Numbers 21:4-9 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom… I. I shall point out THE DISCOURAGEMENTS IN THE WAY; and, in doing this, I SHALL KEEP MY EYE ON THE PILGRIMAGE OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ORIGINALLY REFERRED TO IS THE TEXT, and thence draw my chief illustrations. 1. The way is circuitous, and therefore discouraging. Souls that are brought to Jesus, and delivered from the slavery of sin and the curse of the law, in their first ardour overlook trials, and think of nothing but enjoyments; they do not anticipate the fightings and fears that are the portion of God's Israel. After a time, through want of watchfulness and care, the love of the espousals begins to decline, the world regains a degree of influence, the Spirit is grieved, and they fear God has become their enemy; they seem to themselves to go backward, and, indeed, are in danger of doing so, if they neglect to watch and pray; and much time is spent in mourning, retracing the ground that has been lost. 2. The way is through a wilderness, and is, on that account, discouraging. In a spiritual sense, this world is a wilderness. (1) It has no natural tendency to nourish the spiritual life; nothing is derived from it of that kind: though spiritual blessings are enjoyed in it. (2) Again, there is much intricacy in the Christian's pilgrimage. There were no paths in the wilderness; the Israelites could not have explored their way but by the direction of the pillar of fire and of the cloud: so the Christian often knows not how to explore his path. 3. The way lies through a hostile country, and is, therefore, discouraging. The Christian soon learns that he has to fight against "principalities, and powers, and spiritual wickedness." The flesh is also an enemy. The Christian experiences the workings of carnality, a hankering after that which is evil, and to which he may have been addicted; as the Israelites after "the onions and garlic of Egypt." 4. The false steps that are taken in the pilgrimage, and the consequent displeasure of God, are discouraging: there are so many errors and iniquities for which the Lord chastens His people, though He pardons sin as to its eternal consequences. 5. The total defection of men from the path is a great discouragement to those who still continue in the way. 6. The length of the way is discouraging. Though human life is short in itself, yet to our limited conception it appears long; especially when passed in suffering and pain. In protracted afflictions is seen the patience of the saints. Those saints, who endure in private, though unnoticed by their neighbours, and perhaps unknown, are the bravest heroes of the Christian camp. II. I shall now DIRECT YOU TO SOME CONSIDERATIONS TO REMOVE YOUR DISCOURAGEMENTS. 1. Remember, the way you are in, believer, is "a right way," notwithstanding all that has been said. Infinite Wisdom has ordained it: and if you reach the end, you will be well repaid for all your toil, and will admire the whole of the pilgrimage: no sorrow will appear to have been too heavy; no path too gloomy. 2. Another encouragement is, that God is with His people in the way. If He leads into the wilderness, He "speaks comfortably"; He spreads a table there, "and His banner over us is love." 3. Remember there is no other way that leads to heaven. You cannot reconcile the service of sin and the world with the hope of heaven and the enjoyment of everlasting life in that holy state, and in the presence of the holy God. Will you, then, forego the hope of Canaan; as you must when you yield to sin, when you give yourselves to the world? (R. Hall, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. |
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