This rod was preserved, to take away the murmurings of the people, that they might not die. The
design of God, in all his providences, and in the memorials of them, is to take away sin. Christ was
manifested to take away sin. Christ is expressly called a rod out of the stem of Jesse: little prospect
was there, according to human views, that he should ever flourish. But the dry rod revived and
blossomed to the confusion of his adversaries. The people cry, Behold, we die, we perish, we all
perish! This was the language of a repining people, quarrelling with the judgments of God, which
by their own pride and obstinacy they brought upon themselves. It is very wicked to fret against
God when we are in affliction, and in our distress thus to trespass yet more. If we die, if we perish,
it is of ourselves, and the blame will be upon our own heads. When God judges, he will overcome,
and will oblige the most obstinate gainsayers to confess their folly. And how great are our mercies,
that we have a clearer and a better dispensation, established upon better promises!
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
The charge of the priests and Levites. (1–7)
The priests' portion. (8–19)
The Levites' portion. (20–32)Verses 1–7
The people complained of their difficulty and peril in drawing near to God. God here gives
them to understand, that the priests should come near for them. Aaron would see reason not to be
proud of his preferment, when he considered the great care and charge upon him. Be not
high-minded, but fear. The greater the trust of work and power that is committed to us, the greater
danger there is of betraying that trust. This is a good reason why we should neither envy others'
honours, nor desire high places.
Verses 8–19
All believers are spiritual priests, and God has promised to take care of them. Godliness has
the promise of the life that now is. And from the provision here made for the priests, the apostle
shows that it is the duty of christian churches to maintain their ministers. Scandalous maintenance
makes scandalous ministers. The priests were to be wholly devoted to their ministry, not diverted
from it, or disturbed in it, by worldly care or business. Also, that they might be examples of living
by faith, not only in God's providence, but in his ordinances. The best should be offered for the
first-fruits unto the Lord. Those who think to save, by putting God off with the refuse, deceive
themselves, for God is not mocked.
Verses 20–32