The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 403

the obst!lclee which lie in the way of a complete and profitable reception of the blessings. II. IT WAB A REMINDER OD' HOW COMPLETELY GOD HAD TAKEN THE OBSTACLES OUT OF THE WAY, The week of unleavened bread was a period for joyous commemora- tion of the delivcmnce from Egypt; and by their offerings Israel recognised that the deliverance was entirely by the act of God. Israel did nothing but walk out of the prison-door when it was opened. This was an inestimable blessing, to be a free nation, even although a nation whose territory had yet to be gained. Liberty leads to all other blessings. We cannot rejoice too much in the spiritual liberty which Christ has achieved for the children of men. We are bound to commemorate it in fitting ways; ways adequate to glorify God, and to impress us more and more with the magnitude of the blessing we have gained. As to the particular mode of com- memoration, every Christian must judge for himself, as in the eight of God, with respect to the due season (ver. 2). Easter has come as a matter of fact to have special associations and special value for many. They feel that they have proved the worth of the season in their own experience, and can amply justify the observing of it. Those of us who live outside the traditions, the ha.bits of thinking, and the peculiar spirit fostered by the observance of an ecclesiastical year, can hardly claim to be competent judges of the value of such times and sea.sons. But mark one thing. No observance can be worth calling such unless it commemoratu an actual, personal deliverance. God not only put his strong hand on the gaoler Pharaoh, but drew forth the captive Israel. When Christ our passover was sacrificed for the children of men, he brought them into a new relation to God, one of possible reconciliation to him, and possible liberty for the whole man. How far the reconciliation and liberty shall be actual depends on our personal repentance and faith. III, THE PARTICULAR COMMEMORATIVE VALUE OD' THE UNLEAVENED BREAD. The people leaving Egypt were not allowed to finish the preparing of their bread accord- ing to their wont. They were hastened out of the land at a moment's notice. And it was not God who did this, as when the !lngels hastened Lot out of Sodom. The Israelites were thrust out by the Egyptians themselves. The gaoler himself was found !l fellow-labourer with the liberator. Thus the unleavened bread becomes an impressive reminder of the complete rupture which God makes between his people and their spiritual enemies. As there could be no mistake about the effect which was produced in Egypt by the death of the first-born, so there can be no mistake about the efficacy of the blow which God in Christ Jesus has dealt on our great spiritual adversary. That our S!lviour in his own person, and for himself, has com- pletely conquered sin, is a fact which we cannot dwell upon too much, !lS full of hope for ourselves and for a. sinful !lnd miserable world. IV. NOTE THE BEASON OD' THE YEAR IN WHICH THIS D'EAST WA.B OBSERVED. Jt happened in the first month of the year, made the first month on account of thi~ very deliverance. How devoutly would the true Israelite look upon the beginning of this month I Hail I new moon which brings near the season for celebrating the delivernnce from Egypt. Who can doubt that such a soul as Simeon kept the days of unleavened bread in the very spirit of them, living as he did in those d!lrk humili- ating times, which were Egypt over again, when the land of his fathers was captive, and the temple of his God neglected by its own custodians? It is the most fitting time to recollect the sure mercies of the past when we need a renewal and perhaps !ln increase of them. V. 'l'HE CONTINUAL OBLIGATION Oil' THE DAILY Ol!'FERING. The bondage in Egypt embittered the gifts of God, yet even then a patient and willing soul would find something to be thankful for. And when liberty came, if right thoughts ea.me with it, the gifts of God becoming 11v!lilable for use would inspire special thankfulness :for the mercy that had made them so. How much God's daily blessings should be heightened and sweetened in our esteem by the larger use which we can make ol' them !lS believers in Christ I We must not under-v!llue common, daily mercies even in the presence of God's unspeakable gift. He who is the brightness of tho Father's glory casts sometlling of that brightness on every gift of the Father's love. Th!lt is no right !lppreciation of God's mercy in Christ Jesus which does not lead us to !l better appreciation of every other mercy. God, whose preeence and power WI.' aro 39(1 THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. [otts. xxvm. 1 nrx.