candlestick itself. They were to keep the light of God burning in the world. It ie incumbent on Christians to SUJ>port the ministry and the operations of the Church that there may be a continual testimony to the existence and majesty of the Eternal. ' God. ,·equires us to render the best service at our command, It must be pure. The candle- stick was of gold, as were the tongs and snuff-dishes, and the oil was of finest quality f:ee from dust~ not crushed, but beaten.. If preparing a meal for one we lightly esteem: little trouble 1s taken, but where we delight to honour our guest, what anxiety is dis- played in all that concerns the banquet I Our devotion must be regular. The lamps were l~t each .evening, tri_mme~ and dressed ever~}norning. That the full light did not shme dunng the day 1S evident from 1 Sam. Ill, 3. Josephus, however, says that three of the lamps burnt all day long. The lamp is said to" ascend," it rises to heaven as a tribute of adoration to God. We may think of him as viewing his world and expecting light to arise from different quarters where his children dwell. But how'often must disappointment accrue I No morning perusal of his Word, no evening worship. A mother on her birthday delights to turn over the letters from her children, that greet her upon her plate, but if one familiar handwriting be missed, what a shadow darkens her joy I The chill that creeps over her heart seems to nullify the gladness which the tokens of remembrance cause. Let not God have to sigh over our neglect. All is accepted through the priesthood. No Levite or layman must enter the holy precincts, the priests represent and are supported by the people. Jesus Christ is our means of access to the Father; through him our service is acceptable. To venture to draw nigh in our name is presumption; it sets at naught the solemn regulations of the Most High, and it will receive the rebuke it merits. The Son of man must walk in the midst of our golden candlesticks, or else we know not that they are in accordance with the Divine mind; and only thus can we hear the exhortations that shall prevent the candlestick from being removed out of its place because of failure to discharge its proper functions, -S.R.A.
Vere. 5-9.-17!e shew'bread. The furniture and ministry of the tabernacle are most clearly understood in import, if it be remembered that they have a double reference. Like the clouds of the sky, one aspect is towards heaven, the other towards earth. In the ordinance of the shewbread, we may see imaged truths relating to God, and truths with more immediate reference to the position and duties of his people. L Gon AB THE PRESERVER OF LIFE, Food was essential to the conception of the tabernacle as the house of God. Unless he minister to the needs of his servants, they perish for lack of s11Stenance. " My Father giveth you the true Bread from heaven." The shewbread is literally the" bread of my face," or presence. Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, appears continually before the presence of God. God is never '/J/Tl,provided with entertainment for his guests. He is able also to supply the wants of all his peop~. Twelve loaves indicate that every tribe is remembered. As we think of the shewbread, let it point us to him who pointed to the Bread upon the table of the last Supper and said, "This is my body.n He was truly of the finest of the wheat, no corruption marred his perfection. He was prepared to be the Bread of the world by many sufferings, just as the flour of the shewbread underwent numerous poundings and bruisings, IL THE PEOPLE OONTBIBOTING THE BBEAD OF Gon. A parent bestows an allowance upon his children, and is none the less pleased when they devote & portion of it to purchasing some offering of regard to present to him. So from God do we derive all we possess; it is really his, and yet he graciously accepts as our gift to him what we con- secrate to hie service. This shewbread represented the result of toil in tilling, sowing, and reaping. The Israelites were expected to offer of the best of their property. Only fine wheaten flour is accepted to be placed upon the table. Love should secure this attention if naught else suffices. All the people are bound to be represented before God. The twelve cakes testified that God was reverenced and served by all the tribes. The duty one of perpetual and unceasing obligation. It recurred every week, and devolved on each succeeding generation. The continual observance of God's statutes is the token of the covenant. The shewbread/erf=d with incense. 'l'he loaves were accepted indirectly by God, being consume by hie coll8ecrated servants, but the incense was burned as God's special memorial. Prayer hallows every offering, without it our deeds and gifts le.ck the religious spirit that is the real honouring of God. And prayer OH, XXIV. 10-23,] THE BOOK OF LEVITIOUS. 383
&bouldever be ln the Name of Christ, whOBe merits impart fragrance to our unworthy presentations. We mwt not rest satiafied. wieh WIT' former religUY11,s deeds. The offering of last week needs to be repeated, else it will grow stale and be offensive t.o God. With every day, in fact, should come a rededication. A1J our physical frame is in constant flux, so is it with our thoughts and emotions; they are really new, and must ill their turn be laid before God.---S. R. A.