Numbers 1:47-54 - The Servants Of God

I. THAT THE LEVITES WERE NOT NUMBERED WITH THE REST , FOR THE ORDINARY PURPOSES OF THE LIFE IN THE WILDERNESS . Those that are devoted to the service of God, or addicted to the ministry of the saints, are to be mixed up as little as possible in the entanglements of business, of politics, of society, and of all the transitory things which make up the life of the world.

II. That they were NOT NUMBERED among the other tribes, not in order that they might be idle, or have less to do, but THAT THEY MIGHT THE BETTER DO THEIR OWN WORK which the Lord assigned them. Even so, no one is marked off, or set apart, that he may live on others, or look down on others, or enjoy more ease or more consideration than others; but only that he may be the more free to do the work which the Lord hath appointed him.

III. THAT THE SUM OF THEIR LABOUR AND CHARGE WAS TO ATTEND UPON THE TABERNACLE —to be in waiting upon the Divine presence in the midst of Israel. So they who would give themselves to the work of Christ must set this before them as the great object of it all: that he be glorified, and his spiritual presence be cherished in the midst of his people. As in one sense, the true way to serve God is to serve his people, so in another the true way to serve the people is to help them to serve God. Nor is their work of least real value, who, having none opportunity of benefiting their fellows directly, do yet assist by their practice and example to keep alive reverence and devotion amidst a careless world.

IV. THAT THE ENCAMPING OF THE LEVITES WAS TO BE CLOSE ROUND ABOUT THE TABERNACLE . So those that are especially called to the service of God must have their dwelling very near him: they can only do more for him, on condition of living nearer to him. It is their one real privilege—if they know it—that, having their duties about holy things, and being free from many distractions common to others, they have opportunity of keeping closer to the holy one.

V. THAT NO " STRANGER " MIGHT COME NIGH UNTO THE TABERNACLE ON PAIN OF DEATH . So can no profane person intrude upon Divine things except at deadly spiritual peril. That nearness to God which is life to the humble and meek is death to the presumptuous soul; that familiarity with holy things which is a source of growth in grace to the holy is hardening and destruction to the unholy. No "stranger" to the atoning love can venture upon the presence of the All-holy and live: every one that knows not God, and has not his love abiding in him, is a "stranger" in this sense.

VI. THAT VERY MUCH OF THE LEVITES ' WORK WAS LABORIOUS , TIRESOME , OR TRIVIAL , YET IT WAS ALL UNDER THE SAME AWFUL SANCTIONS , and invested with the same holy character. So, if any will be really devoted to the work of Christ, he must do that which falls to his lot, however humble outwardly, or apparently unspiritual; for the work is all one, and all of one, if only it be done for that one.