CONTENTS As the preceding Chapter s related to the solemn appointments of the LORD concerning places and persons; so in this, the same laws are carried on in relation to times and seasons for those services. The feasts of the LORD are here set down; the sabbath, the passover, the sheaf of first fru... [ Continue Reading ]
Let it be observed by the Reader, that all the sacred institutions of religion, derive their authority from the LORD. They are called his feasts, and consequently his appointment. What he sanctifieth and setteth apart must he holy. It were well if this was more carefully attended to, in respect to h... [ Continue Reading ]
The first feast mentioned in its place, is that of the sabbath, which, as it is the most ancient, so is it the most universal. JESUS hath given his sanction to it throughout his blessed gospel; for he came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil. Reader, suffer me in this place to remark, concerning o... [ Continue Reading ]
This is the second feast noticed in this chapter. Reader! search for JESUS as your passover, and remember what the apostle hath said on this subject, 1 Corinthians 5:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is the third of those feasts. Reader! we must have a whole unleavened Saviour for salvation; anything of ours mingled with his pure and all-perfect sacrifice would pollute it. Blessed JESUS! be thou my all, my altar, my priest, my unleavened sacrifice, my GOD.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is the fourth feast noticed in this chapter, the sheaf-offering of the first fruits. And a sweet type it was of the LORD JESUS, as the first fruits of them that slept. And it is worth the Reader's notice, that the LORD JESUS actually arose from the dead, according to the Jews own calculation, o... [ Continue Reading ]
This is the fifth of those feasts, the solemnity of Pentecost, or as it is elsewhere called the feast of harvest. Exodus 23:16. And what a pointed type was this of that glorious event in after ages, when the HOLY GHOST came down in so gracious a manner, that the harvest of souls to the LORD JESUS on... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe the gracious attention of GOD in the repetition of this precept. See Leviticus 19:9. But, Reader, is not this precept of a sweet spiritual import also? Doth it not say, that as gleanings of the harvest were to be left in the corners of the field for the poor and the stranger: so in every cor... [ Continue Reading ]
This feast of trumpets is the sixth in number of the holy days appointed in this chapter. It should seem to have been at the time which the Jews called their new year. But the spiritual sense contained in it is very plain. It represents the gospel call, which the prophet Isaiah, in after ages, in al... [ Continue Reading ]
Perhaps this day of sorrow cannot be strictly termed a feast day. But yet as being on the Sabbath, that sacred day lost not its name. Is not the LORD JESUS typically set forth here also, who in the days of his flesh offered up strong crying and tears. Hebrews 5:7. This was he, of whom Daniel spake,... [ Continue Reading ]
This feast of tabernacles, which was one of the highest in point of enjoyment to Israel, very mercifully follows five days after the day of atonement. And is there not this gospel mercy typified in it, that the conviction of sin by the SPIRIT is sweetly followed by the conviction of the righteousnes... [ Continue Reading ]
Moses here finisheth his commission, in relation to these feasts, somewhat like the apostle in after ages. 1 Corinthians 15:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS READER! may it be your happiness and mine, while perusing this chapter, to experience the divine teachings of GOD the SPIRIT; whose office it is to take of the things of JESUS to show unto us: and may we find cause to bless GOD for so many sweet memorials of the ever blessed JESUS. And,... [ Continue Reading ]