was safe and salutary, Happiness, success, attaining the height of our hopes,-this is very apt to run into (1) unrestrained mirth, or (2) proud complacency of spirit, or (3) unchristian selfishness. So it becomes a curse to him who should be blessed. Let us take care to "rejoice before the Lord," to tum joy into gratitude, to go with our gladness into the sanctuary of the Lord, to consecrate our substance t-0 his service, to consult his will in the way in which we shall use our power or our opportunity; then will our increase and elevation, of whatever kind it be, prove a blessing, and not a bane to our- selves and to our neighbours. IV. THAT EARTHLY JOY IS THE JOY OF HAPPY PILGBlllAGE. Our earthly house is but a tabernacle (2 Cor. v. 1); it is to be eoo11 take11 doW!l and to give place to a "house in the heavens." We are, as the Hebrew nation, dwelling i11 booths. This is but a transitory condition; we must not think and act as if it were our" co11ti11uing city." Such joy as pilgrims have, who are ever looki11g forward to a blessed11ess to come, we may permit ourselves. But alas I for him who "has his reward" here, a11d looks for none hereafter, whose only heritage is in the "world that passeth away." Well is it for him whose holy happiness is a preparation for, and an anticipation of, the blessedness which is beyond, which abides and abounds for ever.-C. Vers.~1-44.-Thefestivals. Vers. 1-3, the sabbath. The three features of it are: the convocation ; the rest from all work ; the eabbath of the Lord in their dwellings. I. The PUBLIC WORSHIP of God is the main reason for the sabbath. "Holy convoca.. tion." Necessity that one day should be appointed, Importance of preserving that day of worship from distraction and disturbance. Influence of public worship on the general interests of religion, and therefore on the individual, community, and the world at large. II. REST. "Ye shall do no work." The physical necessity of an interval of rest. The moral importance of giving opportunity to the higher powers of the nation for free development, The reaction of the sabbath on the working capacity, both by physical recuperation and moral strength. The difference between God's Law and the "gospel of work" preached by many. The secularist empties life of its dignity and glory, and at last sacrifices it to the Molech of this world's necessities and pleasures. Ill. The sabbath of God is a 11.ADBATII IN OUR DWELLINGS. Religion sanctifies home life and family affection. Rest in the house of God is rest in tho house of man. The law of religion shields all life from injury, and cherishes the glad and happy in the midst of the laborious and troublesome. We should take care that the sabbath at home is both rest and worship, that it is not spent in idleness or even self-gratification, but, being given to God, becomes the more really our own-not by slavish regulatio11 of the hours, but by the spirit of worship pervading all our surroundings and employ- ments. 'l'he sanctuary and the home open into one another.-R. Vers. 4-8.-The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This may be regarded as the opening festival of the year, and the closing one was the Feast of Tabernacles; typically representing the life of God's people passing from redemption to restitution. 'l'he Jewish sacred year may be taken to represent the progress of Divine grace. The foundation of all is the Passover-redemption, the death of Christ the Paschal Lamb. The main ideas are- I. All true life resting on the truo beginning of peace and rest in the offering up of the Lamb of God for the sins of the world. II. All true holiness, bread without leaven, pure fruits of man's labour, offered to God, springs out of faith. Morality is an outcome of religion. Reconciliation with God is the beginning of the consecrated life. III. The Passover, a national celebration, set forth the true strength of the national life, as the life of God in the nation. The wortd can be renovated only as it is regarded as a world redeemed. Christianity is the only religion adapted to be a universal message to mankind. Hence its catholicity.-R. Vers, 9-14.-The first sheaf a wave offering of the harvest. Festival of firstfruits. May be viewed (1) naturally; (2) typically. I. 'l'he consecration of human life and its results to God. 1. As an expression of thankfulness and praise, 2, As an act of faith and hope. 868 THE BOOK OF LEVI'l'ICUS. [oIL xxm. 6-U,
II. TnroAL view of the firstfruits. 1. Christ the Firstfruits. In the Resurrection (1 Cor. xv. 20). Of humanity as renewed and restored to perfection. 2. The true doctrine of election, the firstfruits the pledge of the harvest. Israel separated from the world for the hope of the world. 3. Individually. Our present life consecrated is a pledge of future glory. We shall reap hereafter the full harvest of redemption. Pro- fession and dedication. The wave offering," before the Lord" and before his people, in the sanctuary; as a sacrifice; in the covenant.-R. Vers. 15-22.-Day of Pentecost (cf. Acts ii.). I. THE BLENDING TOGETHER OF THE NATURAL AND SPmITUAL LIVES. The harvest of the earthly labour, the harvest of grace. II. INTD!ATE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO FESTIVALS OF PASSOVER AND PENTE• cosT. The seven weeks', that is, week of weeks', interval, pointing to sacred bond between them. The fruits of righteousness are by Jesus Christ.. Pentecostal grace flows from redemption as a fountain, a.s summer from spring, as harvest from seed-time. III. HISTORICAL FULFILMENT of the idea of Pentecost in the outpouring of the Spirit, the ingathering of the firstfruits of the Christian Church, the beginning of the new life and new joy of the world. Christ arising and bringing forth fruit. Mingling together of the wave loaves and the bloody sacrifices, typical of the union of the work of Christ and the work of the Spirit. The sabbath in the harvest, the rest in the work, the true reward of life in the enjoyment of God. The mission of Christianity to the poor and the stranger. Universal joy. All the field brings forth blessed results for all the world.-R. Vers. 23-25.-The Feast of Trumpets. "A sabbath, a memorial, a holy convoca- tion." Probably recalling the giving of the Law from Mount Sinai. Therefore typical of the proclamation of the gospel,, which is the new law of love. I. The people of God unite together to spread the sound of the gospel in the world. II. They rejoice in it. It is a festival-a work which is sabbatical. III. It is i=ediately connected with the great Day of Atonement, and the pro- clamation will be no uncertain sound, but a distinct announcement of the saving truth set forth in the sacrificial death of Christ.-R. Vers. 2~2.-.The great Day of .Atonement (see on eh. xvi. 29-34).-R.