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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Numbers, Chapter VII].</TITLE>
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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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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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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. VII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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God having set up house (as it were) in the midst of the camp of
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Israel, the princes of Israel here come a visiting with their presents,
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as tenants to their landlord, in the name of their respective tribes.
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I. They brought presents,
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1. Upon the dedication of the tabernacle, for the service of that,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:1-9">ver. 1-9</A>.
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2. Upon the dedication of the altar, for the use of that,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:10-88">ver. 10-88</A>.
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And,
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II. God graciously signified his acceptance of them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:89">ver. 89</A>.
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The two foregoing chapters were the records of additional laws which
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God gave to Israel, this is the history of the additional services
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which Israel performed to God.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Nu7_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu7_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu7_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu7_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu7_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu7_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu7_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu7_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Nu7_9"> </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 Offerings of the Princes.</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 it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up
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the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all
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the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels
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thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;
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2 That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their
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fathers, who <I>were</I> the princes of the tribes, and were over them
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that were numbered, offered:
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3 And they brought their offering before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, six covered
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waggons, and twelve oxen; a waggon for two of the princes, and for
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each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle.
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4 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto Moses, saying,
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5 Take <I>it</I> of them, that they may be to do the service of the
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tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the
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Levites, to every man according to his service.
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6 And Moses took the waggons and the oxen, and gave them unto
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the Levites.
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7 Two waggons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon,
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according to their service:
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8 And four waggons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of
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Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar
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the son of Aaron the priest.
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9 But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service
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of the sanctuary belonging unto them <I>was that</I> they should bear
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upon their shoulders.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is the offering of the princes to the service of the tabernacle.
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Observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. When it was; not till it was <I>fully set up,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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When all things were done both about the tabernacle itself, and the
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camp of Israel which surrounded it, according to the directions given,
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then they began their presents, probably about the eighth day of the
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second month. Note, Necessary observances must always take place of
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free-will offerings: first those, and then these.</P>
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<P>
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II. Who it was that offered: <I>The princes of Israel, heads of the
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house of their fathers,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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Note, Those that are above others in power and dignity ought to go
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before others, and endeavour to go beyond them, in every thing that is
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good. The more any are advanced the more is expected from them, on
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account of the greater opportunity they have of serving God and their
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generation. What are wealth and authority good for, but as they enable
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a man to do so much the more good in the world?</P>
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<P>
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III. What was offered: six wagons, with each of them a yoke of oxen to
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draw them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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Doubtless these wagons were agreeable to the rest of the furniture of
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the tabernacle and its appurtenances, the best of the kind, like the
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carriages which great princes use when they go in procession. Some
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think that God, by Moses, intimated to them what they should bring, or
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their own consideration perhaps suggested to them to make this present.
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Though God's wisdom had ordained all the essentials of the tabernacle,
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yet it seems these accidental conveniences were left to be provided by
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their own discretion, which was to set in order that which was wanting
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+1:5">Tit. i. 5</A>),
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and these wagons were not refused, though no pattern of them was shown
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to Moses in the mount. Note, It must not be expected that the divine
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institution of ordinances should descend to all those circumstances
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which are determinable, and are fit to be left alterable, by human
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prudence, that wisdom which is profitable to direct. Observe, No sooner
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is the tabernacle fully set up than this provision is made for the
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removal of it. Note, Even when we are but just settled in the world,
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and think we are beginning to take root, we must be preparing for
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changes and removes, especially for the great change. While we are here
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in this world, every thing must be accommodated to a militant and
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movable state. When the tabernacle was framing, the princes were very
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generous in their offerings, for then they brought <I>precious stones,
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and stones to be set</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:27">Exod. xxxv. 27</A>),
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yet now they bring more presents. Note, Those that have done good
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should study to abound therein yet more and more, and not be <I>weary
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of well-doing.</I></P>
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<P>
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IV. How the offering was disposed of, and what use was made of it: the
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wagons and oxen were given to the Levites, to be used in carrying the
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tabernacle, both for their ease (for God would not have any of his
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servants overburdened with work), and for the more safe and right
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conveyance of the several parts of the tabernacle, which would be best
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kept together, and sheltered from the weather, in wagons.
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1. The Gershonites, that had the light carriage, the curtains and
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hangings, had but two wagons, and two yoke of oxen
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>);
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when they had loaded these, they must carry the rest, if any remained,
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upon their shoulders.
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2. The Merarites, that had the heavy carriage, and that which was most
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unwieldy, the boards, pillars, sockets, &c., had four wagons, and four
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yoke of oxen allotted them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>);
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and yet, if they had not more wagons of their own, they would be
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obliged to carry a great deal upon their backs too, for the silver
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sockets alone weighed 100 talents, which was above four tons, and that
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was enough to load four wagons that were drawn but by one yoke of oxen
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a-piece. But each socket being a talent weight, which is about a man's
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burden (as appears,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+5:23">2 Kings v. 23</A>)
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probably they carried those on their backs, and put the boards and
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pillars into the wagons. Observe here, How God wisely and graciously
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ordered the most strength to those that had the most work. Each had
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wagons <I>according to their service.</I> Whatever burden God in his
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providence lays upon us, he will by his sufficient grace proportion the
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strength to it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+10:13">1 Cor. x. 13</A>.
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3. The Kohathites, that had the most sacred carriage, had no wagons at
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all, because they were to carry their charge upon their shoulders
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
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with a particular care and veneration. When in David's time they
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carried the ark in a cart, God made them to know to their terror, by
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the death of Uzza, that they did not <I>seek him in the due order.</I>
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See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+15:13">1 Chron. xv. 13</A>.</P>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>10 And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the
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day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering
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before the altar.
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11 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Moses, They shall offer their
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offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the
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altar.
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12 And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon
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the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah:
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13 And his offering <I>was</I> one silver charger, the weight
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thereof <I>was</I> an hundred and thirty <I>shekels,</I> one silver bowl of
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seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them
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<I>were</I> full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
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14 One spoon of ten <I>shekels</I> of gold, full of incense:
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15 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for
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a burnt offering:
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16 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
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17 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams,
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five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this <I>was</I> the
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offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
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18 On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of
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Issachar, did offer:
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19 He offered <I>for</I> his offering one silver charger, the weight
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whereof <I>was</I> an hundred and thirty <I>shekels,</I> one silver bowl of
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seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them
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full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
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20 One spoon of gold of ten <I>shekels,</I> full of incense:
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21 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for
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a burnt offering:
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22 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
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23 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams,
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five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this <I>was</I> the
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offering of Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
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24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the
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children of Zebulun, <I>did offer:</I>
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25 His offering <I>was</I> one silver charger, the weight whereof
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<I>was</I> an hundred and thirty <I>shekels,</I> one silver bowl of seventy
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shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of
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fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
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26 One golden spoon of ten <I>shekels,</I> full of incense:
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27 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for
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a burnt offering:
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28 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
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29 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams,
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five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this <I>was</I> the
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offering of Eliab the son of Helon.
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30 On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the
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children of Reuben, <I>did offer:</I>
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31 His offering <I>was</I> one silver charger of the weight of an
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hundred and thirty <I>shekels,</I> one silver bowl of seventy shekels,
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after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine
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flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
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32 One golden spoon of ten <I>shekels,</I> full of incense:
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33 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for
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a burnt offering:
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34 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
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35 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams,
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five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this <I>was</I> the
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offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.
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36 On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of
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the children of Simeon, <I>did offer:</I>
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37 His offering <I>was</I> one silver charger, the weight whereof
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<I>was</I> an hundred and thirty <I>shekels,</I> one silver bowl of seventy
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shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of
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fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
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38 One golden spoon of ten <I>shekels,</I> full of incense:
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39 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for
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a burnt offering:
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40 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
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41 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams,
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five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this <I>was</I> the
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offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
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42 On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the
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children of Gad, <I>offered:</I>
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43 His offering <I>was</I> one silver charger of the weight of an
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hundred and thirty <I>shekels,</I> a silver bowl of seventy shekels,
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after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine
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flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
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44 One golden spoon of ten <I>shekels,</I> full of incense:
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45 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for
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a burnt offering:
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46 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
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47 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams,
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five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this <I>was</I> the
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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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+8:10,11">Lev. viii. 10, 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+138:4,5">Ps. cxxxviii. 4, 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>):
|
|
|
|
<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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+2:1">Jam. ii. 1</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:23">1 Cor. xv. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some observe that Nahshon is the only one that is not expressly called
|
|
a prince
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:10">Heb. vi. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
We find Christ taking particular notice of what was cast into the
|
|
treasury,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+12:41">Mark xii. 41</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
7. The sum total is added at the foot of the account
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:84-88"><I>v.</I> 84-88</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:89,12:8"><I>v.</I> 89, <I>ch.</I> xii. 8</A>);
|
|
|
|
and in speaking to him he did in effect speak to all Israel, showing
|
|
them this token for good,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+103:7">Ps. ciii. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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