That there be no wrath— The service of the Levites, respecting the tabernacle, being mentioned in the preceding verses, it is here particularly enjoined, that they should pitch their tents round about it, that no man might approach nearer than was allowed, and thus incur the Divine wrath or displeasure.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, As the Israelites were about to march, they must be regimented. Order in an army is of the last importance. Those who were commanded were expeditious in their work, and in less than three weeks the review, and the register, were completed. Zeal to serve God makes quick work. Every tribe gave account of the families in it; every family, of the houses; every house, the number and age of the males. And in their numbers we see the prophecies eminently fulfilled, in Judah's increase, in Ephraim's surpassing Manasseh, and in Reuben, though the eldest, being inferior to many others. Thus they might confirm their faith in future promises, by seeing the fulfilment of past predictions.
2nd, The sum total is exactly the same as when they were numbered before, Exodus 38:26. If the Levites were then reckoned, so many of the other tribes had come of age as equalled their number; or they who died were supplied by those who were now passed their twentieth year. God's providence continues to keep up a proportion between births and burials; and if one militant saint or minister is gone, another springs up in his stead. We may observe here,
1. How fully God accomplished his promise to Abraham. Against every human probability, faith waits patiently, and is fully answered at last.
2. All these, except two, died in the wilderness for their unbelief. Death, the wages of sin, makes dreadful havock; let us fear lest we fall after the same example of unbelief.
3. When God's Israel shall go up to possess their inheritance in glory, they shall be such a multitude as no man can number.
3rdly, The Levites, being a kind of body-guard to the tabernacle, must not be numbered with the host. Their office was to take down and carry in their marches the holy things; nor must any of the other tribes, on pain of death, intrude into their business. Whilst each man pitched his tent under his own standard, the Levites encamped around the tabernacle, to prevent profane intrusion, and to be ready in waiting on the service. Note; 1. It must be every minister's care to restrain the people from sin. 2. They who are called to the service of God, should have no other engagements, that they may wholly give themselves up to the work of the ministry.