In Numbers seven we have the
gifts of love and free will, of hearty devotedness, which the chiefs of the
people offer for the service of the sanctuary. The one point to which attention
need now be drawn is an offering particularly for the service of the
Levites; but remarkably enough these offerings did not affect the Kohathites.
The Kohathites, whatever others might receive, carry the vessels entrusted to
them upon their own shoulders. The sons of Merari and the sons of Gershon are
presented with oxen and chariots; the Kohathites receive none. There is no such
principle as that of God balancing matters and keeping men in good temper by giving
all the same portion. If there were, it would be an end of practical grace. On
the contrary, what puts faith and love to the test is that God arranges every
one of us in a different place according to His wise and sovereign will. There
is no such thing as two alike. The consequence is that this, which becomes an
awful danger for flesh, is the sweetest exercise of grace where we are looking
to the Lord. What gracious man would feel sore with another because he was
unlike himself? On the contrary, he would take an honest and hearty joy in that
which he saw of Christ in another which he did not himself possess. Now this is
what seems to me is called into exercise by the provision for the carrying out
of the service of the Levites. The least of them had the most oxen and the most
chariots. At the same time, those who had the highest and the most precious
charge of all had to bear the vessels on their shoulders. They had much less
noise and appearance among men, but the best place, giving rise to the highest
exercises of faith. The Lord make us rejoice, not only in what He has given to
us, but in what He has withheld from us and entrusted to others!