II, WITH THIS IDEA OF THE MEANING OJI THE BACRIFICEB, GLANCE AT THEM SEPARATELY, When a complete round of sacrificial offerings was required, they were generally ma.de in a specified order: sin, or trespass, or occasionally both ; burnt; meat; peace, We may divide these into three groups. 1. Sin and trespass offerings setting forth the worshippers need of expiation. The prominent idea in both these is expiation. Israel stood before God in a state of reconciliation, yet needing constant pardon for offences committed in that state. These offerings were to meet that need. "He that is cleansed needeth not save to," etc.; but he needs that. In the law of these offerings (Lev. iv, and v.) we have sin confessed, judged, requiring blood-sherl- dini?, atoned for, and pardoned. The peculiarity of the trespass offering was that it was for sins which admitted of some sort of restitution. The teaching of these offerings is that .or the Christian's sins there is pardon through the blood of the Lamb, but the condition of which is penitence which tries to undo the wrong done. "I lay my sins on J esus,'1 etc. ; that is the sin offering. "Lord, if I have wronged any man, I restore unto him fourfolu;" that is the trespass offering. Where these are combined" it shall be forgiven him" (Lev. iv.). 2. Burnt and meat offerings expressing the worshipp~'s desire for dedication. These are classed together in Scripture (Numb. xv. 3, 4), and, unlike the former, they were both "sweet savour offerings unto the Lord." The law of the burnt offering is in Lev. i. This was the perpetual offering of God's covenant people, being offered every morning and evening. Every sabbath, every month, and at all the annual festivals, and indeed all through the night, when the altar was required for no other use, this sacrifice was slowly consuming. The idea of ijin needing expiation was here, but was not the prominent one. This could hardly refer to less than that perpetual self-dedication which is the natural result of acceptance by God. (Heads, legs, and inwards all burnt-thoughts, walk, affections.) With this was joined the meat offering. "Meat," equivalent to "food." Man's food is symbolic of man's life. Here we have the burnt offering over again, but with this addition-part of it was bestowed on the priest. See here the Christian law of dedication--a whole life given to God, but in being given to him given to his people. Christ was both Burnt Offering and Meat Offering. "I beseech you . . . present yourselves,'' etc.; that is the burnt offering. "'l.'o do good and to communicate," etc.; that is the meat offering. 3. The peace off~ing representing the t1'orshipper's enjoyment of fellowship. (Lev. iii.) Its peculiarity is that it was divided into three parts; one burnt as God's portion, one given to priests, and one retained by the offerer, who might invite his friends to partake of it. The idea of unworthiness was represented with the imposition of hands and sprinkled blood ; but the great idea was that, notwithstanding unworthiness, peace with God was realized, verified, enjoyed in fellowship. It was the token that the offerer was admitted to a standing in God's house, a seat at his table, communion and friendship. How much is involved when a mau can eat together with God and his family I This is fulfilled in Christ; in him God and man find common food; and when we partake of him we are drawn into closest nearness to the Father. This is the peace offering-" Truly our fellowship is with the Father." Expiation, dedication, fellowship, complete Christian life. Ill. SUM Ul' ALL THIS IN THREE PRAOTI0AL WORDS. 1. The privileges here symbolized are to be fulfilled by the Christian Church. "See here," aa.ys God to us," the blessing3 you believers may enjoy I" Do we enjoy them? Unless we do we are no better for living under the Christian dispensation, and the Jew was as rich as we. 2. These privileges were only possible at the sacrificial altar. All five offerings were made at the brazen altar used on the Day of Atonement. All our Christian privileg;es flow from the cross of Christ, and can only be fulfilled as we fulfil them there. 3. These privileges only belong to those for wh<m1 the Day of Atonement avails. Only for them-but for them. If we cannot offer the unpardoned sinner these, we can offer him a shlll'B in the great essential preceding .. toning work.-C. N.
Vere. 6-13.-The Day of Atonement fulfilled, and it, imp~fect blessings per- fi,;t,;,j in Christ. In denting with the abolition of the types of the old economy since their fulfilment in the high priesthood of Christ ( eh. ix.-x. 18), the wri&er comes here to dwell on the Jewish Day of Atonement. 'l'hat day is the key to these and following verses, and the most forcible illustration of our Lord's high priestly work. This day was at tho basis of the Jewish system; by its senices, Israel's covenant relation to 264: THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. [OH, IX, 1-28,