Gen 25:1-4, Num 31:2-12, Psa 83:5-10 | TSK | STEP | The sons of Abraham by Keturah. The division of his goods. His age, death, and burial. God blesses Isaac. The generations of Ishmael. His age and death. Isaac prays for Rebekah, being barren. The children strive in her womb. The birth of Esau and Jacob. Their different characters and pursuits. Esau sells his birthright. A.M. cir. 2151. B.C. cir. 1853.

avenge the Lord.It was God's quarrel, not their own, that they were now to take up. These people were idolaters, and had seduced the Israelites to practise the same abominations. Idolatry is an offence against God; and the civil power has no authority to meddle with what belongs to Him, without especial directions, certified, as in this case, in the most unequivocal manner. Private revenge, ambition, or avarice were to have no place in this business: Jehovah is to be avenged; and through Him, the children of Israel, (ver. 2,) because they were nearly ruined by their idolatries. If Jehovah, instead of punishing sinners by earthquakes, pestilence, or famine,is pleased expressly to command any person or people to avenge his cause, this commission justifies, nay sanctifies, war, massacre, or devastation. Though none at present shew such a commission, yet the Israelites could; and it is therefore absurd to censure Moses, Joshua, and Israel, for the dreadful slaughter made by them. God himself passed sentence of condemnation, and employed them merely as ministers of his vengeance; and unless it could be proved that the criminals did not deserve their doom, or that God had no right to punish his rebellious creatures, such objectors only shew their enmity to God by becoming the unsolicited advocates of his enemies.

25:11,13; Ex 17:16; Le 26:25; Jud 5:2,23; 2Ki 9:7; 10:30; Jer 46:10

Jer 50:28

Of every tribe a thousand. Heb. A thousand of a tribe, athousand of a tribe. a thousand.

Le 26:8; Jud 7:2; 1Sa 14:6

a thousand.Twelve thousand in all--a small number in proportion to all Israel, or to the forces which they had to encounter. As they were under the conduct of captains of thousands and hundreds, they probably had no general; for Phinehas seems to have accompanied them simply to take charge of "the holy instruments;" probably the ark and silver trumpets.

Phinehas.

25:7-13

the holy instruments.

14:44; 33:20-22; Ex 25:9; Jos 6:4-6,13-15; 1Sa 4:4,5,17; 14:18

1Sa 23:9; 2Sa 11:11

to blow.

10:8,9; 2Ch 13:12-15

all.

De 20:13,14; Jud 21:11; 1Sa 27:9; 1Ki 11:15,16

the males.

Jud 6:1,2,33

the kings.

22:4; Jos 13:21,22

Zur.

25:15,18

Balaam.

22:10; 24:25; Jos 13:22; Ps 9:16; 10:2; 1Ti 6:9,10; 2Pe 2:15

Jude 1:11; Re 2:14; 19:20

15,16; De 20:14; 2Ch 28:5,8-10

Jos 6:24; 1Sa 30:1; 1Ki 9:16; Isa 1:7; Re 18:8

De 20:14; Jos 8:2

the plains of Moab.

22:1

Psalms 83:5-10

For.

2:2; Pr 21:30; Isa 7:5-7; 8:9,10; Joh 11:47-53; Ac 23:12,13

Re 17:13; 19:19

consent. Heb. heart. they are.

Jos 10:3-5; 2Sa 10:6-8; Isa 7:2

The tabernacles.Tents are mentioned because it was the custom of these people, particularly the Ishmaelites, to live a migratory or wandering life; encamping sometimes in one place, and sometimes in another, as they found convenience for themselves and cattle; a custom retained by their descendants to the present day.

Edom.

2Ch 20:1,10,11

Hagarenes.

Ge 25:12-18; 1Ch 5:10,19,20

Hagarites.

Gebal.

Jos 13:5; Eze 27:9

Assur.Assur is the same in the original as Asshur, or Assyria.

Ge 10:11

Asshur.

Ge 25:3

holpen. Heb. been an arm to.