10/11/2022 – Day 226 – Numbers 1 – 4 // Why did the Lord command Moses to take a census of the Israelite community?
I am going to share short excerpts from Matthew Henry’s commentary to help us out . I mean short in relative terms, given that Matthew’s commentary book comes in at just under 2,000 pages. My bible comes in at 1,100 pages. And I am not adjusting for the smaller font in Matthew’s commentary.
First, I am going to hold off on Matthew’s answer to my question on the census in the title line, just in case someone wants to take a stab at it. Hopefully , I will remember to follow up with a comment on this post around this weekend at the earliest. Ok, let’s get started:
Chapter Two:
”… 4. The tribe of Judah was in the first post of honor, encamped towards the rising sun, and in their marches led the van, not only because it was the most numerous tribe, but chiefly because from that tribe Christ was to come. Judah was the first of the twelve sons of Jacob that was blessed. He therefore being first in blessing, not in birth, is put first, to teach children how to value the smiles of godly parents and dread their frowns. 5. The tribe of Levi pitched closely about the tabernacle, within the rest of the tribes. V. 17. They must defend the sanctuary, and then the rest of the tribes must defend them. Civil powers should protect the religious interests of a nation, and be a defense upon that glory. (Jimmy comment: How are we doing on that obligation now in America?) 6. The camp of Dan, though posted in the left wing when they encamped , was ordered in their march to bring up the rear, v. 31. They were the most numerous, next to Judah, and therefore were ordered into a post which, next to the front, required the most strength.”
Chapter Three:
”… II. A particular account is given of this family of Aaron; what we have met with before concerning them is here repeated. The two younger: Eleazer and Ithamar ministered in the sight of Aaron. They kept under their father’s eye, and took instruction from him in all they did, because probably Nadab and Abibu got out of their father’s sight when they offered strange fire. (Jimmy comment: And they were smitten on the spot by God.)
Chapter Four: Duties decreed for families within the tribe of Levi.
”… 1. They were not to be employed till they were thirty years old. They were entered as probationers at twenty-five years old. (Ch 23:24), and so Ezra, 3:8; but they must be five years learning and waiting, and so fitting themselves for service; 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 gives us two good rules: —- 1) That ministers must not be novices. 1 Timothy 3:6. It is a work that requires ripeness of judgment and great steadiness. (2). That they must learn before they teach, serve before they rule, and must first be proved, 1 Timothy 3:10.
2. They were discharged at fifty years old from the toilsome part of the service, particularly that of carrying the tabernacle.
II. How their work is described. They are said to enter into the host, or warfare, to do the work in the tabernacle. Those that enter into the ministry must look upon themselves as entered into the host, and approve themselves good soldiers, 2 Timothy 2:3.”
Soli Deo Gloria!