Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

The same subject is continued through this chapter of the law of offerings. Here are appointments respecting the peace-offering, and the free-will offering; together with some further directions concerning the meat-offering. This chapter concludes the subject of those ordinances.

The sprinkling the blood of the sacrifice upon the altar, is still carried on through every service. I hope the Reader will therefore keep the same in view also, and see the whole in reference to him, who is our New-Testament Altar, Priest, and Sacrifice. 1 Corinthians 5:7.

Observe the burning of those parts, implying the dedication of the whole to the LORD, and not to be employed to any secular purposes. Did not this carry with it, reference to the sweet-smelling sacrifice of JESUS? Ephesians 5:2.

Was not this appropriation of the skin of the burnt offering to the priest, typical of the clothing of our souls with the garment of JESUS? If so, it is worthy remark that in the very first sacrifice in the garden of Eden this was taught. See Genesis 3:21. And again Genesis 27:16.

Still let the Reader observe, the doctrine of sprinkling is carefully kept up. Reader, JESUS must be applied as well as revealed; and his blood sprinkled on the soul, as well as shed for the soul. Hebrews 12:24. But who shall sprinkle the soul with the blood of JESUS? HOLY SPIRIT! is it not thy gracious office? Oh! Holy LORD! do thou mercifully take of that precious blood, and so reveal it as to give me to see and believe its sovereign efficacy, for then will it be truly and fully applied to my soul's joy and the Redeemer's glory.

Observe how speedily the sacrifice was to be eaten. Did not this represent the earnestness with which CHRIST is to be received? Hebrews 3:13-14. And observe that what remained until the 3rd day of the flesh of the sacrifice was to be burnt. Did not this intimate that the precious body of JESUS should not see corruption, but be offered up in the glories of his resurrection? Psalms 16:10.

Leviticus 19:8, Haggai 2:12

Spiritually considered doth not this doctrine seem to say, that it is the conscience which must be purged from dead works to serve the living and true GOD? Hebrews 9:14; 1 Corinthians 11:29.

This prohibition of fat and blood is a renewal of the same law, as in Chap. 3:16, 17. We know that the blood in a particular manner, was all along considered as sacred, in reference to the atonement, by the blood of JESUS. Genesis 9:4; Deuteronomy 12:16.

This is worthy to be noticed, that everyone who brought the peace-offering should bring it himself with his own hands. Doth not this teach that salvation is a personal concern? Reader! look to it, that it is so with you. Oh! for the precious experience of Job! Job 19:25. And of Paul, Galatians 2:20.

See how gracious a provision the LORD hath made for his priests, who stand up by his appointment, to minister in his holy name. 1 Corinthians 9:13-14.

REFLECTIONS

STILL, my soul, keep thine eye steadily looking unto JESUS, and pray for the precious teachings of GOD the HOLY GHOST, whose office it is, to glorify the LORD JESUS, that he may enable thee to behold the Redeemer typified through the several parts of this Chapter. And as JESUS was and is the minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, may my heart rejoice, and participate with him, in all the sweet things of his altar. May it be my portion, LORD, to feed on thee, to live to thee, to rejoice in thee! Never may I presume to bring anything of my own to mingle with the all-sufficient sacrifice of the LORD JESUS but desire to come, or rather to be led, by the HOLY GHOST to GOD and my FATHER, in the new and living way of JESUS'S blood, and make mention of his righteousness, even of his only. But Oh! thou LAMB of GOD! how blessed is it to see thee both the Sacrifice and the Priest. Thou hast made all thy people kings and priests to GOD and the FATHER. And as thou art our great Peace-offering: so art thou our glorious Paschal Lamb. On thee we feed. By thee we live. Through thee we are nourished and sustained, and made partakers of an everlasting life. Precious LORD! give us so to eat of thy flesh, and drink of thy blood, that we may have eternal life abiding in us! Amen.