mh_parser/vol_split/4 - Numbers/Chapter 7.xml

<div2 id="Num.viii" n="viii" next="Num.ix" prev="Num.vii" progress="66.54%" title="Chapter VII">
<h2 id="Num.viii-p0.1">N U M B E R S</h2>
<h3 id="Num.viii-p0.2">CHAP. VII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Num.viii-p1">God having set up house (as it were) in the midst
of the camp of Israel, the princes of Israel here come a visiting
with their presents, as tenants to their landlord, in the name of
their respective tribes. I. They brought presents, 1. Upon the
dedication of the tabernacle, for the service of that, <scripRef id="Num.viii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.1-Num.7.9" parsed="|Num|7|1|7|9" passage="Nu 7:1-9">ver. 1-9</scripRef>. 2. Upon the dedication of
the altar, for the use of that, <scripRef id="Num.viii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.10-Num.7.88" parsed="|Num|7|10|7|88" passage="Nu 7:10-88">ver.
10-88</scripRef>. And, II. God graciously signified his acceptance
of them, <scripRef id="Num.viii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.89" parsed="|Num|7|89|0|0" passage="Nu 7:89">ver. 89</scripRef>. The two
foregoing chapters were the records of additional laws which God
gave to Israel, this is the history of the additional services
which Israel performed to God.</p>
<scripCom id="Num.viii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.7" parsed="|Num|7|0|0|0" passage="Nu 7" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Num.viii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.1-Num.7.9" parsed="|Num|7|1|7|9" passage="Nu 7:1-9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.7.1-Num.7.9">
<h4 id="Num.viii-p1.6">The Offerings of the
Princes. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.viii-p1.7">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Num.viii-p2">1 And it came to pass on the day that Moses had
fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified
it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the
vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;  
2 That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers,
who <i>were</i> the princes of the tribes, and were over them that
were numbered, offered:   3 And they brought their offering
before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.viii-p2.1">Lord</span>, six covered
waggons, and twelve oxen; a waggon for two of the princes, and for
each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle.  
4 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.viii-p2.2">Lord</span> spake unto Moses,
saying,   5 Take <i>it</i> of them, that they may be to do the
service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give
them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.
  6 And Moses took the waggons and the oxen, and gave them
unto the Levites.   7 Two waggons and four oxen he gave unto
the sons of Gershon, according to their service:   8 And four
waggons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according
unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the
priest.   9 But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because
the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them <i>was that</i>
they should bear upon their shoulders.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p3">Here is the offering of the princes to the
service of the tabernacle. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p4">I. When it was; not till it was <i>fully
set up,</i> <scripRef id="Num.viii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.1" parsed="|Num|7|1|0|0" passage="Nu 7:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. When
all things were done both about the tabernacle itself, and the camp
of Israel which surrounded it, according to the directions given,
then they began their presents, probably about the eighth day of
the second month. Note, Necessary observances must always take
place of free-will offerings: first those, and then these.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p5">II. Who it was that offered: <i>The princes
of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers,</i> <scripRef id="Num.viii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.2" parsed="|Num|7|2|0|0" passage="Nu 7:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. Note, Those that are above
others in power and dignity ought to go before others, and
endeavour to go beyond them, in every thing that is good. The more
any are advanced the more is expected from them, on account of the
greater opportunity they have of serving God and their generation.
What are wealth and authority good for, but as they enable a man to
do so much the more good in the world?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p6">III. What was offered: six wagons, with
each of them a yoke of oxen to draw them, <scripRef id="Num.viii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.3" parsed="|Num|7|3|0|0" passage="Nu 7:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. Doubtless these wagons were
agreeable to the rest of the furniture of the tabernacle and its
appurtenances, the best of the kind, like the carriages which great
princes use when they go in procession. Some think that God, by
Moses, intimated to them what they should bring, or their own
consideration perhaps suggested to them to make this present.
Though God's wisdom had ordained all the essentials of the
tabernacle, yet it seems these accidental conveniences were left to
be provided by their own discretion, which was to set in order that
which was wanting (<scripRef id="Num.viii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Titus.1.5" parsed="|Titus|1|5|0|0" passage="Tit 1:5">Tit. i.
5</scripRef>), and these wagons were not refused, though no pattern
of them was shown to Moses in the mount. Note, It must not be
expected that the divine institution of ordinances should descend
to all those circumstances which are determinable, and are fit to
be left alterable, by human prudence, that wisdom which is
profitable to direct. Observe, No sooner is the tabernacle fully
set up than this provision is made for the removal of it. Note,
Even when we are but just settled in the world, and think we are
beginning to take root, we must be preparing for changes and
removes, especially for the great change. While we are here in this
world, every thing must be accommodated to a militant and movable
state. When the tabernacle was framing, the princes were very
generous in their offerings, for then they brought <i>precious
stones, and stones to be set</i> (<scripRef id="Num.viii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.27" parsed="|Exod|35|27|0|0" passage="Ex 35:27">Exod. xxxv. 27</scripRef>), yet now they bring more
presents. Note, Those that have done good should study to abound
therein yet more and more, and not be <i>weary of
well-doing.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p7">IV. How the offering was disposed of, and
what use was made of it: the wagons and oxen were given to the
Levites, to be used in carrying the tabernacle, both for their ease
(for God would not have any of his servants overburdened with
work), and for the more safe and right conveyance of the several
parts of the tabernacle, which would be best kept together, and
sheltered from the weather, in wagons. 1. The Gershonites, that had
the light carriage, the curtains and hangings, had but two wagons,
and two yoke of oxen (<scripRef id="Num.viii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.7" parsed="|Num|7|7|0|0" passage="Nu 7:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>); when they had loaded these, they must carry the
rest, if any remained, upon their shoulders. 2. The Merarites, that
had the heavy carriage, and that which was most unwieldy, the
boards, pillars, sockets, &amp;c., had four wagons, and four yoke
of oxen allotted them (<scripRef id="Num.viii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.8" parsed="|Num|7|8|0|0" passage="Nu 7:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>); and yet, if they had not more wagons of their own,
they would be obliged to carry a great deal upon their backs too,
for the silver sockets alone weighed 100 talents, which was above
four tons, and that was enough to load four wagons that were drawn
but by one yoke of oxen a-piece. But each socket being a talent
weight, which is about a man's burden (as appears, <scripRef id="Num.viii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.5.23" parsed="|2Kgs|5|23|0|0" passage="2Ki 5:23">2 Kings v. 23</scripRef>) probably they carried
those on their backs, and put the boards and pillars into the
wagons. Observe here, How God wisely and graciously ordered the
most strength to those that had the most work. Each had wagons
<i>according to their service.</i> Whatever burden God in his
providence lays upon us, he will by his sufficient grace proportion
the strength to it, <scripRef id="Num.viii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.10.13" parsed="|1Cor|10|13|0|0" passage="1Co 10:13">1 Cor. x.
13</scripRef>. 3. The Kohathites, that had the most sacred
carriage, had no wagons at all, because they were to carry their
charge upon their shoulders (<scripRef id="Num.viii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.9" parsed="|Num|7|9|0|0" passage="Nu 7:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>), with a particular care and veneration. When in
David's time they carried the ark in a cart, God made them to know
to their terror, by the death of Uzza, that they did not <i>seek
him in the due order.</i> See <scripRef id="Num.viii-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.13" parsed="|1Chr|15|13|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:13">1
Chron. xv. 13</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Num.viii-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.7" parsed="|Num|7|0|0|0" passage="Nu 7" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Num.viii-p7.8" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.10-Num.7.89" parsed="|Num|7|10|7|89" passage="Nu 7:10-89" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.7.10-Num.7.89">
<p class="passage" id="Num.viii-p8">10 And the princes offered for dedicating of the
altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered
their offering before the altar.   11 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.viii-p8.1">Lord</span> said unto Moses, They shall offer their
offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.
  12 And he that offered his offering the first day was
Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah:   13 And
his offering <i>was</i> one silver charger, the weight thereof
<i>was</i> an hundred and thirty <i>shekels,</i> one silver bowl of
seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them
<i>were</i> full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat
offering:   14 One spoon of ten <i>shekels</i> of gold, full
of incense:   15 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the
first year, for a burnt offering:   16 One kid of the goats
for a sin offering:   17 And for a sacrifice of peace
offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the
first year: this <i>was</i> the offering of Nahshon the son of
Amminadab.   18 On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar,
prince of Issachar, did offer:   19 He offered <i>for</i> his
offering one silver charger, the weight whereof <i>was</i> an
hundred and thirty <i>shekels,</i> one silver bowl of seventy
shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of
fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:   20 One
spoon of gold of ten <i>shekels,</i> full of incense:   21 One
young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt
offering:   22 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:  
23 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams,
five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this <i>was</i> the
offering of Nethaneel the son of Zuar.   24 On the third day
Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun, <i>did
offer:</i>   25 His offering <i>was</i> one silver charger,
the weight whereof <i>was</i> an hundred and thirty <i>shekels,</i>
one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the
sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a
meat offering:   26 One golden spoon of ten <i>shekels,</i>
full of incense:   27 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of
the first year, for a burnt offering:   28 One kid of the
goats for a sin offering:   29 And for a sacrifice of peace
offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the
first year: this <i>was</i> the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.
  30 On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of
the children of Reuben, <i>did offer:</i>   31 His offering
<i>was</i> one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and
thirty <i>shekels,</i> one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after
the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour
mingled with oil for a meat offering:   32 One golden spoon of
ten <i>shekels,</i> full of incense:   33 One young bullock,
one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:  
34 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   35 And for a
sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats,
five lambs of the first year: this <i>was</i> the offering of
Elizur the son of Shedeur.   36 On the fifth day Shelumiel the
son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon, <i>did
offer:</i>   37 His offering <i>was</i> one silver charger,
the weight whereof <i>was</i> an hundred and thirty <i>shekels,</i>
one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the
sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a
meat offering:   38 One golden spoon of ten <i>shekels,</i>
full of incense:   39 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of
the first year, for a burnt offering:   40 One kid of the
goats for a sin offering:   41 And for a sacrifice of peace
offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the
first year: this <i>was</i> the offering of Shelumiel the son of
Zurishaddai.   42 On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel,
prince of the children of Gad, <i>offered:</i>   43 His
offering <i>was</i> one silver charger of the weight of an hundred
and thirty <i>shekels,</i> a silver bowl of seventy shekels, after
the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour
mingled with oil for a meat offering:   44 One golden spoon of
ten <i>shekels,</i> full of incense:   45 One young bullock,
one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:  
46 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   47 And for a
sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats,
five lambs of the first year: this <i>was</i> the offering of
Eliasaph the son of Deuel.   48 On the seventh day Elishama
the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim,
<i>offered:</i>   49 His offering <i>was</i> one silver
charger, the weight whereof <i>was</i> an hundred and thirty
<i>shekels,</i> one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled
with oil for a meat offering:   50 One golden spoon of ten
<i>shekels,</i> full of incense:   51 One young bullock, one
ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   52
One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   53 And for a
sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats,
five lambs of the first year: this <i>was</i> the offering of
Elishama the son of Ammihud.   54 On the eighth day
<i>offered</i> Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children
of Manasseh:   55 His offering <i>was</i> one silver charger
of the weight of an hundred and thirty <i>shekels,</i> one silver
bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of
them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
  56 One golden spoon of ten <i>shekels,</i> full of incense:
  57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year,
for a burnt offering:   58 One kid of the goats for a sin
offering:   59 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two
oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this
<i>was</i> the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.   60
On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children
of Benjamin, <i>offered:</i>   61 His offering <i>was</i> one
silver charger, the weight whereof <i>was</i> an hundred and thirty
<i>shekels,</i> one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled
with oil for a meat offering:   62 One golden spoon of ten
<i>shekels,</i> full of incense:   63 One young bullock, one
ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   64
One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   65 And for a
sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats,
five lambs of the first year: this <i>was</i> the offering of
Abidan the son of Gideoni.   66 On the tenth day Ahiezer the
son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, <i>offered:</i>
  67 His offering <i>was</i> one silver charger, the weight
whereof <i>was</i> an hundred and thirty <i>shekels,</i> one silver
bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of
them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
  68 One golden spoon of ten <i>shekels,</i> full of incense:
  69 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year,
for a burnt offering:   70 One kid of the goats for a sin
offering:   71 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two
oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this
<i>was</i> the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.  
72 On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, prince of the
children of Asher, <i>offered:</i>   73 His offering
<i>was</i> one silver charger, the weight whereof <i>was</i> an
hundred and thirty <i>shekels,</i> one silver bowl of seventy
shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of
fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:   74 One
golden spoon of ten <i>shekels,</i> full of incense:   75 One
young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt
offering:   76 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:  
77 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams,
five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this <i>was</i> the
offering of Pagiel the son of Ocran.   78 On the twelfth day
Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali,
<i>offered:</i>   79 His offering <i>was</i> one silver
charger, the weight whereof <i>was</i> an hundred and thirty
<i>shekels,</i> one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled
with oil for a meat offering:   80 One golden spoon of ten
<i>shekels,</i> full of incense:   81 One young bullock, one
ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   82
One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   83 And for a
sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats,
five lambs of the first year: this <i>was</i> the offering of Ahira
the son of Enan.   84 This <i>was</i> the dedication of the
altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel:
twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of
gold:   85 Each charger of silver <i>weighing</i> an hundred
and thirty <i>shekels,</i> each bowl seventy: all the silver
vessels <i>weighed</i> two thousand and four hundred
<i>shekels,</i> after the shekel of the sanctuary:   86 The
golden spoons <i>were</i> twelve, full of incense, <i>weighing</i>
ten <i>shekels</i> apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary: all
the gold of the spoons <i>was</i> an hundred and twenty
<i>shekels.</i>   87 All the oxen for the burnt offering
<i>were</i> twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the lambs of the
first year twelve, with their meat offering: and the kids of the
goats for sin offering twelve.   88 And all the oxen for the
sacrifice of the peace offerings <i>were</i> twenty and four
bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the
first year sixty. This <i>was</i> the dedication of the altar,
after that it was anointed.   89 And when Moses was gone into
the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard
the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that
<i>was</i> upon the ark of testimony, from between the two
cherubims: and he spake unto him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p9">We have here an account of the great
solemnity of dedicating the altars, both that of burnt-offerings
and that of incense; they had been sanctified before, when they
were anointed (<scripRef id="Num.viii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.10-Lev.8.11" parsed="|Lev|8|10|8|11" passage="Le 8:10,11">Lev. viii. 10,
11</scripRef>), but now they were handselled, as it were, by the
princes, with their free-will offerings. They began the use of them
with rich presents, great expressions of joy and gladness, and
extraordinary respect to those tokens of God's presence with them.
Now observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p10">I. That the princes and great men were
first and forwardest in the service of God. Those that are entitled
to precedency should go before in good works, and that is true
honour. Here is an example to the nobility and gentry, those that
are in authority and of the first rank in their country; they ought
to improve their honour and power, their estate and interest, for
the promoting of religion, and the service of God, in the places
where they live. It is justly expected that those who have more
than others should do more good than others with what they have,
else they are unfaithful stewards, and will not make up their
<i>account with joy.</i> Nay, great men must not only with their
wealth and power assist and protect those that serve God, but they
must make conscience of being devout and religious themselves, and
employing themselves in the exercises of piety, which will greatly
redound to the honour of God (<scripRef id="Num.viii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.138.4-Ps.138.5" parsed="|Ps|138|4|138|5" passage="Ps 138:4,5">Ps.
cxxxviii. 4, 5</scripRef>), and have a good influence upon others,
who will be the more easily persuaded to acts of devotion when they
see them thus brought into reputation. It is certain that the
greatest of men is less than the least of the ordinances of God;
nor are the meanest services of religion any disparagement to those
that make the greatest figure in the world.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p11">II. The offerings they brought were very
rich and valuable, so rich that some think there was not so great a
difference in estate between them and others as that they were able
to bear the expense of them themselves, but that the heads of each
tribe contributed to the offering which their prince brought.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p12">1. They brought some things to remain for
standing service, twelve large silver dishes, each about sixty
ounces weight, as many large silver cups, or bowls, of about
thirty-five ounces—the former to be used for the meat-offerings,
the latter for the drink-offerings—the former for the flesh of the
sacrifices, the latter for the blood. The latter was God's table
(as it were), and it was fit that so great a King should be served
in plate. The golden spoons being filled with incense were
intended, it is probable, for the service of the golden altar, for
both the altars were anointed at the same time. Note, In works of
piety and charity we ought to be generous according as our ability
is. He that is the best should be served with the best we have. The
Israelites indeed might well afford to part with their gold and
silver in abundance to the service of the sanctuary, for they
needed it not to buy meat and victual their camp, being daily fed
with bread from heaven; nor did they need it to buy land, or pay
their army, for they were shortly to be put in possession of
Canaan.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p13">2. They brought some things to be used
immediately, offerings of each sort, burnt-offerings,
sin-offerings, and a great many peace-offerings (on part of which
they were to feast with their friends), and the meat-offerings that
were to be annexed to them. Hereby they signified their thankful
acceptance of, and cheerful submission to, all those laws
concerning the sacrifices which God had lately by Moses delivered
to them. And, though it was a time of joy and rejoicing, yet it is
observable that still in the midst of their sacrifices we find a
<i>sin-offering.</i> Since in our best services we are conscious to
ourselves that there is a mixture of sin, it is fit that there
should be even in our most joyful services a mixture of repentance.
In all our approaches to God, we must by faith have an eye to
Christ as the great sin-offering, and make mention of him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p14">3. They brought their offerings each on a
separate day, in the order that they had been lately put into, so
that the solemnity lasted twelve days. So God appointed (<scripRef id="Num.viii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.11" parsed="|Num|7|11|0|0" passage="Nu 7:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): <i>They shall bring
their offering, each prince on his day,</i> and so they did. One
sabbath must needs fall within the twelve days, if not two, but it
should seem they did not intermit on the sabbath, for it was holy
work, proper enough for a holy day. God appointed that it should
thus be done on several days, (1.) That solemnity might be
prolonged, and so might be universally taken notice of by all
Israel, and the remembrance of it more effectually preserved. (2.)
That an equal honour might thereby be put upon each tribe
respectively; in Aaron's breast-plate each had his precious stone,
so in this offering each had his day. (3.) Thus it would be done
more decently and in order; God's work should not be done
confusedly, and in a hurry; take time, and we shall have done the
sooner, or at least we shall have done the better. (4.) God hereby
signified how much pleased he is, and how much pleased we should
be, with the exercises of piety and devotion. The repetition of
them should be a continual pleasure to us, and we must not be weary
of well doing. If extraordinary service be required to be done for
twelve days together, we must not shrink from it, nor call it a
task and a burden. (5.) The priests and Levites, having this
occasion to offer the same sacrifices, and those some of every
sort, every day, for so many days together, would have their hands
well set in, and would be well versed in the laws concerning them.
(6.) The peace-offerings were all to be eaten the same day they
were offered, and two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five
lambs, were enough for one day's festival; had there been more,
especially if all had been brought on one day, there might have
been danger of excess. The virtue of temperance must not be left,
under pretence of the religion of feasting.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p15">4. All their offerings were exactly the
same, without any variation, though it is probable that neither the
princes nor the tribes were all alike rich; but thus it was
intimated that all the tribes of Israel had an equal share in the
altar, and an equal interest in the sacrifices that were offered
upon it. Though one tribe was posted more honourably in the camp
than another, yet they and their services were all alike acceptable
to God. Nor must we have faith of our Lord Jesus Christ <i>with
respect to persons,</i> <scripRef id="Num.viii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Jas.2.1" parsed="|Jas|2|1|0|0" passage="Jam 2:1">Jam. ii.
1</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p16">5. Nahshon, the prince of the tribe of
Judah, offered first, because God had given that tribe the first
post of honour in the camp; and the rest of the tribes acquiesced,
and offered in the same order in which God had appointed them to
encamp. Judah, of which tribe Christ came, first, and then the
rest; thus, in the dedication of souls to God, every man is
presented in his own order, <i>Christ the first-fruits,</i>
<scripRef id="Num.viii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.23" parsed="|1Cor|15|23|0|0" passage="1Co 15:23">1 Cor. xv. 23</scripRef>. Some
observe that Nahshon is the only one that is not expressly called a
prince (<scripRef id="Num.viii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.12" parsed="|Num|7|12|0|0" passage="Nu 7:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), which
the Jews give this account of: he is not called a prince, that he
might not be puffed up because he offered first; and all the others
are called princes because they (though some of them of the elder
house) submitted, and offered after him. Or, because the title of
prince of Judah did more properly belong to Christ, for <i>unto him
shall the gathering of the people be.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p17">6. Though the offerings were all the same,
yet the account of them is repeated at large for each tribe, in the
same words. We are sure there are no vain repetitions in scripture;
what then shall we make of these repetitions? Might it not have
served to say of this noble jury that the same offering which their
foreman brought each on his day brought likewise? No, God would
have it specified for each tribe: and why so? (1.) It was for the
encouragement of these princes, and of their respective tribes,
that each of their offerings being recorded at large no slight
might seem to be put upon them; for rich and poor meet together
before God. (2.) It was for the encouragement of all generous acts
of piety and charity, by letting us know that what is so given is
lent to the Lord, and he carefully records it, with every one's
name prefixed to his gift, because what is so given he will pay
again, and even a <i>cup of cold water</i> shall have its
<i>reward.</i> He is not unrighteous, to forget either the cost or
the <i>labour of love,</i> <scripRef id="Num.viii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.10" parsed="|Heb|6|10|0|0" passage="Heb 6:10">Heb. vi.
10</scripRef>. We find Christ taking particular notice of what was
cast into the treasury, <scripRef id="Num.viii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.12.41" parsed="|Mark|12|41|0|0" passage="Mk 12:41">Mark xii.
41</scripRef>. Though what is offered be but little, though it be a
contribution to the charity of others, yet if it be according to
our ability it shall be recorded, that it may be recompensed in the
resurrection of the just.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p18">7. The sum total is added at the foot of
the account (<scripRef id="Num.viii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.84-Num.7.88" parsed="|Num|7|84|7|88" passage="Nu 7:84-88"><i>v.</i>
84-88</scripRef>), to show how much God was pleased with the
mention of his freewill-offerings, and what a great deal they
amounted to in the whole, when every prince brought in his quota!
How greatly would the sanctuary of God be enriched and beautified
if all would in their places do their part towards it, by exemplary
purity and devotion, extensive charity, and universal
usefulness!</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.viii-p19">8. God signified his gracious acceptance of
these presents that were brought him, by speaking familiarly to
Moses, as a man speaks to his friend, from off the mercy-seat
(<scripRef id="Num.viii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.7.89 Bible:Num.12.8" parsed="|Num|7|89|0|0;|Num|12|8|0|0" passage="Nu 7:89,12:8"><i>v.</i> 89, <i>ch.</i> xii.
8</scripRef>); and in speaking to him he did in effect speak to all
Israel, showing them this token for good, <scripRef id="Num.viii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.103.7" parsed="|Ps|103|7|0|0" passage="Ps 103:7">Ps. ciii. 7</scripRef>. Note, By this we may know that
God hears and accepts our prayers if he gives us grace to hear and
receive his word, for thus our communion with him is maintained and
kept up. I know not why we may not suppose that upon each of the
days on which these offerings were brought (probably while the
priests and offerers were feasting upon the peace-offerings) Moses
was in the tabernacle, receiving some of those laws and orders
which we have already met with in this and the foregoing book. And
here the excellent bishop Patrick observes that God's speaking to
Moses thus by an audible articulate voice, as if he had been
clothed with a holy body, might be looked upon as an earnest of the
incarnation of the Son of God in the fulness of time, when the Word
should be made flesh, and speak in the language of the sons of men.
For, however God <i>at sundry times and in divers manners spoke
unto the fathers, he has in these last days spoken unto us by his
Son.</i> And that he who now spoke to Moses, as the
<i>shechinah</i> or divine Majesty, from between the cherubim, was
the eternal Word, the second person in the Trinity, was the pious
conjecture of many of the ancients; for all God's communion with
man is by his Son, by whom he made the world, and rules the church,
and who <i>is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.</i></p>
</div></div2>