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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)
简体中文
利未人的职任（公元前1490年）
¹ 耶和华晓谕摩西和亚伦说： ² "你从利未人中，将哥辖子孙的总数，按着他们的宗族、父家计算； ³ 从三十岁直到五十岁，凡前来任职、在会幕里办事的，都要数点他们。 ⁴ 哥辖子孙在会幕里办事，就是在至圣之物上所当办的，乃是这些： ⁵ 拔营的时候，亚伦和他儿子要进去，取下隔开的幔子，用它遮盖法柜； ⁶ 又在上面盖上獣皮盖，再铺上全蓝色的毯子，把杠穿上。 ⁷ 又在陈设饼的桌子上铺蓝色的毯子，把盘子、勺子、碗和奠酒的杯摆在其上，常设的饼也要在其上； ⁸ 在上面铺朱红色的毯子，再蒙上獣皮盖，把杠穿上。 ⁹ 又要拿蓝色的毯子，盖灯台和灯盏、蜡剪、蜡盘，并一切盛油的器皿，就是他们所用以供职的； ¹⁰ 又要把灯台和这一切器具，包在獣皮盖里，放在抬架上。 ¹¹ 又要在金坛上铺蓝色的毯子，盖上獣皮盖，把杠穿上； ¹² 又要把圣所里供职所用的一切器皿包在蓝色的毯子里，盖上獣皮盖，放在抬架上。 ¹³ 他们要从坛上除掉灰，铺上紫色毯子； ¹⁴ 又要把坛上一切供职所用的器皿，就是火鼎、肉叉、铲子、盘子，就是坛上的一切器具，都摆在其上；又要在其上盖上獣皮盖，把杠穿上。 ¹⁵ 亚伦和他的儿子将圣所和圣所一切器具遮盖完了，将要拔营的时候，哥辖的子孙才可来抬；只是他们不可摸圣物，免得他们死亡。会幕里这些物件，就是哥辖子孙当抬的。 ¹⁶ 祭司亚伦的儿子以利亚撒所当管的，是点灯的油、馨香的香料、常献的素祭和膏油，也要监管全帐幕和其中所有的，并圣所与其中的器具。" ¹⁷ 耶和华晓谕摩西和亚伦说： ¹⁸ "你们不可将哥辖人的各族从利未人中剪除。 ¹⁹ 他们挨近至圣之物的时候，当这样待他们，使他们活着，不至于死亡：亚伦和他儿子要进去，派他们各人所当办的、所当抬的； ²⁰ 只是他们连片刻也不可进去观看圣物被遮盖，免得他们死亡。"
这里有利未支派的第二次点阅。正如那支派是从全以色列中分别出来作神的产业，照样那支派中的壮年人也从其余的人中被取出来，实际从事会幕的事奉。如今请观察：
I. 谁要被纳入这个数目。凡三十岁到五十岁的一切男丁。其余支派中，被数点出去打仗的是二十岁及以上；但利未人只从三十岁到五十岁；因为事奉神要求我们力量最好的、时间最精华的部分，再没有比献给那为首、至善者更为美好的了。一个人可以很快成为好士兵，却不能很快成为好传道人。如今，
1. 他们三十岁以前不可任职，因为在此之前，他们仍可能带着孩童与少年的稚气，还没有足够的庄重去办理利未人的事奉、担当利未人的尊荣。他们在二十五岁时就被登记为试用者（民 8:24），在大卫年间事工更多，则从二十岁起（代上 23:24，拉 3:8亦然）；但他们必须用五年学习、等候，借此装备自己以供事奉；不但如此，在大卫年间他们要花十年预备，从二十岁到三十岁。施洗约翰开始公开事奉时三十岁，基督也是。这在字面上对今日的福音使者并无约束力，仿佛他们要么三十岁才能开工、要么五十岁就得停工；但它给我们两条好准则：——(1.) 传道人不可是初入教的（提前 3:6）。这工作要求判断力的成熟与极大的稳健，因此那些在知识上仍是婴孩、尚未弃掉孩童之事的人，极不宜担任。(2.) 他们必须先学后教，先服事后治理，并"先受试验"（提前 3:10）。
2. 他们五十岁就从辛劳的事奉中退役，特别是扛抬会幕之劳；因为这是他们在此受派定的特殊事奉，也是他们在旷野期间最常需要的。当他们步入老年时，他们就获准退下，(1.) 是为顾惜他们，使他们不致在体力开始衰退时过度劳累。一个人能尽二十年的好服事，已算相当不错。(2.) 是为事工的尊荣，免得它由那些因年老迟缓笨拙的人来作。事奉神当在我们最活泼、最活跃的状态下进行。那些把悔改推到老年的人，并没有考虑到这一点，于是把最好的工作留在最坏的时间去作。
II. 他们的工作如何被描述。他们被称为"进入军中，就是争战，在会幕里办事"。传道之职是"美好的工作"（提前 3:1）：传道人受按立不是仅为尊荣，而是为劳苦；不是仅为得工价，而是为作工。这也是"美好的争战"（提前 1:18）。凡进入传道之职的人，当看自己是进入"军中"，并显明自己是"好兵"（提后 2:3）。如今，特别论到哥辖的子孙，这里有：
1. 在会幕迁徙时派给他们的差事。后来会幕固定之后，他们另有别的事工；但这是当日当作之工，要在那日去作。请观察，以色列的营无论往何处去，耶和华的会幕都随行，搬运之事必须有所安排。当记取：无论我们往何处去，必须留意把我们的信仰一并带去，不可忘记它或它的任何部分。如今哥辖人要扛抬会幕的一切圣物。他们先前已被指派管理这些（民 3:31），但此处给他们更详细的指示。(1.) 亚伦和他的儿子——众祭司——必须按照这里的指示，把哥辖人所当抬的物件包裹好（民 4:5等）。神先前已指定，除了亚略一年一次带着馨香的烟云进入至圣所之外，谁也不可进入（利 16:2）；然而由于他们流徙状态的必要，那律法在此暂得通融；因为每逢拔营时，亚伦和他的儿子都要进去拆卸约柜，预备搬运；因为（如博学的帕特里克主教所提示）那停在施恩座上的shechinah——即神圣威严的显现——当时暂时移入云柱之中，云柱既已上升，约柜就不致危险地被近前。(2.) 一切圣物都要遮盖，约柜和桌子用三层遮盖，其余的用两层。连坛的灰——圣火在其中被小心保存扒拢——也要铺上紫色毯子（民 4:13）。连铜坛虽在圣所的院子里向众人敞开陈设，搬运时也要遮盖。这一切遮盖都是为着：[1.] 安全，使这些圣物不被风吹皱、不被雨淋脏、不被日头褪色，而得以保存其华美；因为"在一切荣耀之上必有遮盖"。獣皮盖又厚又坚，能挡潮湿；我们在此世旷野的旅途中，当留意为各种天气装备自己（赛 4:5,6）。[2.] 端庄与装饰。这些物件大多数最外层都铺着蓝色、紫色或朱红色的毯子；约柜则盖着全蓝色的毯子（民 4:6），有人说是象征蔚蓝的天空，它如幔子般铺展在我们与高处的威严者之间（伯 26:9）。凡向神忠心的人，也当力求在人面前显为华美，好"尊荣我们救主神的道"。[3.] 隐藏。这表征那时代的模糊。如今被福音显明出来、向婴孩启示的事，那时向聪明通达人就是隐藏的。他们只看见遮盖，并没有看见圣物本身（来 10:1）；如今基督已经"除灭遮盖的面"（赛 25:7）。(3.) 等一切圣物遮盖完毕，哥辖人就要用肩扛抬它们。有杠的物件就凭杠扛抬（民 4:6,8,11,14）；没有杠的，就放在抬架或杠子上扛抬（民 4:10,12）。请看神在此世同在的标记是流动的物件；我们却等候那不能震动的国。
2. 以利亚撒——亚伦现今的长子——被指派作哥辖人在这事奉中的监督（民 4:16）；他要负责，使没有一件被忘记、被遗留或被错放。他作为祭司，比利未人更有尊荣，但他也负更多责任；而那份责任在他心上的担子，无疑比他们肩上所挑的一切担子都重。办理会幕的事，比履行会幕的信托要容易得多；顺服比治理要容易得多。
3. 当格外谨慎保全这些利未人的性命，防止他们不合时宜、不敬虔地近前到至圣之物："你们不可剪除哥辖人"（民 4:18）。当记取：不尽己所能防止别人犯罪的，就是尽己所能剪除他们。[1.] 哥辖人不可看见圣物，直等到祭司把它们遮盖好（民 4:20）。连那些抬耶和华器皿的人也看不见自己所抬的；那些其职分本为讲解律法的人，对福音的认识也是如此模糊。[2.] 圣物遮盖之后，他们也不可触摸，至少不可摸约柜——此处称为"圣物"——违者必死（民 4:15）。乌撒因违犯这律而被击杀。如此，那时连耶和华的仆人自己也活在恐惧之中；那是恐怖的治理，也是模糊的治理；如今借着基督，情形已经不同了；我们"亲眼看见过，亲手摸过……生命之道"（约一 1:1），并被勉励"坦然来到施恩的宝座前"。
²¹ 耶和华晓谕摩西说： ²² "你也要将革顺子孙的总数，按着他们的父家、宗族计算； ²³ 从三十岁直到五十岁，凡前来任职、在会幕里办事的，你都要数点他们。 ²⁴ 革顺人各族所当办的事、所当抬的，乃是这些： ²⁵ 他们要抬帐幕的幔子、会幕和其上的罩棚，并盖在上面的獣皮盖，与会幕门帘， ²⁶ 院子的帷子和门帘（就是围着帐幕和坛的），并一切使用的绳子，并事奉所用的一切器具，并为这一切所造的一切；他们就这样办理。 ²⁷ 革顺子孙一切的事奉，和他们一切当抬的，都要照亚伦和他儿子的派定；你们要将他们当抬的派定给他们。 ²⁸ 这是革顺子孙各族在会幕里所当办的事；他们所当守的，要在祭司亚伦的儿子以他玛手下。" ²⁹ 至于米拉利的子孙，你要照着他们的宗族、父家数点他们； ³⁰ 从三十岁直到五十岁，凡前来任职、在会幕里办事的，你都要数点他们。 ³¹ "他们所当抬的、当办的，就是在会幕里一切事奉的，乃是这些：帐幕的板、闩、柱子、带卯的座， ³² 院子四围的柱子、带卯的座、橛子、绳子，并这一切使用的器具，并一切所当办的；你们要按着名字指定他们当抬之物的清单。 ³³ 这是米拉利子孙各族所当办的事、一切事奉，就是在会幕里，在祭司亚伦的儿子以他玛手下。"
这里我们看到利未人另外两家的职责，虽不如头一家那样尊荣，却是必需的，且要按规矩去作。1. 革顺人负责帐幕的一切帷幔——幔子、帷子和獣皮盖（民 4:22-26）。云彩一上升，约柜和其余圣物被抬走，他们就要拆卸这些，包好带去，然后在云彩停歇之处重新搭起。亚伦和他的儿子把各人当办的分派给他们："你当顾这块幔子，你当顾那幅帷子"，使人人知道自己的工，免得混乱（民 4:27）。以他玛特别负责监管他们（民 4:28）。2. 米拉利人负责沉重的物件——板、闩、柱子和带卯的座、橛子和绳子，这些都要按名字一一交付给他们（民 4:31,32）。每一样都有清单给他们，为的是当会幕要重新搭起时，一切齐备、无所缺欠。这些虽看来比圣所其他物件次要，却仍受此细心安排，为要教导我们以最严谨的态度保全一切属神的典制，使其纯全完备，不让任何一件失落。这也表明神对其教会、其中每一个成员的看顾；好牧人"按着名叫自己的羊"（约 10:3）。这里有数千人从事这些事奉，虽然搬运这些担子用少得多的人就足够了；但会幕必须迅速拆搭，人多就快，尤其当人人都知道自己的工时。他们各有自己的帐棚要照管、要随身携带，但三十岁以下的年轻人和五十岁以上的老人可以替他们作这事；这里完全不提这些，因为神的家必须始终优先于我们自己的家。那些建造并装修自己的房屋、却任凭神的家荒凉的人，他们的顾念是本末倒置的（该 1:4,9）。圣徒的死被描写为拆卸帐棚（林后 5:1），也是脱去它（彼后 1:14）。那不朽的灵魂，如同至圣之物，先被遮盖、被取去，由天使扛抬，肉眼不见，在我们的以利亚撒——主耶稣——的监督之下。身体也得着看顾——皮和肉如同帷子，骨和筋如同闩和柱子；这一切都不失落；已有吩咐关乎骨头，已有盟约关乎尘土；这些都安然在监护之中，到了那日，当这帐棚被重新搭起、这些卑贱的身体变得与耶稣基督荣耀的身体相似时，这一切都要重见天日。
³⁴ 于是摩西、亚略和会众的首领，将哥辖子孙按着他们的宗族、父家数点， ³⁵ 从三十岁直到五十岁，凡前来任职、在会幕里办事的， ³⁶ 他们按着宗族被数的，共有二千七百五十名。 ³⁷ 这是哥辖人各族中被数的，就是能在会幕里办事的，都是摩西、亚略照耶和华借摩西所吩咐的数点的。 ³⁸ 革顺的子孙，按着他们的宗族、父家被数的， ³⁹ 从三十岁直到五十岁，凡前来任职、在会幕里办事的， ⁴⁰ 他们按着宗族、父家被数的，共有二千六百三十名。 ⁴¹ 这些是革顺子孙各族中被数的，就是能在会幕里办事的，都是摩西、亚略照耶和华所吩咐的数点的。 ⁴² 米拉利子孙的各族，按着他们的宗族、父家被数的， ⁴³ 从三十岁直到五十岁，凡前来任职、在会幕里办事的， ⁴⁴ 他们按着宗族被数的，共有三千二百名。 ⁴⁵ 这些是米拉利子孙各族中被数的，都是摩西、亚略照耶和华借摩西所吩咐的数点的。 ⁴⁶ 凡被数的利未人，就是摩西、亚略和以色列众首领按着他们的宗族、父家所数的， ⁴⁷ 从三十岁直到五十岁，凡前来办职事之工、在会幕里抬物之工的， ⁴⁸ 他们被数的，共有八千五百八十名。 ⁴⁹ 照耶和华借摩西所吩咐的，按着各人的事奉和当抬的，把他们数点；耶和华怎样吩咐摩西，他们就怎样被数点。
这里我们看见利未人三个家族各自的数目，即三十岁到五十岁的壮丁。请观察：1. 哥辖人从一个月大以上共计8,600人；但其中可用的不过2,750人，不及三分之一。革顺人共计7,500人，其中可用的不过2,630人，略多于三分之一。当记取：在增添教会人数的许多人中，能 contributing 教会事工的比较而言寥寥无几。向来如此，至今亦然；许多人在会幕中有份，却只作会幕极少的工（腓 2:20,21）。2. 米拉利人共计不过6,200人，但其中可用的有3,200人，即过半。最重的担子落在那家——板、柱子和带卯的座；神如此安排，使他们在人数最少之中却有最多能干的人；因为无论神召人作何事奉，祂必装备他们，并照着工作赐力量、赐充足的恩典。3. 利未支派中能干之人的总数，即进入神军中为祂争战的，不过8,580人；而其余支派中进入以色列军中为他们争战的能干之人，却多得多。最小的支派所有的能干之人几乎是利未人的四倍，有些支派则超过八倍；因为从事世事、按血气争战的人，远比那些献身事奉神、"打那美好的信心的仗"的人要多。
英語原文
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.
上一章清点了整个利未支派，本章则记录了该支派中正值服事壮年、年龄在三十至五十岁之间的人。I. 哥辖人中能服役的男丁被命点阅，并将其当尽的职分交托给他们，民 4:2-20。II. 革顺人，民 4:24-28。III. 米拉利人，民 4:29-33。IV. 各家族的数目，以及最后的总数，都一一记录在案，民 4:34-49 等。