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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>N U M B E R S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. IV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In the former chapter an account was taken of the whole tribe of Levi,
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in this we have an account of those of that tribe who were in the prime
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of their time for service, betwixt thirty and fifty years old.
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I. The serviceable men of the Kohathites are ordered to be numbered,
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and their charges are given them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:2-20">ver. 2-20</A>.
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II. Of the Gershonites,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:24-28">ver. 24-28</A>.
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III. Of the Merarites,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:29-33">ver. 29-33</A>.
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IV. The numbers of each, and the sum total at last, are recorded,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:34-49">ver. 34</A>,
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&c.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Nu4_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Office of the Levites.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
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2 Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of
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Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,
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3 From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old,
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all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of
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the congregation.
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4 This <I>shall be</I> the service of the sons of Kohath in the
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tabernacle of the congregation, <I>about</I> the most holy things:
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5 And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his
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sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the
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ark of testimony with it:
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6 And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins, and
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shall spread over <I>it</I> a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in
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the staves thereof.
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7 And upon the table of showbread they shall spread a cloth of
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blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls,
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and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be
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thereon:
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8 And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover
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the same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the
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staves thereof.
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9 And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the
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candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his
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snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they
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minister unto it:
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10 And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a
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covering of badgers' skins, and shall put <I>it</I> upon a bar.
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11 And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue,
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and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put to
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the staves thereof:
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12 And they shall take all the instruments of ministry,
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wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put <I>them</I> in a
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cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins,
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and shall put <I>them</I> on a bar:
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13 And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and
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spread a purple cloth thereon:
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14 And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof,
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wherewith they minister about it, <I>even</I> the censers, the
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fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of
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the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers'
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skins, and put to the staves of it.
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15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the
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sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is
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to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear
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<I>it:</I> but they shall not touch <I>any</I> holy thing, lest they die.
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These <I>things are</I> the burden of the sons of Kohath in the
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tabernacle of the congregation.
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16 And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest
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<I>pertaineth</I> the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and
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the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, <I>and</I> the
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oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein <I>is,</I> in
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the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.
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17 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
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18 Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites
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from among the Levites:
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19 But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when
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they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall
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go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his
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burden:
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20 But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are
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covered, lest they die.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here a second muster of the tribe of Levi. As that tribe was
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taken out of all Israel to be God's peculiar, so the middle-aged men of
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that tribe were taken from among the rest to be actually employed in
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the service of the tabernacle. Now observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. Who were to be taken into this number. All the males from thirty
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years old to fifty. Of the other tribes, those that were numbered to go
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forth to war were from twenty years old and upward, but of the Levites
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only from thirty to fifty; for the service of God requires the best of
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our strength, and the prime of our time, which cannot be better spent
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than to the honour of him who is the first and best. And a man may make
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a good soldier much sooner than a good minister. Now,</P>
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<P>
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1. They were not to be employed till they were thirty years old,
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because till then they were in danger of retaining something childish
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and youthful and had not gravity enough to do the service, and wear the
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honour, of a Levite. They were entered as probationers at twenty-five
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years old,
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+8:24"><I>ch.</I> viii. 24</A>),
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and in David's time, when there was more work to be done, at twenty
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+23:24">1 Chron. xxiii. 24</A>,
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and so
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+3:8">Ezra iii. 8</A>);
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but they must be five years learning and waiting, and so fitting
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themselves for service; nay, in David's time they were ten years in
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preparation, from twenty to thirty. John Baptist began his public
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ministry, and Christ his, at thirty years old. This is not in the
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letter of it obligatory on gospel ministers now, as if they must either
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not begin their work till thirty years old or must leave off at fifty;
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but it gives us two good rules:--
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(1.) That ministers must not be novices,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:6">1 Tim. iii. 6</A>.
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It is a work that requires ripeness of judgment and great steadiness,
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and therefore those are very unfit for it who are but babes in
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knowledge and have not put away childish things.
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(2.) That they must learn before they teach, serve before they rule,
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and must <I>first be proved,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:10">1 Tim. iii. 10</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. They were discharged at fifty years old from the toilsome part of
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the service, particularly that of carrying the tabernacle; for that is
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the special service to which they are here ordained, and which there
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was most occasion for while they were in the wilderness. When they
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began to enter upon old age, they were dismissed,
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(1.) In favour to them, that they might no be over-toiled when their
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strength began to decay. Twenty years' good service was thought pretty
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well for one man.
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(2.) In honour to the work, that it might not be done by those who,
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through the infirmities of age, were slow and heavy. The service of God
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should be done when we are in the most lively active frame. Those do
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not consider this who put off their repentance to old age, and so leave
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the best work to be done in the worst time.</P>
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<P>
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II. How their work is described. They are said to <I>enter into the
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host,</I> or warfare, <I>to do the work in the tabernacle.</I> The
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ministry is <I>a good work</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:1">1 Tim. iii. 1</A>):
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ministers are not ordained to the honour only, but to the labour, not
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only to have the wages, but to do the work. It is also a <I>good
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warfare,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+1:18">1 Tim. i. 18</A>.
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Those that enter into the ministry must look upon themselves as entered
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into the <I>host,</I> and approve themselves <I>good soldiers,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:3">2 Tim. ii. 3</A>.
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Now, as to the sons of Kohath in particular, here is,</P>
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<P>
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1. Their service appointed them, in the removes of the tabernacle.
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Afterwards, when the tabernacle was fixed, they had other work assigned
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them; but this was the work of the day, which was to be done in its
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day. Observe, Wherever the camp of Israel went, the tabernacle of the
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Lord went with them, and care must be taken for the carriage of it.
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Note, Wherever we go, we must see to it that we take our religion along
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with us, and not forget that or any part of it. Now the Kohathites
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were to carry all the holy things of the tabernacle. They were charged
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with those things before
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+3:31"><I>ch.</I> iii. 31</A>),
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but here they have more particular instructions given them.
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(1.) Aaron, and his sons the priests, must pack up the things which the
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Kohathites were to carry, as here directed,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>,
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&c. God had before appointed that none should come into the most holy
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place, but only Aaron once a year with a cloud of incense
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+16:2">Lev. xvi. 2</A>);
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and yet, the necessity of their unsettled state requiring it, that law
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is here dispensed with; for every time they removed Aaron and his sons
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went in to take down the ark, and make it up for carriage; for (as the
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learned bishop Patrick suggests) the <I>shechinah,</I> or display of
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the divine majesty, which was over the mercy-seat, removed for the
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present in the pillar of cloud, which was taken up, and then the ark
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was not dangerous to be approached.
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(2.) All the holy things must be covered, the ark and table with three
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coverings, all the rest with two. Even the ashes of the altar, in which
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the holy fire was carefully preserved and raked up, must have a purple
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cloth spread over them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
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Even the brazen altar, though in the court of the sanctuary it stood
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open to the view of all, yet was covered in the carriage of it. All
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these coverings were designed,
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[1.] For safety, that these holy things might not be ruffled with the
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wind, sullied with the rain, nor tarnished with the sun, but that they
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might be preserved in their beauty; for <I>on all the glory shall be a
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defence.</I> The coverings of badgers' skins, being thick and strong,
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would keep out wet; and, while we are in our passage through the
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wilderness of this world, it concerns us to be fenced <I>for all
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weathers,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+4:5,6">Isa. iv. 5, 6</A>.
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[2.] For decency and ornament. Most of these things had a cloth of
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blue, or purple, or scarlet, spread outmost; and the ark was covered
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with a cloth <I>wholly of blue</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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an emblem (say some) of the azure skies, which are spread like a
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curtain between us and the Majesty on high,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+26:9">Job xxvi. 9</A>.
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Those that are faithful to God should endeavour likewise to appear
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beautiful before men, that they may <I>adorn the doctrine of God our
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Saviour.</I>
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[3.] For concealment. It signified the darkness of that dispensation.
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That which is now brought to light by the gospel, and revealed to
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babes, was then hidden from the wise and prudent. They saw only the
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coverings, not the holy things themselves
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:1">Heb. x. 1</A>);
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but now Christ has <I>destroyed the face of the covering,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+25:7">Isa. xxv. 7</A>.
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(3.) When all the holy things were covered, then the Kohathites were to
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carry them on their shoulders. These things that had staves were
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carried by their staves
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:6,8,11,14"><I>v.</I> 6, 8, 11, 14</A>);
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those that had not were carried upon a bar, or bier, or bearing barrow,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:10,12"><I>v.</I> 10, 12</A>.
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See how the tokens of God's presence in this world are movable things;
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but we look for a kingdom that cannot be moved.</P>
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<P>
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2. Eleazar, now the eldest son of Aaron, is appointed overseer of the
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Kohathites in this service
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>);
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he must take care that nothing was forgotten, left behind, or
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displaced. As a priest he had more honour than the Levites, but then he
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had more care; and that care was a heavier burden, no doubt, upon his
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heart, than all the burdens that were laid upon their shoulders. It is
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much easier to do the work of the tabernacle than to discharge the
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trusts of it, to obey than to rule.</P>
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<P>
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3. Great care must be taken to preserve the lives of these Levites, by
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preventing their unseasonable irreverent approach to the most holy
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things: <I>Cut you not off the Kohathites,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
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Note, Those who do not what they can to keep others from sin do what
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they can to cut them off.
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[1.] The Kohathites must not see the holy things till the priests had
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covered them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
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Even those that bore the vessels of the Lord saw not what they bore, so
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much were even those in the dark concerning the gospel whose office it
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was to expound the law. And,
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[2.] When the holy things were covered, they might not touch them, at
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least not the ark, called here <I>the holy thing,</I> upon pain of
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death,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
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Uzza was struck dead for the breach of this law. Thus were the Lord's
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ministers themselves then kept in fear, and that was a dispensation of
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terror, as well as darkness; but now, through Christ, the case is
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altered; we have <I>seen with our eyes,</I> and our <I>hands have
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handles, the word of life</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+1:1">1 John i. 1</A>),
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and we are encouraged to <I>come boldly to the throne of grace.</I></P>
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<A NAME="Nu4_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_26"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_27"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_28"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_29"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_30"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_31"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_32"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu4_33"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>21 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto Moses, saying,
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22 Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the
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houses of their fathers, by their families;
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23 From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt
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|
thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do
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|
the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
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|
24 This <I>is</I> the service of the families of the Gershonites, to
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|
serve, and for burdens:
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|
25 And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the
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|
tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering of
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|
the badgers' skins that <I>is</I> above upon it, and the hanging for
|
|
the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
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|
26 And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door
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|
of the gate of the court, which <I>is</I> by the tabernacle and by the
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|
altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of
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|
their service, and all that is made for them: so shall they
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|
serve.
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|
27 At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the
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|
service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and
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|
in all their service: and ye shall appoint unto them in charge
|
|
all their burdens.
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|
28 This <I>is</I> the service of the families of the sons of Gershon
|
|
in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge <I>shall
|
|
be</I> under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
|
|
29 As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them after
|
|
their families, by the house of their fathers;
|
|
30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old
|
|
shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service,
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|
to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
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|
31 And this <I>is</I> the charge of their burden, according to all
|
|
their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards
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|
of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof,
|
|
and sockets thereof,
|
|
32 And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets,
|
|
and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and
|
|
with all their service: and by name ye shall reckon the
|
|
instruments of the charge of their burden.
|
|
33 This <I>is</I> the service of the families of the sons of Merari,
|
|
according to all their service, in the tabernacle of the
|
|
congregation, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the
|
|
priest.
|
|
</FONT></P>
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|
|
|
<P>
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|
|
|
We have here the charge of the other two families of the Levites,
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|
which, though not so honourable as the first, yet was necessary, and
|
|
was to be done regularly.
|
|
|
|
1. The Gershonites were charged with all the drapery of the tabernacle,
|
|
the curtains, and hangings, and the coverings of badgers' skins,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:22-26"><I>v.</I> 22-26</A>.
|
|
|
|
These they were to take down when the cloud removed, and the ark and
|
|
the rest of the holy things were carried away, to pack up and bring
|
|
with them, and then to set up again, where the cloud rested. Aaron and
|
|
his sons allotted to them their respective charge: "You shall take care
|
|
of such a curtain, and you of such a hanging, that every one may know
|
|
his work, and there may be no confusion,"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Ithamar particularly was to take the oversight of them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. The Merarites were charged with the heavy carriage, the boards and
|
|
bars, the pillars and sockets, the pins and cords, and these were
|
|
delivered to them by name,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+4:31,32"><I>v.</I> 31, 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
An inventory was given them of every particular, that it might be
|
|
forthcoming, and nothing to seek, when the tabernacle was to be set up
|
|
again. Though these seemed of less importance than the other things
|
|
pertaining to the sanctuary, yet there was this care taken of them, to
|
|
teach us with the greatest exactness to preserve pure and entire all
|
|
divine institutions, and to take care that nothing be lost. It also
|
|
intimates the care God takes of his church, and every member of it; the
|
|
good Shepherd <I>calls his own sheep by name,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+10:3">John x. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here were thousands of men employed about these services, though a much
|
|
less number would have served for the bearing of those burdens; but it
|
|
was requisite that the tabernacle should be taken down, and set up,
|
|
with great expedition, and many hands would make quick work, especially
|
|
when every one knew his work. They had tents of their own to take care
|
|
of, and to take along with them, but the young men under thirty, and
|
|
the old men above fifty, might serve for them; nor is there any mention
|
|
of them, for God's house must always be preferred before our own. Their
|
|
care was preposterous who built and ceiled their own houses while God's
|
|
house lay waste,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hag+1:4,9">Hag. i. 4, 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
The death of the saints is represented as the taking down of the
|
|
tabernacle
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:1">2 Cor. v. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
and the putting of it off,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:14">2 Pet. i. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
The immortal soul, like the most holy things, is first covered and
|
|
taken away, carried by angels, unseen, under the inspection of the Lord
|
|
Jesus, our Eleazar. Care is also taken of the body--the skin and flesh,
|
|
which are as the curtains, the bones and sinews which are as the bars
|
|
and pillars; none of these shall be lost; commandment is given
|
|
concerning the bones, a covenant made with the dust; these are in safe
|
|
custody, and shall all be produced in the great day, when this
|
|
tabernacle shall be set up again, and these vile bodies made like the
|
|
glorious body of Jesus Christ.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_40"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_42"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_43"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_44"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_45"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_46"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_47"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_48"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Nu4_49"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>34 And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation
|
|
numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and
|
|
after the house of their fathers,
|
|
35 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old,
|
|
every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the
|
|
tabernacle of the congregation:
|
|
36 And those that were numbered of them by their families were
|
|
two thousand seven hundred and fifty.
|
|
37 These <I>were</I> they that were numbered of the families of the
|
|
Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the
|
|
congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the
|
|
commandment of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> by the hand of Moses.
|
|
38 And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon,
|
|
throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers,
|
|
39 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old,
|
|
every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the
|
|
tabernacle of the congregation,
|
|
40 Even those that were numbered of them, throughout their
|
|
families, by the house of their fathers, were two thousand and
|
|
six hundred and thirty.
|
|
41 These <I>are</I> they that were numbered of the families of the
|
|
sons of Gershon, of all that might do service in the tabernacle
|
|
of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron did number according to
|
|
the commandment of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
42 And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of
|
|
Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers,
|
|
43 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old,
|
|
every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the
|
|
tabernacle of the congregation,
|
|
44 Even those that were numbered of them after their families,
|
|
were three thousand and two hundred.
|
|
45 These <I>be</I> those that were numbered of the families of the
|
|
sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the
|
|
word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> by the hand of Moses.
|
|
46 All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and
|
|
Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and
|
|
after the house of their fathers,
|
|
47 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old,
|
|
every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the
|
|
service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation,
|
|
48 Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand
|
|
and five hundred and fourscore.
|
|
49 According to the commandment of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> they were numbered
|
|
by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and
|
|
according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> commanded Moses.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here a particular account of the numbers of the three families
|
|
of the Levites respectively, that is, of the effective men, between
|
|
thirty years old and fifty. Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. The Kohathites were, in all, 8600 from a month old and upwards; but
|
|
of these there were but 2750 serviceable men, not a third part. The
|
|
Gershonites, in all, 7500, and of them but 2630 serviceable men, little
|
|
more than a third part. Note, Of the many that add to the numbers of
|
|
the church, there are comparatively but few that contribute to the
|
|
service of it. So it has been, and so it is; many have a place in the
|
|
tabernacle that do but little of the work of the tabernacle,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:20,21">Phil. ii. 20, 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. That the Merarites were but 6200 in all, and yet of these there were
|
|
3200 serviceable men, that is, more than half. The greatest burden lay
|
|
upon that family, the boards, and pillars, and sockets; and God so
|
|
ordered it that, though they were the fewest in number, yet they should
|
|
have the most able men among them; for whatever service God calls men
|
|
to he will furnish them for it, and give strength in proportion to the
|
|
work, grace sufficient.
|
|
|
|
3. The whole number of the able men of the tribe of Levi who entered
|
|
into God's host to war his warfare was but 8580, whereas the able men
|
|
of the other tribes that entered into the host of Israel to war their
|
|
warfare were many more. The least of the tribes had almost four times
|
|
as many able men as the Levites, and some of them more than eight times
|
|
as many; for those that are engaged in the service of this world, and
|
|
war after the flesh, are many more than those that are devoted to the
|
|
service of God, and <I>fight the good fight of faith.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
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