The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 170

with Jesus (see Heb. vii. 26-28). 2. The altar was purt'fied with the blood (vers. 15, 19). (1) The earth, as the altar upon which the ~reat Antitype was offered, is purified l>y his blood. (a) As respects its inhabitants. (b) As respects itself. The inheritance of man is also redeemed by Christ from the curse of sin. (c) The full effects of this will be seen "in the regeneration" or renewed state of the earth indicated in prophecy. (2) The altar was purified with the typical blood" to make reconciliation upon it." So is this earth for the same purpose sanctified by the blood of Jesus. There is no other planet, at least so far as we are concerned, thus sanctified. Therefore if we be not here "reconciled to God through the death of his Son," there is no hope for reconciliation hereafter or elsewhere (see Heh. x. 26, 27). 3. The offerings were presented upon the altar. (1) In the case of the sin offering, the fat was burnt upon the altar, while the body of the beast was burnt without the camp (ver. 16, 17). Not only was Christ offered up as a sacrifice for sin generally upon this earth, but more particularly "-without the gate," viz. of Jerusalem (comp. Heb. xiii. 11, 12). (2) In the case of the. burnt offering, the whole ram was burnt upon the altar. This holocaURt showed how absolutely God claims us, and therefore how completely we should be devoted, and, so to speak, consumed, in his worship and service (Ps. lxix. 9; John ii. 13-17).- J. A. M. Vers. 22-36.-The ram of consecration. This and the ceremonies connected form the principal subject of the verses now recited. We notice- I. TH.AT IT WAS A PEACE OFFERING. I. The first ram was a burnt offering. (1) It was wholly consumed upon the altar. It was regarded wholly as the "food of God" (eh. iii. 11; xxL 6; Ezek. xliv. 7; Mai. i. 7, 12). (2) In this sacrifice God is con• templated as a righteous Judge, whose justice claims everything we are and have, and who, until that justice is satisfied, can have no fellowship with man. 2. Burnt offerings were usually accompanied by peace offerings. (1) Of these a portion was eaten by the worshipper. This was the expression of peace, reconciliation, fellowship. Constantly associated with the holocaust, the opportunity of ceremonially feasting with God was never wanting. In the peace offering faith discerns the sacrifice of Christ to have so completely met the claims of infinite justice, that we are now accepted into favour. (2) As in the other sacrificeS) the hands of Aaron and his sons were laid upon it to confess their sinfulness, their need of a Saviour, and their faith in the Redeemer of promise. It was slain accordingly, to foreshadow the death of Messiah. The fat and gall were burnt, to show how our evil passions, the old man, must be crucified-with him, that the body of sin may be destroyed. IL 'l'HAT ITS BLOOD WAS USED IN A REMARKABLE WAY. 1. It was sprinkled upon .Aaron. (1) Upon his person. (a) On the tip of his right ear, to express obedience (Exod. :ni. 6). And our Lord's obedience was unto death (Phil. ii. 8). (b) On the thumb of the right hand, to express the service of doing. Christ fulfilled all righteousness, and finished the work that was given him to do (John iv. 34; v. 17; ix. 4; xvii. 4; Heh. x. 5-7). (c) On the great toe of the right foot, to express the ways. All the ways of Jesus were infinitely pleasing to God (Ps. i. 6; xviii. 20, 21 ; Acts L 38). (d) The comprehensive teaching here is the complete consecration of all faculties and energies (see 1 Pet. i. Hi). (2) Upon his garments. In this baptism oil also was used (ver. 30). While in detail these garments represented moral qualities, collec• tively taken they expressed 6ffice. Hence from the earliest times a person introduced into office is said to be invested in it, from in, used intensitively, and vBStio, I clothe. The office of the high priest was to minister in the very presence of God (see Heh. viii. 1, 2). (3) Jesus, who was washed with water at the Jordan, and anointed with oil on the mount of transfiguration, received the final baptism of his consecration, that of his own blood, in Gethsemane and Calvary. As the voice of God accredited him in each of the earlier baptisms, so it accredited him again as he was about to enter into this (comp. Matt. iii. 17; xvii. 5; John xii. 27-33). 2. It was sprinkled upon .Aaron'• son,. (1) Upon their persons (ver 24). 'l'he sons of Aaron were here treated in like manner as Aaron was, to show how in all these things Christians are called to be like Christ (see Matt. u:. 22, 23). This remark will be especially applicable to ministers, who should be "examples to the flock" (see Isa. !xvi. 21; 1 Cor. ix. 13). (2) Upon their garments (ver. 30). 'l'he office of the priesthood was to minister in the ~ . VlIL 1-36.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. l:Jl