Numbers 14:6-9 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:… I. A SUPPOSITION. "If the Lord delight in us" (Proverbs 8:30). God delights in His Son, &c. He delights in His holy angels, &c. But have we reason to suppose that He delights in His saints? 1. We might conclude, indeed, that He could not delight in them, when we reflect — (1) On their nothingness and vanity. "Man at His best estate," &c. (2) On their guilt and rebellion. Not one but is a sinner. (3) On their pollution and want of conformity to His likeness. (4) And more especially when we reflect on His greatness, independence and purity. 2. But there are the most satisfactory evidences that He does delight in His people. (1) Observe the names by which He distinguishes them. His "jewels" — "inheritance" — "treasure" — "diadem" — "crown" and "portion." See the very term in the text. And Proverbs 11:20. (2) Observe the declarations He has made respecting them. "He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of Mine eye."(3) Observe what He has done for them. Favoured — sustained — redeemed them — given His Son — Spirit — promises. (4) What He has provided for them. "The Lord God is a sun," &c. "My God shall supply," &c. "Eye hath not seen," &c. (5) Eternal life and unceasing glory. II. AN INFERENCE. "Then He will bring us into this land," &c. Observe here — 1. The land specified. It is "the land afar off." The good land. The heavenly Canaan. The region of immortality. 2. This land is God's gift. Not the result of merit. It is given in promise — given in Christ. 3. To this land God must bring His saints. Difficulties, enemies, and dangers intervene. He will guide to it. Keep — safely conduct, and at length put people into it, as He did Israel. "Fear not, little flock," &c. "Let not your hearts be troubled," &c. (Revelation 2:10, 26; Revelation 3:5, 12). (J. Burns, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: |
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