A.bout honouring God with our firsffruies. Ch. ii. 12-16; cf. Prov. iii. 9; 1 Cor. xv. 23; Jas. i. 18. This arrangement about the firstfruits, though appended to the meat offering, demands a special notice. The meat offering, we have seen, e.fl:irms the general principle that our life-work should be dedicated to God. But here in the £rstfruits we have a special portion which is to be regarded as too sacred for any but Divine use. '!'his leads us directly to affirm- L \¥HILE GoD HAS A BIGHT TO ALL, BE CLAIMS A SPECIAL RIGHT TO THE FIBST- FBUITS OF ALL ouB INCREASE. The danger is in losing sight of the special claim in asserting the general principle. For instance, we must not deny God a special claim upon the first day of the week, because we acquiesce in the general principle that he has o. right to all our time. Again, we must not withhold our tithes, a certain proportion of our substance, through an easy-going statement that he has a right to all our substance. We must condescend to particulars. II. THE DEDICATION OF TAE FinSTFRUITB EXTENDED TO ANIMALS AS WELL AS TO TRJIJ VEGETABLE KINGDOM. The dedication of the firstborn of mnn and beast is manifestly pa.rt and parcel of the same principle (Exod. xiii. l-16). 'l'his leads uf to God's right to the Firstborn of the human race, to hilll of whom the Father said," will make Lim CH, II. 1-16.] THE DOOK OF LEVITICUS.
my firstborn, higher than the kings or the earth" (Ps. lxxxix. 27). Jesus is the Firstborn of humanity, the flower and firstfruits of the race. Hence we find the expression used regarding the risen Saviour, "But now is Christ risen from the dead~ and become the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Cor. xv. 23). He is also called "the firstborn from the dead" (Col. i. 18). Of him, therefore, pre-eminently was the dedication of the firstfruits typical. If God has a right to the firstfmits of the life-work of the human race, he receive& them in the perfectly holy life of Jesus Christ. So that., as we found the meat offering pointing to this, so do we find this arrangement about the firstfruits. IIJ. GOD HAB ALSO A BIGHT TO BEBVI0E, EVEN THOUGH IT MAY NOT BE PERFECT. This seems to be the principle underlying the" oblation of the firstfruits." This, as we learn from eh. xxiii. 15-21, was presented at Pentecost, and consisted of two tenth- deals of flour baked with leaven. Such an arrangement points to the possibility of imperfection in serving God, which was met by the sin offering accompanying it. If, then, the firstfruits at the Passover, presented with oil and frankincense, typified Christ the Firstfruits in all his perfection; the oblation at Pentecost typified believers, Gentiles and Jews, who are trying, though imperfectly, to realize a consecrated life-work. God does not reject the labours of his people, even though they are very far from perfect. He has provided a sin offering to meet the imperfections of the case and render all acceptable to him.1 IV. THE DEDICATION OF THE 1'TIISTFBUIT8 WAB THE EXPRESSION NOT ONLY OP THANKSGIVING BUT ALSO OF FAITH. God's rights first, even before man's need has been met. It was seeking God's kingdom first, in the assurance that all the needful things shall be added (Matt. vi. 33). It is most important that we should always act in this trustfol spirit. This faith is, in fact, a kind of firstfruits of the spiritual life which the Lord expects, and in rendering it to him we experience wondrous comfort and blessing.-R. M. E.
Vers. 1-3.-Mediate and immediate presentation. The abrogation by Christianity or the rites and ceremonies of Judaism does not prevent the necessity nor dispel the· advantages or becoming acquainted with the Jaws by which the ancient sacrifices were regulated. The mind of God may be ascertained in the precepts delivered in olden days, and underlying principles recognized that hold good in every age. 'l'he very fact that truth bas thus to be searched for, and by patient induction applied to present conditions, should prove an incitement rather than a hindrance to investigation. Freeing the kernel from its husk, grasping the essence and neglecting the accidents, preferring the matter to the form, we shall behold in the Law prophecies of the gospel, and admit the likeness that proclaims both to have proceeded from the same God. I. A DISTINCTION 18 MADE BETWEEN OFFERINGS ACCEPTED BY GOD DIRECTLY, AND THOSE PRESENTED TO Hill INDIRECTLY FOR THE UBE OF HIS APPOINTED SERVANTS. The flour being brought to the priests, a handful was taken, and with frankincense- was burnt upon the altar, rising to heaven in the form of smoke and perfume. The remaioder of the flour was for the consumption or the priests. This distinction is applicable to many Christian offerings. The money given for the erection or support of a place of prayer, the surrender of time and thought for public worship, or for evangelistic work, the acknowledgment of Jesus Christ by baptism and by partaking of the Lord's Supper, the devotion of our strength and influence to God's service,-thes& may be considered as gifts presented straight to God himself. '!'hey are laid upon the altar, enwrapped in the fire of holy love, i;erfumed with prayer, and are consumed with the zeal of God's house. But there are otber oblations which must be regarded in the light of mediate presentations to God, such as, supporting the ministry at home and missionaries abroad, ministering to the need of the aged and feeble, and giving the cup of water to the disciples of Christ. This distinction is not meant to glorify the one class in comparison with the other, but to clarify our views, and to lead to the inquiry whether we are doing ell we can in both directions. There is an idea in many minds that if the works of benevoleI1ce and charity be performed, the other duties of gathering together in the solemn assembly and of avowal of attach- I Cf. Lowe's' Annual Feasts of the Jowe,' pp. 22-45. 30 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS, [en. 11. 1-18.