The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 49

TheHe principles nro apoci111ly exemplified in the sacrificial system, which was thfl centre of the ceremoninl luw, nnd the key to 1111 its observances and requirements. The qlloslion of tho typical meoning of these, that is, the 11spect of the Mosaical riteR nnd ceremonies, when viewed in the full knowledge of the realities of the gospel, as figures of the work of Christ, lies outside our present argument, the object of which is to exnmine the system simply in its character of law, and, therefore, in the aspect in which it presented itself to those who were under the law. It is, however important to observe, thnt in studying the question of the typical and allegorical mean- ing of Holy Scripture, the only safegunrd against fanciful and unprofitable specu- lations is to be found in the spirit which underlies the letter; for example, in the typical interpretation of the law, by observing first of all the spiritual meaning of the observance for those to whom it was commanded. 50. In sacrifice, the primary idea, as represented by the word mincliali,-originally applied in Scripture 1 to 1111 offerings to God, though limited under the law to vegetable offerings,-is that of a gift expressive of the faith and gratitude of the offerer. Yet the trutb,-first indicated by God's acceptance of Abel's offering of "the first-fruits of his flock and t.he fat thereof," then confirmed in the covenant of mercy made with Noah, and afterwards, yet more expressly, by the Divine command given to Abram in the ratification of God's covenant with him,2-that the most suitable offering to God was that of a life, not merely to be dedicated to his service, but to be poure,l out at his altar, certainly involves, and cannot but have conveyed to the mind of the worshipper, the idea of propitiation for sin, and of the forgiveness of sin, through shedding of blood, 8 This mystery of the offering of life as the means of holding communion with a holy God was, no doubt, at first dimly apprehended ; yet it could not fail to· be associated with the knowledge, which St. Paul 4 says that man ha1 by nature, that sin deserves death. There was, however, one event in the history of the chosen family that must have greatly .intensified the mysterious awe witla which the burnt offering was regarded ; I mean the co=and given to .Abraharm to offer up as a burnt sacrifice his own son Isaac in whom the promises were given. followed by the substitution for Isaac of a ram divinely provided. It could not but be felt, hereafter, whenever a sacrifice was offered, that the victim did in som11 mysterious way represent the promised seed. There is also another idea connected with sacrifice, that of fellowship through eating the flesh of the victim, which it would seem was recognised before the giving of the law, 6 and which certafoly was g·eneral in the later heathen world. The passover, instituted be_fore the giving of the law, though anticipatory of it and afterwards embodied in it, was specially such a feast of fellowship with God and, his people. Thus the ideas associated with sacrifice gradually grew in the minds of God's servants, until the time came when the law should exhibit them more distinctly and definitely, and should not merely through these figures direct the minds o:t: the worshippers to better things to come, but also assert, by Divine authority, the necessity of the principles of worship thus expressed, to the service of the one true God. We need but touch on the several points in which the law affected the worship of God through sacrifice. 51. (1) First, it determined the minister of sacrifice and of all religious offices. 1 Gen. iv. 8-5. 2 Gen. xv. 8, &c. 8 See Job i. 5; xiii. 8 11s an evidence of the idea Qf atonement for sin being involveJ in burnt offerings, independently of the law of Moses. '6 Rom i. 82. Cf, Exod. xviii. 12. The word lechein which is translated II bread" is simply "food," and the flesh of thA sacrifice is frequently called God's lechem. Levit. xxii. 30, andpC>.ioim ,· M:111. i. 7.  INTRODUCTION TO THE PENTATEUCH.