The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 176

WILL OF GoD. The Lord spake to Moses. Moses did as the Lord commanded him. Moses said to the congregation, '' This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done." Mere will-worship is unacceptable to God. We must beware of two errors. l. Dependence on mere tradition in contrast with the Word. No need of a supple- mentary revelation, for it implies that the Word was not sufficient-no authority in it, for the fathers and those who handed on the tradition were liable to err and falsify. 2. Expediency may mislead us iuto disobedience; fashion in worship; convenience oonsulte<l; pure truth hidden; man usurping God's place. IIL PuBLIC CONSECRATION OF PRIESTHOOD. The people saw the men, their garments, the consecrating oil, the atoning sacrifi~, the basket of unleavened bread. 1. Spiritual leaders should be distinguishable, both personally and officially. 2. We should remem- ber they are men, and liable to sin, and needing the same sacrifices as all others. 3. The unleavened bread of sincerity and truth is their main qualification. 4. They are nothing unless anointed, i.e. they are wholly dependent on the Spirit of God-not a line of succession, but a personal inspiration. 6. Their ministry being for the people, among the people, and with the help of the people, let the people by their assembly sanction tbeir election and approve their consecration. A God-given ministry is not imposed upon congregations, but welcomed by their free choice.-R. Ver. 6.-" And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water." Not hands and feet only, as in daily ministrations, but the whole body, symbolizing entire spiritual cleansing. • L Take this cleansing as lll.AN's OBEDIENCE. It set forth : 1. Confession of sin and dependence on Divine grace. 2. Personal consecration--entire devotion to the service of God. 3. As performed by priests, the acceptance of a place in the priestly office and before the altar demanded conspicuous holiness and purity. Il. Thus was typified THE DIVINE PROMISE. 1. That man should be cleansed really by the Spirit. 2. 'l'hat a perfect high priesthood should be provided. 3. That the necessary imperfection and impurity of an earthly service should be swallowed up hereafter in the holy perfection of the heavenly service, when all that approach God shall be like him.-R. Vers. 7-9.-Aaron's dre$B. Coat, girdle, robe, ephod, breastplate, Urim and Thum- mi.m, mitre, golden plate, and crown,-all significant, and fulfilled in Christ. The two main ideas are mediation and government. L The high priest is clothed as MEDIATOR. 1. To offer sacrifice for sine. 2. To enter into the presence of Jehovah as intercessor. 3. To obtain and pronounce, as representative, the Divine benediction. II. The high priest is clothed as KING. 1. With power to guide, counsel, command as an oracle. 2. With exalted personality to receive homage as the king of righteous- ness, the glory of God revealed. 3. As crowned, to establish and maintain his kingdom among men-ruling their hearts and lives, not by the power of this world, but by the priestly power of fellowship with God, for man is himself made kingly as be is admitted into the innermost chamber of God's presence.-R. Vera. 10--12.-Anointing. The tabernacle, the altar, the vessels, the laver and its foot, Aaron the high priest. The main intention to lift up the thoughts of all, both priests and people, to Jehovah as the Source of all good gifts. 'l'he sprinkling was seven times, to denote the covenant relation between God and Israel. L The service of God requires SPECIAL CONSECRATION-both of persons and places and instrumentalities. 1. 'l'o keep the world's corruption away. 2. 'l'o exalt the faculties and feelings. 3. To help us to maintain the remembrance of the Divine covenant, and therefore to lay hold by special intercourse with God of his gifts. 4. To enable us, by concentration of efforts, to make the influence of religion more powerful in the world. Great mistake to suppose that, by breaking down distinctions between the believing and the unbelieving, the multitudes are brought nearer to God; on the contrary, the effect is to lessen the spiritual efficacy of religious ordinances, and to postpone the triumph of God's people. JI. 'l'hc TRUE ANOINTING OF THE SPIRIT, THE TRUE DISTINCTION OF THE HlNISTRY AND OB. II. 1-24.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 137