Numbers 17

Why did he appoint that the prince should ask counsel of God by the priest (Numbers 27:21)? Why did the Lord show by that miracle of Aaron's rod flourishing, that he had chosen the tribe of Levi to minister before him (Numbers 17)? Why does Christ call his apostles the lights of…

Some think they are not so ungodly as others, because they do not swear, or are drunk, but you may be ungodly in murmuring: there are not only ungodly drunkards but ungodly murmurers; in fact, this is the height of ungodliness, namely, rebellion. Korah and his company murmured a…

For they were not so much as once to come into the holiest, where were the pledges and tokens of God's presence. And the prohibitions of their approaches to God were attended with such severe penalties, that the people cried out they were not able to bear them (Numbers 17:12, 13…

For he that despised Moses's Law died without mercy, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. Hence was their complaint of old, Behold we die, we perish, we all perish; whoever comes near to the Tabernacle of the Lord shall die, shall we be…

Hereby it became sacred; and when Aaron was called to the office of the Priesthood, it was delivered to his keeping. For on the budding of it on the trial about the Priesthood, it was laid up before the Testimony, that is, the Ark (Numbers 17:10). That same Rod did Moses take fr…

But withal it was a great part and a great means of that state of servitude and fear, wherein the People or the body of the Church was kept. They might not so much as come nigh the pledges of God's presence, it was forbidden them under the penalty of death and being cut off, whe…

His justice also we tax, as if he did defraud us of our due; we think somewhat is due, or else why do we complain (Matthew 20:13): Friend, I do you no wrong, &c. 2. 'Tis injurious to others, it puts us upon acts of violence and sedition, the murmurers are called rebels (Numbers…

The embittered spirits of Christians have been sometimes too prone to such desires. It was an inordinate passion in Moses, when a froward people under his charge provoked him to say, in (Numbers 17:14), Kill me, I pray you out of hand. Had God granted his desire, he had lost thi…