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 ]