A Help for the Understanding of the Holy Scriptures, Leviticus · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
ANd the Lord called unto Moſes, &c.]
This word, and, ſheweth the immediate connexion of this book of this ſtory, upon that wherewith the foregoing book of Exodus was concluded, namely that after the tabernacle was reared, Aaron and his ſonnes conſecrated to the office of the prieſthood, and the cloud deſcended upon the tabernacle, immediately God ſpake to Moſes from the mercy-ſeat out of the tabernacle (for into it Moſes was not able to enter, becauſe the glory of the Lord filled it) and ſo informed him how Aaron and his ſonnes ſhould carry themſelv…s …n the prieſthood, &c.
Verſ. If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, &c.]
That is, any ſacrifice whatſoever: This is a generall rule concerning all ſacrifices, to wit, that none muſt be offered, but of the herd, or flock, that is, if they were cattel they intended to offer; for if they intended an offering of birds, what they muſt be is expreſſed afterwards, verſ. 14.
Verſ. 3. If his offering be a burnt-ſacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemiſh.]
Here the Lord firſt gives directions for burnt-offerings, which were indeed the chief of all their ſacrifices, and ſo called becauſe they were all wholly burnt upon the altars; whereas of other ſacrifices ſome part onelyonly was burnt upon the altar, and the other parts were otherwiſe diſpoſed of. And the direction that is here firſt given concerning theſe is, that if a burnt-offering were to be offered of the herd, it muſt be a male without blemiſh, that it might be the fitter to figure forth Chriſts perfection in himſelf, and ours in him, who being perfectly holy, and free from the leaſt blemiſh of ſinne, He did no ſinne: neither was guile found in his mouth, 1. Pet. 2. 22. did yet notwithſtanding by ſuffering death for us perfectly ſatisfie the juſtice of God on our behalf, that ſo he might preſent the Church to himſelf a glorious Church, not having ſpot or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing, but that it ſhould be holy, and without blemiſh, Epheſ. 5. 27. for (ſaith the ſame Apoſtle, Heb. 9. 13, 14.) If the bloud of bulls, and of goats, and the aſhes of an heifer, ſprinkling the unclean, ſanctifieth to the purifying of the fleſh; How much more ſhall the bloud of Christ, who through the eternall ſpirit offered himſelf without ſpot to God, purge your conſcience from dead works to ſerve the living God? And ſo again Saint Peter ſaith, Ye know that ye were redeemed with the precious bloud of Chriſt, as of a lamb without blemiſh and without ſpot, 1. Pet. 1. 18, 19. Yet withall hereby the Lord taught both them and us to give God the beſt in all our ſervices.
Verſ. 3. He ſhall offer it of his own voluntary will at the doore of the tabernacle.]
That is, he that will offer a burnt ſacrifice, he muſt do it voluntarily of his own mind, and not be forced to it; and when he brings it he muſt preſent it to the prieſt at the doore of the tabernacle of the congregation; that is, at the doore of the court, cloſe within which the braſen altar for burnt-offerings ſtood. The firſt of theſe might ſignifie the freedome of Gods grace in giving his ſonne, and the willingneſſe of Chriſt in giving himſelf to be a ſacrifice of propitiation for our ſouls; but principally doubtleſſe it was to teach them, that in all ſervice done to God, it muſt be done freely and willingly, or God will not accept of it: The ſecond was appointed to ſignifie that their ſacrifices (and ſo conſequently any ſervice that we perform) were onelyonly in and through Chriſt ſanctified and made acceptable to God: The tabernacle was a type of Chriſt▪ that greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, Heb. 9. 11. and he is the onelyonly doore by whom we have acceſſe unto the father.
Verſ. 4. And he ſhall put his hand upon the head of the burnt-offering.]
This was to teſtifie, Firſt, that he acknowledged himſelf guilty of death: Secondly, that he deſired and believed that that ſacrifice ſhould be accepted of God as a ranſome for his ſoul, that all his ſinnes ſhould be laid upon it, and ſo it ſhould ſuffer death as it were in his ſtead; in all which notwithſtanding they that did this had not reſpect ſo much to the beaſt ſlain, in the death whereof there could not be an equall compenſation given to the juſtice of God for the death of ſinners, as to Chriſt, of whom theſe ſacrifices were types, who took upon him our ſinnes, and the curſe due to our ſinnes, when he died for us: Thirdly, that he deſired, and would indeavour to conſecrate himſelf wholly to Gods ſervice, as now he gave this ſacrifice wholly to be offered upon the altar to the Lord, crucifying all his ſinnefull luſts and affections, and yielding up his whole man to the obedience of Gods will in all things whatſoever.
And it ſhall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.]
Though burnt-offerings were uſually given in ſigne of thankfulneſſe to God, and ſo betokened a new creature, and holy life, Pſal. 51. 18, 19. Do good in thy good pleaſure unto Sion, build thou the walls of Jeruſalem. Then ſhalt thou be pleaſed with ſacrifices of righteouſneſſe, with burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering, and Gen. 8. 20. And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord, and took of every clean beaſt, and of every fowl, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar▪ yet they were alſo for atonement and remiſſion of ſinnes, to wit generall ſinnes, Job 1. 5. And it was ſo when the dayes of their feaſting were gone about, that Job ſent and ſanctified them, and roſe up early in the morning, and offered burnt-offerings according to the number of them all: for Job ſaid, It may be that my ſonnes have ſinned, &c. whereas for ſpeciall ſinnes there was a ſpeciall ſacrifice and ſinne-offering, Levit. 4.
Verſ. 5. And he ſhall kill the bullock before the Lord.]
That is, the prieſt in the name of the offerer: for this was uſually the work of the prieſts, and therefore Moſes did it when he ſupplyed the prieſts office, Exod. 29. 10, 11. though ſometimes the Levites alſo helped herein when there were not prieſts enough to do it, 2. Chron. 25. 10, 11. The prieſts ſtood in their places, and the Levites in their courſes, and they killed the Paſſeover (that is, the Paſſeover-offerings) and the prieſts ſprinkled the bloud from their hands, as being given of God to be aſſiſtant to the prieſts in ſuch ſervices, Numb. 8. 19. I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his ſonnes, to do the ſervice of the children of Iſrael in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Iſrael. Now the ſacrifice was killed to ſignifie the death of Chriſt, Who was ſlain that he might redeem us to God by his bloud, Revel. 5. 9. and the mortifying of Gods people by the word and ſpirit: and it was killed by the prieſt, to ſignifie that Chriſt ſhould offer up himſelf unto God, as being both our prieſt and ſacrifice, and that there is no poſſibility for men to pleaſe God by any ſervice they do him, but onelyonly in and through the mediation of Chriſt, of whoſe prieſthood the Leviticall prieſt was a type and figure. As for the place where it was killed, that may be gathered, by the rule of Analogy, from that which is expreſſed verſe the 11. concerning the ſecond ſort of burnt-offerings, namely, that it was killed at the north-ſide of the altar.
And the prieſts Aarons ſonnes ſhall bring the bloud, and sprinkle the bloud, &c.]
And this was done in a large meaſure, ſo that the corners of the altar were filled with bloud, Zach. 9. 15. to teach the people that this bloud of their ſacrifice ſhould not be loſt as ſpilt upon the ground, but ſhould be accepted of God as a propitiation for their ſinnes, as being a figure of the bloud of Chriſt, which ſhould be offered up to God and accepted by him in our behalf, as for our reconciliation, ſo alſo for our ſanctification, who are elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through ſanctification of the ſpirit unto obedience, and ſprinkling of the bloud of Jeſus Chriſt, 1. Pet. 1. 2.
Verſ. 6. And he ſhall flay the burnt-offering.]
That is, the prieſt: for the flaying of the ſacrifice was alſo ordinarily the work of the prieſt, who had therefore the skinne for himſelf, Levit. 7. 8. though upon extraordinary occaſions (as is before noted concerning killing the burnt-offerings) even in this alſo the Levites ſometime helped them, 2. Chron. 29. 34. The prieſts were too few, ſo that they could not flay all the burnt-offerings; wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them. Becauſe the ſacrifices were offered (as I may ſay) as a holy feaſt unto the Lord, whence the altar is called the table of the Lord, and the ſacrifice offered thereon, his meat, Mal. 1. 12. therefore nothing but what was uſually eaten by men was burnt upon the altar; and hence it was that the skinne was alwayes flayed off. Yet withall it is commonly held by Expoſitours that this flaying of the ſacrifice did alſo ſignifie, Firſt, the ſufferings of Chriſt, who being firſt ſtripped of his garments, Matth. 27. 28▪ they did afterwards moſt ſhamefully intreat, ſo that there was no beauty in him why men ſhould deſire him: Secondly, the afflictions of Gods people under the rage of cruell oppreſſours and perſecutours, Who, as the Prophet ſpeaks, Micha. 3. 3. eat their fleſh, and flay their skinne from off them: And thirdly, the mortification which God requires in thoſe that give up their names to him, even that They put off concerning the former converſation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitfull luſts, Epheſ. 5. 22.
Verſ. 7. And the ſonnes of Aaron the prieſt ſhall put fire on the altar, &c.]
Here the Lord gives direction for the burning of theſe ſacrifices by the inſeriour prieſts, enjoyning them, firſt, to put fire upon the altar. Now becauſe they were to uſe no ſtrange fire in burning the ſacrifices, but onelyonly that fire which was continually nouriſhed upon the altar, Levit. 6. 12, 13. and which at firſt came down from heaven, Levit. 9. 24. therefore by putting fire upon the altar, is meant onelyonly the laying of the fire together, or laying it on again when they had laid it by for the clearing of the altar: Secondly, to lay the wood in order, and then all the pieces of the ſacrifices in order upon the wood; which was ſo appointed, becauſe the diſcreet laying of the wood doth much conduce to the well burning of the fire: And then laſtly, thus to burn all upon the altar. The miſtery of this might be twofold: Firſt, to ſignifie the conſecrating of Chriſt and his members by afflictions and ſufferings; for as he the Captain of our ſalvation was made perfect by ſufferings, Heb. 2. 10. ſo muſt his members alſo be ready alwayes through theſe fiery trials to enter into glory, for every one ſhall be ſalted with fire, and every ſacrifice ſhall be ſalted with ſalt, Mark 9. 49. Secondly, to ſignifie that holy zeal whereby we ſhould wholly give up our ſelves to God through the operation of Gods holy ſpirit, which is often in the Scriptures compared to fire, as Matth. 3. 11. He that cometh after me is mightier then I, he ſhall baptize you with the holy Ghoſt and with fire: for as Chriſt through the eternall ſpirit offered himſelf without ſpot unto God, Heb. 9. 14. ſo likewiſe it is the ſpirit whereby we muſt be enabled to conſecrate our ſelves to Gods ſervice, Ye have purified your ſouls in obeying the truth (ſaith the Apoſtle Peter) through the spirit, 1. Pet. 1. 22. to which end we muſt not onelyonly be carefull not to quench the ſpirit, 1. Theſſ. 5. 19. but alſo by prayer, holy meditation, and all other things conducing thereto, we muſt do what we can to further this work of the ſpirit in us, as they did in burning the ſacrifices, by laying in order the wood and the pieces of the ſacrifice upon the wood.
Verſ. 9. But the inwards and his legs ſhalt thou waſh in water.]
Some conceive that by the inwards are not meant the guts, but onelyonly the heart and liver, and ſuch inward parts, and that becauſe onelyonly that which was uſually eaten by men was offered on the altar, Gods table, as it is called Mal. 1. 2. as was before noted upon verſe 6. But however the waſhing of the inwards and feet did doubtleſſe ſignifie the perfect purity of Chriſt, and withall our through-purification both in the outward and inward man by the ſpirit of Chriſt; …gree…ble whereunto are thoſe expreſſions of the holy Scripture, Ezek. 36. 25. Then will I sprink…e clean water upon you, and you ſhall be clean; from all your filthineſſe and from all your idols will I cleanſe you; and again, Heb. 10. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full aſſurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conſcience, and our bodies waſhed with pure water.
Verſ. 10. He ſhall bring it a male without blemiſh.]
See the note upon verſ. 3.
Verſ. 11. And he ſhall kill it on the ſide of the altar Northward.]
There alſo the ſinne-offering was killed, Levit. 6. 25. and the treſpaſſe-offering, Levit. 7. 2. which might ſignifie the obſcurity of the legall ceremonies, the North being fartheſt from the light of the ſunne; or that Chriſt was to dye at Jeruſalem, of which the Prophet ſaith, Pſal. 48. 2. On the ſides of the North is the citie of the great King. But I rather content my ſelf with this literall reaſon: The altar being placed by the doore of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation (which ſeems was in the Southſide) there was more ſcope on the Northſide, and therefore they are there appointed to make ready the ſacrifices. OnelyOnly the peace-offerings were ſlain at the very doore of the tabernacle, which was more Eaſtwards in regard of the altar, as is evident, chap. 32.
Verſ. 12. And the prieſt ſhall lay them in order.]
See the note above upon ver. 8.
Verſ. 13. But he ſhall waſh the inwards, &c.)
See the former note upon verſ. 9.
And the prieſt ſhall bring it all, and burn it upon the altar.]
This ſignified that all Chriſt, and whatſoever he had done is ours by faith, Gal. 2. 20. I live, yet not I, but Chriſt liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the fleſh, I live by the faith of the Sonne of God, who loved me, and gave himſelf for me: And that we alſo ſhould give our ſelves wholly unto God by him, 1. Theſſ. 5. 23. And the very God of peace ſanctifie you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, and ſoul, and body be preſerved blameleſſe, unto the coming of our Lord Jeſus Christ.
Verſ. 14. And if the burnt-ſacrifice for his offering to the Lord be of fowls, then he ſhall bring his offering of turtle doves, or of young pigeons.]
Which ſignified the innocency and meekneſſe both of Chriſt and his members: And again, old turtles and young pigeons are beſt, and ſo the beſt muſt be given to God.
Verſ. 15. And wring off his head, and burn it on the altar.]
The manner how the prieſts ſhould kill the burnt-offering of turtle doves, or young pigeons, is here ſet down▪ which was by wringing off the head of them (according to our tranſlation) or pinching of the head with the prieſts nail, as it is in the margin of our bibles. The moſt common opinion of Expoſitours is, that the heads of theſe birds were not quite wrung off from their bodies, but onelyonly broken in ſunder, and ſo left hanging ſtill by the skinne unto their bodies: and their chief reaſon is, becauſe elſewhere it is ſaid, where direction is given for the killing of ſuch turtle doves, or young pigeons, that were brought for a ſinne-offering, that the prieſts ſhould wring off his head from his neck, but not divide it aſunder, Levit. 5. 8. But ſome other reaſons may make it ſeem more probable that the heads of theſe birds that were brought for a burnt-offering were quite wrung off from their bodies: as Firſt, becauſe we cannot vvell elſe conceive hovv the bloud of theſe ſacrifices ſhould be wrung out at the ſide of the altar, as it is injoyned in the follovving vvords; and vve knovv that the Jevvs did of all things abhorre things that vvere ſtrangled, and that the effuſion of the bloud of the ſacrifices vvas the chief thing vvhereby vvas ſignified the atonement made for us by the bloud of Chriſt, and how by the pinching of the prieſts nail a wound ſhould be made for the letting out the bloud as ſome hold, it is hard to conceive: and ſecondly, becauſe the following words, and burn it on the altar, ſeem plainly to be meant of burning the head particularly, being thus wrung off; for of the burning of the body of theſe birds, direction is afterwards given, verſ. 17. As for that place in the fifth of Leviticus, I ſee not but it may be meant, not of not dividing the head from the body, but of not dividing the body aſunder, for which alſo there is here direction given, verſ. 17. He ſhall cleave it, but not divide it aſunder.
Verſ. 16. And he ſhall pluck away his crop with his feathers, &c.]
And ſo it figured the holineſſe that was in Chriſt our ſacrifice, who without all ſinne or uncleanneſſe offered himſelf unto God for us; by which alſo he cleanſed and purified his people and their ſervice of God, Heb. 9. 14.
And caſt it beſides the altar on the East part by the place of the aſhes.]
That is, where the prieſt, when he cleanſed the altar, did firſt poure forth the aſhes, which afterward were carried …orth without the camp, Levit. 6. 10▪ 11. This place of the aſhes was on the Eaſtſide of the altar, both becauſe it was neareſt to the doore of the tabernacle, and ſo the aſhes might the more conveniently be thence carried forth at the times appointed; and becauſe it was fartheſt off from the Sanctuary, and ſo the caſting away of the crop and the feathers in this place might teach them that all uncleanneſſe was to be removed out of Gods ſight, Holineſſe becomes thy houſe, O Lord, for ever, Pſal. 93. 5.
Verſ. 17. And he ſhall cleave it with the wings thereof, but ſhall not divide it aſunder, &c.]
That is, he ſhall cleave it, the wings being ſtill left, onelyonly the feathers pluckt off: and though it muſt be cloven, that ſo the inward part might be laid upon the fire, ſignifying that God requires chiefly the offering of the inner man unto him; yet it muſt not be divided aſunder, whereby may be meant that we ſhould give up our ſelves wholly to God, 1. Theſſ. 5. 23.