The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 289

Christ (Jude 24). 2. it was a general ezpiatwn,, (1) It occurred but once in the year. lt was to atone for iniquities, transgressions, and sins, which, through igno- rance, inadvertency, or perhaps neglect, had not been atoned for by ordinary sacrifices. Christ not only atones for particular sins, but for sin itself. (2) h was repeated every year. 'l'he utmost the Jewish priest could do was to call sin to remembrance, and point to e. greater than himself, who needed not to repeat his offering (see Heb. x. 1-3). III. THE DAY OP ATONEMENT WAS TO BE KEPr AS A SABBATH. L Jn it they wers to afftict their souls. (I) (See ver. 31 ; also Ps. xxxv. 13 ; Isa. !viii. 6, 7, 13 ; Dan. :x. 3, 12.) (2) Resting from the toil of the world, with afflicted souls, while their sins were called to their remembrance, suggests that repentance towards God must accompany faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts x.x. 21). 2. Jn ii they were to rest. (1) This suggested relief from the burden of sin. What a gracious sabbath in the soul is the sense of sins forgiven I (2) This would be e.11 the more expressive upon the year of jubilee, which, every forty-ninth year, came in on the Day of Atonement (eh. xxv. 9). 3. The time was the tenth day of the seventh month. (1) Dr. Lightfoot computes that this was the anniversary of the day on which Moses came the last time down from the mount, bringing with him the renewed tables, and having the glory shining in bis face. (2) Jesus appears literally to have ascended into the heavens, e.s his type passed behind the vail, on the tenth day of the seventh month (see reasoning conducting to this conclusion in the appendix of Mr. Guinness's work on 'The Approaching End of the Age'). It was the time of the vintage, and marks the fulness of the atonement (see Mark xii. 1-9 ; comp. Rev. xix. 15). (3) It may prove that, on some anniversary of this day, Jesns will come down from heaven, in e. glory i=easurably brighter than that in which Moses descended from the mount, to set up his kingdom upon this earth (see Acts i. 11). The vintage of his wrath upon his enemies precedes the sabbath of his kingdom.-J. A. M. Ver. 6.-.d solemn ceremony. There was risk involved in drawing nigh to the manifested presence of the Deity. God desired not that the judgment upon Ne.dab and Abihu should be repeated; rather would he be "sanctified" by reverent approach at appointed seasons in appointed ways. The Almighty can cause the wrath of man to praise him, but be prefers to be honoured by the affection that seeks diligently to observe his precepts. Hence the directions issued concerning the great Day of Atone- ment, on which the high priest was to come into closest contact with Jehovah. Let us consider those directions so far as they related to the purging away of the unclean- ness of the priests. l. THE FACT THAT THE HIGH PRIEST W.lB TO liUU ATONEMENT FOB HIMSELF AND HIS HOUSE, 1. It prevented pride, keeping alivs in his breast a sense of infirmity. The expression, "for his house," means his sons, and afterwards all who were of the priestly order. The pomp of office requires some guarantee against undue exaltation. A lofty position is apt to turn a weak man's head, and his fall becomes the more calamitous. It is certain that the highest in the Church of Christ cannot claim exemption from sin. 2. It enkindled sympathy with those for whom he had to exercise his saCTed functions (see this beautifully insisted on in the Epistle to Heb. v. 2, 3). Note likewise the superiority of Christ's sympathy because of exquisite holy tenderness of spiril, un- blunted by passion. Jesus Christ acquired a fellow-feeling by his humiliation in becoming man, e.nd in being tempted in all points like e.s we are, whereas Aaron was exalted to be a high priest, and needed to remember his humanity. If Aaron forgot this, and treated the worshippers gruffly, not only would their feelings be wounded, but his intercession would be so much the less efficacious, for even under the Law sentiment was requisite as well as symbol. 3. Its priority to tho atonemont made for the people emphasized the truth that only the cleansed can make others clean, only the sinless can rightly intercede for the sinful. Because Jesus Christ is holy, he sanctifies his followers. He who was eminently forgiving could pray to his Father to forgive his murderers. None but believers saved through grace should preach the gospel 4. It prophesied the eventual 11Upersession of Aaron's ordt1r by a perfect priesthood. There was evidence of defect in its very face. Not always could God be satisfied with or man rejoice in imperfect mediation. An intercessor needing forgiveness for himself, a 254 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [CH, XVI, 1-34-.