The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 280

HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-28.-Union and communion with God is that which the undepraved heart of man most longs for, and which religion is especially intended to bring about. That this may be effected, the barrier,of sin, and of that which represents sin-ceremonial uncleanness-must be broken down. If sin and uncleanness cannot be taken away so as to ~e as th~ug~ they had not been, they must, according to their nature, be either punished as Just1,::e demands, or be so covered over as to be withdrawn from the eight of the Divine eye. This covering or atonement is wrought by sacrifices for sin, and ceremonial purifications. Hence the public and private sin offerings, and the various forms of cleansing. But in spite of penalties inflicted and sacrifices offered, a mass of crime and sin and uncleanness accumulates year by year, which has not been avenged or cleansed, and this defilement affects the very tabernacle of God and his holy things, as well as the congregation of living men. Therefore an annual atonement and re- conciliation were required, which were effected each year on the great Day of Atonement. L THE CEREMONIES. 1. Bathing. 2. Robing in white garments. 3. The sin offerings. 4. The entry into the holy of holies. 5. The sprinkling of the blood of the sin offerings on the ark and before the mercy- seat. 6. The scapegoat. II. THEIR ]l[EANING. All is typical of Christ. 1. Washing with his blood and in the waters of baptism. 2. Clothing with his righteousness. 3. Christ the Sin Offering on the cross. 4. Christ's ascension and entry into heaven (Heb. ix., x.). 5. Christ's life-blood offered on the cross, and carried by him into heaven. 6. Christ the Sin-bearer and the Remover of sins. Ill. THE LESSONS. 1. Reconciliation between God and man has been effected. For Christ has come and has offered himself as a sin offering. The mass of sins which gathered over man.kind age after age, has been covered or a.toned for by the blood of Christ, shed by him upon the cross; and those who were alienated a.re now reconciled. Christ is the all-prevailing Peacemaker, who has united man with man, and man with God. "He is our peace, who hath made both (Gentile and Jew) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; . . . for to make in himself of twain one new man, so melting peace; and that he might reconcile both unt.o God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. . . . For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (Eph. ii.14-19). And this reconciliation was wrought by one offering, once for all offered. The high priest's atonement was made annually, for the blood of bulls and goats could not, effectually 11nd permauently, but only symbolically and temporarily, take a.way sins (Heb. x. 4). "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God. . . . For by one offering he ha.th perfected for ever them that are sanctified " ~Heb. x.12-14). And it was wrought for all mankind. How, then, a.re all to she.re in \t? By realizing their adoption in Christ, which bas been potentially bestowed upop Oil. xvt 1-34.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 245