The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 181

An intense flame rose np from the altar, having first issued from the tabernacle; and all the people rejoiced because of it. "When all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces." God is a consuming fire in the way of acceptance, just as well as in the way of wrath. The psalmist gives us clear evidence of this in his prayer, "Remember all thy offerings, and accept (' reduce to ashes,' ;w':r,) thy burnt sacrifice" (Ps. :u:. 3). The case of Elijah at Carmel goes to demonstrate the same thing (1 Kings xviii. 24, 36). And when we reach the history of Pentecost, with the Spirit as "tongues of fire" settling down on the disciples, we can have no doubt as to the significance of the manifestation (Acts ii.). "God is light," and along with light there is heat and sub- limation. He interposes no screen to prevent the heat-rays from reacbing men's hearts. They become fervent in spirit, and thus serve the Lord (Rom. xii. 11). It is this visitation we all need-God accepting us as "living sacrifices,'' and enabling us most ardently to serve him. May none of us experience the consuming fire of the- Divine wrath, but that of the Divine love and mercy 1-R. M. E. Vers. 23, 24.-The glory of the Lord. The petition of Moses was, "Show me thy glory." The wisdom, power, and goodness of the Almighty are visible in all his works, and "the heavens declare his glory," but man longs for a fuller display of tbe matchless perfections of Deity. The artist is superior to his handiwork, and to view God is a greater satisfaction than to contemplate the evidences of his existence and skill that lie around us. To behold him as he is, to "see his face" in its undimmed lnstre,-this is reserved as the special joy of heaven. In the mean time, it was permitted the Israelites to gaze upon material manifestations of his presence, and it is the delight of Christians to catch spiritual glimpses of his glory, by faith seeing him who is invisible. I. THE FOBll ASBUllED BY THE GLORY OF THE LoBD. 1. A brightness manifest to all the people. Compare this passage with Numb. xvi. 42, and the conclusion is natural that there was a brilliant illumination of the cloud tbo.t ordinarily rested upon the tabernacle. Therein Jehovah was ever visible, but now revealed in such wondrous guise that his glory was patent to the dullest eye. Deity no longer con- cealed but expressed. When Jesus Christ came as the Word, the evangelist declares," We beheld his glory, as of the only begotten of the Fatber." The face is the noblest part of the body, the dial-plate of character, the index of the soul; hence in the face of Jesus Christ we behold the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. '!'he gospel dispensa- tion "exceeds in glory " (2 Cor. iii. 9), for it is the "ministration of the Spirit," the "ministration of the righteousness" of God. The answer to tbe request of Moses was contained in the assurance that all the goodness of God should pass before him; and when there is an outpouring of the Spirit, so that many turn to the Saviour and rejoice in the mercy and loving-kindness of God who will have all men to be saved, then is the glory of the Lord revealed and all flesh see it together. 2. A mighty energy, as flaming fire, attesting the acceptance of the sacrifices. 'l'hese were suddenly consumed, showing that the power of God can accomplish at once what at other times requires a long period under the operation of customary laws. There is not merely attractive brilliancy in God, there is majestio might which may be used for or against us, according to our obedience or disobedience. When tongues of fire sat upon the disciples at Pentecost, their whole being-body, soul, and spirit, mind, affection, and will-seemed immediately permeated with the Spilit of Christ, and they spoke with boldness and witnessed with great power, so that thousands were added to the Church. Let God appear, and men shall be saved, not in units, but in multitudes. Who can tell what shall be the result of Christ's appearing in glory? This we know, that the offerings upon the altar, the Christians dedicated to his service, shall be transformed into his likeness, the imitation not gradual as in ordinary seasons, but instantaneous. 3. The unusual glory proceeding from the ordinary manifestation. The fire "came out from before the Lord." It was not a different power, therefore, but the usual Shechlnah fire exhibited to all in won- drous operation. The truths that evoke such feeling and lead to such holy action in times of refreshing and revival, o.re those which have been previously insisted on, only now accompanied with potency, the breath of the Spirit kindling the embers into a glow, and causing the heat so to radiate as to affect large circles of humanity. '!'he arm of the Lord, al way present, is rev!'aled; its might, perceived by the few, is shown to the many. 142 THE BOOK OF LEVI'l'ICC-S. [en. IL 1-24.