mh_parser/vol_split/2 - Exodus/Chapter 29.xml

<div2 id="Ex.xxx" n="xxx" next="Ex.xxxi" prev="Ex.xxix" progress="45.09%" title="Chapter XXIX">
<h2 id="Ex.xxx-p0.1">E X O D U S</h2>
<h3 id="Ex.xxx-p0.2">CHAP. XXIX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ex.xxx-p1">Particular orders are given in this chapter, I.
Concerning the consecration of the priests, and the sanctification
of the altar, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.1-Exod.29.37" parsed="|Exod|29|1|29|37" passage="Ex 29:1-37">ver. 1-37</scripRef>.
II. Concerning the daily sacrifice, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.38-Exod.29.41" parsed="|Exod|29|38|29|41" passage="Ex 29:38-41">ver. 38-41</scripRef>. To which gracious promises are
annexed that God would own and bless them in all their services,
<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.42-Exod.29.46" parsed="|Exod|29|42|29|46" passage="Ex 29:42-46">ver. 42</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Ex.xxx-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29" parsed="|Exod|29|0|0|0" passage="Ex 29" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xxx-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.1-Exod.29.37" parsed="|Exod|29|1|29|37" passage="Ex 29:1-37" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.29.1-Exod.29.37">
<h4 id="Ex.xxx-p1.6">The Consecration of the
Priests. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p1.7">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xxx-p2">1 And this <i>is</i> the thing that thou shalt
do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's
office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish,
  2 And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with
oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: <i>of</i> wheaten
flour shalt thou make them.   3 And thou shalt put them into
one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the
two rams.   4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the
door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them
with water.   5 And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon
Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the
breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod:
  6 And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the
holy crown upon the mitre.   7 Then shalt thou take the
anointing oil, and pour <i>it</i> upon his head, and anoint him.
  8 And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them.
  9 And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons,
and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be
theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and
his sons.   10 And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought
before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons
shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.   11 And
thou shalt kill the bullock before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p2.1">Lord</span>, <i>by</i> the door of the tabernacle of
the congregation.   12 And thou shalt take of the blood of the
bullock, and put <i>it</i> upon the horns of the altar with thy
finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.
  13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the
inwards, and the caul <i>that is</i> above the liver, and the two
kidneys, and the fat that <i>is</i> upon them, and burn <i>them</i>
upon the altar.   14 But the flesh of the bullock, and his
skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it
<i>is</i> a sin offering.   15 Thou shalt also take one ram;
and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the
ram.   16 And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his
blood, and sprinkle <i>it</i> round about upon the altar.   17
And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him,
and his legs, and put <i>them</i> unto his pieces, and unto his
head.   18 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar:
it <i>is</i> a burnt offering unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p2.2">Lord</span>: it <i>is</i> a sweet savour, an offering
made by fire unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p2.3">Lord</span>.  
19 And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall
put their hands upon the head of the ram.   20 Then shalt thou
kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put <i>it</i> upon the tip
of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his
sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great
toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar
round about.   21 And thou shalt take of the blood that
<i>is</i> upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle
<i>it</i> upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and
upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed,
and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.
  22 Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and
the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul <i>above</i> the
liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that <i>is</i> upon them,
and the right shoulder; for it <i>is</i> a ram of consecration:
  23 And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and
one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that <i>is</i>
before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p2.4">Lord</span>:   24 And thou
shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons;
and shalt wave them <i>for</i> a wave offering before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p2.5">Lord</span>.   25 And thou shalt receive
them of their hands, and burn <i>them</i> upon the altar for a
burnt offering, for a sweet savour before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p2.6">Lord</span>: it <i>is</i> an offering made by fire unto
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p2.7">Lord</span>.   26 And thou shalt
take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration, and wave it
<i>for</i> a wave offering before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p2.8">Lord</span>: and it shall be thy part.   27 And
thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the
shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved
up, of the ram of the consecration, <i>even</i> of <i>that</i>
which <i>is</i> for Aaron, and of <i>that</i> which is for his
sons:   28 And it shall be Aaron's and his sons' by a statute
for ever from the children of Israel: for it <i>is</i> an heave
offering: and it shall be an heave offering from the children of
Israel of the sacrifice of their peace offerings, <i>even</i> their
heave offering unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p2.9">Lord</span>.  
29 And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to
be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them.   30
<i>And</i> that son that is priest in his stead shall put them on
seven days, when he cometh into the tabernacle of the congregation
to minister in the holy <i>place.</i>   31 And thou shalt take
the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy
place.   32 And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the
ram, and the bread that <i>is</i> in the basket, <i>by</i> the door
of the tabernacle of the congregation.   33 And they shall eat
those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate
<i>and</i> to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat
<i>thereof,</i> because they <i>are</i> holy.   34 And if
ought of the flesh of the consecrations, or of the bread, remain
unto the morning, then thou shalt burn the remainder with fire: it
shall not be eaten, because it <i>is</i> holy.   35 And thus
shalt thou do unto Aaron, and to his sons, according to all
<i>things</i> which I have commanded thee: seven days shalt thou
consecrate them.   36 And thou shalt offer every day a bullock
<i>for</i> a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the
altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt
anoint it, to sanctify it.   37 Seven days thou shalt make an
atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar
most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p3">Here is, I. The law concerning the
consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priest's office, which
was to be done with a great deal of ceremony and solemnity, that
they themselves might be duly affected with the greatness of the
work to which they were called, and that the people also might
learn to magnify the office and none might dare to invade it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p4">1. The ceremonies wherewith it was to be
done were very fully and particularly appointed, because nothing of
this kind had been done before, and because it was to be a statute
for ever that the high priest should be thus inaugurated. Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p5">(1.) The work to be done was the
consecrating of the persons whom God had chosen to be priests, by
which they devoted and gave up themselves to the service of God and
God declared his acceptance of them; and the people were made to
know that they <i>glorified not themselves</i> to be made priests,
but were <i>called of God,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.5.4-Heb.5.5" parsed="|Heb|5|4|5|5" passage="Heb 5:4,5">Heb.
v. 4, 5</scripRef>. They were thus distinguished from common men,
sequestered from common services, and set apart for God and an
immediate attendance on him. Note, All that are to be employed for
God are to be sanctified to him. The person must first be accepted,
and then the performance. The Hebrew phrase for consecrating <i>is
filling the hand</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.9" parsed="|Exod|29|9|0|0" passage="Ex 29:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>): <i>Thou shalt fill the hand of Aaron and his
sons,</i> and the <i>ram of consecration</i> is the <i>ram of
fillings,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.22 Bible:Exod.29.26" parsed="|Exod|29|22|0|0;|Exod|29|26|0|0" passage="Ex 29:22,26"><i>v.</i> 22,
26</scripRef>. The consecrating of them was the perfecting of them;
Christ is said to be <i>perfect</i> or <i>consecrated for
evermore,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.7.28" parsed="|Heb|7|28|0|0" passage="Heb 7:28">Heb. vii. 28</scripRef>.
Probably the phrase here is borrowed from the putting of the
sacrifice into their hand, to be waved before the Lord, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.24" parsed="|Exod|29|24|0|0" passage="Ex 29:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. But it intimates, [1.]
That ministers have their hands full; they have no time to trifle,
so great, so copious, so constant is their work. [2.] That they
must have their hands filled. Of necessity <i>they must have
something to offer,</i> and they cannot find it in themselves, it
must be given them from above. They cannot fill the people's hearts
unless God fill their hands; to him therefore they must go, and
<i>receive from his fulness.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p6">(2.) The person to do it was Moses, by
God's appointment. Though he was <i>ordained for men,</i> yet the
people were not to consecrate him; Moses the <i>servant of the
Lord,</i> and his agent herein, must do it. By God's special
appointment he now did the priest's work, and therefore that which
was the priest's part of the sacrifice was here ordered to be his,
<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.26" parsed="|Exod|29|26|0|0" passage="Ex 29:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p7">(3.) The place was at the <i>door of the
tabernacle of meeting,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.4" parsed="|Exod|29|4|0|0" passage="Ex 29:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>. God was pleased to dwell in the tabernacle, the
people attending in the courts, so that the door between the court
and the tabernacle was the fittest place for those to be
consecrated in who were to mediate between God and man, and to
stand between both, and <i>lay their hands</i> (as it were) <i>upon
both.</i> They were consecrated at the door, for they were to be
door-keepers.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p8">(4.) It was done with many ceremonies.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p9">[1.] They were to be washed (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.4" parsed="|Exod|29|4|0|0" passage="Ex 29:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), signifying that those
must be clean who <i>bear the vessels of the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.52.11" parsed="|Isa|52|11|0|0" passage="Isa 52:11">Isa. lii. 11</scripRef>. Those that would
<i>perfect holiness</i> must <i>cleanse themselves from all
filthiness of flesh and spirit,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.1 Bible:Isa.1.16-Isa.1.18" parsed="|2Cor|7|1|0|0;|Isa|1|16|1|18" passage="2Co 7:1,Isa 1:16-18">2 Cor. vii. 1; Isa. i. 16-18</scripRef>. They
were now washed all over; but afterwards, when they went in to
minister, they washed only their hands and feet (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.30.19" parsed="|Exod|30|19|0|0" passage="Ex 30:19"><i>ch.</i> xxx. 19</scripRef>); for <i>he that is washed
needs</i> no more, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:John.13.10" parsed="|John|13|10|0|0" passage="Joh 13:10">John xiii.
10</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p10">[2.] They were to be clothed with the holy
garments (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.5-Exod.29.6 Bible:Exod.29.8 Bible:Exod.29.9" parsed="|Exod|29|5|29|6;|Exod|29|8|0|0;|Exod|29|9|0|0" passage="Ex 29:5,6,8,9"><i>v.</i> 5, 6, 8,
9</scripRef>), to signify that it was not sufficient for them to
put away the pollutions of sin, but they must put on the graces of
the Spirit, be <i>clothed with righteousness,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.132.9" parsed="|Ps|132|9|0|0" passage="Ps 132:9">Ps. cxxxii. 9</scripRef>. They must be girded,
as men prepared and strengthened for their work; and they must be
robed and crowned, as men that counted their work and office their
true honour.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p11">[3.] The high priest was to be anointed
with the <i>holy anointing oil</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.7" parsed="|Exod|29|7|0|0" passage="Ex 29:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), that the church might be filled
and delighted with the sweet savour of his administrations (for
<i>ointment and perfume rejoice the heart</i>), and in token of the
pouring out of the Spirit upon him, to qualify him for his work.
Brotherly love is compared to this oil with which Aaron was
anointed, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.133.2" parsed="|Ps|133|2|0|0" passage="Ps 133:2">Ps. cxxxiii. 2</scripRef>.
The inferior priests are said to be anointed (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.30.30" parsed="|Exod|30|30|0|0" passage="Ex 30:30"><i>ch.</i> xxx. 30</scripRef>), not on their heads, as
the high priest (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.21.10" parsed="|Lev|21|10|0|0" passage="Le 21:10">Lev. xxi.
10</scripRef>), the oil was only mingled with the blood that was
sprinkled upon their garments.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p12">[4.] Sacrifices were to be offered for
them. The covenant of priesthood, as all other covenants, must be
<i>made by sacrifice.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p13"><i>First,</i> There must be a sin-offering,
to make atonement for them, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.10-Exod.29.14" parsed="|Exod|29|10|29|14" passage="Ex 29:10-14"><i>v.</i> 10-14</scripRef>. The law made those
priests that had infirmity, and therefore they must first offer for
their own sin, before they could make atonement <i>for the
people,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.7.27-Heb.7.28" parsed="|Heb|7|27|7|28" passage="Heb 7:27,28">Heb. vii. 27,
28</scripRef>. They were to put their hand on the head of their
sacrifice (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.10" parsed="|Exod|29|10|0|0" passage="Ex 29:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>),
confessing that they deserved to die for their own sin, and
desiring that the killing of the beast might expiate their guilt,
and be accepted as a vicarious satisfaction. It was used as other
sin-offerings were; only, whereas the flesh of other sin-offerings
was eaten by the priests (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.10.18" parsed="|Lev|10|18|0|0" passage="Le 10:18">Lev. x.
18</scripRef>), in token of the priest's taking away the sin of the
people, this was appointed to be all burnt without the camp
(<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.14" parsed="|Exod|29|14|0|0" passage="Ex 29:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>), to signify
the imperfection of the legal dispensation (as the learned bishop
Patrick notes); for the sins of the priests themselves could not be
taken away by those sacrifices, but they must expect a better high
priest and a better sacrifice.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p14"><i>Secondly,</i> There must be a
burnt-offering, a ram wholly burnt, to the honour of God, in token
of the dedication of themselves wholly to God and to his service,
as living sacrifices, kindled with the fire and ascending in the
flame of holy love, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.15-Exod.29.18" parsed="|Exod|29|15|29|18" passage="Ex 29:15-18"><i>v.</i>
15-18</scripRef>. The sin-offering must first be offered and then
the burnt-offering; for, till guilt be removed, no acceptable
service can be performed, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.6.7" parsed="|Isa|6|7|0|0" passage="Isa 6:7">Isa. vi.
7</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p15"><i>Thirdly,</i> There must be a
peace-offering; it is called <i>the ram of consecration,</i>
because there was more in this peculiar to the occasion than in the
other two. In the burnt-offering God had the glory of their
priesthood, in this they had the comfort of it; and, in token of a
mutual covenant between God and them, 1. The blood of the sacrifice
was divided between God and them (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.20-Exod.29.21" parsed="|Exod|29|20|29|21" passage="Ex 29:20,21"><i>v.</i> 20, 21</scripRef>); part of the blood was
<i>sprinkled upon the altar round about,</i> and part put upon
them, upon their bodies (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.20" parsed="|Exod|29|20|0|0" passage="Ex 29:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>), and upon their garments, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.21" parsed="|Exod|29|21|0|0" passage="Ex 29:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. Thus the benefit of the
expiation made by the sacrifice was applied and assured to them,
and their whole selves from head to foot sanctified to the service
of God. The blood was put upon the extreme parts of the body, to
signify that it was all, as it were, enclosed and taken in for God,
the tip of the ear and the great toe not excepted. We reckon that
the blood and oil sprinkled upon garments spot and stain them; yet
the holy oil, and the blood of the sacrifice, sprinkled upon their
garments, must be looked upon as the greatest adorning imaginable
to them, for they signified the blood of Christ, and the graces of
the Spirit, which constitute and complete the beauty of holiness,
and recommend us to God; we read of robes <i>made white with the
blood of the Lamb.</i> 2. The <i>flesh of the sacrifice,</i> with
the meat-offering annexed to it, was likewise divided between God
and them, that (to speak with reverence) God and they might feast
together, in token of friendship and fellowship. (1.) Part of it
was to be first waved before the Lord, and then burnt upon the
altar; part of the <i>flesh</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.22" parsed="|Exod|29|22|0|0" passage="Ex 29:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>), part of the <i>bread,</i> for
bread and flesh must go together (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.23" parsed="|Exod|29|23|0|0" passage="Ex 29:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>); these were first put into the
hands of Aaron to be waved to and fro, in token of their being
offered to God (who, though unseen, yet compasses us round on every
side), and then they were to be burnt upon the altar (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p15.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.24-Exod.29.25" parsed="|Exod|29|24|29|25" passage="Ex 29:24,25"><i>v.</i> 24, 25</scripRef>), for the altar
was to devour God's part of the sacrifice. Thus God admitted Aaron
and his sons to be his servants, and wait at his table, taking the
mat of his altar from their hands. Here, in a parenthesis, as it
were, comes in the law concerning the priests' part of the
peace-offerings afterwards, the breast and shoulder, which were now
divided; Moses had the breast, and the shoulder was burnt on the
altar with God's part, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p15.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.26-Exod.29.28" parsed="|Exod|29|26|29|28" passage="Ex 29:26-28"><i>v.</i>
26-28</scripRef>. (2.) The other part, both of the flesh of the ram
and of the bread, Aaron and his sons were to eat at the door of the
tabernacle (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p15.8" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.31-Exod.29.33" parsed="|Exod|29|31|29|33" passage="Ex 29:31-33"><i>v.</i>
31-33</scripRef>), to signify that he called them not only
<i>servants</i> but <i>friends,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p15.9" osisRef="Bible:John.15.15" parsed="|John|15|15|0|0" passage="Joh 15:15">John xv. 15</scripRef>. He <i>supped with them,</i> and
<i>they with him.</i> Their eating of the things wherewith <i>the
atonement was made</i> signified their <i>receiving the
atonement,</i> as the expression is (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p15.10" osisRef="Bible:Rom.5.11" parsed="|Rom|5|11|0|0" passage="Ro 5:11">Rom. v. 11</scripRef>), their thankful acceptance of the
benefit of it, and their joyful communion with God thereupon, which
was the true intent and meaning of a feast upon a sacrifice. If any
of it was left, it must be burnt, that it might not be in any
danger of putrefying, and to show that it was an extraordinary
peace-offering.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p16">2. The time that was to be spent in this
consecration: <i>Seven days shalt thou consecrate them,</i>
<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.35" parsed="|Exod|29|35|0|0" passage="Ex 29:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>. Though all
the ceremonies were performed on the first day, yet, (1.) They were
not to look upon their consecration as completed till the seven
days' end, which put a solemnity upon their admission, and a
distance between this and their former state, and obliged them to
enter upon their work with a pause, giving them time to consider
the weight and seriousness of it. This was to be observed in
after-ages, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.30" parsed="|Exod|29|30|0|0" passage="Ex 29:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>.
He that was to succeed Aaron in the high-priesthood must put on the
holy garments seven days together, in token of a deliberate and
gradual advance into his office, and that one sabbath might pass
over him in his consecration. (2.) Every day of the seven, in this
first consecration, a bullock was to be offered for a sin-offering
(<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.36" parsed="|Exod|29|36|0|0" passage="Ex 29:36"><i>v.</i> 36</scripRef>), which was
to intimate to them, [1.] That it was of very great concern to them
to get their sins pardoned, and that though atonement was made, and
they had the comfort of it, yet they must still keep up a penitent
sense of sin and often repeat the confession of it. [2.] That those
sacrifices which were thus offered day by day to make atonement
could not make the <i>comers thereunto perfect,</i> for then they
would have ceased to be offered, as the apostle argues, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.10.1-Heb.10.2" parsed="|Heb|10|1|10|2" passage="Heb 10:1,2">Heb. x. 1, 2</scripRef>. They must therefore
expect the <i>bringing in of a better hope.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p17">3. This consecration of the priests was a
<i>shadow of good things to come.</i> (1.) Our Lord Jesus is the
great high-priest of our profession, called of God to be so,
consecrated for evermore, anointed with the Spirit above his
fellows (whence he is called <i>Messiah,</i> the <i>Christ</i>),
clothed with the holy garments, even with glory and beauty,
sanctified by his own blood, not that of bullocks and rams
(<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.9.12" parsed="|Heb|9|12|0|0" passage="Heb 9:12">Heb. ix. 12</scripRef>), <i>made
perfect,</i> or consecrated, <i>through sufferings,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.2.10" parsed="|Heb|2|10|0|0" passage="Heb 2:10">Heb. ii. 10</scripRef>. Thus in him this was a
perpetual statute, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.9" parsed="|Exod|29|9|0|0" passage="Ex 29:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>. (2.) All believers are spiritual priests, to offer
spiritual sacrifices (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.2.5" parsed="|1Pet|2|5|0|0" passage="1Pe 2:5">1 Pet. ii.
5</scripRef>), washed in the blood of Christ, and so <i>made to our
God priests,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:Rev.1.5-Rev.1.6" parsed="|Rev|1|5|1|6" passage="Re 1:5,6">Rev. i. 5,
6</scripRef>. They also are clothed with the beauty of holiness,
and have received the anointing, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p17.6" osisRef="Bible:1John.2.27" parsed="|1John|2|27|0|0" passage="1Jo 2:27">1
John ii. 27</scripRef>. Their hands are filled with work, to which
they must continually attend; and it is through Christ, the great
sacrifice, that they are dedicated to this service. His blood
<i>sprinkled upon the conscience purges it from dead works, that
they may,</i> as priests, <i>serve the living God.</i> The Spirit
of God (as Ainsworth notes) is called the <i>finger of God</i>
(<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p17.7" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.20" parsed="|Luke|21|20|0|0" passage="Lu 21:20">Luke xi. 20</scripRef>, compared with
<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p17.8" osisRef="Bible:Matt.12.28" parsed="|Matt|12|28|0|0" passage="Mt 12:28">Matt. xii. 28</scripRef>), and by him
the merit of Christ is effectually applied to our souls, as here
Moses with his finger was to put the blood upon Aaron. It is
likewise intimated that gospel ministers are to be solemnly set
apart to the work of the ministry with great deliberation and
seriousness both in the ordainers and in the ordained, as those
that are to be employed in a great work and entrusted with a great
charge.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p18">II. The consecration of the altar, which
seems to have been coincident with that of the priests, and the
sin-offerings which were offered every day for seven days together
had reference to the altar as well as the priests, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.36-Exod.29.37" parsed="|Exod|29|36|29|37" passage="Ex 29:36,37"><i>v.</i> 36, 37</scripRef>. An
<i>atonement</i> was <i>made for the altar.</i> Though that was not
a subject capable of sin, nor, having never yet been used, could it
be said to be polluted with the sins of the people, yet, since the
fall, there can be no sanctification to God but there must first be
<i>an atonement for sin,</i> which renders us both unworthy and
unfit to be employed for God. The altar was also <i>sanctified,</i>
not only set apart itself to a sacred use, but made so holy as to
<i>sanctify the gifts</i> that were offered upon it, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.23.19" parsed="|Matt|23|19|0|0" passage="Mt 23:19">Matt. xxiii. 19</scripRef>. Christ is our altar;
for our sakes he sanctified himself, that we and our performances
might be sanctified and recommended to God, <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:John.17.19" parsed="|John|17|19|0|0" passage="Joh 17:19">John xvii. 19</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xxx-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.38-Exod.29.46" parsed="|Exod|29|38|29|46" passage="Ex 29:38-46" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.29.38-Exod.29.46">
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xxx-p19">38 Now this <i>is that</i> which thou shalt
offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day
continually.   39 The one lamb thou shalt offer in the
morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:   40 And
with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth
part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine
<i>for</i> a drink offering.   41 And the other lamb thou
shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat
offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering
thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p19.1">Lord</span>.   42 <i>This shall be</i>
a continual burnt offering throughout your generations <i>at</i>
the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p19.2">Lord</span>: where I will meet you, to speak
there unto thee.   43 And there I will meet with the children
of Israel, and <i>the tabernacle</i> shall be sanctified by my
glory.   44 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the
congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and
his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office.   45 And I
will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.
  46 And they shall know that I <i>am</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p19.3">Lord</span> their God, that brought them forth out of
the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I <i>am</i> the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxx-p19.4">Lord</span> their God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p20">In this paragraph we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p21">I. The daily service appointed. A lamb was
to be offered upon the altar every morning, and a lamb every
evening, each with a meat-offering, both made by fire, as a
<i>continual burnt-offering throughout their generations,</i>
<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.38-Exod.29.41" parsed="|Exod|29|38|29|41" passage="Ex 29:38-41"><i>v.</i> 38-41</scripRef>. Whether
there were any other sacrifices to be offered or not, these were
sure to be offered, at the public charge, for the benefit and
comfort of all Israel, to make atonement for their daily sins, and
to be an acknowledgement to God of their daily mercies. This was
that which <i>the duty of every day required.</i> The taking away
of this daily sacrifice by Antiochus, for so many evenings and
mornings, was that great calamity of the church which was foretold,
<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Dan.8.11" parsed="|Dan|8|11|0|0" passage="Da 8:11">Dan. viii. 11</scripRef>. Note, 1. This
typified the continual intercession which Christ ever lives to
make, in virtue of his satisfaction, for the continual
sanctification of his church: though he offered himself <i>once for
all,</i> yet that one offering thus becomes a continual offering.
2. This teaches us to offer up to God the spiritual sacrifices of
prayer and praise every day, morning and evening, in humble
acknowledgement of our dependence upon him and our obligations to
him. Our daily devotions must be looked upon as the most needful of
our daily works and the most pleasant of our daily comforts.
Whatever business we have, this must never be omitted, either
morning or evening; prayer-time must be kept up as duly as
meat-time. The daily sacrifices were as the daily meals in God's
house, and therefore they were always attended with bread and wine.
Those starve their own souls that keep not up a constant attendance
on the throne of grace.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxx-p22">II. Great and precious promises made of
God's favour to Israel, and the tokens of his special presence with
them, while they thus kept up his institutions among them. He
speaks as one well pleased with the appointment of the daily
sacrifice; for, before he proceeds to the other appointments that
follow, he interposes these promises. It is constancy in religion
that brings in the comfort of it. He promises, 1. That he would
keep up communion with them; that he would not only meet Moses, and
speak to him, but that he would <i>meet the children of Israel,</i>
(<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.43" parsed="|Exod|29|43|0|0" passage="Ex 29:43"><i>v.</i> 43</scripRef>), to accept
the daily sacrifices offered up on their behalf. Note, God will not
fail to give those the meeting who diligently and conscientiously
attend upon him in the ordinances of his own appointment. 2. That
he would own his own institutions, the tabernacle, the altar, the
priesthood (<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.43-Exod.29.44" parsed="|Exod|29|43|29|44" passage="Ex 29:43,44"><i>v.</i> 43,
44</scripRef>); he would take possession of that which was
consecrated to him. Note, What is sanctified to the glory of God
shall be sanctified by his glory. If we do our part, God will do
his, and will mark and fit that for himself which is in sincerity
given up to him. 3. That he would reside among them as God in
covenant with them, and would give them sure and comfortable tokens
of his peculiar favour to them, and his special presence with them
(<scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.45-Exod.29.46" parsed="|Exod|29|45|29|46" passage="Ex 29:45,46"><i>v.</i> 45, 46</scripRef>): <i>I
will dwell among the children of Israel.</i> Note, Where God sets
up the tabernacle of his ordinances he will himself dwell. <i>Lo, I
am with you always,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxx-p22.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.20" parsed="|Matt|28|20|0|0" passage="Mt 28:20">Matt. xxviii.
20</scripRef>. Those that abide in God's house shall have God to
abide with them. <i>I will be their God, and they shall know</i>
that I am so. Note, Those are truly happy that have a
covenant-interest in God as theirs and the comfortable evidence of
that interest. If we have this, we have enough, and need no more to
make us happy.</p>
</div></div2>