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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Leviticus, Chapter IX].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1></center>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC03008.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC03010.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>L E V I T C U S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. IX.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Aaron and his sons, having been solemnly consecrated to the priesthood,
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are in this chapter entering upon the execution of their office, the
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very next day after their consecration was completed.
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I. Moses (no doubt by direction from God) appoints a meeting between
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God and his priests, as the representatives of his people, ordering
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them to attend him, and assuring them that he would appear to them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:1-7">ver. 1-7</A>.
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II. The meeting is held according to the appointment.
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1. Aaron attends on God by sacrifice, offering a sin-offering and
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burnt-offering for himself
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:8-14">ver. 8-14</A>),
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and then the offerings for the people, whom he blessed in the name of
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the Lord,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:15-22">ver. 15-22</A>.
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2. God signifies his acceptance,
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(1.) Of their persons, by showing them his glory,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:23">ver. 23</A>.
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(2.) Of their sacrifices, by consuming them with fire from heaven,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:24">ver. 24</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Le9_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Aaron and His Sons Enter on Their Office.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And it came to pass on the eighth day, <I>that</I> Moses called
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Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;
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2 And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin
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offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and
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offer <I>them</I> before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying,
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Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a
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lamb, <I>both</I> of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt
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offering;
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4 Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice
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before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day
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the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> will appear unto you.
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5 And they brought <I>that</I> which Moses commanded before the
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tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation drew
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near and stood before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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6 And Moses said, This <I>is</I> the thing which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> commanded
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that ye should do: and the glory of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall appear unto
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you.
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7 And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy
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sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for
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thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the
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people, and make an atonement for them; as the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> commanded.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Orders are here given for another solemnity upon the eighth day; for
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the newly-ordained priests were set to work immediately after the days
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of their consecration were finished, to let them know that they were
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not ordained to be idle: <I>He that desires the office of a bishop
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desires a good work,</I> which must be looked at with desire, more than
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the honour and benefit. The priests had not so much as one day's
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respite from service allowed them, that they might divert themselves,
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and receive the compliments of their friends upon their elevation, but
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were busily employed the very next day; for their consecration was the
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<I>filling of their hands.</I> God's spiritual priests have constant
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work cut out for them, which the duty of every day requires; and those
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that would give up their account with joy must redeem time; see
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+43:26,27">Ezek. xliii. 26, 27</A>.
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Now,
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1. Moses raises their expectation of a glorious appearance of God to
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them this day
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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"<I>To day the Lord will appear to you</I> that are the priests." And
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when all the congregation are gathered together, and <I>stand before
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the Lord,</I> he tells them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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<I>The glory of the Lord shall appear to you.</I> Though they had
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reason enough to believe God's acceptance of all that they had done
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according to his appointment, upon the general assurance we have that
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he is the <I>rewarder of those that diligently seek him</I> (even if he
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had not given them any sensible token of it), yet that if possible they
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and theirs might be effectually obliged to the service and worship of
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God, and might never turn aside to idols, the glory of God appeared to
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them, and visibly owned what they had done. We are not now to expect
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such appearances; we Christians walk more by faith, and less by sight,
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than they did. But we may be sure that God draws nigh to those who draw
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nigh to him, and that the offerings of faith are really acceptable to
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him, though, the sacrifices being spiritual, the tokens of the
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acceptance are, as it is fit they should be, spiritual likewise. To
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those who are duly consecrated to God he will undoubtedly manifest
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himself.
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2. He puts both priests and people upon preparing to receive this
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favour which God designed them. <I>Aaron and his sons,</I> and <I>the
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elders of Israel,</I> are all summoned to attend,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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Note, God will manifest himself in the solemn assemblies of his people
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and ministers; and those that would have the benefit and comfort of
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God's appearances must in them give their attendance.
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(1.) Aaron is ordered to prepare his offerings: <I>A young calf for a
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sin-offering,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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The Jewish writers suggest that a <I>calf</I> was appointed for a
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sin-offering to remind him of his sin in making the golden calf, by
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which he had rendered himself for ever unworthy of the honour of the
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priesthood, and which he had reason to reflect upon with sorrow and
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shame in all the atonements he made.
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(2.) Aaron must direct the people to get theirs ready. Hitherto Moses
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had told the people what they must do; but now Aaron, as high priest
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over the house of God, must be their teacher, <I>in things pertaining
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to God: Unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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Now that he was to speak from them to God in the sacrifices (the
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language of which he that appointed them very well understood) he must
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speak from God to them in the laws about the sacrifices. Thus Moses
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would engage the people's respect and obedience to him, as one that was
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set <I>over them in the Lord, to admonish them.</I>
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(3.) Aaron must offer his own first, and then the people's,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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Aaron must now <I>go to the altar,</I> Moses having shown him the way
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to it; and there,
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[1.] He must <I>make an atonement for himself;</I> for the high priest,
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being <I>compassed with infirmity, ought, as for the people, so also
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for himself, to offer for sins</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:2,3">Heb. v. 2, 3</A>),
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and for himself first; for how can we expect to be accepted in our
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prayers for others, if we ourselves be not reconciled to God? Nor is
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any service pleasing to God till the guilt of sin be removed by our
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interest in the great propitiation. Those that have the care of the
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souls of others are also hereby taught to look to their own in the
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first place; this charity must begin at home, though it must not end
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there. It is the charge to Timothy, to take care to save himself first,
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and then those that heard him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+4:16">1 Tim. iv. 16</A>.
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The high priest made atonement for himself, as one that was joined with
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sinners; but we have a high priest that was separated from sinners, and
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needed no atonement. When Messiah the prince was cut off as a
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sacrifice, it was not for himself; for he knew no sin.
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[2.] He must <I>make an atonement for the people,</I> by offering their
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sacrifices. Now that he was made a high priest he must lay to heart
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the concerns of the people, and this as their great concern, their
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reconciliation to God, and the putting away of sin which had separated
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between them and God. He must <I>make atonement as the Lord
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commanded.</I> See here the wonderful condescension of the mercy of
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God, that he not only allows an atonement to be made, but commands it;
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not only admits, but requires us to be reconciled to him. No room
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therefore is left to doubt but that the atonement which is commanded
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will be accepted.</P>
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<A NAME="Le9_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_22"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>8 Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the
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sin offering, which <I>was</I> for himself.
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9 And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he
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dipped his finger in the blood, and put <I>it</I> upon the horns of
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the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:
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10 But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver
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of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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commanded Moses.
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11 And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the
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camp.
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12 And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented
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unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the
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altar.
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13 And they presented the burnt offering unto him, with the
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pieces thereof, and the head: and he burnt <I>them</I> upon the altar.
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14 And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt <I>them</I>
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upon the burnt offering on the altar.
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15 And he brought the people's offering, and took the goat,
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which <I>was</I> the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and
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offered it for sin, as the first.
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16 And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it according
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to the manner.
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17 And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful
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thereof, and burnt <I>it</I> upon the altar, beside the burnt
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sacrifice of the morning.
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18 He slew also the bullock and the ram <I>for</I> a sacrifice of
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peace offerings, which <I>was</I> for the people: and Aaron's sons
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presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar
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round about,
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19 And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and
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that which covereth <I>the inwards,</I> and the kidneys, and the caul
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<I>above</I> the liver:
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20 And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat
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upon the altar:
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21 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved <I>for</I> a
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wave offering before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; as Moses commanded.
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22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed
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them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the
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burnt offering, and peace offerings.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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These being the first offerings that ever were offered by the levitical
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priesthood, according to the newly-enacted law of sacrifices, the
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manner of offering them is particularly related, that it might appear
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how exactly they agreed with the institution.
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1. Aaron with his own hands <I>slew the offering</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
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and did the work of the inferior priests; for, great as he was, he must
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not think any service below him which he could do for the honour of
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God: and, as Moses had shown him how to do this work decently and
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dexterously, so he showed his sons, that they might do likewise; for
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this is the best way of teaching, and thus parents should instruct
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their children by example. Therefore as Moses before, so Aaron now
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offered some of each of the several sorts of sacrifices that were
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appointed, whose rites differed, that they might be <I>thoroughly
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furnished for every good work.</I>
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2. He offered these <I>besides the burnt-sacrifice of the morning,</I>
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which was every day offered first,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
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Note, Our accustomed devotions morning and evening, alone and in our
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families, must not be omitted upon any pretence whatsoever, no, not
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when extraordinary services are to be performed; whatever is added,
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these must not be diminished.
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3. It is not clear whether, when it is said that he burnt such and such
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parts of the sacrifices upon the altar
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:10-20"><I>v.</I> 10-20</A>),
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the meaning is that he burnt them immediately with ordinary fire, as
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formerly, or that he laid them upon the altar ready to be burnt with
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the fire from heaven which they expected
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
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or whether, as bishop Patrick thinks, he burnt the offerings for
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himself with ordinary fire, but when they were burnt out he laid the
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people's sacrifices upon the altar, which were kindled and consumed by
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the fire of the Lord. I would rather conjecture, because it is said of
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all these sacrifices that <I>he burnt them</I> (except the
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burnt-offering for the people, of which it is said that he offered it
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<I>according to the manner,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>,
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which seems to be equivalent), that he did not kindle the fire to burn
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them, but that then the fire from the Lord fastened upon them, put out
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the fire that he had kindled (as we know a greater fire puts out a
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less), and suddenly consumed the remainder, which the fire he had
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kindled would have consumed slowly.
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4. When Aaron had done all that on his part was to be done about the
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sacrifices he <I>lifted up his hand towards the people, and blessed
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them,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
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This was one part of the priest's work, in which he was a type of
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Christ, who came into the world to bless us, and when he was parted
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from his disciples, at his ascension, <I>lifted up his hands and
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blessed them,</I> and in them his whole church, of which they were the
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elders and representatives, as the great high priest of our profession.
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Aaron <I>lifted up his hands</I> in blessing them, to intimate whence
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he desired and expected the blessing to come, even from heaven, which
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is God's throne. Aaron could but crave a blessing, it is God's
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prerogative to command it. Aaron, when he had blessed, came down;
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Christ, when he blessed, went up.</P>
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<A NAME="Le9_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le9_24"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the
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congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory
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of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> appeared unto all the people.
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24 And there came a fire out from before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and consumed
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upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: <I>which</I> when all
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the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We are not told what Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle to do,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
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Some of the Jewish writers say, "They went in to pray for the
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appearance of the divine glory;" most probably they went in that Moses
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might instruct Aaron how to do the service that was to be done
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there--burn incense, light the lamps, set the show-bread, &c., that he
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might instruct his sons in it. But, when they came out, they both
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joined in blessing the people, who stood expecting the promised
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appearance of the divine glory; and it was now (when Moses and Aaron
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concurred in praying) that they had what they waited for. Note, God's
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manifestations of himself, of his glory and grace, are commonly given
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in answer to prayer. When Christ was praying the <I>heavens were
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opened,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+3:21">Luke iii. 21</A>.
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The glory of God appeared, not while the sacrifices were in offering,
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but when the priests prayed (as
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:13">2 Chron. v. 13</A>),
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when they praised God, which intimates that the prayers and praises of
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God's spiritual priests are more pleasing to God than all
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burnt-offerings and sacrifices.</P>
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<P>
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When the solemnity was finished, the blessing pronounced, and the
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congregation ready to be dismissed, in the close of the day, then God
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testified his acceptance, which gave them such satisfaction as was well
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worth waiting for.</P>
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<P>
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I. <I>The glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
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What the appearance of it was we are not told; no doubt it was such as
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carried its own evidence along with it. The glory which <I>filled the
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tabernacle</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+40:34">Exod. xl. 34</A>)
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now showed itself at the door of the tabernacle to those who attended
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there, as a prince shows himself to the expecting crowd, to gratify
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them. God hereby testified of their gifts, and showed them that he was
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worthy for whom they should do all this. Note, Those that diligently
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attend upon God in the way he has appointed shall have such a sight of
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his glory as shall be abundantly to their satisfaction. Those that
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dwell in God's house with an eye of faith may <I>behold the beauty of
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the Lord.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. <I>There came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed the
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sacrifice,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+9:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
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Here the learned bishop Patrick has a very probable conjecture, that
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Moses and Aaron staid in the tabernacle till it was time to offer the
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evening sacrifice, which Aaron did, but it is not mentioned, because it
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was done of course, and it was this which the <I>fire that came out
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from the Lord consumed.</I> Whether this fire came from heaven, or out
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of the most holy place, or from that visible appearance of the glory of
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God which all the people saw, it was a manifest token of God's
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acceptance of their service, as, afterwards, of Solomon's sacrifice,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+7:1">2 Chron. vii. 1</A>,
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and Elijah's,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+18:38">1 Kings xviii. 38</A>.</P>
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<P>
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1. This fire did consume (or, as the word is, <I>eat up</I>) the
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present sacrifice. And two ways this was a testimony of
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acceptance:--
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(1.) It signified the turning away of God's wrath from them. God's
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wrath is a consuming fire; this fire might justly have fastened upon
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|
the people, and consumed them for their sins; but its fastening upon
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|
the sacrifice, and consuming that, signified God's acceptance of that
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|
as an atonement for the sinner.
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(2.) It signified God's entering into covenant and communion with them:
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they ate their part of the sacrifice, and the fire of the Lord ate up
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his part; and thus he did, as it were, <I>sup with them, and they with
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him,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:20">Rev. iii. 20</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. This fire did, as it were, take possession of the altar. The fire
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|
was thus kindled in God's house, which was to continue as long as the
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house stood, as we read before,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+6:13"><I>ch.</I> vi. 13</A>.
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|
This also was a figure of good things to come. The Spirit descended
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|
upon the apostles in <I>fire</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:3">Acts ii. 3</A>),
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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
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|
we dwell in God, and God in us, because he hath thus given us of his
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|
Spirit,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+4:13">1 John iv. 13</A>.
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|
Now henceforward,
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|
(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>
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:28">Heb. xii. 28</A>.
|
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|
(2.) The priests must keep it burning with a constant supply of fuel,
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|
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>
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|
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|
<P>
|
|
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|
III. We are here told how the people were affected with this discovery
|
|
of God's glory and grace; they received it,
|
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|
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,
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:7">Deut. iv. 7</A>.
|
|
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|
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>
|
|
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