The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 63

their victims in such ways as they deemed best. The commonnese of sacrifice, its preva- lence outside the holy nation, speaks eloquently enough of man's conscious distance from God, and of his desire and endeavour to find a way back to his fa.vonr. "Wherewith. she.II I come before the Lord?" This is the anxious question of sin-stricken, unen- lightened man. "Shall I come with burnt offerings ..• will the Lord be pleased with. thousands of rams?" This is hie suggestion in reply. It is affecting to think of the multitudes of sacrifices under every sky, as instances of men "feeling after" the mercy of an offended God, groping in the dimnese or the darkness towards reconciliatioa and peace. III. THE DIVINE PROVISION FOB MAN'S BETURN AND ACCESS TO IDMSELF. 1. Under the old dispensation. Man was to bring to the e.lta.r of God suitable offerings; such as were within his reach; the best of the kind; an unblemished male. It might be from his herd (ver. 2), or from his flock (ver. 10), or it might be a fowl of the air (ver. 14). The priest was to pour the blood round about the altar (vers. 5, 11), and the carcase was to be consumed upon the altar,-a whole burnt offering unto the Lord. 2. Under the fleW dispensation. Instead of "the blood of bulls and goats," God has provided one offering which suffices for all souls of every land and age, even his own beloved Son. This was the" Lamb of God" (1), absolutely perfect," without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet. i.19; Heb. ix. 14); (2) shedding his own blood (Heb. ix. 12), giving "his soul (his lire) an offering for sin" (Isa.. liii. 10); "putting away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Heb. ix. 26); (3) accepted of God; "an offering . . . of a sweet savour unto the Lord" (ver. 17; Eph. v. 2). Through that shed blood of "the Lamb that was slain " for us we have access at all times, forgiveness of sin, reconciliation to God. But not without IV. PERSONAL SPIRITUAL PABTICIPATION. The offerer under the Law took personal part in the offering: he brought his victim to the tabernacle (ver. 10); he killed it with his own hands (vers. 5, 11); he also "put his hands upon the head" of the animal (ver. 4). The sinner, under the gospel, does not provide the sacrifice: "Christ our passover is slain for us." But he does take a personal participation: "by faith he lays his hand on that dear head of his;" he acknowledges that he himself is worthy of death; believes and appropriates to his own need the fact that Jesus died for his sin; earnestly desires that his guilt may be transferred to the Lamb of God; entreats that that shed blood of his may atone for and cover his iniquity. v. THE END OF BACRIFICE,-ENTIRE PERSONAL CONSECRATION. The consnmption of the whole animal in the fire pictures the complete dedication of the Saviour, his absolute and entire consecration to the work which tho l<'ather gave him to do. It symbolizes ours also. Accepted by God through the atoning blood of the Lamb, we are to dedicate ourselves to him. Our personal consecration 1. Should follow upon and grow out of our acceptance through a crucified Saviour. 2. Should be thorough and complete: including heart and life, body and spirit, things sacred and things secular. 3. Will then be well pleasing to God, "an offering of a sweet savour nnto the Lord" (ver. 17).-C. Vers. 2-17.-Principles of spiritual sacri.fi,cti. All who know God are engaged, frequently, if not continually, in sacrificing unto him. Here are principles of sacrifice by which we may be guided. I. THAT GoD DEBIREB AND DEMANDS THE BEST WE CAN BRING. If the offering were of the herd, it was to be a" male without blemish" (ver. 3); so also if of the flock (ver.10). Not that 'Which was of small account and could be well spared, but thu worthiest and best. The 'b&tfor the Highut. Not" thl\t which costs us nothing" (2 Sam. xxiv. 24) for him who has given us eve, vthing; rath~r the costliest of our treasures for him who, "though he Wl\S rich, for our sakes became poor." We may well break the rarest alabaster for him whose " body was broken" for our sin ; may well pour out the most precious spikenard for him who poured out his life-blood for our redemption. "Worthy is the Lamb to receive richu" (Rev. v. 12). When we worship him, or work for him, or give to his cause, we should bring, not our exhaustion, but our vigour; not our languor, but our energy; not costless effort, but that which has taken time and trouble to produce-the gold rather than the silver, the silver rntbor than the pence; not anything that will pass in the sight of man, but the very best we can bring to his presence. LEVITICUS. 0  18 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [cB, I. 1-17.