Num 17:8

BUDDED, BLOSSOMED AND PRODUCED ALMONDS: Cp 7-branched lampstand of Exo 25:31-37, sym tree of life, with stems, branches, leaves, buds, flowers, and fruit of almond.

Num 18:19

COVENANT OF SALT: Salt, a precious commodity. To eat another’s salt is a token of fidelity and friendship (Str Scr 32).

Num 18:20

YOU WILL HAVE NO INHERITANCE IN THEIR LAND, NOR WILL YOU HAVE ANY SHARE AMONG THEM; I AM YOUR SHARE AND YOUR INHERITANCE AMONG THE ISRAELITES: “When the Lord divided Canaan among the tribes of Israel, Levi received no share of the land. God said to him simply, ‘I am thy part and thine inheritance,’ and by those words made him richer than all his brethren, richer than all the kings and rajas who have ever lived in the world. And there is a spiritual principle here, a principle still valid for every priest of the Most High God. The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One. Many ordinary treasures may be denied him, or if he is allowed to have them, the enjoyment of them will be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness. Or if he must see them go, one after one, he will scarcely feel a sense of loss, for having the Source of all things he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight. Whatever he may lose he has actually lost nothing, for he now has it all in One, and he has it purely, legitimately and forever” (AWT).

Num 19:1

Num 19: The Red Heifer: In context of repeated failures (Aaron, Miriam: Num 11,12; murmurings: Num 14; Korah’s rebellion: Num 16), Israel is in urgent need for salvation/cleansing from sin. Cp Heb 9:14; 1Pe 1:19.

Num 19:2

HEIFER: Female aspect: Gen 3:15; 1Ti 2:15n.

Num 19:3

ELEAZAR THE PRIEST: Aaron was still High Priest; Eleazar was High Priest to come! Typ Christ, the High Priest-elect. Sig of name: as Lazarus: “God will help”. The sacrifice was provided by God: Gen 22:8; Isa 59:16,20.

OUTSIDE THE CAMP: Not done in tabernacle. The Law cannot cleanse us: Rom 8:3; Heb 10:4. Here we have no continuing city: Heb 13:14; 11:10.

Num 19:4

Num 19:4.

See Heb 9:13,14.

Num 19:6

CEDAR: Upright tree, sweet, incorruptible(Song 1:17n).

HYSSOP: “Which springs out of wall” (1Ki 4:33). Blue flower: godliness (Num 15:38). Small plant, with medicinal, detergent qualities.

SCARLET: Sig sin and sacrifice: cp Song 4:3; Psa 22:6. A worm (tolahanee) yields the scarlet dye, through death, heat, and crushing. Typ Christ (cp Job 25:6 with Psa 8:4-6). Scarlet wool = sins of others cast into fire (Isa 53:5,6).

Num 19:7

In the offering of the red heifer, as a means of cleansing from the defilement of death, the priest becomes so much associated with the sacrifice, that he becomes unclean himself. Thus the lesson is taught: to remove death, he must first become subject to it (Rom 8:3; Heb 2:14).

“The ashes of a slain heifer applied to a man defiled by death, was a curing of death by death. This is precisely what has happened in the antitype: Christ, ‘through death, destroyed that having the power of death, that is, the devil’ (Heb 2:14). How could he do this if he had not in himself the power of death to destroy by dying? He has destroyed death. But in whom? In himself alone as yet. Believers will obtain the benefit by incorporation with him at the resurrection: but, at the present time, the victory is his alone. The fact is plain to everyone. Some who admire Christ are horror-struck at the idea of his having been a partaker of the Adamic condemned nature — a nature defiled by death because of sin. Their horror is due wholly to too great a confinement of view. They fix their attention on the idea of ‘defilement’ without remembering that the defilement was undertaken expressly with a view to removal.

“We must have God’s revealed object in view. The power of death was there that it might be destroyed. If it was not there, it could not be destroyed. This is the mischief of what may be truly called the Papal view. By denying that Jesus came in the very dying flesh of Adam, it changes the character of the death of Christ into a martyrdom or a punishing of the innocent for the guilty: instead of being what it is revealed to have been — a declaration of the righteousness of God that He might be just, while the justifier of those who have faith in it for the forgiveness of their sins (Rom 3:24-26)” (LM 264,265).

Num 19:9

A MAN WHO IS CLEAN: Typ the apostles, cleansed by the sacrifice of Christ, who carry the message of that cleansing outside of the camp of Israel, to the Gentiles.

Num 19:11

Vv 11-16: “In these passages there is a clear recognition that the carcasses of diseased animals can transmit ‘uncleanness’ to anything which they come into contact with, and that these secondarily contaminated objects can also transmit ‘uncleanness’ ” (SP, Tes 71:205). Cp Lev 11:31-40.

WHOEVER TOUCHES THE DEAD BODY OF ANYONE…: When the people had accused Moses of killing the people of the LORD (Num 16:41), 14,700 died (Num 16:49). While the bodies of Korah and his rebels had been buried by God when the ground opened and swallowed them, these other bodies would need to be buried by the people. The Red Heifer was introduced at this time, for anyone who had touched a dead body, to teach Israel the heinous nature of rebellion and the death that followed on that rebellion.

Num 19:12

Christ the individual was purified on the 3rd day, and his whole “body” will be cleansed on the 7th day!

Num 20:1

Num 20: Death of Miriam. Along with Moses (sym Law) and Aaron (sym priesthood), Miriam (sym prophets) must pass away before “Joshua” can lead Israel into the Land of Promise!

KADESH: “Sanctify”: Named in v 13.

Num 20:2

13 murmurings: Exo 5:21; 14:10; 15:24; 16:2; 17:2; 32:1; Num 11:1,4; 12:2; 14:2; 16:3; 20:2; 21:5. Cp Joh 6:41-43. Those who murmur without cause are soon given cause to murmur.

Num 20:10

WE: Moses and Aaron.

Num 20:11

AND STRUCK THE ROCK TWICE: The rock had been struck once (Exo 17:1-7), as Christ once died (Heb 10:10; 9:26). Do not trample Christ underfoot (Heb 6:5,6), nor crucify him again.

Num 20:12

“The Lord was angry with me for your sakes” (Deu 4:21; Psa 106:32).

Num 20:13

WHERE HE SHOWED HIMSELF HOLY: The incident gives the name “Kadesh” (sanctify) to the place (v 1).

Num 20:17

THE KING’S HIGHWAY: We travel along the highway of the “King”, going straight ahead, not turning aside!

Num 20:29

The death of Aaron marks the end of 40 years, and the end of the wilderness wanderings (cp Num 33:38).

Num 16:1

Num 16: “More trouble occurs in Israel. Following the nation’s revolt at Kadesh (Num 14), and the unnamed disobedient sabbath-breaker (Num 15), now there is the revolt against Yahweh’s appointment by the leaders of the “ecclesia” (Num 16). The disappointment of the people, the defeat of Num 14:45, the general murmuring and disturbed state of the nation, became a fruitful ground for sedition. Korah seized the opportunity. Josephus rates this sedition as the most serious of any nation, and describes Korah as prominent, wealthy and a remarkable orator. He was a prominent man in the family of the Kohathites, first cousin to Moses and Aaron. Evidently that Aaron, who was only his equal in rank, should be high priest. A revolt was inspired by Korah, who gained the support of Dathan, Abiram and On. On perhaps withdrew (v 12), but further support was gained from 250 princes, from the tribe of Levi (vv 8,10). The rebellion spread from this group of rebels until ultimately 14,700 died (v 49). The censors, or fire-pans, had evidently been manufactured especially for the revolt, so that they were ready to take over the priesthood. It is a type of the continuing contest between those of flesh and those of spirit in the divine worship. The record recounts: [1] A spirit of rebellion is heard: vv 1-3. [2] The challenge of the Levites accepted: vv 4-11. [3] Dathan and Abiram reject Moses: vv 12-14. [4] Moses’ integrity: v 15. [5] The contest with Korah: vv 16-19. [6] Divine intervention: vv 19-21. [7] Intercession: v 22. [8] Divine judgment: vv 23-25. [9] Moses’ counter-challenge: vv 26-30. [10] The earth opens: vv 31-35. [11] The memorial of the altar: vv 36-40. [12] Further murmuring: vv 41-43. [13] 14,700 destroyed by plague: vv 44-50″ (GEM).

Num 16: “If we were to make a parable out of the rebellion of these ancient Levites — if we were to write of brethren M and A as the most prominent members of a little community, and brethren K, D, and A as disaffected members of the same ecclesia — if we were to put the words of rebellion into modern style, it is to be feared that the circumstances might be recognized in several centres as a sarcastic account of their own local trouble. The parable might even be extended for the benefit of the country as a whole. The man who agitates for the sake of agitation, and changes the nature of his complaints as soon as any attempt is made to pacify him would be recognized by many observers” (See “What are your aims, agitator?” (IC in Xd 52:308).

“One of the most serious threats to the unity of the nation… was the affair of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. It arose directly because a purely fleshly reasoning caused the men concerned to press their personal importance to the detriment of the good of the nation as a whole. They fell into the error of ‘not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God’ (Col 2:19). Their action was based upon premises that seemed sound enough: ‘All the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them’ (Num 16:3). These were the words on the lips of the ‘250 princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown’, men who according to the record, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram ‘took’. Much lies concealed behind those words! One can imagine the secret meetings, the passing on of information from mouth to mouth, the fomenting of trouble, the sowing of discord, and all because Korah, being a son of Levi, desired to play the part assigned to others of his tribe, and Dathan and Abiram thought their tribe, the tribe of Reuben, deserving of greater pre-eminence than that to which God had called them!

“What is the relation of all this to ourselves as a community?… Our heritage is no less [than that of Israel], for the same God is working towards unity in Christ in the Ecclesia, which is both a body and a commonwealth….The people of Israel had a history of fragmentation and division which began in the wilderness and for which there are two principal reasons: Firstly, they had no sense of devotion to the Lord, whose Name was revealed in His mighty acts of power and compassion on their behalf….Their loss of the vision of the Divine glory caused them to yearn for Egypt, and ultimately to refuse to believe that they were the people whom God would bring into the land of His promise. They fragmented because they had no faith in the purpose of their calling.

“The other reason for their disunity was their failure to keep in mind, much less to comprehend the concept of the unity of their people, or to realize that the purpose of God was not with individuals or with tribes as such, but with ‘all Israel’, to whose wellbeing individuals and tribes contributed by playing each their several and necessary parts. Any fellowship other than that which acknowledges that one is our Head and all we are brethren is still, as it has always proved to be, a fellowship of opposition which leads to further fragmentation within the dissident group itself. As far as we can tell from a survey of our own history and that of Israel, there is no exception to this principle” (AHN, Xd 115:42,43).

Cp 1Pe 4:2,3; 2Pe 2:4; Jud 1:11: rebellion, pride, jealousy. Blind allegiance, divisive ecclesial spirit.

KORAH: Of same family as Moses and Aaron.

CERTAIN REUBENITES: Tribe of Reuben was situated next to Korah’s group, on south side. (Reuben, being firstborn tribe, might expect preeminence.)

The names of Korah the Levite and Dathan and Abiram of Reuben stand high on any list of the troublers of Israel. Much can be learned, however, of a negative nature from these men; their sins — rebellion, pride, and jealousy, leading to a divisive, condemning spirit within God’s people — are common enough among men.

The jealous feeling entertained by Aaron and Miriam against Moses (Num 12) culminated in the punishment of leprosy upon the prophetess. Even this striking lesson does not seem to have quelled the rebellious spirit among several prominent men in the congregation of the Lord. Korah, a leading Levite, and two princes of the tribe of Jacob’s firstborn son, leading a formidable delegation, strode boldly before Moses and his brother. “Wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?” (Num 16:3). The challenge was the offspring of ambition; these were men who aspired to leadership but did not possess the required qualities: men who to gratify their own whims of self-importance rend apart united bodies, blind leaders of blind followers who can in one day destroy the work of years of patient building.

Num 16:2

…AND ROSE UP AGAINST MOSES: “The Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and sets over them anyone he wishes” (Dan 5:21). We can be sure that whatever leaders we have, whether they be the rulers of the nation, our bosses at work, teachers at school, or leaders and elders in our ecclesia, that God has raised up those people for the position they have been put in (cp Exo 22:28; Acts 23:5).

Yet, even when we know these things, we are very often tempted to fall into the same sin as Korah, Dathan and Abiram and the crowd that followed them. They opposed Moses, the man God had raised up to lead his people from Egypt to the Promised land, accusing him of setting himself up as leader and grumbling against him.

Num 16:3

13 murmurings: Exo 5:21; 14:10; 15:24; 16:2; 17:2; 32:1; Num 11:1,4; 12:2; 14:2; 16:3; 20:2; 21:5. Cp Joh 6:41-43.

Num 16:4

WHEN MOSES HEARD THIS, HE FELL FACEDOWN: He must have realized, this man of God, what havoc their presumption would work among an impressionable nation. He naturally feared that the catastrophe he had personally averted on the summit of Sinai, when Israel had rebelled against God’s authority, would now break forth afresh and bring to ruin God’s work in the wilderness.

Num 16:5

IN THE MORNING THE LORD WILL SHOW WHO BELONGS TO HIM AND WHO IS HOLY: There is no suggestion that Moses knew what would transpire on the following day. But he must have been confident that in some way God’s will would be made known. The test proposed was an arraying of the rival leaders with their censers on one side, and the meek Moses and his family on the other. It seems that Korah was eager and confident, feeling that in such a show of numbers, headed by his dignified and impressive self, the easily swayed congregation could not help but choose him and his allies as their new rulers.

“It would seem that this apostasy of Korah had already brought into existence a rival system of worship to that centred in the Tabernacle. Two hints in the narrative point to such a conclusion. The leaders of Korah’s company — two hundred and fifty of them — were already each equipped with a censer for the burning of incense, which was the morning and evening duty of the priest only and never of the Levite or the layman. So the organization of another system of worship must already have proceeded to a dangerous extent. There is also repeated reference to ‘the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.’ This is the technical word ‘mishkan’, used of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and quite distinct from the ordinary word for an ordinary tent (Num 16:27)” (HAW, Tes 32:306).

Num 16:6

V 6…: A rival system of worship! (HAW, Tes 32:306).

Num 16:27

Psa 84:10: For sons of Korah: “Rather a doorkeeper in house of God, than to dwell in tents of wickedness.” (Korah’s children did not die: Num 26:11.)

TENTS: Or “tabernacle”. The rival system of worship Korah et al were setting up (cp vv 6,17).

Num 16:35

AND FIRE CAME OUT FROM THE LORD AND CONSUMED…: Judgment of the wicked described as a sacrifice: Rev 20:9; Gen 19:24; 2Ki 1:10-14; Psa 37:20; Eze 39:6,17-22.

Num 16:46

Imitating the action of High Priest on Day of atonement (Lev 16:12,13): “that he die not”.

Num 16:48

One man stood between the living and the dead [the role of the mediator!], and turned the tide!

Num 10:2

See Lesson, Trumpet, the.

Num 10:11

Cp date, Exo 19:1. After year at Sinai, historical narrative continues.

Num 10:29

REUEL: “Raah-El” = friend or companion (shepherd) of El.

Num 10:31

“There is really nothing incongruous in Moses’ request, for dependence on God for divine guidance and even for supernatural intervention does not obviate the use of human knowledge when it is available. Hobab [and the Kenites] knew the wilderness well and could help make both the journeying and the camping easier by pointing out the secrets of the desert” (WyC). We can look to our own experience in the everyday decisions of life, and find a similar paradox. We may pray for, and even ‘see’, the presence of the Elohim in our lives, but we may not always be sure of the best way to go. Nonetheless, Yahweh expects us to make informed, considered, and prayerful decisions along the way.

Num 10:33

Jesus, the true “ark”, made his journey through death (three days ahead of the camp of Israel).

THREE DAYS: Traveling for 3 days: Gen 22:4; Num 10:33; Jos 1:11; Luk 2:46; Mat 12:40; Joh 2:1; Luk 13:22. Joh 2:19: “Take down this sanctuary, and in 3 days I will raise it again!”

Num 10:35

WHENEVER THE ARK SET OUT, MOSES SAID, “RISE UP, O LORD! MAY YOUR ENEMIES BE SCATTERED; MAY YOUR FOES FLEE BEFORE YOU”: The words to be used when the tabernacle moved are found elsewhere: (1) Psa 7:6 speaks of Absalom’s uprising (against the Lord’s anointed). Psa 68:1 speaks of deliverance from His enemies on a number of occasions. So this little language is not simply a little incantation to be said each time the tabernacle was moved — it was a battle cry! The wilderness journey was a battle — against sin. In making the cry the nation were showing that God was involved in the battle, scattering the enemy. Do we believe that God is working in our lives now, or do we think that sort of thing stopped at the end of the NT?

Num 10:36

COUNTLESS THOUSANDS OF ISRAEL: The chariots/cherubim of Psa 68:17,18. A great multitude: Rev 7:5; 14:1; 21:3.

Num 11:1

13 murmurings: Exo 5:21; 14:10; 15:24; 16:2; 17:2; 32:1; Num 11:1,4; 12:2; 14:2; 16:3; 20:2; 21:5. Cp Joh 6:41-43. Those who murmur without cause are soon given cause to murmur.

Num 11:4

13 murmurings: Exo 5:21; 14:10; 15:24; 16:2; 17:2; 32:1; Num 11:1,4; 12:2; 14:2; 16:3; 20:2; 21:5. Cp Joh 6:41-43. Those who murmur without cause are soon given cause to murmur.

THE RABBLE: Those who belong to Israel are not all truly “Israel” (Rom 9:6). They are a mixed group, some belonging to their “father” the “devil”, some of Esau, Ishmael…

Num 11:5

The fruits of Egypt — the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic desired by Israel — grow in the ground. But the fruits of Canaan — dates, figs, olives, and grapes — grow above the ground, in the air, and one must reach UP in order to obtain them (v 9).

The total number of products of Egypt number 6 here — sym man — whereas the total number of products of the Promised Land (Deu 8:8) are 7 — the number of perfection and completion and covenant.

Num 11:7

RESIN: Aromatic gum, impl healing qualities. As the healing properties of Christ the true “manna”.

Num 11:9

His compassions, new every morning: Lam 3:23. Cp Exo 16:15,35. Like Christ, the food appeared to come from the earth, but in reality came down from heaven!

Num 11:11

WHY HAVE YOU BROUGHT THIS TROUBLE ON YOUR SERVANT?: “Our heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to try our faith. If our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test. Gilt is afraid of fire, but gold is not [1Pe 1:7]: the paste gem dreads to be touched by the diamond, but the true jewel fears no test. It is a poor faith which can only trust God when friends are true, the body full of health, and the business profitable; but that is true faith which holds by the Lord’s faithfulness when friends are gone, when the body is sick, when spirits are depressed, and the light of our Father’s countenance is hidden. A faith which can say, in the direst trouble, ‘Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him’ [Job 13:15], is heaven-born faith. The Lord afflicts His servants to glorify Himself, for He is greatly glorified in the graces of His people, which are His own handiwork. When ‘tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope’ [Rom 5:3,4], the Lord is honoured by these growing virtues. We should never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched; nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress; nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of fire if the coals were not utterly consumed. The wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which His vessels of mercy are permitted to pass. Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy. There must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights” (CHS).

Num 11:14

Moses cannot bear all the people, but Christ can (Heb 1:3)!

Num 11:23

“God had made a positive promise to Moses that for the space of a whole month He would feed the vast host in the wilderness with flesh. Moses, being overtaken by a fit of unbelief, looks to the outward means, and is at a loss to know how the promise can be fulfilled. He looked to the creature instead of the Creator. But doth the Creator expect the creature to fulfil His promise for Him? No; He who makes the promise ever fulfils it by His own unaided omnipotence. If He speaks, it is done — done by Himself. His promises do not depend for their fulfillment upon the cooperation of the puny strength of man. We can at once perceive the mistake which Moses made. And yet how commonly we do the same! God has promised to supply our needs, and we look to the creature to do what God has promised to do; and then, because we perceive the creature to be weak and feeble, we indulge in unbelief. Why look we to that quarter at all? Will you look to the north pole to gather fruits ripened in the sun? Verily, you would act no more foolishly if ye did this than when you look to the weak for strength, and to the creature to do the Creator’s work. Let us, then, put the question on the right footing. The ground of faith is not the sufficiency of the visible means for the performance of the promise, but the all-sufficiency of the invisible God, who will most surely do as He hath said. If after clearly seeing that the onus lies with the Lord and not with the creature, we dare to indulge in mistrust, the question of God comes home mightily to us: ‘Has the Lord’s hand waxed short?’ May it happen, too, in His mercy, that with the question there may flash upon our souls that blessed declaration, ‘Thou shalt see now whether My word shall come to pass unto thee or not’ ” (CHS).

Num 11:24

As Jesus selected his assistants, and placed them around his “tent” (Mat 10:1…).

Num 11:26

ELDAD: “Ail dowd” = “Beloved (ie David) of El”.

MEDAD: “Beloved”.

Num 11:29

BUT MOSES REPLIED, “ARE YOU JEALOUS FOR MY SAKE? I WISH THAT ALL THE LORD’S PEOPLE WERE PROPHETS AND THAT THE LORD WOULD PUT HIS SPIRIT ON THEM!”: It was as if he said, ‘Do you think that I alone am the channel through which the Divine influences can pour? Do you suppose that the supplies in the being of God are so meager that He must stint what He gives through me, when He gives to others? If it should please Him to create new stars, must He rob the sun of its light to give them brilliance? Is the gratification of vanity of any interest to me, who have gazed on the face of God? Besides, what am I, or what is my position among this people compared with the benefit which would be theirs and the glory which would redound to God if He did for each of them all that He has done for me?”

This is the spirit of true magnanimity, a noble humility. A spirit of self-aggrandizement is set on retaining its exclusive position as the sole depository of the Divine blessing. But whenever the eye is single for the glory of God and position is looked upon only as His gift to be used for His glory, that glory extinguishes the fires of ambition and the faithful servant is willing to be anything or nothing if only the Divine purpose is accomplished.

There is no test more searching than this. Am I as eager for God’s kingdom to come through others as through myself? In my private intercessions can I pray as heartily and earnestly for the success of my ‘competitors’ as for my own? Can I see with equanimity other and younger men coming to the front and showing themselves possessed of gifts that I always considered to by my special province? Am I willing that the will of God should be done through another if he suited God’s purpose more than I? Few of us could answer these questions without the sense of great difficulty in assuming the position taken up by Moses when he heard that Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp.

Num 11:31

THREE FEET ABOVE THE GROUND: The level of their flight was only 3 ft above the ground, so that they could be easily captured (Str Scr 28).

Num 11:32

Manna (God’s word) lasted 40 years (and more, in the Ark!), but the quail (sym flesh) lasted 2 days, brought death.

Num 11:35

An oasis of water and grass after their wilderness wanderings.

Num 12:1

CUSHITE: Sig “black”. Ref either to Elam (land of black mountains) (Gen 2:13), to Ethiopia (land of black people) (Jer 13:23; 38:7), or to Midian (land of black tents) (cp Hab 3:7).

FOR HE HAD MARRIED A CUSHITE: Miriam and Aaron prob feel Moses has fallen too much under influence of in-laws: Num 10:29-32; cp Exo 18:17-24 with Num 11:16,17. Prob ref to Zipporah — in which case Miriam and Aaron have no basis to condemn. She was not an alien! (Cp attitude of near-kinsman to Ruth the Moabitess.)

“Strange choice of Moses, but how much more strange the choice of him who is a prophet like unto Moses, and greater than he! Our Lord, who is fair as the lily, has entered into marriage union with one who confesses herself to be black, because the sun has looked upon her [Song 1:6]. It is the wonder of angels that the love of Jesus should be set upon poor, lost, guilty men. Each believer must, when filled with a sense of Jesus’ love, be also overwhelmed with astonishment that such love should be lavished on an object so utterly unworthy of it. Knowing as we do our secret guiltiness, unfaithfulness, and black-heartedness, we are dissolved in grateful admiration of the matchless freeness and sovereignty of grace. Jesus must have found the cause of his love in his own heart; he could not have found it in us, for it is not there. Even since our conversion we have been black, though grace has made us comely… Most tender and faithful Husband of our souls, pursue thy gracious work of conforming us to thine image, till thou shalt present even us poor Ethiopians unto thyself, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. Moses met with opposition because of his marriage, and both himself and his spouse were the subjects of jealousy. Can we wonder if this vain world opposes Jesus and his spouse, and especially when great sinners are converted? for this is ever the Pharisee’s ground of objection: ‘This man receiveth sinners’ [Luk 15:2]. Still is the old cause of quarrel revived, ‘Because he had married an Ethiopian woman’ ” (CHS).

Num 12:2

13 murmurings: Exo 5:21; 14:10; 15:24; 16:2; 17:2; 32:1; Num 11:1,4; 12:2; 14:2; 16:3; 20:2; 21:5. Cp Joh 6:41-43. Those who murmur without cause are soon given cause to murmur.

…SPOKEN THROUGH US?: Yes, He had spoken through Aaron (Exo 4:14-17; 7:1,2). And Miriam had prophesied at Red Sea (Exo 15). But Aaron had only been a spokesman for Moses (Exo 4:14). Moses’ reluctance to speak for himself leaves lingering effects.

Num 12:3

HUMBLE: “Anah” = lit, to suffer travail, affliction (WGos 169). Therefore, not a man more disposed by nature to be humble than any other man — not a “milksop”! Rather, a man who had endured much affliction, who had learned his lessons well. A man who had “learned obedience from what he suffered” (Heb 5:8).

But how did Moses react, he who years before had felled an Egyptian with one blow of his fist? Did he pour out a torrent of indignation, assuring himself that he had just cause to be angry? Did he show them the door of the tent and bid them mind their own business? Did he call on God to strike them down in his anger?

Nothing of the sort. He in his bearing up under this attack reminds us of Christ in the judgment-hall, who, “when he was reviled, reviled not again”. Was Moses showing weakness? No. It was an exhibition of colossal strength. It is the weak man who gives blow for blow; who blurts out his wrath; who cannot control the passion of his spirit. Only the strong man can be perfectly still under provocation, holding himself in, and turning the vehemence of his spirit into the heat of an intense love. Moses became the intercessor before God on Miriam’s behalf.

For us, it is only as we claim the meekness of Christ that we can exhibit this kind of noble humility. This was not possible for Moses as it is for us. The humility of Jesus did not forbid his proposing himself as our model for meekness: “Learn of me,” he said, “for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Mat 11:28,29). The likeness of the dove that rested on him, and the lamb to which he was compared, were the emblems of his heart.

So in moments of provocation there is nothing better than to turn to him and claim his calm, sweet silence, his patience and meekness, praying, “My Lord, may I exhibit a noble humility in your name.”

Num 12:5

THEN THE LORD CAME DOWN IN A PILLAR OF CLOUD: There are five occasions when the Glory of the LORD appeared in Num; on each occasion it is because of the rebellion of the people: Num 12:5; 14:10; 16:19,42; 20:6.

Num 12:7

FAITHFUL IN ALL MY HOUSE: As such Moses typ Christ (Heb 3:2-5). Moses was the most trusted servant. But Christ was also the son and heir!

Num 12:10

MIRIAM: Who must have been the prime mover in the rebellion (cp order, v 1).

LEPROSY: Since she had objected to Moses marrying a black woman, she is made doubly white!

No covering, no veil, no excuse, no hope, exposed. She stood in the docket — guilty. Her brother turned and saw his sister who had always been such a dynamic influence in his life condemned to a life “outside the camp”. Doomed, so to speak, from all further intercourse with family, tribe — dying before his eyes. We may want to minimize leprosy as just a skin disorder, but it was as life threatening then as it can be now. Her nose, her fingers and toes would lose their circulation and literally rot off. She would emit an odor of death which only the strong willed could tolerate. And at last alone, and forsaken, she would die.

Num 12:11

Vv 11,12: There is no record of what went on in Aaron’s mind, except his next utterance to Moses: “Please, my Lord, do not hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. Do not let us (note the awareness of guilt) be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away!” (Medically, this sadly still happens today.)

Num 12:13

O GOD, PLEASE HEAL HER: In an Israelite context of ’cause and effect’ religion Moses desperately cried out, not with some of the more common names of Deity but with “EL” — the very Creator of all living. Both men stood glued to the spot as they watched their sister, as she looked aghast at her body being ravaged by that dread disease of leprosy.

We may be awed by the experience of ‘sin in the flesh’, raw and ungarnished, without benefit of the niceties of societal trappings. Henceforth to be known as “Miriam the Leper”. More likely to have her bones to remain in the Wilderness wanderings. What dread?

The “sin” had been in v 1 where Miriam and Aaron thought presumptuously of Moses, and now it is he who goes to the Father and begs for her, the big sister, to be “healed”. Echoes of Isa 53: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Sometimes the enormity of sin can be so overwhelming that we are stymied, we can’t move. Then is when agape love comes to play, the ability to pray for and with one another is without limit. “There is a friend closer than a brother.”

Cp Christ, who could heal leprosy immediately (Mar 1:35-45).

Num 12:15

THE PEOPLE DID NOT MOVE…: The sin of one brother or sister may set back the progress of an entire congregation.

Forgiveness there is, but not without a gradual washing of the event from all Israel, for this was not a first-time event. For 7 days “the woman” was to be “absent from the meeting”. Meanwhile all forward activity ceased until one of their own was reconciled to their God. And at last Miriam “was brought in again.” What a poignant expression, filled with the very essence of salvation through our Lord and Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, as we are learning how to repent and be a better reflection of the Glory of the Father through suffering. “Open ye the gates that the King of Glory may come in” as manifested in one sinner who repents.

Each sin is a “murmur” and reaps a “discipline” else we are not loved… “Because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son… “Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Heb 12: 6,10-11).

Num 12:16

Cp Deu 1:22: This was first suggested by the people.

Num 13:22

HEBRON: Abraham resides in Hebron, under oaks of Mamre (Gen 13:18; 35:27). Sarah died there (Gen 23). Isaac, Jacob there (Gen 35; 37). Anakim there, defeated by Joshua. City of refuge. David reigns there 7 1/2 years. Hebron today still populated. One of world’s oldest cities still extant.

ZOAN: There Moses met Pharaoh (Psa 78:12,43). Site, a wilderness now. But important even as late as time of Isaiah (Isa 19:11,13; 30:14) and Ezekiel (Eze 30:14).

HEBRON HAD BEEN BUILT SEVEN YEARS BEFORE ZOAN IN EGYPT: The city of Abraham and alliance and new covenant is older than city of slavery, law, and priests. The “new covenant” (Abraham), though brought into effect last, is actually “older” than the “old covenant” (Moses).

See Article, Hebron and Zoan (Num 13:22).

Num 13:30

THEN CALEB SILENCED THE PEOPLE BEFORE MOSES AND SAID, “WE SHOULD GO UP AND TAKE POSSESSION OF THE LAND, FOR WE CAN CERTAINLY DO IT”: “When the spies came back from exploring the land they made their report. It was a good and fruitful land, the fruit was great — it took two men to carry one bunch of grapes! It was just as God had described it to them, ‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’ The land was so good it had also produced giants and the giants were the reason for the huge ‘BUT’ in the report of the spies. ‘The land is good,’ they said, ‘BUT the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large… they are stronger than we are… The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size… we seemed as grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.’

“All the people were distressed after this faithless report. They had forgotten that God had rescued them from the strongest power on the earth and had promised them the land. ‘Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” ‘

“Often we come across seemingly impossible problems just as Israel did in this case, and when we do, let us remember that with God’s help ‘we can certainly do it!’ ” (RP).

Num 13:31

WE CAN’T ATTACK THOSE PEOPLE: This lament — “We CAN’T!” — was the downfall of Israel. God never told them that they would have to take the land by their own strength. The strength, the power, the ability, all lay with Him and not with them! He had told them, “I will GIVE it to you” (Exo 6:8; Lev 20:24). They had only to believe God’s promises, and act upon them. How often do we forget that “it is your father’s good pleasure to GIVE [us] the kingdom” (Luke 12:32)?

Men of faith, even though they have not as yet received God’s promises, may with the eye of faith see that fulfillment, even when it is “far off”. Then in spirit they “receive” those promises to themselves, and “embrace” them, and act as though they are already theirs (Heb 11:13).

Ten men who failed to see God saw cities impregnably high; Two men, looking “far off” to God, saw doom for those cities draw nigh. Ten men who failed to see God saw giants frightfully tall; Two men, looking “far off” to God, saw giants as grasshoppers small. Ten men who failed to see God reported, “We’re certain to fail”; Two men, looking “far off” to God, cried, “Up! for with God we prevail!” Ten men who failed to see God discouraged their brother men; Two men perceived God everywhere; are you of the two — or the ten?

Num 13:33

WE SEEMED LIKE GRASSHOPPERS IN OUR OWN EYES, AND WE LOOKED THE SAME TO THEM: “None of the children of Israel had ever been into the land of Canaan. God had promised to take them there and described it as a land flowing with milk and honey — something they could only dream about. Now, as Moses sent the twelve spies into the land, they were the first people to see it for themselves. Their report was just what the people had hoped for. ‘We went into the land to which you sent us and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its’ fruit.’ And at that stage they would have showed the people the huge bunch of grapes they picked, carried between two men. This was the first glimpse of the promised land for the children of Israel.. They hadn’t seen it themselves yet, but it was certainly an exciting foretaste.

“Like Israel, God has given us little glimpses of the kingdom through His word and His creation — enough to whet our appetites and know that the kingdom is what we really want.

“But when they heard of the challenges that faced them going into the land, they chickened out. They thought it would be too hard. And, unfortunately many people who have heard what God has offered also chicken out when they find out that it will take effort and faith to receive what God has promised.

“So let’s be like Joshua and Caleb whose faith in action allowed them to receive the promised land” (RP).

Num 14:1

Vv 1-4: The people reject Moses and desire to return to Egypt. This was perhaps the bitterest hour in Moses’ life. They had proposed to elect a captain before, but it was when he was away. This proposal was made before his face. The people whom he had loved with passionate devotion, whose very existence was due to his intercession on the Mount when they were on the point of being destroyed, had forgotten all he had done. They actually proposed to supersede his authority and — if he would not go with them under their new-made captain — they were going to leave him to his own devices there. He fell on his face before all the assembly of the congregation (v 5). What unutterable agony stormed in his heart! Not only that he should be thus set aside, but that the anger of God should be thus provoked by the people He loved!

As he lay there, did he not feel a great sorrow as the vision of going into the land and the great prospects of his hopes started to crumble? What joyful anticipation he must have had of going into the land to which God had promised… and then suddenly the people revolt and God says, “Turn back tomorrow and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea” (Num 14:25).

Num 14:2

13 murmurings: Exo 5:21; 14:10; 15:24; 16:2; 17:2; 32:1; Num 11:1,4; 12:2; 14:2; 16:3; 20:2; 21:5. Cp Joh 6:41-43. Those who murmur without cause are soon given cause to murmur.

IF ONLY WE HAD DIED IN EGYPT!: Spiritually, they did “die in Egypt”, for they never completely left. Physically, they died in the wilderness, short of the Promised Land: vv 28,29.

Num 14:4

AND GO BACK TO EGYPT: Egypt was the symbol of sin and bondage (Joh 8:34; Rom 6:16; Tit 3:3; 2Pe 2:19). It had held their fathers in bondage, until death, and now although this generation was “free” of Egypt — physically — it still held their souls, their minds, and their hearts in bondage; and they would never really escape!

Num 14:11

Vv 10,11: “One bold push forward, and their feet would tread on their inheritance. But, as is so often the case, courage oozed out at the decisive moment, and cowardice, disguised as prudence, called for ‘further information,’ that cuckoo-cry of the fainthearted” (JSB 1:179).

Num 14:12

BUT I WILL MAKE YOU INTO A NATION GREATER AND STRONGER THAN THEY: Christ the antitypical Moses: Through Christ God did disinherit Israel, after which He made of Christ a great nation!

Num 14:16

‘THE LORD WAS NOT ABLE TO BRING THESE PEOPLE INTO THE LAND HE PROMISED THEM ON OATH; SO HE SLAUGHTERED THEM IN THE DESERT’: There are few grander passages in the Bible than that in which Moses puts away the testing suggestion as impossible. Moses pleaded with God that He would pardon the people according to the greatness of His mercy as He had been doing from the first of leaving Egypt until now. In other words, Moses would not have the rest he longed for at the sacrifice of a ray of God’s glory or of the people with whom his life was linked, though they had sadly plagued and disowned him.

And so he turned away from the open gate into this Paradise, and again chose rather to suffer with the people in their afflictions than to enjoy the pleasures of Canaan alone. Let us ponder the lesson: when a longed-for delight is within our reach, yet it will be more for the glory of God and the good of others to turn from it, let us ask grace to take the rugged path of the wilderness — even though it may mean a lonely life for forty years and a death before the promised land may be reached.

Num 14:21

EARTH: “Eretz”: sw “land” in vv 23, 24.

Num 14:23

NOT ONE OF THEM WILL EVER SEE THE LAND: Only 2 of 40 years have passed. The other 38 years would have been unnecessary if Israel had had faith!

Num 14:29

EVERY ONE OF YOU… WHO WAS COUNTED IN THE CENSUS: But the Levites were exempted from this judgment, because they were not numbered in the census (Num 26:62).

Num 14:43

THE AMALEKITES: See Lesson, Amalek.

Num 14:44

PRESUMPTION: They desired to have the promises by their own effort. But God’s presence was not with them.

Num 14:45

See Lesson, Large numbers in the OT.