But they presumed, &c.— "They loftily presumed, or took on them, by violence, with a lofty presumptuous mind. The word עפל, whose primary signification is a tower or fort, signifieth also a drawing-back from God by unbelief, Hebrews 10:36; Hebrews 10:39. So here, in this their presumptuous enterprize, their souls were lifted up within them, but withdrawn from God. Moses explains this by two words, Deuteronomy 1:41; Deuteronomy 1:43. Ye pressed forward, and ye were presumptuous."—Beaumont.
The spirit and behaviour of the Israelites in the wilderness, as Dr. Taylor observes, merit particular attention, as a very remarkable instance of the wretched effects of servitude upon the human soul. They had been slaves to the Egyptians for about a hundred and forty years; their spirits were debased; their judgments weak; their sense of God and religion very low; they were defective in attention, gratitude, generosity; full of distrust and uneasy suspicions; complaining and murmuring under the most astonishing displays of divine power and goodness, as if still under the frowns and scourges of their unjust task-masters; could scarcely raise their thoughts to prospects the most pleasing and joyous; knew not how to value their blessings of liberty; of a taste so mean and illiberal, that the flesh and fish, the onions and garlick of Egypt, weighed more with them than bread from heaven; more than all the divine assurances and demonstrations that they should be raised to the noblest privileges, the highest honor and felicity as a peculiar treasure to God. In short, nothing would do. The ill qualities of slavery were ingrained in their hearts. A grovelling, thoughtless, sturdy, dastardly spirit, fatigued the divine patience, and counteracted and defeated all his wise and beneficent measures. They could not be worked up to that sense of God, that esteem of his highest favours, that gratitude and generous dutifulness, that magnanimity of spirit, which were necessary to their conquering and enjoying the promised land; and, therefore, the wisdom of God determined that they should not attempt the possession of it till that generation was dead and buried. However, this did not lie out of the Divine plan. The policy and justice of the proceeding was conspicuous: God rejected them, but applied himself to regulate and improve the manners of their children, who became, by degrees, tractable and obedient to the laws of the Deity, and proved themselves, at least, fit instruments for carrying on the purpose of his providence; while the rejection of their fathers served a great purpose; namely, to warn them and all future ages of the church, both Jewish and Christian, that if they despise and abuse the goodness of God, and the noble privileges and prospects which they enjoy, they shall forfeit the benefit of them: and the apostle applieth it to this very important use, with great force and propriety, in the epistle to the Hebrews, Numbers 3:15 to the end, and Numbers 4:1; Numbers 4:12.
REFLECTIONS.—God begins to execute his decree.
1. Upon the ten men who were the principals in the mutiny; they were struck immediately dead, as they stood before the Lord. Note; (1.) Ringleaders in sin shall be first and deepest in suffering. (2.) It is among the greatest of sins, to misrepresent the good ways of the Lord, and to seek to prejudice the minds of men against them as melancholy or impracticable. (3.) The minister who misleads the souls of sinners shall be accountable for their blood. Caleb and Joshua are spared, a living proof of the truth which they spoke, and a present assurance of the favour that God will shew them hereafter. None ever lost in the end by their fidelity to him.
2. Moses acquaints the people with God's decree, and deeply they appear affected, but it is irreversible. Note; (1.) Many mourn for their punishments who do not mourn for their sins. (2.) In hell, the sinner's sorrow will neither assuage his torment, nor reverse his sentence.
3. They resolve, contrary to Moses's injunction, to go up: they would not go at God's bidding; it is at their peril now, if they attempt it.
4. They proceed, and are routed; God was not with them; and if he leave us, we are weak indeed. The sentence pronounced against them, the sword of their enemies thus begins to fulfil. Note; (1.) God's counsel will stand, in spite of every effort to defeat it. (2.) We can only hope to get the better of our spiritual enemies when we have secured God for our friend.