The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 406

Vere. 40-43.-The Feaat of Tabernacle,. There were three great festivals for the Israelites, the dates for which were plainly marked, and at which time~ it behoved the males of the nation as far as possible to be present at the sanctuary. It is the last of these we are about to consider. The regulations for its observance were enunciated in fullest detail. Were not the people thus reminded that they assisted in the celebration of the ceremonies of a royal court? The Christian Church has its festivals, prominent among which are ite gatherings on the Lord's day, and the observance of the Lord's Supper. Much of what can be said with reference to the Israelitish feasts is applicable also to the latter. I. Tms WAS THE HOST JOYOUS OF THE FEBTIVAL8. "Ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God." 1. See God's delight in the happineu of his pwple. He loves to witness their rejoicing. Religion was never intended to be synonymous with gloom or moroseness. 2. This was the crowning fe,,tival of the year, and therefore ought to be its climax of joy. For the child of God better days are ever in store; he need never pine for the past to return; each festival shall surpass the preceding. Jesns keeps the best wine till the last; not so with the world's pleasures. 3. It took place five days after the solemn Day of Atonement, when the national sin was purged, and Israel's communion with its God re-established. To confe,,s sin and obtain pardon is the fitting preparation/or gladnBSs of heart. No man who has not experienced the feeling of relief from the burden of guilt and the emotion ea.used by restoration to his heavenly Father's favour, knows the meaning of real joy. Compared with this the delights of sense and intellect a.re flavourless. 4. Joy ?'eaches its highe,,t exprBSsion in the pre,,ence of God. "Rejoice before the Lord," even the holy righteous God who searches the heart and tries the reins. We may without pride know that we have done what was right, and that the Being of beings approves our conduct and graces the festival with the light of his countenance. Thore is none of the secret misgiving that attends sinful banquets, where the laugh is hollow and the gaiety forced, ;from a conviction that conscience is being silenced and moral law violated. Cf. the rejoicing of the people, and the terror of Adonija.h and his guests (1 Kings i. 40, 49). David danced :ror glee before tho Lord when the sacred ark was brought into the city of David. "Rejoice, 0 daughter of Zion, for thy king cometh unto thee." We would fain have the children glad when it is said, "Let us go unto the house of the Lord." II. THIS WAS A FESTIVAL OF GRATITUDE FOR RECENT BLl'!BBINGS. 1. Another name for it was the Feast of Ingathering. All the produce of the ground had been garnered, the Lord had blessed them in a.11 their increase-corn, oil, and wine; daily food and luxuries abounded ; the booths were constructed of fruit trees nnd leafy palms. God's bounteous bestowment was acknowledged. Spiritual and temporal mercies had enriched the people and evoked manifestations of thanksgiving. So visibly dependent is man upon God for the germinating and maturing of the grain and fruit, that a harvest thanksgiving seems peculiarly appropriate, end again at the storing of the harvest, when the work for the year is practically ended, a festival is of evident fitness. The com- passions of the Lord," new every morning," furnish ample matter for devout meditation and praise. 2. This feature of the f e,,tival waa a reason why all shO'U,ld share in it, not only the wealthy, high-born Israelites, but the strangers, the fatherless, the widow, and the poor (Deut. xvi. 14). God allows hie sun to shine and rain to descend upon all, and he expects those who receive his lavish gifts to invite others to participate in the oojoyment thereof. Anticipating our Lord's directions to summon to a feast the poor and maimed and blind the Israelites were accustomed to " send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared." Selfish exclusion was thus prevented, and universal rejoicing made possible. 3. .dn offering to God f1'om each was essential. " They shall not appear before the Lord empty; every man shall give as he is able" (Deut. xvi. 17). Speech and sentiment without deeds are rightly deemed insincere. It is true of all converts from heathendom that when they give of their substance to God we may infer that they have first given him their hearts. The priests aud Levites were in part supported by these national free-will presentations. If we esteem the Master, we shall treat his servants well for his sake. ill. TBIB WAS A COJOIEMOBATION OF FOBHEB BLl'!SSINGB. During seven days the Israelites dwelt in booths made of green boughs to remind them of the days when they sojourned in the wilderness (ver. 43). 1, Pr011wua ea:perience may well be remembered.  THE BOOK OF LEVI'l'ICUS. [en. XXIV, 1-9.