The Gospel in Numbers by Henry Law

The Gospel in Numbers by Henry Law

Author:Henry Law [Law, Henry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religion
Publisher: Jazzybee Verlag
Published: 2018-01-17T23:00:00+00:00


THE BUDDED ROD.

"The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron's staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds." Numbers 17:8

A new miracle now meets us. It is God's work. It is the Spirit's record. Therefore it stands here for our souls' profit. A withered rod, long severed from the parent stem, in which all vital juice was dried, sprouts in fresh verdure. Buds show their infant forms, and clustering blossoms open, while fruit in ripe luxuriance hangs.

This fact claims special thought, from its position in the sacred page. It raises a conspicuous head high in a vast field of miracle. Israel's whole journey is a chain of marvels. The falling manna--the guiding cloud--the flowing stream--prove heavenly care. Each day evidences, that omnipotence is active for them. But here a fresh prodigy starts to life. God superadds another sign to win confiding trust.

To us this story of the Budded Rod now comes. May He, who wrought the wonder, work wonders through it for our growth in grace!

But before we view it with a nearer eye, we must not disregard the preceding notes. The faithless spies draw an appalling picture of the searched land. The fortresses defy assault. The men are giants. Israel's hosts are less than insects at their feet. Such is their evil record. And it is received. Hearts quake. Blaspheming tongues reproach their guiding God.

Thus nature shows its proneness to doubt, to tremble, and to distrust. But such UNBELIEF brings misery in its train. It is a seed, from which ill ever springs. It changes blessings into curse. It arms the hand of love with an avenging scourge.

So now wrath instantly goes forth. The murmuring hosts are doomed to turn their back upon the home just reached. The wilderness must be re-entered. They now must wander up and down for forty years. Thus their bright prospects end in darkest night. Their hopes of rest--almost attained--are gone. They must wear out in woe their dismal days.

Distrust! truly you are the parent of all woe! My soul, never distrust--cleave fast to God--cast deep your anchor in His word--bear all things--suffer all pains--but never let one rebel doubt arise.

Pause now, and pray, "O Spirit of the living God, never withdraw--leave me not to the fears, which sense and folly would excite. Lord, I believe; help my unbelief."

Surely the downcast host will now tread tremblingly their retrogressing path--their lips will now be sad with penitence and shame. They, who so reason, are yet blind to the deep roots of sin. As there is no mercy, which man's heart will not abuse, so there is no judgment, which it will not proudly scorn. Open rebellion soon follows these murmurs and this punishment. Korah and his company dispute the rule of Moses. They challenge it, as usurpation and self-arrogance. Thus God's authority is dethroned. But these leaders are leading at His call. Therefore, to revile them is to revile His will.



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