III. THAT m THE RELATIONS OF MINISTER AND PEOPLE THERE SHOULD BE BEOIPBO- 0AL GENEROSITY. On the part of the latter let there be: 1. Full appreciation of the high nature and the large number of their services. 2. Generous overlooking of lesser faults, remembering human frailty. 3. Constant credit for purity of motive. 4. Active sympathy and co-operation; and 5. Substantial practical support. He who has "the burden of the Lord" npon his heart should not be weighed down with tem- poral anxieties. On the part of the former, let there be: 1. Complete subordination of temporal to spiritual solicitudes. 2. Free and generous expenditure of love and strength, both on individual souls in special need, and on the Church and the world. Reciprocal indifference and closeness will end in leanness of soul; reciprocal love and generosity in largeness of heart and nobility of life (Luke vi. 38).-C. Vers. 1-3.-The meat offering. The offering of meat or food, consisting of fine flour, with frankincense, cakes and wafers, parched grain, suited to all classes. The general meaning was probably eucharistic. A portion of bread, firstfruits, offered in the :fire as a memorial of Divine goodness and pledge of the future life. Several parti- culars·noticeable. 1. It was what made part of the daily meal of the house. 2. Frank- incense mingled with it, ancl oil poured upon it; the prayers and thankful worship of the offerer, which were the work of God's Spirit, returned to him. 3. It was partly consumed by fire, and partly "a thing most holy," or set apart to the Lord, eaten by the priests, supporting the temple worship. 4. If baked, no leaven in it nor honey, no corruption, a pure sacrifice. 6. Every offering seasoned with salt, "the salt of the covenant of thy God," i.e. the emblem of Divine grace, which, while it accepts man's obedience, overlooks and pardons its imperfection.-R. Vers. 4-16.-The vm'ious kinds of meat offerings. Without dwelling on every minute regulation, the following main points may be distinguished as representative. I. OFFERED FOOD. Acknowledgment of dependence. Praise for life and its gifts. Joys and pleasures should be consecrated. 'l'he will of God in them and over them. Family worship a duty. Recognition of God in common life. Firstfruits are God's, not the remnant or gleanings of our faculties and opportunities, but all. II. OFFERING DIVIDED BETWEEN OFFERER AND PRIESTS. Connection of daily labour and its results with the sanctuary and religious duties. The secular and sacred only nominally distinct. The house of God· and the house of man should open into one another. Nothing should be allowed to interfere wilh the holiness of that which is assigned to God's service in the sanctuary, "It is most holy." '1.'oo often Christians fall into a carelessness with respect to sacred appointments which reacts on the spirit and life. Our partnership with God involves responsibility. III. No LEAVEN, NO HONEY. In all things purity and humility. There must be no corrupt principle admitted into our service or God. 'l'he doctrine must be purified of leaven. The motives must be examined. We ought not to serve God for the sake of filthy lucre, under the influence of mere sensational excitement. Truth aud sobriety in worship. IV. SALT WITH EVERY SACRIFICE. All must be brought to God in the spirit of penitent faith. Salt preserves life, sets forth the dependence or man upon Gou. 'l'hc gracious covenant is the source of all. He who commands is himself the giver or all power to fulfil his word. He is the Alpha and the Omega of the spiritual life. V. FRANKINCENSE AND OIL. Fragrance and brightness. Heaven and earth mingled together. Reconciliation of God and man. 'l'he outpoured spirit of light and life. Joy in God and in his gifts. The anointing oil mingled in the fire o.nd increased the flame. The Messiah is the true Anointed One. Every Israelite, in a lower degree, was himself a Messiah, au anointed one, taken up into the Son of God and blessed. 'l'ho people are a holy, consecrated people, separated unto Jehovah. Every icdividual act of religion is acceptable as the oil of the Spirit is poured upon it. What a new view of life can thus be obtained I Make all a meat offering to tho Lord.-R. 40 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [err. IIL 1-17.
EXPOSITION.