Numbers 29:12-38

This feast of tabernacles immediately followed the day of atonement, and no doubt in the appointment, a precious doctrine was contained. There is, indeed, cause of joy, even holy joy and rapture ahead, when through the blood of atonement, we have peace with GOD through JESUS. CHRIST our LORD. See GOD'S command to this effect, Isaiah 40:1. I again refer the Reader to what was before said on this solemnity, Leviticus 23:34. But, as the Reader will find in comparing that scripture with this, that here are added directions about the offerings made by fire, it will be proper to observe that the fire of grace, that holy flame in the heart, is the only thing to make every offering acceptable. JESUS is, and must be the sum and substance of the whole. Without me, saith CHRIST, ye can do nothing, John 15:5. How much of gospel, also, was in that service, that during the people's dwelling in booths, which carried with it an idea of a tabernacle-state, having no certain dwelling-place, but to be put up and taken down as occasion required; I say, how much of gospel was in it, that the daily sacrifice, notwithstanding the inconveniency of it, was by no means to be omitted? Reader! whoever you are, however you are circumstanced, JESUS is; and must be the morning and evening Lamb of your sacrifice and oblation! Yes, dearest LORD! do thou remind my poor forgetful heart, both morning, evening, and throughout the whole day, that thou alone art the High Priest, altar, and sacrifice of my soul: and LORD; grant that I may be accepted in the beloved! Ephesians 1:6. Was not this daily decrease of the number of the bullocks during the feast of tabernacles, an expressive type of the gradual decline of the Levitical dispensation, in proportion as the gospel was coming forward? The Apostle to the Hebrews seems to have had this idea when comparing the old covenant, as he calls it, with the new: for he saith, that which decayeth and waxed old is ready to vanish away. Hebrews 8:13 : I would have the Reader notice one thing very particularly in the feast of tabernacles, and that is the sin offering enjoined, Numbers 29:19. And what is offered under this appointment, but this: that, in our highest enjoyments and under all our highest privileges in the covenant mercies of GOD in CHRIST, we derive all from him, and his gracious interposition, who was made sin for us, though he knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21. It may not be amiss to observe, that if was at this memorable feast of tabernacles, when JESUS stood and cried, "If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink; " sweetly teaching, that if any poor awakened Jew felt, under the HOLY GHOST'S influences, the burden of sin, and the insufficiency of all those legal ordinances to bring comfort, to the soul, and therefore thirsted after a better righteousness to commend his soul to GOD; JESUS stood ready to receive all that came to GOD by him, and would satisfy his desires. John 7:37.