Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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[1.] That the eyes both of Egypt and Canaan were upon them, and great expectations were raised concerning them. They could not but have heard that thou, Lord, art among this people, Nu 14:14. The neighbouring countries rang of it, how much this people were the particular care of heaven, so as never any people under the sun were.
[2.] That if they should be cut off great notice would be taken of it. "The Egyptians will hear it (Nu 14:13), for they have their spies among us, and they will tell it to the inhabitants of the land" (Nu 14:14); for there was great correspondence between Egypt and Canaan, although not by the way of this wilderness. "If this people that have made so great a noise be all consumed, if their mighty pretensions come to nothing, and their light go out in a snuff, it will be told with pleasure in Gath, and published in the streets of Askelon; and what construction will the heathen put upon it? It will be impossible to make them understand it as an act of God's justice, and as such redounding to God's honour; brutish men know not this (Ps 92:6): but they will impute it to the failing of God's power, and so turn it to his reproach, Nu 14:16. They will say, He slew them in the wilderness because he was not able to bring them to Canaan, his arm being shortened, and his stock of miracles being spent. Now, Lord, let not one attribute be glorified at the expense of another; rather let mercy rejoice against judgment than that almighty power should be impeached." Note, The best pleas in prayer are those that are taken from God's honour; for they agree with the first petition of the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name. Do not disgrace the throne of thy glory. God pleads it with himself (De 32:27), I feareth the wrath of the enemy; and we should use it as an argument with ourselves to walk so in every thing as to give no occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, 1Ti 6:1.
(2.) He pleads God's proclamation of his name at Horeb (Nu 14:17,18): Let the power of the Lord be great. Power is here put for pardoning mercy; it is his power over his own anger.