It must have been a very affecting circumstance to Moses, Eleazar, and the people, when he and Eleazar returned from the mount without Aaron. But surely it was that kind of mourning which the apostle speaks of, in those whose sorrow is not without hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13. Reader! GOD grant it may be your portion and mine to die in JESUS! for blessed are the dead, (a voice from heaven hath said it), that die in the LORD. Revelation 14:13. And whether it be on mount Hor, or mount Nebo, or in the wilderness of Zin; in whatever time or place, or circumstances, yet dying in faith, we shall drop asleep in the arms of JESUS and be blessed. Psalms 31:5
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AMIDST the dying scenes of a pilgrimage like Israel's, and amidst the dying circumstances of the present world around me, LORD let my soul be directed to thee, and to the contemplation and enjoyment of that salvation and eternal life which is in thee, who liveth and abideth forever!
Oh my soul! from the divine chastisements which this chapter exhibits, in the LORD'S correcting his people, learn to consider thy sins and the many provocations of thy multiplied transgressions. Ah! how many Meribahs hast thou passed through, and yet thy life hath been spared to thee: for the LORD'S mercy endureth forever!
Farewell, Aaron! thou great high priest of the Levitical Priesthood! thy death adds one confirmation more to the numerous evidences on every side, of the total incompetency of all ministrations under the law to bring the soul to GOD. Dearest, and ever-blessed JESUS, to thee I turn: thou almighty Aaron, thou great high priest of a better dispensation, established upon better promises. Thou alone art able to carry thy people in, and lodge them and secure them safe in an everlasting Canaan. Oh! grant, blessed JESUS, that like another Eleazar, my soul may be clad with the priestly garments of thy salvation, for thou hast made all thy people spiritual kings, and priests to GOD and the FATHER. May my soul he clothed with thy robes of righteousness, and my whole person adorned with the vestments of thy salvation: that both here and hereafter it may form my glorious covering, and become my everlasting title before my GOD and FATHER, to all the blessings of eternity.