with the children of Israel as a fellow-citizen. (2) Entering the sanctuary, he came into Church recognition. For the court of the priests represented the Church in the visible part (see on eh. viii. 10-12). This was on the eighth day which in the wc>ek, corresponds with the first day, a day so memorable for great events of th'e gospel that, as the" Lord's day," it came to replace the Jewish "sabbath" (see on eh. ix. 1-7). The Hebrew term for eight (n.ioi-), shemenah, is derived from (Joi-) shemen, fat or oil ; and the oil and fat so extensively used in connection with the offerings and baptisms of the Law represented the Spirit of God in his illuminations and joy- inspiring graces. The eighth day, or <lay of oil, was, therefore, appropriately the emblem of the" days of the Son of man," the dispensations of the Spirit. 2. He was introduced by the priest. (1) He was presented "before the Lord" (ver. 11). As a commoner might be presented by a peer to a monarch at a levee, so was the leper pre- sented by the priest to the Lord, who, in his Shechinah, was enthroned upon the mercy-seat. So are the spiritual priests of the gospel introduced by the Great High Priest of our profession (see Heb. x. 21, 22). (2) Being recognized by the King of glory, he became fit for the best society, and could freely mingle with the congregation of Israel, or princes of God. So when God accepts the sinner, though he had been a sinner of the Gentiles, that becomes his passport to the Church (see Acts x. 47). 3. The leper did not appear empty. (1) It would have been a departure from all precedent in the East to be presented to a monarch without bringing gifts. When the Queen of Sheba came to Solomon, she was laden with rich presents (1 Kings x. 10). (2) But when we come into the presence of God, what have we to bring? 'l'he leper brought three blemishless lambs; one for a trespass offering, another for a sin offering, and the third for a burnt offering. He brought also three tenth-deals of fine flour mingled with oil, for a bread offering, together with a log of oil. And we can bring Christ, with the Spirit of his grace, the anti types. (3) But" shall we offer unto the Lord that which cost us nothing?" There was a commercial value in the gifts of the leper; but our "Gift" is "unspeakable," infinitely above all merchandise, such as we could never procure for ourselves. With him we must consecrate ourselves, and our property "as God may prosper us" (Rom. xii. 1 ; 1 Cor. xvi. 2). II. 'Im CEREMONIES OF THE PRESENTATION, 1. The sacrifices were of all the kinds. (1) The lamb for the trespass offering. This was to make atonement for transgression, in order to justification. (2) The ewe-lamb for a sin offering. This was to make atonement for impurity, in order to sanctification. (3) The burnt offering, to make atonement for irreverences and imperfections in adoration. And with this was associ- ated the bread offering, to express gratitude and communion. (4) The order is admirable. Wben our trespasses are forgiven, and our hearts cleansed from sin, then are we in the moral state to adore with gratitude. 2. The baptisms were ample. (1) The washings at the !aver in the tabernacle appear to have been exclusively those of the sacrifices and priests. 'fhe baptisms of the Israelites were in their dwellings (Luke xi. 38). The leper was washed with water outside the camp. Cornelius and his company, in whom the kingilom of heaven was opened to the Gentiles by Peter's key, received the baptism of the Holy Ghost bej<'re they had any visible Church recognition (A.cts x. 44--48). (2) The leper's ba1,tisms of blood began outside the camp. The blood of the bird was there seven times sprinkled upon the leper. But now, in the tabernacle, he is again sprinkled with the blood of the trespass offering. It was put on the tip of his right ear, to engage him in future to hear the Law of God; on the thumb of his right hand, to engage him to do the will of God; and on the great toe of his right foot, to engage him to walk in his holy ways. (3) As there was no baptism of water ministered to the leper in the tabernacle, so was there no baptism of uil ministered to him outside the camp. Coming into the sanctuary, he sees the oil first "sprinkled seven times before the Lord" (ver. 16). Then oil was put upon him over the blood on the tip of his right ear, the thumb of his right band, and the great toe of his right foot (ver. 17). The remnant of the oil was then poured upon his head. In this an "atonement was made for him before the Lord" (ver. 18). Bishop Patrick says, "The blood seems to have been a token of forgiveness; the oil of healing." Together they show the intimate connection between the Son of God and the Spirit of God _in the work of redemption and salvation. 3. The circumstances of the poor are eoneidertd. (1) He may substitute doves for the lambs of the burnt offering and sin OB. nv. 33-57.J THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 227
offering, and one tenth-deal of flour for three. "My son, give me thine heart;" and with that the calves of thy lips shall be accepted instead of the calves of the stall. (2) But the lamb of the trespass offering he must bring. "This may well be looked upon a.s a. figure of the La.rob of God, who alone ta.keth away the sins of the whole world" (Old Bible).-J• .A. M.