‏ Numbers 33

* Encampments of the Israelites. (1-49) The Canaanites to be

destroyed. (50-56)

1-49 This is a brief review of the travels of the children of

Israel through the wilderness. It is a memorable history. In

their travels towards Canaan they were continually on the

remove. Such is our state in this world; we have here no

continuing city, and all our removes in this world are but from

one part a desert to another. They were led to and fro, forward

and backward, yet were all the while under the direction of the

pillar of cloud and fire. God led them about, yet led them the

right way. The way God takes in bringing his people to himself

is always the best way, though it does not always seem to us the

nearest way. Former events are mentioned. Thus we ought to keep

in mind the providences of God concerning us and families, us

and our land, and the many instances of that Divine care which

has led us, and fed us, and kept us all our days hitherto. Few

periods of our lives can be thought upon, without reminding us

of the Lord's goodness, and our own ingratitude and

disobedience: his kindness leaves us without excuse for our

sins. We could not wish to travel over again the stages we have

passed, unless we could hope, by the grace of God, to shun the

sins we then committed, and to embrace such opportunities of

doing good as we have let slip. Soon will our wanderings end,

and our eternal state be fixed beyond recall; how important then

is the present moment! Happy are those whom the Lord now guides

with his counsel, and will at length receive to his glory. To

this happiness the gospel calls us. Behold now is the accepted

time, now is the day of salvation. Let sinners seize the

opportunity, and flee for refuge to the hope set before them.

Let us redeem our time, to glorify God and serve our generation;

and he will carry us safely through all, to his eternal kingdom. 50-56 Now that they were to pass over Jordan, they were

entering again into temptation to follow idols; and they are

threatened that, if they spared either the idols or the

idolaters, their sin would certainly be their punishment. They

would foster vipers in their own bosoms. The remnant of the

Canaanites, if they made any peace with them, though but for a

time, would be pricks in their eyes, and thorns in their sides.

We must expect trouble and affliction from whatever sin we

indulge; that which we are willing should tempt us, will vex us.

It was intended that the Canaanites should be put out of the

land; but if the Israelites learned their wicked ways, they also

would be put out. Let us hear this and fear. If we do not drive

out sin, sin will drive us out. If we are not the death of our

lusts, our lusts will be the death of our souls.