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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)
繁體中文
利未人的職任（主前1490年）
¹ 耶和華對摩西和亞倫說：
² 「你要從利未人中，將哥轄子孫按著他們的家族、祖宗家室數點出來；
³ 從三十歲直到五十歲，凡一切前來任職、在會幕辦事的。
⁴ 哥轄子孫在會幕辦事，就是關乎至聖之物，他們的事奉如下：
⁵ 起營的時候，亞倫和他兒子要進去，把隔開的幔子取下來，用它蒙蓋法櫃；
⁶ 又在上面蓋上海狗皮的蓋，再鋪上一層全藍色的布，然後把槓穿上。
⁷ 又在陳設餅的桌子上鋪藍色的毯子，將盤子、調羹、碗和蓋東西的蓋子擺在上面；常設的餅也要在上面；
⁸ 再鋪上朱紅色的毯子，用海狗皮蓋上，然後把槓穿上。
⁹ 要拿藍色的毯子，蒙蓋燈臺和燈盞、蠟剪、蠟花盤，並一切盛油的器皿，就是伺候燈臺所用的；
¹⁰ 又要把燈臺和一切屬它的器皿放在海狗皮裏，抬在槓上。
¹¹ 在金壇上要鋪藍色的毯子，用海狗皮蓋上，然後穿上槓；
¹² 又要把聖所裏伺候所用的一切器具，包在藍色的毯子裏，用海狗皮蓋上，抬在槓上；
¹³ 要從壇上除掉灰，鋪上紫色的毯子；
¹⁴ 把壇上一切伺候所用的器具——就是香爐、肉叉、鏟子、盤子，一切壇的器具——擺在上面，又蓋上海狗皮，然後穿上槓。
¹⁵ 亞倫和他兒子把聖所和聖所的一切器具遮蓋完了，正要起營的時候，哥轄的子孫就要來抬：只是他們不可摸任何聖物，免得死亡。這些是哥轄子孫在會幕中所當抬的重擔。
¹⁶ 祭司亞倫的兒子以利亞撒的職任，是點燈的油、馨香的香、每日當獻的素祭和膏油，並看守全帳幕和其中所有的，就是聖所和其中的器具。」
¹⁷ 耶和華對摩西和亞倫說：
¹⁸ 「你們不可將哥轄人各族從利未人中間剪除。
¹⁹ 他們挨近至聖之物的時候，要這樣待他們，使他們存活，不至死亡：亞倫和他兒子要進去，派他們各人所當辦的職任和所當抬的重擔；
²⁰ 只是他們連片時不可進去觀看聖物遮蓋之時，免得死亡。」
我們在此看見利未支派的第二次點名。正如那支派是從全以色列中揀選出來歸神為聖的，照樣那支派中的中年人是從其餘人中揀選出來，實際在帳幕中事奉。如今當注意：
一、誰當被列入這數目。凡一切男的，從三十歲到五十歲。其餘支派被數出去打仗的，是二十歲以外的人，但利未人只從三十到五十；因為事奉神要求我們力量最好的部分、時間最精華的部分，這沒有比用來尊榮那首先的、至善的主更好的了。而且，人可以很快成為好兵丁，卻不能很快成為好傳道人。如今，
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他們到三十歲才被使用，因為在那以前，他們還恐怕存著一些孩童和少年的氣息，沒有足夠的莊重來盡利未人的職任、穿戴利未人的尊榮。他們在二十五歲就被登記為試用者（民八24），在大衛年間，因為工作更多，二十歲就被登記（代上二十三24，拉三8也是如此）；但他們必須花五年學習和等候，這樣預備自己來事奉；不，在大衛年間，他們要花十年預備，從二十到三十。施洗約翰和基督都是在三十歲開始公開傳道。這在字面上對今日的福音傳道人並無約束力，彷彿他們必須到三十歲才開始工作，或到五十歲就要停止；但它給了我們兩條好規則：（1）傳道人不可是初入教的（提前三6）。這是需要判斷成熟和極大穩定的工作，所以那些在知識上不過是嬰孩、還未棄掉孩童之事的人，是極不配得的。（2）他們必須先學後教，先服事後治理，並且必須先受試驗（提前三10）。
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他們到五十歲就從勞苦的事奉——特別是搬運帳幕的事——中退下來；因為這正是他們在此被派定的特別事奉，也是他們在曠野中最常用得著的。當他們開始步入老年，就被允許退下：（1）為厚待他們，免得他們力量開始衰退時過度勞累。一個人能作二十年的好工事奉，已算相當不錯了。（2）為尊榮工作，免得它由那些因年老軟弱而遲鈍沉重的人來作。事奉神當在我們最活潑、最能作的狀態中進行。那些把悔改推遲到老年的人，並未想到這一點，因此把最好的工作留到最壞的時候來作。
二、他們的工作如何被描述。他們被說是進入軍隊，或爭戰，在會幕辦事。傳道的職任是善工（提前三1）：傳道人被設立不僅為尊榮，更為勞苦，不僅為得工價，更為作工。這也是美好的爭戰（提前一18）。那進入傳道職任的人，當看自己是進入了軍隊，並證明自己是基督的精兵（提後二3）。如今關於哥轄子孫，這裏有：
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為他們所定的、在帳幕遷移時的事奉。後來帳幕固定之後，他們另有派定的工作；但這是當日的工作，當在當日而作。當注意，無論以色列的營往何處去，耶和華的帳幕也隨著他們，搬運之事必須小心照管。當注意，我們無論往何處去，都當留意帶著我們的宗教同去，不可忘記它或它的任何部分。如今哥轄人要搬運帳幕一切聖物。他們先前已受託這些物件（民三31），但此處給了他們更詳細的指示。（1）亞倫和他的兒子——祭司們——必須照此處的指示，把哥轄人要抬的物件收拾好（民四5等）。神先前已經定規，除了亞倫一年一次帶著香雲進入至聖所之外，無人可進至聖所（利十六2）；然而他們飄流狀態的必要既如此要求，這條律法在此就被通融了；因為每逢遷移之時，亞倫和他的兒子都進去拆卸約櫃，預備搬運；因為（如博學的帕特里克主教所提示的）舍吉拿——彰顯在施恩座上的神聖威嚴——此時暫時移到那被收起的雲柱之中，於是約櫃就近便不再有危險。（2）一切聖物都要遮蓋起來，約櫃和桌子用三層遮蓋，其餘的用兩層。連壇上的灰——聖火在其中被小心保存和掩埋——也要鋪上紫色的毯子（民四13）。連銅壇雖在聖所的院子裏向眾人敞開陳列，搬運時也要遮蓋。這一切遮蓋都是為了：[1.] 安全，使這些聖物不被風吹皺、不被雨玷污、不被日頭曬失光澤，而得保全其美；因為在一切榮耀之上必有遮蔽。海狗皮的遮蓋既厚又堅，能擋住潮濕；我們在經過這世界曠野的途中，也當為各樣天氣作好防備（賽四5-6）。[2.] 端莊和裝飾。這些物件大多有藍色、紫色或朱紅色的毯子鋪在最外面；約櫃則用全藍色的布遮蓋（民四6），有人說這是象徵蔚藍的天空——它像幔子一樣鋪在我們與高處的威嚴者之間（伯二十六9）。那些對神忠心的人，也當努力在人面前顯為美麗，可以尊榮我們救主神的道。[3.] 隱藏。這表明那時代的黑暗。如今被福音帶到光中、向嬰孩顯明的事，那時向聰明通達人隱藏。他們只看見遮蓋，沒有看見聖物本身（來十1）；但如今基督已經滅了那遮蓋的面（賽二十五7）。（3）當一切聖物都被遮蓋之後，哥轄人就要用肩抬這些物件。有槛的物件用槛抬（民四6、8、11、14）；沒有槛的用杠，或抬床，或抬架抬（民四10、12）。當看見神在這世界中同在的記號是可移動的物件；但我們所尋求的是那不能震動的國。
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以利亞撒——如今亞倫的長子——被指派在這事奉中監督哥轄人（民四16）；他必須留意不使任何物件被遺忘、落下或錯置。作祭司的他比利未人更有尊榮，但他也更多掛慮；那掛慮在他心上的擔子，無疑比他們肩上所抬的一切擔子更重。作帳幕的工易，盡帳幕的託付難；順服易，治理難。
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必須大大小心保全這些利未人的性命，要防止他們在不合時、不敬虔地就近至聖之物：你們不可把哥轄人剪除（民四18）。當注意，那些不盡力攔阻別人犯罪的人，就是盡力剪除他們。[1] 哥轄人在祭司遮蓋聖物之前不可觀看（民四20）。連抬耶和華器皿的人，也不得看見他們所抬的是甚麼——那些職分本為講解律法的人，對福音所知的竟如此之少。[2] 當聖物被遮蓋之後，他們也不可摸它們，至少不可摸約櫃——此處稱為那聖物——違者必被治死（民四15）。烏撒就是因違犯這律法而被擊殺。這樣，連主的僕人自己當時也被留在懼怕之中，這是一個威嚇和黑暗的時代；但如今藉著基督，情形已經改變；我們已經親眼看見，親手摸過那生命之道（約壹一1），並且受鼓勵坦然無懼地來到施恩的寶座前。
²¹ 耶和華對摩西說：
²² 「你要將革順的子孫，按著他們祖宗的家室、家族數點出來；
²³ 從三十歲直到五十歲，你都要數點他們；凡一切前來任職、在會幕辦事的。
²⁴ 革順人各族的事奉如下，就是辦事和抬重擔：
²⁵ 他們要抬帳幕的幔子、會幕和其罩棚，並在上面蓋的海狗皮蓋，和會幕的門簾，
²⁶ 院子的帷子、院門的簾子，就是在帳幕和壇周圍的，並他們的繩子，和他們事奉所用的一切器具，並為他們所造的一切：他們要這樣事奉。
²⁷ 革順的子孫在一切抬重擔和一切事奉上，都要照亞倫和他兒子的吩咐：你們要把他們當抬的一切重擔派給他們。
²⁸ 這是革順兒子各族在會幕中的事奉：他們所當守的，要在祭司亞倫的兒子以他瑪手下。」
²⁹ 「至於米拉利的子孫，你要按著他們的家族、祖宗家室數點他們；
³⁰ 從三十歲直到五十歲，你都要數點他們，凡一切前來任職、在會幕辦事的。
³¹ 他們所當抬的重擔，按著他們在會幕中一切的事奉如下：帳幕的板、閂、柱子、帶卯的座，
³² 院子周圍的柱子、帶卯的座、橛子、繩子，並他們一切事奉所用的器具；你們要按著名字，記算他們當抬重擔所用的器具。
³³ 這是米拉利兒子各族的事奉，就是他們在會幕中一切的事奉，都在祭司亞倫的兒子以他瑪手下。」
我們在此看見利未人其餘兩個家族所當守的職任——這雖不如頭一個那樣尊榮，卻是必需的，也要按規矩而行。1. 革順人受託看守帳幕一切的布幔——幔子、帷子和海狗皮的蓋（民四22-26）。雲彩收起之時，他們要把這些拆卸下來，當約櫃和其餘聖物被抬走之時，他們要收拾帶走，然後在雲彩停留之處重新支搭。亞倫和他的兒子為他們分配各自的職任：「你負責這樣的幔子，你負責那樣的帷子，使各人都知道自己的工，不至混亂」（民四27）。以他瑪特別要監督他們（民四28）。2. 米拉利人受託搬運沉重的物件——板、閂、柱子、帶卯的座、橛子、繩子，這些都按著名字交給他們（民四31-32）。每一件都給了他們清單，使重新支搭帳幕之時，一切都齊備，無所短缺。這些雖看似不如聖所其他物件重要，卻也如此受照管，為要教導我們以最大的精確，保全一切神的制度純全無缺，留意不使任何一件失落。這也表明神對祂教會、對教會每一個肢體的看顧；好牧人按著名叫自己的羊（約十3）。這裏有數千人從事這些事奉，雖然少得多的人就足以搬運那些重擔；但帳幕必須迅速拆卸、迅速支搭，人多就作得快，尤其是各人都知道自己的工。他們也有自己的帳棚要照料、要帶走，但三十歲以下的少年人和五十歲以上的老人可以為他們作這事；經上也沒有提到這些，因為神的殿總當在我們自己的家之前。那些自己建造、裝修房屋，卻任憑神的殿荒涼的人，他們的掛慮是本末倒置的（該一4、9）。聖徒的死被描述為拆卸帳幕（林後五1），也是脫下這帳幕（彼後一14）。那不滅的靈魂，像至聖之物一樣，先被遮蓋、被取去，由天使抬走——人所看不見的——在我們的以利亞撒、就是主耶穌的監督之下。身體也受看顧——皮膚和肌肉，如同幔子；骨頭和筋，如同閂和柱子；這些都不會失落；命令已經下達關乎骨頭，約已經立定關乎塵土；這些都在安全的保管中，到了那大日，當這帳幕重新被支起，這些卑賤的身體變成與耶穌基督榮耀的身體相似之時，都要被獻上。
³⁴ 摩西、亞倫和會眾的首領，將哥轄的子孫按著他們的家族、祖宗家室數點出來；
³⁵ 從三十歲直到五十歲，凡一切前來任職、為在會幕辦事的；
³⁶ 他們按著家族被數的，共二千七百五十名。
³⁷ 這是哥轄各族被數的，就是能在會幕辦事的一切人，是摩西和亞倫照耶和華藉摩西的手所吩咐的命令數點的。
³⁸ 革順的子孫，按著他們的家族、祖宗家室被數的；
³⁹ 從三十歲直到五十歲，凡一切前來任職、為在會幕辦事的；
⁴⁰ 他們按著家族、祖宗家室被數的，共二千六百三十名。
⁴¹ 這是革順兒子各族被數的，就是能在會幕辦事的一切人，是摩西和亞倫照耶和華的命令數點的。
⁴² 米拉利兒子的各族，按著他們的家族、祖宗家室被數的；
⁴³ 從三十歲直到五十歲，凡一切前來任職、為在會幕辦事的；
⁴⁴ 他們按著家族被數的，共三千二百名。
⁴⁵ 這是米拉利兒子各族被數的人，是摩西和亞倫照耶和華藉摩西的手所說的話數點的。
⁴⁶ 凡被數的利未人，就是摩西、亞倫和以色列的首領按著家族、祖宗家室所數點的；
⁴⁷ 從三十歲直到五十歲，凡一切前來任職辦事、在會幕抬重擔的；
⁴⁸ 他們被數的，共八千五百八十名。
⁴⁹ 照耶和華藉摩西的手所吩咐的命令，各人按著自己的事奉和重擔被數點：耶和華怎樣吩咐摩西，摩西就怎樣數點了他們。
我們在此看見利未人三個家族各自數目的詳細記錄，就是在三十歲到五十歲之間能事奉的人。當注意：1. 哥轄人從一個月大以上共8,600名；但其中能事奉的不過2,750名，不到三分之一。革順人共7,500名，其中能事奉的不過2,630名，僅稍多於三分之一。當注意，在增多教會人數的許多人中，相對而言只有少數對教會的事奉有所貢獻。素來如此，如今也是；許多人在帳幕中佔一席位，卻幾乎不作帳幕的工（腓二20-21）。2. 米拉利人總共不過6,200名，但其中能事奉的有3,200名，即過半數。最重的擔子落在那個家族——板、柱子、帶卯的座；神如此安排，使他們雖然人數最少，卻有最多能幹的人；因為無論神召人事奉甚麼，祂必裝備他們，並賜與工作相稱的力量，賜充足的恩典。3. 利未支派中進入神的軍隊為祂爭戰的能事奉之人，總共不過8,580名，而其餘支派中進入以色列軍隊為他們爭戰的能事奉之人則多得多。最小的支派所有的能事奉之人，幾乎比利未人的多四倍，有些支派更超過八倍；因為從事這世界的事奉、憑血氣爭戰的人，遠比獻身事奉神、打那美好的信心之仗的人為多。
영문 원문
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.
前一章統計了整個利未支派，本章則記載該支派中正值服事盛年——三十至五十歲——的人。一、哥轄人中可供事奉的男丁被吩咐數點，並交付他們當守的職責，民 4:2-20。二、革順人，民 4:24-28。三、米拉利人，民 4:29-33。四、各家族的數目，以及最後的總數，都記錄在案，民 4:34-49 等。