Homilist Numbers 21:4-9 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom… I. THE ANTIDOTE PROVIDED IN THE GOSPEL IS FOR A MOST LAMENTABLE EVIL.1. The affliction under which the Jews were now suffering, resembles sin in that it was — (1) Imparted; (2) Painful; (3) Mortal.2. Dissimilar, in that (1) One was material, the other is spiritual. (2) One was a calamity, the other is a crime. (3) The one would necessarily end in death, the other might continue for ever. II. THE ANTIDOTE PROVIDED IN THE GOSPEL ORIGINATED IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. Points of difference between the remedies. 1. One was apparently arbitrary, the other is manifestly adapted. 2. The one was insensible to the sufferer, the other is filled with sympathy. 3. The one was local in its aspect, the other is worldwide in its bearing. 4. The one was temporary in its efficacy, the other is perpetual. III. THE ANTIDOTE PROVIDED IN THE GOSPEL REQUIRES THE PERSONAL APPLICATION OF THE SUFFERERS.1. The personal application is most simple. (1) As looking is the easiest act of the body, so faith is the easiest act of the mind. (2) Man has a propensity for believing; he is a credulous animal; his ruin is, that he believes too much.2. The personal application is most unmeritorious.3. The personal application is most indispensable.4. The personal application is ever efficacious. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. |
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