Ver. 13.-The commandments. ri\'ll!ptl, it may include the laws or cha. :aviii.-x:n:. This is one of the words which recur so con- For a simil&r reason we cannot say that the tinue.Uy in Deuteronomy and in Ps. cxiL It use of this concluding formula excludes the is found four times in eh. xv., a.nd in a few possibility of further largu additions having <>ther passs.ges of the earlier books, including been subsequently made to the Divine legis- Levit. xxvii 3'. The judgmenta. C'~'~IJ. lation in the same place and by the same .A eimilu formula is found at the conclusion person, as reanrded m the Book of Deuter- of Leviticus (xxvi. '6), where, however, "the onomy. .All \te can say is, that the Book of commandments" rei:,resents a different word Numbers knows nothing about any such (C'il'~iJ), and a third term, "the laws" additions, and concludes in such sort as to make it a matter or surprise that such ad- {1i'iiT-ltl), is added. It is difficult to say con- ditions are afterwards met with. The con- fidently what is included under the "these" tinuity, which so clearly binds together the of this verse, Comparing it with eh. :u::xiii. main bulk of the four books of Moses, ends 60, it would seem that it ouly referred to the with this verse. This fact does not or course final regulations and enactments of the last decide u.y question which arises concerning four chapters; but as we have no reason to the fifth book ; it merely leaves all such 'believe that the later sections of the B1>ok questions to be determined on their OWD are arranged in any methodical order, we merits. cannot limit ih scope to those, or deny that
HOMILETICS. Vere. 1-13.-The wre i ~ The decision here recorded, and expanded into a general law, wo.s wholly intended to preserve to each tribe and each family its own inheritance in the land of promise inviolate and undisturbed. Spiritually it can but point to the inheritance "incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away" (I Pet. i. 4 ), for which we look. That there wo.s any special intention in connection with this law to preserve intact the inheritance of Judah, or that it hae any bearing on the tribal relationship of the earthly parents of the Divine child, is extremely unlikely. It would certainly appear that Mary had no patrimony, even if she had no brothers. Consider, therefore- L TIIAT THE OBJECI' OJ' TRB DIVINE LEGISLATION WAS BY ALL MEANS TO PRESERVE TO EACH lsBAELITE HIB J'O'LL INHERITANCE IN CANA.AN. Even so the final end of the dispensation of the gospel is that every one of the elect may obtain for ever that fulness of joy and of life which is prepared for him ; to this end all things are made to work together, - IL THAT IN ORDER TO SECURE THIB 1 NOT ONLY THB INDIVIDUAL P0BBESBI0N 1 BUT ALSO THR JOINT INTEREST OF EACH IN THE TERRITORY OJ' Hl8 TRIBE WAS JEALOUSLY GUARDED FB0H INVASION. Even so there will, no doubt, in the future reward be many elements of common as well ae of individual happiness, and some of these -common to those who have lived and sufl:ered together as members of the same particular Church ; these also will be preserved inviolable, Whatever special graces have been developed in the common Christianity of any Church will doubtless be reflected in the immortal state. Ill TIIAT EACH L"IDIVIDUAL WAS TO KEEP TO HIB OWN LOT, AND NOT BEEK AFTER ANY ALIEN INHERITANCE, Even so every one of us should cultivate the grace given Lim, and seek the reward set before him, not coveting the gifts which belong to -others, not aspiring to the glory to which he is not called. IV. THAT EACH TRIBE WAS, IN LIKE HANNER, TO KEEP TO 1TB OWN INHERITANCE, A.ND NOT TO INTRUDE UPON ITS NEIGHB0UnB. Even BO the different branches of Christ's Church, eo _far as they by the will of God divide the field between them, are -strictly forbidden to invade one another's heritage. V. THAT THIS WAS SECURED EVEN AT SOME COST OF LIBERTY 01' CHOICE ON THE PART OF INDIVIDUALS. Even so the necessity of not intruding upon the portion of others must and doee involve considerable self-restl'aint, and the sacrifice perhaps of cherished desires, on the part of individual members of the Church . .And note that this case so carefully recorded appears trivial, and unworthy of the space it occupies in Holy Writ. NeverthelEse, it was not trivial, because it ii,volved a most important principle, and because it was settled by an act of perfect CH, XXXVl, 1-18.] THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. (61
obedience. And note again that the operation of the Jubile, which was so graciously designed for all Israelites, threatened in this case to aggravate an evil, which, however, was nverted by Divine provision. There may be cases in which even the grace of the gospel may threaten hardship to some; but if there are, God will find a remedy, It would not be right to press the example of Zelophehad's daughters in a social sense, but we may draw the general moral lesson-I. That if any ha\'e exceptional opportunity of. bestowing advantage on others, they should not consult their own fancy nor make an arbitrary choice, but be guided by the general good of all 2. That none should put themselves forward in order to secure exceptional advantage. but Jet it faU to those for whom God has designed it. HOMILETICAL INDEX 'l'O
THE BOOK OF NUMBERS.