The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 254

work which no other human being can do. He did indeed himself take up the work of the Baptist at one time, preaching repentance (Matt. iv. 17), and he also at times became his own apostle in proclaiming the gospel ; hut to his own peculiar work neither Baptist nor apostle could rise. Whatever responsibility be laid on us, we are only helpers at best. Let no admiration we feel for the achievements of the men famous in Church history allow us to forget that their work has been really Christian and beneficial just in proportion as they made themselves secondary and subordinate to Christ. We do not sufficiently appreciate the service of any Christian, unless ns we trace in it the susta1ning and guiding power of Christ himself. In the Church one generation goeth and another cometh, but Christ abideth for ever.-Y. Vere. 8-20.-The promsion for the priests. Already, upon different occasions, something has been said as to parts of certain offerings being reserved for Aaron and hie sons (Exod. xxix. 28, 31-33; Levit. ii. 3, 10; vi. 16-18, 26, 29, &c.), and now in this passage the whole question of how the priests were to be provided for is taken up and answered. It was a fitting occasion, seeing that priestly duties had just been la.id down, so exacting and exclusive in their demands. When a man is called away from the ordinary business of life, where he is as it were naturally provided for by the fruits of his industry, it must always be an anxious question as to how he shall be supported. If the priests, along with the holding of their priestly office, had been able to farm or trade there would have been no need to point out a special means of support. But since the priest was to be wholly given to tabernacle service, it was right not only to assure him beforehand of the necessaries of life, but to point out to him something of the way in which they were to be provided. I. THE SUPPORT OF THE PRIESTS WAS CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH THE FAITHFUL DISCHARGE OF THEIR OFFICE. They were provided for in the very act of carrying out their priestly duties. Forsaking the appointed service of God at his altar, they found themseh·es forsaken of his providence. He might have continued for them some miraculous provision by manna or otherwise, if such a course had seemed fitting; but he rather arranged it that in faithful waiting upon the altar their sup- port should come from day to day, Faithfulness was required of them, first of all, in keeping the people instructed and reminded as to all the offerings required. An omitted offering might mean an impoverished priest. Faithfulness also was required in being continually at the altar. It was the appointed place for the people to give and for the priest to receive. There was no call for him to go on mendicant expe- ditions round the land, or lean upon the suggestions of his own prudence in order to ma.ke sure of daily bread. When he went to the altar it was as to a table provided by the Lord himself. So when God manifestly calls any of us to special service, our very faithfulness in the service will bring a sufficient supply for all our need. If we leave the path of duty we leave the path of Providence. II. THIS MODE OF PROVISION TENDED TO BIND PRIESTS AND PEOPLE CLOSER TO- GETHER. The priest, while in some respects separated from the people by an impass- able barrier, was in others united by an indissoluble bond. Standing before them us an anointed one, with awful and peculiar powers, treading unharmed where the first footstep of a common Israelite would have wrought instant death, he nevertheless appeared at the same time dependent for his bodily sustenance on the regular offer- ings of the l?eople. Thus the priest was manifested as one of themselves. There wns everything m this remarkable mingling of relations to keep the people from pre- sumption and the pri.,st from pride. Their dependence on him waslnot more·manifest than his dependence on them. Thus, also, we observe in many and touching ways bow dependent our Saviour was on those whom he came to save. He threw him- self, as no one ever before or since, on the hospitality of the world, manifesting that there were real needs of his humanity which he looked even to sinful men to supply. And may we not well suppose that even in his glory Jesus is not only a giver to men, but a receiver from them? May it not be that by our fidelity and diligence in respect of the living sacrifice we are n1inistering a very real satisfaction to the glorified Jesus? III. As this provision required faithfulness in the discharge of duty, so also it required FAITH IN Goo. If he had said he would provide manna or some direct. 238 THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. [cu. xvm. l-89.