Here we have grace which after all secures the land and joy and communion therein, the stranger being also admitted to this; error supposed when in enjoyment of the promises and atonement; presumptuous sin condemned; the memorial of the fringe of blue, the marks of heavenly-mindedness in communion, which recalls the commandment and gives force in the conscience to the first deliverance. Blue was next the gold always in the tabernacle.
Note how after the various forms of rebelliousness or unbelief, complaining, lusting, self-righteous exaltation of prophetess and priest against the king (who held immediate intercourse with the Lord) and despising the promise, the absolute certainty of the promise in grace, comes in before the apostasy of Kore, in which the perishing comes. After this, it is brought out that priestly grace alone—Aaron's rod before and laid up by the tabernacle of witness from which the righteous judgment had come forth on Kore—could take away the murmuring and lead them through the wilderness. The special place and privilege too of priesthood then comes out most instructively, and here alone, chapter 18:10, is eating in the most holy place spoken of, which must be communicatively from office; I cannot think it is among the most holy things.
The order of these chapters is very interesting.
15. Hak-ka-hal (as for the congregation). Does this make the sojourner a part of the congregation?
23. From the day that the Lord commanded (began to command) and onward to your generations.