managed with safety? It is a needful thing, even though it be a painful and humiliating one, to assert, as Moses did here, the weakne1,s of human nature. When we form purposes which in themselves show the corruption and depravity of the human heart, we must not complain if we are dealt with in a humiliating fashion. And in our expectations from others we must ever make ready to meet with broken promises. Recollecting our own infirmities, we shall not be surprised at the many and sad consequences which come from the infirmities of our brethren. We should never feel insulted when any one gives us a word of caution against effusive and extravagant promises. He is the wisest Christian who, while he promises least in the hearing of his fellow- men, is ever striving to carry out in practice, and to its fullest extent, all that his heart would lead him to perform. II. THESE WORDS ALSO AFFIRM THE CERTAINTY THAT IF SIN 18 COMMITTED THE SIKKER WILL AT LAST BE MADE FULLY CONSCIOUS OF HIS SIN. There was much, as we have seen, to lead Reuben and Gad to break their promise. In addition to what has already been mentioned, there was this as a possible consideration-that they might be able to break the promise with impunity. Indeed, from this solemn warning of Moses we may infer that he looked upon some such thought as likely to gain dominion in their minds. When the time of difficulty and sore temptation came they might argue thus: "If we do return, who is to mark our return or hinder it? The other tribes (perhaps hard beset in their conflict with the Canaanites) can do nothing against us. Moses is gone." They may have had it in their thoughts, after making the promise, that it would be enough to cross the river, wish their brethren God-speed, and then return. "They will understand our position, and not be so hard on us as Moses is. If they are willing that we should just go across, and then return, what can there be to make complaint about? " But Moses evidently meant them to keep their promise to the full. To break it was not only unbrotherly and ungrateful to the other tribes who had done so much for them; it was, he says with great emphasis, a sin against God, and in due time it would come back to them revealed as such, with all its dreadful consequences. 1. We have a timely warning to those who are emeri,ng the paths of sin. As it is true that God would he.ve those who in their young enthusiasm and devotion propose to enter his service to consider well what it is that be asks, so it is equally true that he would have those who are beginning a life of sin to consider well what the end will be. These are the words of an old and long-observant man, one who had lived unusually near to God. They are spoken out of the fulness of his experience. He had seen sin revealed in all its enormity, and punished with the utmost severity. There must needs be in this world thousands of undetected crimes, thousands of accused persons acquitted not bece.use they are innocent, but for lack of legal evidence. These failures come from the infirmities of men; but be sure of this, that they are failures only so far as men are concerned ; not one evil-doer can escape God, though he may enjoy the pleasures and immunities of sin for a season. Sin may seem not to find men out while they nre here, but it will be time enough by and by. Men must not despise the goodness and forbearance and long-suffering of God as if he wore heedless of all their doings. 'l'he dresser of the vineyard who begged another year's reprieve for the fruitless fig- tree had marked its fruitlessness and anticipe.ted its doom just as much as the man who owned the vineyard. We oannot too often recollect that the eye of God is on every unprofitable tree. The axe is laid to its roots, ready for use, if the use be compelled. 2. We have here a great comfort and stay to the people of God. The foolish, wicked man, making his proud ancl careless advances, says,'' Doth God see?" Our answer, made not so much to him as to our own hearts, is, "God does see." He .-e every sinner in his counie, his doom, and the opming of kia eye, at last. How CJ:!. XXXII. 1-42.] THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. 425