Numbers (The Preacher's Commentary Series, Volume 4 | TPC)

Top Highlights

“a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;” (Pages 262–263)

“Soon Moses was to climb up Mount Pisgah, his work over, and lie down to rest, being gathered to his fathers. As the saying has it, ‘God buries His workmen, but carries on His work.’ And we see in the appointment and anointing of Joshua the steady, onward movement of the divine purposes. God’s work goes on. He invites our cooperation and participation; when we are obedient, the work is carried forward, and we are blessed and enriched in sharing it. When we disobey, it still goes on—but we are hurt and damaged by our folly. God help us to learn and to obey at all costs, in humble submission and surrender to His holy and perfect will.” (Pages 265–266)

“To those who are the called of God, and part of the divine purposes for their day and generation, this is an immense challenge. If through unwillingness, or fear, or timidity, or carelessness, they fail to recognize this to be their calling, and hang back for whatever reason, they will need to beware lest they fall as Israel fell, and God turn elsewhere to those who will dare to believe and venture out with Him.” (Page 155)

“These verses describe the last recorded occasion on which Israel expressed their grumbling discontentment about their desert food and their yearning for the fleshpots of Egypt, describing the divine provision of manna as ‘this worthless bread’ (v. 5). On this occasion it did not lead to a further divine provision of food and water, but instead precipitated an act of divine judgment.” (Pages 215–216)

“Where people are conscious of the blessing of God in their lives, they will give spontaneously—and keep on giving. Finance in the church is directly related to faith and consecration. An attitude of glad-hearted consecration on the part of the people of God will always provide a sufficiency, and indeed an abundance.” (Page 92)