mh_parser/vol_split/3 - Leviticus/Chapter 7.xml

<div2 id="Lev.viii" n="viii" next="Lev.ix" prev="Lev.vii" progress="53.05%" title="Chapter VII">
<h2 id="Lev.viii-p0.1">L E V I T I C U S</h2>
<h3 id="Lev.viii-p0.2">CHAP. VII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Lev.viii-p1">Here is, I. The law of the trespass-offering
(<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.1-Lev.7.7" parsed="|Lev|7|1|7|7" passage="Le 7:1-7">ver. 1-7</scripRef>), with some
further directions concerning the burnt-offering and the
meat-offering, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.8-Lev.7.10" parsed="|Lev|7|8|7|10" passage="Le 7:8-10">ver. 8-10</scripRef>.
II. The law of the peace-offering. The eating of it (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.11-Lev.7.21" parsed="|Lev|7|11|7|21" passage="Le 7:11-21">ver. 11-21</scripRef>), on which occasion the
prohibition of eating fat or blood is repeated (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.22-Lev.7.27" parsed="|Lev|7|22|7|27" passage="Le 7:22-27">ver. 22-27</scripRef>), and the priests' share of it,
<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.28-Lev.7.34" parsed="|Lev|7|28|7|34" passage="Le 7:28-34">ver. 28-34</scripRef>. III. The
conclusion of those institutions, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.35-Lev.7.38" parsed="|Lev|7|35|7|38" passage="Le 7:35-38">ver. 35</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Lev.viii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7" parsed="|Lev|7|0|0|0" passage="Le 7" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Lev.viii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.1-Lev.7.10" parsed="|Lev|7|1|7|10" passage="Le 7:1-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Lev.7.1-Lev.7.10">
<h4 id="Lev.viii-p1.9">Law of the
Trespass-Offering. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p1.10">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Lev.viii-p2">1 Likewise this <i>is</i> the law of the
trespass offering: it <i>is</i> most holy.   2 In the place
where they kill the burnt offering shall they kill the trespass
offering: and the blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon
the altar.   3 And he shall offer of it all the fat thereof;
the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards,   4 And the
two kidneys, and the fat that <i>is</i> on them, which <i>is</i> by
the flanks, and the caul <i>that is</i> above the liver, with the
kidneys, it shall he take away:   5 And the priest shall burn
them upon the altar <i>for</i> an offering made by fire unto the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p2.1">Lord</span>: it <i>is</i> a trespass
offering.   6 Every male among the priests shall eat thereof:
it shall be eaten in the holy place: it <i>is</i> most holy.  
7 As the sin offering <i>is,</i> so <i>is</i> the trespass
offering: <i>there is</i> one law for them: the priest that maketh
atonement therewith shall have <i>it.</i>   8 And the priest
that offereth any man's burnt offering, <i>even</i> the priest
shall have to himself the skin of the burnt offering which he hath
offered.   9 And all the meat offering that is baken in the
oven, and all that is dressed in the fryingpan, and in the pan,
shall be the priest's that offereth it.   10 And every meat
offering, mingled with oil, and dry, shall all the sons of Aaron
have, one <i>as much</i> as another.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.viii-p3">Observe here, 1. Concerning the
trespass-offering, that, being much of the same nature with the
sin-offering, it was to be governed by the same rules, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.6" parsed="|Lev|7|6|0|0" passage="Le 7:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. When the blood and fat
were offered to God to make atonement, the priests were to eat the
flesh, as that of the sin-offering, in the holy place. The Jews
have a tradition (as we have it from the learned bishop Patrick)
concerning the sprinkling of the blood of the trespass-offering
<i>round about upon the altar,</i> "That there was a scarlet line
which went round about the altar exactly in the middle, and the
blood of the burnt-offerings was sprinkled round about above the
line, but that of the trespass-offerings and peace-offerings round
about below the line." As to the flesh of the trespass-offering,
the right to it belonged to the priest that offered it, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.7" parsed="|Lev|7|7|0|0" passage="Le 7:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. He that did the work must
have the wages. This was an encouragement to the priests to give
diligent attendance on the altar; the more ready and busy they were
the more they got. Note, The more diligent we are in the services
of religion the more we shall reap of the advantages of it. But any
of the priests, and the males of their families, might be invited
by him to whom it belonged to partake with him: <i>Every male among
the priests shall eat thereof,</i> that is, may eat thereof, <i>in
the holy place,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.6" parsed="|Lev|7|6|0|0" passage="Le 7:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>. And, no doubt, it was the usage to treat one another
with those perquisites of their office, by which friendship and
fellowship were kept up among the priests. Freely they had
received, and must freely give. It seems the offerer was not
himself to have any share of his trespass-offering, as he was to
have of his peace-offering; but it was all divided between the
altar and the priest. They offered peace-offerings in thankfulness
for mercy, and then it was proper to feast; but they offered
trespass-offerings in sorrow for sin, and then fasting was more
proper, in token of holy mourning, and a resolution to abstain from
sin. 2. Concerning the burnt-offering it is here appointed that the
priest that offered it should have the skin (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.8" parsed="|Lev|7|8|0|0" passage="Le 7:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), which no doubt he might make
money of. "This" (the Jews say) "is meant only for the
burnt-offerings which were offered by particular persons; for the
profit of the skins of the daily burnt-offerings for the
congregation went to the repair of the sanctuary." Some suggest
that this appointment will help us to understand God's clothing our
first parents with <i>coats of skins,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.3.21" parsed="|Gen|3|21|0|0" passage="Ge 3:21">Gen. iii. 21</scripRef>. It is probable that the beasts
whose skins they were were offered in sacrifice as whole
burnt-offerings, and that Adam was the priest that offered them;
and then God gave him the skins, as his fee, to make clothes of for
himself and his wife, in remembrance of which the skins ever after
pertained to the priest; and see <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p3.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.27.16" parsed="|Gen|27|16|0|0" passage="Ge 27:16">Gen.
xxvii. 16</scripRef>. 3. Concerning the meat-offering, if it was
dressed, it was fit to be eaten immediately; and therefore the
priest that offered it was to have it, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p3.7" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.9" parsed="|Lev|7|9|0|0" passage="Le 7:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. If it was dry, there was not so
much occasion for being in haste to use it; and therefore an equal
dividend of it must be made among all the priests that were then in
waiting, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p3.8" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.10" parsed="|Lev|7|10|0|0" passage="Le 7:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Lev.viii-p3.9" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7" parsed="|Lev|7|0|0|0" passage="Le 7" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Lev.viii-p3.10" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.11-Lev.7.34" parsed="|Lev|7|11|7|34" passage="Le 7:11-34" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Lev.7.11-Lev.7.34">
<h4 id="Lev.viii-p3.11">Law of the Peace-Offering. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p3.12">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Lev.viii-p4">11 And this <i>is</i> the law of the sacrifice
of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p4.1">Lord</span>.   12 If he offer it for a
thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of
thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened
wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine
flour, fried.   13 Besides the cakes, he shall offer
<i>for</i> his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of
thanksgiving of his peace offerings.   14 And of it he shall
offer one out of the whole oblation <i>for</i> an heave offering
unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p4.2">Lord</span>, <i>and</i> it shall
be the priest's that sprinkleth the blood of the peace offerings.
  15 And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for
thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he
shall not leave any of it until the morning.   16 But if the
sacrifice of his offering <i>be</i> a vow, or a voluntary offering,
it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and
on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:   17
But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day
shall be burnt with fire.   18 And if <i>any</i> of the flesh
of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the
third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed
unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul
that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.   19 And the flesh
that toucheth any unclean <i>thing</i> shall not be eaten; it shall
be burnt with fire: and as for the flesh, all that be clean shall
eat thereof.   20 But the soul that eateth <i>of</i> the flesh
of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that <i>pertain</i> unto the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p4.3">Lord</span>, having his uncleanness upon
him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.   21
Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean <i>thing, as</i> the
uncleanness of man, or <i>any</i> unclean beast, or any abominable
unclean <i>thing,</i> and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of
peace offerings, which <i>pertain</i> unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p4.4">Lord</span>, even that soul shall be cut off from his
people.   22 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p4.5">Lord</span> spake
unto Moses, saying,   23 Speak unto the children of Israel,
saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of
goat.   24 And the fat of the beast that dieth of itself, and
the fat of that which is torn with beasts, may be used in any other
use: but ye shall in no wise eat of it.   25 For whosoever
eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by
fire unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p4.6">Lord</span>, even the soul
that eateth <i>it</i> shall be cut off from his people.   26
Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, <i>whether it be</i> of
fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.   27 Whatsoever
soul <i>it be</i> that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul
shall be cut off from his people.   28 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p4.7">Lord</span> spake unto Moses, saying,   29 Speak
unto the children of Israel, saying, He that offereth the sacrifice
of his peace offerings unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p4.8">Lord</span>
shall bring his oblation unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p4.9">Lord</span> of the sacrifice of his peace offerings.
  30 His own hands shall bring the offerings of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p4.10">Lord</span> made by fire, the fat with the
breast, it shall he bring, that the breast may be waved <i>for</i>
a wave offering before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p4.11">Lord</span>.
  31 And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the
breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'.   32 And the right
shoulder shall ye give unto the priest <i>for</i> an heave offering
of the sacrifices of your peace offerings.   33 He among the
sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and
the fat, shall have the right shoulder for <i>his</i> part.  
34 For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the
children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace
offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his
sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.viii-p5">All this relates to the peace-offerings: it
is the repetition and explication of what we had before, with
various additions.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.viii-p6">I. The nature and intention of the
peace-offerings are here more distinctly opened. They were offered
either, 1. In thankfulness for some special mercy received, such as
recovery from sickness, preservation in a journey, deliverance at
sea, redemption out of captivity, all which are specified in
<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.107.1-Ps.107.43" parsed="|Ps|107|1|107|43" passage="Ps 107:1-43">Ps. cvii.</scripRef>, and for them
men are called upon to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.22" parsed="|Lev|7|22|0|0" passage="Le 7:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. Or, 2. In
performance of some vow which a man made when he was in distress
(<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.16" parsed="|Lev|7|16|0|0" passage="Le 7:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>), and this was
less honourable than the former, though the omission of it would
have been more culpable. Or, 3. In supplication for some special
mercy which a man was in the pursuit and expectation of, here
called a <i>voluntary offering.</i> This accompanied a man's
prayers, as the former did his praises. We do not find that men
were bound by the law, unless they had bound themselves by vow, to
offer these peace-offerings upon such occasions, as they were to
bring their sacrifices of atonement in case of sin committed. Not
but that prayer and praise are as much our duty as repentance is;
but here, in the expressions of their sense of mercy, God left them
more to their liberty than in the expressions of their sense of
sin—to try the generosity of their devotion, and that their
sacrifices, being free-will offerings, might be the more laudable
and acceptable; and, by obliging them to bring the sacrifices of
atonement, God would show the necessity of the great
propitiation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.viii-p7">II. The rites and ceremonies about the
peace-offerings are enlarged upon.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.viii-p8">1. If the peace-offering was offered for a
thanksgiving, a meat-offering must be offered with it, cakes of
several sorts, and wafers (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.12" parsed="|Lev|7|12|0|0" passage="Le 7:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>), and (which was peculiar to the peace-offerings)
leavened bread must be offered, not to be burnt upon the altar,
that was forbidden (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.2.11" parsed="|Lev|2|11|0|0" passage="Le 2:11"><i>ch.</i> ii.
11</scripRef>), but to be eaten with the flesh of the sacrifice,
that nothing might be wanting to make it a complete and pleasant
feast; for unleavened bread was less grateful to the taste, and
therefore, though enjoined in the passover for a particular reason,
yet in other festivals leavened bread, which was lighter and more
pleasant, was appointed, that men might feast at God's table as
well as at their own. And some think that a meat-offering is
required to be brought with every peace-offering, as well as with
that of thanksgiving, by that law (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.29" parsed="|Lev|7|29|0|0" passage="Le 7:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>) which requires an oblation with
it, that the table might be as well furnished as the altar.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.viii-p9">2. The flesh of the peace-offerings, both
that which was the priest's share and that which was the offerer's
must be eaten quickly, and not kept long, either raw, or dressed,
cold. If it was a peace-offering for thanksgiving, it must be all
eaten the same day (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.16" parsed="|Lev|7|16|0|0" passage="Le 7:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>); if a vow, or voluntary offering, it must be eaten
either the same day or the day after, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.16" parsed="|Lev|7|16|0|0" passage="Le 7:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. If any was left beyond the time
limited, it was to be burnt (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.17" parsed="|Lev|7|17|0|0" passage="Le 7:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>); and, if any person ate of what was so left their
conduct should be animadverted upon as a very high misdemeanour,
<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.18" parsed="|Lev|7|18|0|0" passage="Le 7:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. Though they
were not obliged to eat it in the holy place, as those offerings
that are called most holy, but might take it to their own tents and
feast upon it there, yet God would by this law make them to know a
difference between that and other meat, and religiously to observe
it, that whereas they might keep other meat cold in the house as
long as they thought fit, and warm it again if they pleased, and
eat it three or four days after, they might not do so with the
flesh of their peace-offerings, but it must be eaten immediately.
(1.) Because God would not have that holy flesh to be in danger of
putrefying, or being fly-blown, to prevent which it must be salted
with <i>fire</i> (as the expression is, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Mark.9.49" parsed="|Mark|9|49|0|0" passage="Mk 9:49">Mark ix. 49</scripRef>) if it were kept; as, if it was
used, it must be salted with salt. (2.) Because God would not have
his people to be niggardly and sparing, and distrustful of
providence, but cheerfully to enjoy what God gives them (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.8.15" parsed="|Eccl|8|15|0|0" passage="Ec 8:15">Eccl. viii. 15</scripRef>), and to do good with
it, and not to be anxiously solicitous for the morrow. (3.) The
flesh of the peace-offerings was God's treat, and therefore God
would have the disposal of it; and he orders it to be used
generously for the entertainment of their friends, and charitably
for the relief of the poor, to show that he is a bountiful
benefactor, <i>giving us all things richly to enjoy,</i> the bread
of the day in its day. If the sacrifice was thanksgiving, they were
especially obliged thus to testify their holy joy in God's goodness
by their holy feasting. This law is made very strict (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.18" parsed="|Lev|7|18|0|0" passage="Le 7:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>), that if the offerer did
not take care to have all his offering eaten by himself or his
family, his friends or the poor, within the time limited by the
law, or, in the event of any part being left, to burn it (which was
the most decent way of disposing of it, the sacrifices upon the
altar being <i>consumed by fire</i>), then his offering should not
be accepted, nor imputed to him. Note, All the benefit of our
religious services is lost if we do not improve them, and conduct
ourselves aright afterwards. They are not acceptable to God if they
have not a due influence upon ourselves. If a man seemed generous
in bringing a peace-offering, and yet afterwards proved sneaking
and paltry in the using of it, it was as if he had never brought
it; nay, <i>it shall be an abomination.</i> Note, There is no mean
between God's acceptance and his abhorrence. If our persons and
performances are sincere and upright, they are accepted; if not,
they are an abomination, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:Prov.15.8" parsed="|Prov|15|8|0|0" passage="Pr 15:8">Prov. xv.
8</scripRef>. He that eats it after the time appointed shall
<i>bear his iniquity,</i> that is, he shall be <i>cut off from his
people,</i> as it is explained (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p9.9" osisRef="Bible:Lev.19.8" parsed="|Lev|19|8|0|0" passage="Le 19:8"><i>ch.</i> xix. 8</scripRef>), where this law is
repeated. This law of eating the peace-offerings before the third
day, that they might not putrefy, is applicable tot the
resurrection of Christ after two days, that, being God's <i>holy
one,</i> he might not see corruption, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p9.10" osisRef="Bible:Ps.16.10" parsed="|Ps|16|10|0|0" passage="Ps 16:10">Ps. xvi. 10</scripRef>. And some think that it instructs
us speedily, and without delay, to partake of Christ and his grace,
feeding and feasting thereon by faith to-day, <i>while it is called
to-day</i> (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p9.11" osisRef="Bible:Heb.3.13-Heb.3.14" parsed="|Heb|3|13|3|14" passage="Heb 3:13,14">Heb. iii. 13,
14</scripRef>), for it will be too late shortly.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.viii-p10">3. But the flesh, and those that eat it,
must be pure. (1.) The flesh must <i>touch no unclean thing;</i> if
it did, it must not be eaten, but burnt, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.19" parsed="|Lev|7|19|0|0" passage="Le 7:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. If, in carrying it from the
altar to the place where it was eaten, a dog touched it, or it
touched a dead body or any other unclean thing, it was then unfit
to be used in a religious feast. Every thing we honour the holy God
with must be pure and carefully kept from all pollution. It is a
case adjudged (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Hag.2.12" parsed="|Hag|2|12|0|0" passage="Hag 2:12">Hag. ii. 12</scripRef>)
that the holy flesh could not by its touch communicate holiness to
what was common; but by this law it is determined that by the touch
of that which was unclean it received pollution from it, which
intimates that the infection of sin is more easily and more
frequently communicated than the savour of grace. (2.) It must not
be eaten by any unclean person. When a person was upon any account
ceremonially unclean it was at his peril if he presumed to eat of
the flesh of the peace-offerings, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.20-Lev.7.21" parsed="|Lev|7|20|7|21" passage="Le 7:20,21"><i>v.</i> 20, 21</scripRef>. Holy things are only for
holy persons; the holiness of the food being ceremonial, those were
incapacitated to partake of it who lay under any ceremonial
uncleanness; but we are hereby taught to preserve ourselves pure
from all the pollutions of sin, that we may have the benefit and
comfort of Christ's sacrifice, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.2.1-1Pet.2.2" parsed="|1Pet|2|1|2|2" passage="1Pe 2:1,2">1 Pet.
ii. 1, 2</scripRef>. Our consciences must be purged from dead
works, that we may be fit to <i>serve the living God,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Heb.9.14" parsed="|Heb|9|14|0|0" passage="Heb 9:14">Heb. ix. 14</scripRef>. But if any dare to
partake of the table of the Lord under the pollution of sin
unrepented of, and so profane sacred things, they eat and drink
<i>judgment to themselves,</i> as those did that ate of the
peace-offerings (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.20" parsed="|Lev|7|20|0|0" passage="Le 7:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>) and again (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.21" parsed="|Lev|7|21|0|0" passage="Le 7:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>), that they <i>pertain unto the Lord:</i> whatever
pertains to the Lord is sacred, and must be used with great
reverence and not with unhallowed hands. "<i>Be you holy,</i> for
God is holy, and you pertain to him."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.viii-p11">4. The eating of blood and the fat of the
inwards is here again prohibited; and the prohibition is annexed as
before to the law of the peace-offerings, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.3.17" parsed="|Lev|3|17|0|0" passage="Le 3:17"><i>ch.</i> iii. 17</scripRef>. (1.) The prohibition of
the fat seems to be confined to those beasts which were used for
sacrifice, the bullocks, sheep, and goats: but of the roe-buck, the
hart, and other clean beasts, they might eat the fat; for those
only of which offerings were brought are mentioned here, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.23-Lev.7.25" parsed="|Lev|7|23|7|25" passage="Le 7:23-25"><i>v.</i> 23-25</scripRef>. This was to
preserve in their minds a reverence for God's altar, on which the
fat of the inwards was burnt. The Jews say, "If a man eat so much
as an olive of forbidden fat—if he do it presumptuously, he is in
danger of being cut off by the hand of God—if ignorantly, he is to
bring a sin-offering, and so to pay dearly for his carelessness."
To eat of the flesh of that which died of itself, or was torn of
beasts, was unlawful; but to eat of the fat of such was doubly
unlawful, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.24" parsed="|Lev|7|24|0|0" passage="Le 7:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. (2.)
The prohibition of blood is more general (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.26-Lev.7.27" parsed="|Lev|7|26|7|27" passage="Le 7:26,27"><i>v.</i> 26, 27</scripRef>), because the fat was
offered to God only by way of acknowledgment, but the blood <i>made
atonement for the soul,</i> and so typified Christ's sacrifice much
more than the burning of the fat did; to this therefore a greater
reverence must be paid, till these types had their accomplishment
in the offering up of the body of Christ once for all. The Jews
rightly expound this law as forbidding only the <i>blood of the
life,</i> as they express it, not that which we call the
<i>gravy,</i> for of that they supposed it was lawful to eat.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.viii-p12">5. The priest's share of the
peace-offerings is here prescribed. Out of every beast that was
offered for a peace-offering the priest that offered it was to have
to himself the breast and the right shoulder, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.30-Lev.7.34" parsed="|Lev|7|30|7|34" passage="Le 7:30-34"><i>v.</i> 30-34</scripRef>. Observe here, (1.) That
when the sacrifice was killed the offerer himself must, with his
own hands, present God's part of it, that he might signify thereby
his cheerfully giving it up to God, and his desire that it might be
accepted. He was with his own hands to <i>lift it up,</i> in token
of his regard to God as the God of heaven, and then to <i>wave it
to and fro,</i> in token of his regard to God as the Lord of the
whole earth, to whom thus, as far as he could reach, he offered it,
showing his readiness and wish to do him honour. Now that which was
thus heaved and waved was the fat, and the breast, and the right
shoulder, it was all offered to God; and then he ordered the fat to
his altar, and the breast and shoulder to his priest, both being
his receivers. (2.) That when the fat was burnt the priest took his
part, on which he and his family were to feast, as well as the
offerer and his family. In holy joy and thanksgiving, it is good to
have our ministers to go before us, and to be our mouth to God. The
melody is sweet when he that sows and those that reap rejoice
together. Some observe a significancy in the parts assigned to the
priests: the breast and the shoulder intimate the affections and
the actions, which must be devoted to the honour of God by all his
people and to the service also of the church by all his priests.
Christ, our great peace-offering, feasts all his spiritual priests
with the breast and shoulder, with the dearest love and the
sweetest and strongest supports; for his is the wisdom of God and
the power of God. When Saul was designed for a king Samuel ordered
the shoulder of the peace-offering to be set before him (<scripRef id="Lev.viii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.24" parsed="|1Sam|9|24|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:24">1 Sam. ix. 24</scripRef>), which gave him a hint
of something great and sacred intended for him. Jesus Christ is our
great peace-offering; for he made himself a sacrifice, not only to
atone for sin, and so to save us from the curse, but to purchase a
blessing for us, and all good. By our joyfully partaking of the
benefits of redemption we <i>feast upon the sacrifice,</i> to
signify which the Lord's supper was instituted.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Lev.viii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.35-Lev.7.38" parsed="|Lev|7|35|7|38" passage="Le 7:35-38" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Lev.7.35-Lev.7.38">
<p class="passage" id="Lev.viii-p13">35 This <i>is the portion</i> of the anointing
of Aaron, and of the anointing of his sons, out of the offerings of
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p13.1">Lord</span> made by fire, in the day
<i>when</i> he presented them to minister unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p13.2">Lord</span> in the priest's office; 36 Which the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p13.3">Lord</span> commanded to be given them of the
children of Israel, in the day that he anointed them, <i>by</i> a
statute for ever throughout their generations. 37 This <i>is</i>
the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin
offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations,
and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings; 38 Which the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p13.4">Lord</span> commanded Moses in Mount Sinai, in
the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their
oblations unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.viii-p13.5">Lord</span>, in the
wilderness of Sinai.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.viii-p14">Here is the conclusion of these laws
concerning the sacrifices, though some of them are afterwards
repeated and explained. These are to be considered, 1. As a grant to
the priests, <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.35-Lev.7.36" parsed="|Lev|7|35|7|36" passage="Le 7:35,36"><i>v.</i> 35,
36</scripRef>. In the day they were ordained to that work and
office this provision was made for their comfortable maintenance.
Note, God will take care that those who are employed for him be
well paid and well provided for. Those that receive the anointing
of the Spirit to minister unto the Lord shall have their portion,
and it shall be a worthy portion, out of the offerings of the Lord;
for God's work is its own wages, and there is a present reward of
obedience in obedience. 2. As a statute for ever to the people,
that they should bring these offerings according to the rules
prescribed, and cheerfully give the priests their share out of
them. God <i>commanded the children of Israel to offer their
oblations,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.viii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.38" parsed="|Lev|7|38|0|0" passage="Le 7:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>.
Note, The solemn acts religious worship are commanded. They are not
things that we are left to our liberty in, and which we may do or
not do at our pleasure; but we are under indispensable obligations
to perform them in their season, and it is at our peril if we omit
them. The observance of the laws of Christ cannot be less necessary
than the observance of the laws of Moses was.</p>
</div></div2>