The Expositor's Bible: The Book of NumbersWatson, Robert A. (Robert Alexander)
Religion
The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Numbers
Watson, Robert A. (Robert Alexander)
Bible. Numbers -- Commentaries
And Moses had right in saying, "Come with us, and we will do thee
good; for Jehovah hath spoken good concerning Israel." The outlook
to a future was something which the Kenites as a people had not,
never could have in their desultory life. Unprogressive, out of
the way of the great movements of humanity, gaining nothing as
generations went by, but simply reproducing the habits and treasuring
the beliefs of their fathers, the Arab tribe might maintain itself,
might occasionally strike for righteousness in some conflict, but
otherwise had no prospect, could have no enthusiasm. They would live
their hard life, they would enjoy freedom, they would die--such would
be their history. Compared with that poor outlook, how good it would
be to share the noble task of establishing on the soil of Canaan a
nation devoted to truth and righteousness, in league with the living
God, destined to extend His kingdom and make His faith the means
of blessing to all. It was the great opportunity of these nomads.
As yet, indeed, there was no courage of religion, no brightness
of enthusiasm among the Israelites. But there was the ark of the
covenant, there were the sacrifices, the law; and Jehovah Himself,
always present with His people, was revealing His will and His glory
by oracle, by discipline and deliverance.
Now these Kenites may be taken as representing a class, in the
present day to a certain extent attracted, even fascinated, by the
Church, who standing irresolute are appealed to in terms like those
addressed by Moses to Hobab. They feel a certain charm, for in the
wide organisation and vast activity of the Christian Church, quite
apart from the creed on which it is based, there are signs of vigour
and purpose which contrast favourably with endeavours directed to
mere material gain. In idea and in much of its effort the Church is
splendidly humane, and it provides interests, enjoyments, both of an
intellectual and artistic kind, in which all can share. Not so much
its universality nor its mission of converting the world, nor its
spiritual worship, but rather the social advantages and the culture
it offers draw towards it those minds and lives. And to them it
extends, too often without avail, the invitation to join its march.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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