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6
TRtZCK THROUGH THR 818 LT
A. Dedication. B. Mediation. C. Separation. D. Consecration. E. Ratification.
The Offerings, The Priests. The People. j The Feasts. The Signs.
1. —vii. viii.—x. xi.—xxii. xxiii., xxiv. xxv. —xxvii.
The Provision for The Appropriation of The Conditions of The Benefits of Ap- _ , _ , x .
Approach. the Provision. Appropriation. proach. Symbols of Relation.
I. The Offerings. I. Consecration of I. A People God- I. The Feasts, xxiii. '' ®^l*9 a tory.
i.—vi. 7 the Priests. governed. i. The Sabbath. XXV ‘ xxv *’
... . . ... i o i. The Land Sab-
Worship. . viii. xi.—xvn. 1-3
1. Burnt Offer- i. Preparation. i. Os Health. ii. The Passover. *
ing. i. 1-9 xi. —xv. 4, 5 ... _ .
ii. Meal Offering. ii. Anointing. ii. The Day of iii. Unleavened m ’ xnortanons -
ii. 10-24 Atonement. Bread. 6-8 xxvi.
iii. Peace Offer- iii. Sacrifice and | xvi. iv. First fruits.
ing. iii. new Anoint- iii. General In- 9-14
iv. Sin Offering. ing. 25-36 structions v. Pentecost.
iv. concerning 15-22
v. Trespass Offer- Sacrifices. vi. Trumpets.
ing v . — V i # 7 xvii. 23-25
vii. Atonement.
11. The Laws of the 11. The Priests at ||. A People God- 26-32 11. Voluntary, xxvii.
Offerings. Work. ix. manifesting. viii. Tabernacles. Vows.
vi. B—vii.8 —vii. I. Offerings for xviii.—xxii. 33-44
The Worshipper. themselves. i. Separation
i. Burnt Offer- 1-14 from evil 11. Symbols of Con
ing. vi. 8-13 ii. Offerings for practices. secration.
ii. Meal Offering. the People. xviii. xxiv. 1-9
14-23 15-24 ii. Laws against 1. The Oil. 1-4
iii. Sin Offering. unchastity ii. The Shew-
24-30 IIL Nadab and and unclean- bread. 5-9
iv. Trespass Offer- Abihu x. ness. xx.
ing. vii. 1-10 L Their Sin. 1-7 jy Responsibili- HL The Blasphemer.
v. Peace Offering. ii. Consequent ties of the xxiv. 10-23
11-21 Warnings. Priests.
vi. Principles re- S’ 2o xxi., xxii.
peated. 22-38
HIS is a book of laws. It has been
aptly called the hand-book of the
priests. Its Hebrew title, Vayyikra,
which means “And he called,” is the
first phrase of the book itself. The first
verse indicates the character of what
follows. The moral law had been given
from amid the splendors of the moun
tain. The laws regulating worship were
T
spoken from the tent. Thus the content of the
book is linked to the subjects dealt with in Exodus,
and is in direct continuation thereof.
The nation had been brought out of bondage
and organized. At the very center of its life was
a provision for worship in the tabernacle. The
whole outlook of Exodus teaches the supreme place
of worship in the life of the nation. It, moreover,
reveals the fact that there can only be worship
through propitiation, because man is a sinner. The
fact of sin thus underlies all now to be considered;.
The fact of redemption in the purpose and economy
of God is seen overshadowing the fact of sin and
making worship possible. The laws enuncJtifed
here have to do with these matters of supreme im
portance.
The book falls into five parts. First, the setting
forth of the provision for approach (1:7). Sec
ondly, the institution of the priesthood through
which the provision might be appropriated (8:10).
Thirdly, the life of separation, which is the condi
tion of approximation (11: 22). Fourthly, the feasts,
which portrayed the benefits of approach (23-24).
Lastly, symbols of relation which safeguarded the
maintenance of the right of approach (25-28).
A. DEDICATION: THE OFFERINGS.
In this division there is revealed the provision
of God for the approach of his people to himself in
worship. The offerings are first described and then
their laws are enunciated.
As to the offerings, five were needed to perfectly
unfold the meaning and method of personal dedica
tion. The first was the burnt offering, which sug
gested the need for perfect dedication. The lamb
without blemish consumed by fire indicated the
Appearing, Ebery Week During 1907. {Copyright American Serial ‘Rights applied Tor by The Golden 91 ge Publishing Co. All Rights ReserbedA
LEVITICUS—THE BOOK OF LAWS
LEVITICUS.
G. CAMPBELL MORGAN, Westminster Chapel, London, England.
The Golden Age for February 7, 1907.
necessity of a dedication perfect in quality and
quantity. The meal offering was of the work of
men’s hands, of the fruits of the ground, the re
sult of cultivation and manufacture and prepara
tion, suggesting that dedication necessitated the of
fering of a perfect service as well as a perfect life.
Os the peace offering, part was burned by fire, and
part consumed by the worshipper. It was the sym
bol of communion. In the white light of the divine
holiness sin is sin, whether it be wilful or not; and
the sin offering was provided to teach that the fail
ure of those dedicated to God must yet be dealt
with on the basis of sacrifice. The trespass offering
■was provided for definite acts of wrong-doing. Tres
pass in this connection is more than a mere miss
ing of the mark. It included the thought of posi
tive and ■wilful wrong-doing.
The divine provision for worship having been
revealed in the offerings, there followed instructions
concerning the method of offering, which revealed
the true attitude of the worshipper. In connection
with each there were detailed instructions which are
full of suggestiveness. The ceremonial was divinely
arranged, and nothing was frivolous or unnecessary.
Every detail had signification and was intended to
impress upon the mind of the ■worshipper truths
wffiich w r ere of vital importance, in order that he
should recognize the solemn nature of his dedica
tion as a member of the nation whose greatness con
sisted in its intimate relation to Jehovah.
B. MEDIATION: THE PRIESTS.
The second division of the book deals with the
laws of mediation. It consists of a brief historical
portion, which gives an account of the actual cere
mony of the consecration of the priests and the
tabernacle, and the commencement of worship, and
so sets forth God’s provision for the approach of
his people to himself through mediation on the basis
of sacrifice. In the midst of solemn assembly' the
priests were washed, and Aaron was arrayed in the
garments of his sacred office. The sacred rites of
consecration then moved forward. The cerenfohies
were repeated daily for seven days.
This account of the consecration of the priests
is immediately followed by that of how they com-
meneed their work. The people were first gathered
together, bringing with them offerings according to
the instructions given. While they stood in solemn
stillness in the presence of Jehovah, Aaron, in full
official capacity, commenced his work. His first
act was that of presenting the sin offering anil the
burnt offering for himself. Then followed imme
diately his first acts on behalf of the people. First,
the sin offering, indicating the necessity for expia
tion of sin; next, the burnt offering, indicating the
devotion of the whole life to God; following that,
the meal offering, speaking of the devotion of work
and service; finally, the peace offering, the symbol
of communion. Thus the values of the offerings
of approach could only be appropriate through the
mediation of the priests.
At the commencement of the history of thg offi
cial work of the 'priesthood, there were evidences
of failure. Nadab and Abihu, two sons of Aaron,
offered strange fire before the Lord, and were swiftly
slain by fire. Strangely solemn were the words,
11 Aaron held his peace.” They were his own sons,
but his relation to God was superior to his relatrion
to them, and the only attitude becoming to him whs
that of submissive silence. The other priests were
solemnly charged to show no signs of mourning, and
to abide at their posts.
C. SEPARATION: THE PEOPLE.
While provision for approach was made, and the
method of appropriation • was provided, there were
still very definite conditions which must be ful
filled in order that the people might avail them
selves of the provision made. These may
be summarized as those of entire separation to God.
They were to be a people God-governed, and God
manifesting. The divine government must be rp°-
ognized and obeyed in the matter of health. Mi
nute regulations were given as to food, as to child
birth, as to leprosy, and as to all uncleanliness In
the midst of this section instructions were given
for the observance of the great day of atonement,
which was, perhaps, the most important religious
rite of the whole year in the Hebrew economy. It wrs
the day in which the high priest entered into the
holy place, all the arrangements for which entry
were given in detail. In the ceremonial of this
day provision was made for dealing with the whole
question of sin, known and unknown. Most par
ticular instructions were given as to the attitude
of the people on the great day. They were to rest
and afflict their souls. It was to be a day of sol
emn fasting and humiliation in which they remind
ed themselves of the fact of their sin, of the pro
vision made for their cleansing, and of their con
sequent right of approach to God in worship. Strict
instructions were next given concerning sacrifices.
The laws of separation then assumed a slightly
altered character. So far the principal note had
been that of the fundamental matters of relation
ship to God. The habits of the life of separation
are more particularly dealt with. The people were
distinctly forbidden to conform to the doings, either
of Egypt or Canaan.
Then followed a repetition of laws already given,
with one reiterated emphasis, “Ye shall be fitfly,
for I, the Lord, your God am holy.” No less than
fourteen times in the course of one chapter (19)
does the solemn declaration, “lam Jehovah” occur.
Yet further laws concerning unchastity and unclean
ness are repeated, and the death penalty is asso
ciated with certain forms of disobedience.
The final section in this division deals with fire
responsibilities of the priest. Standing as he ever
did in a place of special nearness to God as the
appointed mediator of the people, he must of all
men, manifest in the externals of life and conduct
that holiness without which no man can see thie
Lord.
D. CONSECRATION: THE FEASTS.
The feasts of Jehovah were the national signs
and symbols of the fact that the people, dedicated
to God as the offerings witnessed, permitted to ap
(Concluded on Page 11.)