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Numbers 4:18
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16 “The appointed duty of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest is athe oil for the light, the bsweet incense, cthe daily grain offering, the danointing oil, the oversight of all the tabernacle, of all that is in it, with the sanctuary and its furnishings.”  
17 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
18 “Do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites;
19 but do this in regard to them, that they may live and not die when they approach athe most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and1 appoint each of them to his service and his task.  
20 aBut they shall not go in to watch while the holy things are being covered, lest they die.”  

Duties of the Sons of Gershon

21 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
22 “Also take a census of the sons of Gershon, by their fathers’ house, by their families.
23 aFrom thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, you shall number them, all who enter to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting.  
24 This is the aservice of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and carrying:  
Commentaries:
Matthew Henry
<< Numbers 4:17   Numbers 4:19 >>


Numbers 4:1-49

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.

Verses 21-33 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 to be done regularly. All the things were delivered them by name. It intimates the care God takes of his church and every member of it. The death of the saints is II Corinthians II Peter great day, when these vile bodies shall be made like the glorious body of Jesus Christ, and so shall be for ever with the Lord.

Verses 34-49 God so ordered it, that though the Merarites were the fewest in number, yet they should have most able men among them; for whatever service God calls men to, he will furnish them for it, give strength in proportion to the work, and grace sufficient. The least of the tribes had many more able men than the Levites: those who engage in the service of this world, are many more than those devoted to the service of God. May our souls be wholly devoted to his service.


 
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