The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 362

unclean were carefully prescribed. (3) And the high priest was not permitted to incur defilement by "going in to any dead body" under any circumstances whatever, not even "for his father, or for his mother" (ver. 11). 2. So, respecting marriage alliances : (1) the whole people were under certain severe prohibitions (Deut. vii. 3, 4); but (2) the priests were more circumscribed (ver. 7); and (3) the high priest was still more limited in his choice (vers. 13, 14). The Hebrew nation was holy unto the Lord, and was required to separate itself from the actions of surrounding peoples; the priests were peculiarly holy, and must, therefore, be especially careful to walk in purity; the high priest was, in position and function, the holiest of all, and on him it was most particu- larly incumbent to shnn every possible defilement, and to do that which was purest and worthiest in the sight of God. We have to consider what are- _ II. THE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THIS PRINCIPLE UNDER THE GOSPEL. 1. Respecting the avoidance ef evil, we may say that (1) the members of the Church of Christ are bound to avoid all appearance of wrong. 'l'hey who bear the Name of the holy Saviour, though humblest members of the smallest Church, are, as professed followers of his, bound to walk as becometh the gospel of Christ, in all purity of heart and blameless- ness of life; but (2) ministers of his Church, and their sons and daughters (vers. 9, 15), are especially bound to shun everything which would bring discredit on the holy Name of the Divine Redeemer (see 1 Tim. iii. 2-7; Titus i. 6-9). 2. And respecting the contraction ef intimate alliances (especially the life-long alliance, marriage), we may contend that (1) all who are the avowed followers of Christ are bound to be circumspect in this most important matter (see 1 Cor. vii. 39; 2 Cor. vi. 14). The subject of form- ing a life-long alliance, by which such serious spiritual consequences must inevitably follow to two human souls, and such great and immeasurable results may follow, affect- ing numbers of human hearts and lives, and reaching to the most distant time, is not to be dismissed to the region of harmless but helpless humour, nor is it to be left to the direction of careless fancy or of worldly policy; it is a matter for the exercise of the fullest, profoundest, heavenliest wisdom which man and woman can command. (2) Of those who minister in the Church of Christ, it is yet more urgently demanded that in the intimacies they form and the life-long friendships they contract, they shall have regard not to a transient whim, nor to worldly advantage, but, first and foremost, to the glory of Christ and the well-being of those whom they live to serve.-O. Vers. 16-24.-Unblemished service. We gain three truths from these verses, I. THE PRIMARY TRUTH, INTENDED FOR THE HEBREW NATION. The special instruction contained in this passage is that the altar of God was to be honoured in every possible way ; therefore to be preserved from everything that would bring it into disregard ; and therefore to be unapproa.ched by any priest who had a bodily blemish. It was im- possible for the people to dissociate the altar itself from those who ministered thereat; if, therefore, any physical disfigurement had been allowed, and those who were uncomely or misshapen had been permitted to officiate, the sacred ordinances of God would have suffered, in some degree, from the association in thought of the man with the thing. The priest with a blemish might not" come nigh unto the altar, . . . that he profane not my sanctuaries" (ver. 23). We may learn, in passing, that it is almost impossible to overestimate the influence for good or ill which is unconsciously exerted by those who minister, in any function, in tho Church of Christ on the popular estimate of their office. II. THE SECONDARY TRUTH, APPLICABLE TO UB ALL. In a typical system it is necessary that the body should frequently represent the soul, the organs of the one picturing the faculties of the other. The requirement of a perfect bodily frame on the part of those who "approached to offer the bread of their God" (ver. 17), intimated to them, and now indicates to us, the essential and eternal truth that the best is to be brought to the service of God: not that with which we can most easily part, but the very best that we can bring. 1. Not the unattractive servicll (" fiat nose," "scabbed," etc.), but that which is as beautiful and inviting in its form as we can make it. 2. Not unacquaintance with our subject (" a blind man">, but _the fullest possible acquisition and understanding. 3. Not an example which 1s defective, a walking which is irregular (a" lame man,"" crookbackt ''), but an upright, honour- able demeanour, "walking in the commandments of the Lord blameless." 4, Not  01L llL 1-24.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 827