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? Their usefulness therefore was in the manner in which they foreshadowed the better Sacrifice. (2) By contrast it evinces the sufficiency of the Great Sacrifice of the New T1istament. No single sacrifice or kind of sacrifice could body forth all that was required in a sufficient Saviour; therefore the number and variety of the types. But Jesus offered himself alone and once, because everything centred in him. Supplementary sacrifices such as that of ths Mass, are blasphemous impertinences. (3) It further evinces the mercifulness of Divine justice. Here was the bullock for the rich man. Here was the sheep or goat for the man in moderate circumstances. Here were the turtle-doves or pigeons for the poor (2 Cor. viii. 12). Here is Christ without money and without price for all. H. THERE AnE NOTABLE OMISSIONS. 1. The placing of the ojfertls hand upon ths head of the victim. (1) This is mentioned in connectbn with the offering from the herd (ver, 4). Omitted in the description of the offering from the flock. Also from the offering from the fowls. It may have been done nevertheless. (2) It was very expressive of the transfer of sin to the victim. Possibly Paul refers to this custom-of course, taking it in its application to the gospel-when be speaks of the "laying on of bands" as amongst the "first principles of the doctrine of Christ" (Heb. vi. 2). (3) If in any case it was omitted, it would then suggest the important truth that the hand of God laid upon Christ the iniquity of us all (Isa. !iii. 6, 10). 2. The flaying of the skin. (I) This is described in the account of the herd, but omitted in that of the flock (ver. 6). It appears, nevertheless, to have been done also in the latter case. (2) The skin is the natural clothing or covering of the animal. U the coats of skins with which God clothed Adam aud Eve in substitution for their covering of fig leaves by which they expressed their sense of shame for their sin, were those of sacrificed animals, then it vigorously sets forth the manner in which we receive "beauty for ashes" when invested with the righteousness of Christ. 3. Instead of the" door of the tabernacle of the congregation" which i& mentioned in connection with the herd, "northward " is the tum used in connection with the flock (comp. vers. 6, 11). These expressions are generally synonymous (eh. vii. 2). Standing at the door of the t.abernacle of the con- gregation, the worshipper held communion with God and with the whole congregation. He stood at the north side of the altar, because that was the place of rings to which the victims were fastened in order to be slain. The hill of Calvary also was situate north- west of Jerusalem. How humiliating that our communion with God and his Church must be through wjfering and blood I III. DIFFERENCES ABE NOTICEABLE IN THE BURNT SACRIFICE OF FOWLS. 1. In this case two birds were brought. (1) One, however, only is offered as a burnt sacrifice. The singular is used in this description, (2) The other was to be used as a sin offering (see eh. v. 7; ·xii. 8; xiv. 22). 2. They were cloven but not divided. (1) This was in accordance with the directions given to Abraham (Gen. xv. 10). (2) The cleaving was required for the removal of the intestines, but the wings must not be divided, for the power for flight of Christ to heaven cannot be impaired (Acts ii. 24). (3) The head was wrung off, and the blood wrung out by the side of tbe altar. 3. The crop and feathers were cast into the place of ashes. (1) This was during the tabernacle "by the 6ide of the altar on the east part." All the ashes went there (see eh. vi. 10). (2) In the temple the place of ashes was a closet under the altar. In allusion to this the souls, that is to say, the bodies, of the martyrs are repre~ented as under the altar, crying for vengeance upon their persecutors (Rev. vi. 9-11). Reflect: The poor mllll's ~igeons as truly as the rich man's bullock was "of a sweet savour unto the Lord" (see Eph. v. 2; also 1 Pet. ii. 5).-J. A. M. Vere, 1, 2.-God in special manifes!atioo. Always nnd everywhere God has been revealing himself. There is no time when, no placE, where, men might not have "seen him who is invisible." Nowhere has he left himself without witness (Acts xiv. 17). Always might "his eternal power and Godhead have been understood" (!lorn. i. 20). But the eyes of man were blinded, and his" foolish heart was darkene,1," so that by his own wisdom he knew not God. It is certain that he would have 16 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS,