ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Falaite Sune 11, 2021

that they may minister to him

ke nau tauhi kiate ia 

Nomipa 3 (Numbers 3)

 

* G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible*

The account of the arrangements for the service of the Levites is fully and carefully given in this and the following chapter. In the rites are certain matters of principle which are of permanent value. First there is the fact of the separation of this tribe by divine arrangement to the sacred service of the sanctuary. It must ever be borne in mind that the Levites occupied that position in a representative capacity. The original provision was that the first-born in every family should be set apart to the work of priesthood. In all probability for the sake of cohesion and order this tribe was now appointed to represent the first-born. This they did, man for man, their number at this period being twenty-two thousand. When the census of the first-born was taken, it was found that there were 273 more first-born than Levites. These unrepresented first-born were commanded to pay a redemption price devoted to the service of the sanctuary. All these arrangements solemnly emphasized for the people the supreme importance of worship and at the same time revealed to them the orderliness of Jehovah. It is of interest to remember that while Our Lord after the flesh was not of the tribe of Levi, He was the Firstborn and so, according to the original provision, a Priest.

(Nomipa 3:5-7) 5 Pea na‘e folofola ‘a Sihova kia Mōsese, ‘o pehē, 6 Fakaofi mai ‘a e matakali ‘o Līvai, ‘o fokotu‘u ia ‘i he ‘ao ‘o ‘Ēlone ko e taula‘eiki ke nau tauhi kiate ia. 7 Pea te nau feia ‘ene lakanga tauhi, pea mo e lakanga tauhi ‘a e fakataha kātoa, ‘i he mata Tēniti Fe‘iloaki‘anga, ke ‘anautolu ‘a e ngāue ‘o e Tāpanekale.

Numbers 3:5-7 - 5 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. 7 They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle.

 

*Commentary: The Pulpit Commentaries*

They shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation. Septuagint, "shall keep his watches, and the watches of the children of Israel." The Levites were to be the servants of Aaron on the one side, and of the whole congregation on the other, in the performance of their religious duties. The complicated ceremonial now prescribed and set in use could not possibly be carried out by priests or people without the assistance of a large number of persons trained and devoted to the work. Compare St. Paul's words to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 4:5), "Ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake."