mh_parser/vol_split/4 - Numbers/Chapter 18.xml

<div2 id="Num.xix" n="xix" next="Num.xx" prev="Num.xviii" progress="73.30%" title="Chapter XVIII">
<h2 id="Num.xix-p0.1">N U M B E R S</h2>
<h3 id="Num.xix-p0.2">CHAP. XVIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Num.xix-p1">Aaron being now fully established in the
priesthood abundantly to his own satisfaction, and to the
satisfaction of the people (which was the good that God brought out
of the evil opposition made to him), in this chapter God gives him
full instructions concerning his office or rather repeats those
which he had before given him. He tells him, I. What must be his
work and the care and charge committed to him, and what assistance
he should have the Levites in that work, <scripRef id="Num.xix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.1-Num.18.7" parsed="|Num|18|1|18|7" passage="Nu 18:1-7">ver. 1-7</scripRef>. II. What should be his and the
Levites' wages for this work. 1. The perquisites or fees peculiar
to the priests, <scripRef id="Num.xix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.8-Num.18.19" parsed="|Num|18|8|18|19" passage="Nu 18:8-19">ver.
8-19</scripRef>. 2. The settled maintenance of the Levites,
<scripRef id="Num.xix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.20-Num.18.24" parsed="|Num|18|20|18|24" passage="Nu 18:20-24">ver. 20-24</scripRef>. III. The
portion which must be paid to the priests out of the Levites'
maintenance, <scripRef id="Num.xix-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.25-Num.18.32" parsed="|Num|18|25|18|32" passage="Nu 18:25-32">ver. 25-32</scripRef>.
Thus every one knew what he had to do, and what he had to live
upon.</p>
<scripCom id="Num.xix-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.18" parsed="|Num|18|0|0|0" passage="Nu 18" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Num.xix-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.1-Num.18.7" parsed="|Num|18|1|18|7" passage="Nu 18:1-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.18.1-Num.18.7">
<h4 id="Num.xix-p1.7">The Service of the Priests and
Levites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p1.8">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Num.xix-p2">1 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p2.1">Lord</span>
said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee
shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons
with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.   2 And
thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father,
bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and
minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee <i>shall
minister</i> before the tabernacle of witness.   3 And they
shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only
they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the
altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die.   4 And they shall
be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the
congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger
shall not come nigh unto you.   5 And ye shall keep the charge
of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no
wrath any more upon the children of Israel.   6 And I, behold,
I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of
Israel: to you <i>they are</i> given <i>as</i> a gift for the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p2.2">Lord</span>, to do the service of the tabernacle
of the congregation.   7 Therefore thou and thy sons with thee
shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and
within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's
office <i>unto you</i> as a service of gift: and the stranger that
cometh nigh shall be put to death.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xix-p3">The coherence of this chapter with that
foregoing is very observable.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xix-p4">I. The people, in the close of that
chapter, had complained of the difficulty and peril that there were
in drawing near to God, which put them under some dreadful
apprehensions that the tabernacle in the midst of them, which they
hoped would have been their joy and glory, would rather be their
terror and ruin. Now, in answer to this complaint, God here gives
them to understand by Aaron that the priests should come near for
them as their representatives; so that, though the people were
obliged to keep their distance, yet that should not at all redound
to their disgrace or prejudice, but their comfortable communion
with God should be kept up by the interposition of the priests.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xix-p5">II. A great deal of honour God had now
lately put upon Aaron; his rod had budded and blossomed, when the
rods of the rest of the princes remained dry, and destitute both of
fruit and ornament. Now lest Aaron should be puffed up with the
abundance of the favours that were done him, and the miracles that
were wrought for the support of him in his high station, God comes
to him to remind him of the burden that was laid upon him, and the
duty required from him as a priest. He would see reason not to be
proud of his preferment, but to receive the honours of his office
with reverence and holy trembling, when he considered how great was
the charge committed to him, and how hard it would be for him to
give a good account of it. <i>Be not high-minded, but fear.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xix-p6">1. God tells him of the danger that
attended his dignity, <scripRef id="Num.xix-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.1" parsed="|Num|18|1|0|0" passage="Nu 18:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>. (1.) That both the priests and Levites (<i>thou, and
thy sons, and thy father's house</i>) should <i>bear the iniquity
of the sanctuary;</i> that is, if the sanctuary were profaned by
the intrusion of strangers, or persons in their uncleanness, the
blame should lie upon the Levites and priests, who ought to have
kept them off. Though the sinner that thrust in presumptuously
should die in his iniquity, yet his blood should be required at the
hands of the watchmen. Or it may be taken more generally: "If any
of the duties or offices of the sanctuary be neglected, if any
service be not done in its season or not according to the law, if
any thing be lost or misplaced in the removal of the sanctuary, you
shall be accountable for it, and answer it at your peril." (2.)
That the priests should themselves <i>bear the iniquity of the
priesthood;</i> that is, if they either neglected any part of their
work or permitted any other persons to invade their office, and
take their work out of their hands, they should bear the blame of
it. Note, The greater the trust is of work and power that is
committed to us the greater is our danger of contracting guilt, by
falsifying and betraying that trust. This is a good reason why we
should neither be envious at others' honours nor ambitious
ourselves of high places, because great dignity exposes us to great
iniquity. Those that are entrusted with the charge of the sanctuary
will have a great deal to answer for. Who would covet the care of
souls who considers the account that must be given of that
care?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xix-p7">2. He tells him of the duty that attended
his dignity. (1.) That he and his sons must <i>minister before the
tabernacle of witness</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xix-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.2" parsed="|Num|18|2|0|0" passage="Nu 18:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>); that is (as bishop Patrick explains it), <i>before
the most holy place,</i> in which the ark was, on the outside of
the veil of that tabernacle, but within the door of the tabernacle,
of the congregation. They were to attend the golden altar, the
table, and candlestick, which no Levite might approach to. <i>You
shall serve,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xix-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.7" parsed="|Num|18|7|0|0" passage="Nu 18:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. Not, "You shall rule" (it was never intended that
they should lord it over God's heritage), but "You shall serve God
and the congregation." Note, The priesthood is a service. <i>If any
desire the office of a bishop he desires a good work.</i> Ministers
must remember that they are ministers, that is, servants, of whom
it is required that they be humble, diligent, and faithful. (2.)
That the Levites must assist him and his sons, and minister to them
in all the <i>service of the tabernacle</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xix-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.2-Num.18.4" parsed="|Num|18|2|18|4" passage="Nu 18:2-4"><i>v.</i> 2-4</scripRef>), though they must by no means
come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary, nor at the altar meddle
with the great services of burning the fat and sprinkling the
blood. Aaron's family was very small, and, as it increased, the
rest of the families of Israel would increase likewise, so that the
hands of the priests neither were now nor were likely to be
sufficient for all the service of the tabernacle; therefore (says
God) <i>the Levites shall be joined to thee,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xix-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.2" parsed="|Num|18|2|0|0" passage="Nu 18:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>, and again <scripRef id="Num.xix-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.4" parsed="|Num|18|4|0|0" passage="Nu 18:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>, where there seems to be an
allusion to the name of Levi, which signifies <i>joined.</i> Many
of the Levites had of late set themselves against Aaron, but
henceforward God promises that they should be heartily joined to
him in interest and affection, and should no more contest with him.
It was a good sign to Aaron that God owned him when he inclined the
hearts of those concerned to own him too. The Levites are said to
be given as a gift to the priests, <scripRef id="Num.xix-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.6" parsed="|Num|18|6|0|0" passage="Nu 18:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. Note, We are to value it as a
great gift of the divine bounty to have those joined to us that
will be helpful and serviceable to us in the service of God. (3.)
That both priests and Levites must carefully watch against the
profanation of sacred things. The Levites must <i>keep the charge
of the tabernacle,</i> that <i>no stranger</i> (that is, none who
upon any account was forbidden to come) might <i>come nigh</i>
(<scripRef id="Num.xix-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.4" parsed="|Num|18|4|0|0" passage="Nu 18:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), and that upon
pain of death, <scripRef id="Num.xix-p7.8" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.7" parsed="|Num|18|7|0|0" passage="Nu 18:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>.
And the priests must <i>keep the charge of the sanctuary</i>
(<scripRef id="Num.xix-p7.9" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.5" parsed="|Num|18|5|0|0" passage="Nu 18:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), must instruct
the people, and admonish them concerning the due distance they were
to keep, and not suffer them to break the bounds set them, as
Korah's company had done, that there be <i>no wrath any more upon
the children of Israel.</i> Note, The preventing of sin is the
preventing of wrath; and the mischief sin has done should be a
warning to us for the future to watch against it both in ourselves
and others.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Num.xix-p7.10" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.8-Num.18.19" parsed="|Num|18|8|18|19" passage="Nu 18:8-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.18.8-Num.18.19">
<p class="passage" id="Num.xix-p8">8 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p8.1">Lord</span>
spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine
heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of
Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and
to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.   9 This shall be thine
of the most holy things, <i>reserved</i> from the fire: every
oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin
offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which
they shall render unto me, <i>shall be</i> most holy for thee and
for thy sons.   10 In the most holy <i>place</i> shalt thou
eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee.  
11 And this <i>is</i> thine; the heave offering of their gift, with
all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them
unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a
statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of
it.   12 All the best of the oil, and all the best of the
wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall
offer unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p8.2">Lord</span>, them have I
given thee.   13 <i>And</i> whatsoever is first ripe in the
land, which they shall bring unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p8.3">Lord</span>, shall be thine; every one that is clean in
thine house shall eat <i>of</i> it.   14 Every thing devoted
in Israel shall be thine.   15 Every thing that openeth the
matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p8.4">Lord</span>, <i>whether it be</i> of men or beasts,
shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely
redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.
  16 And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt
thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five
shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which <i>is</i> twenty
gerahs.   17 But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a
sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they
<i>are</i> holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar,
and shalt burn their fat <i>for</i> an offering made by fire, for a
sweet savour unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p8.5">Lord</span>.  
18 And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as
the right shoulder are thine.   19 All the heave offerings of
the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p8.6">Lord</span>, have I given thee, and thy sons and
thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it <i>is</i> a
covenant of salt for ever before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p8.7">Lord</span> unto thee and to thy seed with thee.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xix-p9">The priest's service is called a
<i>warfare;</i> and who goes a warfare at his own charges? As they
were well employed, so they were well provided for, and well paid.
None shall serve God for nought. All believers are spiritual
priests, and God has promised to take care of them; they shall
<i>dwell in the land,</i> and <i>verily they shall be fed,</i> and
shall not <i>want any good thing.</i> Godliness has the <i>promise
of the life that now is.</i> And from this plentiful provision here
made for the priests the apostle infers that it is the duty of
Christian churches to maintain their ministers; those that
<i>served at the altar lived upon the altar.</i> So those that
preach the gospel should <i>live upon the gospel,</i> and live
comfortably, <scripRef id="Num.xix-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.9.13-1Cor.9.14" parsed="|1Cor|9|13|9|14" passage="1Co 9:13,14">1 Cor. ix. 13,
14</scripRef>. Scandalous maintenance makes scandalous ministers.
Now observe, 1. That much of the provision that was made for them
arose out of the sacrifices which they themselves were employed to
offer. They had the skins of almost all the sacrifices, which they
might sell, and they had a considerable share out of the
meat-offerings, sin-offerings, &amp;c. Those that had the charge of
the offerings had the benefit, <scripRef id="Num.xix-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.8" parsed="|Num|18|8|0|0" passage="Nu 18:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. Note, God's work is its own
wages, and his service carries its recompence along with it. Even
in keeping God's commandments there is great reward. The present
pleasures of religion are part of its pay. 2. That they had not
only a good table kept for them, but money likewise in their
pockets for the redemption of the first-born, and those firstlings
of cattle which might not be offered in sacrifice. Thus their
maintenance was such as left them altogether <i>disentangled from
the affairs of this life;</i> they had no grounds to occupy, no
land to till, no vineyards to dress, no cattle to tend, no visible
estate to take care of, and yet had a more plentiful income than
any other families whatsoever. Thus God ordered it that they might
be the more entirely addicted to their ministry, and not diverted
from it, nor disturbed in it, by any worldly care or business (the
ministry requires a whole man); and that they might be examples of
living by faith, not only in God's providence, but in his
ordinance. They lived from hand to mouth, that they might learn to
take no thought for the morrow; sufficient for the day would be the
provision thereof: and they had no estates to leave their children,
that they might by faith leave their children, that they might by
faith leave them to the care of that God who had <i>fed them all
their lives long.</i> 3. Of the provision that was made for their
tables some is said to be <i>most holy</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xix-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.9-Num.18.10" parsed="|Num|18|9|18|10" passage="Nu 18:9,10"><i>v.</i> 9, 10</scripRef>), which was to be eaten by
the priests themselves, and in the court of the tabernacle only;
but other perquisites were less holy, of which their families might
eat, at their own houses, provided they were clean, <scripRef id="Num.xix-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.11-Num.18.13" parsed="|Num|18|11|18|13" passage="Nu 18:11-13"><i>v.</i> 11-13</scripRef>. See <scripRef id="Num.xix-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Lev.21.10-Lev.21.12" parsed="|Lev|21|10|21|12" passage="Le 21:10-12">Lev. xxi. 10</scripRef>, &amp;c. 4. It is
commanded that the <i>best of the oil,</i> and <i>the best of the
wine and wheat,</i> should be offered for the <i>first-fruits unto
the Lord,</i> which the priest were to have, <scripRef id="Num.xix-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.12" parsed="|Num|18|12|0|0" passage="Nu 18:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. Note, We must always serve and
honour God with the best we have, for he is the best, and best
deserves it; he is the first, and therefore must have the first
ripe. Those that think to save charges by putting God off with the
refuse do but deceive themselves, for <i>God is not mocked.</i> 5.
All this is given to the priests <i>by reason of the anointing,</i>
<scripRef id="Num.xix-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.8" parsed="|Num|18|8|0|0" passage="Nu 18:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. It was not for
the sake of their personal merits above other Israelites that they
had these tributes paid to them, be it known unto them; but purely
for the sake of the office to which they were anointed. Thus all
the comforts that are given to the Lord's people are given them by
reason of the anointing which they have received. It is said to be
given them <i>by an ordinance for ever</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xix-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.8" parsed="|Num|18|8|0|0" passage="Nu 18:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), and it is a <i>covenant of salt
for ever,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xix-p9.9" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.19" parsed="|Num|18|19|0|0" passage="Nu 18:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>.
As long as the priesthood should continue this should continue to
be the maintenance of it, that this lamp might not go out for want
of oil to keep it burning. Thus provision is made that a gospel
ministry should continue till Christ comes, by an ordinance for
ever. <i>Lo, I am with you</i> (that is their maintenance and
support) <i>always, even to the end of the world.</i> Thanks be to
the Redeemer, it is the word which he has <i>commanded to a
thousand generations.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Num.xix-p9.10" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.20-Num.18.32" parsed="|Num|18|20|18|32" passage="Nu 18:20-32" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Num.18.20-Num.18.32">
<h4 id="Num.xix-p9.11">The Priests and Levites Provided
For. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p9.12">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Num.xix-p10">20 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p10.1">Lord</span>
spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land,
neither shalt thou have any part among them: I <i>am</i> thy part
and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.   21 And,
behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel
for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, <i>even</i>
the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.   22
Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the
tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.  
23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the
congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: <i>it shall
be</i> a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among
the children of Israel they have no inheritance.   24 But the
tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer <i>as</i> an
heave offering unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p10.2">Lord</span>, I have
given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them,
Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.  
25 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p10.3">Lord</span> spake unto Moses,
saying,   26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them,
When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have
given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an
heave offering of it for the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p10.4">Lord</span>,
<i>even</i> a tenth <i>part</i> of the tithe.   27 And
<i>this</i> your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as
though <i>it were</i> the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the
fulness of the winepress.   28 Thus ye also shall offer an
heave offering unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p10.5">Lord</span> of all
your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye
shall give thereof the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p10.6">Lord</span>'s heave
offering to Aaron the priest.   29 Out of all your gifts ye
shall offer every heave offering of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Num.xix-p10.7">Lord</span>, of all the best thereof, <i>even</i> the
hallowed part thereof out of it.   30 Therefore thou shalt say
unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it
shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the
threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.   31 And
ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it
<i>is</i> your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the
congregation.   32 And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it,
when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye
pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xix-p11">Here is a further account of the provision
that was made both for the Levites and for the priests, out of the
country.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xix-p12">I. They must have <i>no inheritance in the
land;</i> only cities to dwell in were afterwards allowed them, but
no ground to occupy: <i>Thou shalt not have any part among
them,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xix-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.20" parsed="|Num|18|20|0|0" passage="Nu 18:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. It
is repeated again <scripRef id="Num.xix-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.23" parsed="|Num|18|23|0|0" passage="Nu 18:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>, and again <scripRef id="Num.xix-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.24" parsed="|Num|18|24|0|0" passage="Nu 18:24"><i>v.</i>
24</scripRef>, <i>Among the children of Israel they shall have no
inheritance,</i> either by purchase or descent. God would have them
comfortably provided for, but would not have their families
over-rich, lest they should think themselves above that work which
their wages supposed and obliged them constantly to attend upon. As
Israel was a peculiar people, and not to be numbered among the
nations, so Levi was a peculiar tribe, and not to be settled as the
rest of the tribes, but in all respects distinguished from them. A
good reason is given why they must have <i>no inheritance in the
land,</i> for, says God, <i>I am thy part, and thy inheritance.</i>
Note, Those that have God for their inheritance and their portion
for ever ought to look with a holy contempt and indifference upon
the inheritances of this world, and not covet their portion in it.
"<i>The Lord is my portion, therefore will I hope in him,</i> and
not depend upon any thing I have on this earth," <scripRef id="Num.xix-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Lam.3.24" parsed="|Lam|3|24|0|0" passage="La 3:24">Lam. iii. 24</scripRef>. The Levites shall have no
inheritance, and yet they shall live very comfortably and
plentifully—to teach us that Providence has various ways of
supporting those that live in a dependence upon it; the fowls reap
not, and yet are fed, the lilies spin not, and yet are clothed, the
Levites have no inheritance in Israel, and yet live better than any
other tribe. The repetition of that caution, that <i>no Israelite
should approach the tabernacle,</i> comes in suitable, though
somewhat abruptly, <scripRef id="Num.xix-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.22" parsed="|Num|18|22|0|0" passage="Nu 18:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>. It seems set in opposition to that order concerning
the priests and Levites that they should have <i>no inheritance in
Israel,</i> to show how God dispenses his favours variously. The
Levites have the honour of attending the tabernacle, which is
denied the Israelites; but then the Israelites have the honour of
inheritances in Canaan, which is denied the Levites; thus each is
kept from either envying or despising the other, and both have
reason to rejoice in their lot. The Israelites must not <i>come
nigh the tabernacle,</i> but then the Levites must have <i>no
inheritance in the land;</i> if ministers expect that people should
keep in their sphere, and not intermeddle with sacred offices, let
them keep in theirs, and not entangle themselves in secular
affairs.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Num.xix-p13">II. But they must both have tithes of the
land. Besides the first-fruits which were appropriated to the
priests, which, the Jews say, were to be a fiftieth part, or at
least a sixtieth, the tithe also was appropriated. 1. The Levites
had the tithes of the people's increase (<scripRef id="Num.xix-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.21" parsed="|Num|18|21|0|0" passage="Nu 18:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>): <i>I have given</i> (whose the
whole is) <i>all the tenths in Israel,</i> of all the productions
of the land, to <i>the children of Levi,</i> to be divided among
them in just proportions, <i>for their service which they
serve.</i> The Levites were the smallest tribe of the twelve, and
yet, besides all other advantages, they had a tenth part of the
yearly profits, without the trouble and expense of ploughing and
sowing; such care did God take of those that were devoted to his
service; not only that they might be well maintained, but that they
might be honoured with a national acknowledgment of the good
services they did to the public, and owned as God's agents and
receivers; for that which was a heave-offering, or an offering
lifted heavenward unto the Lord, was by him consigned to the
Levites. 2. The priests had the tenths of the Levites' tithes
settled upon them. The order for this Moses is directed to give to
the Levites, whom God would have to pay it with cheerfulness,
rather than the priests to demand it with authority: <i>Speak to
the Levites</i> that it be <i>offered by them,</i> rather than
levied upon them. Now observe, (1.) The Levites were to give God
his dues out of their tithes, as well as the Israelites out of
their increase. They were God's tenants, and rent was expected from
them, nor were they exempted by their office. Thus now, ministers
must be charitable out of what they receive; and the more freely
they have received the more freely they must give, and be examples
of liberality. <i>You shall offer a heave-offering to the Lord,</i>
<scripRef id="Num.xix-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.26" parsed="|Num|18|26|0|0" passage="Nu 18:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. Those that
are employed to assist the devotions of others must be sure to pay
their own, as a heave-offering to the Lord. Prayers and praises
lifted up to God, or rather the heart lifted up in them, are now
our heave-offerings. This (says God) shall be <i>reckoned to you as
though it were the corn of the threshing-floor;</i> that is, though
it was not the fruit of their ground, nor of their own labour, as
the tithes of other Israelites were, yet being of such as they had
it should be accepted, to the sanctifying of all the rest. (2.)
This was to be given <i>to Aaron the priest</i> (<scripRef id="Num.xix-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.28" parsed="|Num|18|28|0|0" passage="Nu 18:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>), and to his successors the high
priests, to be divided and disposed of in such proportions as they
should think fit among the inferior priests. Most of the profits of
the priests' office, which were appointed in the former part of the
chapter, arising from the sacrifices, those priests had the benefit
of who constantly attended at the altar; but, forasmuch as there
were many priests employed in the country to teach and rule, those
tithes taken by the Levites, it is probable, were directed by the
high priest for their maintenance. It is the probable conjecture of
the learned bishop Patrick that the tenth of this last tenth was
reserved for the high priest himself, to support his state and
dignity; for otherwise we read not of any peculiar provision made
for him. (3.) When the Levites had thus paid the tenth of their
income, as a heave-offering to the Lord, they had themselves the
comfortable enjoyment of the other nine parts (<scripRef id="Num.xix-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.30" parsed="|Num|18|30|0|0" passage="Nu 18:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>): "When you have thus <i>heaved
the best from it</i> (for still God's part must be the best) then
you shall <i>eat the rest,</i> not as a holy thing, but with the
same freedom that the other Israelites eat their part with, <i>in
every place, you and your households,</i>" <scripRef id="Num.xix-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.31" parsed="|Num|18|31|0|0" passage="Nu 18:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>. See here what is the way to
have the comfort of all our worldly possessions so as to bear no
sin by reason of them, as it follows, <scripRef id="Num.xix-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.32" parsed="|Num|18|32|0|0" passage="Nu 18:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>. [1.] We must be sure that what
we have be got honestly and in the service of God. It is <i>your
reward for your service;</i> that meat is the best eating that is
first earned; but, if any <i>will not work, neither shall he
eat,</i> <scripRef id="Num.xix-p13.7" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.3.10" parsed="|2Thess|3|10|0|0" passage="2Th 3:10">2 Thess. iii. 10</scripRef>.
And that seems to be spoken of as having a particular comfort and
satisfaction in it which is the reward of faithful service done in
the tabernacle of the congregation. [2.] We must be sure that God
has his dues out of it. Then we have the comfort of our substance
when we have honoured the Lord with it. The <i>you shall bear no
sin by reason of it,</i> when <i>you have heaved the best from
it.</i> This intimates that we must never feed ourselves without
fear, lest our table become a snare, and we bear sin by reason of
it; and that therefore we are concerned to <i>give alms of such
things as we have,</i> that all may be clean and comfortable to
us.</p>
</div></div2>