mh_parser/vol_split/4 - Numbers/Chapter 4.xml

<div2 id="Num.v" n="v" next="Num.vi" prev="Num.iv" progress="65.11%" title="Chapter IV">
<h2 id="Num.v-p0.1">N U M B E R S</h2>
<h3 id="Num.v-p0.2">CHAP. IV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Num.v-p1">In the former chapter an account was taken of the
whole tribe of Levi, in this we have an account of those of that
tribe who were in the prime of their time for service, betwixt
thirty and fifty years old. I. The serviceable men of the
Kohathites are ordered to be numbered, and their charges are given
them, <scripRef id="Num.v-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.2-Num.4.20" parsed="|Num|4|2|4|20" passage="Nu 4:2-20">ver. 2-20</scripRef>. II. Of
the Gershonites, <scripRef id="Num.v-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.24-Num.4.28" parsed="|Num|4|24|4|28" passage="Nu 4:24-28">ver.
24-28</scripRef>. III. Of the Merarites, <scripRef id="Num.v-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.29-Num.4.33" parsed="|Num|4|29|4|33" passage="Nu 4:29-33">ver. 29-33</scripRef>. IV. The numbers of each, and
the sum total at last, are recorded, <scripRef id="Num.v-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.34-Num.4.49" parsed="|Num|4|34|4|49" passage="Nu 4:34-49">ver. 34</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Num.v-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.4" parsed="|Num|4|0|0|0" passage="Nu 4" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Num.v-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.1-Num.4.20" parsed="|Num|4|1|4|20" passage="Nu 4:1-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.4.1-Num.4.20">
<h4 id="Num.v-p1.7">The Office of the Levites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.v-p1.8">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Num.v-p2">1 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.v-p2.1">Lord</span>
spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,   2 Take the sum of
the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their
families, by the house of their fathers,   3 From thirty years
old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the
host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.  
4 This <i>shall be</i> the service of the sons of Kohath in the
tabernacle of the congregation, <i>about</i> the most holy things:
  5 And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and
his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the
ark of testimony with it:   6 And shall put thereon the
covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over <i>it</i> a cloth
wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.   7 And
upon the table of showbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and
put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers
to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon:   8
And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the
same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the staves
thereof.   9 And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover
the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his
snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they
minister unto it:   10 And they shall put it and all the
vessels thereof within a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put
<i>it</i> upon a bar.   11 And upon the golden altar they
shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of
badgers' skins, and shall put to the staves thereof:   12 And
they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they
minister in the sanctuary, and put <i>them</i> in a cloth of blue,
and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put
<i>them</i> on a bar:   13 And they shall take away the ashes
from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:   14 And
they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they
minister about it, <i>even</i> the censers, the fleshhooks, and the
shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they
shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the
staves of it.   15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an
end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the
sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of
Kohath shall come to bear <i>it:</i> but they shall not touch
<i>any</i> holy thing, lest they die. These <i>things are</i> the
burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
  16 And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest
<i>pertaineth</i> the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and
the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, <i>and</i> the
oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein <i>is,</i>
in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.   17 And the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.v-p2.2">Lord</span> spake unto Moses and unto
Aaron, saying,   18 Cut ye not off the tribe of the families
of the Kohathites from among the Levites:   19 But thus do
unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto
the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint
them every one to his service and to his burden:   20 But they
shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they
die.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.v-p3">We have here a second muster of the tribe
of Levi. As that tribe was taken out of all Israel to be God's
peculiar, so the middle-aged men of that tribe were taken from
among the rest to be actually employed in the service of the
tabernacle. Now observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.v-p4">I. Who were to be taken into this number.
All the males from thirty years old to fifty. Of the other tribes,
those that were numbered to go forth to war were from twenty years
old and upward, but of the Levites only from thirty to fifty; for
the service of God requires the best of our strength, and the prime
of our time, which cannot be better spent than to the honour of him
who is the first and best. And a man may make a good soldier much
sooner than a good minister. Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.v-p5">1. They were not to be employed till they
were thirty years old, because till then they were in danger of
retaining something childish and youthful and had not gravity
enough to do the service, and wear the honour, of a Levite. They
were entered as probationers at twenty-five years old, (<scripRef id="Num.v-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.8.24" parsed="|Num|8|24|0|0" passage="Nu 8:24"><i>ch.</i> viii. 24</scripRef>), and in David's
time, when there was more work to be done, at twenty (<scripRef id="Num.v-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.24" parsed="|1Chr|23|24|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:24">1 Chron. xxiii. 24</scripRef>, and so <scripRef id="Num.v-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.3.8" parsed="|Ezra|3|8|0|0" passage="Ezr 3:8">Ezra iii. 8</scripRef>); but they must be five
years learning and waiting, and so fitting themselves for service;
nay, in David's time they were ten years in preparation, from
twenty to thirty. John Baptist began his public ministry, and
Christ his, at thirty years old. This is not in the letter of it
obligatory on gospel ministers now, as if they must either not
begin their work till thirty years old or must leave off at fifty;
but it gives us two good rules:—(1.) That ministers must not be
novices, <scripRef id="Num.v-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.3.6" parsed="|1Tim|3|6|0|0" passage="1Ti 3:6">1 Tim. iii. 6</scripRef>. It
is a work that requires ripeness of judgment and great steadiness,
and therefore those are very unfit for it who are but babes in
knowledge and have not put away childish things. (2.) That they
must learn before they teach, serve before they rule, and must
<i>first be proved,</i> <scripRef id="Num.v-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.3.10" parsed="|1Tim|3|10|0|0" passage="1Ti 3:10">1 Tim. iii.
10</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.v-p6">2. They were discharged at fifty years old
from the toilsome part of the service, particularly that of
carrying the tabernacle; for that is the special service to which
they are here ordained, and which there was most occasion for while
they were in the wilderness. When they began to enter upon old age,
they were dismissed, (1.) In favour to them, that they might not be
over-toiled when their strength began to decay. Twenty years' good
service was thought pretty well for one man. (2.) In honour to the
work, that it might not be done by those who, through the
infirmities of age, were slow and heavy. The service of God should
be done when we are in the most lively active frame. Those do not
consider this who put off their repentance to old age, and so leave
the best work to be done in the worst time.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.v-p7">II. How their work is described. They are
said to <i>enter into the host,</i> or warfare, <i>to do the work
in the tabernacle.</i> The ministry is <i>a good work</i>
(<scripRef id="Num.v-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.3.1" parsed="|1Tim|3|1|0|0" passage="1Ti 3:1">1 Tim. iii. 1</scripRef>): ministers
are not ordained to the honour only, but to the labour, not only to
have the wages, but to do the work. It is also a <i>good
warfare,</i> <scripRef id="Num.v-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.1.18" parsed="|1Tim|1|18|0|0" passage="1Ti 1:18">1 Tim. i. 18</scripRef>.
Those that enter into the ministry must look upon themselves as
entered into the <i>host,</i> and approve themselves <i>good
soldiers,</i> <scripRef id="Num.v-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.2.3" parsed="|2Tim|2|3|0|0" passage="2Ti 2:3">2 Tim. ii. 3</scripRef>.
Now, as to the sons of Kohath in particular, here is,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.v-p8">1. Their service appointed them, in the
removes of the tabernacle. Afterwards, when the tabernacle was
fixed, they had other work assigned them; but this was the work of
the day, which was to be done in its day. Observe, Wherever the
camp of Israel went, the tabernacle of the Lord went with them, and
care must be taken for the carriage of it. Note, Wherever we go, we
must see to it that we take our religion along with us, and not
forget that or any part of it. Now the Kohathites were to carry all
the holy things of the tabernacle. They were charged with those
things before (<scripRef id="Num.v-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.3.31" parsed="|Num|3|31|0|0" passage="Nu 3:31"><i>ch.</i> iii.
31</scripRef>), but here they have more particular instructions
given them. (1.) Aaron, and his sons the priests, must pack up the
things which the Kohathites were to carry, as here directed,
<scripRef id="Num.v-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.5" parsed="|Num|4|5|0|0" passage="Nu 4:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>, &amp;c. God had
before appointed that none should come into the most holy place,
but only Aaron once a year with a cloud of incense (<scripRef id="Num.v-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.16.2" parsed="|Lev|16|2|0|0" passage="Le 16:2">Lev. xvi. 2</scripRef>); and yet, the necessity
of their unsettled state requiring it, that law is here dispensed
with; for every time they removed Aaron and his sons went in to
take down the ark, and make it up for carriage; for (as the learned
bishop Patrick suggests) the <i>shechinah,</i> or display of the
divine majesty, which was over the mercy-seat, removed for the
present in the pillar of cloud, which was taken up, and then the
ark was not dangerous to be approached. (2.) All the holy things
must be covered, the ark and table with three coverings, all the
rest with two. Even the ashes of the altar, in which the holy fire
was carefully preserved and raked up, must have a purple cloth
spread over them, <scripRef id="Num.v-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.13" parsed="|Num|4|13|0|0" passage="Nu 4:13"><i>v.</i>
13</scripRef>. Even the brazen altar, though in the court of the
sanctuary it stood open to the view of all, yet was covered in the
carriage of it. All these coverings were designed, [1.] For safety,
that these holy things might not be ruffled with the wind, sullied
with the rain, nor tarnished with the sun, but that they might be
preserved in their beauty; for <i>on all the glory shall be a
defence.</i> The coverings of badgers' skins, being thick and
strong, would keep out wet; and, while we are in our passage
through the wilderness of this world, it concerns us to be fenced
<i>for all weathers,</i> <scripRef id="Num.v-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.4.5-Isa.4.6" parsed="|Isa|4|5|4|6" passage="Isa 4:5,6">Isa. iv. 5,
6</scripRef>. [2.] For decency and ornament. Most of these things
had a cloth of blue, or purple, or scarlet, spread outmost; and the
ark was covered with a cloth <i>wholly of blue</i> (<scripRef id="Num.v-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.6" parsed="|Num|4|6|0|0" passage="Nu 4:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), an emblem (say some) of
the azure skies, which are spread like a curtain between us and the
Majesty on high, <scripRef id="Num.v-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:Job.26.9" parsed="|Job|26|9|0|0" passage="Job 26:9">Job xxvi.
9</scripRef>. Those that are faithful to God should endeavour
likewise to appear beautiful before men, that they may <i>adorn the
doctrine of God our Saviour.</i> [3.] For concealment. It signified
the darkness of that dispensation. That which is now brought to
light by the gospel, and revealed to babes, was then hidden from
the wise and prudent. They saw only the coverings, not the holy
things themselves (<scripRef id="Num.v-p8.8" osisRef="Bible:Heb.10.1" parsed="|Heb|10|1|0|0" passage="Heb 10:1">Heb. x.
1</scripRef>); but now Christ has <i>destroyed the face of the
covering,</i> <scripRef id="Num.v-p8.9" osisRef="Bible:Isa.25.7" parsed="|Isa|25|7|0|0" passage="Isa 25:7">Isa. xxv. 7</scripRef>.
(3.) When all the holy things were covered, then the Kohathites
were to carry them on their shoulders. These things that had staves
were carried by their staves (<scripRef id="Num.v-p8.10" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.6 Bible:Num.4.8 Bible:Num.4.11 Bible:Num.4.14" parsed="|Num|4|6|0|0;|Num|4|8|0|0;|Num|4|11|0|0;|Num|4|14|0|0" passage="Nu 4:6,8,11,14"><i>v.</i> 6, 8, 11, 14</scripRef>); those that had
not were carried upon a bar, or bier, or bearing barrow, <scripRef id="Num.v-p8.11" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.10 Bible:Num.4.12" parsed="|Num|4|10|0|0;|Num|4|12|0|0" passage="Nu 4:10,12"><i>v.</i> 10, 12</scripRef>. See how the
tokens of God's presence in this world are movable things; but we
look for a kingdom that cannot be moved.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.v-p9">2. Eleazar, now the eldest son of Aaron, is
appointed overseer of the Kohathites in this service (<scripRef id="Num.v-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.16" parsed="|Num|4|16|0|0" passage="Nu 4:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>); he must take care that
nothing was forgotten, left behind, or displaced. As a priest he
had more honour than the Levites, but then he had more care; and
that care was a heavier burden, no doubt, upon his heart, than all
the burdens that were laid upon their shoulders. It is much easier
to do the work of the tabernacle than to discharge the trusts of
it, to obey than to rule.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.v-p10">3. Great care must be taken to preserve the
lives of these Levites, by preventing their unseasonable irreverent
approach to the most holy things: <i>Cut you not off the
Kohathites,</i> <scripRef id="Num.v-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.18" parsed="|Num|4|18|0|0" passage="Nu 4:18"><i>v.</i>
18</scripRef>. Note, Those who do not what they can to keep others
from sin do what they can to cut them off. [1.] The Kohathites must
not see the holy things till the priests had covered them,
<scripRef id="Num.v-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.20" parsed="|Num|4|20|0|0" passage="Nu 4:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. Even those
that bore the vessels of the Lord saw not what they bore, so much
were even those in the dark concerning the gospel whose office it
was to expound the law. And, [2.] When the holy things were
covered, they might not touch them, at least not the ark, called
here <i>the holy thing,</i> upon pain of death, <scripRef id="Num.v-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.15" parsed="|Num|4|15|0|0" passage="Nu 4:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. Uzza was struck dead for the
breach of this law. Thus were the Lord's ministers themselves then
kept in fear, and that was a dispensation of terror, as well as
darkness; but now, through Christ, the case is altered; we have
<i>seen with our eyes,</i> and our <i>hands have handles, the word
of life</i> (<scripRef id="Num.v-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:1John.1.1" parsed="|1John|1|1|0|0" passage="1Jo 1:1">1 John i. 1</scripRef>),
and we are encouraged to <i>come boldly to the throne of
grace.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Num.v-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.21-Num.4.33" parsed="|Num|4|21|4|33" passage="Nu 4:21-33" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.4.21-Num.4.33">
<p class="passage" id="Num.v-p11">21 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.v-p11.1">Lord</span>
spake unto Moses, saying,   22 Take also the sum of the sons
of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their
families;   23 From thirty years old and upward until fifty
years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the
service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
  24 This <i>is</i> the service of the families of the
Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens:   25 And they shall
bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the
congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers' skins
that <i>is</i> above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation,   26 And the hangings of the
court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which
<i>is</i> by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their
cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is
made for them: so shall they serve.   27 At the appointment of
Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the
Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service: and ye
shall appoint unto them in charge all their burdens.   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, to do the work of
the tabernacle of the congregation.   31 And this <i>is</i>
the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the
tabernacle of the congregation; the boards 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.v-p12">We have here the charge of the other two
families of the Levites, 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,
<scripRef id="Num.v-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.22-Num.4.26" parsed="|Num|4|22|4|26" passage="Nu 4:22-26"><i>v.</i> 22-26</scripRef>. 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," <scripRef id="Num.v-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.27" parsed="|Num|4|27|0|0" passage="Nu 4:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. Ithamar particularly was
to take the oversight of them, <scripRef id="Num.v-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.28" parsed="|Num|4|28|0|0" passage="Nu 4:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Num.v-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.31-Num.4.32" parsed="|Num|4|31|4|32" passage="Nu 4:31,32"><i>v.</i> 31, 32</scripRef>.
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> <scripRef id="Num.v-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:John.10.3" parsed="|John|10|3|0|0" passage="Joh 10:3">John x. 3</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Num.v-p12.6" osisRef="Bible:Hag.1.4 Bible:Hag.1.9" parsed="|Hag|1|4|0|0;|Hag|1|9|0|0" passage="Hag 1:4,9">Hag. i. 4, 9</scripRef>. The death of the
saints is represented as the taking down of the tabernacle
(<scripRef id="Num.v-p12.7" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.5.1" parsed="|2Cor|5|1|0|0" passage="2Co 5:1">2 Cor. v. 1</scripRef>), and the
putting of it off, <scripRef id="Num.v-p12.8" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.1.14" parsed="|2Pet|1|14|0|0" passage="2Pe 1:14">2 Pet. i.
14</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="Num.v-p12.9" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.34-Num.4.49" parsed="|Num|4|34|4|49" passage="Nu 4:34-49" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.4.34-Num.4.49">
<p class="passage" id="Num.v-p13">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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.v-p13.1">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.v-p13.2">Lord</span>.   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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.v-p13.3">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.v-p13.4">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.v-p13.5">Lord</span> commanded Moses.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.v-p14">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, <scripRef id="Num.v-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.20-Phil.2.21" parsed="|Phil|2|20|2|21" passage="Php 2:20,21">Phil. ii. 20,
21</scripRef>. 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>
</div></div2>