But shall minister with their brethren— They were to be dismissed at the age of fifty from all the laborious part of the service, and were afterwards to attend only upon the easier duties of their ministry. The Hebrew words directly suggest this meaning, and do not support their opinion, who would render the passage, they shall minister to their brethren; i.e. as counsellors and instructors.
REFLECTIONS.—As they who bear the vessels of the Lord must be holy, the Levites are, 1. Enjoined to wash and shave themselves all over; and then water of purifying is sprinkled upon them. Thus must Jesus sprinkle our consciences, ere we can serve the living God. 2. When prepared, they are presented before the Lord, and, instead of the first-born, surrendered up to God's service. Whatever God calls for, we may cheerfully resign, as we shall surely see a blessing from it. 3. Offerings of atonement followed; for most necessary it is, that they who preach peace with God to others, should first experience it in their own souls. Whereupon, 4. A solemn presentation of them is made by Aaron to God. Ministers are living sacrifices, whose time, abilities, strength, and all, must be employed for God, from the moment they are devoted to him. 5. God accepts of them instead of the first-born, appoints them their work in the tabernacle, to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among them; and regards them as his immediate servants. Note; (1.) God's service is among the highest honours. (2.) They who are called to the honour, must remember the work of the ministry, and diligently preach the atoning blood of the Lamb which was slain. (3.) If this be neglected, the plague of sin among the people will lie at the minister's door. 6. Their time of service is fixed. The prime of life is fittest for the laborious work of the ministry: when the faithful labourers begin to grow aged, they may well be assisted by their younger brethren.