The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 105

offerin:z, were similar to those off'ereil by the patriarchs; but these now to be described seem to be characteristic of the Levitical dispensation. In the verses more immediately before us we have to contemplate-• I. Tm: PRIEST AS A SINNER. 1. J£ay he be viewed in this character as a type of Christ 1 (1) He is distinguished as" the priest that is anointed." Some suppose this determine3 him to be the high priest. That the high priest was a remarkable type of Christ there can be no question (Heb. iii. 1), (2) But Christ was sinless. By the miracle in his birth he avoided original sin (Luke i. 35). In his life he "fulfilled all riahteousness" (Matt. iii. 15; Heb. iv. 15; vii. 26). (3) Yet so was our sin laid to his baccount thd be vicariously stood forth as the universal sinner. "The Lord made to meet upon him the iniquity of us all" (Isa. liii. 6, margin). 2. He may be viewed as a type of the Chri-stian. (1) He was not necessarily the high priest because" anointed." Aaron's sons were consecrated with Aaron (eh. viii. 2). This expression may, therefore, simply Import that he was a priest who had come to official years, and therefore had received consecration (see eh. vii. 6, where minors and females are reputed to be "among the priests"). (2) The priests in general were representatives of the nation of Israel who were, in consequence, viewed as a "kingdom of priests" (Exod. xix. 6). (3) And they typified the Christians (1 Pet. ii. 9). We do not exercise our priesthood by proxy, but ourselves "draw nigh unto God." This supplies a good reason for their bein" "anointed," for "Christians," as their name imports, are anointed ones (see 2 Cor. i. 21; Heb. i. 9; 1 John ii. 20, 27). II. Tm: PRIEST AS NEEDING A SIN OFFERING, 1. His sin is that of ignoran~. (1) The case of Eli could not be brought within this statute (see 1 Sam. iii. 14). For obstinate sin there is no mercy (see Numb. xv. 30, 31 ; Heb. x. 26-29). True Christians do not wilfully sin (see Matt. xiii. 38; John viii. 44; 1 John iii. 6-10). Not all who profess the Christian name have a right to the title. (2) 'l'here are sins that are not wilful: sins of surprise ; sins of inattention ; sins of neglect in consequence (Gal. vi. 1 ; Jas. v. 19, 20). But these are sins. (3) 'l'he sin offering is the only remedy for these. Though ignorance may be pleaded in extenuation, it cannot be pleaded in exculpation (see 1 John i. 7-9). 2. The priest must bring a bullock. (1) The common people may bring a kid (ver. 28). Even a ruler may bring a kid (vcr. 23). But the priest must bring the larger animal. He has to bring the same which is offered for the whole congregation. (2) Much is expected of professors of religion; and more especially so of office-bearers and ministers. They should have more perfect knowledge in that which is the principal business of their life. 'l'hey may, from their position, more easily misguide the people. The words in the text rendered "If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people," some construe "Jf the anointed priest shall lead the people to sin." It is a fearful thing to be a " blind leader of the blind " (see Rom. ii. 21). (3) Conspicuous men shoulcl consider this. Churchwardens in Episcopal Churches; deacons in Congregationalist Churches; leaclers in Methodist Churches; ministers in all ; they should watch ; they should pray; they should seek the prayers of their Churches (Eph. vi. 19; Col. iv. 3; 1 Thess. v. 25; 2 'l'hess. iii. 1).- J. A. M. Vere. 1-12.-The sin offering viewed as typical of the Sacrifice of Calvary. This subject will be best considered by citing some of the more notablo references to it con- tained in the Scriptures of the New Testament. I. IT IS EVL'sCED FROM RollL vnr. 3 : "For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin 1" i.e. by a sin offerina (the Greek term here usecl is that by which the LXX. corn- mo nly translate the Heb;ew for" sin offering")," conclemned sin in the flcijh," etc. The " flesh" that was " weak" here, we take to be : I. Not our fallen nature. (1) 'l'he word " flesh" is used for this. It is so used in the connection of this very passag~ (vers. 4-8; see also Gal. v. IG, 17). 'This circumstance has led expositors to accept the term here in that sense. (2) But as a mal ter of fact, is the Law of God weak through our fallen nature? Certainly not. 'l'he Law answers all God ever intencled it to answer. His purposes cannot be frustrated, 2. But the flesh of the sin o,fferings. (1) These were constitutionally weak for the purpoee 0£ condemning sin. '!'ho flesh of bulls and goats is not "sinful flesh." Therefore sin could not be condemnccl in it. (2) Thi& CJH. IV, 1-36.] 'fHE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 61