《The Biblical Illustrator–Numbers (Ch.0~15)》(A Compilation)
General Introduction
Over 34,000 pages in its original 56 volume printing, the Biblical Illustrator is a massive compilation of treatments on 10,000 passages of Scripture. It is arranged in commentary form for ease of use in personal study and devotion, as well as sermon preparation.
Most of the content of this commentary is illustrative in nature, and includes from hundreds of famous authors of the day such as Dwight L. Moody, Charles Spurgeon, J. C. Ryle, Charles Hodge, Alexander MacLaren, Adam Clark, Matthew Henry, and many more. The collection also includes lesser known authors published in periodicles and smaller publications popular in that ara. Unlike modern publishers, Exell was apparently not under any pressure to consolidate the number of pages.
While this commentary is not known for its Greek or Hebrew exposition, the New Testament includes hundreds of references to, and explanations of, Greek words.
Joseph S. Exell edited and compiled the 56 volume Biblical Illustrator commentary. You will recognize him as the co-editor of the famous Pulpit Commentary (this commentary is even larger than the Pulpit Commentary). This remarkable work is the triumph of a life devoted to Biblical research and study. Assisted by a small army of students, the Exell draws on the rich stores of great minds since the beginning of New Testament times.
The Biblical Illustrator brings Scripture to life in a unique, illuminating way. While other commentaries explain a Bible passage doctrinally, this work illustrates the Bible with a collection of:
- illustrations
- outlines
- anecodtes
- history
- poems
- expositions
- geography
- sermons
- Bible backgrounds
- homiletics
for nearly every verse in the Bible. This massive commentary was originally intended for preachers needing help with sermon preperation (because who else in that day had time to wade through such a lengthy commentary?). But today, the Biblical Illustrator provides life application, illumination, inspiriation, doctrine, devotion, and practical content for all who teach, preach, and study the Bible.
00 Overview
NUMBERS
INTRODUCTION
The name of the book
Bunsen entitles it “The Munster-roll.” But the thought which gives unity to this book is very concrete and definite. Both to the book of prophetic legislation, or Exodus, and to Leviticus, the book of sacerdotal or cultus legislation, there is annexed the book of the kingly calling of Israel under its King Jehovah--the book which treats of the host of God, of the discipline of the army, of its typical march from Sinai to Canaan, from the Mount of God to the elementary conquest of the world under the standard of the Ark of the Covenant, and under the guidance of Jehovah; and because this march is typical, it is darkened and checked in many ways by the power of sin. Another designation, “The wandering towards Canaan,” is partly too indefinite, partly too narrow, because the wandering as a whole had already begun with the Exodus from Egypt. (J. P. Lange, D. D.)
The authorship of the book
Much which has been said upon the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch generally, applies with special force to the authorship of this book. One portion, viz., the catalogue of the stations or encampments (33) is expressly ascribed to Moses (verse 2). Some of the legislative enactments which are found only in this book, or which are recapitulated in Deuteronomy are expressly assigned to Moses in Joshua--
, point to the conclusion that the writer of the book was either an eye-witness of the scenes which he records, or a forger whoso skill has been unequalled in after ages. The topographical notices, again, testify to an acquaintance with the history of Egypt (e.g., Numbers 13:22)
, and also with that of the surrounding nations, previously to the entrance into Canaan (e.g., Numbers 21:13)
; whilst the allusions to Egyptian customs, products, and institutions, and also to particular incidents of Egyptian history, are such as cannot, with any great amount of probability, be ascribed to any writer between the days of Moses and those of Solomon (e.g., Numbers 11:5-7; Numbers 21:5-9; Numbers 33:4; Numbers 33:6-8)
. Again, the contrast between the general allusions to the topography of Canaan, such as might well have been obtained from traditional sources, or from the reports of the spies, as compared with the more minute descriptions given in Joshua, precisely corresponds with the recorded history of Moses. Thus, while in Joshua the boundaries of Canaan are expressed with great minuteness, in Numbers they are laid down in general terms (cf. Joshua 15:1-63 with Numbers 34:1-29.)
. It may be observed further, that the fact that the boundaries assigned to the promised land were never actually realised, even in the clays of David and Solomon, affords a strong argument in support of the belief that the books in which they arc described were not written at the late period to which they are assigned by some modern critics, in which case the original assignment would naturally have been made to accord with the actual extent of the kingdom. It must be observed, further, that the statistics of this book stop short of the death of Moses, and that the records of families are restricted to the Mosaic era Thus, e.g., weread of the promise given to Phinehas and to his seed after him of an everlasting priesthood (Numbers 25:13), and we find mention of the part which Phinehas took in one of the latest expeditions in which Moses was engaged (Numbers 31:6); but we must have recourse to the books of Chronicles and of Ezra 2:1-70 we desire to obtain information concerning his descendants. (C. J. Elliot, M. A.)
The chronology of the book.--
1. The narrative commences with “the first day of the second month of the second year after they were come out of Egypt” (Numbers 1:1); and the death of Aaron at the first encampment during the final march on Canaan (Numbers 20:2) took place in the first day of the fifth month of the fortieth year (Numbers 33:38).
2. Between these two dates, therefore, intervene no less than 38 1/4 years (cf. Deuteronomy 2:14)
, the long and dreary period of tarrying in the wilderness till the disobedient generation had wasted away.
3. The solemn rehearsal of the law contained in Deuteronomy was commenced by Moses after the overthrow of Sihon and Og, in the beginning of the eleventh month of the fortieth year (Deuteronomy 1:3-4).
4. We have, consequently, from the death of Aaron to the opening of Deuteronomy a space of exactly six months, in which all the events narrated in the fourth part of this book (Numbers 20:1 to end) would seem to have occurred, with the probable exception of the defeat of the king of Arad.
5. Those events are many and remarkable. After the tedious years of suspense were once passed, the history of the chosen people hurries on, not without a sort of dramatic propriety, to a crisis. Crowded as this space is, it yet has room enough for the incidents here assigned to it.
6. The first month of the six was passed at the foot of Mount Her in mourning for Aaron (Numbers 20:29). But it is likely that during this month a part of the host was engaged in revenging upon the king of Arad the molestation inflicted by him on the Israelites during their journey from Kadesh to Mount Her.
7. Next ensued the journey “from Mount Her by the way of the Red Sea to compass the land of Edom” (Numbers 21:4); and this, being about two hundred and twenty miles to the brook Zered, would be accomplished within four weeks.
8. The appearance of the host in the plains of Moab brought them into the neighbourhood of Sihon, king of the Amorites. The policy pursued by him of resisting the progress of Israel with all his forces (Numbers 21:23) caused his overthrow to be speedy and total; as was also for like reasons that of Og, king of Bashan. The two battles at Jahaz and Edrei probably took place both within a fortnight; i.e., towards the middle of the third of the six months in question.
9. The issue of the conflict with the Amorite kings determined Balak to send for Balaam (Numbers 22:2). The distance from Moab to the nearest point of the Euphrates is about three hundred and fifty miles, and Pethor may have been yet more distant. But as Balak was urgent, and could of course command all facilities for travelling, two months would amply suffice for his ambassadors to go and return twice over; and for the delivery by Balaam of his prophecies (22-24). No doubt during these weeks the Israelites were engaged in completing and consolidating their conquest of Gilead and Bashan.
10. We have thus a margin of at least six weeks left, during which occurred the seduction of Israel by the wiles of the Midianites, and the consequent plague (25); the second numbering of the people in the plains of Moab (26); and the war upon the Midianites (27).
11. It is accordingly in full consistency that the death of Moses is spoken of (Numbers 31:2) in connection with the Midianitish war, and as following close upon it; and that Balaam after quitting Balak had not yet returned home when that war occurred, and was taken captive amongst the Midianites. (T. E. EspinD. D. , in Speak. Com.)
01 Chapter 1
Verse 1
Numbers 1:1
In the wilderness of Sinai.
In the desert: an illustration of the life of the good in this world
I. The natural trials of the desert.
1. Barrenness. Temporal and material things cannot satisfy spiritual beings.
2. Homelessness. The soul cannot find rest in this wilderness world.
3. Pathlessness. Man, if left to himself, is bound to stray and lose himself.
4. Perilousness. The wiles of thedevil, the seductions of the world, and the lusts of the flesh.
5. Aimlessness. The years pass, opportunities come and go, and so little seems accomplished, so little progress made in our character, so little true work done.
II. The divine presence in the desert.
1. Divine communication in the desert. God’s voice is never silent. He is ever speaking in the sounds and silences of nature; through Scripture; and by His Holy Spirit.
2. Divine provision in the desert. “The Lord will give grace and glory; no good will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
3. Divine shelter and rest in the desert (Psalms 90:1).
4. Divine direction in the desert.
5. Divine protection in the desert. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.” “If God be for us, who can be against us?” “Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?”
III. THE DIVINE USES OF THE DESERT.
1. That the generation of slaves might pass away. There is much in us that must die and be buried before we can enter upon the inheritance of spiritual perfection. Our craven-hearted fears, our carnal lusts, our miserable unbelief, must be buried in the desert.
2. That a generation of free men might be educated. In the desert we are being trained by God into spiritual perfection and power for service and blessedness.
Conclusion:
1. Ponder well the Divine design of our life in this world.
2. By the help of God seek its realisation in ourselves. (W. Jones.)
Verse 2-3
Numbers 1:2-3
Take ye the sum of all the congregation.
Reasons for numbering the people
Not because God would understand whether they were sufficient for number, or able for strength, to encounter their enemies, forasmuch as nothing is unknown to Him or impossible for Him to bring to pass, who is able to save as well with a few as with many.
1. For order’s sake: that there should be no occasion of contention for primacy, but that every tribe and family should know his place and time, when to remove and when to stand still, when to fight with their enemies, and in every point what to do.
2. That such things as were to be paid for the use of the tabernacle might the more easily be collected when they were separated according to their tribes, and the tribes according to their families, and the families according to the household, man by man.
3. To testify His exceeding great love toward them and special care over them. A faithful shepherd will many times count the sheep committed to him, lest any should be missing.
4. Lastly, they are severally and distinctly numbered every tribe by itself, that in time to come it might be certainly known of what tribe and family Christ Jesus, the promised Messiah, should be born. (W. Attersoll.)
Reasons for the census taking:
1.Toprove the accomplishment of the promise made to Abraham, that God would multiply his seed exceedingly; and renewed in Jacob (Genesis 28:14). Now it appears that there did not fail one tittle of that good promise, which was an encouragement to, them to hope that the other promise of the land of Canaan for an inheritance should always be fulfilled in its season. Therefore God would have Israel numbered, that it might be upon record how vastly they were increased in a little time, that the power of God’s providence and the truth of His promise may be acknowledged by all. It could not have been expected, in any ordinary course of nature, that seventy-five souls (which was the number of Jacob’s family when he went down into Egypt): should in two hundred and fifteen years multiply to so many hundred thousands. It is therefore to be attributed to an extraordinary virtue in the Divine promise and blessing.
2. It was to put a difference between the true-born Israelites and the mixed multitude that were among them. None were numbered but Israelites. All the world is but a lumber in comparison with those jewels. Little account is made of others; but the saints God has a particular property in and concern for (2Timothy 2:19; Philippians 4:3). The hairs of their head are numbered; but He will say to others, “I never knew you, never made any account of you.”
3. It was in order to their being marshalled into several districts, for the more easy administration of justice, and their more regular march through the wilderness. It is a rout and a rabble, not an army, that is not mustered and put in order. (Matthew Henry, D. D.)
Israel’s host mustered:
1. The order for this enumeration is Divine. God gave the order, and He appointed the men who should fulfil it. It may be asked, Why does the Lord now sanction the doing of this work, and in the subsequent ages curs David for doing, substantially, the same thing? The answer is twofold: First, it was not the Lord, but Satan, who tempted David to number Israel; and, secondly, it was done for the gratification of David’s personal pride and ambition. Further, it may be said, this was done against the protest of the general-in-chief of his armies (see 1Chronicles 21:3-4). When God commands it is always safe to obey; but when Satan incites us we are to beware. There are several reasons why God commanded this muster-roll to be made now.
The numbering of the people (a homily for the census day)
I. A few words about the census, which is being taken to-day in every town, every hamlet, every remote habitation of the United Kingdom. The Israelites dealt largely in statistics. At all the great turning-points in their history a census was taken. This Book of Numbers owes its name to the fact that it records two census-takings; one at the beginning, the other at the close of the forty years’ sojourn in the wilderness. An admonition to fill up the census-papers with exactness and for conscience’ sake.
II. Meditations proper to the census day.
1. The filling up of a census-paper is, in itself, a piece of secular business. Yet I do not envy the man who can perform it without being visited with holy feeling. The setting down of the names of one’s household brings up many tragic memories. The setting down one’s own age, after a lapse of ten years, summons us to count our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
2. The Lord keeps an exact register of His people. There is a Book of Life in which are inscribed the names of all whom He has chosen. How true this is the whole Scripture bears witness (Exodus 32:30; Isaiah 4:3; Ezekiel 13:9; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 13:8). We commonly think of this as a book which is shut and sealed. The Lord only knoweth them that are His. A man may ascertain his own acceptance with God. (W. Binnie, D. D.)
The numbering of the people:
I. The authority for this numbering. Leaders of men should be well assured of two things in the movements which they inaugurate--
1. That they have the Divine approval of their undertakings. The movement which is approved by God, and well prosecuted, shall advance to splendid triumph.
2. That they are actuated by worthy motives in their undertakings. A sinful, selfish motive will vitiate our enterprises and mar our works. “The Lord looketh at the heart.” Let us scrutinise our motives.