38<\/strong>. (om. even<\/em>) the<\/em> fire-pans<\/strong> of these sinners<\/em> at the cost of<\/strong> their lives<\/em> ] R.V. marg. is an explanation of the R.V. But the latter is grammatically doubtful. LXX. has . . . (‘because they made holy the fire-pans’ &c.). Perhaps we should read ‘for the fire-pans of these sinners have become holy<\/em> at the cost &c.’ Some have seen an allusion to these words in Heb 12:3<\/span>, ‘such contradiction of sinners against themselves’ (Westcott and Hort’s text).<\/p>\n for a covering of the altar<\/em> ] This must be the altar of burnt-offering, since the altar of incense was covered with gold, not with brass or bronze (Exo 30:3<\/span>; Exo 37:26<\/span>). But according to Exo 27:2<\/span>; Exo 38:2<\/span>, the altar of burnt-offering was already covered with bronze at its original manufacture at Sinai. The passage is another indication that the priestly writings are not all from one pen, but contain divergent traditions and date from different periods.<\/p>\n These sinners against their own souls – <\/B>That is, against their own lives. By their sin they had brought destruction upon themselves.<\/P><\/p>\n Against their own souls, <\/B>i.e. their own lives; who were the authors of their own death and destruction. Compare 1Ki 2:23<\/span>; Pro 20:2<\/span>. This he saith for the vindication of Gods justice and his own ministry in this severe dispensation. <\/P> The altar, <\/B>to wit, of burnt-offerings, which was made of wood, but covered with brass before this time, Exo 27:1<\/span>,2<\/span>, to which this other covering was added for further ornament and security against the fire, which was continually burning upon it. <\/P> A sign; <\/B>a monument or warning to all strangers to take heed of invading the priesthood, as it follows, Num 16:40<\/span>. <\/P><\/p>\n The censers of these sinners against their own souls<\/strong>,…. Who by burning incense in them sinned, and by sinning hurt and ruined their souls:<\/p>\n let them make them broad plates [for] a covering of the altar<\/strong>; the altar of burnt offering, which, though it had a covering of brass, another made of these were to be over it, for the further security of it, being of from the fire continually burning on it; these censers were to be beaten into broad plates, by the workmen who understood how to do it:<\/p>\n for they offered them before the Lord, therefore they are hallowed<\/strong>; they offered them in his presence, they burned incense in them, and to him, though it was not their business, but the business of the priests; yet these being done, and by his orders, for an open trial who were his priests and who not, they were not to be put to common use:<\/p>\n and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel<\/strong>; a memorial sign, a sign bringing this affair to remembrance, as it is explained in<\/p>\n Nu 16:40<\/span>; this was a sign to the priests, that they only were to offer every kind of offerings, and to the Levites, who attended the priests at the altar continually, and so had every day a sight of it and of those plates upon it, which would remind them of this fact, and teach them not to usurp the priest’s office; and to all the children of Israel, to learn from hence that none were to burn incense but the priests of the Lord, for doing which Uzziah, though a king, was punished, 2Ch 26:18<\/span>.<\/p>\n (38) These sinners against their own souls.<\/strong>i.e., men who have forfeited their lives by their sin.<\/p>\n Let them make them broad plates . . . <\/strong>It was thus that the sacrilegious act of Korah and his company was made the occasion of a permanent warning against all similar profanation of holy things. The altar of burnt-offering had already a covering of brass; but, as the altar was made of wood, an additional covering afforded further security against the fire which was continually burning on it. The censers of Korah and his company were made of brass (Num. 16:39<\/span>). Those of Aaron and his sons are thought by some to have been made of silver, but there seems to be no sufficient authority for this supposition; and in Exo. 38:3<\/span>, where the same Hebrew word is used, but which in the English version is rendered firepans, it is said that all the vessels of the altar were made of brass. In the time of Solomon the censers were made of gold (1Ki. 7:50<\/span>). That used by Aaron on the great day of atonement was of gold. (Comp. Heb. 9:4<\/span>; Rev. 8:3<\/span>.)<\/p>\n 38<\/strong>. <\/strong> Sinners against their own souls <\/strong> Their sin had cost the forfeiture of their lives. For a covering <\/strong> of the great or brazen altar<\/strong>. Every thing offered before the Lord <\/strong> is holy. Hence every soul consecrated to God is to account itself henceforth as holy and accepted by him, for he receives all that is offered to him in faith. If a man believes that his vessel is impure he will not so carefully avoid pollution as he who knows that his vessel is holy.<\/p>\n DISCOURSE: 162 Num 16:38<\/span>. The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar; for they offered them before the Lord; therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel<\/em>.<\/p>\n IT is painful, in perusing the history of the Israelites, to see how constantly they were murmuring and rebelling against God. Persons who are ignorant of their own hearts are ready to conceive of them as more perverse and obstinate than the rest of mankind: but they who know what human nature is, behold in their rebellions a true picture of mankind at large. In the chapter before us we have an exact representation of a popular tumult: we see the motives and principles by which factious demagogues are actuated, and the lamentable evils which they produce. The censers of which our text speaks were formed into plates for a covering of the altar, that they might be a sign to all future generations: and, though we have not now the altar before us, they are no less a sign to us, than they were to the Israelites of old. I.<\/p>\n The history before us<\/p>\n Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, raised a rebellion against Moses and Aaron Such were their professions: and by these they imposed upon the people, and rendered them dissatisfied with the government both in church and state. What an insight does this give us into that which is usually dignified with the name of patriotism! If ever there was a mild and just governor, it was Moses. If ever there was a pious, affectionate, and diligent minister, it was Aaron. If ever there was a well-administered government both in church and state, it was at that time. If ever people had cause to be satisfied and happy, it was then. There was not a single ground of sorrow amongst all the people, except that which had arisen solely from their own perverseness, their detention in the wilderness. Yet a few factious demagogues prevail to spread dissatisfaction through the whole camp: and their oppressed state of bondage in Egypt is declared to be preferable to the grievances which they then experienced.] The best estimate of their conduct may be found in the punishment inflicted for it II.<\/p>\n The instruction to be gathered from it<\/p>\n To us, no less than to the Jews, does this event most clearly speak. It shews us,<\/p>\n 1.<\/p>\n That sin is an act of hostility against our own souls<\/p>\n [These rebels might be said to sin against their governors and against God: but they were sinners also against their own souls: and, had the object of their desire been the destruction of their own souls, they could not have prosecuted their end by any surer means. Little is this thought of by those who live in sin: but, whatever be the sin which they commit, the effect is still the same [Note: Pro 8:36<\/span>.]. If a man will only keep from sin, he may defy all the assaults either of men or devils. Men may destroy his body, but they cannot touch his soul. Satan himself cannot hurt his soul, without his own consent. Sin is the only medium by which the soul can receive any injury. But that inflicts upon it a deadly wound: that destroys its innocence and peace: that brings down upon it the wrath of an incensed God: that subjects it to everlasting misery. See how the earth swallowed up some, and how the fire consumed others; and there you will learn the fate of all who die in their sins: hell will open wide its mouth to swallow them up, and unquenchable fire will consume them as its proper and appointed fuel O that men were wise, and would consider this; and turn, every one of them, from the evil of their ways!]<\/p>\n 2.<\/p>\n That opposition to constituted authorities is highly displeasing to God<\/p>\n [We are far from denying that there is such a thing as real patriotism: nor do we mean to say that tyranny and oppression may<\/em> not rise to such a height, as to justify the overthrow of an existing government. But this we say, that a real Christian will not be hasty to complain of grievances, even where they do exist; much less will he bear the smallest resemblance to these factious people, whose case we have been considering. The Christian is one of them that are quiet in the land. He regards government as Gods ordinance; and the persons who are invested with authority as Gods representatives. He considers that, in obeying them, he obeys God; and in unnecessarily and vexatiously opposing them, he opposes God: and he Knows that God is the avenger of all such, yea, that such persons shall receive to themselves damnation [Note: Rom 13:1-2<\/span>.]: the government itself may justly inflict punishment upon them; and God himself will punish such conduct in the eternal world. Persons of this stamp often pretend to religion: and so they did in the days of the Apostles: but those who despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities, have a woe denounced against them: their spirit is justly marked as a compound of envy, covetousness, and ambition; and having resembled Cain and Balaam in their spirit, they shall resemble Korah in their fate: they shall be eternal monuments of Gods heavy displeasure [Note: Jude, ver. 8, 11.].<\/p>\n Happy would it be if persons who are of a factious and turbulent disposition would look occasionally on these<\/em> censers<\/em>, and reap the instruction which they are intended to convey!]<\/p>\n 3.<\/p>\n That a rejection of Christ must of necessity prove fatal to the soul<\/p>\n [Moses as the governor, and Aaron as the high-priest, of Israel, were types and representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ [Note: Act 7:37-39<\/span>; Heb 8:1-2<\/span>; Heb 9:11-12<\/span>.]: and in rebelling against them<\/em>, they virtually rebelled against him<\/em> also. Thus, amongst ourselves, how many are there who say, We will not have this man to reign over us [Note: Luk 19:14<\/span>.]! Some complain of his authority<\/em>, as imposing an insupportable yoke upon them; and others of his priesthood<\/em>, as prohibiting any access to God except through him as the only Mediator. But what the issue of such rebellion will be, we are faithfully warned, and that<\/em> too with some reference, it should seem, to the judgments exercised on Korah and his company [Note: Heb 10:26-27<\/span>.]. At all events, if the opposers of Moses and Aaron were so fearfully destroyed, we may be sure that a far heavier judgment awaits the contemners and opposers of Christ [Note: Heb 10:28-29<\/span><\/u> with Luk 19:27<\/span>.] Let those who do not thankfully come to God by Christ, and unreservedly obey his holy will, be instructed by these events In particular, we entreat them to act like Israel in the case before us: All Israel that were gathered round the tents of Dathan and Abiram, fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also [Note: ver. 34.]. Could we but hear the cry of those that are in hell, we should no longer sit supine and confident. O let us realize this thought ere it be too late, and flee in earnest from the wrath to come!]<\/p>\n<\/p>\n “Handfuls of Purpose”<\/p>\n For All Gleaners<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Sinners against their own souls.” <\/em> Num 16:38<\/p>\n This is the tremendous hold which God has upon us, namely that we cannot sin against God without committing direct wrong upon ourselves. All experience proves this to be the case. All the lower analogies tend to the confirmation of this doctrine: he who sins against cleanliness sins against his own health; he who sins against social honesty sins against his own advancement; he who sins against social truth deposes himself from the seat of honour and divests himself from all healthy influence. We are physically so constituted that a bad thought lowers the health of the brain; and unregulated passion devastates the nature in which it rages; neglect of discipline means loss of force. Carry up these analogies to the highest level; to cease to pray is to contract the outlook of the soul; to cease to do good is to diminish the power of doing it; to turn away from the heights of heaven is to impoverish the veneration which did homage to old age and bowed itself in the presence of genius and worth. To go down religiously is to go down in every point and line of life. If a man can resist God and yet maintain health of soul, without wound or scar, he would in effect be God himself. If the branch could bear fruit without the vine it would in reality be the vine. If mortality could overcome death it would prove itself to be immortality. It is necessary to the unity of all things that Right should be the fountain of health, harmony, and all that is necessary to spiritual progress. Following the line of this thought, Christians should be living exemplifications of the law which is exceeding broad; they should be men of lofty mind, able to take wide and generous views of all questions, willing to pardon offences and render assistance to weakness; their souls being right with God, their hands should be outstretched in every form of charity. Christianity is infinitely more than a set of theological particulars; it educates the soul, it strengthens the mind, it ennobles all impulses, it increases and consolidates all the forces of manhood. The soul that sins is in a state of ill-health. Sin is a positive wrong done to the quality and function of the soul. It is an insult to the better nature. It is as if a man should strike loveliness in the face, or lay his hand upon the throat of living music. Sin is murder. We must not look upon sin as a mere mistake for which ample apology can be made; it is blasphemy against all right, health, beauty, music. It is all this because it is an offence against God. When night descends upon the earth, it does not darken one room only, it fills the whole house with darkness. So when, sin is committed it is not simply one faculty that is impaired, or one impulse that is discouraged; the whole man goes down and is made the slave of conquering evil. The prodigal son was made to feel that in leaving his father he lost his property, his companions, his brother, his friends; and all these he lost because he first lost himself.<\/p>\n Num 16:38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates [for] a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.<\/p>\n Ver. 38. These sinners against their own souls.<\/strong> ] So are all such as spend the span of this transitory life, after the ways of their own hearts, and thereby perish for ever. Sin is the soul’s poison; yet how heartily do men feed upon it, as Tartars do upon dead horses; as the maid in Pliny did upon spiders; as the Turkish galley slaves do upon opium, an ounce whereof they will eat at once as if it were bread!<\/p>\n sinners. See App-44. <\/p>\n souls = their own selves. Hebrew. nephesh. <\/p>\n their own. Compare Gen 19:17 and Pro 20:2. <\/p>\n offered. Hebrew brought near. App-43. <\/p>\n sinners: 1Ki 2:23, Pro 1:18, Pro 8:36, Pro 20:2, Hab 2:10 <\/p>\n a sign: Num 16:40, Num 17:10, Num 26:10, Eze 14:8, 1Co 10:11, 2Pe 2:6 <\/p>\n Reciprocal: Gen 19:26 – and Exo 27:2 – overlay it with brass Jos 4:6 – a sign 1Sa 15:18 – the sinners 1Ki 9:3 – I have hallowed 2Ch 7:7 – hallowed Jer 26:19 – Thus Jer 42:20 – dissembled in your hearts Jer 44:7 – against Mat 23:17 – or<\/p>\n SINNERS AGAINST THEIR OWN SOULS<\/p>\n These sinners against their own souls.<\/p>\n Num 16:38<\/p>\n Words startlingly true! What had Korahs splendid energy, and courage, and ability, used in the evil service of ungodly self, brought, but ruin and shame? But this can be said in measure of every sin. It is always a cruel wrong to oneself, a poisoning, or wounding, of ones inner nature, and a deadly blow at true prosperity. He that sinneth against Me (Wisdom) wrongeth his own soul. All they that hate Me love death. May this tremendous fact be written on our very hearts:I cannot sin consciously, in deed or word or thought, without doing a wrong, haply a deadly wrong, to both my future and myself; and what can make up for that? These sinners against their own soulsit is a terrible sentence, just because it is so terribly true! Yes, the one great enemy to be feared is sinsin in every guise. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. Lord, put Thy fear in my heart, according to Thy Word.<\/p>\n I. There are many modern Korahs who insist that God is the Father of all mankind equally, and that there is no need of the Mediator, Christ Jesus, thus despising the Great High Priest whom God hath appointed. Let all such be warned by the fate of Korah and his company. Moses does not contend for himself in any way, but is entirely willing that the Lord shall decide the whole matter. And he spake unto Korah and to all his company, saying, Even to-morrow the Lord will show who are His, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto Him: even him whom he hath chosen will He cause to come near unto Him.<\/p>\n II. A wayward people.One would think after this terrible experience the people would be careful how they spoke against Moses and Aaron; but it seems impossible for them to learn, and in verse 41 we read, On the morrow all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron. They are tempting the Lord almost beyond endurance, and this time they would all have been killed had it not been for Moses and Aaron, the very men they were speaking against. Notice that they were saved by atonement made by the high priest whom they had despised, and with whom they wanted to do away. If the modern Korahs are ever saved, it will be by atonement made by the High Priest whom they have despised, and want to do away with. There is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.<\/p>\n Illustration<\/p>\n What a privilege to speak with God mouth to mouth! It was the unique prerogative of Moses, hut it is the privilege of all those who, by faith, exercise their privileges in Jesus, and who are faithful in their special department in the household of faith. It is there that we learn to forgive, to pray for those who despitefully use us and persecute us, to bless them that curse. There is no such school for love to man as the secret place of the tabernacle of the Most High. But sin in any of Gods own, though forgiven, will delay the march of the host. Our good and our evil promote or hinder all with whom we journey.<\/p>\n Num 16:38. Their own souls That is, their own lives; who were the authors of their own destruction. The altar Of burnt-offerings, which was made of wood, but covered with brass before this time, (Exo 27:1-2,) to which this other covering was added for further ornament, and security against the fire, continually burning upon it. A sign A warning to all strangers to take heed of invading the priesthood.<\/p>\n 16:38 The censers of these sinners {o} against their own souls, let them make them broad plates [for] a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a {p} sign unto the children of Israel.<\/p>\n (o) Who caused their own death.<\/p>\n (p) Of God’s judgments against rebels.<\/p>\n The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates [for] a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. 38. (om. even) the fire-pans of these sinners at the cost of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 16:38”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4241"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4241\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
KORAHS REBELLION<\/strong><\/p>\n
Let us consider,<\/p>\n
[Let us mark how they proceeded. They complained that Moses and Aaron had usurped an undue authority over them: and that Moses in particular had ensnared them, and brought them into the wilderness for that very purpose [Note: ver. 13, 14.]. For the purpose of making an invidious comparison between their former situation in Egypt and their present state [Note: ver. 13, 14.], they represented Egypt as a land flowing with milk and honey. As to any personal interest, they disclaimed any regard to that; and professed to be actuated by a generous concern for the public welfare [Note: ver. 3.]. In a word, they were true patriots: they were enemies to usurpation and tyranny, and friends to the liberties of the people. Liberty and equality was their motto [Note: ver. 3.].<\/p>\n
But what were their real principles? They envied<\/em> the power and dignity with which their governors were invested, and were ambitious<\/em> to obtain a like pre-eminence for themselves. As for any desire to ameliorate the state of the people at large, they had it not: a patriotic concern for others was a mere pretext, a popular cry raised for the purpose of gaining partisans. Korah was at the head of the Levites, and Dathan and Abiram were men of renown among the princes of the congregation: but they were not satisfied: they could endure no dignity superior to their own; and this was the true cause of all their discontent and clamour [Note: ver. 7.]: and if by means of this insurrection they could have obtained the distinction which they aimed at, not a word more would have been uttered on the subject of national grievances; nor would one hundredth port of the care have been taken to prevent them. It is impossible to read the history and not to see that this was the true state of the case.<\/p>\n
But, in fact, their rebellion was against God himself
[This is plainly declared to them by Moses [Note: ver. 11.]. What matter was there of complaint against Aaron? He did only what God had commanded him: and was he to be blamed for that? Moses forbears to make the same apology for himself: but his observation was equally applicable to himself, who had done nothing but by the express command of God. The conspirators then were in reality fighting against God himself, by whose direction every measure of the government had been taken. Moreover there was a typical design in these divine appointments, which this conspiracy was calculated to defeat. Thus, whilst envy and ambition characterized the conduct of the conspirators towards man, they betrayed also the grossest impiety and presumption towards God.]<\/p>\n
[This was truly awful. Moses had obtained mercy from God for the congregation at large; but the leaders of the rebellion must be punished. Accordingly, whilst Dathan and Abiram, together with their wives, and families, and adherents, stood in the door of their tents, setting God himself, as it were, at defiance, Moses declared by what an extraordinary judgment they should perish: and no sooner had he spoken, than the judgment was inflicted: the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them all up, with all that appertained unto them. As for the two hundred and fifty persons who presumed to make their appeal to God respecting their title to the priesthood, a fire came forth from the Lord, and consumed them all. Terrible was this if viewed only as a temporal judgment: but if considered in reference to the eternal world, it was awful indeed! That it might be kept in remembrance for the instruction of future ages, the censers, in which they had offered incense, were ordered to be made into broad plates for a covering of the altar.]
It will be proper then that we distinctly consider,<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\nFuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"