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Numbers Chapter
One
Numbers 1
Chapter Contents
The numbering of the Israelites. (1-43) The number of the
people. (44-46) The Levites not numbered with the rest. (47-54)
Commentary on Numbers 1:1-43
The people were numbered to show God's faithfulness in
thus increasing the seed of Jacob
that they might be the better trained for
the wars and conquest of Canaan
and to ascertain their families in order to
the division of the land. It is said of each tribe
that those were numbered
who were able to go forth to war; they had wars before them
though now they
met with no opposition. Let the believer be prepared to withstand the enemies
of his soul
though all may appear to be peace.
Commentary on Numbers 1:44-46
We have here the sum total. How much was required to
maintain all these in the wilderness! They were all provided for by God every
day. When we observe the faithfulness of God
however unlikely the performance
of his promise may appear
we may take courage as to those which yet remain to
be fulfilled to the church of God.
Commentary on Numbers 1:47-54
Care is here taken to distinguish the tribe of Levi
which
in the matter of the golden calf
had distinguished itself. Singular
services shall be recompensed by singular honours. It was to the honour of the
Levites
that to them was committed the care of the tabernacle and its
treasures
in their camps and in their marches. It was for the honour of the
holy things that none should see them
or touch them
but those who were called
of God to the service. We all are unfit and unworthy to have fellowship with
God
till called by his grace into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our
Lord; and so
being the spiritual seed of that great High Priest
we are made
priests to our God. Great care must be taken to prevent sin
for preventing sin
is preventing wrath. Being a holy tribe
they were not reckoned among other
Israelites. They that minister about holy things
should neither entangle
themselves
nor be entangled
in worldly affairs. And let every believer seek
to do what the Lord has commanded.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on
Numbers》
Numbers 1
Verse 1
[1] And
the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai
in the tabernacle of the
congregation
on the first day of the second month
in the second year after
they were come out of the land of Egypt
saying
In the wilderness —
Where now they had been a full year or near it
as may be gathered by comparing
this place with Exodus 19:1; 40:17.
Verse 2
[2] Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel
after
their families
by the house of their fathers
with the number of their names
every male by their polls;
Take the sum —
This is not the same muster with that Exodus 38:26
as plainly appears
because that
was before the building of the tabernacle
which was built and set up on the
first day of the first month
Exodus 40:2
but this was after it
on the first
day of the second month. And they were for different ends; that was to tax them
for the charges of the tabernacle; but this was for other ends
partly that the
great number of the people might be known to the praise of God's faithfulness
in making good his promises of multiplying them
and to their own
encouragement: partly for the better ordering their camp and march
for they
were now beginning their journey; and partly that this account might he
compared with the other in the close of the book
where we read that not one of
all this vast number
except Caleb and Joshua were left alive; a fair warning
to all future generations to take heed of rebelling against the Lord. It is
true
the sums and numbers agree in this and that computation
which is not
strange
because there was not much time between the two numberings
and no
eminent sin among the people in that interval
whereby God was provoked to
diminish their numbers. Some conceive that in that number
Exodus 30:11-16 and Exodus 38:25
26
the Levites were included
which are here excepted
Numbers 1:47
and that in that interval of time
there were grown up as many more men of those years as there were Levites of
the same age.
Israel — So
the strangers mixed with them
were not numbered.
Their fathers — The
people were divided into twelve tribes
the tribes into great families
Numbers 26:5
these great families into lesser
families called the houses of their fathers
because they were distinguished
one from another by their fathers.
Verse 5
[5] And
these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of
Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Reuben —
The tribes are here numbered according to the order or quality of their birth
first the children of Leah
then of Rachel
and then of the handmaids.
Verse 12
[12] Of
Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Deuel —
Called Reuel
Numbers 3:14
the Hebrew letters Daleth and Resh
being often changed.
Verse 19
[19] As the LORD commanded Moses
so he numbered them in the wilderness of
Sinai.
He numbered them —
For ought that appears in one day.
Verse 20
[20] And
the children of Reuben
Israel's eldest son
by their generations
after their
families
by the house of their fathers
according to the number of the names
by their polls
every male from twenty years old and upward
all that were able
to go forth to war;
By their generations — That is
the persons begotten of Reuben's immediate children
who are
here subdivided into families
and they into houses
and they into particular
persons.
Verse 27
[27]
Those that were numbered of them
even of the tribe of Judah
were threescore
and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
Threescore and fourteen thousand — Far more than any other tribe
in accomplishing Jacob's prophecy
Genesis 49:8-12.
Verse 33
[33]
Those that were numbered of them
even of the tribe of Ephraim
were forty
thousand and five hundred.
Ephraim —
Above 8000 more than Manasseh
towards the accomplishment of that promise
Genesis 48:20
which the devil in vain attempted
to defeat by stirring up the men of Gath against them
1 Chronicles 7:21
22.
Verse 37
[37]
Those that were numbered of them
even of the tribe of Benjamin
were thirty
and five thousand and four hundred.
Thirty five thousand — The smallest number
except one
though Benjamin had more immediate
children than any of his brethren
Genesis 46:21
whereas Dan had but one immediate
son
Genesis 46:23
yet now his number is the biggest
but one of all the tribes
and is almost double to that of Benjamin. Such great
and strange changes God easily can
and frequently doth make in families
1 Samuel 2:5. And therefore let none boast or
please themselves too much in their numerous offspring.
Verse 49
[49] Only
thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi
neither take the sum of them among the
children of Israel:
Levi —
Because they were not generally to go out to war
which was the thing
principally eyed in this muster
Numbers 1:3
20
45
but were to attend upon the
service of the tabernacle. They that minister upon holy things
should not
entangle themselves in secular affairs. The ministry itself is work enough for
a whole man
and all little enough to be employed in it.
Verse 50
[50] But
thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony
and over all
the vessels thereof
and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the
tabernacle
and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it
and
shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
The tabernacle of testimony — So called here
and Exodus 38:21
because it was made chiefly for
the sake of the ark of the testimony
which is often called the testimony.
Verse 51
[51] And
when the tabernacle setteth forward
the Levites shall take it down: and when
the tabernacle is to be pitched
the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger
that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
That cometh nigh —
The stranger elsewhere is one of another nation
here one of another tribe. So
as to do the offices mentioned
Numbers 1:50.
Verse 53
[53] But
the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony
that there be
no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall
keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
No wrath —
From God
who is very tender of his worship
and will not suffer the profaners
of it go unpunished! whose wrath is called simply wrath by way of eminency
as
the most terrible kind of wrath.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Numbers》
01 Chapter 1
Verse 1
In the wilderness of Sinai.
In the desert: an illustration of the life of the good in this
world
I. The natural
trials of the desert.
1. Barrenness. Temporal and material things cannot satisfy spiritual
beings.
2. Homelessness. The soul cannot find rest in this wilderness world.
3. Pathlessness. Man
if left to himself
is bound to stray and lose
himself.
4. Perilousness. The wiles of the devil
the seductions of the world
and the
lusts of the flesh.
5. Aimlessness. The years pass
opportunities come and go
and so
little seems accomplished
so little progress made in our character
so little
true work done.
II. The divine
presence in the desert.
1. Divine communication in the desert. God’s voice is never silent.
He is ever speaking in the sounds and silences of nature; through Scripture;
and by His Holy Spirit.
2. Divine provision in the desert. “The Lord will give grace and
glory; no good will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” “Your heavenly
Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” “My God shall supply all
your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
3. Divine shelter and rest in the desert (Psalms 90:1).
4. Divine direction in the desert.
5. Divine protection in the desert. “No weapon that is formed against
thee shall prosper.” “If God be for us
who can be against us?” “Who is he that
will harm you
if ye be followers of that which is good?”
III. THE DIVINE USES
OF THE DESERT.
1. That the generation of slaves might pass away. There is much in us
that must die and be buried before we can enter upon the inheritance of
spiritual perfection. Our craven-hearted fears
our carnal lusts
our miserable
unbelief
must be buried in the desert.
2. That a generation of free men might be educated. In the desert we
are being trained by God into spiritual perfection and power for service and
blessedness.
Conclusion:
1. Ponder well the Divine design of our life in this world.
2. By the help of God seek its realisation in ourselves. (W.
Jones.)
Take ye the sum of all the congregation.
Reasons for numbering the people
Not because God would understand whether they were sufficient for
number
or able for strength
to encounter their enemies
forasmuch as nothing
is unknown to Him or impossible for Him to bring to pass
who is able to save
as well with a few as with many.
1. For order’s sake: that there should be no occasion of contention
for primacy
but that every tribe and family should know his place and time
when to remove and when to stand still
when to fight with their enemies
and
in every point what to do.
2. That such things as were to be paid for the use of the tabernacle
might the more easily be collected when they were separated according to their
tribes
and the tribes according to their families
and the families according
to the household
man by man.
3. To testify His exceeding great love toward them and special care
over them. A faithful shepherd will many times count the sheep committed to
him
lest any should be missing.
4. Lastly
they are severally and distinctly numbered every tribe by
itself
that in time to come it might be certainly known of what tribe and
family Christ Jesus
the promised Messiah
should be born. (W. Attersoll.)
Reasons for the census taking:
1. To prove the accomplishment of the promise made to Abraham
that God would multiply his seed exceedingly; and renewed in Jacob (Genesis 28:14). Now it appears that there
did not fail one tittle of that good promise
which was an encouragement to
them to hope that the other promise of the land of Canaan for an inheritance
should always be fulfilled in its season. Therefore God would have Israel
numbered
that it might be upon record how vastly they were increased in a
little time
that the power of God’s providence and the truth of His promise
may be acknowledged by all. It could not have been expected
in any ordinary
course of nature
that seventy-five souls (which was the number of Jacob’s
family when he went down into Egypt): should in two hundred and fifteen years
multiply to so many hundred thousands. It is therefore to be attributed to an
extraordinary virtue in the Divine promise and blessing.
2. It was to put a difference between the true-born Israelites and
the mixed multitude that were among them. None were numbered but Israelites.
All the world is but a lumber in comparison with those jewels. Little account
is made of others; but the saints God has a particular property in and concern
for (2 Timothy 2:19; Philippians 4:3). The hairs of their head
are numbered; but He will say to others
“I never knew you
never made any
account of you.”
3. It was in order to their being marshalled into several districts
for the more easy administration of justice
and their more regular march
through the wilderness. It is a rout and a rabble
not an army
that is not
mustered and put in order. (Matthew Henry
D. D.)
Israel’s host mustered:
1. The order for this enumeration is Divine. God gave the order
and
He appointed the men who should fulfil it. It may be asked
Why does the Lord
now sanction the doing of this work
and in the subsequent ages curs David for
doing
substantially
the same thing? The answer is twofold: First
it was not
the Lord
but Satan
who tempted David to number Israel; and
secondly
it was
done for the gratification of David’s personal pride and ambition. Further
it
may be said
this was done against the protest of the general-in-chief of his
armies (see 1 Chronicles 21:3-4). When God
commands it is always safe to obey; but when Satan incites us we are to beware.
There are several reasons why God commanded this muster-roll to be made now.
The numbering of the people (a homily for the census day)
I. A few words
about the census
which is being taken to-day in every town
every hamlet
every remote habitation of the United Kingdom. The Israelites dealt largely in
statistics. At all the great turning-points in their history a census was
taken. This Book of Numbers owes its name to the fact that it records two
census-takings; one at the beginning
the other at the close of the forty
years’ sojourn in the wilderness. An admonition to fill up the census-papers
with exactness and for conscience’ sake.
II. Meditations
proper to the census day.
1. The filling up of a census-paper is
in itself
a piece of secular
business. Yet I do not envy the man who can perform it without being visited
with holy feeling. The setting down of the names of one’s household brings up
many tragic memories. The setting down one’s own age
after a lapse of ten
years
summons us to count our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
2. The Lord keeps an exact register of His people. There is a Book of
Life in which are inscribed the names of all whom He has chosen. How true this
is the whole Scripture bears witness (Exodus 32:30; Isaiah 4:3; Ezekiel 13:9; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 13:8). We commonly think of
this as a book which is shut and sealed. The Lord only knoweth them that are
His. A man may ascertain his own acceptance with God. (W. Binnie
D. D.)
The numbering of the people:
I. The authority
for this numbering. Leaders of men should be well assured of two things in the
movements which they inaugurate--
1. That they have the Divine approval of their undertakings. The
movement which is approved by God
and well prosecuted
shall advance to
splendid triumph.
2. That they are actuated by worthy motives in their undertakings. A
sinful
selfish motive will vitiate our enterprises and mar our works. “The
Lord looketh at the heart.” Let us scrutinise our motives.
II. The place of
this numbering. “In the wilderness of Sinai.”
1. In a desert.
2. In a desert where the tabernacle of God was.
III. The time of
this numbering. Exactly one month after the setting up of the tabernacle (Exodus 40:2; Exodus 40:17) and about eleven months
from the time of their arrival in the desert of Sinai. The people abode in this
desert nearly a whole year (comp. Exodus 19:1 with Numbers 1:1; Numbers 10:11). What was the reason of
this protracted halt? That they might be instructed in their relations to God
and to each other; that they might learn lessons of duty and worship; that they
might be taught to reverence and obey God. There are times and circumstances in
which standing still is the speediest advance.
IV. THE MANNER OF
THIS NUMBERING. They were to take account of--
1. Only the males.
2. Only the males above twenty years old.
3. Only the males above twenty years old who were in vigorous
health--“able to go forth to war.”
4. They were to be numbered “after their families
” that it might be
known of what tribe and of what particular house every able man was.
5. The numbering was to be individual
and by name.
The census was minute.
V. The design of
this numbering.
1. The organisation of the army.
2. To manifest the Divine faithfulness.
3. To show the Divine power.
4. To the promotion of order.
5. To exhibit
on the coming of the Messiah
the correspondence of
the event with the predictions concerning it.
6. To illustrate the care of God for His people generally and
particularly. The Lord’s care over His people is most minute and constant and
tender. (W. Jones.)
The numbered people:
1. In common matters men count possessions
which are choice and dear
and prized. They whose mean joys are fixed on this world’s pelf thus calculate
their gold. Their coffers are oft opened. Do we
then indulge unfounded fancy when in God’s numbering we read God’s love? Do
not clear characters here write that His people are thus numbered because
loved--counted
because prized?
2. Who are numbered? The young
the weak
the female
stand apart.
None are enrolled but they whose age and strength enable them for war. Christ’s
service is a mighty work
a determined fight. About a year has passed since the
last numbering of this family. The Levites then formed part of the collected
mass. They are not now included. They stand apart
a separate portion. But mark
a wondrous fact. The number then and now amounts exactly to the same. Israel
has surrendered Levi’s tribe
but Israel’s forces are not thereby less. We
never lose by giving to the Lord.
3. Once more survey the numbered people. You are inclined to say this
band will safely reach the promised land. Surely their willing steps will ever
run in the appointed way. Alas! two
and two only
steadfastly adhere. Ah
unbelief! It is the sin of sins
the misery of miseries
the hopeless malady
the death of souls
the bar which shuts out Christ. (Dean Law.)
Counting mercies and days:
We may again learn of these gracious numberings of His people to
number often with ourselves His mercies vouchsafed unto us
that we may send up
thankful thoughts to His majesty for them. Such an holy numbering used Jacob
when he said
“O Lord
with my staff came I over this river
and now I return with much
wealth.” How many great men
of all callings
may thus number God’s favour
towards them since their first beginning
in cities and towns
where little
stocks have grown to great sums. What a fit meditation is this? and how shall
the Lord like this kind of numbering? We may also remember what the Psalm says
and learn to number our days
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. But you
may say this numbering was restrained to the Jews
and even so was God’s love
in some sort
for a time. But when Christ came
then there went out a decree
from Augustus Caesar that all the world should be taxed
which could not be
without numbering of them. And therefore by Christ the partition-wall is broken
down
and the comforts of God’s numbering of them imparted to us
and to be
approved by us to our joy
praying with him that so prayed
“Grant
good Lord
that in Thy numberings of Thy people I may be ever one.” (Bp. Babington.)
The census paper:
The census paper may be
by God’s blessing
the means of bringing
home some very telling facts. You
who are going to sign it
are ten years
older than when last a similar paper lay before you. Ten years gone! gone for
ever! Is not this something to make you thoughtful? The census papers will show
what increase and progress has been made throughout the country. Mark this.
There is no idea of failure or decrease. Can you show marks of Christian
progress as clear? Whether you have prospered in your everyday work or not
enjoyed health and happiness
or had to bear sickness
disappointment
and even
bereavement--in any case have you
as if forgetful of the past
still kept
“pressing forward” for the prize of your high calling in Christ Jesus? Is there
no decrease
no failure? You will write down your Christian name
condition
and profession. Your Christian name! Many a man’s name is his character. There
are names which in every rank
profession
business
and trade
are coupled
with skill
courage
honesty
and truth: their names are
as it were
registered in the book of greatness. There is a book in which the names of
Christians are registered (Philippians 4:3). Is your Christian name
entered there? Does your Christian name suggest before God and His angels
to
your neighbour
and yourself
a Christian character. Perhaps your condition has
not altered. You are still what you were ten years ago: Have all who are under
your roof learnt to see in you a kind friend
a good father or mother
a
forbearing master or mistress
a steward conscious that you must give account
to God of the duties and responsibilities of your trust? Perhaps it has altered.
You have married
and children have been granted to you. Have you been
and are
you
a true Christian parent
caring for the souls of your children as well as
their bodies
training them by your words and example for Heaven? Or
perhaps
the last ten years have been full of sadness to you. You are now a widow or
widower
an orphan
or childless
a lone being. Have you learnt
though the
heart was torn
to look up to the Father in heaven who chastens with suffering
all whom He loves? And does the question the census paper asks you about your
profession suggest no similar question about your Christian profession? Are you
careful never to say or do anything which will bring discredit upon that
profession? Do you watch the thoughts of your heart
that nothing base
or
impure
or careless
shall enter in to dwell there? In the Book of the
Revelation
Christians are taught that “all
small and great
shall stand
before God and be judged out of those things written in the books
according to
their works.” Then will be the great census; the names
ages
conditions
and
professions of all will be known.
Able to go forth to war.
The lawfulness of war
I. This teacheth
us that A godly man may lawfully be a warrior. If war were not in itself
lawful
God would never have a muster taken of such as are able to bear arms.
True
every good profession may be abused. Abraham is said to be the father of
the faithful
yet he made war
and overthrew the enemies that had spoiled
Sodom
and carried away the riches of it as a prey
and was not reproved of
Melchizedeck
the priest of the living God
but refreshed together with his
army. The like we might say of Moses
Joshua
the Judges
and other godly
kings
who fought many battles by the commandment of the Lord. When the
soldiers heard the preaching of John
the forerunner of Christ
they asked him
what they must do; he did not dissuade them from war
but gave them directions
how to behave themselves in that honourable profession. Neither did Peter
being sent for to come to Cornelius
command him to follow a new trade of life.
Neither did Paul persuade Sergius Paulus
the deputy
a prudent man
to
renounce that calling
which no doubt they would have done if the profession of
chivalry had not stood with the profession of Christianity.
II. The reasons to
confirm this truth.
1. God doth command it
and therefore doth allow it as just and
lawful.
2. As God gave direct commandment
so the people of God going forth
to battle were to
call upon Him for a blessing
and to sanctify the work by prayer
and in doing
so have been heard. Things in their own nature unlawful are so filthy that no
invocation of God’s name can cleanse them; nay
they make such prayer foul and
abominable. Seeing
therefore
God blesseth and delivereth such as go to war
it must needs follow that war and true religion may well stand together
so
that one and the same man may be both a warrior and yet religious. (W.
Attersoll.)
Able to fight:
Then there were some who were not able. There were some who were
not designed for military pursuits. The Lord would say here: Examine the
people; go carefully over them as to force
capacity
and providential destiny
and arrange that those who are able to go forth to war in Israel may be ready.
There is always that wonderful other side. The Lord does not pour contempt upon
men who cannot fight. He knows what they can do
and He will bless them if they
keep within their capacity and their Divine call. Each man’s business should be
to inquire
Lord
what wilt Thou have me to do? am I a soldier
a leader
a
sailor? am I a home-keeper?
am I intended for obscurity? am I to be written down amongst Thy feeble ones?
Thy will be done. Nor let us limit this word “soldier” to what we understand
commonly by war. Let us get away from these narrow limitations and look at life
largely. The fact is that life itself is war. You cannot get away from strife.
You cannot get away from it in business; you found it in the nursery before you
found it in the market-place. The Church is a battlefield. What
then
is to be
done? Everything depends upon the spirit in which the strife is urged. We may
go forth to good wars with an evil intent. Or we may take it good-heartedly
with a great rising of gladness within the soul
saying
“This is Thy way
Lord
that we are to be made strong by fight; we begin by conflict
we are not
to have our own way in the world; but give us the good spirit
loving
magnanimous.” The great fight is within. If you are a living man
you are at
war with yourself. Even supposing all your friends and enemies were at one with
you
there would be a great war in the soul. You must do the evil deed. Yet you
do not want to do it; you dare not speak about it; the war is secret
silent
profound
vital. God give you strength! You may overcome yet. Life is not only
a war
but the war may be conducted under the very presence and with the very
blessing of Christ. Whoso goes forth to war in that power comes back at
eventide more than the conqueror. The text reads as if it were a direction in
statistics. We cannot exclude the element of statistics from spiritual
aggression and spiritual defence. How strong is God’s army in numbers? “It is
the glory of God to conceal a thing
” saith the wise book; and God conceals
from us the exact numerical strength of His army. The statistics of the army
are kept in heaven. What if it should turn out that a little child’s little
finger-has won more victories than all the embattled hosts that went forth in
mail? What we have to do is for each man to do his own share of the war
fight
as if everything depended upon him. Christianity is the military religion. It
will fight; it was born to fight. Christianity is dead against all evil. Not
against great vulgar crimes only; there is not a magistrate on the bench who
does not delight to punish crime. Crime is overt
external
rough
vulgar
and
men are paid to sentence it to hard labour. Christianity deals with the spring
with the deceitful heart. Christianity is at war with motive
purpose
thought
intention
of the heart. Therefore much of its war is done silently. It is not therefore
the less vital and the less tremendous. Christianity insists that we shall
fight evil spirits. It is soul against soul
spirit against spirit
thought
against thought. There is no tragedy so sublime
so overwhelming
as the fight
between the soul and the devil. Do not expect to win all at once. You are
winning a little every day. Whatever fight you are waging you believe to be good
the mere fighting of the battle makes you stronger; you may he driven back for
a little time
but you will come up again. Only
in God’s name
for Christ’s
sake
do not lose your heart
or you will lose yourself. Let there be no doubt
as to which side you are upon. People who are going between this side and that
vide will be of no use in the fight and no use in the council. Let us have
detiniteness of position. Let us have a clear
simple
honest profession of
religion. Nor let any soul be discouraged because it cannot do much in the way
of public battle. Some conquer by patience. Patience!--who can write the
history of that great conqueror? Patience
that hardly sighs; patience
that
scarcely ever turns its eyes to the clock to see how the weary time is going;
patience
that puts the best view upon every case; patience
that sits up for
the wanderer
though midnight be passed
saying all the while
that it really
did not want to sleep; it is the inner interpretation of things; it is God’s
view of life; it is love at its best. You are not doing much public fighting
mayhap
but let me tell you what you are doing--you are succouring the soldiers
that are out in the field; you spake so kindly to the good man when he left
home in the morning that he went out as strong as ten men. And you are but some
poor obscure servitor; your place is in the kitchen; you do what are called the
humbler duties of life
but you make the whole house glad. You make the man of
business go forth a happier and stronger man in the morning because of your
simplicity and faithfulness and daily care. Understand that whoever gives one
of Christ’s soldiers a cup of cold water with a loving hand and a loving glance
wins part of the victory. (J. Parker
D. D.)
Our duty to the state
He is not worthy to be a member of a state
by whom the state is
no whir bettered. The Romans well understood this
when they instituted their
censors
to inquire into every man’s course of life
and to note them
carbone
nigro
with a character of infamy
that could not give some good account of
their life. It is a thing pitiful to consider how many there are in this land
of ours whose glory is their shame
the very drones and cumber-grounds of their
country
the chronicle of whose life was long since summed up by the poet
Nos
numerus sumus et fruges consumere nati; no better than ciphers if you
respect the good they do. But let them know that God will have no mutes in His
grammar
no blanks in His almanack
no dumb shows on His stage
no false lights
in His house
no loiterers in His vineyard. (J. Spencer.)
A man of every tribe: every one head of the house of his fathers.
Bank and service
I. Co-operation in
divine service.
1. The toil of Moses and Aaron would be lessened.
2. The accomplishment of the task would be facilitated.
3. The envy of the princes would be prevented. Grumblers are seldom
found among the workers of the Church.
II. Society’s need
of leaders.
1. Because they are at present indispensable to social order and
progress. Certain objects of utmost importance to society cannot possibly be
attained without cohesion of purpose and effort on the part of a large number
of men
and such cohesion is impossible without leaders. “Amongst the masses
”
says Guizot
“even in revolutions
aristocracy must ever exist; destroy it in
nobility
and it becomes centred in the rich and powerful Houses of the
Commons. Pull them down
and it still survives in the master and foreman of the
workshop.”
2. Because of the differences in the faculties of men. These men were
“princes” from
the nobility of their birth: and they were probably men
distinguished also for their abilities. “We must have kings
” says Emerson
“we
must have nobles; nature is always providing such in every society; only let us
have the real instead of the titular. In every society
some are born to rule
and some to advise. The chief is the chief all the world over
only not his cap
and plume. It is only this dislike of the pretender which makes men sometimes
unjust to the true and finished man.”
III. The grand
characteristic of true leaders. They are pre-eminent in service. (W Jones.)
These are the names of the
men.--
The Lord knows the number and the names of all who belong to Him
As this book of Moses beareth the title of Numbers
so a great
part of it is spent in numbering of the people
to assure us that God hath
numbered those that are His
and none escape His knowledge or sight. The Lord
knoweth perfectly who they are that are His
both what their numbers and what
their names are (1 Kings 19:10; 1 Kings 19:18; Romans 11:3-4; Psalms 147:5; Isaiah 40:26). The reasons are not hard
to be gathered.
1. The knowledge of God is so exact and perfect that most secret
things are known and the smallest are regarded of Him.
2. Christ Jesus setteth forth Himself as the true Shepherd of His
sheep. A shepherd knoweth his own sheep.
3. All His people are evermore present with Him
wheresoever they be;
yea
albeit they be absent from Him.
Uses:
1. This giveth singular comfort to all God’s children
if anything
else be able to minister them comfort. If an earthly prince should vouchsafe to
look upon us
and single us out from the rest
and call us by our names
how
would we rejoice
and how much would we esteem that the king would stoop so low
as to know us? Do we live as contemptible persons to the men of this world? and
will they not once vouchsafe to know us? Let not this trouble us
we cannot
sink down in destruction; but rather let us lift up our heads
assuring
ourselves that albeit they turn themselves from us
yet God looketh upon us:
and though they seek to root out our names from the earth
yet He will know us
and call us by our names.
2. We may gather from hence the wretched state of all the ungodly.
For as it is a great part of the comfort of all God’s children that He will
know them; who
as they have a regard to know God in this life
to know Him in
His word and other means appointed for their salvation
so shall they be known
of God in His kingdom
and acknowledged before the angels in heaven: so this is
not the least of the misery belonging unto all that work iniquity
that God
will not know them. Though He know them by the general knowledge of His power
and providence
yet He will not see them with the eye of His pity
nor touch
them with the hand of His favour
nor hear them with the ear of His bounty
nor
speak unto them with the mouth of His goodness
nor compass them with the arm
of His protection
nor come unto them with the feet of His presence
nor behold
them with the face and countenance of His lovingkindness. Can there be a more
miserable condition described and felt than this is?
3. Seeing all that are God’s are numbered of Him
and have their
names written in His book
this serveth to seal up the assurance of our
salvation and election to eternal life (2 Timothy 2:19).
4. Seeing the Lord knoweth us
it is our duty also to seek to know
Him in all love and obedience. We must all of us begin to know Him here in this
life
that we may know Him perfectly in the life to come. Here we must see Him
as it were through a glass darkly
that hereafter we may see Him face to face
fully. If we do not know Him in His word and sacraments
we shall never know
Him in His kingdom. This knowledge of God necessarily required of us consisteth
in these points following--
God’s knowledge of His people
I. The great truth
here implied. God knows His people individually and altogether.
1. This is philosophical. If God is infinite
He must know all
things. Nothing can be so great as to surpass His comprehension; nothing so
small as to escape His notice.
2. This is Scriptural. (1 Kings 19:14-18; Psalms 1:6; Psalms 56:8; Psalms 147:3-4; Isaiah 40:26-31; Malachi 3:16-17; Matthew 6:25-34; Matthew 10:29-30; John 10:3; John 10:14; John 10:27; Philippians 4:3; 2 Timothy 2:19; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 21:27).
II. The practical
bearings of this great truth.
1. To restrain from sin.
2. To promote sincerity of life.
3. To promote humility.
4. To quicken reverence towards God.
5. To comfort the godly under reverses. (W. Jones.)
They declared their
pedigrees.--
The pedigree declared
“Can I declare my pedigree?” It is greatly to be feared there are
hundreds
if not thousands
of professing Christians who are wholly incompetent
to do so. They cannot say with clearness and decision
“Now are we the sons of
God” (1 John 3:2). “Ye are all the
children of God
” &c. “And if ye are Christ’s
then are ye Abraham’s seed
”
&c. (Galatians 3:26; Galatians 3:29). “For as many as are led by the Spirit of
God
they are the sons of God
” &c. (Romans 8:14; Romans 8:16). This is the Christian’s
“pedigree
” and
it is his privilege to be able to “declare” it (cf. John 3:5; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; Ephesians 5:26). The believer traces his
pedigree directly up to a risen Christ in glory. His genealogical tree strikes
its roots into the soil of the new creation. Death can never break the line
inasmuch as it
is formed in resurrection. We can easily see
from this chapter
how essential
it was that every member of the congregation of Israel should be able to
declare his pedigree. Uncertainty on this point would have proved disastrous; it
would have produced hopeless confusion. We can hardly imagine an Israelite
when called to declare his pedigree
expressing himself in the doubtful manner
adopted by many Christians nowadays. We cannot conceive his saying
“Well
I am
not quite sure. Sometimes I cherish the hope that I am of the stock of Israel;
but at other times I am full of fear that I do not belong to the congregation
of the Lord at all. I am all in uncertainty and darkness.” Much less could we
imagine any one maintaining the monstrous notion that no one could possibly be
sure as to whether he was a true Israelite or not until the day of judgment.
Now
may we not legitimately ask
“If a Jew could be certain as to his
pedigree
why may not a Christian be certain as to his?” We would urge this point
at the outset. It is impossible for any one to recognise and rally round the
proper “standard” unless he can declare his “pedigree.” Progress in wilderness
life--success in spiritual warfare
is out of the question if there be any uncertainty as to the
spiritual pedigree. We must be able to say
“We know that we have passed from
death unto life
” “We believe and are sure
” ere there can be any real advance
in the life and walk of a Christian. We do not mean to say you cannot be saved
without this. God forbid we should say any such thing. But we ask
Are such
able to go forth to war? They cannot even know what true conflict is; on the
contrary
persons of this class mistake their doubts and fears
their dark and
cloudy seasons
for true Christian conflict. It is when we stand in the clear
daylight of God’s full salvation--salvation in a risen Christ--that we really
enter upon the warfare proper to us as Christians. (C. H. Mackintosh.)
An honest pedigree:
Dr. Livingstone
the famous explorer
was descended from
the Highlanders
and he said that one of his ancestors
one of the Highlanders
one day called his family around him. The Highlander was dying; he had his
children around his death-bed. He said
“Now
my lads
I have looked all
through our history as far back as I can find it
and I have never found a
dishonest man in all the line
and I want you to understand you inherit good
blood. You have no excuse for doing wrong. My lads
be honest.”
Those that were numbered.
The first army of Israel
an illustration of the Church militant
I. The necessity
of this army. The Church must be militant.
1. Internal foes have to be conquered. Carnal appetites
evil
passions
&c.
2. External foes have to be conquered. Ignorance and superstition
immorality and irreligion
dirt and disease
vice and crime.
II. The authority
for organising this army. God’s command.
III. The composition
of this army.
1. Israelites only. Thoroughly decided Christians are needed now.
2. Able men only. Christ gives strength even to the weak and timid.
3. All the able men. None exempt. We must either vanquish our
spiritual enemies
or they will vanquish us. Neutrality is out of the question here.
Neither can we do our fighting by proxy.
IV. The conquering
spirit of this army. When our faith in God is strong
we are invincible. When
it fails
we are overthrown by the first assault of the enemy. True faith gives
glorious visions to the spirit
inspires us with heroic courage
girds us with
all-sufficient strength. Conclusion--
1. A call to decision. “Who is on the Lord’s side?”
2. A call to courage. Our arms are tried and true; our great Leader
is invincible; let us then “be strong and of a good courage.”
3. A call to confidence. Our courage
to be true
must spring from
faith
By trust we triumph. (W. Jones.)
The necessity of war:
I believe in war. I believe there are times when it must be
taken. I believe in it as a medicine. Medicine is not good to eat
but when you
are sick it is good to take. War is not a part of the gospel; but while men and
the world are travelling on a plain where they are not capable of comprehending
the gospel
a rude form of justice is indispensable
though it is very low
down. If you go to a plain still higher
war seems to be a very poor
instrumentality. And if you go yet higher and higher till you reach that sphere
where the crowned Sufferer stands
how hideous war seems! ]n the earlier
periods of society it is recognised as having a certain value; but its value is
the very lowest
and at every step upward
till you come to this central Divine
exhibition
it loses in value. Always it is a rude and uncertain police of
nations. It is never good. It is simply better than something worse. Physical
force is the
alternative of moral influence; if you have not one
you must have the other. (H. W.
Beecher.)
The Levites . . . were not numbered.
The Levites and their service an illustration of the Christian
ministry
The Levites were exempted from military service
and set apart for
the service of the tabernacle. In any wise arrangement of the affairs of human
society provision will be made for the requirements of the spiritual nature of
man.
I. The true
christian minister should manifest some fitness for the work before he is
designated thereto. In determining the trade which their sons shall learn
wise
parents will consider their respective inclinations and aptitudes. An artist
would perhaps make a poor minister; a successful merchant might utterly fail as
a barrister. Is there less aptitude required in the work of the gospel ministry
than in the other pursuits of life? Adaptation of voice
of mind
of character
&c.
II. The true
christian minister is called of God to his work.
III. The work of the
christian minister demands his entire devotion thereto.
IV. A faithful
discharge of the duties of the christian minister is essential to the
well-being of society.
V. Personal
holiness of heart and life are essential to the faithful discharge of the
duties of the christian ministry. Levites separated from other tribes for
sacred work. Their outward separation intended to show separation from
worldliness and sin. They who have to do with holy things should themselves be
holy. (W. Jones.)
The Levites not numbered:
We shall see them afterward numbered by themselves
but they were
not put in the common reckoning
because God had chosen them to be His
possession
and separated them from the rest of the people. And lest any man
should think that Moses did ambitiously prefer the tribe of Levi
whereof
himself descended
he showeth he did it not of his own head
but by the special
commandment of God. Their office is declared--to take the charge of the
Tabernacle and worship of God
that when they were to take their journey they
should carry it
and when they were to stay and pitch their tents they should
set it down and look to it with all diligence. And as God would not have them
encumbered in affairs unproper to them and impertinent to their calling
so He
would not have others that were not of their tribe and family to break into
their function
as it were to invade another man’s possession; nay
He
denounceth death to such as were strangers from that tribe that should presume
to meddle with those holy things
or set their hands unto them. An example
hereof we have in Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:1-23.).. We learn from
hence that it is the duty of the ministers of God’s Word to exercise themselves
only in things of their calling; they must wait upon the office to which they
are appointed. They are not to
be distracted from their calling by worldly matters that no way belong unto
them (Numbers 3:6-7). And doubtless it is great
reason that they should content themselves with their own callings
that so
they may please Him that hath called them
and forego all that may disturb them
in the course whereunto they ought to tend. We must be like soldiers that are
called to bear arms. The reason and comparison is pressed by the apostle to this
purpose (2 Timothy 2:3-4). Secondly
the
multitude is great
and the difficulty much of those things which are required
of the minister
belonging rightly and duly to his calling
in regard whereof
we may say (2 Corinthians 2:16). Were that a
wise servant
who having both his hands fall
and more than he can well do
should
besides his master’s work
undertake a new and another burden of some other
man’s business
which of right doth not belong unto him? (W.
Attersoll.)
──《The Biblical Illustrator》