The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 137

was laid on the wood of the cross, when the fil'8S of God's wrath entered into his very soul The fat of the peace offerings was placed on the burnt offering. So the fire was maintained (see Isa. x.xxi. 9). The fire was kept ever burning, to show that God's wrath could never be quenched until the blood of Christ should quench it. II. THE LAW OF THE BURNT OFFEnmo AS TO THE PRIEST. 1. "Aaron and his sons" together are addressed. Ver. 9. (1) The high priest of the Law was undoubtedly a type of the " Great High Priest of our profession." When Aaron, the high priest, is here mentioned with his sons, the priests, the suggestion is that in his absence they acted as his representatives in connection with the burnt offering. So here they also may be viewed as types of Christ. (2) The sons of Aaron, in their character of ordinary priests, represeut Christians. In what they did, therefore, there may have been a two- fold typical meaning. 2. They attended the altar in their holy garments. (1) These were composed of white linen. "His linen garment, and his linen breeches" (Exocl. x.xviii. 40-43). They symbolized purity and righteousness (Ps. cxxxii. 9; Rev. iii. 4 ; vii. 13, 14; xi.x. 8). (2) As types of Christ in offering up his own sacrifice of himself to God, they would shadow forth his righteousness. As typifying Christians, they would foreahow how we must be clothed with the "robe of righteousness and garment of salvation" through Christ's merits, before our spiritual sacrifices can be accepted. (3) Even when the priest took up the ashes from the consuming burnt offering to put them beside the altar, he wore his holy garments. This was proper, for the fire was still consuming the sacrifice. But, 3. He changed his garments to carry the ashes O'IJ.t- side. (1) He had to carry them forth without the camp. Was not Calvary this place of ashes (comp. eh. iv. 12; Heb. xiii. 11, 12)? (2) But they were to be laid in a "clean place." The tomb of Joseph was such a place. It had not been polluted by the touch of a dead body (see John xix. 41, 42). Nor did the ashes of the world's Great Burnt Offering pollute it. They were holy. Because he was the "Holy One" of God, his body " could not see corruption" (Acts ii. 31). (3) The holy raiment waa laid aside when this service was performed, to show that now, as far as the work of sacrifice was concerned, that was "finished" when Jesus expired upon the cross. Let us rejoice in an" eternal redemption," in an" everlasting salvation."-J, A. M. Vere. 14-23.-The law of the meat offering. As the law of the burnt offering, laid down in the preceding paragraph, viz. in relation to the service of the priest, was before mentioned, more particularly in respect to the offerer, so is the law of the meat, or more properly the bread, offering, here i11troduc€d for a similar reason, after being formerly mentioned likewise (see eh. ii.). The subject is presented in two aspect8, and we have to consider- I. THE LAW OF THE BREAD OFFERING OF THE PEOPLE. fo this case: 1. _A memo1·ial of it was burnt upon the altar. (1) The memorial represented the whole. The bulk consisted of at lea11t an omer, or about three ofour quarts, of fine flour, of which a hand- ful was taken for the memorial There was with the omer or flour, a log, or little more than a ho.If pint, of oil, of which a fitting quantity was added to the handful of flour. The memorial was completed by the addition of all the frankincense. As the name of a thing stands for the thing, so did tho memorial stand for the whole offering; it was like a quit rent, a discharge for all demands on the estate. (2) It was burnt upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the Lord. It could not be that to him in a. physical sense; this expression must ho morally interpreted, (a) It was a thank offering, and gratitude from his intelligent offspring is ever pleasing to his goodness (Ps. xxvii. 6; 1. 28; Rom. x.ii. 1 ; 1 'fhess. v. 18 ). (b) It wo.s placed on the altar of burnt offerings, and mingled among the sacrifices offered, to make atonement for sin, and so, coming up as it were "through Jesus Christ" in whom the Father is ever well pleased, it becomes "acceptable" (1 Pot. ii. 5). 2. 'l'he remainder was eaten by Aaron and his sons. (1) Aaron ato of it, who was the type of Christ; and his sons nlso, who were types of Christians. So Jesus and his discipleit together ate the Passover (Luke x.xii. 15). And he gave to his disciples the bread and wine of his Eucharist. (2) The bread offering was to be eaten without leaven. This substance was reirarded as an emblem of evil dispositions, malice, wickedness, insincerity (1 Cor. v."6-8). These must be absent from those who feast with Jesus. (3) It was to be ea.ten in the holy place. This holy place was not the innermost court, which  96 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS [ OH. VJ. 8-30.