The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 203

Vers. 12-15.-The eating of the holy thi11gs. In the words of the last paragraph God speaks immediately to .Aaron ; here Moses resumes, addressing now ".Aaron and his sons that were lift," or who had escaped the terrible judgment in which Na.dab and Abihu were involved. He repeats his instmctions concerning- !. THE MEAT OFFERING REMAINING OF THE OFFERINGS MADE BY FIRE, 1. This was accounted "most holy." (1) This is equivalent to calling it the "bread of God" (comp. xxi. 6, 22). It was therefore "most holy," as typifying Christ (John vi. 33). He is " most holy " in the mystery of his birth, as "coming down from heaven" (Luke i. 35). .Also in his death, by which h(was able to" give his life unto the world." (2) It was the priests' due, or appointment, viz. from God. For it was first given to God, and now came from him. So Jesus, whom we bring to God as the .Atoning Sacrifice foz our sin, God gives to us for the nourishment of our souls. 'l'o the spiritual priesthood he is still the " Bread of God that cometh down from heaven." 2. It was to be eaten, viz. (1) "Beside the altar." Jesus becomes the food of his people after his passion. The bread of the Eucharist was " broken" before it was "given " to the disciples to eat (Matt. xxvi. 26; Jchn xii. 24; 1 Cor. xi. 23-26). 'l'he Lord's table is furnished from the altar that was without the camp (Heb. xiii. 10-12). (2) It was to be eaten "without leaven." There was neither "malice" nor "wickedness" in Jesus, nor should there be in those who seek his fellowship (1 Cor. v. 6-8). He is the 'fruth-Truth itself- Truth essential; fellowship with him, therefore, must be in" sincerity and truth." (3)- lt was to be eaten" in the holy place." The joys of the Christian profession should be- sought in the fellowship of the saints. Odd persons, who stand aloof from Church communion, are not serving God according to his order. II. THE WAVE BREAST AND HEAVE SHOULDER. 1. These were accounted "holy." (1) They were so because they had been offered to God. Julius Bate construes the- words rendered" wave breast and heave shoulder" (ver. 14), "the breast that is pre- sented, and the shoulder that is lifted up." This at least expresses the spirit of the original. (2) The "holy" as well as "most holy" bread is the same as the bread of God (see eh. xxi. 22), and equally points to Christ. BQth were alike the priests' due or appointment (Exod. xxix. 24). 2. The holy thin_qs were to be eaten in a clean place. (1) This marks the difference between the "holy" and the "most holy." The "most holy" must be eaten in the holy place, in the court of the priests, and therefore by the priests alone, but the "holy" may be eaten in the houses, and therefore by the daughters of the priests. (2) The moral teaching is that while the "most holy" com::nunion with Christ ls by the altar-side in his Church, we may have "holy,,. communion with him in our families. The ordinary meals of godly persons will be received as from God with thanksgiving, and thereby become in a sense sacramental (see 1 Cor. x. 18-31). (3) The one limitation is that the holy things of the peace offerings must be eaten "in a clean place." Viewed in the letter, this means that the house must not be polluted by the dead, or by a leper, or anything for which the purifications of the Law may be required. Viewed in the spirit, the teaching is that if we would have communion with Christ in our families, vicious dispositions and ungodly 1>tra.ngers must be excluded. "The friendship of the world is enmity against God,,. (see 2 Cor. vi. 14-18; Jas. iv. 4; 1 John ii, 15).---J. .A. M. CB. L 8-20.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 165