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Morning Bible Reading - Numbers 32

  1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place [was] a place for cattle;  2 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying,  3 Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon,  4 [Even] the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, [is] a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle:  5 Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, [and] bring us not over Jordan.  6 And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?  7 And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?  8 Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land.  9 For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.  10 And the LORD’s anger was kindled the same time, and he sware, saying,  11 Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me:  12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.  13 And the LORD’s anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.  14 And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers’ stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel.  15 For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people.  16 And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:  17 But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land.  18 We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.  19 For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward.  20 And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war,  21 And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him,  22 And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.  23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.  24 Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth.  25 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth.  26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead:  27 But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith.  28 So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel:  29 And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession:  30 But if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.  31 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the LORD hath said unto thy servants, so will we do.  32 We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our inheritance on this side Jordan [may be] ours.  33 And Moses gave unto them, [even] to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, [even] the cities of the country round about.  34 And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,  35 And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah,  36 And Bethnimrah, and Bethharan, fenced cities: and folds for sheep.  37 And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,  38 And Nebo, and Baalmeon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded.  39 And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which [was] in it.  40 And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein.  41 And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havothjair.  42 And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline The tribes of Reuben and Gad request an inheritance on the east of Jordan. (1-5) Moses reproves the Reubenites and Gadites. (6-15) They explain their views, Moses consents. (16-27) They take possession of the land to the east of Jordan. (28-42)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-5 Here is a proposal made by the Reubenites and Gadites, that the land lately conquered might be allotted to them. Two things common in the world might lead these tribes to make this choice; the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. There was much amiss in the principle they went upon; they consulted their own private convenience more than the public good. Thus to the present time, many seek their own things more than the things of Jesus Christ; and are led by worldly interests and advantages to take up short of the heavenly Canaan.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   6-15 The proposal showed disregard to the land of Canaan, distrust of the Lord|s promise, and unwillingness to encounter the difficulties and dangers of conquering and driving out the inhabitants of that land. Moses is wroth with them. It will becomes any of God|s Israel to sit down unconcerned about the difficult and perilous concerns of their brethren, whether public or personal. He reminds them of the fatal consequences of the unbelief and faint-heartedness of their fathers, when they were, as themselves, just ready to enter Canaan. If men considered as they ought what would be the end of sin, they would be afraid of the beginning of it.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   16-27 Here is the good effect of plain dealing. Moses, by showing their sin, and the danger of it, brought them to their duty, without murmuring or disputing. All men ought to consider the interests of others as well as their own; the law of love requires us to labour, venture, or suffer for each other as there may be occasion. They propose that their men of war should go ready armed before the children of Israel into the land of Canaan, and that they should not return till the conquest of Canaan was ended. Moses grants their request, but he warns them of the danger of breaking their word. If you fail, you sin against the Lord, and not against your brethren only; God will certainly reckon with you for it. Be sure your sin will find you out. Sin will surely find out the sinner sooner or later. It concerns us now to find our sins out, that we may repent of them, and forsake them, lest they find us out to our ruin.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   28-42 Concerning the settlement of these tribes, observe, that they built the cities, that is, repaired them. They changed the names of them; probably they were idolatrous, therefore they should be forgotten. A spirit of selfishness, of seeking our own, not the things of Christ, when each one ought to assist others, is as dangerous as it is common. It is impossible to be sincere in the faith, sensible of the goodness of God, constrained by the love of Christ, sanctified by the power of the Holy Ghost, and yet be indifferent to the progress of religion, and the spiritual success of others, through love of ease, or fear of conflict. Let then your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Numbers 32:1-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Numbers 32:20-999 

Morning Bible Reading - Numbers 33

  1 These [are] the journeys of the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron.  2 And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these [are] their journeys according to their goings out.  3 And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.  4 For the Egyptians buried all [their] firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.  5 And the children of Israel removed from Rameses, and pitched in Succoth.  6 And they departed from Succoth, and pitched in Etham, which [is] in the edge of the wilderness.  7 And they removed from Etham, and turned again unto Pihahiroth, which [is] before Baalzephon: and they pitched before Migdol.  8 And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.  9 And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim [were] twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there.  10 And they removed from Elim, and encamped by the Red sea.  11 And they removed from the Red sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin.  12 And they took their journey out of the wilderness of Sin, and encamped in Dophkah.  13 And they departed from Dophkah, and encamped in Alush.  14 And they removed from Alush, and encamped at Rephidim, where was no water for the people to drink.  15 And they departed from Rephidim, and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai.  16 And they removed from the desert of Sinai, and pitched at Kibrothhattaavah.  17 And they departed from Kibrothhattaavah, and encamped at Hazeroth.  18 And they departed from Hazeroth, and pitched in Rithmah.  19 And they departed from Rithmah, and pitched at Rimmonparez.  20 And they departed from Rimmonparez, and pitched in Libnah.  21 And they removed from Libnah, and pitched at Rissah.  22 And they journeyed from Rissah, and pitched in Kehelathah.  23 And they went from Kehelathah, and pitched in mount Shapher.  24 And they removed from mount Shapher, and encamped in Haradah.  25 And they removed from Haradah, and pitched in Makheloth.  26 And they removed from Makheloth, and encamped at Tahath.  27 And they departed from Tahath, and pitched at Tarah.  28 And they removed from Tarah, and pitched in Mithcah.  29 And they went from Mithcah, and pitched in Hashmonah.  30 And they departed from Hashmonah, and encamped at Moseroth.  31 And they departed from Moseroth, and pitched in Benejaakan.  32 And they removed from Benejaakan, and encamped at Horhagidgad.  33 And they went from Horhagidgad, and pitched in Jotbathah.  34 And they removed from Jotbathah, and encamped at Ebronah.  35 And they departed from Ebronah, and encamped at Eziongaber.  36 And they removed from Eziongaber, and pitched in the wilderness of Zin, which [is] Kadesh.  37 And they removed from Kadesh, and pitched in mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom.  38 And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first [day] of the fifth month.  39 And Aaron [was] an hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor.  40 And king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.  41 And they departed from mount Hor, and pitched in Zalmonah.  42 And they departed from Zalmonah, and pitched in Punon.  43 And they departed from Punon, and pitched in Oboth.  44 And they departed from Oboth, and pitched in Ijeabarim, in the border of Moab.  45 And they departed from Iim, and pitched in Dibongad.  46 And they removed from Dibongad, and encamped in Almondiblathaim.  47 And they removed from Almondiblathaim, and pitched in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo.  48 And they departed from the mountains of Abarim, and pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho.  49 And they pitched by Jordan, from Bethjesimoth [even] unto Abelshittim in the plains of Moab.  50 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho, saying,  51 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan;  52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:  53 And ye shall dispossess [the inhabitants of] the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it.  54 And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: [and] to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man’s [inheritance] shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.  55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them [shall be] pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.  56 Moreover it shall come to pass, [that] I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline Encampments of the Israelites. (1-49) The Canaanites to be destroyed. (50-56)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-49 This is a brief review of the travels of the children of Israel through the wilderness. It is a memorable history. In their travels towards Canaan they were continually on the remove. Such is our state in this world; we have here no continuing city, and all our removes in this world are but from one part a desert to another. They were led to and fro, forward and backward, yet were all the while under the direction of the pillar of cloud and fire. God led them about, yet led them the right way. The way God takes in bringing his people to himself is always the best way, though it does not always seem to us the nearest way. Former events are mentioned. Thus we ought to keep in mind the providences of God concerning us and families, us and our land, and the many instances of that Divine care which has led us, and fed us, and kept us all our days hitherto. Few periods of our lives can be thought upon, without reminding us of the Lord|s goodness, and our own ingratitude and disobedience: his kindness leaves us without excuse for our sins. We could not wish to travel over again the stages we have passed, unless we could hope, by the grace of God, to shun the sins we then committed, and to embrace such opportunities of doing good as we have let slip. Soon will our wanderings end, and our eternal state be fixed beyond recall; how important then is the present moment! Happy are those whom the Lord now guides with his counsel, and will at length receive to his glory. To this happiness the gospel calls us. Behold now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. Let sinners seize the opportunity, and flee for refuge to the hope set before them. Let us redeem our time, to glorify God and serve our generation; and he will carry us safely through all, to his eternal kingdom.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   50-56 Now that they were to pass over Jordan, they were entering again into temptation to follow idols; and they are threatened that, if they spared either the idols or the idolaters, their sin would certainly be their punishment. They would foster vipers in their own bosoms. The remnant of the Canaanites, if they made any peace with them, though but for a time, would be pricks in their eyes, and thorns in their sides. We must expect trouble and affliction from whatever sin we indulge; that which we are willing should tempt us, will vex us. It was intended that the Canaanites should be put out of the land; but if the Israelites learned their wicked ways, they also would be put out. Let us hear this and fear. If we do not drive out sin, sin will drive us out. If we are not the death of our lusts, our lusts will be the death of our souls.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Numbers 33:1-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Numbers 33:51-999 

  1 And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.  2 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away [his] wife? tempting him.  3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?  4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put [her] away.  5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.  6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.  7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;  8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.  9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.  10 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same [matter].  11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.  12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.  13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and [his] disciples rebuked those that brought [them].  14 But when Jesus saw [it], he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.  15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.  16 And he took them up in his arms, put [his] hands upon them, and blessed them.  17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?  18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God.  19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.  20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.  21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.  22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.  23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!  24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!  25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.  26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?  27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.  28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.  29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,  30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.  31 But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last first.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-12 Wherever Jesus was, the people flocked after him in crowds, and he taught them. Preaching was Christ|s constant practice. He here shows that the reason why Moses| law allowed divorce, was such that they ought not to use the permission; it was only for the hardness of their hearts. God himself joined man and wife together; he has fitted them to be comforts and helps for each other. The bond which God has tied, is not to be lightly untied. Let those who are for putting away their wives consider what would become of themselves, if God should deal with them in like manner.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   13-16 Some parents or nurses brought little children to Christ, that he should touch them, in token of his blessing them. It does not appear that they needed bodily cures, nor were they capable of being taught: but those who had the care of them believed that Christ|s blessing would do their souls good; therefore they brought them to him. Jesus ordered that they should be brought to him, and that nothing should be said or done to hinder it. Children should be directed to the Saviour as soon as they are able to understand his words. Also, we must receive the kingdom of God as little children; we must stand affected to Christ and his grace, as little children to their parents, nurses, and teachers.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   17-22 This young ruler showed great earnestness. He asked what he should do now, that he might be happy for ever. Most ask for good to be had in this world; any good, Ps 4:6; he asks for good to be done in this world, in order to enjoy the greatest good in the other world. Christ encouraged this address by assisting his faith, and by directing his practice. But here is a sorrowful parting between Jesus and this young man. He asks Christ what he shall do more than he has done, to obtain eternal life; and Christ puts it to him, whether he has indeed that firm belief of, and that high value for eternal life which he seems to have. Is he willing to bear a present cross, in expectation of future crown? The young man was sorry he could not be a follower of Christ upon easier terms; that he could not lay hold on eternal life, and keep hold of his worldly possessions too. He went away grieved. See Mt 6:24, Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   23-31 Christ took this occasion to speak to his disciples about the difficulty of the salvation of those who have abundance of this world. Those who thus eagerly seek the wealth of the world, will never rightly prize Christ and his grace. Also, as to the greatness of the salvation of those who have but little of this world, and leave it for Christ. The greatest trial of a good man|s constancy is, when love to Jesus calls him to give up love to friends and relatives. Even when gainers by Christ, let them still expect to suffer for him, till they reach heaven. Let us learn contentment in a low state, and to watch against the love of riches in a high one. Let us pray to be enabled to part with all, if required, in Christ|s service, and to use all we are allowed to keep in his service.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Mark 10:1-31 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Mark 10:3-31 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Mark 10:10-31 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Mark 10:17-31