The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 251

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-7.-The resp_OMibility of authority. Recent assaults on the priesthood give occasion for a reaffirmation of its prerogatives, Lest this should tend unduly to elate the family of Aaron, the same Divine oracle which confirms to them their distinguished privileges insists on their grave responsibilities. I. THE DISTINGUISHED PRIVILEGES Oil' THE PRIESTS. I. The priest's office is de- scribed as "a service of gift," conferred by God himself (Heh. v. 4). 2. It was confined to the family of Aaron (ver, 2). 3. It had special duties into which not even the priests' kindred, the Levites, might intrude (ver. 3; eh. iv. 4-15). 4. The priests had authority over the Levites as their ministers (ver. 2), and over the people in a variety of ways: teachers (Levit. x. 11); mediators of blessing (eh. vi. 22-26; Deut. xxi. 5); judges (Deut. xvii. 8-13); sanitary officers (Levit. xiii., xiv.). 5. Provision was made for their daily wants, that they might II attend upon the Lord " without distraction (vers. 8--15). 6. They were thus, as mediators, the means of averting wrath from the nation (ver, 5) II. THEIR GRAVE RESPONSIBILITIES, Lest Aaron's "pride" should II bud" (Ezek. ,•ii. 10), even as his rod had, and the priests should be exalted above meaBure through the abund11Dce of their privileges, they are reminded of some of their responsibilities. 1. The priests and their father's house (the Levites or Kohathites) bad to "bear the iniquity of the sanctunry" (cf. Exod, xxviii. 38), Some errors might be atoned for, but they were responsible for any profanation of the tabernacle. 2. The priests alone had to "bear the iniquity of their priesthood." An annual atonement provide<! (Levit. xvi. 6), but not for such wilful transgressions as N11d11b's, or for gross neg- lect (e. g. Levit. xxii. 9). 3. They had a responsibility in regard to the Levites, not to allow them to intrude into the priest's office, "that neither they nor ye also die,. (ver. 3), 4. The neglect of these duties might be fat.al to others as weU as to themselves (vers, 3, 5). These two truths admit of various applications. ..1. To Christian rulers, to states- men called to the duty of governing a country on Christian principles, but incurring tremendous responsibility thereby. Illustrate frolll the history of Jeroboam (cf, Jer. xlv. 5; Luke xii. 48). 2. To Cltnstian teachers (1 Tim. iii. 1, yet James iii. 1). The burden of responsibility quite enough to account for the II Nolo Episcopari." Yet where God calls to the honour he will give strength and grace for the burden.-P. Ver. 20.-God, the best inheritance. The tribe of Levi wns left out in the division of the land. Some of its members might have wished to be landowners rather than Levites. Yet their loss was a special privilege, for they were selected that they might II come nigh to God," and serve in his tubernncle. God who culled them did not forget them. They received houses, gardens, pasture lands (eh, xu:v. 1-8), and tithes (ver. 21), and were commended to the care and sympathy of the nation (Deut. xii. 12, 14, .27-29). Just so, under the gospel, those called to give up their lives to the service of God, though they may not hnve even manses or globes, are  THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. LCII. XVIII. 1-3~. provided for by_God through the_law of Christ (1 Cor. ix. 13, 14), and are commended to the care of his people (Gal. v1. 6; 1 Thess. v. 12, 13). Let no young Christians who hear God's call to . be pastors, evangelists, or missionaries hesitate to obey it. They may have many trmls and heart-aches, but they know God's word: "Them that honour me I will honour." Their experience may be that of the Apostle's (Luke IXii. 35), for their Master's promise stands good (Matt. xix. 29). But the privilege of the Levites may be enjoyed by all God's servants who can say with David "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance." ' L THE CHRISTIAN'S INHERITANCE. Wisdom is needed in choosing an earthly !flheritance or in~esting ~ur "port:ion" of this world's goods. It may be invested m a freehold, embarked m a business venture, spent on one's own education or squandered in riotous living. Much more is wisdom needed in regard to the so~l's inheritance. Other portions allure some: modem idolatries, worldly wealth or ease (Ps. nii. 14; Isa. lvii. 6). But the Christian, like a loyal Levite, prefers God without the land to the land without God. He has committed his soul entirely to God. He has no second spiritual portion to fall back upon if this sLould fail him. Of this be bas no fear. He has accepted God's offer to be his God and hie portion, and be can say 2 Tim. i. 12. Il. Tim RESP0NSillILITIES A.ND PRIVILEOES OF RAVINO SUCH AN INHERITANCE. The grave responsibilities of the Levites have their parallel in the entire consecration needed from every Christian (Ps. cxix. 57; Titus ii. 14). But we need not shrink from our responsibilities when we remember our privileges. The two things most :needed in our inherita:nce are safety end 8'1.llfidtmc'JI. 1. Safel:u. If God is our portion, be himself is our security (Deut. ::uxiii. 27). When be invited us to take him a.e our portion, it was because be took us as his inheritance (Deut. xxxii. 9; Isa. xlli.i 1 ; 1 Cor. iii. 23). " Be thou my God, and the whole world is mine. Whilst thou art Sovereign, l'm secure; I shall be rich till th on art poor ; For all I hope and all I fea.r, lieaveu, ca.rth, and bell, are thine." 2. Sujfid.mcy. So was it with the Levites (ver. 21, &c.), David (Ps. xvi. 6), Jacob (cf_ Gen. xxviii 21 ; xlviii 15, 16), and so is it with nil Christians. ln God they have sufficiency for both spiritual wants (John i. 16; 1 Cor. iii. 21, 22; James iv. 6) and temporal also (Pa. lra:iv. 11, 12; Matt. vi. 33; Phil. iv. 19). We can thus recommenci God as the beet portion for all. 1. A good portion for the young, who, like those born beil'B to an estate, are entitled to this inherita:nce if they will claim it. 2. A good marriage portion. Illustration-Ruth, who brought Boaz an excellent portion (Ruth i. 16, 17; ii. 11, 12). 3. A good inberita:nce in troubloue times when banks and companies are failing. None of these vicissitudes in our inheritance (Deut. xn:ii. 31). 4. A good inheritance in reserve (Lam. iii. 24). That hope cannot be disappointed ; the heil'B of God know that II still there's more to follow" (Ps. x:x:xi. 19). 5. A good inheritance on e. dying bed. Then all earthlr, inheritance daily drop in value to the proprietor, and at last "flesh and heart fail.' But the Christian can say Ps. lmii. 26. Because God bas been the " portion of hie inheritance" he can add Pa. xvi. 8, 9, 11.-P. Ver. 1.-The ini,qu,uy of the ,anctuary and pri,estlwod. It is full of significance Uiat this provision for the iniquity of the sanctuary and priesthood sta:nds first among the regulations of this chapter. Though God had separated Aaron, and in recent transactions exalted and glorified him, he had not thereby made it an easy or certain thing to serve in this office of priest as in all respects one was required to serve. God had called Israel to be hie own people, and honoured them, but they were very perverse in all their ways. It ia therefore far from wonderful that Aaron and the Levites, being of the same flesh and blood as rebellious Israel, should have fal!e~ short in the holy service to which they were appointed. That rebellious spmt Korab, who was e. Kohatbite, shows bow much iruquity could attach to the sanc- tuary ; and the iniquity of the priesthood is amply shown in Aaron's conduct when be made the golden calf, and jomed Miriam in her envious outbreak against Mosoa. er. XVIII, 1-32.] THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. 235