CONTENTS
As the people are now approaching Canaan, they are once more numbered;
the sacrifices and burnt offerings again enjoined; and the several
services for every day, the Sabbath day, and the new moons, and the
day of passover, particularly again appointed.... [ Continue Reading ]
It should seem by what the Prophet Amos saith (Amos 5:25.) that the
Israelites were forgetful of those sacrifices. And Stephen, who
reproved the Jewish council when he was brought before them, for this
neglect of their fathers, evidently explains the passage of the
prophet Amos in this sense. See Ac... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! do not overlook the LAMB of GOD, in this continual morning and
evening service of the Israelite. Why, think you, was this perpetual
morning and evening sacrifice, but to keep alive in the mind the sense
of sin, and that without shedding of blood there is no remission? Oh!
may you and I look... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, the wine is to be strong, that is, of the best quality, wine
on the lees well refined: meaning, no doubt, in a spiritual sense, the
richness and strength of that complete salvation which is of GOD in
CHRIST. Our best things, our strongest, richest gifts are the LORD'S
property, and therefor... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! pause over these verses, to remark with me the peculiar honor
and reverence appointed to the sabbath. The original institution of
the sabbath was in honor of the works of creation: but in the gospel
church do not the faithful commemorate both the old creation in
nature, and the new creation... [ Continue Reading ]
The new moons were seasons of peculiar solemnity in the Jewish church,
and seem to have been held in almost equal veneration with the
sabbath. See 2 Kings 4:23. But it hath not pleased the HOLY GHOST to
give his gospel church so particular an account of the cause of their
institution. There can be b... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe in those verses, the service of the passover, and the feast of
unleavened bread succeed each other. Particular directions had been
given concerning the service of the passover, and the great mercy
intended by it: the remembrance of which was to be kept up in the
church in their perpetual gen... [ Continue Reading ]
I would request the Reader to peruse those several verses with
becoming reverence and attention, in order to remark with me the
infinite value our GOD hath put on the blood of that one great
Sacrifice, which all these services represented. What a profusion of
blood was here continually shed! What an... [ Continue Reading ]
The feast of unleavened bread was a day of great solemnity among the
people; and the feast of first fruits, which followed in seven weeks
after, was no less so; and it was intended as a season of testifying
thankfulness to the LORD for the gathering in the blessings of the
earth, and of festivity am... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS
BLESSED JESUS! may all these ordinances, statutes, and appointments of
a shadowy dispensation, be made the means in thy hands, of leading me
to thee, in whom I behold, through the SPIRIT's teaching, all
ordinances, statutes, and sacrifices, having their fullness and
completion. Thou art... [ Continue Reading ]