Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Numbers
Book: Numbers
Chapter: 27
Overview:
The daughters of Zelophehad apply for an inheritance, The
Law
of inheritances.
(1-11) Moses warned of his
Death.
(12-14)
Joshua appointed to succeed
Moses.
(15-23)
1-11 The five daughters of Zelophehad considered themselves as
left destitute, having neither
Father nor
Brother to inherit any
land. Their believing expectation that the
Word of the
Lord
would be performed in due season, and their desire of an
interest in the promised inheritance; and the modest, candid
manner in which they asked, without secret murmurs or
discontents, are a good
Example. They ask for a possession in
the land of
Canaan. Herein they discovered, 1. Strong
Faith in
the power and promise of
God, concerning the giving of the land
of
Canaan to
Israel. 2. And
Earnest desire of a place and name
in the land of promise, which was a
Type of
Heaven. 3. Respect
and honour for their
Father, whose name was dear to them now he
was gone. He never had done any thing that might
Bar his
children's claim. It is a comfort to parents when they come to
die, if though they have smarted for their own
Sin, yet they are
not conscious of any of those iniquities which
God will visit
On
their children.
God himself gives
Judgment. He takes notice of
the affairs, not only of nations, but of private families, and
orders them according to his will. The petition is granted.
Those who seek an inheritance in the land of promise, shall have
what they seek for, and other things shall be added to them.
12-14 Moses must die, but he shall have the satisfaction of
seeing the land of promise. This sight of
Canaan signified his
believing prospect of the better country, that is, the heavenly.
Moses must die, but
Death does not cut him off; it only brings
him to
Rest with the holy patriarchs. It is but to die as they
died, having lived as they lived; and as their
End was peace,
why should we fear any evil in the
Passage of that dark
Valley?
15-23 Envious spirits do not
Love their successors; but
Moses
was not one of these. We should concern ourselves, both in our
prayers and in our endeavours, for the rising
Generation, that
religion may be maintained and advanced, when we are in our
graves.
God appoints a successor, even
Joshua; who had
signalized himself
By his courage in fighting
Amalek, his
Humility in ministering to
Moses, and his
Faith and sincerity in
witnessing against the report of the evil
Spies. This
Man God
appoints to succeed
Moses; a
Man in whom is the
Spirit, the
Spirit of
Grace. He is a good
Man, fearing
God and hating
Covetousness, and acting from principle. He has the
Spirit of
government; he is fit to do the work and discharge the trusts of
his place. He has a
Spirit of conduct and courage; he had also
the
Spirit of
Prophecy. That
Man is not fully qualified for any
service in the
Church of
Christ, who is destitute of the graces
and
Gifts of the Holy
Spirit, whatever human abilities he may
possess. And in
Joshua's succession we are reminded "that the
Law was given
By Moses," who
By reason of our transgression
could not bring us to
Heaven; but "
Grace and
Truth came
By Jesus
Christ," for the
Salvation of every believer.