The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 179

HOMILETICS. Vers. 8--23.-Tbe first act of the new priesthood is sacrifice, by which reconciliation was ceremonially effected; the second (vers. 22, 23), a double benediction. As soon as the people are reconciled to him, God's blessing abundantly pours itself on them. The &crifice is: 1. For themselves, showing the weaknl!liS of the Aaronic p1iesthood. 2. For the people, showing its power. Ver. 24.-Miraculou, confirmation of the new polity is given by a fire issuing from the presence of God. I. INSTANCES OF A LIKE KIND OF DIVINE AGENCY BY FIRE. 1. The case of Gideon. "And the angel. of God said unto him, 'l'ake the flesh and the unleavened cakes,. and Jay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so. Then the- angel of the Lord put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of tbe rock, and con- sumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes" (Judg. vi. 20, 21). 2. 'l'he case of Elijah. "Call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the Name of the Lord: and the- God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. . . . Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the bumt sacrifice and the wood;,and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench". (1 Kings xviii. 24-38). 3. The case of Solomon. "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of_the Lord had tilled the Lord's house" (2 Chron. vii. 1, 2). .IL THE RESULT IN EACH CASE IS AWE. 1. " Gideon said, Alas, 0 Lord God I for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face. And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die" (Judg. vi. 22, 23). 2. "And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord; he is the God" (I Kings xviii. 39). 3. "And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the .house, they bowed. themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised tho Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever" (2 Chron. vii 3). III. 'l'BE PRESENT A Fl'I'l'ING OCOASION FOB A ll,(lRAOULOUB INTERVENTION. A miracle- is to be expected at the introduction of any new system which emanates from God, because it is a. meana of showing Divine approval which cannot be gainsaid; but it is not to be expected frequently afterwards, or it would lose its specia.l effect of impressing by its strangeness. The institution of the La.w is such an occasion, and accordingly fire and smoke and earthquake showed the presence of God on Sinai. The institution of an hereditary priesthood was a part of the legislation which, being a vast change on the pre- viously existing system, specially required a sign of God'd approval which a.11 might see. 'l'he erection of Solomon's temple was a. like occasion. So 11t the institution of the Christian dispensation, miraculous gifts were vouchsafed to the apostles-speaking with tongues, prophecy, gifts of healing, and the rest--which were not intended to continue, and died out as soon as the Church was regarded as no longer coming into being, but fully formed. No new doctrine must be accepted except upon the testimony of miracle, but a succession of miracles is not required tu certify doctrine which has been once coufinned by miraculous means. IV. S1111ILARITY YET DIFFERENCE OF THE PENTECOSTAL FIRE. It was given at the institution of the new apostolic ministry. lt was a confirmation of its authority to the miuds of the recipients as well as others. But it indicated morn than a rnere Divine approval of a new system. It symbolized the gift of the Holy Ghost, and therefore it did -not consume a. sacrifice, but" it sat upon each" of those who were to be the instruments of the Huly Ghost in converting the world, and the ministers of tha new <li~pensa.tion.· 'l'he fire of jealousy, which struck t,) the eartl.i. those wl.i.o approa.chcd the Divine pre~enco unbidden, ha.:; become ll.i.c fire of love. HO THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [cu. rx. 1-24.