Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 26:63
These [are] they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho.
63 65. An editorial conclusion to the census. Not a man was reckoned who had been alive at the first census, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Num 26:63-65
There was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun
The certainty of the fulfilment of Gods threatened judgments and promised mercies
I.
We are here furnished with a confirmation of the fact that God will fulfil his threatenings against sinners.
1. We may conceive them to have counted upon their numerical strength. This has often been appealed to as a security against the punishment of crime. Nor can it be denied that, according as iniquity abounds in a community, it is the more rarely visited with its merited penalty. It is found, in such circumstances, not to be convenient to institute inquiry; and vice, with the colouring which the spirit of the age may have given to it, assumes not unfrequently the name of virtue. But it is far otherwise with Him whose power, holiness, and justice are infinite.
2. It is not improbable that, as a ground of security against threatened judgment, the Israelites in the wilderness counted on their privileges. On this principle many a sinner reasons to his own destruction; forgetting that the higher his privileges, the greater the punishment they involve, if unimproved. The execution of the sentence of death upon the Israelites was the more solemn, because executed amidst the enjoyment of the means of grace. They died, the monuments of Divine wrath–while on every side they were surrounded with privileges. They died, in that camp, which was the camp of the living God. They died, within sight of the Lords tabernacle, and of the ark of the Lords covenant. They died, while the manna from heaven was falling around them, and the stream from the smitten rock flowing before their eyes. They died, while the glory of the Lord was in their view–while the pillar in which the Lord Himself dwelt was over their head–while, as a cloud to refresh them, it was over them by day; and as a fire to give them light, was over them by night. These their privileges did not preserve them; and neither will yours preserve you.
3. The Israelites in the wilderness may have been tempted to infer that the Lord would not execute His threatened vengeance against them, because all were not at one and the same time visited with punishment. To some of them a respite of nearly forty years was granted. But, when apparently within reach of the Land of Promise–when its hills and mountains were in view before their eyes–when they had only to march forward one other stage and to cross the Jordan, in order to obtain possession of it–the last of the doomed generation died, and their burial there made it manifest that Gods threatenings are sure.
II. But in our text we are furnished with an impressive illustration of the fact, that as God will fulfil His threatenings against sinners, so also His promises in favour of His own people.
1. This, in the case of Caleb and Joshua, was made manifest, notwithstanding the crowd of the ungodly with which they were mingled. But, the Lord knoweth them that are His. He loves them, as His chosen, with an everlasting love. They are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of their inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession. Wherever thy lot may be cast, it is His sun that shines upon thy head; it is His stars that give thee light; it is His air that thou breathest; it is His food with which thou art supplied. Not a sparrow falleth to the ground without Him; and the hairs of thy head are all numbered.
2. in the case of Caleb and Joshua, we are furnished with a confirmation of the truth of Gods gracious promises to His people notwithstanding the dangers to which they are exposed.
3. In the instance referred to in our text we behold the fulfilment of Gods gracious promises to His people, in opposition to every sentiment of distrust arising from the length and intricacy of their path. (T. Doig, M. A.)
The faithfulness of God
I. The faithfulness of God to His threatenings. The judgment which God pronounced thirty-eight years previous He has now completely fulfilled (cf. Num 14:11-39)
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1. The immense number of the condemned does not avail for the escape of any one of them. Sentence was passed upon upwards of six hundred thousand men; and there was not left a man of them. Though hand join in hand, &c (Pro 11:21).
2. The lapse of time before the complete execution of the sentence does not avail for the escape of any one. Thirty-eight years passed away before the judgment pronounced was fully carried out; but ultimately not one upon whom it was passed escaped.
II. The faithfulness of God to His purposes.
III. The faithfulness of God to His promises. He promised to spare Caleb and Joshua, and to bring them unto the promised land (Num 14:23-30); and He spared them, and in due season brought them into that land. (W. Jones.)
The census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the promised land. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that God did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that His word of judgment had been fulfilled to them; and, moreover, it would marshal them for the grand enterprise of conquering the land of Canaan. The numbering on this occasion was not of the women and children or the infirm; for the order ran thus (Num 26:2). If the numbers of our Churches were taken in this fashion, would they not sadly shrink? We have many sick among us that need to be carried about, and nursed, and doctored. Half the strength of the Church goes in ambulance service towards the weak and wounded. Another diminution of power is occasioned by the vast numbers of undeveloped believers, to whom the apostle would have said (Heb 5:12). To revise the Church rolls so as to leave none but vigorous soldiers on the muster-roll would make us break our hearts over our statistics. May the Lord send us, for this evil, health and cure! When the second census was taken, it was found that the people were nearly of the same number as at the first. Had it not been for the punishment so justly inflicted upon them, they must have largely increased; but now they had somewhat diminished. It is of God to multiply a nation, or a Church. We may not expect any advance in our numbers if we grieve the Spirit of God, and if by our unbelief we drive Him to declare that we shall not prosper.
I. First, observe the notable change wrought among the people by death (Num 26:64). The entire mass of the nation had been changed.
1. Such changes strike us as most memorable. In the course of forty years, what changes take place in every community, in every Church, in every family! The march of the generations is not a procession passing before our eyes, while we sit, like spectators, at the window; but we are in the procession ourselves, and we, too, are passing down the streets of time, and shall disappear in our turn.
2. This change was universal throughout the whole camp. There was not left a man of them. Thus is it among ourselves: no offices can be permanently held by the same men: they are not suffered to continue by reason of death. No position, however lofty or lowly, can retain its old possessor. It is not only the cedars that fall, but the fir-trees feel the axe. There is no discharge in that war. That same scythe which cuts down the towering flower among the grass, also sweeps down whole regiments of green blades.
3. The change is inevitable. We must soon quit our tents for the last battle. When the conscript number shall be drawn we may escape this year, and next; but the lot will fall upon us in due time. There is no leaping from the net of mortality wherein, like a shoal of fish, we are all enclosed.
4. All this change was still under the Divine control. Stern though the work may be, Gods great and tender heart rules the ravages of death.
5. The change was beneficial. It was desirable that there should be a people trained in a better school, with a nobler spirit, fit to take possession of the promised land. The change was working rightly: the Divine purpose was being fulfilled. The incoming of new blood into the social frame is good in a thousand ways; it is well that we should make room for others who may serve our Master better.
6. These changes are most instructive. If we are now serving God, let us do so with intense earnestness, since only for a little while shall we have the opportunity to do so among men.
II. The perpetuity of the people of God. The nation is living, though a nation has died. It is the same chosen seed of Abraham with whom Jehovah is in covenant. God has a Church in the world, and He will have a Church in the world till time shall be no more. The gates of hell and the jaws of death shall not prevail against the Church, though each one of its members must depart out of this world in his turn.
1. Mark well, that the Church in the wilderness lives on. Everything has changed, and yet nothing has altered. Although the men who bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord wear other names, yet they fulfil the same office. The music of the sanctuary rises and falls, but the strain goes on. The hallelujah never ceases, nor is there a pause in the perpetual chorus, His mercy endureth for ever.
2. The gaps were filled up by appointed successors. As one warrior died another man stepped into his place, even as one wave dying on the shore is pursued by another. God buries His workmen, but His work lives.
3. At this second numbering the people stood ready for greater work than they had ever done before.
4. It was Israels joy that Gods love was not withdrawn from the nation.
III. The unchangeableness of the word of God.
IV. The abiding necessity of faith.
1. No man is, was, or ever shall be saved without faith.
2. No privilege can supply the lack of faith. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
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Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest,…. That is, these were the Levites, their families, and the number of males in them, which was taken by Moses and Eleazar, who might be only concerned in numbering the Levites, of which tribe they were: and
who also numbered the children of Israel; all the tribes of them, with the assistance of their princes:
in the plains of Moab, by Jordan, near Jericho; as they were commanded by the Lord.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Concluding formula with the remark in Num 26:65, that the penal sentence which God had pronounced in Num 14:29 and Num 14:38 upon the generation which came out of Egypt, had been completely carried out.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
63 These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. 64 But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
That which is observable in this conclusion of the account is the execution of the sentence passed upon the murmurers (ch. xiv. 29), that not one of those who were numbered from twenty years old and upwards (and that the Levites were not, but either from a month old or from thirty years old to fifty) should enter Canaan, except Caleb and Joshua. In the muster now made particular directions, no doubt, were given to those of each tribe that were employed in taking the account, to compare these rolls with the former, and to observe whether there were any now left of those that were numbered at Mount Sinai, and it appeared that there was not one man numbered now that was numbered then except Caleb and Joshua, Num 26:64; Num 26:65. Herein appeared, 1. The righteousness of God, and his faithfulness to his threatenings, when once the decree has gone forth. He swore in his wrath, and what he had sworn he performed. Better all those carcasses, had they been ten times as many, should fall to the ground, than the word of God. Though the rising generation was mixed with the, and many of the guilty and condemned criminals long survived the sentence, even to the last year of the forty, yet they were cut off by some means or other before this muster was made. Those whom God has condemned cannot escape either by losing themselves in a crowd or by the delay of execution. 2. The goodness of God to this people, notwithstanding their provocations. Though that murmuring race was cut off, yet God raised up another generation, which was as numerous as they, that, though they perished, yet the name of Israel might not be cut off, lest the inheritance of the promise should be lost for want of heirs. And, though the number fell a little short what it was at Mount Sinai, yet those now numbered had this advantage, that they were all middle-aged men, between twenty and sixty, in the prime of their time for service; and during the thirty-eight years of their wandering and wasting in the wilderness they had an opportunity of acquainting themselves with the laws and ordinances of God, having no business, civil or military, to divert them from those sacred studies, and having Moses and Aaron to instruct them, and God’s good Spirit, Neh. ix. 20. 3. The truth of God, in performing his promise made to Caleb and Joshua. They were to be preserved from falling in this common ruin, and they were so. The arrows of death, though they fly in the dark, do not fly at random, even when they fly thickest, but are directed to the mark intended, and no other. All that are written among the living shall have their lives given them for a prey, in the most dangerous times. Thousands may fall on their right hand, and ten thousands on their left, but they shall escape.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 63-65:
This census confirmed what God had spoken, in Nu 14:20-35. It revealed that of those numbered in the first census, none remained alive to enter the Land, except Joshua and Caleb. This demonstrates the certainty of God’s promise, both of blessing and of judgment, see Heb 6:18; 3:16-19.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
63. These are they that were numbered. The former registration was made by Aaron. The difference between the two census is therefore specified, in order that Moses may take occasion to commemorate God’s judgment, which can never be sufficiently considered, that of 600,000, only two were found who had survived to the term prescribed by God. If any should object that the greater part would have died naturally, since they had arrived at their thirtieth: fortieth, and even fiftieth year, (198) and thus would have been some eighty years old before the completion of the forty years, I admit that such is the case; but many had not yet reached their twenty-fourth year. Nor can we doubt but that not a few of them were younger than Caleb and Joshua, whom we know to have been not only alive and well, but even strong and vigorous for many years afterwards. At any rate, therefore, not old age, but God’s vengeance, cut off half of them by an untimely death, as if he had openly put forth his hand from heaven and smitten them. It is not without reason, then, that Moses states that they were dead, as God had pronounced; not merely that by the punishment inflicted upon them he may inculcate upon us the fear of God, but also that we may learn to be aroused in earnest by his threats.
(198) This sentence is omitted in the edit. of Geneva, 1563.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
THE EXECUTION OF ISRAEL’S PENAL EXCLUSION FROM CANAAN NOTED, Num 26:63-65.
64, 65. There was not a man whom Moses numbered That only two out of 603,550 should be alive at the end of only thirty-nine years is unnatural, and that these should be the very two expressly designated beforehand is plainly supernatural. Chap. xiv, notes. No nation was ever better prepared for aggression and conquest. All imbecility and senility had been sifted out; only vigour and enthusiasm was left in the nation, which had but two men above sixty years and an army of 601,730 soldiers between twenty and sixty.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
DISCOURSE: 178
PERISHING OF THE ISRAELITES IN THE WILDERNESS
Num 26:63-65. These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab, by Jordan near Jericho. But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai: for the Lord had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
THE Israelites in some respects had an advantage over us, inasmuch as they had the most stupendous miracles wrought before their eyes: but we have an incomparably greater advantage over them, in seeing the accomplishment of many prophecies relating to them, and the design of God in his diversified dispensations towards them. The miracles would strike the senses more forcibly for a little time; but the accomplishment of prophecy commends itself to our judgment, and operates with more permanent effect. The event before us, for instance, carries an irresistible conviction with it to every reflecting mind. The Israelites had been numbered in the wilderness of Sinai [Note: Num 1:1-3.]: but for their sin at Kadesh-barnea, where they refused to go up and possess the land, they were doomed to die in the wilderness [Note: Num 14:28-30.]. Two exceptions alone were made, Caleb and Joshua, who had boldly testified against the wickedness of the people on that occasion, and encouraged them to maintain a confidence in their God. Now the time for entering into Canaan was nearly arrived; and Moses and Eleazar were commanded to number the people again, and to ascertain, for the instruction of the nation at large, the perfect accomplishment of this prophecy. Accordingly, it was ascertained by minute investigation, and it is here distinctly affirmed for the benefit of the whole world. The fact that is here asserted, is often mentioned in the New Testament for the benefit of the Church at this day: and it is in this particular view that we shall insist upon it. It was intended to shew us,
I.
That sinners derive no security from their numbers
[There is a conceit in the minds of men, that God can never condemn so many as they see to be walking in the ways of sin: and though they cannot but acknowledge, that the lives of a few religious persons are far more agreeable to the Scriptures than those of the generality of mankind, yet they deem it presumptuous in these to imagine themselves in a safer state than others. As for the distinctions which are made in the word of God, the promises of life to the godly, and the threatening of death to the ungodly, they are accounted of but little weight: mens own surmisings, however groundless, are made to outweigh the plainest declarations of Holy Writ. Here then the matter has been put to a trial. The whole nation of Israel had offended God, and were to be excluded from the promised land: but two individuals, who had withstood the torrent of iniquity, were to have the honour and happiness of entering into Canaan. Now on the borders of that land the people are numbered a second time; and after a complete survey of every tribe, it is declared, yea twice declared, that not a man against whom the judgment had been denounced, had survived. Thus it will assuredly be in the eternal world. Men are now told that the unrighteous shall not enter into heaven: but, because they constitute the great mass of mankind, they doubt whether the threatening will be executed: nevertheless, when a scrutiny shall be made of those who shall be at the right hand of God, there will not be found a man, no, not a man whom God in his word had consigned to another place. The broad and frequented road will be found to have led to destruction; nor will so much as one have attained to life, who did not enter in at the strait gate, and walk in the narrow way [Note: Mat 7:13-14.].]
II.
That no outward privileges or professions will save them
[In this view in particular is the destruction of the Israelites proposed to our consideration in the New Testament [Note: Jude, ver. 5 and 1Co 10:1-6 and Heb 3:17-19; Heb 4:1.]. Their privileges were exceeding great, and they could boast of having experienced the most marvellous interpositions of the Deity in their behalf. But were they therefore saved? Yea, was not God so offended with them, that he even sware in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest? To what purpose then is it that we have been baptized into the name of Christ; that we have his word in our hands, his presence in our assemblies, his promises on our lips? To what purpose is it that we have eaten spiritual meat, and drunk spiritual drink, at his table, if we are yet children of disobedience? Were the Jews rejected for their unbelief? So shall we be, if we have not that faith, which purifies the heart. If Christ be not formed in our hearts, so as to make us partaken of a divine nature, the labour bestowed upon us will be in vain. We must live by faith on the Son of God, and walk as Christ himself walked, or else we shall never find admission into his rest. Nor is it by running well for a season, but by a patient continuance in well-doing, that we shall attain eternal life. We must both begin well, and endure unto the end, if ever we would be counted worthy of that heavenly kingdom.]
III.
That the divine judgments, however long delayed, will overtake them at last
[Though at first, when sent back into the wilderness, the people confessed their sins with apparent contrition, they soon relapsed into their former habits; and probably, after a season indulged, a hope, that they should succeed as well as those to whom the promises had been made. This is the way of sinners: because judgment is not executed speedily upon them, they think it never will. The scoffers in the last days will say, Where is the promise of his coming? But God assures us, that the judgment of sinners now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. God had respect to the posterity of Israel, when he suffered their manners in the wilderness forty years: he had a chosen seed who were yet in their loins, and who were in due time to enjoy that inheritance, which their fathers had despised. He gave them also space for repentance, that they might not be excluded from heaven itself. Thus is he long-suffering towards us also, not willing that any of us should perish, but that we should come to repentance and live. But we deceive ourselves, if we think that he will never call us into judgment: on the contrary, he will require at our hands every talent he has entrusted to us, and increase our punishment in proportion to the mercies we have abused. O that those who are more advanced in life would contemplate this! that they would account the long-suffering of God to be salvation, and not make it the occasion of a more aggravated condemnation!]
IV.
That no one of Gods faithful servants shall ever perish
[At this numbering of the people, Caleb and Joshua were found alive, though all the rest were dead: so exactly had death executed its commission! Of six hundred thousand offenders, not one had escaped its dart: but the two who had followed the Lord fully, remained unhurt. This shews how certainly the promises of God shall be fulfilled to every believer. Be the numbers of the Lords people ever so few, they shall not be overlooked: though the whole universe be sifted and blown away as chaff, not the smallest grain of true wheat shall fall upon the earth [Note: Amo 9:9.]. They have many and powerful adversaries; but none shall pluck them out of their Fathers hand. It is not His will that one of his little ones should perish. They may be so weak in faith as to indulge many fears of the issue of their warfare; but God himself pledges his word, that they shall never perish, but shall have eternal life. Be not discouraged then, believers, because ye are few, or weak, or despised, or beset with enemies all around; for the word of Christ to you is, Fear not, little flock; it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Only commit your souls to God in well-doing, as into the hands of a faithful Creator, and he will preserve you blameless unto his heavenly kingdom.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
The same observations meet us here in the close of the Chapter, as cannot but occupy our thoughts through the whole of it; GOD’S unalterable word, the sure consequences of sin, and the certain issue of hardness and impenitence of heart. Hath he said, and shall he not do it; hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Num 23:19 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Num 26:3
Reciprocal: Num 1:2 – Take ye the sum Num 21:20 – country Num 35:1 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
The chapter closes with a testimony to the faithfulness of God. All but Caleb and Joshua had died in the wilderness, as He had promised. God had preserved the nation and would bring her into the land as He had guaranteed the patriarchs. Nevertheless He had judged the unbelieving generation.
This chapter looks backward over the past 38 years and forward to entrance into Canaan.