Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

The book of Leviticus, opens with the subject of sacrifices, and particularly of that which is among the first of them, burnt-offerings; from what herd the sacrifice is to be taken from among beasts; or from what bird among the fowls.

Leviticus 1:1

In the opening of this book, some precious improvements arise of a spiritual nature. At first we are told that God called to Moses. Herein Moses was a type of Christ. See John 1:18; Hebrews 1:12. Secondly, God called to Moses, out of the tabernacle. Herein again, Jesus is represented: for all the words of God the Father, are from the mercy seat, in and through his Son, Jesus Christ. John 14:6.

There is somewhat very striking in this idea, of offering to the Lord. Even by the law of nature, man seems directed to do homage to the Lord. But under revelation, his conscience enforceth this, by reason of sin. Micah 6:6.

Observe the unblemished sacrifice! Was not this typical of the Lord Jesus? 1 Peter 1:18-19. Observe also, it was to be voluntary. I beg the Reader to remark with me, how sweetly this referred to the Lord Jesus. So grand and important a part of Christ's mission, was the freeness of it in the conduct of our dear Lord, that I venture to believe the Evangelist John in his relation of the sufferings of Christ, had this in view in a very striking manner, through the whole of Christ's passion. See Joh 18 throughout, and particularly John 18:1; Joh_18:4; Joh_18:7-8; Joh_18:11, verses. 2 Corinthians 9:7. Observe also, the offering was to be at the door. Did not this imply the unworthiness of the giver? Deuteronomy 5:27.

Was not this laying of the hand upon the head of the sacrifice, meant to testify the transferring of the guilt of him that offered the sacrifice, upon the sacrifice itself, and presenting it thus to God? And did not this, most expressly typify Christ? Galatians 3:13.

Was not this killing of the bullock, a representation, that the Lord Jesus, should suffer by his death, on the cross, for the sins of his people? 1 Peter 3:18. And by the sprinkling of the blood, was it not meant to signify, that the merits of Jesus's death, and righteousness, must be applied to the sinner, who is made the happy partaker of salvation? Hebrews 12:24. Did not the sprinkling of the blood round about the Altar, teach the preciousness of Christ's atonement, in the Godhead of his person? 1 Peter 1:2.

Was not the dividing of the offering intended to represent, how the merits, and efficacy of Christ's sacrifice, is divided over the whole earth? Malachi 1:11; Haggai 2:7.

Did not the burning imply, the just wrath of God for sin? Hebrews 12:29.

Did not the washing, carry the idea with it, of the laver of regeneration? Ezekiel 36:25-26. Titus 3:5. And did not this offering made by fire, intimate how precious an offering that was before GOD, which the LORD JESUS made for human transgression? Ephesians 5:2; 1 Peter 2:5.

This seems to have been a provision made for poorer Israelites, that such as had not ability to offer a beast of great expense, might bring a less. Luke 2:24.

Observe the same order, is observed as before. Rich, and poor, are in soul concerns alike. Romans 2:11.

So again, the same appointment, only as the things themselves made the difference necessary in the offering of them. But all pointed to JESUS, as the one all-sufficient sacrifice. Hebrews 10:4-14.

REFLECTIONS

PAUSE my soul, over the perusal of these shadowy representations, and under a most perfect conviction, that neither the blood of beasts, nor of birds, can take away sin, behold in them the most lively types, of the ever blessed JESUS! He was brought, indeed, to the Altar, a willing sacrifice. He was led, as a lamb to the slaughter. Upon his sacred head, by faith, his people now lay their hands; and confess over him those sins, which merit the punishment he suffered. His soul and body were indeed divided, for the moment of death, but soon united together, to see no corruption. And when he had made his soul an offering for sin, he ascended in the offering made by fire, of his own merits and death, as a sweet smelling savour of propitiation, for his people before GOD. Oh! thou holy, immaculate, precious LAMB of GOD, which taketh away the sins of the world; may it be my portion to have an everlasting interest in all the merits of thy sacrifice. And since I am poor, and wretched, in all pretensions to divine favor, may my offering, at the door of the tabernacle, be this, to bring JESUS, in the arms of my faith, that in him, and his precious redemption, I may find favor with GOD. Oh! may thy blood, be sprinkled, upon my guilty conscience, and my whole soul be washed in the laver of regeneration; and that the LORD the HOLY GHOST may enable me to present my body, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto GOD, which is my reasonable service.