Chapter 33
Chapter Outline
Encampments of the Israelites. (1–49)
The Canaanites to be destroyed. (50–56)Verses 1–49
This is a brief review of the travels of the children of Israel through the wilderness. It is a
memorable history. In their travels towards Canaan they were continually on the remove. Such is
our state in this world; we have here no continuing city, and all our removes in this world are but
from one part a desert to another. They were led to and fro, forward and backward, yet were all the
while under the direction of the pillar of cloud and fire. God led them about, yet led them the right
way. The way God takes in bringing his people to himself is always the best way, though it does
not always seem to us the nearest way. Former events are mentioned. Thus we ought to keep in
mind the providences of God concerning us and families, us and our land, and the many instances
of that Divine care which has led us, and fed us, and kept us all our days hitherto. Few periods of
our lives can be thought upon, without reminding us of the Lord's goodness, and our own ingratitude
and disobedience: his kindness leaves us without excuse for our sins. We could not wish to travel
over again the stages we have passed, unless we could hope, by the grace of God, to shun the sins
we then committed, and to embrace such opportunities of doing good as we have let slip. Soon will
our wanderings end, and our eternal state be fixed beyond recall; how important then is the present
moment! Happy are those whom the Lord now guides with his counsel, and will at length receive
to his glory. To this happiness the gospel calls us. Behold now is the accepted time, now is the day
of salvation. Let sinners seize the opportunity, and flee for refuge to the hope set before them. Let
us redeem our time, to glorify God and serve our generation; and he will carry us safely through
all, to his eternal kingdom.
Verses 50–56
Now that they were to pass over Jordan, they were entering again into temptation to follow
idols; and they are threatened that, if they spared either the idols or the idolaters, their sin would
certainly be their punishment. They would foster vipers in their own bosoms. The remnant of the
Canaanites, if they made any peace with them, though but for a time, would be pricks in their eyes,
and thorns in their sides. We must expect trouble and affliction from whatever sin we indulge; that
which we are willing should tempt us, will vex us. It was intended that the Canaanites should be
put out of the land; but if the Israelites learned their wicked ways, they also would be put out. Let
us hear this and fear. If we do not drive out sin, sin will drive us out. If we are not the death of our
lusts, our lusts will be the death of our souls.