Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

The same interesting subject is continued through this chapter. Here are four more particular objects taken notice of. The first, of the consecration of the Priests. The second, is that of the consecration of the altar. The third, of the daily sacrifice: and the fourth, God's promise that his presence and his blessing should be with the people, in their tabernacle service.

Exodus 29:1

Leviticus 8:2.

1 Corinthians 5:7.

Did not this washing intimate the cleansing by the blood of Jesus, and the washing of regeneration? Titus 3:5; Isaiah 52:11.

How plainly is the Lord Jesus here typified? Isaiah 59:17. But was not the clothing of the soul, in the robes of Jesus' righteousness, hereby shadowed out? Psalms 132:9. For are not all true believers made kings and priests to God? Revelation 1:6.

Was not this in token of the anointing of the Lord Jesus, as the High Priest of our profession? Psalms 89:20. See also Psalms 133:2. And as the holy oil ran down to the skirts of his garments, did not this imply that the lowest members of Christ's mystical body partake in him of the Spirit's anointing? Ephesians 4:7.

Leviticus 8:12-13.

Is not this strikingly expressive of the Lord Jesus bearing the sins of his people? Isaiah 53:4-6.

1 Peter 2:24.

Psalms 118:27.

Burning upon the altar carried this idea with it, that sin merited the fiery wrath of God. Leviticus 8:18.

Putting the hand upon the head of the beast carried with it this idea, that the sinner merited the death which the animal was to suffer.

Observe, the sacrifice of blood is first sprinkled upon the altar, and then the offering by fire; meaning, perhaps, that atonement for our sins is first made to God by the blood of Jesus, and then our persons and our offerings are accepted in him, as living sacrifices. Isaiah 6:7; Romans 12:1.

The repetition implies the vast importance of the thing signified.

Was not this emblematical, to show that the whole, and every part, being unclean, is in need of cleansing? John 13:10.

Was not this figurative of the influences of the Holy Ghost? 1 John 2:20.

The waving implied that the whole was an offering to God, whose presence was understood to be at the service. 1 Timothy 2:8.

The burning upon the altar carried with it the idea, that God accepted the offering.

The heave offering probably was lifted, or thrown up into the air, and caught again with the hand, to show that it was devoted to the Lord; and when caught again, was received as his gift. Leviticus 7:34.

The part which Aaron and his sons were to eat of the sacrifice, implied the interest the people had in it. Revelation 3:20.

By the stranger we are to understand one not included in the covenant. Exodus 12:43; Ephesians 2:12-13.

Leviticus 7:18-19.

The everyday offering Paul explains, Hebrews 10:1-4.

Matthew 23:19.

Was not this morning and evening offering of a lamb, a sweet type of the necessity of the sacrifice of Jesus' blood and righteousness being constantly applied by the Holy Ghost to the soul? 1 Peter 1:19-20; Hebrews 9:26.

Were not these mingled offerings of flour and oil, intended to show the necessity of the Spirit's graces accompanying the merits of the Redeemer, to supply all the wants of the sinner? John 3:5.

This promise gave a sanction and blessing to all, and is the grand charter of the gospel-covenant. Matthew 18:20; Mat_28:20; Zechariah 10:12; Zephaniah 3:14-17; Revelation 21:3.

REFLECTIONS

Reader! let us not think, in the perusal of this Chapter, that we are in the midst of shadows still; but bless God the Holy Ghost, who enables us to look through the shadow, and see clearly the substance, to which the whole ministered. Do we not in Aaron see our Almighty Aaron, and in his sons those who are the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty, whom Jesus hath made kings and priests to God and the Father? Was Aaron thus washed, and arrayed, and anointed to the sacred service? and was not Jesus, our great high priest, consecrated to the work, when in the infinite purity of his nature he offered himself in all the glories of his person and his character, to make reconciliation for the sins of his people? Dearest and ever blessed Lord! do thou go in before me, in all the parts of this precious character. Be thou my morning and my evening propitiation! Sanctify my soul with the continued pourings forth of all the graces, and gifts, and rich anointings, of thine Holy Spirit. And may that first and unspeakable mercy be my portion, that being reconciled to God, even the Father, in thy blood and righteousness, he may according to his most sweet promise dwell in me, and be in me and with me; that he may be my God, and that I may be among the number of his people.