The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 290

purifier who bad oonHtantly to cleanse himself, pointed to the advent of One who should have no need to offer up yearly sacrifice on his own account, whose purity should be real, not merely ceremonial and symbolical. IT. THE CEREMONY ENJOINED. 1. The attire. The gorgeous clothing of colour, gold, bells, and pomegranates, was laid aside, the whole body washed in water and a garb of wh_ite linen donned. It we.~ a day in_ which the fact of sin was promine~t, and splendour ill befitted such an occasion. Besides, the high priest was not to look upo11 himself this day as representing God to the people, but as presenting the people to God, and a humble demeanour, indicatoo by plain attire, was appropriate to this function. Then, too, the white linen spoke of the holiness which the day's servicea were to secnre. It was the garment of salvation, in which God manifested his willing- ness to be the Sa~our of the people. from. their sins. 2. The sacrifices, e. sin offering and a burnt offermg. Leavmg cons1derat1on for the present of what was peculiar to the day in the former, here note (1) that a harmony is observable in all God's laws. Whilst this sin offering had its special rites, in other respects it was to be treated according to the general rules-a portion consumed on the altar, and the carcase burnt outside the camp. A likeness is traceable in the dealings of God, whether ordinary or extraordinary. Underlying features are discerned similar to those ascertained in other departments. Miracles have their customary analogies and laws; the operations of the Spirit proceed on familiar lines and principles; the worship and service of heaven will present some of the aspects that have marked the gatherings in the sanctuaries of earth. (2) Again we observe how purification precedes consecration. The burnt offering followed the sin offering. After fresh ablution, the high priest arrayed himself in his usual vestments, and proceeded to place the holocaust upon the altar, to be the emblem of unreserved surrender to God's glory. Having been bought with the precious blood of Christ, and thus redeemed from sin, we are enabled to dedicate ourselves to the service of God. It is in vain that men attempt the latter without the former. 3. The entrance into the holy of holies. How solemn and full of awe the moment in which the priest drew aside the vail and came near to the Divine presence I He was alone with God I It was dark but for the mysterious light that appeared between the chernbim, and the glowing coals on which he put the incense. Not too clearly might man contemplate even" the cloud" that was the enwrapment of Jehovah; the cloud of incense must cast an additional covering over the mercy-seat. Not lingering to indulge profane curiosity, the high priest sprinkled the blood of the sin offering upon the front of the mercy-seat, and upon the floor of the holy place. What a view was thus obtained of the majesty of God! what thoughts of his condescension in permitting a sinful creature to have such access to him I May not we learn the impiety of seeking to pry too closely into the mysteries of the Divine existence? Prayer becomes us in appearing before him; then do we know most of God, and protect ourselves from death. And the prayer is made efficacious through the atoning blood. The ark containing the commandments which we have transgressed is covered by the golden plate of Divine mercy, and that mercy is everlastingly secured by the atonement wherewith it is honoured and appealed to. CoNCLUSION. The privilege of the high priest was nothing to what we enjoy. What boldness we may use in entr.ring into the holiest by the blood of Jesus I What remission of sins what freedom from guilt, what liberty aud gladness are ours I Our High Priest has ~tered as <Y/18 Forerunner, not for us merely, into heaven itself (Heb. ix. 8). .AB Aaron came forth from th~ sanctu_ary to the Isr~elites, so shal,\ Ch~iijt appear, apart from sin, to them that we.it for him unto salvation. He shall receive us unto himself."-S. R. A. Vera. 29-34-.-The Day of Atonement, This was a day second to none in import- ance. The rites then celebrated were the most a.we-inspiring of a.II, and concerned the whole nation, which stood watching outside the sacred enclosure of the ~berne.cle. Not the slighte6t deviation from the established ritual was allowable; 1t was too significant and solemn in character to permit of alteration. I. It was A DAY OF UNIVERSAL ATONEMENT. The high priest made atonement for himself and the order of priests, for the people of the congregation, for the brazen altar, for the tabernacle, and for the sanctuary. Thus was taught the truth that sin OH, XVL 1-34,) THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 255