the advancement of his own family, or to secure any honours to it. The tribe of Levi was by much
the least of all the tribes. God's chosen are but a little flock in comparison with the world.
Verses 40–51
The number of the first-born, and that of the Levites, came near to each other. Known unto God
are all his works beforehand; there is an exact proportion between them, and so it will appear, when
they are compared together. The small number of first-born, over and above the number of the
Levites, were to be redeemed, and the redemption-money given to Aaron. The church is called the
church of the first-born, which is redeemed, not as they were, with silver and gold; but, being
devoted by sin to the justice of God, is ransomed with the precious blood of the Son of God. All
men are the Lord's by creation, and all true christians are his by redemption. Each should know his
own post and duty; nor can any service required by such a Master be rightly accounted mean or
hard.
Chapter 4
Chapter Outline
The Levites' service. (1–3)
The duties of the Kohathites. (4–20)
The duties of the Gershonites and Merarites. (21–33)
The numbers of the serviceable Levites. (34–49)Verses 1–3
The middle-aged men of the tribe of Levi, all from thirty years old to fifty, were to be employed
in the service of the tabernacle. The service of God requires the best of our strength, and the prime
portion of our time, which cannot be better spent than to the honour of Him who is the First and
Best. And the service of God should be done when we are most lively and active. Those do not
consider this who put off repentance to old age, and so leave the best work to be done in the worst
time.
Verses 4–20
The Kohathites were to carry the holy things of the tabernacle. All the holy things were to be
covered; not only for security and respect, but to keep them from being seen. This not only marked
the reverence due to holy things, but the mystery of the things signified by those types, and the
darkness of the dispensation. But now, through Christ, the case is altered, and we are encouraged
to come boldly to the throne of grace.