The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 184

desening to die I Our confession of sin before God should be with deep conviction and: reality. (3) He put the blood upon the horns of the altar. 'l'hese were fronting the vail, behind which was t.he ark of the covenant and the glory of the Lord. This putting of the blood with the finger before the face of God was, as it were, pointing it out to, him, calling his attention to it. So should the faith of the sinner point out to God's mercy the blood of the cross which satisfies his justice. (4) Aaron's sons served with him at the altar. They brought the blood to have it sprinkled. This was the con- fessi?n o~ their part in the. guilt of their fa_~her. Guilt is hereditary and relatively d1stnbut1ve (see Numb. xvi. 32, 33; Josh. vn. 24, 25). It was also an expression of their faith in the blood of the common Redeemer. (5) This offering of Aaron for bis own sin before he could offer for the people suggests the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood, and therefore the necessity of the priesthood of the gospel (see Heb. v. 3 • vii. 26-28; ix. 7-14). 2. TM offerings for the people. (1) Aaron himself slew als~- tbese victims (vers. 15, 16). This he did as the representative of the people. Individuals were directed to slay their own victims (comp. eh. i. 5, 11; iii. 4, 8, 13), But these were for ·the congregation. (2) The sons of Aaron helped him here also. They "presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar round about."· They also brought the fat of the inwards to him (vers. 18-20). This was suggestive of the nature of the Levi tical priesthood, which was destined to pass from hand to hand. The comparison here is favourable to the priesthood of Christ, which is "unchangeable,,. (Heb. vii. 23-25). (3) The breast and shoulder were waved and heaved, and after- wards came to the lot of Aaron and his sons. Here we are taught that it is God's order that" they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel" (see 1 Cor. ix. 13, 14 ;. Matt. x. 10). IL THE BLESSING. 1. The blasing from the altar (ver. 22). (1) As Aaron, standing upon the altar, pronounced his first blessing upon the people, this shows the Source from whence all blessing springs. Even in heaven, the Great Sacrifice of the altar of Calvary will be the burden of the song of the redeemed (Rev. v. 9-14). (2) In blessing, Aaron. acted as the type of Christ, who, while he moved about upon this earth, which was the altar of his sacrifice, dispensed blessings in a thousand forms. Witness (a) the beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. (b) The miracles of beneficence. (c) His official benedictions. (3) As Aaron, standing upon the altar, lifted op hie hands, blessed the people, and then went into the holy place, so Jesus, standing on the :Mount of Olives, after lifting up his hands and blessing his disciples, ascended into the holy place of the heavens (comp. Luke xxiv. 50, 61). 2. The blessing from the holy place. (1) Coming forth from the holy place, Aaron again blessed the people. The words of, the benediction are given in Numb. vi. 23-27. Between these and those of the apostolic benediction, which sets forth the geniUB of the gospel, there is remarkable correspondence (see 2 Cor. xiii. 14). (2) In response to this second benediction," the- glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people." We are here reminded how Jesus, before ascending into heaven, encouraged his disciples" not to depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father," and how, "when the day of Pentecost was fully come," that promise was verified. (3) "And there came a fire oat from before the Lord," etc. (ver. 24). This was the emblem of the Holy Spirit, whose baptism, like fire, searches into substances, while water can only wash the surfaces (Matt. iii. 11, 12). So in the baptism on the day of Pentecost, tongues of flame sat on the disciples (Acts ii. 3). (4) The consuming of the fat of the inwards on the altar by the sacred fire· foreshowed how the body of our sins is destroyed in the sacrifice of Christ, who, "through the Eternal Spirit, offered himself without spot to God" (Heb. iL 14). It also describes the manner in which the wicked will be treated who persist in their rebellion against God (Ps. xxxvii. 20). '!'hose whose sins are not consumed in the- fires of love will themselves be consumed in the fires of wrath.-J. A. M. Vera. 1--6.-Appearing together before God. It is true that we are always II in the presence of the Lord." 11 He is not far from any one of us." 11 He compasses our path and our lying down: he besets ue behind and before." There is no man who at any moment may not use the/rophet's words, 11 The Lord, before whom I stand." But it is also true that God woul have us place ourselves consciously and in compaii.y before· him; that we should gather together at his house and worship in II his holy temple."· We gain thoughts on this subject from our text, viz.- OJI, IX. 1-24.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 14S