There is yet one thing more which we must notice, namely, that a part only of this offering was burnt, and that " The remnant" was given to the priests8 —
[The handful which was burnt upon the altar, is repeatedly called " a memorial :" and it was justly called so, especially by those who had an insight into the nature of the offering which they presented : for it was a memorial of God's covenant- engagements, and of their affiance in them. Such also is, in
p ver. 2, 16. "all, all." Q Prov. xv. 8.
r Compare Eph. v. 2. with Heb. xiii. 16. Phil. iv. 18. and 1 Pet. ii. 5. s ver. 3, 10.
fact, every prayer which we present to God : we remind God (so to speak) of his promises made to us in his word ; and we plead them as the grounds of our hope, and the measure of our expectations.
"The remnant was given to Aaron and his sons." This, to the Israelites, would intimate, that all who would obtain salvation for themselves, must at the same time be active in upholding the interests of religion, and promoting the glory of their God. To us, it unfolds a deeper mystery. We are fre- quently spoken of in the New Testament as being ourselves " made priests unto God1." Since the veil of the temple was rent in twain, there is a way, " a new and living way, opened for us into the Holy of Holies u;" and all of us, as " a kingdom of priests," have free and continual " access thither with bold- ness and with confidence x:" and we also have a right to all the provisions of God's house. It is our blessed privilege to feed upon that bread of life, the Lord Jesus, who has emphatically said, " My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed y." We may richly participate all the influences of the Spirit, and claim all the blessings of the everlasting covenant. Indeed, " if we feed not on these things, there is no life in us ; but if we live upon them by faith, then have we eternal life."
Behold then, Brethren, " the remnant " of the offering: here it is, reserved for us in this sacred treasury, the book of God. Take of it ; divide it among yourselves ; eat of it ; " eat and drink abundantly, O beloved2;" eat of it, and live for ever. It is that "feast of fat things," spoken of by the prophet, which all of you are invited to partake of a. Only let not any hidden abomination turn it into a curse. If the bread be received even from the Saviour's hands, and you partake of it with an unsanc- tified heart, it will only prove an occasion of your more entire bondage to Satan, and your heavier condemnation at the lastb. But, if you " draw nigh to God with a true heart, and full assu- rance of faith," "he will abundantly bless your provision c," and " your soul shall delight itself in fatness d."]
1 Isai. lxvi. 21. with 1 Pet. h. 5. and Rev. i. 6. and xx. 6. u Heb. x. 19 — 22. x Eph. hi. 12. y John vi. 51—57.
z Cant. v. 1. a Isai. xxv. G. b John xiii. 26, 27.
c Ps. cxxxii. 15. d Isai. lv. 2.