Verse 3

Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own a sin, and had no sons.

(a) According as all men die, for as much as they are sinners.

Verse 5

And Moses brought their b cause before the LORD.

(b) That is, their matter to be judged, to know what he should determine, as he did all hard matters.

Verse 11

And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of c judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.

(c) Meaning, an ordinance to judge by.

Verse 16

Let the LORD, the God of the d spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,

(d) Who as he has created, so he governs the hearts of all men.

Verse 17

Which may e go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

(e) That is, govern them and do his duty, as in (2 Chronicles 1:10).

Verse 18

And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom [is] the spirit, and f lay thine hand upon him;

(f) And so appoint him governor.

Verse 20

And thou shalt g put [some] of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.

(g) Commend him to the people as suitable for the office and appointed by God.

Verse 21

And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask [counsel] for him after the h judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, [both] he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

(h) According to his office: signifying that the civil magistrate could execute nothing but that which he knew to be the will of God.

Verse 23

And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a i charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

(i) How he should govern himself in his office.