Commentary on the Pentateuch, Commentary 4 · Chapter 9
CHAP. IX.
Verſ. 2. KEep the Paſſeover] This Paſſeover; for they kept no more but this, till they came into the land of Canaan, (Joſh. 5.10. with Exod 12.25.) becauſe of their often and uncertain removes. The feaſt of Tabernacles, likewiſe, was for many ages omitted; or at leaſt, not in due manner obſerved; as by dwelling in boothes, reading the book of the law, &c. Neh. 8.16, 17, 18. which a man would wonder at; but Vexatio dat intellectum: thoſe Jews were newly returned from captivity.
Verſ. 3. According to all the rites] It was a true ſaying of Socrates in Xenophon, Deum eo cultus genere coli velle, quem ipſe inſtituerit, that God muſt be worſhipped in his own way only. Whereunto agreeth that of Cicero, Deum non ſuperſtitione coli velle, ſed pietate.
Verſ. 5. And they kept the Paſſeover] See the Notes on Exod. 12.
Verſ. 6. They could not keep the Paſſeover] Becauſe they were to be unclean ſeven dayes, Numb. 19.11. Demoſth.Now among the very Heathen, the Sacrificers were to purifie themſelves ſome dayes before; they had their coena pura the night before, &c. and having expiated the company they cryed, foreign; who is here? to which they made reply, foreign, Atiſtoph.Many and good are here.
Verſ. 7. And thoſe men ſaid unto him] Moſes, they knew, was a meet man to reſolve this Caſe of Conſcience. He was a Meſſenger, an Interpreter, one among a thouſand, to ſhew unto man his uprightneſs, Job 33.23. a Merchant to ſell oyl and balm from Gilead, to cure conſciences, Matth. 25.9. Others may write Caſes, that is covers of conſcience; but reſolve none. Conſcience is a Diamond, and will be wrought on by nothing but duſt of diamond, ſuch as contrition hath ground it to.
Verſ. 8. Stand ſtill, and I will hear Moſes was but the eccho of Gods voyce; John Baptiſt the voyce of one crying in the Wilderneſſe. St. Paul received of the Lord, what he delivered to the Church, 1 Cor. 11.23. and took care, that the faith of his heaters might not be in the wiſdome of man, but in the power of God, 1 Cor. 2.4, 5. Unwarranted doctrines come not cum gratia & privilegio.
Verſ. 10. Or be in a journey afar off] This rendred a man unfit to partake; becauſe either his head would be ſo taken up about his buſineſs then, or his mind ſo ſet upon home, that he would have little leiſure or liberty to prepare for the Paſſeover.
Verſ. 11. With unleavened bread] Teaching them to purge out the old leven, that fuſty, ſwelling, ſowring, ſpreading corruption of nature and practice. [And bitter herbs] Directing them to true humiliation and bitterneſs, for ſin; without which, there can be no ſweetneſs in the blood of Chriſt.
Verſ. 12. They ſhall leave none] The Lord in his infinite wiſdome, would hereby prevent all occaſions of idolatry; which is eaſily admitted in the reſervations of holy things; as in Popery, at this day.
Verſ. 17. And when the cloud] This viſible ſign they had, of Gods preſence, for their motion or ſtation by night or by day, through all their pilgrimage. In all thy wayes acknowledge God, and he ſhall direct thy pathes, Prov. 3.6. When thou ſitteſt in darkneſs, the Lord ſhall give thee light, Mic. 7.8.
Verſ. 19. Kept the charge of the Lord] Or, his watch, viz. to be ready at any hour to remove; ſo muſt we alwaies watch and be in readineſs; as not knowing whether at Even, or at midnight, or cock-crowing, or in the dawning, Chriſt will come, Mar. 13.35.
Verſ. 23. At the Commandement of the Lord] This ſignified, that the Saints are to reſt, or go on, at the voyce of Chriſt, Joh. 10.3, 4. and that whatſoever they do in word or deed, to do all in the name of the Lord Jeſus, Coloſ. 3.17. to ſeek and finde all their perfection and defence in him alone.