some, who shall be objects of his peculiar regard. The change of the loaves every Sabbath-day was intended to illustrate this: and in reference to it they were expressly called " the con- tinual bread d." The regard shewn by God to those who were first brought out of Egypt, shall be perpetuated to the end of time : never shall any be removed but others shall be ready to succeed ; nor shall there ever be a period when God will not have a people truly and entirely consecrated to his service. Sometimes, as in the primitive ages, his saints maybe swept away by thousands at a time, so as to threaten their utter extinction : but others shall always be found ready to "be baptized for (that is, in the room of) the dead," as soldiers instantly come forward, to fill up the ranks which the devouring sword has thinned e : nor shall the power of men or devils ever be able to extirpate the Christian name: " the Church is built upon a rock; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" ]
3. Their ultimate destination —
[The loaves at the close of the week were the property of the officiating priests f; and were to be eaten by them in the holy place, as being in themselves most holy. Now we are sure that the priests who attended on the lamps, prefigured Christ : and therefore we have no doubt but that he was equally pre- figured by those who attended on the bread. Here then we see, that the saints, when they have abode their appointed time on earth, are the property of Christ : to which purpose it is written in the book of Deuteronomy, " The Lord's portion is his people ; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance g." This is the high destiny of all who have given up themselves to God. Happy they are in the place which they are allowed to occupy in God's temple below ; but happier far at their removal hence, when Christ shall claim them as " his peculiar treasure," and enjoy them for ever as " his purchased possession" ]
We may further contemplate the shew-bread as representing the Lord's people,
II. In their duties —
Well may this ordinance teach us,
1. To consecrate ourselves entirely to God —
[Let us contemplate the state of those loaves : they were " taken from the children of Israel," made on purpose for God, and presented to him that they might be wholly and for ever his. And what says God respecting us ? " This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise V Yes; we should
d Numb. iv. 7.
e That is most probably the true meaning of 1 Cor. xv. 29.
f ver. 9. 8 Deut. xxxii. 9. h Isai. xliii. 21.