Ver. 3. He lighted the lamps.] This candlestick, on the south side of the tabernacle, over against the table, figured the law of God shining in his Church; (Proverbs 6:23 2 Peter 1:19) and the lighting of one lamp from another, showed the opening of one text by another. The Rabbins have a saying, Nulla est obiectio in lege quae non habet solutionem in latere; i.e., there is not any doubt in the law, but may be resolved in the context.
Ver. 4. Beaten work.] To show that ministers must beat their brains to beat out the sense of the Scriptures, as the fowl beats the shell, to get out the fish, with great vehemency. Κοπιαν, παρα το κοπτειν.
Ver. 7. Sprinkle water of purifying, &c.] This taught that none were meet for the holy ministry, but by the free favour of Christ, and by the sanctification of his Spirit. (2 Corinthians 2:16 Galatians 1:15) Ministers are fullones animarum, their office is to whiten others; themselves therefore should be as those Nazarites (Lamentations 4:7) “whiter than snow.” Shave all their flesh.] As the lepers did; Levites are by nature no better than lepers: ministers, men subject to like passions as others, and liable to more temptations.
Ver. 9. The whole assembly.] By their representatives the elders, or the firstborn; figuring the Church of Christ, those “firstborn which are written in heaven.” (Hebrews 12:23)
Ver. 10. Shall put their hands.] Imposition of hands is an ancient rite at the ordination of ministers.
Ver. 11. And Aaron shall offer the Levites.] Heb., Wave the Levites; which might figure, ministers’ miseries and afflictions, by Satan’s sifting them, and wicked men’s turmoiling them, as Jeremiah, that “man of contentions.” (Jeremiah 15:12)
Ver. 12. The one for a sin offering.] The sin offering for actual sin; the burnt offering for original.
Ver. 19. As a gift to Aaron.] “ Clarissima semper Munera sunt, Author quae pretiosa facit.” Ministers also are given as an honorary to the Church. (Ephesians 4:11)
Ver. 24. From twenty-five years.] [See Trapp on “Nu 4:30”]