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This book is called NUMBERS from the several numberings of
the people contained in it. It extends from the giving of the
law at Sinai, till their arrival in the plains of Jordan. An
account is given of their murmuring and unbelief, for which they
were sentenced to wander in the wilderness nearly forty years;
also some laws, both, moral and ceremonial. Their trials greatly
tended to distinguish the wicked and hypocrites from the
faithful and true servants of God, who served him with a pure
heart.
he numbering of the Israelites. (1-43) The number of the
people. (44-46) The Levites not numbered with the rest. (47-54)
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
