to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.

20 And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them.

21 And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.

22 And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them. 23¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

24 This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in 'to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation:

25 And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more:

26 But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.

THIS chapter treats of the lighting of the lamps, and the consecration and time of the service of the Levites. These things are also written for our admonition. Aaron must be very particular in attending to the orders given for his guidance. The use of the lamps was to give light over against the candlestick; and the whole was to be done according to the pattern which the Lord shewed unto Moses (v. 1, 2).

The candlestick was of pure gold. Nothing but pure grace, pure truth, and pure salvation, ought to be found in the true church of Christ. There should be no mixture, nor alloy. The choicest metals represent the choicest blessings. The candlestick can hold nothing but what is placed in it for light. The church of

Christ has no blessing in itself. All is given; all is bestowed; all is communicated.

These lamps were to be lighted over against the candlestick. All the lamps were to be thus lighted. There they gave light, and mutually reflected on each other, and especially displayed the shewbread set forth on the table. In the exhibition of Christ, ought he not to be fully set forth in all his offices, all his grace, all his salvation? In setting that free and full salvation, ought not all forth the truth of the gospel, in preaching that truth to be proclaimed ? Ought not every lamp to be lighted; all the counsel of God declared; nothing kept back; nothing thrown aside? The same, also, is to be observed of the blessed Spirit. Is he not to be lighted up as the great teacher of the truth; the reprover of sin; the testifier of Christ; the comforter of the soul? Can all things be rightly ordered in the sanctuary of God, if any part of these matters be neglected or forgotten?

In the dedication of these Levites, are we not again reminded of the character of believers as the assembly and church of the first-born? Are they not taken out of all the rest of the world, to be a peculiar people, to be devoted unto God? Are not their numbers exactly known? Are not their names all recorded? Are they not wholly given to the Lord, and sanctified for himself to glorify his name? Let us ask, then, do we belong to the church of the first-born? Are we redeemed to God by the blood of the Lamb? Have we been called out of darkness, separated from sin and the world, and consecrated to the service of God in the faith of his dear Son? But they need cleansing as well as others. They could perform no acceptable service till they were accepted. So with believers. Your persons must be accepted before you can offer any acceptable work; and the work can only be accepted in the same way, as your soul is sanctified and set apart for God; namely, in the faith of Christ. That is the main thing always to be attended to. To err there, is fatal. If right there, all will be well, both in order and place.

After a certain period, the hard outer work was to cease, and they were then to keep the charge with their brethren within. So, also,

it is with all the first-born here below. Their period of service, in the present state, in due time will cease; and then they will pass from the outer work below, to the higher service above. They will enter the joy of their Lord; they will join their brethren on high, who have already served the Lord in their generation, and are now standing in his blissful presence above. Oh! what a happy prospect; what glorious cessation of all suffering, and completion of all bliss! Not that we shall cease to love and serve the Lord; but we shall love him fully, and serve him completely, and love and serve him for ever and ever. This is the highest happiness of redeemed souls (v. 23—26).

CHAPTER IX.

1 The passover is commanded again. 6 A second passover allowed for them that were unclean or absent. 15 The cloud guideth the removings and encumpings of the Israelites.

AND the LORD spake unto Moses in the

wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

2 Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season.

3 In the fourteenth day of this month, 'at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.

4 And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.

5 And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.

6¶ And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:

7 And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel?

8 And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you.

9 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

10 Speak unto the children of Israel, say

ing, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD.

11 The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

12 They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.

13 But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.

14 And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.

15 ¶ And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.

16 So it was alway: the cloud covered it. by day, and the appearance of fire by night.

17 And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.

18 At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.

19 And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.

20 And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.

21 And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.

22 Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children

THE repeated injunctions we everywhere meet with, to keep the feast of the Lord's passover, may well demand our devout attention. The question is, Why was it so often commanded? It was their first religious ordinance. It commemorated their great national deliverance. As a type of the redemption by Christ Jesus, we are hereby taught, that the deliverance of our souls from the wrath of God ought never to be forgotten by us. That is our greatest mercy, and calls for our highest veneration. and constant regard; and, as they were commanded to observe the directions given for that purpose in commemorating the Lord's passover, so ought we to do the same, in our commemoration of the Redeemer's cross and passion. These directions are few, plain, and simple. This do in remembrance of me. Take and eat, this is my body which is given for you. Drink ye all of this; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. (Matt. xxvi. 26-28.) Moreover, as a bone of the Paschal lamb was not to be broken, so it must be a whole Saviour on which we feed, and a whole salvation we bear in mind. These things are all plain.

Difficulties, however, may arise, and then it will be necessary to seek direction and guidance from above. Here is one stated in this chapter. Certain persons are desirous of celebrating the Lord's passover; they meet some ceremonial defilement; what is to be done? Shall they be excluded from the privilege, or may they come near? Moses refers the case to the Lord, and they are told what to do. Might it not be well with us, in all our difficulties, to do the same? "Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord doth command," is excellent advice; an excellent rule always to go by in his word (v. 8).

the typical privilege; but wilful neglect would end in death (v. 9-14). How may we act in reference to the Lord's supper? Cases of a spiritual kind may often arise analogous to these typical regulations. What are we to do? Take the case of one who wilfully neglects the dying memorial of our Lord. Can he really value the Saviour? Can he love his name? Can he be obedient to his dying command? Does it not indicate an awful state of mind, and an end far more awful awaiting him at last? There is another person; he is desirous of doing so, but his mind is distressed. He loves the Lord, and wishes to testify his love by doing as he hath bidden. But he has fallen into some sin, not allowed nor cherished, but mourned and grieved. Because of such sin so committed, is he to be excluded? From the answer the Lord gave to Moses's enquiry, we gather, certainly not. Let him come by all means. Let him take the memorials of that precious blood which was shed for the remission of the sin he disallows, and pray to be forgiven. God's word will obviate perplexities, as well as teach us the good and right way.

Here is, also, the journeying of the people according to the direction of the cloudy pillar. If it were stationary, they were so too; if it moved, they moved; whatever direction it took, they took; where it stayed, they stayed; so it was in all their journeys till they entered the promised land. What do these facts teach us? Always to seek the Lord's guidance, and always to follow the plain direction of his word. What the pillar of the cloud was to them, his word is to us. Let faith embrace that word, and prayer lead you to ask for a blessing, and love prompt you to follow, and you will be kept from going astray. He will guide you with his counsel, till he receive you to glory. (Ps. lxxiii. 24.)

CHAPTER X.

Ceremonial defilement was no impediment to

2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that

thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the

camps.

3 And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

4 And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.

5 When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.

6 When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.

7 But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.

8 And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.

9 And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

10 Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.

11 ¶ And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony.

12 And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.

13 And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

14 ¶ In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

15 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar.

16 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.

17 And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle.

18 And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur.

19 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

20 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

21 And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.

22 And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud.

23 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

24 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.

25 ¶ And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

26 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran.

27 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan.

28 Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.

29 ¶ And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Rague the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.

30 And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred.

31 And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes.

32 And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.

33 ¶ And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.

34 And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.

35 And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.

36 And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.

(1) That is, the Gershonites and the Merarites.

(3) Heb. ten thousand thousands.

(2) Heb. These.

THIS is a very remarkable chapter; it speaks of the trumpets that were used in the congregation of Israel for the several purposes for which they were destined. They were in number, two; of quality, silver. If they blew both, all the assembly shall come to the door of the congregation. If one, then the princes should come. Sometimes they were to blow an alarm. At other times they were to blow, but not an alarm. If they went to war, they were to blow. When they offered their sacrifices, they were to blow. The priests, the sons of Aaron, were to blow them. It was to be a perpetual ordinance throughout their generations. What are we taught hereby?

The preaching of the word of God, law and gospel. Can we doubt this? How speaks the prophet? "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." (Is. lviii. 1.) What says another? "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain." (Joel ii. 1.) What says the apostle? "If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?" (1 Cor. xiv. 8.)

The case is clear; let us view it more particularly. Were the trumpets blown to assemble the people? Do we not call upon sinners to come and gather themselves to the Lord? Do we not sometimes call one sort, and then another, and so all? Do we not invite kings and princes to hear, that they may live, as well as others? Do not the truths we proclaim concern all, one as much as another? Must not people of all sorts and descriptions hear the word which God hath sent for all? Have we not the terrors of the law to alarm the impenitent? Have we not

be saved? Have we not solemn warnings and timely cautions to put before the heedless? Are there not enemies to contend with; temptations to withstand; corruptions to be subdued; conquests to gain? And is there not a word to be sounded forth for the guidance and encouragement of each, as the case may be? More especially, are not these truths to be proclaimed over the great gospel sacrifice, and the great and glorious gospel blessings? Let us hear, and our soul shall live. Let us pray, that the sound of these precious truths may be heard in all lands, and go through all the earth. Let us also march on our way to the heavenly Canaan, under the sound of these trumpets, and according to the guidance of the truths thus made known.

Then shall we be prepared to take others by the hand, and induce them to go with us. How delightful is this thought! See Moses inviting his relation to go with them. "Come thou with us, and we will do thee good" (v. 29). Are you journeying on to the place of which the Lord hath said, "I will give it you?" Are there not those around you, or near and dear to you, whom you ought to try to induce to go with you? Have you not something to say of that good land to win their hearts? Have you no good to tell them; no salvation to speak of; no glory to hold out? What though you are in the wilderness, will not the Lord guide and protect you? If you are under his guidance, will you not be safe? May you not safely follow his truth, and say, "Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered" abroad? (v. 35). When you rest under the banner of his love may you not add, "Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel?" (v. 36). May you realise these blessed truths from day to day, till you come to your rest above!

CHAPTER XI.

1 The burning at Taberah quenched by Moses' prayer. 4 The people lust for flesh, and loathe manna, 10 Moses complaineth of his charge. 16 God divideth his burden unto seventy elders. 31 Quails are given in wrath at Kibroth-huttaavah,

ND when the people 'complained, it

Must not both be proclaimed, and both be heard, that sinners may repent, believe, and

heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and

S