Commentario del capitolo
Numbers Capitolo 4
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日本語
Originale inglese
In the former chapter an account was taken of the whole tribe of Levi, in this we have an account of those of that tribe who were in the prime of their time for service, betwixt thirty and fifty years old. I. The serviceable men of the Kohathites are ordered to be numbered, and their charges are given them, Nu 4:2-20. II. Of the Gershonites, Nu 4:24-28. III. Of the Merarites, Nu 4:29-33. IV. The numbers of each, and the sum total at last, are recorded, Nu 4:34-49, etc.
1-49
The Office of the Levites (1490 BC)
日本語
レビ人の奉仕（紀元前1490年）
¹ 主はモーセとアロンに語って言われた。
² レビの子らのうちから、コハテの子らをその家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがって数えよ。
³ 三十歳以上で五十歳に至るまで、会見の天幕の奉仕のわざを行うために、天幕の軍勢にはいるすべての者を。
⁴ 会見の天幕におけるコハテの子らの奉仕は、最も聖なるものについてである。
⁵ 宿営が前進するとき、アロンはその子らと共に来て、おおいの垂れ幕を取り下ろし、それであかしの箱をおおう。
⁶ その上にジャッカルの皮のおおいを置き、それをことごとく青い布で覆い、その担ぎ棒を差し込む。
⁷ 供えのパンの机の上には青い布を広げ、その上に皿、さじ、鉢、注ぎの杯を置く。常備のパンはその上にある。
⁸ その上に緋色の布を広げ、ジャッカルの皮のおおいでそれをおおい、その担ぎ棒を差し込む。
⁹ 彼らは青い布を取り、灯火のともしび木、そのともしび、その火ばさみ、その火皿、すべて仕えるのに用いる油の器を、それと共におおう。
¹⁰ それとそのすべての器をジャッカルの皮のおおいの中に入れ、それを担ぎ棒に乗せる。
¹¹ 金の祭壇の上には青い布を広げ、ジャッカルの皮のおおいでそれをおおい、その担ぎ棒を差し込む。
¹² 彼らは聖所で仕えるために用いるすべての奉仕の器具を取り、青い布の中に入れ、ジャッカルの皮のおおいでそれらをおおい、担ぎ棒に乗せる。
¹³ 祭壇から灰を取り除き、その上に紫色の布を広げる。
¹⁴ その上に祭壇で仕えるために用いるすべての器を置く。すなわち香炉、肉叉、十能、鉢、祭壇のすべての器。その上にジャッカルの皮のおおいを広げ、その担ぎ棒を差し込む。
¹⁵ アロンとその子らが聖所と聖所のすべての器をおおい終えたなら、宿営が前進するとき、その後コハテの子らが来てそれを運ぶ。しかし彼らは聖なるものに触れてはならない。死ぬといけないから。これらは会見の天幕におけるコハテの子らの負担である。
¹⁶ 祭司アロンの子エレアザルの任には、ともしびのための油、かおりの高い香、毎日の穀物の献げ物、聖別の油、また天幕全体の監督、および聖所とその器のうちにあるすべての監督が属する。
¹⁷ 主はモーセとアロンに語って言われた。
¹⁸ あなたがたはレビ人のうちからコハテびとの家族の部族を断ち切ってはならない。
¹⁹ 彼らが最も聖なるものに近づくとき、生きて死なないために、彼らにこのようにせよ。アロンとその子らがはいって、おのおのをその奉仕とその負担に任じる。
²⁰ しかし彼らは、聖なるものがおおわれる間、見ようとしてはいり込んではならない。死ぬといけないから。
ここにレビの部族の第二の数調べがある。その部族がすべてイスラエルのうちから神の特別なものとして取られたように、その部族の中年の男子は他の者たちのうちから実際に天幕の奉仕に用いられるために取られた。観察せよ。
一、だれがこの数に入れられるべきであったか。三十歳から五十歳までのすべての男子。他の部族では、戦いに出るために数えられた者は二十歳以上であった。しかしレビ人は三十歳から五十歳までのみ。神の奉仕はわれわしの力の最も良いものと、われわしの時間の全盛を要求するからである。それは初めであり最も良い方である方の誉れのために用いられるより良くは費やされえない。人は良い兵士よりも良い働き人になる方が早い。さて、
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彼らは三十歳になるまで用いられなかった。それまでは何か子供っぽく若々しいものを残す危険があり、レビ人の奉仕を行い、その誉れを帯びるのに十分な重みがなかったから。彼らは二十五歳で見習いとして入れられ（民8:24）、ダビデの時代にはなすべきわざが多かったため二十歳で（歴代第一23:24、エズ3:8もそう）。しかし彼らは五年間学び、待ち、奉仕のために備えなければならなかった。いや、ダビデの時代には二十歳から三十歳までの十年間の準備があった。バプテスマのヨハネはその公の奉仕を、キリストはご自身のを三十歳で始められた。これは文字通りには今の福音の働き人に義務的ではない。三十歳になるまでそのわざを始めないか、五十歳でやめなければならないかのようである。しかし二つの良い規則を与える。(1) 働き人は新入者であってはならない（テモ第一3:6）。それは判断の熟練と大いなる安定を必要とするわざであり、それゆえ知識において幼子であり、子供の事を捨てていない者には非常に不適である。(2) 彼らは教える前に学び、支配する前に仕え、まず「ためされなければならない」（テモ第一3:10）。
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彼らは五十歳で、特に天幕を運ぶというわざの、骨の折れる部分の奉仕から解放された。これがここで彼らが任ぜられた特別の奉仕であり、荒野にいる間最も必要であった。彼らが年老い始めたとき、解任された。(1) 彼らへの配慮から。彼らの力が衰え始めたとき、過度に疲れさせられないように。二十年の良い奉仕は一人の人にはかなり良いと考えられた。(2) わざの誉れのために。年の弱さのために遅く重い者によってなされないように。神の奉仕はわれわしが最も生き生きと活動的な状態にあるときになされるべきである。悔い改めを老年まで引き延ばし、最も良いわざを最も悪い時にする者がこれを考えない。
二、そのわざがどのように記述されるか。彼らは「天幕の軍勢にはいり」「会見の天幕のわざを行う」と言われる。働き人の務めは「良いわざ」である（テモ第一3:1）。働き人は誉れのためだけでなく、労苦のために任ぜられ、報酬を得るためだけでなく、わざを行うためである。それはまた「良い戦い」でもある（テモ第一1:18）。務めに入る者は自分自身を「軍勢」に入った者と見なし、「良い兵士」として認められなければならない（テモ第二2:3）。さて、特にコハテの子らについては、ここに、
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天幕の移動における彼らの奉仕が任命される。後に天幕が固定されたとき、彼らには他のわざが割り当てられた。しかし今日のわざはその日になされるべきであった。観察せよ。イスラエルの宿営がどこへ行っても、主の天幕は彼らと共に行き、その運搬のための配慮がなされなければならなかった。注。われわしがどこへ行っても、自分たちの宗教を共に携えて行くように気をつけ、それやそのいかなる部分をも忘れないようにしなければならない。コハテ人は天幕のすべての聖なるものを運ぶべきであった。彼らは以前にそれらのものを委ねられた（民3:31）が、ここにより詳細な指示が与えられる。(1) アロンとその子ら、祭司は、コハテ人が運ぶべきものを、ここに指示されるように包まなければならなかった（民4:5など）。神は以前に、一年に一度アロンが香の雲と共にのみ至聖所にはいるべきであると定められた（レビ16:2）。しかし彼らの定住しない状態の必要がそれを求めたので、その律法はここで免除された。彼らが移動するたびに、アロンとその子らは箱を取り下げ、運搬のために包むためにはいったから。というのは（学あるパトリック監督が示唆するように）、恵みの座の上にあった「シェキナ」、神的威厳の表示は、持ち上げられる雲の柱の中に一時的に移ったので、箱は近づくのに危険ではなかったから。(2) すべての聖なるものはおおわれなければならなかった。箱と机は三つのおおいで、他のすべては二つで。祭壇の灰でさえ、聖なる火が注意深く保たれ、かき集められたものであり、紫色の布をその上に広げなければならなかった（民4:13）。青銅の祭壇も、聖所の庭ではすべての者の目に開かれていたが、運搬においてはおおわれた。これらのすべてのおおいは意図された。[1] 安全のために。これらの聖なるものが風で乱され、雨で汚され、太陽で色あせないように、その美しさの中に保たれるために。「すべての栄光の上には守りがある」。ジャッカルの皮のおおいは厚く強いので、湿気を防いだ。われわしがこの世の荒野を通り過ぎる間、あらゆる天候に備えることが重要である（イザ4:5,6）。[2] わかりやすさと装飾のために。これらのものの多くは青、紫、緋色の布を最も外に広げた。箱は「ことごとく青い布」でおおわれた（民4:6）。ある者が言うように、われわしと高きにある威厳との間に天幕のように広げられる青い空の象徴である（ヨブ26:9）。神に忠実な者は人々の前にも美しく現れるように努めるべきである。「神われわしの救い主の教えを飾る」ために。[3] 隠蔽のために。それはその時代の暗やみを意味した。今福音によって光にもたらされ、幼子たちに啓示されたものは、当時知恵ある思慮深い者から隠されていた。彼らはおおいだけを見た。聖なるもの自体を見なかった（ヘブル10:1）。しかし今キリストは「おおいの顔を滅ぼされた」（イザ25:7）。(3) すべての聖なるものがおおわれたとき、コハテ人はそれらを肩で運ぶべきであった。担ぎ棒を持つものはその担ぎ棒で運ばれ（民4:6,8,11,14）。持たないものは担ぎ棒、すなわち運び台に載せて運ばれた（民4:10,12）。この世界における神の臨在のしるしが移動可能なものであることを見よ。しかしわれわしは動かすことのできない国を待ち望む。
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アロンの長子であるエレアザルが、この奉仕においてコハテ人の監督者に任命される（民4:16）。彼は何も忘れられず、後に残されず、間違った場所に置かれないように注意しなければならなかった。祭司として彼はレビ人よりも多くの誉れを持った。しかし彼にはより多くの配慮があった。そしてその配慮は、彼らの肩に置かれたすべての負担よりも、疑いなく彼の心には重い負担であった。天幕のわざを行うより、その信託を果たすこと、従うより治めることはずっと容易である。
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レビ人のいのちを保つために大いなる配慮がなされなければならない。最も聖なるものへの折りを得ない無礼な近づきを防ぐことによって。「コハテびとを断ち切ってはならない」（民4:18）。注。他の者を罪から守るためにできることをしない者は、彼らを断ち切るためにできることをする。[1] コハテ人は祭司がそれらをおおうまで聖なるものを見てはならなかった（民4:20）。主の器を担ぐ者でさえ、自分が担ぐものを見なかった。律法を説明する務めであった者たちでさえ、福音についてはこれほど暗やみの中にいた。そして[2] 聖なるものがおおわれたとき、彼らはそれらに触れてはならなかった。少なくともここで「聖なるもの」と呼ばれる箱には。死の刑の下で（民4:15）。ウザはこの律法の破りのために打ち殺された。このように主の働き人自身も当時恐れの中に保たれた。それは恐怖と同様に暗やみの時代であった。しかし今キリストを通じて、事態は変わった。われわしは「自分の目で見、自分の手でいのちのことばに触れた」（ヨハ第一1:1）。そして「恵みの御座に大胆に来る」よう励まされている。
²¹ 主はモーセに語って言われた。
²² ゲルションの子らもその父祖の家にしたがい、その家族にしたがって数えよ。
²³ 三十歳以上で五十歳に至るまで数えよ。会見の天幕のわざを行い、奉仕をするためにはいるすべての者を。
²⁴ ゲルションびとの家族の奉仕、すなわち奉仕と負担については次のとおり。
²⁵ 彼らは天幕の幕屋、会見の天幕、そのおおい、その上にあるジャッカルの皮のおおい、会見の天幕の入口の垂れ幕を運ぶ。
²⁶ 庭の垂れ幕、天幕と祭壇の周りの庭の入口の幕、その綱、すべての奉仕の器具、それらのために造られたすべてのものを。彼らはこのように奉仕する。
²⁷ アロンとその子らの任命にしたがって、ゲルションの子らのすべての奉仕、そのすべての負担とそのすべての奉仕が行われる。あなたがたはそのすべての負担を彼らに任命して委ねる。
²⁸ これが会見の天幕におけるゲルションの子らの家族の奉仕。その任務は祭司アロンの子イタマルの手の下にある。
²⁹ メラリの子らについては、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがって数えよ。
³⁰ 三十歳以上で五十歳に至るまでおのおの数えよ。会見の天幕のわざを行う奉仕にはいるすべての者を。
³¹ これが会見の天幕におけるそのすべての奉仕における彼らの負担の任務。天幕の板、その横木、その柱、その台。
³² および庭の周りの柱、その台、その釘、その綱、すべての器具とすべての奉仕。あなたがたはその負担の任務の器具を名によって数えよ。
³³ これが祭司アロンの子イタマルの手の下にある、会見の天幕におけるそのすべての奉仕におけるメラリの子らの家族の奉仕。
ここに他の二つのレビ人の家族の任務がある。最初のものほど誉れあるものではないが、必要であり、規則正しく行われるべきであった。1. ゲルション人は天幕のすべての垂れ幕類、幕屋、垂れ幕、ジャッカルの皮のおおいを委ねられた（民4:22-26）。彼らは雲が移り、箱と他の聖なるものが運び去られるとき、これらを取り下げ、包み、携えて行き、雲が留まったところで再び立てるべきであった。アロンとその子らは彼らにそれぞれの任務を割り当てた。「あなたはこの垂れ幕を、あなたはこの幕を世話せよ。おのおのが自分のわざを知り、混乱がないように」（民4:27）。特にイタマルが彼らの監督を取るべきであった（民4:28）。2. メラリ人は重い運搬物を委ねられた。板、横木、柱、台、釘、綱。これらは名によって彼らに引き渡された（民4:31,32）。各々の目録が彼らに与えられた。天幕が再び立てられるとき、それが手に入り、何も探す必要がないために。これらは聖所に関する他のものよりも重要性が少ないと思われたが、それでも配慮がなされた。すべての神的制度を純粋かつ完全に保ち、何も失われないように注意することを最も厳密に教えるために。また神がその教会とその各員に対して取られる配慮を暗示する。良い牧者は「自分の羊をおのずから名によって呼ぶ」（ヨハ10:3）。ここには何千人もの人がこれらの奉仕に用いられた。はるかに少ない数でこれらの負担を運ぶのに十分であったのに。しかし天幕が大いなる迅速さをもって取り下げられ、立てられる必要があり、多くの手が速いわざをするであろう。おのおのが自分のわざを知るときは特に。彼らには世話すべき自分たちの天幕があったが、三十歳以下の若い者や五十歳以上の老人がそれらに仕えたであろう。それらについては何の言及もない。神の家は常にわれわし自身の家より優先されなければならないから。神の家が廃墟のまま放置されている間、自分たちの家を建て、天井を張った者たちの配慮は不条理であった（ハガ1:4,9）。聖徒たちの死は天幕の取り下しとして表される（コリ第二5:1）。そしてそれを脱ぐこと（ペテ第二1:14）。不死のたましいは、最も聖なるもののように、まずおおわれて取り去られ、御使いたちによって、われわしのエレアザルである主イエスの監督の下に、見えずに運ばれる。体についても配慮がなされる。皮と肉は幕のよう、骨と筋は横木や柱のようである。これらのうちのだれも失われない。骨についての命令が与えられ、ちりと契約が結ばれる。これらは安全な保管にあり、大いなる日に、この天幕が再び立てられ、これる卑しい体がイエス・キリストの栄光の体と同じようにされる時に、すべてが現されるであろう。
³⁴ モーセとアロンと会衆のかしらたちは、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがってコハテの子らを数えた。
³⁵ 三十歳以上で五十歳に至るまで。会見の天幕のわざを行う奉仕にはいるおのおの。
³⁶ その家族にしたがって数えられた者は二千七百五十人。
³⁷ これらが主の命令によってモーセの手を通してモーセとアロンが数えた、コハテびとの家族のうち数えられた者。会見の天幕で奉仕のできるすべての者。
³⁸ ゲルションの子らのうち数えられた者。その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがって。
³⁹ 三十歳以上で五十歳に至るまで。会見の天幕のわざを行う奉仕にはいるおのおの。
⁴⁰ その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがって数えられた者は二千六百三十人。
⁴¹ これらが主の命令によってモーセとアロンが数えたゲルションの子らの家族のうち数えられた者。会見の天幕で奉仕のできるすべての者。
⁴² メラリの子らの家族のうち数えられた者。その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがって。
⁴³ 三十歳以上で五十歳に至るまで。会見の天幕のわざを行う奉仕にはいるおのおの。
⁴⁴ その家族にしたがって数えられた者は三千二百人。
⁴⁵ これらが主の命令によってモーセの手を通してモーセとアロンが数えたメラリの子らの家族のうち数えられた者。
⁴⁶ モーセとアロンとイスラエルのかしらたちが、その家族にしたがい、その父祖の家にしたがって数えたレビ人のうち数えられた者はすべて。
⁴⁷ 三十歳以上で五十歳に至るまで。奉仕の務めと会見の天幕における負担の奉仕を行うために来たおのおの。
⁴⁸ その数えられた者は八千五百八十人。
⁴⁹ 主の命令によってモーセの手を通して数えられた。おのおのその奉仕にしたがい、その負担にしたがって。このように彼は主がモーセに命じられたように彼らを数えた。
ここにレビの三つの家族のそれぞれの数、すなわち三十歳から五十歳の間の有効な人々の数の詳細がある。観察せよ。1. コハテ人は一か月以上ですべて八千六百人であった。しかしそのうち奉仕に適した者は二千七百五十人しかなく、三分の一にも満たなかった。ゲルション人はすべてで七千五百人。そのうち奉仕に適した者は二千六百三十人。三分の一少しであった。注。教会の数に加わる多くの者のうち、教会の奉仕に貢献する者は比較的少ない。そうであったし、そうである。多くの者が天幕の中に場所を持つが、天幕のわざをほとんどしない（ピリ2:20,21）。2. メラリ人はすべてで六千二百人にすぎなかった。しかしそのうち三千二百人が奉仕に適した者であった。すなわち半分以上。最も重い負担がその家族にあった。板、柱、台。そして神はそのように定められた。彼らが数において最も少なかったのに、そのうちに最も能力ある人々を持つように。というのは、神が人々を召されるどんな奉仕においても、そのために彼らを備え、わざに比例して力を、十分な恵みを与えられるから。3. 神の軍勢にはいってその戦いを戦うレビの部族の能力ある者の総数はわずか八千五百八十人であった。他の部族のイスラエルの軍勢にはいってその戦いを戦う能力ある者がはるかに多かった。最も小さい部族でさえレビ人のほぼ四倍の能力ある者を持ち、ある部族は八倍以上持っていた。この世の奉仕に従事し、肉に従って戦う者は、神の奉仕に献身し、「信仰の良い戦いを戦う」者よりもはるかに多いから。
Originale inglese
The Office of the Levites (1490 BC)
¹ And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
² Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,
³ From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
⁴ This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things:
⁵ And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:
⁶ And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.
⁷ And upon the table of showbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon:
⁸ And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.
⁹ And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:
¹⁰ And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put it upon a bar.
¹¹ And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put to the staves thereof:
¹² And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put them on a bar:
¹³ And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:
¹⁴ And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it.
¹⁵ And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
¹⁶ And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.
¹⁷ And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
¹⁸ Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites:
¹⁹ But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden:
²⁰ But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.
We have here a second muster of the tribe of Levi. As that tribe was taken out of all Israel to be God's peculiar, so the middle-aged men of that tribe were taken from among the rest to be actually employed in the service of the tabernacle. Now observe,
I. Who were to be taken into this number. All the males from thirty years old to fifty. Of the other tribes, those that were numbered to go forth to war were from twenty years old and upward, but of the Levites only from thirty to fifty; for the service of God requires the best of our strength, and the prime of our time, which cannot be better spent than to the honour of him who is the first and best. And a man may make a good soldier much sooner than a good minister. Now,
1. They were not to be employed till they were thirty years old, because till then they were in danger of retaining something childish and youthful and had not gravity enough to do the service, and wear the honour, of a Levite. They were entered as probationers at twenty-five years old, (Nu 8:24), and in David's time, when there was more work to be done, at twenty (1Ch 23:24, and so Ezr 3:8); but they must be five years learning and waiting, and so fitting themselves for service; nay, in David's time they were ten years in preparation, from twenty to thirty. John Baptist began his public ministry, and Christ his, at thirty years old. This is not in the letter of it obligatory on gospel ministers now, as if they must either not begin their work till thirty years old or must leave off at fifty; but it gives us two good rules:—(1.) That ministers must not be novices, 1Ti 3:6. It is a work that requires ripeness of judgment and great steadiness, and therefore those are very unfit for it who are but babes in knowledge and have not put away childish things. (2.) That they must learn before they teach, serve before they rule, and must first be proved, 1Ti 3:10.
2. They were discharged at fifty years old from the toilsome part of the service, particularly that of carrying the tabernacle; for that is the special service to which they are here ordained, and which there was most occasion for while they were in the wilderness. When they began to enter upon old age, they were dismissed, (1.) In favour to them, that they might not be over-toiled when their strength began to decay. Twenty years' good service was thought pretty well for one man. (2.) In honour to the work, that it might not be done by those who, through the infirmities of age, were slow and heavy. The service of God should be done when we are in the most lively active frame. Those do not consider this who put off their repentance to old age, and so leave the best work to be done in the worst time.
II. How their work is described. They are said to enter into the host, or warfare, to do the work in the tabernacle. The ministry is a good work (1Ti 3:1): ministers are not ordained to the honour only, but to the labour, not only to have the wages, but to do the work. It is also a good warfare, 1Ti 1:18. Those that enter into the ministry must look upon themselves as entered into the host, and approve themselves good soldiers, 2Ti 2:3. Now, as to the sons of Kohath in particular, here is,
1. Their service appointed them, in the removes of the tabernacle. Afterwards, when the tabernacle was fixed, they had other work assigned them; but this was the work of the day, which was to be done in its day. Observe, Wherever the camp of Israel went, the tabernacle of the Lord went with them, and care must be taken for the carriage of it. Note, Wherever we go, we must see to it that we take our religion along with us, and not forget that or any part of it. Now the Kohathites were to carry all the holy things of the tabernacle. They were charged with those things before (Nu 3:31), but here they have more particular instructions given them. (1.) Aaron, and his sons the priests, must pack up the things which the Kohathites were to carry, as here directed, Nu 4:5, etc. God had before appointed that none should come into the most holy place, but only Aaron once a year with a cloud of incense (Le 16:2); and yet, the necessity of their unsettled state requiring it, that law is here dispensed with; for every time they removed Aaron and his sons went in to take down the ark, and make it up for carriage; for (as the learned bishop Patrick suggests) the shechinah, or display of the divine majesty, which was over the mercy-seat, removed for the present in the pillar of cloud, which was taken up, and then the ark was not dangerous to be approached. (2.) All the holy things must be covered, the ark and table with three coverings, all the rest with two. Even the ashes of the altar, in which the holy fire was carefully preserved and raked up, must have a purple cloth spread over them, Nu 4:13. Even the brazen altar, though in the court of the sanctuary it stood open to the view of all, yet was covered in the carriage of it. All these coverings were designed, [1.] For safety, that these holy things might not be ruffled with the wind, sullied with the rain, nor tarnished with the sun, but that they might be preserved in their beauty; for on all the glory shall be a defence. The coverings of badgers' skins, being thick and strong, would keep out wet; and, while we are in our passage through the wilderness of this world, it concerns us to be fenced for all weathers, Isa 4:5,6. [2.] For decency and ornament. Most of these things had a cloth of blue, or purple, or scarlet, spread outmost; and the ark was covered with a cloth wholly of blue (Nu 4:6), an emblem (say some) of the azure skies, which are spread like a curtain between us and the Majesty on high, Job 26:9. Those that are faithful to God should endeavour likewise to appear beautiful before men, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour. [3.] For concealment. It signified the darkness of that dispensation. That which is now brought to light by the gospel, and revealed to babes, was then hidden from the wise and prudent. They saw only the coverings, not the holy things themselves (Heb 10:1); but now Christ has destroyed the face of the covering, Isa 25:7. (3.) When all the holy things were covered, then the Kohathites were to carry them on their shoulders. These things that had staves were carried by their staves (Nu 4:6,8,11,14); those that had not were carried upon a bar, or bier, or bearing barrow, Nu 4:10,12. See how the tokens of God's presence in this world are movable things; but we look for a kingdom that cannot be moved.
2. Eleazar, now the eldest son of Aaron, is appointed overseer of the Kohathites in this service (Nu 4:16); he must take care that nothing was forgotten, left behind, or displaced. As a priest he had more honour than the Levites, but then he had more care; and that care was a heavier burden, no doubt, upon his heart, than all the burdens that were laid upon their shoulders. It is much easier to do the work of the tabernacle than to discharge the trusts of it, to obey than to rule.
3. Great care must be taken to preserve the lives of these Levites, by preventing their unseasonable irreverent approach to the most holy things: Cut you not off the Kohathites, Nu 4:18. Note, Those who do not what they can to keep others from sin do what they can to cut them off. [1.] The Kohathites must not see the holy things till the priests had covered them, Nu 4:20. Even those that bore the vessels of the Lord saw not what they bore, so much were even those in the dark concerning the gospel whose office it was to expound the law. And, [2.] When the holy things were covered, they might not touch them, at least not the ark, called here the holy thing, upon pain of death, Nu 4:15. Uzza was struck dead for the breach of this law. Thus were the Lord's ministers themselves then kept in fear, and that was a dispensation of terror, as well as darkness; but now, through Christ, the case is altered; we have seen with our eyes, and our hands have handles, the word of life (1Jo 1:1), and we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace.
²¹ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
²² Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;
²³ From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
²⁴ This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens:
²⁵ And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers' skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
²⁶ And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them: so shall they serve.
²⁷ At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service: and ye shall appoint unto them in charge all their burdens.
²⁸ This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
²⁹ As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them after their families, by the house of their fathers;
³⁰ From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
³¹ And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,
³² And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden.
³³ This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tabernacle of the congregation, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
We have here the charge of the other two families of the Levites, which, though not so honourable as the first, yet was necessary, and was to be done regularly. 1. The Gershonites were charged with all the drapery of the tabernacle, the curtains, and hangings, and the coverings of badgers' skins, Nu 4:22-26. These they were to take down when the cloud removed, and the ark and the rest of the holy things were carried away, to pack up and bring with them, and then to set up again, where the cloud rested. Aaron and his sons allotted to them their respective charge: "You shall take care of such a curtain, and you of such a hanging, that every one may know his work, and there may be no confusion," Nu 4:27. Ithamar particularly was to take the oversight of them, Nu 4:28. 2. The Merarites were charged with the heavy carriage, the boards and bars, the pillars and sockets, the pins and cords, and these were delivered to them by name, Nu 4:31,32. An inventory was given them of every particular, that it might be forthcoming, and nothing to seek, when the tabernacle was to be set up again. Though these seemed of less importance than the other things pertaining to the sanctuary, yet there was this care taken of them, to teach us with the greatest exactness to preserve pure and entire all divine institutions, and to take care that nothing be lost. It also intimates the care God takes of his church, and every member of it; the good Shepherd calls his own sheep by name, Joh 10:3. Here were thousands of men employed about these services, though a much less number would have served for the bearing of those burdens; but it was requisite that the tabernacle should be taken down, and set up, with great expedition, and many hands would make quick work, especially when every one knew his work. They had tents of their own to take care of, and to take along with them, but the young men under thirty, and the old men above fifty, might serve for them; nor is there any mention of them, for God's house must always be preferred before our own. Their care was preposterous who built and ceiled their own houses while God's house lay waste, Hag 1:4,9. The death of the saints is represented as the taking down of the tabernacle (2Co 5:1), and the putting of it off, 2Pe 1:14. The immortal soul, like the most holy things, is first covered and taken away, carried by angels, unseen, under the inspection of the Lord Jesus, our Eleazar. Care is also taken of the body—the skin and flesh, which are as the curtains, the bones and sinews which are as the bars and pillars; none of these shall be lost; commandment is given concerning the bones, a covenant made with the dust; these are in safe custody, and shall all be produced in the great day, when this tabernacle shall be set up again, and these vile bodies made like the glorious body of Jesus Christ.
³⁴ And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and after the house of their fathers,
³⁵ From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation:
³⁶ And those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.
³⁷ These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
³⁸ And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers,
³⁹ From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,
⁴⁰ Even those that were numbered of them, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty.
⁴¹ These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD.
⁴² And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers,
⁴³ From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,
⁴⁴ Even those that were numbered of them after their families, were three thousand and two hundred.
⁴⁵ These be those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
⁴⁶ All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers,
⁴⁷ From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation,
⁴⁸ Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore.
⁴⁹ According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses.
We have here a particular account of the numbers of the three families of the Levites respectively, that is, of the effective men, between thirty years old and fifty. Observe, 1. The Kohathites were, in all, 8600 from a month old and upwards; but of these there were but 2750 serviceable men, not a third part. The Gershonites, in all, 7500, and of them but 2630 serviceable men, little more than a third part. Note, Of the many that add to the numbers of the church, there are comparatively but few that contribute to the service of it. So it has been, and so it is; many have a place in the tabernacle that do but little of the work of the tabernacle, Php 2:20,21. 2. That the Merarites were but 6200 in all, and yet of these there were 3200 serviceable men, that is, more than half. The greatest burden lay upon that family, the boards, and pillars, and sockets; and God so ordered it that, though they were the fewest in number, yet they should have the most able men among them; for whatever service God calls men to he will furnish them for it, and give strength in proportion to the work, grace sufficient. 3. The whole number of the able men of the tribe of Levi who entered into God's host to war his warfare was but 8580, whereas the able men of the other tribes that entered into the host of Israel to war their warfare were many more. The least of the tribes had almost four times as many able men as the Levites, and some of them more than eight times as many; for those that are engaged in the service of this world, and war after the flesh, are many more than those that are devoted to the service of God, and fight the good fight of faith.
前の章ではレビ部族全体の調査がなされた。この章ではその部族のうち、奉仕に最も適した時期にある者たち、すなわち三十歳から五十歳の間の者たちについての記録がある。一、コハテ人の奉仕に適した者が数えられるよう命じられ、その任務が与えられる（民4:2-20）。二、ゲルション人について（民4:24-28）。三、メラリ人について（民4:29-33）。四、おのおのの数と、最終的な総計が記録される（民4:34-49等）。