he silver trumpets. (1-10) The Israelites remove from Sinai
to Paran. (11-28) Hobab entreated by Moses to continue. (29-32)
The blessing pronounced by Moses. (33-36)
Verses 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 preached gospel. It sounds
an alarm to sinners, calls them to repent, proclaims liberty to
the captives and slaves of Satan, and collects the worshippers
of God. It directs and encourages their heavenly journey; stirs
them up to combat against the world and sin, encouraging them
with the assurance of victory. It leads their attention to the
sacrifice of Christ, and shows the Lord's presence for their
protection. It is also necessary that the gospel trumpet give a
distinct sound, according to the persons addressed, or the end
proposed; whether to convince, humble, console, exhort, reprove,
or teach. The sounding of the trumpet of the gospel is God's
ordinance, and demands the attention of all to whom it is sent.
Verses 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 humiliation for sin, but
we must go on towards perfection, in acquaintance with Christ
and his gospel, and those effectual encouragements, motives, and
assistances to holiness, which it proposes. They took their
journey according to the commandment of the Lord, (De 1:6-8),
and as the cloud led them. Those who give themselves to the
direction of God's word and Spirit, steer a steady course, even
when they seem bewildered. While they are sure they cannot lose
their God and Guide, they need not fear losing their way. They
went out of the wilderness of Sinai, and rested in the
wilderness of Paran. All our removes in this world are but from
one wilderness to another. The changes we think will be for the
better do not always prove so. We shall never be at rest, never
at home, till we come to heaven, but all will be well there.
Verses 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 share with us. It is good having
fellowship with those who have fellowship with God. But the
things of this world, which are seen, draw strongly from the
pursuit of the things of the other world, which are not seen.
Moses urges that Hobab might be serviceable to them. Not to show
where they must encamp, nor what way they must march, the cloud
was to direct that; but to show the conveniences of the place
they marched through, and encamped in. It well consists with our
trust in God's providence, to use the help of our friends.
Verses 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." There are those in the
world who are enemies to God and haters of him; secret and open
enemies; enemies to his truths, his laws, his ordinances, his
people. But for the scattering and defeating of God's enemies,
there needs no more than God's arising. Observe also the prayer
of Moses when the ark rested, that God would cause his people to
rest. The welfare and happiness of the Israel of God, consist in
the continual presence of God among them. Their safety is not in
their numbers, but in the favour of God, and his gracious return
to them, and resting with them. Upon this account, Happy art
thou, O Israel! who is like unto thee, O people! God will go
before them, to find them resting-places by the way. His promise
is, and their prayers are, that he will never leave them nor
forsake them.
he silver trumpets. (1-10) The Israelites remove from Sinai
to Paran. (11-28) Hobab entreated by Moses to continue. (29-32)
The blessing pronounced by Moses. (33-36)