II. THE TIM~ AT ~ICH THE ~LORY OF Goo APPEARS. 1. We may expect it at eventful stages m the history of his Ohu1·ch. Here at the establishment of the order of priesthood, to sanction it, to express approval of the men appointed, and to complete their consecration. The altar fire and all its future offerinas were thus hallowed. When some principle of the Divine government is to be vindi0:ted or some messenger honoured in the sight of the people, or a ne,v departure made -in th~ accomplishment of bis purpose.s, then may we anticipate displays of supernatural beauty and force. 2. Wnen his instroctwns have bun respected, Ms commands faithfully observed. There had been seven days of watching, and the eighth day was marked by confession of sin and dedicatory sacrifices. God was honoured, and evinced his delight thereat. Sanc- ~ific.ation precedes ~he mani_festation of Div!ne power (Josh. iii. 6; eh. ix. 4). 3. When ~t has been prophesied by his servants. TlllS was a fulfilment of Moses' prediction and may incit,e us to study Scripture and value its prophetic statements. It is remarkable how the way bas been ever prepared for "mighty works" by previous announcement as if to fit men to appreciate the miracles and to recognize them as coming from God: The herald proclaims the advent of the king. 4. When his servants have drawn nigh to his presen~, and invoked a blessing upon the people. Prayer is the fleeting breath that proves of such marvellous efficacy in securing tokens of God's favour. Would we see the glory of God in the sanctuary? then let us try to approach the very throne of Deity. To be led in supplication into the holiest of all is to "bring. all heaven before our eyes." Jesus, our Prophet-Priest, ascended as he was blessing the disciples; the fruits of his invocation were quickly seen at Pentecost, and they continue to enrich and glldden the Church. lli. Tim EFFECT IT PRODUCES. 1. Enthusiasm. The people "shouted " for joy and thanksgiving, they gave utterance to their admiration and excitement. That Jehovah should condescend thus to visit his children, that the Infinite One should so openly reveal himself! The coldest are warmed into emotion, the hardest surfaces yield, the sternest natures cannot repress exclamations of astonishment when they per- ceive the signs of a presence more than mortal. 2. Reverence. "They fell .on their faces," to worship. Awe filled their minds and prostrated their bodies. Never should excitement lead to forgetfulness of the respect due to God. And if it be otherwise, there is reason to suspect the genuineness of the professedly Divine exhibition of approval. We may fear lest the fire has been begotten not, of heaven ,but. of earth. : CoNCLUBION. Will any refuse to behold in Christ "the brightness of. the Father's glory"? Here "all" the people saw the glory. Age, sex, or rank no hindrance. There may be a difference in the apprehension of the significance of the spectacle, but it should awaken gratitude and veneration in every breast.-S. R. A.,
Vers. 1-7.-The eighth day. There is sacred mystery in the numbers of Holy Scripture well worthy of attention. We have an example before us. I. ON THIB DAY THE CONSECRATIONS WERE COMPLETED. 1. The eighlh i, a day 6ignaliud by sanctity. (1) All children were, according to the Law, in the unclean- ness of their birth until the eighth day. Then they received circumcision,-and thence- forward were recognized as holy, having the seal of the covenant or purifioation of God upon them (eh. xii. 2, 3). (2) The young of beasts, in like manner, were ceremonially unclean before their eighth day. They were therefore unfit to be offered a.s sacrifices. But on the eighth day and thenceforward that unfitness ceased; they were accounted clean (eh. :xx.ii. 27). (3) PersonR unclean through leprosy, or through any issue, or a Nazarite in case of accidental defilement by the dead, all had to abide seven days in uncleanness. The eighth day, in all euch cases, was memorable as- that upon which they were accounted clean (eh. xiv. 8-10; xv. 13, 14; Numb. vi. 9, 10). (4) So here, the tabernacle, the altar, all the vessels of the ministry, together with the priests, were seven days in the process of purification, and on the eighth day the purity of all became established (comp. Ezek. xliii. 26, 27). 2. These things point to gospel times. (1) The pollutions of the birth refer to original sin. This, in the case of the. children, is so obvious as to need no comment. The reason of the law of uncleanness in relation to the young of animals is that in the Levitical system they were made representativ~ of human beinge. (2) The pollutions of adults would stand for sins committed "after the similitude of Adam's transgression." (3) All were "purged with blood," the <ITT, IL 1-24.] 1.11E BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 143