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The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 9:15
On the day that the tabernacle was reared up. Here we are sent back again to the great day of Israel's sojourn at Sinai, when God took visible possession of his dwelling in the midst of them (Exodus 40:34). Everything a…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 9:15-23
THE CLOUD UPON THE TABERNACLE There is a fuller account of the rearing of the tabernacle and the descent of the cloud upon it in Exodus 40:1-38. Note— I. THE CONNECTION OF THIS CLOUD WITH PAST EXPERIENCES. It is spoken…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 9:15-23
THE GUIDING PILLAR OF CLOUD AND FLAME This pillar served more purposes than one; but without doubt the purpose noted here by Moses himself was that principally intended. It was the signal by which the Lord guided the ma…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 9:15-23
DIVINE GUIDANCE In this section we have, spiritually, the Divine guidance of the faithful through the wilderness of this life. Consider, therefore— I. THAT THE THEOPHANY, OR DIVINE APPEARANCE UPON THE TABERNACLE, WAS AS…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 9:16
So it was alway. This supernatural phenomenon was not transitory, like the glory-cloud within the tabernacle (Exodus 40:35; cf. 1 Kings 8:10), but permanent, as long at least as the Israelites were in the wilderness.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 9:17
When the cloud was taken up. This verse and the following to the end of the chapter are an amplification of Exodus 40:36-38 (cf. Exodus 13:21, Exodus 13:22; Nehemiah 9:12; Psalms 78:14). It would appear from Exodus 13:2…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 9:19
Tarried long. Hebrew, אָרַךְ, "to prolong," i.e; the resting. The Septuagint has ἐφέλκηται … ἡμέρας πλείους.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 9:20
And so it was. Rather, "did it happen that." וְיֵשׁ אֲשֶׁר hypothetical clause introducing several other cases which actually occurred, and by which their perfect obedience was proved.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 9:21
From even unto the morning. Allowing but a single night's rest.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 9:22
Or a year. Rather, "days" (yamin): an undefined period (Genesis 4:3; Genesis 40:4), often equivalent to a year (Le 25:29). It is not known whether or on what occasion the Israelites actually remained in camp for a year.…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 9:23
GOD'S CEASELESS PROVIDENCE A MOTIVE TO PROMPT OBEDIENCE God's presence with Israel was perpetual (Exodus 3:12; Exodus 13:17-18). The sign of it in the cloud was given as soon, and was continued as long, as it was needed…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 10:1-10
Here are directions concerning the public notices to be given the people by sound of trumpet. Their laws in every case were to be Divine, therefore, even in this matter Moses is directed. These trumpets typify the preac…
The Moving of the Camp. (b. c. 1490.)
THE MOVING OF THE CAMP. (B. C. 1490.) We have here directions concerning the public notices that were to be given to the people upon several occasions by sound of trumpet. In a thing of this nature, one would think, Mos…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 10:11-28
After the Israelites had continued nearly a year at mount Sinai, and all was settled respecting their future worship, they began their march to Canaan. True religion begins with the knowledge of the holy law of God, and…
The Removal of the Camp. (b. c. 1490.)
THE REMOVAL OF THE CAMP. (B. C. 1490.) Here is, I. A general account of the removal of the camp of Israel from Mount Sinai, before which mountain it had lain now about a year, in which time and place a great deal of mem…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 10:29-32
Moses invites his kindred to go to Canaan. Those that are bound for the heavenly Canaan, should ask and encourage their friends to go with them: we shall have none the less of the joys of heaven, for others coming to sh…
Moses's Request to Hobab. (b. c. 1490.)
MOSES'S REQUEST TO HOBAB. (B. C. 1490.) Here is, I. An account of what passed between Moses and Hobab, now upon this advance which the camp of Israel made towards Canaan. Some think that Hobab was the same with Jethro,…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 10:33-36
Their going out and coming in, gives an example to us to begin and end every day's journey and every day's work with prayer. Here is Moses's prayer when the ark set forward, “Rise up, and let thine enemies be scattered.…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 11:1-3
Here is the people's sin; they complained. See the sinfulness of sin, which takes occasion from the commandment to be provoking. The weakness of the law discovered sin, but could not destroy it; checked, but could not c…
The Murmurings of the Israelites. (b. c. 1490.)
THE MURMURINGS OF THE ISRAELITES. (B. C. 1490.) Here is, I. The people's sin. They complained, Numbers 11:1. They were, as it were, complainers. So it is in the margin. There were some secret grudgings and discontents a…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 11:1-3
EXPOSITION THE PLACE OF BURNING (Numbers 11:1-3).
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 11:1
And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord. There is no "when" in the original. It is literally, "And the people were as complainers evil in the ears of the Lord." This may be paraphrased as in the A.V.; or…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 11:1-3
WRATH AWAKED AND WRATH APPEASED In this short passage we have, in a microcosm, the whole sad history of the Church. For the history of the Church, as it is glorious on the side of God and his faithfulness, so it is sad…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 11:1-9
MURMURING, LUSTING, AND LOATHING We have here a very painful self-revelation. Through prophets and apostles, and especially through his Son, God has said many humiliating things of the children of men, but nothing more…