The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 66

RELATION BETWEEN ·rHE PEOPLE AND JEHOVAH, THE Goo OF REVELATION, MUTUAL. PLl~DGE, AND. PR~Mrss. _T_he ~hole structure of the ceremonial. law was built up on reciprocal obligation. L1vmg mtercourse between God and man 1s the spiritual reality which binds together all the details of this book of the Law. A development, there- fore, of the first and greatest _c~mmandm~nt,. "'!,'hou shalt love the Lord thy God;' etc. The acceptableness of religious worship lies m the fellowship of love. IV. THE PLACE OF MEETING BETWEEN Goo AND MAN, "Out of the tabernacle of the congregatwn," or "the tent of meeting." A temporary provision, afterwards super- seded by a more permanent and elaborate structure, but in its external features beto~enin~ the dispensational. character. of _t~e Law: The central fact was a gracious. mamfestat1on of God, a meetmg-place mv1tmg to mtercourse, an appointed form of worship, the stepping-stone to a higher communion. "God dwelleth not in temples made with hands." The tabernacle was subsequent to the covenant. The life of fellowship preceded the act of fellowship. The people are God's before they receive the Law. There are three element.q in the tabernacle, representative of universal and abiding truth. I. The Lord speaks out of it. Positive revelation the foundation of positive roligion. The soul waits upon God. Gracious messages the beginning of !)ivine work in and for ?1:1n. There were gro~i~gs of natural re(igion worth nothing m themselves. The Sprnt of God calla the spmt of man to a higher life. The true faith rests on the Word, honours the ordinances, seeks the place where God speaks in the most distinct and emphatic manner. This finds illustration both individually and in the history of God's people. 2. Tabernacle of tli6 congregation. Fellowship an. essential fact of the religious life. Man a moral being, only as he is in society. As it is the fruit of religion, so it is the seed from which springs the true life, both of nationa and individuals. The tabernacle or temple the centre of the Hebrew national exist- ence. The tent of meeting also the palace-chamber of the Great King. Jehovah's throne amongst his people the true source of all power and centre of all authority. All places of worship, as meeting-places of the congregation or Church, witness to the presence of Jehovah, of Jesus Christ, the Lord, in the midst of his people, and t.o the- kingdom of God in the world. No doctrine of the Church consistent with this fact 0£ Jehovah speaking ont of the tabernacle of the congregation but that which recognizes the position of all believers as the same. "Where two or three are gathered together," etc. 3. The place of muting was both the centre to which offerings wer,, brought ancl from which blessings were taken. A true religion must embrace both the passive and, the active elements-Mind, heart, will. Christianity did not abolish sacrifice and offerings, lifted up the lower into the higher, the local and temporary into the universal and perpetual. No material edifice, no priestly caste, no mere prescription of rites, can limit religious service. The temple of the Jews was destroyed, but in place of it we- possess the risen glory of Christ, the spiritual presence of the Living One, the communion of saints, the ceaseless offering up of spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. The Law which was given on the mount from the lips of Jesus requires a higher righteousness than the righteousness of legalists.-R. Ver. 2.-" Speak -unto the chi1dren of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you, bring an offering -unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the. 116rd, and of the flock." Here is the great fundamental principle, as it were the pre- amble of the law of offerings. Notice- L 'l'BE DIVINE LAW IS UNIVEBBAL. "Any man of you." No respect of person& with God. Same law t.o rich and poor, wise and unwise, as to its essential require- ments. These private offerings repr_esented personal religion. There ~ay be differ- ences of official duty, but what we bring to God for ourselves must be without respect. to anything but the real relation between our soul and God. II. ALL oFFEBINGB MUBT BE 1'0LUNTARY, No compulsion with God but the com- pulsion of heart and conscience, True worship is not a mere objective obedience.. "If any man bring an offering." It is brought by a willing mind, not out of caprice, not to any place or to any God, but with intelligent acceptance of the will ?f. G_od as- coincident with our own will. When we bring oITerings we should know what 1t 1s 1n our hearts to bring, not trust to the impulse of the moment or the variations of fluctuating,: feelings. OB. I, 1-17.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 21