The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 81

duties, at times of holy festival and Divine forgiveness. Others might utter idle, powerleRs good wishes, sinking with oft petition into mere politeness. The priest's words officiall solemn, spoken from the tubernncle. Thns they expressed the perma- nent good will of God, in spite of nil negligence nnd forgetfulness towards him. We have a better Aaron, seeing perfection was not by the Levitical priesthood. The life and work of Jesus give one long and various utterance of this benediction. He the Minister of the sanctuary and true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man. God's good will to the true Israel is expressed in no doubtful, grudging way in Jesus. All that Aaron said to the people in respect of temporal blessings, Jesus says to the spiritual seed of Abraham in respect of spiritual blessings. II. THE ELEMENTS OP' THE BENEDICTION. 1. As to the atti,1,ude of God. (1) He blesses, which we may take to mean an expression of his favourabfe disposition, in the most general sense of the term. "Let it be an understood thing, 0 Israel, that God favours you." In the eyes not only of Israelites, but of other nations, it was a serious thing to be under the favour or frown of Deity. Favour meant the beet of good, frown the worst of evil. Balak thought all hie ends would be served if he could get Balaam only to curse the Israelites. Thus there would come on them in some mysterious but certain way o.n irresistible blight. (2) He ma/us his face to shine. The sun may and does bless even when not shining, but shining it speaks for itself. The Lord is a S1tn as well as a sl.ield, 11 sight that is sweet, and a pleasant thing for the eyes to behold. The face of Jesus shone as the sun upon the mount of transfiguration. (3) He lifts up_ his countenance. What expressiveness there is in the face I The language of men e tongues was confounded at Babel, but the language of the countenance all Babel'e confusion could not touch. The language of the face needs no interpreter. When we see the face of a fellow-man shining, and his countenance lifted on us, then we know he will help us if he can. Just so sure were the Israelites to be of God's interest in them. No intennediate voice was needed to maintain the reality of his good will. And we -are to behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus. "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." Anrl he who has seen Jesus knows all the grace in those features, how his countenance is e'l"er lifted on the unstable, wandering children of men. 2. As to the communications which God makes. (I) He keeps his people. Security the first of blessings to those who ha,·e much to lose. The rich man had increase of goods, and built bigger barns, but the barns could not keep him against death. Perhaps it is worthy of note tlrnt in l\latt. vi. is the warning to keep our treasures in lieaven. Not until we come to l\fatt. xiii. is the pearl of great price set before us. Insecurity was the mark of Eden. Gorl's face shone, his countenance was lifted up on Adam and Eve, bnt h"l wamc,1 them there was danger in the midst of nil their blessings. Perfect security belongs to the New Jerusalem. He who crept into Eden can never be found where entercth nothing that defileth or mnketh a lie. (2) lie is gracious to tliem. He lieaps on them tokens of bis favour, just as one friend heaps presents on another. If we see one person enjoying a great number of gifts from another, we judge that ho is regarded with special interest. There are gifts to the evil and the good, the common attendants of nature, but there are special gifts for God's own people. Saved from Egypt, they might have been turned loose in the wilderness, but instend they were guided through into the promised land. (3) He giv~ peace. His lifted countennnce and benignant eye speak reconciliation so soon as the atonement is offered and the fruits meet for repentance brought forth. If his people are at peo.ce with him, in hearty and diligent obedience, what matter all other foes? God's benediction then, thus considered, appears suitable to man's needs, and perfectly definite. Our trust and expectation should agree with who.t is n benediction to us through Christ, as much as it was to the Israelites through Aaron.-Y.  58 THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. [ea. VII. 1-89.