The History of the Old Testament Methodized, Chapter 4 · Section 21
SECT. XXI.
MOſes during this His long abode in the Mount, received from the Lord thoſe Commands and Inſtructions mentioned in 25, 26, 27, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 Chapters of Exodus. The Particulars whereof are theſe following:
Firſt, Touching the framing of a Tabernacle, that is, a moveable and portable Temple (after the model and pattern that was ſhewed him in the Mount) for the ſolemn Worſhip and Service of God; in which He would dwell among them, and manifeſt his gracious Preſence, and there He would meet with them, and declare His Mind unto them, verſ. 22. In order to which,
1ſt. He Commands that the people ſhould make a voluntary and free-will-Offering unto Him of Gold, Silver, Braſs; and of Blue, Purple, Scarlet, fine Linnen, Goats Hair, Rams Skins dyed red, and Badgers Skins; alſo of Shittim wood (q)Iſa. 41.19. 'Tis called the Shittah-Tree. It being a precious wood, the Iſraelites might bring it with them out of Egypt, as appears from Exod. 35.24. Some think they had it from Abel-Shittim, Numb. 33.49. Shittim wood was very durable, very portable and light of Carriage, and very precious, uſed in moſt of the utenſils of the Tabernacle.and Oil for the Lights, and Spices for the anointing Oil, and for ſweet Incenſe; alſo of Onyx Stones and other precious Stones to be ſet in the Ephod and Breaſt-plate of the High-Preiſt.
Ch. 25. from 1. to the 10.
2ly, He gives Directions concerning framing the Ark (r)The Ark was a ſign of Gods Preſence among them, as He was their Lord and Lawgiver, ordaining and requiring Obedience to theſe his Commandments, and threatning death to the Tranſgreſſors. The Ark is the firſt and chiefeſt of all the Holy things, and for it principally was the Tabernacle made, Exod. 26.33. & 40.18, 21. and it ſanctified the Tent or Houſe wherein it reſted, as Solomon ſaid, The Places are holy where into the Ark of the Lord hath come, 2 Chron. 8.11. Imitati hoc Gentiles Deorum myſteria in capſulis portantes. Et levis occultis conſcia ciſta Sacris. Tibul.or Sacred Cheſt, wherein only the Teſtimony (s)Exod. 31.18. & 38.21. called the Tables of the Covenant, Deut. 9.9. And ſo the Ark called the Ark of the Covenant, Numb. 10.33. and the Book of the Law is called the Teſtimony, 2 Kings 11.12. and ſo the Goſpel the Teſtimony of God, 1 Cor. 2.1.(that is, the Ten Commandments written upon Tables of Stone, which were a Teſtimony of the Covenant between God and them, and teſtified what God required of them) was to be kept. This was to be made of Shittim wood, two Cubits *A Cubit among the Hebrews is ſuppoſed to be a Foot and half of our meaſure. The Ark was therefore a Yard and nine inches long, and three quarters of a Yard high and broad, Gen. 6.15.and half in length, and a Cubit and half in breadth and in height. It was to be overlaid with plates of pure Gold, within and without, and they were to make a golden Garland, crown or border round about it. And two gilt Rings were to be made on each ſide of it, and Staves of Shittim-wood gilt to be put into the Rings, by which the Levites, and none elſe, were to carry it on their Shoulders, ſee Numb. 7.9. And they were to make a Lid or Covering for it (called the Mercy-Seat or Propitiatory,)(t)This Mercy-Seat was a Type of Chriſt, by whom we are covered from the Wrath of God and Curſe of the Law. of pure beaten Gold, and two Cherubims (u)His Angeli deſignantur aſſiſtentes Deo, Mat. 18.10. Chriſto morem gerentes, Mat. 4.11. Heb. 1.6. at que in Eccleſiae ſubſidium parati, Heb. 1.14. confer 1 Sam. 4.of Gold at the ends of it, ſtretching forth their Wings, and with their Faces looking one towards the other. And there God promiſes to meet with them, (x)There eſpecially did God ſpeak to them, though not there only. See Ch. 29.42. Numb. 12.5.and from between the Cherubims on the Mercy-Seat to Commune with them, and give them his Oracles and Commandments in an audible Voice.
Exod. 25. from 10. to 23.
3ly, He gives Directions concerning framing the Table of Shew-Bread, which was to be of Shittim-wood (and according to our meaſure) a Yard long, half a Yard broad, and three quarters of a Yard high. It was to be overlaid with pure Gold, and a Border or Liſt of an hands-breath to be made about it; and a golden Garland, Crown or Fringe to go about that, riſing from the edge of the Table, and bounding it on every ſide. And four gilded Rings on the four corners of the feet thereof, and gilded Staves of Shittim-wood to be put into thoſe Rings to carry it by, that ſo it might be born on the Prieſts Shoulders. Four kinds of Veſſels belonging to this Table were alſo to be made of pure Gold. 1. Diſhes to hold the Cakes or Loaves of Shew-Bread, which were to be twelve in number, according to the twelve Loaves, [ſee Levit. 24.5.] that were to be ſet therein; and ſome of theſe Diſhes poſſibly were to hold Frankincenſe, which was to be put upon each row of the Shew-Bread, Levit. 24.7. to intimate to them that they ought to ſend up Praiſes to God for their daily Bread. 2. Spoons to put the Frankincenſe into the Diſhes, and to take it out again when it was to be burnt upon the Altar of Incenſe. 3. Covers or Plates for the covering of the Loaves. 4. Bowles for the covering of the Diſhes of Frankincenſe, or which might ſerve for the burning of the Frankincenſe. Shew-bread was to be ſet upon this Table before the Lord always. 'Twas called Shew-bread, becauſe it was to be ſet upon the Table, and ſo ſhewed and ſet in view, and preſented before the Lord. There were every week twelve (y)Per hos panes duodecim Tribus pulchre ſignificabant ſe a Deo continuo ali, & gratitudinis ergo perpetuum quaſi Sacrificium illi offerre. Haec Chriſti menſam indicat, Sanctorum communionem, item coeleſte Grandium, verbi que variam foreign. Anonym. in loc.Cakes (z)Every Cake was to contain two homers or tenth deales of an Epha (or Buſhel of fine Flour) enough to ſerve two men for one day, every one containing eight pounds, as Ribera thinks.thereof to be made according to the number of the twelve Tribes of Iſrael. Theſe with pure Incenſe were to be ſet every Sabbath day new upon the Table in two rows, ſix on a row, and the old bread was then to be taken away and eaten by the Prieſts, Levit. 24.5, 9. The Bread on this Table was tendred to God as a Quit-rent, or acknowledgment that they held all their Food from his Providence and Bounty.
Exod. 25. from verſ. 23. to 31.
4ly, Concerning the framing of the golden Candelſtick, which was to be made with a ſhaft, and ſix branches coming out of the ſides of it, three on one ſide (one above another) and three on the other ſide, all of beaten Gold. And ſeven Sookets were to be made, one on the top of the Shaft, and the other on the ſix Branches, whereinto the Oil was to be put, to feed the Lamps, that they might give light round about it. See Numb. 8.2. And the Tongs and Snuffers (that were appointed to raiſe up the Wick of the Lamps, and make them burn brighter) were all to be of Gold; and a talent of Gold was to be ſpent in the making of this Candleſtick, and the things appertaining to it, which amounts to 120 pound weight.
From 31. to the end.
5ly, The Children of Iſrael were charged to bring pure *By this pure Oil was ſignified the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit, whereby the Miniſters of God are fitted to be as lights among the people.Oil-Olive beaten, viz. ſuch as ran from the Olives when they were firſt beaten or ſtamped, which was clearer and purer than that which was cruſhed out with a Preſs. With this the Prieſts were to maintain the Lamps, and to cauſe them to burn always; that is, every night. (a)'Tis conceived that the Lamps burnt only in the Night, and were put out in the Morning, which ſome infer from 1 Sam. 3.3. where 'tis ſaid, The Lord appeared to Samuel ere the Lamp of God went out in the Temple, to wit, before break of day.For they were to light them in the Evening, and in the Morning to put them out, and cleanſe them, and trim them to be lighted again at Night.
Exod. 27.20, 21.
6ly, Concerning the Altar of Incenſe (b)The Incenſe did ſignifie how the prayers of the Saints through Chriſt are acceptable to God. See Rev. 8.3. Pſal. 141.2. Rev. 5.8.to be made of Shittim-wood fourſquare, a Cubit in length, and a Cubit in breadth, and two Cubits in height, with Horns or little Pyramids at the four corners thereof; and it was to be overlaid with Gold, therefore called Numb. 4.11. the golden Altar; but Ezek. 41.22. 'tis called the wooden Altar; and ſo it ſhadowed Chriſt in both his Natures, his Deity giving glory to his Humanity. And it was to have a gilded Garland round about the edges of it, and two gilded Rings on each ſide at each corner, and Staves of Shittim-wood to be put through thoſe Rings to carry it with, when the Tabernacle was to be removed, Numb. 4.11. And it was to be placed in the holy Place before the Veil that was to ſeparate the moſt Holy from the holy Place, juſt before the Mercy-Seat. And Aaron was appointed, not in quality of High Prieſt, but only as a Prieſt (for to this Office the inferiour Prieſts were afterwards admitted, as appears Luke 1.) when he had dreſſed and trimmed the Lamps of the golden Candleſtick in the Morning, (c)Manè mundabantur, veſperi accendebantur. Vatab.and made them ready to be lighted again at Night, to burn ſweet Incenſe upon this Altar, and when he lighted the Lamps at Night to burn Incenſe again upon it; (d)Luke 1.9, 10. when Zachary burned Incenſe in the Temple, the whole multitude were without at prayer while the Incenſe was aſcending.poſſibly to intimate to them how God's people ſhould daily and conſtantly pray unto the Lord, and that the prayers of his faithful people are very acceptable unto him while Jeſus Chriſt doth incenſe them by his Merits and Interceſſion. And this Ordinance was to be perpetually obſerved by(e)The Incenſe ſeems to be burnt in Chaſing-diſhes upon this Altar. Numb. 29.7. them in their Generations while that Diſpenſation laſted. Further they were injoyned to offer no ſtrange Incenſe thereon, that is, made of any other materials than what is injoyned, verſ. 34, 35, &c. where the Ingredients are preſcribed to be ſweet Spices with pure Frankincenſe beaten ſmall, and mixed together, and to be applied by the Prieſt only to this holy uſe and no other. They were not to make any like to it to ſmell to, or for their own private uſe. Whoſoever ſhould contemptuouſly offend againſt this Ordinance are threatn'd to be cut off by Divine Vengeance. And Aaron once a year as High Prieſt (viz. on the great day of Expiation, on the tenth day of the ſeventh month, ſee Levit. 16.18.) was appointed to put the bloud of the Sin-Offering upon the Horns of this Altar, to make Expiation for ſuch Errours and Failings as might have been committed in the adminiſtration about it. And this Rite was to be religiouſly obſerved by them in their Generations, till Chriſt the Subſtance of theſe Ceremonial ſhadows ſhould appear.
Exod. 30. from 1. to 11. and from verſ. 34. to the end.
7ly, He gives Directions concerning framing the Tabernacle. Now the Tabernacle taken in the largeſt ſenſe contained two parts, one that was covered, which was properly called the Tabernacle, and one that was open, viz. the Court belonging thereunto. Concerning the firſt, theſe Directions are given. It was to be 30 Cubits long, (accounting a Cubit a Yard) ten Cubits high, and ten broad. The walls of it were to be 20 boards of Shittim-wood, gilt all over, ſtanding upright, each a Cubit and half in breadth (ſo that the breadth of the boards joyned together made the length of the Tabernacle) the height thereof being the length of the boards, that is, ten Cubits, and the breadth thereof of the ſame proportion. Each board was to have two Tenons faſtned in ſilver Sockets or moveable Footſtalls, having hollow Mortaiſes for the Tenons of the boards to fall into. Theſe boards were alſo to have gilded Bars of the ſame wood running along their breadth in an even proportion through golden Rings to ſtrengthen their Conjunction. And theſe boards were to be as the walls of it. But the Tabernacle it ſelf was to conſiſt of curious Curtains of fine twined Linnen, Blue, Purple, and Scarlet, with Cherubims curiouſly embroidered in them (repreſenting the Miniſtry of Angels in the Church) and a three-fold Covering over it; one of Goats hair ſpun and woven into Stuff, (poſſibly like our Chamlet) another of Ram Skins died red, a third of Badgers Skins. This covered Tabernacle was to conſiſt of two parts; The one to be called the Holy of Holies at the upper end of it, taking up ten Cubits, or one third part of it. In this were to be placed the Ark with the two Tables of the Law in it, and by the Ark the Pot of Manna before the Teſtimony, Exod. 16.33, 34. and Aarons Rod, Numb. 17.10. and the golden Cenſer, Levit. 16.12.*See Apoſt. Hiſt. on Heb. 9.4. And the Book of the Law (f)This ſeems to be the Book that was found in Joſiah's time, and to be loſt in the days of wicked Maneſſeh and Amon. The matters of that Book, when read to Joſiah, and the people, ſeemed ſo ſtrange unto them, as if no Copy of it at all, or wondrous rare, had been extant among them.in the outſide of the Ark, Deut. 31.26. that is, the whole Law, Writings and inſpired Books of Moſes. Into this Holy of Holies none but the High Prieſt (and He but once a year) was to enter, Levit. 16. The other part of the Sanctuary was called the Holy, containing 20 Cubits. In this was to be placed the Altar of Incenſe, on the right ſide whereof was to ſtand the golden Candleſtick, and on the left the Table of Shew-bread. Into this part of the Sanctuary the ordinary Prieſts were to enter, and there to Miniſter. Theſe two parts were to be divided by a Veil, to be made of Blue, Purple and Scarlet, with embroidered Cherubims, and 'twas to be a partition between the Holy and Holy of Holies, and this was the inner Veil. There was alſo an hanging to be made for a door or entrance into the Tabernacle, or holy Place to be made of Blue, Purple and Scarlet, and hung on Pillars of Shittim-wood overlaid with Gold, which was to be the outward Veil.
Exod. 26. whole Chapter.
And ſo much of the covered Tabernacle; now for the outward Court belonging thereunto, It was to be in length an 100 Cubits, and in breadth 50, and to be incloſed with Hangings of fine twined Linnen hung upon Pillars of Shittim-wood five Cubits high, and filleted with Silver, and ſet in Sockets of Braſs and moveable Footſtalls. And for the Gate of this Court Eaſtward was to be an Hanging of 20 Cubits of Blue, Purple and Scarlet, and fine twined Linnen wrought with Needle-work, and to be hung on four Pillars.
8ly, Concerning the Altar of Burnt-Offering, which was to be made of Shittim-wood five Cubits long and five broad, and ſo to be four ſquare, and three Cubits high. It was to have Horns or little Pyramids on the four Corners thereof, to which they were to bind their Sacrifices, ſee Pſal. 118.27. They were to make for it a Grate of Net-work all of Braſs, with four braſen Rings in the corners thereof, to take it out upon occaſion. It was to be overlaid with Braſs, to defend it againſt the heat of the fire, the widneſs and length being ſuch that the fire might be kept within the compaſs of the Grate, which was to be ſet even to the midſt of it. They were alſo to make ſeveral Inſtruments belonging to this Altar, as Panns to receive aſhes, Shovels, Baſons, Fleſh-hooks, Fire-panns, all of Braſs: *There was no Iron to be uſed about the Tabernacle.and Staves of Shittim-wood, overlaid with braſs, to be put into the Rings on the ſides of the Altar to bear it withall. And it was to be made hollow with boards, without either bottom or cover, according to the Pattern ſhewed to Moſes in the Mount.
Exod. 27. from 1. to 9.
9ly, Concerning the daily Sacrifices to be offered on this Altar conſtantly (beſides all other occaſional Sacrifices) which were to be two Lambs of the firſt year, one to be offered in the Morning, (g)A Pattern for our Devotion Morning and Evening.the other in the Evening, (h)Or between the two Evenings, ſee Ch. 12.6. that is, from the beginning of the declining of the Sun, viz. three in the Afternoon to Sun-ſetting. Hoc juge Sacrificium ſingulis diebus nullo intermiſſo, ſive Sacro, ſive proſano oſſerebatur, ſcil. agnus unus mane ante omnia Sacrificia, alter veſpere poſt alia Sacrificia.for a Burnt-Offering to the Lord, with an Omer or Pottle (i)See Notes on Exod. 16.36.of Flour mingled with the fourth part of an Hin (k)An Hin containing ſix Pints, ſo the fourth part of an Hin is a Pint and half.(or a Pint and half) of pure Oil, and a Pint and half of Wine (l)Which was to ſignifie that Chriſt by the Oblation of Himſelf for Us becomes not only Redemption, but alſo Food, Gladneſs, and chearing Comfort.to be poured upon it, and all to be conſumed by fire upon the Altar. Upon their performance of theſe things, God promiſes to meet with them there at the door(m)Duobus ergo locis Deus loquebatur, primo ſuper Arcam in Sto Storum, ſecundo ad oſtium Tabernaculi. Utri que loco propinquum erat altare, illi thymiamatis, huic holocauſti. In utro que offerebatur juge Sacrificium mane & veſpere ad colendam illam dignationem praeſentiae divinae. Janſ. of the Tabernacle, (before which the Altar ſtood) and to manifeſt his gracious Preſence, and reveal his will to them. And by ſuch manifeſtations of his Glory, He would declare that He had made choice of the Tabernacle and Altar for holy Services to Himſelf, and that He had ſet apart Aaron and his Sons to miniſter to Him in the Prieſts Office. And He would by ſuch evident Tokens of his Preſence dwell(n)Quia Tabernaculum erat quaſi tentorium Dei tanquam Principis in medio populi ſui habitantis. among them, and would be their God, and manifeſt his eſpecial Favour to them, in directing and protecting them.
Exod. 29. from verſ. 38. to the end.
10ly, Concerning the braſen Laver, which was to be made with a foot or baſe of Braſs, (o)This was made of the Womens braſen Looking-glaſſes, Exod. 38.8. 'Tis like the Women did ſet a piece of ſhining Braſs, or burniſh'd Metal before their Faces when they dreſs'd themſelves.on which it was to ſtand, and Aaron and his Sons before they miniſtred, were to waſh their Hands and Feet (p)Hence ſome collect that the Prieſts miniſtred in the Tabernacle being bare-foot, or in ſlight Sandals.out of it. Probably it had ſpouts for the water to iſſue forth at, and at the bottom ſome Veſſel to receive the water, which the Prieſts made uſe of. For being lifted up upon its Foot or Baſe the Prieſts could not put their Feet into it, but probably they were to waſh in the water drawn from it, and they were to be careful conſtantly to do it, being threatned (in caſe they omitted it) with deſtruction by the Hand of the Lord.
Exod. 30. from verſ. 17. to 22.
11ly, Touching the ſetting apart of Aaron and his four Sons for the Prieſts Office, and concerning the particular Ornaments and Veſtments they were to uſe in their Miniſtration, for their Glory and Honour, and to make them more Venerable among the People, and to be a ſign of their Conſecration and Sanctification unto God. And theſe Garments were to be made by ſuch as were wiſe-hearted, and whom God had filled with the Spirit of Wiſdom for ſuch a purpoſe.
And firſt, Concerning the ſacred Attire and Ornaments of the High Prieſt which are methodically ranked, Levit. 8.7, 8, 9.
1. Linnen Breeches, or Drawers next his Fleſh.
2. A Coat of fine Linnen (embroidered) over them.
3. An embroidered Girdle to gird it withall.
4. Over this Coat and Girdle, a Robe all of blue, which was to have Bells and artificial Pomegranates intermingled in the hem of it, that the ſound of all the Bells being heard when he went into the holy Place to miniſter, the people might ſecond him with heart and mind in his Sacred Offices, and the Lord threatneth death to him if he ſhould enter otherwiſe into the moſt holy Place then thus apparalled, and ſo through his diſobedience and neglect of Gods Command ſhould be an occaſion of the peoples Irreverence and want of Devotion towards God.
5. Upon this Robe He was to wear the Ephod, which was to be made of Gold, of Blue, of Purple, of Scarlet, of fine twined Linnen, and to have on the Shoulders thereof two Onix Stones ſet in ouches of Gold, and graven with the Names of the twelve Tribes of Iſrael, to intimate to them that God ſeeing their Names upon the Shoulders of the High Prieſt, would remember the Covenant He had made with their Fathers, and accordingly would do them good.
6. To the Ephod, with Chains of Gold and golden Rings, was to be faſtned the Breaſtplate of Judgment, (q)So called becauſe the High Prieſt did put it on when he inquired of the Lord for the people in doubtful caſes, to give a right judgment, and he could not give Sentence in Judgment without that on his Breaſt: and the Judgment given thereby was called the Judgment of Urim, Numb. 27.21.wherein were to be ſet four rows of precious Stones (three in a row) in which were to be ingraven the Names of the Tribes of the Children of Iſrael, which Aaron was to bear upon his Breaſt when he went into the Sanctuary; and in this Breaſt-plate was to be the Ʋrim and Thummim, ſignifying Light and Perfection, *Ut ſignificarent in Doctore duo requiri Scientiam & vitae puritatem. Grot.by which ſome underſtand thoſe rows of precious Stones in the Breaſt-plate before mentioned; and ſo called not only in regard of their brightneſs and perfection, but with reſpect unto their uſe, which was that by them the High Prieſt might inquire of God for the people in doubtful Caſes, and might by the ſpecial Inſpiration of the Spirit of God be inabled to return them an anſwer from God.(r)Hence it is (they ſay) that in the 39. Ch. of Exod. where Moſes doth exactly relate how all things were made according to Gods appointment, there is no mention made of Urim and Thummin, but only of the twelve precious Stones ſet in the Breaſt-plate, becauſe thoſe Stones were uſually called by the people the Urim and Thummim. For 'tis thought that he earneſtly looking upon thoſe rows of precious Stones (with reſpect to the Divine Inſtitution) and thereby inviting the Spirit to come upon him, his underſtanding was ſuddenly ſo illuminated, that he gave a ſatisfactory Anſwer in all particulars to the Queſtion propounded, and in doubtful Caſes gave a right Judgment (s)Whereas David deſiring to conſult with the Lord called for the Ephod, 1 Sam. 23.9. the reaſon was, becauſe the Breaſt-plate was faſtned to the Ephod. So that if he had one, he had both, Exod. 39.21. 1 Sam. 23.6. Abimelech the High Prieſt being dead, Abiathar his Son eſcaping that danger, as he fled took the Ephod out of the Tabernacle at Nob, and brought it with him to David, wherein Gods Providence appeared that the right Ephod ſhould be preſerved and kept with David the true King, that he might have means to Conſult with God in all his Difficulties. See Willet in loc.from the Lord when it ſo pleaſed him. For 1 Sam. 28.6. the Lord would not anſwer Saul neither by Dreams, nor by Ʋrim, nor by Prophets. Further, the Anſwers which the High Prieſts received from the Lord when he conſulted the Ʋrim and Thummim were ſometimes made by an audible Voice, ſometimes ſecret Inſpiration; which Anſwers when He had acquainted the people with the Stones in the Breaſt-plate (as is conceived) gave forth an extraordinary luſtre and brightneſs, to aſſure the people that he ſpake to them the Mind of the Lord, like as the extraordinary ſhining of Moſes's face, when he came down from the Mount, was a Demonſtration to the people that He had been with God, and what he brought to them came from God. (t)Some think that theſe very words Urim and Thummim were written in ſome precious matter, not made by humane art, but by the Almighty Power of God, and ſo were given by God to Moſes, and by him put into the Pectoral, Levit. 8.8. And he put into the Breaſt-plate the Urim and Thummim; and therefore this is not mentioned among thoſe things that were made by the Artificers, becauſe this was, as the Tables of the Law, the Work of God and not of men. But this is but a Conjecture. Neither can we (the Scripture being ſilent) certainly determine what they were. When the Jews returned out of Babylon they were loſt, and therefore ſome buſineſſes hung in ſuſpence, ſee Ezra 2.63. and could not be determined till there ſtood up a Prieſt with Urim and Thummim. We do not find in any of the Jewiſh Rabbins that they themſelves did certainly know what they were. Quid fuerint Scriptura proculdubio non ſine certo conſitio reticuit. In that place Levit. 8.8. no mention is made of the twelve precious Stones. Cauſa utriuſ que quod eadem res fuit variis nominibus ſignificata. Rivet. Minime omiſiſſet Moſes Urim & Thummim in Exod. 39.10. Si aliud quam 12 Lapides intellexiſſet, cum alia longe minora & abjectiora diligentiſſime recenſeat. Brentius. The Urim and Thummim was loſt in the Captivity of Babylon, as alſo the Ark, Tables of Stone, Aarons Rod, and the Pot of Manna. After the Captivity they had no Prieſt with Urim and Thummim, Ezra 2.63. The Prieſt which met Alexander in his glorious Apparel might have precious Stones on his Breaſt, without the Urim and Thummim.This Breaſt-plate of Judgment *V. 30. Judicium] i. e. pectorale judicij, ut arca dicitur Teſtimonium, i. e. arca Teſtimonij. Metonymice.(whereby Anſwers of right Judgment were given to the Iſraelites) Aaron was to wear upon his heart continually, when he went to miniſter in the Tabernacle, and he was thereby (as it were) to preſent the Children of Iſrael before the Lord, to be graciouſly remembred by him.
7. Aaron was to wear on his Head a Mitre of fine Linnen.
8. In the forefront of the Mitre was to be placed a plate of pure Gold two fingers broad (which made it ſhew like a Crown, Exod. 29.6. Levit. 8.9.) wherein was to be graven Holineſs to the Lord, as a ſignification that Aaron, as a Type of Chriſt, did bear the Iniquities of the People, and did make atonement for them, and that as for their other Sins, ſo for the Iniquities committed in their moſt holy Oblations which they offered, and ſacrified to the Lord. And this Mitre with this Plate was always to be on his head when he miniſtred before the Lord, as a ſign that the people are accepted of God for the Holineſs, Obedience, and Sufferings of the Meſſias.
Exod. 28. from 1. to 40.
2. Concerning the Attire and Veſtments to be uſed by the ordinary Prieſts. 1. Coats of fine Linnen for their uppermoſt Garment (called linnen Ephods, 1 Sam. 22.18.) with Girdles and Bonnets of the ſame, and ſecondly, Linnen Drawers. Theſe Garments Aaron and his Sons (being firſt anointed with holy Oil,*Of which ſee the Compoſition afterwards, Exod. 30.23. and conſecrated to their Office,) were to wear when they ſerved in the holy Place, and not to neglect them, leſt they thereupon be forced to bear the puniſhment of their Iniquity, and die for it.
Exod. 28. from verſ. 40. to the end.
12ly, Touching the Sacrifices and Ceremonies to be uſed in the Conſecration of Aaron and his Sons. 1. They were to be waſhed with water out of the braſen Laver before the door of the Tabernacle, to ſignifie the Holineſs that God requires in thoſe that were to be Types of Chriſt. 2. Aaron and his Sons were to be clothed with their particular appointed Robes and Ornaments. 3. The anointing Oil was to be powred upon the Head of Aaron and his Sons. See Exod. 30.30. and Ch. 40. 14, 15. And the Prieſts Office was to be continued in the Line of Aaron and his Sons, and of their Succeſſors by a perpetual Statute, as long as this Diſpenſation was to laſt, and till the Meſſiah ſhould come, who was to fulfil what they typified. 4. The bloud of the Ram of Conſecration (of which afterwards) was to be put upon the tip of their right ear, (u)The ear was to be ſanctified for holy hearing (and againſt the hearing of corrupt Communication) the hand for Sacrificing, the foot for Walking, that their Converſation might be holy, and their Perſons ſanctified from head to foot.and on the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and they were to ſprinkle ſome of the bloud and the anointing Oil (x)The ſpots occaſioned in the Prieſts Garments by the ſprinkling of bloud and oil, 'tis like were very ſmall, and ſo magis ad honorem quam horrorem.upon them, and their Garments, to ſignifie that by the bloud of Chriſt they were cleanſed, and by the Oil of his Grace they were ſanctified for the Work of their Miniſtry.
The Sacrifices to be uſed at this time were theſe: Moſes having firſt provided a Basket of unleavened Bread, and Cakes unleavened tempered with Oil, and Wafers unleavened anointed with Oil, he was to take a young Bullock, which was to be a Sin-Offering, and Aaron and his Sons were to put their hands upon the head of it, ſignifying that they deſerved to die like that Sacrifice; but did thereby disburden themſelves of their Sins, and laid them upon the head of the Sacrifice, typifying Chriſt. See Iſa. 53.6. And Moſes himſelf (who was a Levite) till Aaron and his Sons were fully conſecrated for the Service of the Prieſthood, was by extraordinary Warrant from God to perform the Work of the Prieſt in offering theſe Sacrifices. See Pſal. 99.6. And he was to take of the bloud of the Bullock and put it upon the Horns of the Altar of Burnt-Offerings, (which ſtood in the Court of the Tabernacle) to purifie, conſecrate, and ſanctifie the Altar it ſelf, and make it holy to the Lord, and ſo to ſet it apart for holy Uſes, that whatſoever was offered thereon, according to Gods Inſtitution, might be ſanctified, made holy, and accepted as holy by the Lord. See Ch. 30.29. and Matth. 23.19. And the fleſh of the Bullock, and his skin and dung were to be burnt without the Camp, to ſhew how deſtable the ſin was that was laid (as it were) upon this Bullock, and that the true Sacrifice for our Sins ſhould ſuffer without the Gates of Jeruſalem, Heb. 13.11, 12, 13. 2ly, The Sacrifice for Sin being thus firſt offered, he was to offer one Ram for a Burnt-Offering,(y)By the Burnt-Offering ſome underſtand the ardent love of Chriſt, quo totus in cruce conflagravit; and as the Burnt-Offering aſcended up in fire, ſo Chriſt aſcended into heaven to make Interceſſion for us. as a ſavour of reſt; that is, that God being thereby appeaſed, might ceaſe from his anger. Not as though the Lord was affected with Smells, but it is ſaid to be an acceptable Savour to Him in regard of their Obedience and willing mind, and God is is ſaid to be delighted with it, when they offered it with Faith and true devotion. 3ly, He was to take another Ram for a Peace-Offering. Theſe were to be offered either to obtain ſome Bleſſing, or to give thanks for ſome Bleſſing already received. In both theſe reſpects this was offered at the Prieſts Conſecration, both by way of thankfulneſs for the honour done them in calling them to this Dignity and Office; as alſo by way of Supplication, humbly to intreat the Lord that he would proſper them in the execution of it. Thus at the Conſecration of Aaron and his Sons, divers ſorts of Sacrifices were to be offered, becauſe they were ordained to offer them all. In this Euchariſtical Sacrifice that was now to be offered, Moſes was only to have the Breaſt, Exod. 29.26. but the right Shoulder, and the fat, and one loaf of Bread, and one Cake of oiled Bread, and one Wafer out of the Basket [verſ. 3.] were to be waved (or ſhaken towards all the four Quarters of the World, to ſignifie that God is the Lord of the whole Earth) and then to be burnt by Him upon the Altar of Burnt-Offering for a ſweet ſavour before the Lord. And upon this occaſion an Ordinance is inſerted, that in Euchariſtical Sacrifices (namely, ſuch as theſe whereby Aaron and his Sons were to be conſecrated,) for the future the Prieſts were to have the ſhaken Breaſt, and the right Shoulder (z)Hinc humerus pectuſ que populo deſtinent Sacerdotes. Anonym.that was lifted up, *The reſt of the Peace-Offering beſides what was the Prieſts belonged to the Offerer.(namely, to God as his Right,) and aſſigned by Him as a Portion to the Prieſts, Levit. 7.31. whereby poſſibly they were taught that with all their Heart, and all their Strength they ſhould give themſelves to the Service of the Lord. Another Ordinance is alſo inſerted, That the holy Garments of Aaron ſhall be his Sons after him, that He may be anointed and conſecrated in them. Thus though the High Prieſt died, yet his Son was to appear before the Lord in the ſame Garments. And as the Conſecration of Aaron and his Sons continued ſeven days verſ. 35. (during which time they were to abide at the door of the Tabernacle day and night to keep the Watch of the Lord, Levit. 8.33, 35.) and as on each day of the ſeven the ſame Sacrifices and Ceremonies were to be obſerved as had been on the firſt day. So this Order of Conſecration was to be practiſed towards their Succeſſors when they came into the Land of Canaan, and had a ſetled ſtate there. Laſtly, It is appointed that that part of the Ram of Conſecration which ſhould be left, after part had been burnt, and Moſes had had his portion, ſhould be ſodden in the Court of the Sanctuary, and ſhould be eaten there by Aaron and his Sons with the bread that was left in the Basket, verſ. 2, 3. Levit. 8.31. And no Stranger, viz. None but a Prieſt was to eat of it, whereas in other Peace-Offerings the Offerer did partake. And if any part of the Bread or Fleſh remained until the Morning, they were to burn it with fire. This was required, leſt by reſerving any part thereof, either they might grow into contempt of holy things, making no difference between them and their ordinary Food, (which they might reſerve at their pleaſure) or leſt that which remained might be abuſed to Superſtition. And whereas in ordinary Peace-Offerings they might eat of them the next day, but not upon the third day, ſee Levit. 7.18. no part of this muſt be eaten the ſecond day. This was to ſhew that this Ram of Conſecration was a more holy thing than their ordinary Peace-Offerings.
Exod. 29. from 1. to 38.
13ly, Touching the holy anointing Oil and the Ingredients of which it was to be made, viz. of principal Spices, Myrrh, Cynamon, ſweet Calamus, (a)Thoſe ſweet Odours ſignified the joyful Graces of Gods Spirit, and the anointing therewith, the powring out of the holy Spirit upon Chriſt, his Church, and Miniſters.and Caſſia, and of Oil-Olive. And the things to be anointed therewith (to Conſecrate them to Gods Service, and to ſeparate them from common uſes,) were the Tabernacle, the Ark, the Table, the Candleſtick, with all their Ʋtenſils, the Altar of Incenſe, the Laver, the Altar of Burnt-Offerings; ſo that whatſoever was brought as an Oblation, if it touched any of the hallowed things of the Sanctuary, it ſhould be holy to the Lord. Aaron alſo, and his Sons and Succeſſors were to be anointed with this holy Oil; but upon no mans fleſh elſe was it to be powred. It was not to be uſed for any civil uſe, as for delight, or the like, even by the Prieſts themſelves, nor any of it to be powred upon Strangers, nor any to be made like unto it, for any ſuch purpoſes, under penalty of being cut off.
Exod. 30. from verſ. 22. to 34.
14ly, Touching the half Shekel, that all the Children of Iſrael from 20 years old and upwards (when they were numbred) were to pay, for the ranſom of their Souls, acknowledging thereby that they held their lives of God, and that he had redeemed them out of the Houſe of Bondage. And this they were to do, that ſo the Lord might not be provoked for their Ingratitude, to ſend a Plague among them. This Didrachma, or half Shekel *The Standard of all Weights and Meaſures being kept in the Sanctuary, hence it is call'd the Shekel of the Sanctuary. See Exod. 38.26. The common Shekel is but 1 s. 3 d. The Shekel of the Sanctuary 2 s. 6 d. Nehem. 10.32. the rate is but the third part of a Shekel, but here the rate is more upon this extraordinary occaſion. Some think this Contribution was annual; Others only occaſional, as there was cauſe to call the people to it.[ſee Matth. 17.24.] amounted to 15 d. of our money, and it was to be imployed for the Service of the Tabernacle, and the Rich were not to give more, nor the Poor leſs; And this equality ſeems to be enjoyned that the Rich might not deſpiſe the Poor, and to ſhew that the life of a poor man is as precious in the ſight of God, as a rich mans, and both are equally bound to praiſe God for it. And this was alſo to be done, that it might be a Memorial before the Lord of their Obedience, and ſo might move the Lord to be propitious unto them.
Exod. 30. from verſ. 11. to 17.
15ly, Theſe Commands and Injunctions being given to Moſes by the Lord, 'tis like Moſes begain to think with himſelf where he ſhould find Workmen fit to undertake ſuch curious and difficult Works, and that would make them exactly according to the Pattern given. Wherefore the Lord tells him, He had furniſhed Men with extraordinary gifts of his Spirit (b)So that quick apprehenſion and skill in honeſt Handicrafts and Manufactures is to accounted as a Gift of God.(conſiſting in Wiſdom, Knowledge, ready conceiving, and skill for the performance of all theſe things) and particularly Bezaleel and Aholiab, who ſhould be the principal Workmen, and Directors of others, and He had put into the hearts of all thoſe that were apt for theſe buſineſſes a greater apprehenſion (c)Sapienter excogitare, & excogitata operari.to conceive and contrive, and a greater dexterity (then they had before) to work all theſe things that He had commanded.
Exod. 31. from 1. to the 12.
16ly, Laſtly, Though the Work of the Tabernacle was with all care and diligence to be followed, and ſpeedily to be done, yet the Lord would not have any of it to be done upon the Sabbath-day, and therefore he renews his Command about the Obſervation of that Day, telling Moſes, It was a Sign between Him and them, that He had taken them for his peculiar people, and they Him for their God; whom they had bound themſelves withall faithfulneſs to ſerve; And by his enjoyning them diligently to keep his Sabbath, they might know that he intended it as a means to promote their Sanctification. Then He urges the Obſervation of the Sabbath upon them by divers reaſons:
1. Ab utili: It is, ſays He, holy unto you; that is, Ordained for your benefit and profit, Mark 2.27. The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
2. A neceſſario. If they did not keep it, He tells them, They ſhould ſurely be put to death. [See Numb. 15.35.(d)Videtur Moſes ignoraſſe ſpeciem mortis, aut ſceleris gradum: ſola enim profana contumax que Sabbathi violatio capitalis eſt. Anonym. in loc. 'Tis obſervable, That death is thrice here threatned to thoſe that defile the Sabbath by doing any profane or unneceſſary work thereon.
3. From the dedication of this Day unto God; It is a Sabbath of Reſt conſecrated unto God.
4. From the Command of God. He Commands them to keep the Seventh-day-Sabbath perpetually; that is, as long as that Diſpenſation ſhould laſt, the Obſervation thereof being one Article of the Covenant He had made with them.
5. A facili. The Lord appointeth but one day in ſeven for Holy Reſt, and alloweth Six for labour in our worldly buſineſſes.
6. From the Example of God Himſelf, who created the World in ſix days, and reſted on the Seventh, and was refreſhed.*This is ſpoken of God after the manner of men.
Exod. 31. from 12. to 18.