The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 391

allowed one representative man, the high priest, to·draw nigh unto him once a year. He certainly sent this honoured individual forth with his blessing, to encourage the people waiting without. But the whole arrangement of the Day of Atonement was on the principle of excluding the people until such times 11.9 they might profitably have closer access. "God sent his people," says an able writer," his blessing, to show them that he had not forgotten them. But he would not see them. Even the high priest saw but a very little of him at this annual solemn time. The cloud of fragrant incense filled the most holy place, and barred the view." 1 lL THERE 18 NOTHING so HUMILIATING AS THIS DENIAL OF ACCESS. On the Day of Atonement the people came to the tabernacle, and saw their select representative enjoy the privilege of drawing nigh to God all alone. Not a man of them dare venture beyond the vail. Nadab and Abihu, who seem to have done so, intoxicated by their elevation to the priesthood and perhaps also by wine, perished before the Lord. The Israelites felt at the tabernacle that they were an excluded people. This would lead to self- examination, and to repentance for the sin which excluded them. Doubtless the ritual of the great Day of Atonement would have a soothing effect upon their spirits. The blessing would fall upon their souls like balm. At the same time, they could not but feel that access to God was for them through a mediator, and that they were kept at a very humiliating distance. Ill. OUB GREAT HIGH PRIEST HAS GIVEN US THE REALITY OF ACOESS IN THAT HE HAS BECOME OUB FoBEBUNNER. This is the beautiful idea. suggested by the apostle in the Hebrews (vi. 20). Christ has not entered the holiest to enjoy a privilege in solitude. He hl!.S entered it as our Forerunner, to announce our approach. This applies, not only to the everlasting felicity of heaven, but also to present devotiona.J. access to God. Through him we are permitted to draw nigh. The vail is rent; therefore we draw near with holy boldness. We are no longer an excluded people, but in the enjoyment of close communion. When the vail was rent at the death of Jesus, the ordinary priests were thereby raised to the privilege of the high priest. All had alike access to God. Hence we are to live up to our privilege as believers; for we are priests unto God, and access is our right through the rending of the va.il of our Redeemer's flesh. Thus do we see the secret of penitence on the Day of Atonement, and how it is the preliminary arranged by the All-wise to communion with himself olose and eternal.- R. M. E. The pi1grim spirit as illUlltrated in the Feast of Tabernacles. Oh. xxiii. 33--43 ; er. Ps. xx.xix. 12; Heb. x.i. 13 ; 1 Pet. ii. 11. The seventh month was a very celebrated one in the Jewish year. It was the sabbatic month, so to speak, when religious services of the most important character took place. The Feast of Trumpets introduced the month, and joyful were the anticipations of blessing. Then on the tentli day, came the great ritual of atonement, with its penitential sadness. Then came, on the fifteenth day, the beginning of the Feast of 'l'abernacles. In the rainless harvest-time the people were expected, even after their settlement in Canaan, to spend a week in booths or tents, , and with boughs of goodly trees, with palm branches, and with willows of the brook to rejoice beforti God. Now this feast was- I. A 0ELEBRATION OF THE PILGRIMAGE OF THE WILDERNESS. It was "that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt" (ver. 43). It is most important to keep a great deliverance in mind. Hence the people were enjoined once a year to become pilgrims again, as their fathers had been. We should never forget how the Lord has led his people in every age out of bondage into pilgrimage and freedom as the avenue to rest. II. IT WAS A OELEBRATION OF THE DIVINE PBOVIBION IN THE WILDERNESS. For it was a harvest festival, and the fruits of the earth bad been gathered in before the feast began. Before them lay, so to speak, the bounties of God's providence, just as the manna lay morning by morning before their father~. God was praised, therefore, for crowning the year with his goodness, as their fathers praised him for crowning with bis l!,Oodness each day. It was consequently a eucharistic service in the highest degree. III. IT WAS A CELEBI\ATION OF THE STRANQJ,:[\ AND PlLGlllM SPIRIT WRICH Gou 1 To.it's' Thoughts for the Thoughtful,' p. 160, 856 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [ OH. xxm. 6-44.