The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 82

11roduce of the land, tbo principal elements of food were, in a sacred hour, at the holy place, and, by a pious action, solemnly recognized as gifts of God, to be gratefully accepted from his hancl, to be reverently laid on his altar. We are thankfuily to acknowledge : 1. God's kindness in supplying w with thae which we need. Bread (corn) will stand for that food which is requisite, and when we consider the goodness of our Creator, (1) in originally providing that which is so wholesome and nourishing to all men ; (2) in multiplying it so freely that there is abundance for all; (3) in causing it to be multiplied in such a way as ministers to our moral and spiritual health (through our intelligence, activity, co-operation, etc.); (4) in making palatablo and pleasurable the daily meals which would otherwise be (as sickness occasionally proves) intolerably burdensome ;-we have abundant reason for blessing God for his kindness in respect of the necessaries of life. 2. His goodness in prO'IJiding us with that which is superfluous. A very large part of the enjoyment of our life is in the use of that which is not necessary but agreeable; in the appropriation of that which is pleasant,-the"exquisite, the harmonious, the fragrant, the delicately beautiful, etc. This also is of God. He "makes our cup to run over ; " from him come the fruits and the flowers, as well as the corn and the grass, Nay, he has closely associated the superfluous with the necessary in nature as in human life. The common potato does not grow without bearing a beautiful flower, nor the humble bean without yield- fog a fragrant odour. As the Hebrew brought his oil and his wine to the altar of €ratitude, so should we bring our thanksgiving for the delicacies, adornments, and sweetnesses which come from the bountiful hanu of Heaven. III. THE NECESSITY FOR PURITY IN OUR SERVICE. There might not be leaven nor· honey (ver. 11); there must be salt (ver. 13). Everything associated with corruption, must be avoided; that which was antiseptic in its nature should be introduced, "nothing which defileth" before him; the "clean hands and the pure heart" in "tha-- holy place" (Ps. xxiv. 3, 4). (See "Purity in worship," infra.) IV. THE ACCEPTABLENESS OF ouR GRATITUDE TO GoD. All the frankincense was to be consumed on the altar, and the burning of the other offe1ings with this fragrant incense accompanying it betokened that it was, as stated, a "sweet savour unto the Lord" (vers. 2, 12). God is not to be worshipped with men's hands, as though "he needed anything" (Acts xvii. 25); but he takes delight in his children : 1. Realizing his presence. 2. Recognizing his hand in their comforts and their joy, 3. Responding to his fatherly love with their filial gratitude and praise. V, 'l'HE WHOLESOME INFLUF:NCE OF' GRATEFUL SERVICE ON OUR OWN HEARTS, He who " knows what is in man," warned his people against saying in their heart, "My power and the might of my hand bath gotten me this wealth" (Deut. viii. 17). Such a sacrifice as that of the meat offering-a service of grateful acknowledgment of God's hand-is fitted to render us the greatest spiritual benefit, by: 1. Helping us to keep a- humble heart before God. 2. Causing us to be filled with the pure joy of gratitude instead of being puffed up with the mischievous complacency of pride.-C. Vers. 11-13.-Purity in worship. When the Hebrew worshipper had presented bis burnt offering, had sought forgiveness of sin, and had dedicated himself to God in• sacred symbolism, he then brought of the produce of the land, of that which con- stituted his food, nnd by presenting flour, oil, and wine, with frankincense, he owned hm indebtedness to Jehovah. In engaging in this last net of worship, he was to do that which spoke emphatically of purity in approaching the Holy One of Israel. Dy Divine direction he was- • I. CAREFULLY TO EXCLUDE THAT m WHTOII THERE WAB ANY ELEMENT OP ru- l'URITY, Leaven is "a substance in a state of putrefaction;" honey "soon turns sour, and even forms vinegar." 'l'hese were, therefore, expressly interdicted; they might not be laid on the altar of God. But so important was this feature that positive as well as negative rules were laid down. The offerer was- II. Coi-BTANTLY To l~"TRODUCE THE CORRECTIVE OP IMPURITY, "Neither sbalt thou suffer the salt . , . to be lacking;" "with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt." Salt is the great preservativo from putrefaction, fitting type of all that makes pure in symbolic worship. When we come up to the house of the Lord to" offer the sacrifice of praise" or to engage in any act of devotion, we must remember that- '  is THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [ea. II. 1-16.