We have here the charge of the other two families of the Levites,
which, though not so honourable as the first, yet was necessary, and
was to be done regularly. 1. The Gershonites were charged with all the
drapery of the tabernacle, the curtains, and hangings, and the
coverings of badgers' skins, v. 22-26. These they were to take down
when the cloud removed, and the ark and the rest of the holy things
were carried away, to pack up and bring with them, and then to set up
again, where the cloud rested. Aaron and his sons allotted to them
their respective charge: "You shall take care of such a curtain, and
you of such a hanging, that every one may know his work, and there may
be no confusion," v. 27. Ithamar particularly was to take the oversight
of them, v. 28. 2. The Merarites were charged with the heavy carriage,
the boards and bars, the pillars and sockets, the pins and cords, and
these were delivered to them by name, v. 31, 32. An inventory was given
them of every particular, that it might be forthcoming, and nothing to
seek, when the tabernacle was to be set up again. Though these seemed
of less importance than the other things pertaining to the sanctuary,
yet there was this care taken of them, to teach us with the greatest
exactness to preserve pure and entire all divine institutions, and to
take care that nothing be lost. It also intimates the care God takes of
his church, and every member of it; the good Shepherd calls his own
sheep by name, John x. 3. Here were thousands of men employed about
these services, though a much less number would have served for the
bearing of those burdens; but it was requisite that the tabernacle
should be taken down, and set up, with great expedition, and many hands
would make quick work, especially when every one knew his work. They
had tents of their own to take care of, and to take along with them,
but the young men under thirty, and the old men above fifty, might
serve for them; nor is there any mention of them, for God's house must
always be preferred before our own. Their care was preposterous who
built and ceiled their own houses while God's house lay waste, Hag. i.
4, 9. The death of the saints is represented as the taking down of the
tabernacle (2 Cor. v. 1), and the putting of it off, 2 Pet. i. 14. The
immortal soul, like the most holy things, is first covered and taken
away, carried by angels, unseen, under the inspection of the Lord
Jesus, our Eleazar. Care is also taken of the body--the skin and flesh,
which are as the curtains, the bones and sinews which are as the bars
and pillars; none of these shall be lost; commandment is given
concerning the bones, a covenant made with the dust; these are in safe
custody, and shall all be produced in the great day, when this
tabernacle shall be set up again, and these vile bodies made like the
glorious body of Jesus Christ.