The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 183

blood of circumcision or that of animal sacrifices, which anticipated that precious blood of Christ by which we are redeemed from " all sin." 3. But what has this to do with. 1he "eighth day" 1 (1) The eighth day remarka.bly characterizes the gospel. Since in the week there are seven days, the "eighth" day and the "first" are obviously the same. Now, it was on the "first day of the week" that Jesus rose Crom the dead -(Matt. xxviii. 1). On the first da.y he seems to have several times appeared to his disciples during the forty days of his sojourn on the earth after his resurrection. On the first day he ascended into heaven, if we take the " forty days" to be clear days. The memorable day of Pentecost is calculated to have fallen upon the first day of the week. 'l'he ea.rly Christians kept the first day sacredly, as the seventh ha.d been by the Jews (see Acts xx. 7; 1 Cor. xvi. 2). This was called "the Lord's day" (Rev. i. 10), just as our Eucharist is called "the Lord's Supper," because he instituted it. (2) But why s~ould the eighth day have been chosen thus to _characterize the gospel? This ques- tion may be better answered as we proceed to not1ce- II. THAT ON THIS DAY THE LORD WAS TO APPEAR. (Ver. 4.) 1. Thi& promise had an immediate f ulftlment. 'l'he Shechinah that had been in the thick darkness -0f the most holy place, shined forth in brightness upon the people (ver. 23). 2. It had a .fuller accomplishment in the gospel. (1) Christ is the true tlbechinah (comp. Isa. xl. 5 with Matt. iii. 3; see also Matt. xvii. 2; John i. 14; ii. 11; xi. 40; xiv. 9; 2 Cor. iv. 4; Col. L 15; Heh. i. 3). (2) The Shechinah also appeared after our Lord's ascension, viz. in the wonders of the memorable day of Pentecost. 3. The crowning manifesta- tion is reserved to the great day. (1) Then Jesus will be revealed "without sin." He will not then appear amid circumstances of humiliation, as in his first advent. (2) He will be revealed "in all his glory." (a) "His own," Messia.h's, glory. (b) That of" his Father," as "the God of glory." (c) "With the glory of bis holy angels," who attend the "King of glory" as his retinue. 4. This will be the glory of the, eighth day. (1) The six days of the creation week are supposed by Barnabas to represent six chilia.ds, or periods of a thousand years, during which the world is to be in toil and . sorrow. The sabbath at the end of these represents the thousand years of John (Rev. xx. 6), distinguished as" the Millennium." The Rabbi Elias and other autholities are cited in favour of this view; and .it is countenanced by the course of the fulfilment of proph.ecy., (2) At the close of this age is the final judgment, which introduces a still more glorious state, desoribed as 1' a. new heaven and a new earth" (see Rev. xxi. and ,xxii.). This, then, is the eighth day. As the Millennium (Rev. xx.) is the fulfilment of the Jewish sabbath, so is the superior blessedness to follow the fulfilment of the Christian (Heb. iv. 6-9,. margin). Then will everything in earth and heaven be con~ecrated. Ill. THEN WILL THE VALUE OF THE GREAT SA.ORIFICE APPEAR. 1. .As-avtJTting the evils of sin. (1) Who, without the purification of the gospel, can encounter the brightness of that Epiphany (Mai. iii. 2)? (2) But those who possess this purity , need have no fear of the horrors of the" outer darkness" (Rev. xxi. 7, 8; xxii. 14, 15). 2.- .As p1·ocuring ineffable bliss. (1) The consecration of the eighth day resulted from the ceremonies of the days preceding. So will the purity of the heavenly state rise out of the tragedies and horrors of Calvary. (2) The summoning of the snorifioes on the eighth day was, amongst other things, to witness this. All were summoned, viz. ain, .burnt, peace, and bread offelings. In the -blessings of the gospel we have all that was foreshadowed by Levitical oblations of every kind. (3) The song of Moses and of the Lamb will swell the rapture of heaven.-J. A. M. Vera. S-24.-.Aaron'• first priestly servicss. Moses officiatod as the priest of the -Lord until the consecration of Aaron and his sons was completed. Now they enter upon their functions, and the verses ,recited furnish 118 with an account of their first services. In reviewing these we notice- I. THE OFFERINGS. 1. .Aaron's offering for himself. (1) The Jews say this was Intended to make atonement for his sin in connection with the golden calf. Possibly this may .ha.ve been so; for we have no record elsewhere of any formal atonement for that offence. Aaron, doubtless, had many offences to atone for. 'l'he sacrifice of Christ is not only for sins, but also for sin. (2) Aa.ron's own hands slew this victim. What " graphic confession of sin was this! What an unequivocal acknowledgment of hi1  THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [en. 1x. 1-21-