Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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4 And Moses did as the Lord commanded him; and the assembly
was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
The congregation called together, at the door, that is, in the court of the tabernacle, Le 8:4. The elders and principal men of the congregation, who represented the body of the people, were summoned to attend; for the court would hold but a few of the many thousands of Israel. It was done thus publicly,
1. Because it was a solemn transaction between God and Israel; the priests were to be ordained for men in things pertaining to God, for the maintaining of a settled correspondence, and the negotiating of all affairs between the people and God; and therefore it was fit that both sides should appear, to own the appointment, at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
2 The spectators of the solemnity could not but be possessed, by the sight of it, with a great veneration for the priests and their office, which was necessary among a people so wretchedly prone as these were to envy and discontent. It was strange that any of those who were witnesses of what was here done should afterwards say, as some of them did, You take too much upon you, you sons of Levi; but what would they have said if it had been done clandestinely?
Note, It is very fit, and of good use, that ministers should be ordained publicly, plebe praesente--in the presence of the common people, according to the usage of the primitive church.
5 And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which
the Lord commanded to be done.
The commission read, Le 8:5. Moses, who was God's representative in this solemnity, produced his orders before