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 361

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 361

faithfully carried out by the Lord's people. Moreover, we are on the way to its perfect illustration in the felicities of the heavenly world. There none shall be for self or for a party, but all for the common weal. Lord Macaulay represents ancient Rome as the embodiment of public spirit. " Then none wu for a party; …

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SECTION 362

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 362

unclean were carefully prescribed. (3) And the high priest was not permitted to incur defilement by "going in to any dead body" under any circumstances whatever, not even "for his father, or for his mother" (ver. 11). 2. So, respecting marriage alliances : (1) the whole people were under certain severe prohibitions (De…

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SECTION 363

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 363

a feeble and faltering delivery (" brokenhanded "), but a facile, skilful " handling of the Word of God." We may note, before we pass, that the God whom we serve is expectant, but is not inconsiderate. He who refuses to allow a priest with any blemish "to approach to offer the bread of hie God," expressly desired th…

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SECTION 364

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 364

self he must give her up to be burnt with fire (ver. 9; Gen. :x:uviii 24). Such, accordingly, is to be the fate of the scarlet lady (Rev. :r.vii. 16, 17 ; :r.viii. 9, 10 i xix. 2, 3). II. THE PRmsTS :M:UBT BE WITHOUT BLEMISH. 1. Those who typified Ohrist mu.,t be so. (1) We have an enumeration of blemishes, any of w…

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SECTION 365

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 365

children of their own. Under tbeae cir- bath II blemish, that lhaJJ. ye not offer. The cumstances, it is ruled that they become once list of blemishes and malformations which more e. po.rt of the priest's family, and able exclude from the altar is given; they are to exercise the privileges of that position. such ae …

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SECTION 366

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 366

HOMILETICS. Ve!'II. 17-25.-TM perfedi<m demanded in the sacrificial flictims contains a typical, a symbolical, and a moral lesson. I. 'l'HEY MUST BE PEBFECT, THAT THEY l[AY BE TYPES OF CHRIST. The perfect ,ictim must not be represented by anything imperfect. 'l'here are but few points in which the perfection of Ch…

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SECTION 367

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 367

B. It puts the individual and the social in their true relation to that which supports both-the positive and public worship of God. The temple at Jerusalem represented the centre of the nation, Jehovah's throne. Humanity can be, will be, developed into a true family of nations only round the house of God. All non-relig…

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SECTION 368

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 368

lll. THE SACRIFIOES WEB.B TO BB AB tn!DLEMIBHBD AB THE OFFIOIATmG PRIEBTB i !.NY PHYSICAL DEFECT DISQUALIFIED THEM FROM ACCEPTANCE. The unblemished cha- racter of the sacrifices teaches the same truth which we have already considered. As the sacrifices were practically substitutions, their perfection was to teach man n…

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SECTION 369

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 369

to the sanctity of family life, and our duty to guard it ; (2) the fact, on the other hand, that mere blood relationship does not suffice to secure tho favour of God; witness Nadab and .Abihu. The son of the holiest minister of Christ may be a servant of the evil one, and an enemy of God. But tM lesson of the text is- …

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SECTION 370

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 370

certain evils or perils, we should feel that we are bound with peculiarly strong bonds to make our sacrifice, of whatever kind it be, in its fulness and integrity, IV. AnsENCE OF IMPURITY. (Ver. 20; sec eh. vii. 15-18.) V. PR~FEREN_CE OF_ THE DIVINE WILL TO HUMAN GRATIFI0ATION, "Strangers" might lmng their offermgs t…

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SECTION 371

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 371

running issue. Such things are in themselves loathsome, and evince a corrupt state of the body, and therefore fittingly represent moral corruption. This, under every dis- pensation, excludes men from that fellowship with God which was shadowed in the eating of the holy things. (2) He would be disqualified by contact wi…

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SECTION 372

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 372

(1) Clean creatures. To offer swine upon God's altar would be a.n outrageous insult to his purity. It would be figuratively equivalent to asking his acceptance and approval of passions and conduct the most filthy and loathsome. To attempt to foreshadow in the S11crifice of a hog the sacrifice of Christ would be agai…

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SECTION 373

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 373

PART IV. HOLY DAYS AND SEASONS: WEEKLY, MONTHLY, ANNUAL, SEPTENNIAL, AND EVERY HALF-CENTURY. EXPOSITION. goodness of God in bestowing the gifts or OHAPTER XXIII, the earth. The first aspect, therefore, in Tms Part consists of ohs. n:ili. e.nd xxv., whioh to regard the three great annual with eh. xxiv. parenthetica…

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SECTION 374

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 374

the presence of witnesses, cut the ears of memomted the dual gathering in of all the corn before marked, and brought them into fruits of the year, specially of the olives the t.emple. On the next day, Nisan 16, and the grapes. It was observed by 11, this corn, whether in the form of a sheaf or general dwelling in bo…

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SECTION 375

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 375

Tabemaolea, WBB the rearuig at the end of fleial blood, and by the C8lelll0ny or the the first day's journey at Suoooth, where scapegoat, it typically foreshadows how that the people now felt tho.t they were free, and reconciliation is to be effected. began to rejoice in their freedom. The monthly festivals had a purpo…

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SECTION 376

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 376

a holv convocation, except on the three blood had been sprinkled upon the lintel great festivals, when all who could, "kept and side posts, God slew the firstborn of all the feast'' at Jerusalem. There were in all who had not exhibited this symbol of their sc.cn holy con'IJOOatwns in the year, besides having been br…

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SECTION 377

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 377

Testament • For,' BBY they, • they 1188 ue with thy commandments I And thou hast this leo.ning posture, o.s free men do, in given us, in love, the solemn days for joy, memorio.l of their freedom.' And again, and the fe3ti vale and appointed seasons for 'Bees.use it is the manner of slaves to eat gladness, and this, …

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SECTION 378

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 378

was on the afternoon of Nisan 14. Admitted into the court of the temple, in one or other of the three divisions into which the mass of the pilgrims and residents were divided, they would have slain the lamb, and, after the blood had been thrown on the altar by the priests, they would have carried the body to the hous…

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SECTION 379

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 379

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. The offering of rest: the sabbath. Ch. xxiii. 1-3; cf. Gen. ii. 2, 3; Exod. xvi. 22; xx. 8-11; Mark ii. 23-28; Rev. i. 10. In the sacrificial worship we come across what is essentially different as an offering from the sacrifice of an animal or of any palpable possession, and yet is a re…

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SECTION 380

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 380

celebrated by social worship. The people were expected to gather in their tho11Bands to praise the Lord. Were it not for such a regulation as the sabbath, with its public services, even Judaism could not have survived. The same reason still holds for a holy sabbath. In the interests of religion it must be observed. Wh…

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SECTION 381

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 381

the type of the deliverance from the bondage of Egypt in emancipating us from the bondage of sin. (2) The Levitical penalty of death for the transgression of the Law is, of course, removed with the obligation of the Law itself. 4. But the Adamic law remains. (1) .As Gentiles, we were never under the Levitical Law. The …

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SECTION 382

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 382

EXPOSITION. Ver. 8.-The Feast or Unleavened Bread with the accompanying meat offerings, and wail instituted at the same time with the one goat for a sin offering (Numb. xxviii. Feast of the Passover (Exod. xii 15-17), 19-24). Ani these were followed by peace 11nd from the beginning the two festivals offerings me.de at…

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SECTION 383

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 383

equal to about three pecks aud three piuts Authorized Version, should be punctuated of our English measure. The ean were as follows. And the priest 1he.ll wave them brought into the court of the temple" (the two lambs) with the bread of the first. (Edersheim, 'Temple Service'), The sheaf truitll (the two loaves) for…

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SECTION 384

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 384

hom an instrument formed in the shape of Vere. 88-36.-The third of the great a ho~n, ond it was used to express joyful festivals, the Feast of Te.berne.oles-be• emotions, &nswering somewhat to our modem ginning on the 15th of Tisri, B8 the Feast bell-ringing in the West, or firing unloaded of Unleavened Bread began on …

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SECTION 385

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 385

HOMILETICS. Vers. 9-21; 39-43.-The harvei;tfei;tivals among ourselves receive a sanction from the divinely appointed harvest festivals of the Jews, which were three in number. I. 'l'HE P ABSOVER HARVEST FEBTIV AL. 1. On Nisan 14, the selection of the field and the ears of barley which were to be cut. 2. On Nisan 15, …

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SECTION 386

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 386

xxvi., "Thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him I profess this day unto the Lord thy God, that I am come unto the country which the Lord sware unto our fathers for to give us. And the priest shall take the basket out of thiue hand, and set it down before the altar of the Lord thy …

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SECTION 387

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 387

week of complete freedom from leaven; and then a holy convocation completed the special observances. Burnt offerings were also presented of a special character every day of the holy week. The following line of thought is suggested by this feast. I. THE WHOLE POPULATION JN EGYP.r WAS EXPOSED TO A COMMON DANGER. It is e…

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SECTION 388

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 388

corresponds to our present "Lord's day." Such a coincidence should not be overlooked and was manifestly designed. If tbe Passover speaks of the death of Jesus the firs~ fruits are surely intended to speak of his resurrection. The death of the Pa;cbal lamb and the presentation of the firstfruits occupy the same tempo…

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SECTION 389

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 389

Now, on turning to the directions about Pentecost, we find that" firstfruits "were again to be presented to the Lord, but, unlike the earlier firstfruits during the week of unl~avened bread, these were to be prepared with leaven, and they were to be accom- panied by a sin offering as well as burnt offerings and peace o…

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SECTION 390

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 390

gospel. The Lamb has been &lain, the atonement complete, and, consequently, poor sinnem are summoned to joy, It would be no such joyful message if we were summoned to establish our own righteoUBness instead of submitting, as now, to the righteousness of God. It is a present salvation, on the ground of the finished …

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SECTION 391

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 391

allowed one representative man, the high priest, to·draw nigh unto him once a year. He certainly sent this honoured individual forth with his blessing, to encourage the people waiting without. But the whole arrangement of the Day of Atonement was on the principle of excluding the people until such times 11.9 they might…

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SECTION 392

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 392

FOSTERS IN ALL ms PEOPLE. The voluntary leaving of their homes for a season to live in a "tented state" was a ~eautiful_ embodiment of the stranger and pilgrim spirit to which we are called. God ln the wilderness dwelt as the Great Pilgrim in a tent with his pilgrim people; and year by year he enjoined his people in th…

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SECTION 393

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 393

were immediately led out of Egypt, and set on their way to Canaan. So those justified throu~h the blood of Christ are delivered also from the bondage of COrruJ>tion, and set on therr way to heaven. 2. Remarkable cir~stances claim attention. (1) The lamb was to be "of the first year," i.e. in its prime. So was Christ in…

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SECTION 394

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 394

of the baste with which they departed from Egypt, this was to express the.nkfulness to God for the blessings of ordinary food, together with their rest in Cane.e.n. (3) One loaf was to be eaten by the worshipper, while the other was God's. That more com- pletely given to God was divided. One portion was burnt on the al…

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SECTION 395

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 395

Vere. 23--44.-The hebdomad. Seven in Scripture is a very remarkable number. Jn the text it is repeated in so many forms that it forces itself upon our attention. . I. HEBDOMADB ARE CONSPICUOUS IN _THE CH~~OLOGY OF ~E LA w. 1. They appear in the week of days. (1) The foundation of this 1s the Creation week. The patriar…

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SECTION 396

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 396

III. HEBDO!>'.ADS ARE NOT WITHOUT FOUNDATION IN NATORl!I. 1. They are not very obviously 'fTUl,rked in the lteavll'IIS. (1) The day is measured by the revolution of the earth upon its axis. The month is measured by the revolution of the moon in her orbit. The year is determined by the revolution of the earth about the …

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SECTION 397

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 397

2 Kings iv. 23; Isa. !xvi. 23; Ezek. xlvi.1; Amos viii. 5). (3) They feasted together upon the sacrifices (Numb. xxviii. 11-15). Thus they anticipated the spiritual festivities of the gospel, and the glorious festivities of heaven, (4) They rejoiced in the light of the moon (Ps. lxxxi. 3 ; lxxxix. 15, 16). If the Psalm…

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SECTION 398

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 398

Vers. 33---44.-The Feast of Tabernacles. This was the last of the great annual festivals of the Hebrews. It was a season of great joyfulness. Let us notice- I. THE REASONS OF ITS APPOINTMENT. 1. It was to assure them of God's return to dwell with them. (1) This reason is not given in the text, but may be gathered fr…

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SECTION 399

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 399

feast" (see John vii. 37). Upon it the full round of sacrifices were offered (ver. 37). On this day also the people of God returned to their houses, and so celebrated their entrance into Canaan after the toils of the wilderness, and anticipated the rest of heaven. The freedom from servile work on this day showed that a…

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SECTION 400

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 400

THESE SHOULD EXERT ON us. We are apt to celebrate the greatness of our country with too little reference in our minds to the special favours we have received from God. The separation, through geological processes, of our land from the continent; the store of treasure laid up for our use beneath the surface ; the mingli…

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SECTION 401

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 401

Vere. 15-22.-Pieey m prosperity. We often speak of onr duty ln the day of tdversity, of the spirit which true piety will then manifest. It is of equal consequence the.t we should consider what is its rightful attitude in the hour of prosperity. When the harvest is ge.t?ered, the nation is rich; when the fruits of the f…

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SECTION 402

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 402

would be speaking to them and they to him. Daily sacrifices would be laid on his altar. Special rites would demand peculiar devotion; one of these-the most sacred of all-was close a.t band; privilege and opportunity were a.waiting them, would meet them with the advancing seasons of the new year on which they had ente…

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SECTION 403

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 403

was safe and salutary, Happiness, success, attaining the height of our hopes,-this is very apt to run into (1) unrestrained mirth, or (2) proud complacency of spirit, or (3) unchristian selfishness. So it becomes a curse to him who should be blessed. Let us take care to "rejoice before the Lord," to tum joy into gratit…

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SECTION 404

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 404

Vers. 33-44.-The Feast of Tabernacles (cf. Neh. viii. 17; Zech. xiv. 16). l. PRAIBE FOB ACCOMPLISHED REDEMPTION AND THE BOUNTEOUS GIFTS OF PROVIDENOE, Reminiscences of the wilderness life. Fact that Israel neglected the feast from Joshua. to Nehemiah, even in the time of great national prosperity in Solomon's reign,…

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SECTION 405

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 405

eartb, causing the seed to germinate, and perfecting and ripening it with sun, air, and rain. Israel thus rebuked the folly of surrounding nations, who deified the earth as a personal goddess ; and the conceptions of the modern materialist who refuses to see in nature any trace of an overruling Deity, and of the pan…

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SECTION 406

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 406

Vere. 40-43.-The Feaat of Tabernacle,. There were three great festivals for the Israelites, the dates for which were plainly marked, and at which time~ it behoved the males of the nation as far as possible to be present at the sanctuary. It is the last of these we are about to consider. The regulations for its observan…

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SECTION 407

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 407

If it pass into oblivion, its lessons have not been graven on the mind, and our state baa not pro,·cd the discipline it was designed to be. Stand, 0 believer, upon the mount of present station, and survey the path with dl its windings by which you have ascended to this lofty summit. Such a review will be profitable …

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SECTION 408

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 408

tho face, tho.t ls, of the presence, was to be table bread of the Passover al ways before me.de of fine flour, that is, of wheat, and to me" (' Men.,' xi. 7). The loaves that were consist of twelve oakes or loaves, to represent removed were delivered to the priests for the twelve tribes of Isre.el, ee.ch loaf contain- …

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SECTION 409

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 409

unto the Son of man" (Rev. i. 12, 13). "'l'hese things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks" (Rev. ii. 1). v. ANY BRANCH OF THE OANDLESTICK WHOSE LIGHT rs EXTmGUIBHED WILL BB REMOVED. "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and r…

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SECTION 410

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 410

established in the world by God are the lamps (A.vxvl~) which he intends t.o shine till the dawn of the eternal day, I. N OTIOE THE UNITY OF ALL TRUE CHUBCHE8. For the seven lamps were united in the one candlestick, just as all true Churches are one in Christ. There is no incorporation necessarily implied, but this is…

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SECTION 411

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 411

I. W"E ARE SURELY TAUGHT HERE HOWSYSTEMATIOOUR OFFERINGS SHOULD BE. There should be a regularity about them like the return of the holy day. It is only when this peliodicity characterizes them that the Lord's cause is likely to be properly supported. A weekly offering is much more likely to be successful than a monthly…

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SECTION 412

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 412

kindred senses. 1. God's Word written. (1) This Is no uncertain light, as that of mere reason is. (2) It is no false light, e.s the.t of tradition often is. For, however pure it me.y he.ve been at its source, it soon becomes corrupted in transmission. 2. The personal Word of Gnd. (1) The presence of e. personal Teacher…

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SECTION 413

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 413

wa.s on the &<tbba.th that the breAdof the presence was replaced. (3) This correspondence further identifies the typical import of the presence-bread with that of the manna. Note in addition that, as the manna came from God out of heaven, this bread is distinguished as that which comes from the Divine presence; and …

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SECTION 414

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 414

: not suffice, and God gave the Light of the world, bis only begotten Son. "That waa • the true light which, coming into the world, enlightencth every one." 4. And he came that he might leave in the world the light of the Christian Church ; those to whom and of whom he could say, " Ye are the light of the world." "As…

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SECTION 415

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 415

we should give a goodly share to the cause and kingdom of Jesus Christ. 2. Of our joy and gladness we should give to God our offering in gratitude, in thankful thoughts and in the voice of praise. 3. Of the affection which constitutes the sweetness of our life we are to give a large measure of love to him whom we ha…

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SECTION 416

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 416

graph to which they have no key. To others, an inscription of old date with no reference to present concerns. Yet, dull-eyed must we be if we can discern no lessons for ourselves in the construction of the tabernacle and its furniture. The Hebrew can be translated into modem English, the Law stated in terms of the gosp…

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SECTION 417

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 417

candlestick itself. They were to keep the light of God burning in the world. It ie incumbent on Christians to SUJ>port the ministry and the operations of the Church that there may be a continual testimony to the existence and majesty of the Eternal. ' God. ,·equires us to render the best service at our command, It m…

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SECTION 418

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 418

EXPOSITION. The reason why the nanative or the ltrove together in the camp. According to blBBphemer's death (vers. 10-23) is intro- J ewillh tradition, the cause of quarrel was a. duced in its present connection, is simply claim aet up by the Egypt.a-Israelite to encamp in the Danita quarters, on the that it took pla…

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SECTION 419

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 419

represented by the Eternal, and it has boon ness: e.nd plo.ce such over them, to be ruler& proposed to substitute the latter rendering of thousands, e.nd rulers of hundreds, rulers for the LoRD in our own version. But it ie of fifties, and rulers of tens : e.nd let them more than doubtful whether wo ebould judge the…

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SECTION 420

The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 420

be purged only by the death of the offender Ver. 28.-The penalty is indicted on the at the hand of the congregation. offender solemnly as an &cl of the Law, not Ver. 17.-In olose oonneotion with the of mob fury. So it was by a judicial or semi- command to slay the blasphemer is repeated judicial proceeding that St. St…

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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.