he burning at Taberah. (1-3) The people lust for flesh, and
loathe the manna. (4-9) Moses complains of his charge. (10-15)
Elders appointed to divide the charge. Flesh meat promised.
(16-23) The Spirit rests on the elders. (24-30) Quails are
given. (31-35)
Verses 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 conquer it. They
complained. Those who are of a discontented spirit, will always
find something to quarrel or fret about, though the
circumstances of their outward condition be ever so favourable.
The Lord heard it, though Moses did not. God knows the secret
frettings and murmurings of the heart, though concealed from
men. What he noticed, he was much displeased with, and he
chastised them for this sin. The fire of their wrath against God
burned in their minds; justly did the fire of God's wrath fasten
on their bodies; but God's judgments came on them gradually,
that they might take warning. It appeared that God delights not
in punishing; when he begins, he is soon prevailed with to let
it fall.
Verses 4-9: Man, having forsaken his proper rest, feels uneasy and
wretched, though prosperous. They were weary of the provision
God had made for them, although wholesome food and nourishing.
It cost no money or care, and the labour of gathering it was
very little indeed; yet they talked of Egypt's cheapness, and
the fish they ate there freely; as if that cost them nothing,
when they paid dearly for it with hard service! While they lived
on manna, they seemed exempt from the curse sin has brought on
man, that in the sweat of his face he should eat bread; yet they
speak of it with scorn. Peevish, discontented minds will find
fault with that which has no fault in it, but that it is too
good for them. Those who might be happy, often make themselves
miserable by discontent. They could not be satisfied unless they
had flesh to eat. It is evidence of the dominion of the carnal
mind, when we want to have the delights and satisfaction of
sense. We should not indulge in any desire which we cannot in
faith turn into prayer, as we cannot when we ask meat for our
lust. What is lawful of itself becomes evil, when God does not
allot it to us, yet we desire it.
Verses 10-15: The provocation was very great; yet Moses expressed
himself otherwise than became him. He undervalued the honour God
had put upon him. He magnified his own performances, while he
had the Divine wisdom to direct him, and Almighty power to
dispense rewards and punishments. He speaks distrustfully of the
Divine grace. Had the work been much less he could not have gone
through it in his own strength; but had it been much greater,
through God strengthening him, he might have done it. Let us
pray, Lord, lead us not into temptation.
Verses 16-23: Moses is to choose such as he knew to be elders, that is,
wise and experienced men. God promises to qualify them. If they
were not found fit for the employ, they should be made fit. Even
the discontented people shall be gratified too, that every mouth
may be stopped. See here, I. The vanity of all the delights of
sense; they will cloy, but they will not satisfy. Spiritual
pleasures alone will satisfy and last. As the world passes away,
so do the lusts of it. 2. What brutish sins gluttony and
drunkenness are! they make that to hurt the body which should be
its health. Moses objects. Even true and great believers
sometimes find it hard to trust God under the discouragements of
second causes, and against hope to believe in hope. God here
brings Moses to this point, The Lord God is Almighty; and puts
the proof upon the issue, Thou shalt see whether my word shall
come to pass or not. If he speaks, it is done.
Verses 24-30: We have here the fulfilment of God's word to Moses, that
he should have help in the government of Israel. He gave of his
Spirit to the seventy elders. They discoursed to the people of
the things of God, so that all who heard them might say, that
God was with them of a truth. Two of the elders, Eldad and
Medad, went not out unto the tabernacle, as the rest, being
sensible of their own weakness and unworthiness. But the Spirit
of God found them in the camp, and there they exercised their
gift of praying, preaching, and praising God; they spake as
moved by the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of God is not confined to
the tabernacle, but, like the wind, blows where He listeth. And
they that humble themselves shall be exalted; and those who are
most fit for government, are least ambitious of it. Joshua does
not desire that they should be punished, but only restrained for
the future. This motion he made out of zeal for what he thought
to be the unity of the church. He would have them silenced, lest
they should occasion a schism, or should rival Moses; but Moses
was not afraid of any such effects from that Spirit which God
had put upon them. Shall we reject those whom Christ has owned,
or restrain any from doing good, because they are not in every
thing of our mind? Moses wishes all the Lord's people were
prophets, that he would put his Spirit upon all of them. Let the
testimony of Moses be believed by those who desire to be in
power; that government is a burden. It is a burden of care and
trouble to those who make conscience of the duty of it; and to
those who do not, it will prove a heavier burden in the day of
account. Let the example of Moses be followed by those in power;
let them not despise the advice and assistance of others, but
desire it, and be thankful for it. If all the present number of
the Lord's people were rendered prophets, or ministers, by the
Spirit of Christ, though not all agreed in outward matters,
there is work enough for all, in calling sinners to repentance,
and faith in our Lord Jesus.
Verses 31-35: God performed his promise to the people, in giving them
flesh. How much more diligent men are in collecting the meat
that perishes, than in labouring for meat which endures to
everlasting life! We are quick-sighted in the affairs of time;
but stupidity blinds us as to the concerns of eternity. To
pursue worldly advantages, we need no arguments; but when we are
to secure the true riches, then we are all forgetfulness. Those
who are under the power of a carnal mind, will have their lusts
fulfilled, though it be to the certain damage and ruin of their
precious souls. They paid dearly for their feasts. God often
grants the desires of sinners in wrath, while he denies the
desires of his own people in love. What we unduly desire, if we
obtain it, we have reason to fear, will be some way or other a
grief and cross to us. And what multitudes there are in all
places, who shorten their lives by excess of one kind or other!
Let us seek for those pleasures which satisfy, but never
surfeit; and which will endure for evermore.
he burning at Taberah. (1-3) The people lust for flesh, and
loathe the manna. (4-9) Moses complains of his charge. (10-15)
Elders appointed to divide the charge. Flesh meat promised.
(16-23) The Spirit rests on the elders. (24-30) Quails are
given. (31-35)