Vers. 33-44.-The Feast of Tabernacles (cf. Neh. viii. 17; Zech. xiv. 16). l. PRAIBE FOB ACCOMPLISHED REDEMPTION AND THE BOUNTEOUS GIFTS OF PROVIDENOE, Reminiscences of the wilderness life. Fact that Israel neglected the feast from Joshua. to Nehemiah, even in the time of great national prosperity in Solomon's reign, very instructive, pointing to ingratitude and unbelief. 'l'he religious life and the natural life blended. The joy of praise binding families together, and so nations and the world. IL The symbolical meaning of the feast-THE GLORY OF ISRAEL A?-'D THE ULTIMATE RESTITUTION OF .ALL THINGS. The prophecy of Zechariah (xiv. 16) not to be taken literally, otherwise its significance is narrowed; but as a spiritual anticipation of the enlargement of the true Church until it shall embrace the world. The gospel invites men to rejoice in the Lord. UL The feast on earth-A FORETASTE OF THE HIGHER LIFE OF HEAVEN. Dwelling in booths-temporary, frail, withering, yet by their nature, as pleasant places of shadow, pointing to the rest that remains for the people of God. The wilderness life leads on to the life of Canaan; the earthly festival to the heavenly; the frail tabernacle to the "city of habitations," "having foundations," etc.-R. Ver. 4.-Religious festivals. This chapter has been termed, from its contents, the Calendar of Feasts. Underneath much that has been abolished by the gospel, we can trace principles and truths of permanent application, invested with interest for the Christian as well as the Jewish Uhurch. Surface views are of little worth; if not mis- leading, they are at best transitory in nature. I. 'l'BoE RELIGION HAB ITS FEBTIVALB, The word rendered " feasts" iQ the tex.t me.ans OB, xxm, 1--4,f.] THE BOOK OF LEVITIOUB. 889
"fixed times;" but in ver. 6 "feast" is the translation of a word that signifies rejoicing, ,vhose expression Is dancing or processions. By their devotion to Jehovah, the Israelites were not to be continually shadowed in gloom, nor deprived of the legitimate mirth that attached even to heathen celebrations. Only they were to be the "feasts of the Lord," in his honour-not to the deification of Ba.a.Jim or Ashtaroth. "Rejoice in the Lord" is our privilege as Christiane, and to n,a.lize every privilege is also a duty. It is time that the popular idea were corrected which dissociates a profession of religion from all that savours of high enjoyment, - II. TBE OHARA0TERISTIO OF A FESTIVAL 18 THE GATHERING TOGETHER OF Goo's PEOPLE. "Convocation" gives the force of the original-it is "a place of callincr." Solitary joy does not constitute a feast of Jehovah. Just as some are prone to negl:Ct private meditation, so do others slight the public communion of saints. The chief promise of the Lord's presence is granted to those "assembling" in his name. We ought to make an effort to attend all the festivals of the Church; we are called to them, and are guilty of disobedience if, without reasonable excuse, we do not respond. Numbers exert an exhilarating influence upon the mind; a large meeting is generally inspiriting to all concerned. 'fhe gatherings, sometimes held apart from the tabernacle in accordance with the injunctions of this chapter, developed into the worship of the synagogue, the model of our services upon the Lord's day. III. HOLINESS IS THE PURPOSE, AND SHOULD BE THE RULING FEATURE, OF TBESJ!I GATHERINGS. They are termed "holy" convocations, and are thus disting11ished from the wild orgies of heathendom. Neither Roundhead austereness nor Cavalier licentious- ness is here designed. Especially should we aim in our modern religious meetings a.t edification; not indulging to excess in humour and levity, but preserving decorum whilst rising to intelligent, godly enthusiasm. By such a time of sacred gladness we shall prove the truth of the utterance, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." The apostle intimates (1 Cor. xi. 10) that our behaviour in Church assemblies should be governed by a knowledge of the fact that the angels are spectators. Let our au,,,aust visitors be treated with respect. So shall these meetings prove preparations for above, for the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn, and the innumerable hosts of angels. IV. THE FESTIVAL INVOLVES ABSTINENCE FROM SERVILE WORK. (Seever. 7.) The usual occupations are renounced, and rest, not of indolence, but of spiritual activity, is enjoyed. The good that thereby results to the physical and spiritual frame can hardly be overestimated. Energy and time are not wasted, but improved. It is well that a man should not be always trammelled by the claims of business, but discern that there are other obligations it is incumbent on him to discharge. The chain that never leaves the neck will eat itself into the flesh, and liberty become impossible. If the head be continually beut towards the earth, it will become a mntter of utmost difficulty to raise it to behold the heavens. To work at our worldly calling, to minister to the wauts of the body, is not the only or the noblest task we are expected to perform; the soul has its rights and needs, and Jehovah his prerogatives. V. FESTIVAL GATHERINGS ARE OF REGULAR RECURRENCE, "Which ye shall proolai.m in their ~easons." What is irregularly attended to is liable to be overlooked; what is anticipated can be prepared for. The weekly observance of a day of holy convocation prevents every pretext of forgetfulness aud insufficient notice, and reminds us, in addition, of the flight or time. The methodical man parcels out his days; and a regard for order is evident in all the precepts of Scripture,-S. R. A. Vera. 10, 11.-The beginning of harv~t. Advantage was taken of the long sojourn in the wilderness to promulgate and instruct the people in the Law, that they might be ready to execute its commandments as soon as full opportunity was afforded by a residence in a settled country. 'l'o dwell upon such future observances could not but strengthen the faith of the people iu God's intention to bring them eventually into the promised land. Of all the anticipations connected with that land, the most pleasing was the prospect of seeing the golden grain atanding in the fields inviting the reaper's sickle. I. THE BECOGN'ITION 01" Goo J.8 TBE GIVEB 01' ALL GOOD GIFTS. 1. Here he i• recognized a, the God of providence, whose kind hand enriches man with the fruits of t.ti:VITJOUI, ~ • 370 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [011. xx.m. 1--4,4,