A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus

Frederick Meyrick [1827-1906] · 410,653 words · 472 reading sections

SECTION 61

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 61

-of the serpent, it must be associated with the harmlessness of the dove (see Matt. x.16). 2. But what are the lesson, conveyed in this variety 1 (1) It evinces the insufficiency of the sacrifices of the Law. U one sacrifice or one kiud of sacrifice could really take away sin, why repeat it or have recourse to others…

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SECTION 62

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 62

remained in ignorance but for those special manifestations of which the sacred Scriptures, are the record. The text reminds us that these include- !. His PECULIAR PEOPLE. Out of the human race God chose one people II the con- gregation," "the children of Israel," to whom he would appear, by whom the' knowledge- of his…

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SECTION 63

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 63

their victims in such ways as they deemed best. The commonnese of sacrifice, its preva- lence outside the holy nation, speaks eloquently enough of man's conscious distance from God, and of his desire and endeavour to find a way back to his fa.vonr. "Wherewith. she.II I come before the Lord?" This is the anxious questio…

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SECTION 64

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 64

II. THAT Goo ACCEPTS THE BEST WE ARE ADLE TO BRING. If he could not afford a bullock, the Hebrew worshipper might bring a sheep; or if that were beyond bis means, a turtle-dove or pigeon (vers. 2, 10, 14). God accepts gifts "according to that a man bath," eto. (2 Cor. viii. 12). He who approved the widow's mites mor…

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SECTION 65

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 65

as tho congregation of the Lord, is occupied with {}I$ laws of sricrifi,a, cha. i.-vii. The underlying fa.et is that of sin as separation from God ; hut the book, as regulating the intercourse between the sinful people and the holy object of their worship, is itself a. -0onstituent part of the gracious covenant made wi…

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SECTION 66

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 66

RELATION BETWEEN ·rHE PEOPLE AND JEHOVAH, THE Goo OF REVELATION, MUTUAL. PLl~DGE, AND. PR~Mrss. _T_he ~hole structure of the ceremonial. law was built up on reciprocal obligation. L1vmg mtercourse between God and man 1s the spiritual reality which binds together all the details of this book of the Law. A development…

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SECTION 67

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 67

III. THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTI0 011' TJIE 0ll'll'ERING JS SURRENDER, ACK0WLEDG- :IIENT OF TIIE LoRD'B CLAIM OVER us. " Out of the herd or flock." That is, out of our own possessions, valued, known, intimately associated with ourselve.q. A religion which costs us nothing cannot be real. The more of one's self there is…

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SECTION 68

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 68

Vers. 5-9.-The killing, flaying, and C()nsuming <>f the fJictim. Full, throughout, of the idea of atonement. The three main elements are-I. 'l'he blood. II. 'fhe fire. III. 'l'he sweet savour unto the Lord. Consider- !. TnE SPRTh'KLED :BLOOD. The offerer killed the victim. The priests received the blood and sprinkled …

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SECTION 69

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 69

EXPOSITION. of homage did in the case of Jacob and CHAPTER IL Esau (Gen. xx.rii. 20), and as they do to THB •MBAT OPPERING. The regulation of this day throughout o:u India.n empire, the burnt offering as a Levitical institution and generally in the East. is immediately followed by a similar regu- Ver. 1.-And when.…

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SECTION 70

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 70

pancake), "·ith oil, salt, and frankincense; derived from the nctim being enriched or (3) roasted grains, with oil, salt, and (magis auctus) with the libation of wine. rrankincense. 2. He must bring his offer- Thus we see tho.t the offering of the fruits ing to the court of the tabernacle, and give of the earth was re…

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SECTION 71

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 71

into four vo.rieties of cakes. The ritual of but they shall not be b1Jrnt on the altar. offering is not different from that of the first The mark in A. V. denoting a new paragrapli .form. The, fro.nkincense is not mentioned, at the beginning of ver. 12, should be re- but doubtless is underslood. The rabbiui• moved. .…

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SECTION 72

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 72

Ver.13.-Salt was to be nsed with all the sacrifices. Cf. Ezek. xliii. 24; Mark ix. 49. I. ,vHAT IT RECALLED TO THE MIND OF THE OFFERER. The eating of bread and salt together being the ceremony which finally ratified an agreement or covenant (asit still is in .Arabia), salt was associated in the mind of the Israelit…

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SECTION 73

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 73

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Consecrated life-work, a, brought <YUt in the meat offering. Cb. Ii. 1-11; cf. John iv. 84; Acts x. 4; Phil. iv. 18; John vi. 27. The idea prominently presented in the burnt offering is, we have seen, personal consecration, on the ground of expiation and acceptance through a substitute, In…

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SECTION 74

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 74

A.bout honouring God with our firsffruies. Ch. ii. 12-16; cf. Prov. iii. 9; 1 Cor. xv. 23; Jas. i. 18. This arrangement about the firstfruits, though appended to the meat offering, demands a special notice. The meat offering, we have seen, e.fl:irms the general principle that our life-work should be dedicated to God. B…

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SECTION 75

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 75

ment to Christ Are of little importance, The burning of a portion of the offering upon the altar rebukes such a conception, .And similarly we learn that the punctual attendance upon the means of grace, and the regular offering of praise and prayer must not exclude the exercise of hospitality and sympathy. ' II. Loo…

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SECTION 76

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 76

places in a strong light bis condescension in making an agreement by which he binds himself as well as the people. Every covenant implies mutual obligations. G,,d promised to guide and bless the Israelites if they, in their tum, kept his commandments and held him in proper esteem. To put salt, therefore, in complian…

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SECTION 77

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 77

Vers. 7-13.-The offering of dai1y life. It is interesting to perceive how the instructions here recorded made it possible for all classes of the people to briug sacri- fices to Jehovah. None could complain of want of sufficient means or of the necessary cooking utensils. All such objections are forestalled by these inc…

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SECTION 78

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 78

So is he destined to nourish the joys of the glorified in the heaven of heavens (Luke xxii. 30). (3) This was a Eucharistic offering, and equivalent to the bread of the Christian Eucharist (Matt. xxvi. 26; 1 Cor. x. 16). II. THIS DREAD HAD THE QUALITY OF EXCELLENCE. 1. .As bread it was the staple of f.ood. (1) We can…

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SECTION 79

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 79

his Shcchinah. The portion thus consumed was regarded as " God's food " or "meat " of the offering which he was pleased to accept. 'l'his wa.s one part of the feast. 2. The remnant was then eaten by the priests. (1) The priests here aro not to be viewed as types of Christ. The high priest alone seems to have represe…

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SECTION 80

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 80

and by Jerome: and certainly the similitude is apt. Though luscious to the palate, it is bitter to the stomach. So evermore is sensual gratification (see Prov. xxv. 16, 27). (2) 'l'he exclusion of honey from the sacrifices and offerings of the altar will, therefore, convey important morals, viz. (a) consi<lering these …

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SECTION 81

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 81

him, we proceed to consider the offering of the firstfruits, which is still the minchah under yet another form. The text brings before us- I. THINGS PECULIAR TO THE OFFERING OF THE FIRSTFRUITS, These are: 1. Tlie matter of the offering. (1) It is specified as " green ears of corn." Still observe it is of the nature…

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SECTION 82

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 82

11roduce of the land, tbo principal elements of food were, in a sacred hour, at the holy place, and, by a pious action, solemnly recognized as gifts of God, to be gratefully accepted from his hancl, to be reverently laid on his altar. We are thankfuily to acknowledge : 1. God's kindness in supplying w with thae which w…

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SECTION 83

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 83

l. GoD LAYS GREAT STRESS ON TUii: PURITY OF OUR HEAR1' IN WORSHIP. Only the pure in heart cau see God (Matt. v. 8). Without holiness no man shall sec him (Hcb. xii. 14). They must be clean who bear the ve$sels of tho Lord (Isa. lii. 11). None may ascend his holy hill but "he that hath clean hands and a pure heart." …

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SECTION 84

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 84

III. THAT m THE RELATIONS OF MINISTER AND PEOPLE THERE SHOULD BE BEOIPBO- 0AL GENEROSITY. On the part of the latter let there be: 1. Full appreciation of the high nature and the large number of their services. 2. Generous overlooking of lesser faults, remembering human frailty. 3. Constant credit for purity of motive. …

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SECTION 85

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 85

enveloped in it, and, in the case of the sheep; CHAPTER IIL the fat tails, for consumption by the 11~ THE rEACE OFFERING, The pllllce offer- 3. To offer one of each of the three different ing, though the instructions here given kinds of unleavened cakes, and one loaf respecting it preocde those relating to the of t…

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SECTION 86

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 86

of peo.ee, friendship, fellowship, and bleseed- and nlwo.ys regarded as a great delicacy in ness" (Kurtz, 'Sacrificial Worship'). the East (see Herod., iii. 113; Thompson, Vere. 3, 4.-" Thero were four parta to be 'Land and the Book,' p. V7). The burning burned upon the o.ltar: (1) the fat that of the fat tail upon th…

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SECTION 87

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 87

When Abraham's servant asked for Rebekah for his master, he refused to eat and drink u~til he had i:nade his agreement (Gen. xxiv. ?3); ~ut after it was completed, "they did eat and dnnk, he and the men that were with him" (Gen. xxiv. 64). Jacob held a solemn feast after he and I:aban had made a covenaut together (G…

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SECTION 88

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 88

priests and his sacrificing servants are all partaking of the one animal, the one food; that is to say, are all in .fellowship. This is the crown of religious experience-con- scious fellowship with God and with one another. It is what John refers to when he says, "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk…

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SECTION 89

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 89

Vers. 1-5.-.A general view of offerings. A supplementary account of the manner io which the peace offerings are to be presented unto the Lord is contained in eh. vii. Heserving fuller distinct consideration of them till our arrival there, it may be in- dructive now to derive some general lessons from a. comparison betw…

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SECTION 90

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 90

upon the burnt offering, probably upon the remains of the morning sacrifice. So that the one becomes a foundation for the other, and clashing is obviated. The sacrifice of the congregation does not prevent the sacrifice of the individual, nor does the general offering prove a hindrance to the special. Family prayer is …

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SECTION 91

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 91

enter into all phases of life, The prohibition Wal! to be acted upon in "the dwellings " a9 well as at the tabernacle. Let us not make too great a distinction between the homage of the house of God and the home or the workshop and the factory I It is tho characteristic of the gospel times to have the Law written on the…

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SECTION 92

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 92

offerings and peace offerings were consumed together (ver. 5). The great sacrifice of Christ prepares the altar for sacrifices of praise. These were not accepted till we were ,econciled through him.-J. A. M. Vers. 6-17.-The peace offering of the flock. The ceremony in relation to this is almost identical with that of …

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SECTION 93

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 93

prophecy (Zech. xii. 10; John xix. 34). (3) To human appearance this prophecy seems to have been fulfilled as by accident. The same remark may be applied to the fulfilment of many prophecies. '!'here are no mere accidents. The careful hand of an all wise Providence is in cverything.-J. A, M. Vers. 1-IG.-The foundation…

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SECTION 94

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 94

or two things-the fat and the blood or slain animald: it was to be "a perpetual statute for your generations tbrou;:;hout all your dwellings." The fat thus interdicted was that which was offered in sacrifice (vern. 3, 4, 9, 10), not that which was inter- lined with the lean (Neh. viii. 10). We may look at- I. THE M…

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SECTION 95

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 95

Iitcrcourse re-establuhed between God and ma11, and expressed in grateful praise and willing dependence. II. Salvation as a/ad ,·esting on continued faith; _the three parts of the sacrifice being the offerer's part, the priest's part, and Jehovah's part,-all essential nnd harmonized in one offering. III. Joy of salv…

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SECTION 96

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 96

self." "The Lord hath visited his people." We build all on the foundation stone which God himself hath laid. We begin with the person of Christ, divinely glorious. Our faith lays hold of eternal life in him who was the Life and the Light of men. 2. The· offerer brought the victim, but the priestly mediation was a neces…

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SECTION 97

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 97

at the altar, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings." The abiding sacrifice, on the abiding altar, with the abiding fire, receives the occasional offering of the individual worshipper. Here is the great truth of an abiding merit, an ever-living interces…

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SECTION 98

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 98

EXPOSITION. animal outside the camp, and there to CHAPTER IV. burn it. H it were the congregation tbnt made the offering, the same condition ■ had THE mr OPll'EBING (chs. iv., v. 1-13). At to be fulfilled, except that the elder■ of the the time of the Mosaio legislation, burnt congregation had to lay their hands on…

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SECTION 99

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 99

mcnt, no remedy. The wor,l•, ah11ll do upon the alt!l.r of God, but be destroyed against any of them, i.•. agniust the oom- with fire outside the camp, typifving the num<lments, would be better rendered shall removal from God's kingdom, 11nd the final do any of them, i.e. the things whioh ought destruction of all th…

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SECTION 100

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 100

IIOMILETICS. Vere. l-35.-7Vie sin offering signifies and ceremonially effects propitiation and expiation. Its characteristic feature, therefore, is the preseutation of the blood of the victim, which in this sacrifice alone (when it was offered for the high priest or the whole congregation) waa carried into the taberna…

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SECTION 101

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 101

gation of the covenant at Sinai; and consequently it is to be taken as the rule for penitents, whose consciences have been educated in a more thorough detection of sin through the Law. "By the law is the knowledge of sin." Wo have at this stage con- feqnently, a perceptible elevation of the moral standard, ' l. 'l'…

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SECTION 102

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 102

accomplished atonement. It wae, so far e.s God was concerned, as much a feast as the peace offering. It expressed, consequently, that God was delighted beyond all our con- ception with the reconciliation. It is well to make this idea always emphatic. Our blinded s<Uls are ready to imagine that we are more anxious for …

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SECTION 103

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 103

the sinner enters, and the moral devastation to which he is liable, and from which preservation is possible only through an offering. Learn, then, that ignorance does not of itself excuse violation of God's commands, but it permits resort to such an atonement as will procure God's forgiveness. Paul s..'\id, "I obtai…

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SECTION 104

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 104

the necessity for the sinner's deliverance from its results? The victims brought for sacrifice, the priests devoted to the sacrificial work, the altars of burnt offering and incense, the vail that separated the holy from the holi,,st place-all these were eminently calculated to deepen the Israelites' conviction of t…

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SECTION 105

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 105

offerin:z, were similar to those off'ereil by the patriarchs; but these now to be described seem to be characteristic of the Levitical dispensation. In the verses more immediately before us we have to contemplate-• I. Tm: PRIEST AS A SINNER. 1. J£ay he be viewed in this character as a type of Christ 1 (1) He is distin…

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SECTION 106

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 106

weakness was no frustration of God's purposes, for he never intended that sin shoulcl be condemned in such flesh as theirs (Ps. lxix. 30, 31; Ii. 16; Heb. x. 4). He intended these to foreshadow something better, viz. : 3. TIUJ Sin Offering of Cal.vary. (1) This wae made in a human body. Being in the" likeness of sinful…

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SECTION 107

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 107

26). (2) God hl\S ever held nations responsible to him (Job xii. 18 • Jer. xxvii. 6 • Dan. ii. 21 ; iv. 32). (3) The Hebrew nation more especially so. He' raised them up in pursuance ~fhis promise to their fathers. He preserved them in Egypt. He brought them forth with an outstretched arm. He gave them a code of law…

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SECTION 108

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 108

Vers. 22-35.-The sin offering <f the ruler and of any of the people. As in the preceding paragraph we have lessons from the relation of sin offering to communities, here we are reminded- I. THAT INDlVIDUALS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO GOD. We have: 1. The responsibi1ity of the ruler. (1) Rulers stand related to subjects. Th…

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SECTION 109

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 109

taking him (see 2 Sam. xxxi. I). When calamity comes we must not too readily relegat.e it to the category of mere physical sequence, but confess the hand of God. Timely sacrifice may stay a plague (see 2 Sam. xxiv. 25). 3. For obstinate infidelity there is no mercy. (1) This is what Paul, alluding to the sin offering…

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SECTION 110

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 110

and which a God of boundless peace was Intending and was thus preparing to supply. The ein offering was prophetic, symbolical. The blood of bulls could not take away the ein of the world; only the slain Lamb of God would avail for that (Heb. x. 4; John i. 29). But "the blood of Jesus Chrut hie Son cleanseth us from al…

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SECTION 111

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 111

'Vers. 13, 14.-C'ollective gui1t unCC'Ttsciously incurred. We learn from the special provision made for the "sin in ignorance" of " the whole congregation of Israel"- I. THAT, THOUGH GoD DEALS PRIMARILY WITH INDIVIDUAL SOULS, HE HAS DIDECT RELATIONS WITH COMMUNITIES. Ordinarily, constantly, God· comes to the individua…

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SECTION 112

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 112

God does not grudgingly or imperfectly forgive, but that he "abufadantly pardons." The subject demands our consideration of two things-- I. THE FULNEss OF Goo's ACCEPTANCE. God's mercy in Christ Je8UB embraces: 1. The entire forgiveness of all past sins, so that all our numerous transgressions of his Law, both the …

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SECTION 113

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 113

~hall be honoured in view of them. IV. There is forgiveness with God for all sin. Y. Those who are in the most responsible position are the most called to offer sacrifice for their sin. VI. The forgiveness of sin is only through expiation, in recognition of an atonement. These points embrace much of the teaching of …

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SECTION 114

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 114

secret intention except as it changes the character of the overt act. The oft'ence of man- slaughter embraces a large number of cases where ignorance and error might be pleaded, but are not sufficient to remove the liability of the offender. Guilt is not merely con- scious or subjective liability to punishment, but …

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SECTION 115

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 115

which is atoned for. All the details of the ceremony, especially the connection of the blood of the sin offering with the two altars-that of incense and that of burnt offering- pointed to the completeness of the atonement which God provided. In the antitype, the great sacrifice offered by our Lord Jesus Christ, whose …

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SECTION 116

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 116

Positively irreligious. Growth of vices till they become national. Combinations of great masses of people to uphold wrong and protect interests which impede the advance of morality. Sins of rulers in dishonest legislation. State interference with religious liberty. Spread of superstition, for which the nation as a whol…

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SECTION 117

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 117

EXPOSITION. and he did not give evidence of what he hed CHAPTER V. seen or heard, he had to bear his iniquity, THE sm OFFEBING--cOntinued (nn. 1- that is, he was regarded as guilty; and as 13). The subject of the next thirteen verses this was an offence which could be atoned for by a sacrifice, he was to offer as …

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SECTION 118

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 118

Vera. 7-13.-Tho sacrifices to be offered as sin offerings are specified, nor may they be multiplied. They do not differ according to the heinousness of the offence which they are to atone for, but according to the means of the offerer. The moral reason of this was probably to prevent the idea arising that the costlines…

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SECTION 119

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 119

of a sin offering duly performed. It is not sufficient to acknowledge and repent of our misdeeds; we want a sin offering, the Lamb of God, so that we can make mention of his righteousness and enjoy the atoning virtue of his precious blood. It is not the offender but the priest who makes atonement (ver. 6). Apart from o…

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SECTION 120

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 120

itself in the multitude. (2) But in particular, IC that he hath sinned ,n this thing.'' Sin thus carried home hulllbles us into the dust. Such was the confession of Achan (Josh. vii. 20), who, though his sin was IC unto death," may yet have found the mercy of God to his soul. Such was the confession of David (Ps. Ii. 4…

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Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.

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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.