I. TnE MEANIN(l OF THE EXPRESSION. Inheritance-equal to lot, part, share. ln- beritance in families-the share which ench receives of the patrimony. In the partition of Canaan, each trihe had its lot, its portion, its share. God's portion or inheritance wns the tithes, with the prescribed parts of the sacrifices, the firstfruits, etc. Levi had as his portion God himself, involving a share of the provision from God's table (ver. 1). II. 'l'nE GRANDEUR OF TTIE TRUTH. 1. The believer posses.ie.9 God. God ls a better possession for the soul than any of his gifts. " It is a thought which lies at the founcl.a- tlon of all true religion, that God himself is the Supreme Good, the true and real portion of the soul. . . . More intimately than light becomes the possession of the eye on which it streams, or air of the organs of breathing which inhale it, or the food we eat, assimi- lated and diffused through the physical system, incorporates itself with the nature l)f him who partakes of it, does he, that Infinite One, the Light of all our seein:,-, the Bread of Life, the nutriment of our highest being, become the deep inward portion of ench soul that loves him" (Caird, sermon on 'The Christian's Heritage'). 2. In possessi'Tl'J God, the believer possesses all things. And this, though in an outward sense he has nothing (2 Cor. vi. 10; cf. 1 Cor. iii. 21-23). (1) God provides for him out of the fulness at his command. Possessing God, the Possessor of all, he knows that he will want .1' no good thing" (Ps. lxxxiv. 11). Temporally and spiritually, he will be provided for, kept, saved, delivered (Ps. xxxvii. 3, 9, 11, 25, 34; cxxi. ; Isa. xxxiii. Hi; Matt. vi. 33; Eph. i. 3). (2) All things work together for his good (Rom. viii. 28). (:cl) He perceives and enjoys God in all things, as none else can (Ps. civ.). (4) He is one of the" heirs of Gcid" in "the times of the restitution of all things" (Acts iii. 24), when the redeemed enter on their glory (Matt. xxv. 34). Let the saint reflect on his in- heritance in God. (1) How surpassingly rich it is! (2) How delightsome it is! (P~. xvi. 6). (3) How enduring it is-eternal! (2 Cor. iv. 17, 18). (4) How all-satisfying it is I (Ps. lxxiii. 26).-J. 0. Ver. 5.-The priesthood. Israel, as a holy nation, consecrated to God's service, wns "a kingdom of priests" (Exod. xix. 6). This priestly character of the nation was represented formally in the tribe of Levi. The distinctive duties of the priesthood were discharged by the sons of'Aaron, who were thus the priests strictly so called. I. THE PRIESTHOOD IN ITSELF. 1. Chosen and set apart by God. "Chosen him out of all thy tribes." 2. Holy, indicated by bodily perfection (Lev. xxi. 16-24), holy garments (Exod. xxxix.), rites of dedication (Lev. viii.), ceremonial regulations an<l restrictions (Lev. xxi., etc.). 3. Represented the people before God (Exod. xxviii. 12). 4. Made propitiation for sins (Hcb. v. 1). 5. Gave forth oracles (Numb. x:i.:vii. 21). 6. Had for these purposes the right of approach to God. II. 'l'HE PRIESTHOOD AS TYPICAL. l. Of Christ. The high priest, in particular, was typical of Christ as (1) the One Medium of approach to God (John xiv. 6; 1 Tim. ii. 5). (2) Inherently holy, absolutely without sin (2 Cor. v. 21). (3) Representing the Church before God in his person, work, and intercession (Heb. iv. 14). (4) In his having made reconciliation for the sins of the people-himself both Priest and Sacrifice (Heb. ii. 17 ; x. 12). (5) In being the organ of Divine revelations (Matt. xi. 27). (6) For this priestly work-to which he was divinely ordained (Heb.' v. 5)-Christ has free and immediate access to the holiest of all, and has gained admission to the same for his people (Heb. ix. 12; x. 19). 2. Of believers. (1) Chosen (Ps. !xv. 4). (2) Consecrated (1 Cor. i. 2). (3) Having freedom of approach to God (Heb. x. 19). (4) Offering spiritual sacrifices (1 Pet. ii. 5). (5) Interceding for the world.-J. 0.
Vers. 6--8.-Love to the sanctuary. God loves those who love the sanctuary. I. LOVE TO THE SANCTUARY SEEN. 1. In desire for it (ver. 6). 2. In pain at being deprived of its ordinances (Ps. xiii. 1-7; lxiii.; lx::u:iv.). 3. In overstepping the bounds of bare duty in attendance on it (ver. 6). II. LOVE TO THE SANCTUARY REWARDED. 1. By acceptance of those repairing to it. 2, By provision made for them (Ps. lxiii. 6).-J. 0.
Vera. 9-14.-Magic. I. A STERN PROHIBITION OF CANAANIUSH PRACTICES. The practice of magic is known to have been extensively developed in ancient Egypt and Chaldca. Numerous indications occur of its existence among the Cauaanites 314 TI1E BOOK OF DEU'l'~RONOMY. ton, XVUI. 1-22,