The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 165

MAKE. 1. The sin offering. Priesthood commences by self-a1megatwn, the confession of sin and renunciation of personal merit. By this offering the altar is sanctified (ver. 15), on which afterwards all other gifts will in due course be laid. Until the Saviour has been recognized as made a curse for us, there is no foundation for the life that will /lease God. 'l'he house must be cleansed ere its worthiest inhabitant will condescen to enter. 2. The burnt offering. Here the positive side begins, of devotion w God. The parts of the ra.m are placed upon the purified altar, and the flameR emit an odour fragrant to God. The ma.n who ha.s confessed his unworthiness a.ad pleaded the merits of Jesus Christ, dedicates himself to him who died for him. He is not his own, and must henceforth glorify God. "Lord, what wilt thou ha.ve me to do?" is his cry. 3. The consecration offering, This results from the others, and is their natural completion by bringing full hands (consecration equals "fulnesses" in original) to God, Entire dedication and consequent communion wi.th God its signification. '.l'he blood of the ram is sprinkled upon the ear, that it ma.y hearken to the commands of God, a.nd, whilst attentive unto him, disregard the whispers of evil. Also upon the right ha.nd, tha.t all its a.cts ma.y be in conformity with righteousness, the might of the man going forth in holy deeds. .And upon the right foot, that its steps may be ordered by the Lord and its owner ma.y ever tread the wa.ys of obedience a.ad sanctification. Every faculty is enlisted in the service of God. By the wa.ve a.nd heave offerings and the presentation of cakes we learn the necessity of looking upon a.11 our property a.nd a.ll that supports life a.s belonging to God, who must ha.ve his special share and be glorifi~d thereby as well as by our joyful use of the remainder. To fill the hands for God is to complete our consecration, and to live upon heavenly food in the enjoyment of his blessing. By giving to him we get for ourselves. II. THE BUPEBIOBITY OF CHRIST TO A.ARON. 1. His consecration waa total, whilst Aaron's was but partial. There were many periods when the high priest was seeing to his own peculiar wants and offering for his own especial infirmities. The whole career of Jesus Christ was an offering for others, originated and executed for the good of man and the glory of his Father. He "came not to do his own will" .Aaron might la.y aside his robes of office and take his repose, but the Son of man was ever clothed with his official character. .And this is still clearer when we remember the present position of our High Priest and his unceasing, unintermitted intercession. 2. The holiness of Aaron was aremonial and symbolical, that of Ghrist is literal and real. Jesus was on earth holy, harmless, undefiled. The searching eye of God can discern in his righteousness no stain nor flaw. So far was Aaron from reaching perfection that, because of rebellion at Meribah (Numb. xx. 24), he was not permitted to enter the land of promise. 3. The atonement of JesUB Christ is actual, that of Aaron was only typical. After these rites of consecration were observed, the priests were qualified to present the offerings and sacrifices of the people unto God, and to make reconciliation for them. But there Wl18 no inherent virtue in those sacrifices to remove the guilt of sin; it is the blood of Christ that has power to cleanse the conscience from dead works. He bore our sins in his own body on the tree, and brought in everlasting righteousness. 4. The oriesthood of Ghrist is/erpetual, that of Aaron only su1-vived by successors. The high priests died and passe away, their places occupied by others, Jesus abides for ever; he hath an unchangeable priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek. If, then, tbe Israelites found satisfaction in contemplating the functions of dying men, with what profound delight should we avail ourselves of the intercession of him who ever lives to save 1-S. H. A. Vers. 1-6.-The 'baptism of Aaron and his sons. Hitherto this book consists of precepts and directions concerning the sacrifices and services of the tabernacle; but here a new section commences, in which the directions are described as carried into effect. This section appropriately commences with the history of the consecrntion of .Aaron and his sons, with whom principally was to rest the carrying out of the laws. The verses before us describe-- I. THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE CEREMONY. 1. These were directed 'by the Lord. (1) He had formerly given very particular directions from the summit of Mount Sinai (Exod. xxviii., x.xix.). In pursuance of these instructions, the holy garments were made "nd other preparations completed. Note : '.l'he leadings of providence shoulc! be 126 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [cu. vm. 1-36.