‏ Numbers 3

* The sons of Aaron, The Levites taken instead of the

first-born. (1-13) The Levites numbered by their families, Their

duties. (14-39) The first-born are numbered. (40-51)

1-13 There was much work belonging to the priests' office, and

there were now only Aaron and his two sons to do it; God

appoints the Levites to attend them. Those whom God finds work

for, he will find help for. The Levites were taken instead of

the first-born. When He that made us, saves us, as the

first-born of Israel were saved, we are laid under further

obligations to serve him faithfully. God's right to us by

redemption, confirms the right he has to us by creation. 14-39 The Levites were in three classes, according to the sons

of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; and these were subdivided

into families. The posterity of Moses were not at all honoured

or privileged, but stood upon the level with other Levites; thus

it was plain, that Moses did not seek the advancement of his own

family, or to secure any honours to it. The tribe of Levi was by

much the least of all the tribes. God's chosen are but a little

flock in comparison with the world. 40-51 The number of the first-born, and that of the Levites,

came near to each other. Known unto God are all his works

beforehand; there is an exact proportion between them, and so it

will appear, when they are compared together. The small number

of first-born, over and above the number of the Levites, were to

be redeemed, and the redemption-money given to Aaron. The church

is called the church of the first-born, which is redeemed, not

as they were, with silver and gold; but, being devoted by sin to

the justice of God, is ransomed with the precious blood of the

Son of God. All men are the Lord's by creation, and all true

christians are his by redemption. Each should know his own post

and duty; nor can any service required by such a Master be

rightly accounted mean or hard.