John Calvin Commentary Numbers 4
John Calvin Commentary
Numbers 4
John Calvin Commentary
Numbers 4
"And Jehovah spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying," — Numbers 4:1 (ASV)
And the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron. This census had a different objective from the former one we have just been considering, namely, that an equal distribution of the responsibilities should be made in proportion to the number of individuals.
First, regarding age, a distinction must be observed between this tribe and the others; for we have already seen that all the Israelites over twenty years of age were numbered because they were then able to bear arms. But it was not without reason that a more mature age was required for the Levites, so that they should not begin to discharge their ministry before their thirtieth year.
For not only are bodily strength and vigor required for spiritual warfare, but seriousness and gravity also. If they had been admitted in their youth, their frivolity might have diminished the reverence due to sacred things, since the young are often led to act intemperately by their fervor and licentiousness. Therefore, access to the sanctuary was not permitted them until they had matured into men; for by their thirtieth year, men ought to have become so composed that it is shameful and inexcusable for them to give way to the recklessness of youth.
From their fiftieth year, they were released from their duties, since sloth and inactivity generally accompany old age. The case is different concerning war, because we find many who are vigorous after their fiftieth year. Furthermore, since religion is more precious than all earthly affairs, diligent care was to be taken lest it should lose respect on account of the idleness and drowsiness of its ministers.
"This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting, [about] the most holy things:" — Numbers 4:4 (ASV)
This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath. He assigns their various offices to the Levites for these reasons:
- Lest their uncoordinated effort should cause confusion.
- Lest ambition should stimulate some of them,203 from which disputes and contentions might arise.
We know how confusedly people work unless a specific rule is prescribed for them, lest they run about in an aimless hurry. And while each individual desires to get ahead of others, an unhealthy rivalry follows, which afterward leads to quarrels.
Therefore, if this had not been prevented, the Levites would soon have caused disturbances in their duties, and contentions would have arisen between them. God then comes forward and, by His own authority, confines them all within their proper bounds and restrains their foolish passions.
That a more honorable office is assigned to the sons of Kohath than to the others proceeds from God’s unmerited favor. Thus, all pride was suppressed, so that no one might boast of their skill, industry, or other gifts.
The charge of the Holy of Holies is, therefore, entrusted to the sons of Kohath. This was not so they should handle any part of it, but only that they should carry its vessels during the march after they were packed by the priests.
For God commands the sons of Aaron to come and take down the sanctuary. They were to carefully cover the veil, the altar, and other sacred vessels with their proper covers before the sons of Kohath touched them.
This was so that the people’s reverence for holy things might be increased. Furthermore, when the other tribes saw that even the Levites were forbidden from touching the sanctuary, they would be reminded of their own unworthiness and be further humbled.
Moreover, all cause for envy was removed when the other Levites heard that a dangerous duty was entrusted to the sons of Kohath, for God threatens them with death if they touch any forbidden thing. And lastly, He warns the priests, the sons of Aaron, lest through their carelessness they should cause the death of their kinsmen, because if the priests were to leave anything uncovered, they would be responsible for their destruction.
203 “D’ s’avancer, ou ingerer:” to put themselves forward, or to interfere. — :” to put themselves forward, or to interfere. — Fr.
"This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens:" — Numbers 4:24 (ASV)
This is the service of the families of the Gershonites. The tasks He assigns to the sons of Gershon, as well as to the sons of Merari, are apparently lowly and laborious. For it was a hard and also a menial work to carry the curtains and the tabernacle, together with its coverings, the boards, too, and the bars, and the pillars.
But from this we learn that in God’s service nothing is to be despised; rather, each and every part of our duty should be cheerfully performed, since it ought to abundantly satisfy us that God has deigned to choose us as ministers of His sanctuary, so that neither weariness nor pride should ever hinder us in our duty.
"And Moses and Aaron and the princes of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites by their families, and by their fathers` houses," — Numbers 4:34 (ASV)
And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation. Another exception is added, namely, that no one should be received unless they were free from all defect and blemish. For we have seen elsewhere that those who were blind, lame, or defective in any part of their body were excluded from the tabernacle. This was to prevent their disfigurement from producing contempt and also so that they might be admonished by this external sign to preserve themselves more diligently from all spiritual defilement. Therefore, those are said to enter into the sanctuary who are fit to exercise the priesthood; and for this reason, the expression “for the service”426 is added.
Since the inequality (of their charges) might have been the source of envy, God’s authority is asserted at the end of the chapter. There, Moses records that he was only acting ministerially and that he distributed the offices among them according to God’s command.
426 “For the work.” — A. V. Ver. 35. Ver. 35.
Jump to: