Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
Numbers
Book: Numbers
Chapter: 7
Overview:
The offerings of the princes at the
Dedication of the
Tabernacle.
(1-9) The offerings of the princes at the
Dedication
of the
Altar.
(10-89)
1-9 The
Offering of the princes to the service of the
Tabernacle was not made till it was fully set up. Necessary
observances must always take place of free-will offerings. The
more any are advanced, the greater opportunity they have of
serving
God and their
Generation.
No sooner was the
Tabernacle
set up, than provision is made for the removal of it. Even when
but just settled in the world, we must be preparing for changes
and removes, especially for the great change.
10-89 The princes and great men were most forward in the
service of
God. Here is an
Example to those in authority, and of
the highest rank; they ought to use their honour and power,
their estate and interest, to promote religion and the service
of
God in the places where they live. Though it was a time of
joy and rejoicing, yet still, in the midst of their sacrifices,
we find a
Sin-Offering. As, in our best services, we are
conscious that there is
Sin, there should be
Repentance, even in
our most joyful services. In all approaches to
God we must
By
Faith look to
Christ as the
Sin-Offering. They brought their
offerings each
On a
Day.
God's work should not be done
confusedly, or in a hurry; take time, and we shall have done the
sooner, or, at least, we shall have done the better. If services
are to be done for twelve days together, we must not
Call it a
task and a
Burden. All their offerings were the same; all the
tribes of
Israel had an equal share in the
Altar, and an equal
interest in the sacrifices offered upon it. He who now spake to
Moses, as the
Shechinah or Divine Majesty, from between the
Cherubim, was the Eternal
Word, the second Person in the
Trinity; for all
God's
Communion with
Man is
By his Son,
By whom
he made the world, and rules the
Church, who is the same
yesterday, to-
Day, and for ever.