out theRe verees two pRSsages e.re cited from the Old Testament, to illustrate the contrRBt between the !age.I offerings e.nd the e.tonement of the Lord ,Jesus. The infinite merit of his sacrifice is conspicuous, whatever the aspect in which it is viewed. 1. _Christ's sa.ti~facti?n has shown that obediencs is the t~ue. sacrifice. (Vers. 5-9.) 'l'o !,llus~rate this. pomt the writer quotes from e. Mess1amc psalm (Ps. xl. 6-8). God delights not m the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats." The legal sacrifices were useful only as types of the sacrifice of Christ, and his blood is tha symbol of his own perfect obedience as our Substitute. His sacrifice of himself was the offerin11 of an obedient will. He was" obedient unto death." The" ears" which God had pie~ced for_ him (Ps. xl. 6) were ever swift to hear the Divine commands, and the "body" 'l\•luch he had prepared for him (Heh. x. 5) readily submitted itself to the Divine will. In coming to the world, and in dying for man's redemption, Jesus was "doin"' the will" of his Father. His voluntary "obedience unto death" has swept away fo; ever the Le\·itical sin offerings, and his people can now serve God acceptably only by sprinkling themselves with his blood, and then "presenting their bodies a living sacrifice." 2. Christ's satisfaction has accomplished the removal of guilt. (Vers.10-14.) His people are '' sanctified," i.e. cleansed from guilt, "through the offering of his body once for all." The Aaronical priests always stood at their work; they never sat down in the tabernacle. Indeed, no seats were provided for them there. Their constant standing was suggestive of the fact that the ever-repeated sacrifices were of no avail for the pardon of transgression. But our high Priest, after his one offering of himself as a sacrificial Victim, sat down in the most honourable place of the heavenly holy of holies, and still continues to sit there. His very attitude shows that he has fully accomplished the end contemplated by his sacrifice. His completed atonement, besides being the purchase of his mediatorial royalty and the pledge of his final victory over his enemies, has also "perfected" his people "for ever" as regards their justification. 3. Christ's satusfactiun takes away the remembrance of sin. (Vers. 15-18.) The Prophet Jeremiah, in his oracle about the new covenant, had predicted this (Jer. xxxi. 34). After the sacrifice of Calvary, tbere would be no more need for the annual expiatory rite on the Day of Atonement-a ceremony which, in fact, had only served tu bring sins to remembrance. Now that the great redemption has been accomplished, the iniquities of the believer are really swept away and put an end to. God blots them out. He casts them behind his back. He makes them as though they had never been. And this obliteration evinces the absolute perfection of the e.tonement, and certifies the abolition of the Hebrew sacrifices.
Vers. 19--25.-The !J'l'eat admonition. Having completed his elaborate argument, and concluded the doctrin&l. part of the treatise, the author we.rmly exhorts the Hebrews to maintain their Christian steadfastness. The appeal contained in these verses collects into a focus of intense light and heat the main teaching of this weighty book. The paragraph before us may be regarded as the centre of gravity of the Epistle. It is also the key-note of the impressive representations and the loving counsels which occupy the remaining pages. I. 'l'HE DELIEVER's PRIVILEGES. (Vers. 19-21.) The word "therefore" introduces a brief summary of what precedes in the long section devoted to the priesthood of Christ (eh. iv. 14-x. 18). The grand substantive blessing of the gospel is that of access to God ; and this has been secured in connection with : 1. An accepted SaC'l'ifice. (\' er. HI.) Ch. x. 1-18 treats of this. Jesus has gone into heaven with his own blood, and has been allowed to sprinkle it upon the mercy-seat. His blood has expiated the sins which debarred men from standing in the Divine pnisence. Washed in it, the penitent sinner may draw near to God with confidence. 2. An opened sanctuary. (Vers. 19, 20.) Ch. ix. discusses this branch of the subject. Christians are admitted into a far nobler holy of holies than that from which ancient Israel were excluded. "A new and living way" to the Father has been opened up by Jesus; and it shall always be "new," becaU80, in fact, the "living" Saviour is himself the Way. 'l'he breaking of hiB body upon the cross was like the rending of " the veil," for it opened up the mercy-seat to man. 3. A glorious Intercessor. (Ver. 21.) Ch. vii. treats of the might and majeHty of this "great Priest." Through the merit of Christ's blood the believer takes his place immediately in front of the throne ; and then, through the CH, X, 1-39,] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 273
mcc!i~tion of the Saviour, who stands by his side, he is graciously maintained in this pos1t10D. "Holiness on tho head, Light 11,nd perfections on the breast, HMmouioue belle below, raising the dead To le0,d them unto life and rest; Thus are true Aarons dreet.