10, 11. Levites . . . shall . . .
bear--namely, the punishment of
their iniquity . . . Yet they shall be ministers--So Mark, a
Levite, nephew of Barnabas
(Ac 4:36),
was punished by Paul for losing an opportunity of bearing the cross of
Christ, and yet was afterwards admitted into his friendship again, and
showed his zeal
(Ac 13:13; 15:37;
Col 4:10;
2Ti 4:11).
One may be a believer, and that too in a distinguished place, and yet
lose some special honor--be acknowledged as pious, yet be excluded from
some dignity [BENGEL].
charge at the gates--Better to be "a doorkeeper in the house of God,
than to dwell in the tents of wickedness"
(Ps 84:10).
Though standing as a mere doorkeeper, it is in the house of God,
which hath foundations: whereas he who dwells with the wicked,
dwells in but shifting tents.
JFB.
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