mh_parser/vol_split/3 - Leviticus/Chapter 9.xml

<div2 id="Lev.x" n="x" next="Lev.xi" prev="Lev.ix" progress="53.90%" title="Chapter IX">
<h2 id="Lev.x-p0.1">L E V I T I C U S</h2>
<h3 id="Lev.x-p0.2">CHAP. IX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Lev.x-p1">Aaron and his sons, having been solemnly
consecrated to the priesthood, are in this chapter entering upon
the execution of their office, the very next day after their
consecration was completed. I. Moses (no doubt by direction from
God) appoints a meeting between God and his priests, as the
representatives of his people, ordering them to attend him, and
assuring them that he would appear to them, <scripRef id="Lev.x-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.1-Lev.9.7" parsed="|Lev|9|1|9|7" passage="Le 9:1-7">ver. 1-7</scripRef>. II. The meeting is held according
to the appointment. 1. Aaron attends on God by sacrifice, offering
a sin-offering and burnt-offering for himself (<scripRef id="Lev.x-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.8-Lev.9.14" parsed="|Lev|9|8|9|14" passage="Le 9:8-14">ver. 8-14</scripRef>), and then the offerings for the
people, whom he blessed in the name of the Lord, <scripRef id="Lev.x-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.15-Lev.9.22" parsed="|Lev|9|15|9|22" passage="Le 9:15-22">ver. 15-22</scripRef>. 2. God signifies his
acceptance, (1.) Of their persons, by showing them his glory,
<scripRef id="Lev.x-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.23" parsed="|Lev|9|23|0|0" passage="Le 9:23">ver. 23</scripRef>. (2.) Of their
sacrifices, by consuming them with fire from heaven, <scripRef id="Lev.x-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.24" parsed="|Lev|9|24|0|0" passage="Le 9:24">ver. 24</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Lev.x-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9" parsed="|Lev|9|0|0|0" passage="Le 9" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Lev.x-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.1-Lev.9.7" parsed="|Lev|9|1|9|7" passage="Le 9:1-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Lev.9.1-Lev.9.7">
<h4 id="Lev.x-p1.8">Aaron and His Sons Enter on Their
Office. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.x-p1.9">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Lev.x-p2">1 And it came to pass on the eighth day,
<i>that</i> Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of
Israel;   2 And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for
a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish,
and offer <i>them</i> before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.x-p2.1">Lord</span>.   3 And unto the children of Israel
thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin
offering; and a calf and a lamb, <i>both</i> of the first year,
without blemish, for a burnt offering;   4 Also a bullock and
a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.x-p2.2">Lord</span>; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for
to day the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.x-p2.3">Lord</span> will appear unto
you.   5 And they brought <i>that</i> which Moses commanded
before the tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation
drew near and stood before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.x-p2.4">Lord</span>.
  6 And Moses said, This <i>is</i> the thing which the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.x-p2.5">Lord</span> commanded that ye should do: and the
glory of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.x-p2.6">Lord</span> shall appear unto
you.   7 And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and
offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an
atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering
of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.x-p2.7">Lord</span> commanded.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.x-p3">Orders are here given for another solemnity
upon the eighth day; for the newly-ordained priests were set to
work immediately after the days of their consecration were
finished, to let them know that they were not ordained to be idle:
<i>He that desires the office of a bishop desires a good work,</i>
which must be looked at with desire, more than the honour and
benefit. The priests had not so much as one day's respite from
service allowed them, that they might divert themselves, and
receive the compliments of their friends upon their elevation, but
were busily employed the very next day; for their consecration was
the <i>filling of their hands.</i> God's spiritual priests have
constant work cut out for them, which the duty of every day
requires; and those that would give up their account with joy must
redeem time; see <scripRef id="Lev.x-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.43.26-Ezek.43.27" parsed="|Ezek|43|26|43|27" passage="Eze 43:26,27">Ezek. xliii. 26,
27</scripRef>. Now, 1. Moses raises their expectation of a glorious
appearance of God to them this day (<scripRef id="Lev.x-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.4" parsed="|Lev|9|4|0|0" passage="Le 9:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>): "<i>To day the Lord will appear
to you</i> that are the priests." And when all the congregation are
gathered together, and <i>stand before the Lord,</i> he tells them
(<scripRef id="Lev.x-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.6" parsed="|Lev|9|6|0|0" passage="Le 9:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), <i>The glory
of the Lord shall appear to you.</i> Though they had reason enough
to believe God's acceptance of all that they had done according to
his appointment, upon the general assurance we have that he is the
<i>rewarder of those that diligently seek him</i> (even if he had
not given them any sensible token of it), yet that if possible they
and theirs might be effectually obliged to the service and worship
of God, and might never turn aside to idols, the glory of God
appeared to them, and visibly owned what they had done. We are not
now to expect such appearances; we Christians walk more by faith,
and less by sight, than they did. But we may be sure that God draws
nigh to those who draw nigh to him, and that the offerings of faith
are really acceptable to him, though, the sacrifices being
spiritual, the tokens of the acceptance are, as it is fit they
should be, spiritual likewise. To those who are duly consecrated to
God he will undoubtedly manifest himself. 2. He puts both priests
and people upon preparing to receive this favour which God designed
them. <i>Aaron and his sons,</i> and <i>the elders of Israel,</i>
are all summoned to attend, <scripRef id="Lev.x-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.1" parsed="|Lev|9|1|0|0" passage="Le 9:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>. Note, God will manifest himself in the solemn
assemblies of his people and ministers; and those that would have
the benefit and comfort of God's appearances must in them give
their attendance. (1.) Aaron is ordered to prepare his offerings:
<i>A young calf for a sin-offering,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.x-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.2" parsed="|Lev|9|2|0|0" passage="Le 9:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. The Jewish writers suggest that a
<i>calf</i> was appointed for a sin-offering to remind him of his
sin in making the golden calf, by which he had rendered himself for
ever unworthy of the honour of the priesthood, and which he had
reason to reflect upon with sorrow and shame in all the atonements
he made. (2.) Aaron must direct the people to get theirs ready.
Hitherto Moses had told the people what they must do; but now
Aaron, as high priest over the house of God, must be their teacher,
<i>in things pertaining to God: Unto the children of Israel thou
shalt speak,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.x-p3.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.3" parsed="|Lev|9|3|0|0" passage="Le 9:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>.
Now that he was to speak from them to God in the sacrifices (the
language of which he that appointed them very well understood) he
must speak from God to them in the laws about the sacrifices. Thus
Moses would engage the people's respect and obedience to him, as
one that was set <i>over them in the Lord, to admonish them.</i>
(3.) Aaron must offer his own first, and then the people's,
<scripRef id="Lev.x-p3.7" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.7" parsed="|Lev|9|7|0|0" passage="Le 9:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. Aaron must now
<i>go to the altar,</i> Moses having shown him the way to it; and
there, [1.] He must <i>make an atonement for himself;</i> for the
high priest, being <i>compassed with infirmity, ought, as for the
people, so also for himself, to offer for sins</i> (<scripRef id="Lev.x-p3.8" osisRef="Bible:Heb.5.2-Heb.5.3" parsed="|Heb|5|2|5|3" passage="Heb 5:2,3">Heb. v. 2, 3</scripRef>), and for himself
first; for how can we expect to be accepted in our prayers for
others, if we ourselves be not reconciled to God? Nor is any
service pleasing to God till the guilt of sin be removed by our
interest in the great propitiation. Those that have the care of the
souls of others are also hereby taught to look to their own in the
first place; this charity must begin at home, though it must not
end there. It is the charge to Timothy, to take care to save
himself first, and then those that heard him, <scripRef id="Lev.x-p3.9" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.4.16" parsed="|1Tim|4|16|0|0" passage="1Ti 4:16">1 Tim. iv. 16</scripRef>. The high priest made atonement
for himself, as one that was joined with sinners; but we have a
high priest that was separated from sinners, and needed no
atonement. When Messiah the prince was cut off as a sacrifice, it
was not for himself; for he knew no sin. [2.] He must <i>make an
atonement for the people,</i> by offering their sacrifices. Now
that he was made a high priest he must lay to heart the concerns of
the people, and this as their great concern, their reconciliation
to God, and the putting away of sin which had separated between
them and God. He must <i>make atonement as the Lord commanded.</i>
See here the wonderful condescension of the mercy of God, that he
not only allows an atonement to be made, but commands it; not only
admits, but requires us to be reconciled to him. No room therefore
is left to doubt but that the atonement which is commanded will be
accepted.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Lev.x-p3.10" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.8-Lev.9.22" parsed="|Lev|9|8|9|22" passage="Le 9:8-22" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Lev.9.8-Lev.9.22">
<p class="passage" id="Lev.x-p4">8 Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew
the calf of the sin offering, which <i>was</i> for himself.  
9 And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped
his finger in the blood, and put <i>it</i> upon the horns of the
altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:  
10 But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of
the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.x-p4.1">Lord</span> commanded Moses.   11 And the flesh
and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp.   12 And he
slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented unto him the
blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.   13 And
they presented the burnt offering unto him, with the pieces
thereof, and the head: and he burnt <i>them</i> upon the altar.
  14 And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt
<i>them</i> upon the burnt offering on the altar.   15 And he
brought the people's offering, and took the goat, which <i>was</i>
the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for
sin, as the first.   16 And he brought the burnt offering, and
offered it according to the manner.   17 And he brought the
meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt <i>it</i>
upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning.  
18 He slew also the bullock and the ram <i>for</i> a sacrifice of
peace offerings, which <i>was</i> for the people: and Aaron's sons
presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar
round about,   19 And the fat of the bullock and of the ram,
the rump, and that which covereth <i>the inwards,</i> and the
kidneys, and the caul <i>above</i> the liver:   20 And they
put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:
  21 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved
<i>for</i> a wave offering before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.x-p4.2">Lord</span>; as Moses commanded.   22 And Aaron
lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came
down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and
peace offerings.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.x-p5">These being the first offerings that ever
were offered by the levitical priesthood, according to the
newly-enacted law of sacrifices, the manner of offering them is
particularly related, that it might appear how exactly they agreed
with the institution. 1. Aaron with his own hands <i>slew the
offering</i> (<scripRef id="Lev.x-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.8" parsed="|Lev|9|8|0|0" passage="Le 9:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>),
and did the work of the inferior priests; for, great as he was, he
must not think any service below him which he could do for the
honour of God: and, as Moses had shown him how to do this work
decently and dexterously, so he showed his sons, that they might do
likewise; for this is the best way of teaching, and thus parents
should instruct their children by example. Therefore as Moses
before, so Aaron now offered some of each of the several sorts of
sacrifices that were appointed, whose rites differed, that they
might be <i>thoroughly furnished for every good work.</i> 2. He
offered these <i>besides the burnt-sacrifice of the morning,</i>
which was every day offered first, <scripRef id="Lev.x-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.17" parsed="|Lev|9|17|0|0" passage="Le 9:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. Note, Our accustomed devotions
morning and evening, alone and in our families, must not be omitted
upon any pretence whatsoever, no, not when extraordinary services
are to be performed; whatever is added, these must not be
diminished. 3. It is not clear whether, when it is said that he
burnt such and such parts of the sacrifices upon the altar
(<scripRef id="Lev.x-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.10-Lev.9.20" parsed="|Lev|9|10|9|20" passage="Le 9:10-20"><i>v.</i> 10-20</scripRef>), the
meaning is that he burnt them immediately with ordinary fire, as
formerly, or that he laid them upon the altar ready to be burnt
with the fire from heaven which they expected (<scripRef id="Lev.x-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.24" parsed="|Lev|9|24|0|0" passage="Le 9:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>), or whether, as bishop Patrick
thinks, he burnt the offerings for himself with ordinary fire, but
when they were burnt out he laid the people's sacrifices upon the
altar, which were kindled and consumed by the fire of the Lord. I
would rather conjecture, because it is said of all these sacrifices
that <i>he burnt them</i> (except the burnt-offering for the
people, of which it is said that he offered it <i>according to the
manner,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.x-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.16" parsed="|Lev|9|16|0|0" passage="Le 9:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>,
which seems to be equivalent), that he did not kindle the fire to
burn them, but that then the fire from the Lord fastened upon them,
put out the fire that he had kindled (as we know a greater fire
puts out a less), and suddenly consumed the remainder, which the
fire he had kindled would have consumed slowly. 4. When Aaron had
done all that on his part was to be done about the sacrifices he
<i>lifted up his hand towards the people, and blessed them,</i>
<scripRef id="Lev.x-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.22" parsed="|Lev|9|22|0|0" passage="Le 9:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. This was one
part of the priest's work, in which he was a type of Christ, who
came into the world to bless us, and when he was parted from his
disciples, at his ascension, <i>lifted up his hands and blessed
them,</i> and in them his whole church, of which they were the
elders and representatives, as the great high priest of our
profession. Aaron <i>lifted up his hands</i> in blessing them, to
intimate whence he desired and expected the blessing to come, even
from heaven, which is God's throne. Aaron could but crave a
blessing, it is God's prerogative to command it. Aaron, when he had
blessed, came down; Christ, when he blessed, went up.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Lev.x-p5.7" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.23-Lev.9.24" parsed="|Lev|9|23|9|24" passage="Le 9:23-24" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Lev.9.23-Lev.9.24">
<p class="passage" id="Lev.x-p6">23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle
of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the
glory of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.x-p6.1">Lord</span> appeared unto all
the people.   24 And there came a fire out from before the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.x-p6.2">Lord</span>, and consumed upon the altar
the burnt offering and the fat: <i>which</i> when all the people
saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.x-p7">We are not told what Moses and Aaron went
into the tabernacle to do, <scripRef id="Lev.x-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.23" parsed="|Lev|9|23|0|0" passage="Le 9:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>. Some of the Jewish writers say, "They went in to
pray for the appearance of the divine glory;" most probably they
went in that Moses might instruct Aaron how to do the service that
was to be done there—burn incense, light the lamps, set the
show-bread, &amp;c., that he might instruct his sons in it. But,
when they came out, they both joined in blessing the people, who
stood expecting the promised appearance of the divine glory; and it
was now (when Moses and Aaron concurred in praying) that they had
what they waited for. Note, God's manifestations of himself, of his
glory and grace, are commonly given in answer to prayer. When
Christ was praying the <i>heavens were opened,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.x-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.3.21" parsed="|Luke|3|21|0|0" passage="Lu 3:21">Luke iii. 21</scripRef>. The glory of God
appeared, not while the sacrifices were in offering, but when the
priests prayed (as <scripRef id="Lev.x-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.5.13" parsed="|2Chr|5|13|0|0" passage="2Ch 5:13">2 Chron. v.
13</scripRef>), when they praised God, which intimates that the
prayers and praises of God's spiritual priests are more pleasing to
God than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.x-p8">When the solemnity was finished, the
blessing pronounced, and the congregation ready to be dismissed, in
the close of the day, then God testified his acceptance, which gave
them such satisfaction as was well worth waiting for.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.x-p9">I. <i>The glory of the Lord appeared unto
all the people,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.x-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.23" parsed="|Lev|9|23|0|0" passage="Le 9:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>. What the appearance of it was we are not told; no
doubt it was such as carried its own evidence along with it. The
glory which <i>filled the tabernacle</i> (<scripRef id="Lev.x-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.34" parsed="|Exod|40|34|0|0" passage="Ex 40:34">Exod. xl. 34</scripRef>) now showed itself at the door
of the tabernacle to those who attended there, as a prince shows
himself to the expecting crowd, to gratify them. God hereby
testified of their gifts, and showed them that he was worthy for
whom they should do all this. Note, Those that diligently attend
upon God in the way he has appointed shall have such a sight of his
glory as shall be abundantly to their satisfaction. Those that
dwell in God's house with an eye of faith may <i>behold the beauty
of the Lord.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.x-p10">II. <i>There came a fire out from before
the Lord, and consumed the sacrifice,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.x-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.9.24" parsed="|Lev|9|24|0|0" passage="Le 9:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. Here the learned bishop Patrick
has a very probable conjecture, that Moses and Aaron staid in the
tabernacle till it was time to offer the evening sacrifice, which
Aaron did, but it is not mentioned, because it was done of course,
and it was this which the <i>fire that came out from the Lord
consumed.</i> Whether this fire came from heaven, or out of the
most holy place, or from that visible appearance of the glory of
God which all the people saw, it was a manifest token of God's
acceptance of their service, as, afterwards, of Solomon's
sacrifice, <scripRef id="Lev.x-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.7.1" parsed="|2Chr|7|1|0|0" passage="2Ch 7:1">2 Chron. vii. 1</scripRef>,
and Elijah's, <scripRef id="Lev.x-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.18.38" parsed="|1Kgs|18|38|0|0" passage="1Ki 18:38">1 Kings xviii.
38</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.x-p11">1. This fire did consume (or, as the word
is, <i>eat up</i>) the present sacrifice. And two ways this was a
testimony of acceptance:—(1.) It signified the turning away of
God's wrath from them. God's wrath is a consuming fire; this fire
might justly have fastened upon the people, and consumed them for
their sins; but its fastening upon the sacrifice, and consuming
that, signified God's acceptance of that as an atonement for the
sinner. (2.) It signified God's entering into covenant and
communion with them: they ate their part of the sacrifice, and the
fire of the Lord ate up his part; and thus he did, as it were,
<i>sup with them, and they with him,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.x-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.3.20" parsed="|Rev|3|20|0|0" passage="Re 3:20">Rev. iii. 20</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.x-p12">2. This fire did, as it were, take
possession of the altar. The fire was thus kindled in God's house,
which was to continue as long as the house stood, as we read
before, <scripRef id="Lev.x-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.6.13" parsed="|Lev|6|13|0|0" passage="Le 6:13"><i>ch.</i> vi. 13</scripRef>.
This also was a figure of good things to come. The Spirit descended
upon the apostles in <i>fire</i> (<scripRef id="Lev.x-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.2.3" parsed="|Acts|2|3|0|0" passage="Ac 2:3">Acts
ii. 3</scripRef>), so ratifying their commission, as this spoken of
here did the priests'. And the descent of this holy fire into our
souls to kindle in them pious and devout affections towards God,
and such a holy zeal as burns up the flesh and the lusts of it, is
a certain token of God's gracious acceptance of our persons and
performances. That redounds to God's glory which is the work of his
own grace in us. <i>Hereby we know that we dwell in God, and God in
us, because he hath thus given us of his Spirit,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.x-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:1John.4.13" parsed="|1John|4|13|0|0" passage="1Jo 4:13">1 John iv. 13</scripRef>. Now henceforward, (1.)
All their sacrifices and incense must be offered with this fire.
Note, Nothing goes to God but what comes from him. We must have
grace, that holy fire, from the God of grace, else we cannot
<i>serve him acceptably,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.x-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.28" parsed="|Heb|12|28|0|0" passage="Heb 12:28">Heb.
xii. 28</scripRef>. (2.) The priests must keep it burning with a
constant supply of fuel, and the fuel must be wood, the cleanest of
fuel. Thus those to whom God has given grace must take heed of
quenching the Spirit.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.x-p13">III. We are here told how the people were
affected with this discovery of God's glory and grace; they
received it, 1. With the highest joy: <i>They shouted;</i> so
stirring up themselves and one another to a holy triumph, in the
assurance now given them that they had God nigh unto them, which is
spoken of the grandeur of their nation, <scripRef id="Lev.x-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.4.7" parsed="|Deut|4|7|0|0" passage="De 4:7">Deut. iv. 7</scripRef>. 2. With the lowest reverence:
<i>They fell on their faces,</i> humbly adoring the majesty of that
God who vouchsafed thus to manifest himself to them. That is a
sinful fear of God which drives us from him; a gracious fear makes
us bow before him. Very good impressions were made upon their minds
for the present, but they soon wore off, as those commonly do which
are made by that which is only sensible; while the influences of
faith are durable.</p>
</div></div2>