And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, &c.— "If I must carry this heavy burden to the end of my days, I entreat of thee, O my God! as an especial grace, that thou wouldst hasten my last moment, that I may not see my wretchedness;—that I may not see myself reduced to still greater evils." To see death, and to die; to see salvation, and be saved; to see affliction, and be afflicted, are synonimous expressions in Scripture.
REFLECTIONS.—Moses heard the general murmur, and was justly displeased; and God also beheld with anger their base ingratitude. Had Moses rested here, he had done well; but impatience at their perverseness, and despair of supporting the burden of such a people, seem to have provoked him to speak unadvisedly with his lips. He finds fault with that charge which was his highest honour; and wishes for that death with impatience, which he should wait for with resignation. Note; (1.) In heavy trials we are too apt to wish ourselves rid of them by death, rather than glorify God under them by patient submission. (2.) Many have in a passion desired to die, who would gladly unsay their words, if God had granted their request. (3.) They, whom God calls to be rulers of others, have need to look peculiarly to the government of their own spirits.