Matthew Poole and continuators on Numbers 12:3

3 (Now the man Moses was very meek , above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

This is added as the reason why Moses took no notice of their reproach, but was as one that heard it not, and why God did so speedily and severely plead Moses his cause, because he did not avenge himself. Quest. 1. Did it become Moses thus to commend himself? Answ. 1. The holy pen-men of Scripture are not to be measured or censured by other profane Writers, because they are guided by special instinct, in every thing they write; and as they oft-times publish their own and their near relations greatest faults, where it may be useful to the honour of God, and the edification of the Church in after ages, so it is not strange if for the same reasons sometimes they commend themselves, especially when they are forced to it by the insolence and contempt of their adversaries, which was Moses his case here, in which case St. Paul also commends himself, 2 Cor. 11. 5, &c. and 12. 11, 12. Which they might the better do, because all their writings and carriage made it evident to all men that they did not this out of vain glory, and that they were exalted above the affectation of mens praises and the dread of mens reproaches. 2. This might be added, as some other clauses were, by some succeeding Prophet, which was no disparagement to the authority of the holy Scriptures, seeing it is all written by one hand, though [illegible: 1+ letters]ers pens be used by it. Quest. 2. How was Moses so meek, when we oft-times read of his anger, as Exod. 11. 8. and 16. 20. and 32. 19. Levit. 10. 16. Numb. 16. 15. and 20. 10, 11. compared with Psal. 106. 32, 33. Answ. 1. The meekest men upon earth are provoked sometimes, yea oftner then Moses was. 2. True meekness doth not exclude all anger, but onely such as is unjust or immoderate or implacable. Moses was and ought to be angry where God was offended and dishonoured, as he was in almost all the places alledged.