VER. 18-22.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 363
of their mutual consent unto it, and their taking on themselves the performance of the terms of it, on the one side and the other.
Obs. XI. The condescension of God in making a covenant with men, especially in the ways of the confirmation of it, isa blessed object of all holy admiration.—For, 1. The infinite distance and disproportion that is between him and us, both in nature and state or condition; 2. The ends of this covenant, which are all unto our eternal advantage, he standing in no need of us or our obedience; 3. The obligation that he takes upon himself unto the performance of the terms of it, whereas he might righteously deal with us in a way of mere sove- reignty; 4. The nature of the assurance he gives us thereof, by the blood of the sacrifice, confirmed with his oath; do all set forth the ineffable glory of this condescension. And this will at length be made manifest in the eternal blessedness of them by whom this co- venant is embraced, and the eternal misery of them by whom it is refused.
The apostle having given this full confirmation unto his principal assertion, he adds, for the illustration of it, the use and efficacy of blood, that is, the blood of sacrifices, unto purification and atonement.
Ver. 21.—“ Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.”
The manner of the introduction of this observation, verse 21, by noi dworws, “and in like manner,” doth manifest that this is not a continuation of the former instance, in that which belongs thereunto; but that there is a proceed unto another argument, to evince the further use.of the sprinkling of blood unto purification and atonement under the old testament. For the de- sign of the apostle is not only to prove the necessity of the blood of Christ in sacrificé, but also the efficacy of it in the taking away of sins. Wherefore he shows that as the covenant itself was dedicated with blood, which proves the necessity of the blood of Christ unto the confirmation of the new covenant; so all the ways and means of solemn worship were purged and purified by the same means, which demonstrates its efficacy.
I will not absolutely oppose the usual interpretation of these words; namely, that at the erection of the tabernacle, and the dedi- ~ eation of it with all its vessels and utensils, there was a sprinkling with blood, though not expressly mentioned by Moses, for he only
declares the unction of them with the holy oil, Exod. xl. 9-11. For as unto the garments of Aaron and his sons, which belonged unto ‘the service of the tabernacle, and were laid up in the holy place, it is expressly declared that they were sprinkled with blood, Exod, xxix. 21; and of the altar, that it was sprinkled when it was anointed, though it be not said wherewith. And Josephus, who was himself
yey Kas opeoiws.
364 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP, Ix.
a priest, affirms that “all the things belonging unto the sanctuary were dedicated with the sprinkling of the blood of the sacrifices ;” which things are usually pleaded for this interpretation.
I shall not, as I said, absolutely reject it; yet because it is evident that the apostle makes a progress in these words, from the necessity of the dedication of the covenant with blood unto the use and effi- cacy of the sprinkling of blood in all holy administrations, that they might be accepted with God, 1 choose rather to refer the words unto that solemn sprinkling of the tabernacle and all the vessels of it by the high priest with blood of the expiatory sacrifice which was made annually, on the day of atonement. This the introduction of these words by xa/ and éwofws doth declare. As the covenant was dedicated with the sprinkling ot blood, so in like manner afterwards, the tabernacle and all the vessels of it were sprinkled with blood unto their sacred use.
All the difficulty in this interpretation is, that Moses is said to do it, but that which we intend was done by Aaron and his suceessors. But this is no way to be compared with that of applying it unto the dedication of the tabernacle, wherein there is no mention made of blood or its sprinkling, but of anointing only. Wherefore Moses is said to do what he appointed to be done, what the law required which was given by him. So “ Moses” is frequently used for the law given by him: Acts xv. 21, “For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day;” that is, the law. Moses, then, sprinkled the taber- nacle, in that by an everlasting ordinance he ee that it should be done. And the words following, verse 22, declare that the apostle speaks not of dedication, but of expiation and purification.
This sprinkling, therefore, of the tabernacle and its vessels, was that which was done annually, on the day of atonement, Lev. Xvi. 14-16,18. For thereon, as the apostle speaks, “ both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry were sprinkled with blood;” the ark, the mercy-seat, and the altar of incense. And the eta of it was to purge them because of the uncleannesses of the people ; which is-that the apostle intends. And that which we are taught herein is, that,—