The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 173

attired supplied marked and intentional suggestions of the attributes and the work of the Divine. 'l'hus we are reminded by Aaron's appearance of- I. HIS PERSONAL EOLINESB. "'l'he stuff of all of them was linen, and . . . must be understood to have been white." This was associated with the idea of bodily cleanness, and hence with righteousness of soul (see Rev. xix. 8). The High Priest of our profession was he "that loved righteousness," of whom it was true that "the sceptre of righteousness was the sceptre of his kingdom" (Heb. i. 8, 9). II. HIS ALirSUFFICIENT STRENGTH. The girdle with which Aaron was girded (ver. 7) was suggestive of strength, activity, readiness for the appointed work. To "gird up the loins" was to be prepared for immediate and effective action. Christ is he who always stands ready and mighty to save; prepared at the moment of our readiness to put forth his arm of power, and to redeem us with the " saving strength of his righl hand." Ill. Hm BEPRESENTATIVE CHARACTER. On the breastplate of the ephod (ver. 8) were the names of the twelve tribes of IsraeL With these on his person he appeared before God in the holy place; evidently representing them and appearing on their behalf. Our Divine Redeemer, assuming our human nature, suffered and died in our stead, and illOW "appears in the presence of God/or w" (Heb. ix. 24). IV. HIS BPIBITUAL FITNESS FOB ms GBEAT WOBK, The II Urim and Thnmmim" (ver. 8) signified "lights" and "perfections;" they were the means by which Aaron received inspiration from Jehovah. Our Lord was one II in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the godhead bodily" (Col. i. 9), particularly (see context) Divine wisdom. He is-not merely has, but is-" the truth" (John xiv. 6), and He is" the wisdom of God" (1 Cor. i. 24, 30; Col. ii. 3). He who, in the exercise of absolute wisdom, knows the mind of the Father, and "knows what is in man" also, is that omniscient One who is perfectly equipped for the wondrous problem he has undertaken to work out. V. TEE FINAL TRIUMPH OF ms CAUSE. "He put the mitre upon his head" (ver. 9). The high priest of Israel had a touch of royalty-he wore a crown upon his head. The High Priest of man is royal also. " Upon his head are many crowns." He is "exalted to be a prince" as well as a Saviour, And he is "able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Phil. iii. 21; see Phil. ii. 9, 10). VI. Hrs ULTI1lATE DESIGN. "Upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate" (ver. 9), and on this golden diadem were inscribed the sacred, significant words, "Holiness to the Lord" (Exod. xxviii. 36). Did not this sentence, placed in the forefront of the high priest's mitre, signify that the great end of his ministrations wo.s the establishment among all the tribes of Israel of" Holiness to the Lord"? The purpose for which he was appointed would not be attained until that great and noble aim was reached. For that he lived and wrought. '!'hat, too, is tho end of the Divine priest- hood. Christ came to "put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Heh. iL 26), to establish on the earth that kingdom of God which is " righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Let us learn-I. The exceeding greatness of our privilege. In Jesus Christ himself (nnd in his salvation) are these great excellencies; they were only upon and outside the Hebrew priest. 2. The corresponding guilt of (1) defiant rejection, (2) frivolous disregard, (3) continued indecision (Heb. ii. 3).-C. Yer. 2.-Spiritual apparel. "Take Aaron and his sons with him and the garments." Aaron and his sons were about to be invested. '!'heir formal investiture of the priestly office was to be signified and Rymbolized by their putting on the sacerdotal garments. 'l'he robes of office are fully described (vers. 7-9). 'l'hese "holy garments" (Exod. u:viii. 2) not only gave an imposing and inspiring appearnnce to the officiating priest~, tut they severally and separately suggested certain spiritual qualities. The white lincu spoke of righteousness, the girdle of activity or strength, etc. (see above). We who are servants of Jesus Christ are also priests (1 Pet. ii. 6; Rev. i. 6). There .are certain things in which we are to bo robed. We are, speaking generally, to "put .on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. xiii. 14); to put on" the new man," etc. (Eph. iv. 24) . .But there are certain graces which we are more particularly to wear. I. THE ROBK OF HUMILITY. 'l'his is the beginning and the eud, the firs\ and the hst grace, .the foundation anu the topetonc of Christian character : we may call it an  13( 'l'HE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [cu. vm. 1-36i