Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-10-13
Lesson 3.-The Burnt Offering.
LEvIrtcus fti--IA.

The Book of Leyiticus, to which we
now come, has been called the "hgura.
tive exhibition OF the way OF salvation
In Exodus we have been told Of lsraePs
redemption and separation to be Gods
peculiar people. We are now to learn
by series of symbols how they were to
approach God, and appreciate his grace
and favor. The study ought TO prove
interesting and profitable. 1t will help
US TO understand much that will other.
wise be obscure in New Testament al
lusions TO offerings and sacrifices. No
doubt the saying Is true, that zone rea'
son why many have no better 1cquaint-
auce with Christ aud his Apostles is be.
cause they are such strangers with
Moses and Aaron"
Respecting the origin of sacrifices we
have no explicit revelation. 1t is not
surprising, therefore, that on this point
there is variety of opinions. Some
have supposed they originated in an
express command OF God. and others
that they were first dictated by human
impulse. But it is very certain that
they had the divine sanction. Explicit
directions were given concerning them;
and they were unquestionably made
types Of that ore great sacrifice in which
Christ was at once victim and priest.
OF the different kinds of sacrifices the
most important were the burnt offering.
the peace. offering and the sin.otIering
and pass.offering. These all had
some things in common; all were gifts
TO God and answered the purpose OF
worship, and all, too, were meant to
atone for sin. This last point is well
worth remembering. Whatever was
true OF other offerings. as Of -four, oil
and wine. into every sacrifice OF animal
life, every offering of blood, there en-
tered the idea of atonement. First and
last, and always, at all times, and even
in all duties, man is O sinner. His most
constant and primary need is of 'cov.
ring for sin" jult that which in Old
Testament usuage Is meant by the word
atonement. Consequently, in the burnt
and peace, as we'll as in the sin and
trespass offerings, there was first OF all
the pouring out of bNpod for the hiding
of sin. Further, il saould be rendered
that offerings of the earth's fruits never
went alone. Blood. offerings always with
these. How impressively are we thus
man can ever approach his Maker; and
as q sinner he must have some atoning
offering to present, or TO plead. This
is q point to be emphasized. Without
the remission of sin there is no enjoy.
ment Of the divine favor aud "wiIh.
out the shedding of blood there is no
remission" OF this old truth we can
not afford TO lose sight. II is at the
foundations of solid Christian hope.
But, besides that which they signifed
in common, each Of these principal sac.
rifces had an idea peculiar to itself
What this was in the case OF the burnt
offering is indicated by its name. In
its derivation this signifies descending" |
The whole victim was consEsheA upon |
the altar, and ascended as sweet savofN
before bin. II thus symbolized entire
surrender to God. As the regular morn
ing and evening sacrifce-tirst in the
tabernacle and afterwards in the tenn
ple-it was the daily consecration OF the
nation. Brought by the individual, it
signi6ed his own personal self-dedica-
tion. The animal was TO be the best Of
its kind, that 1t might be perfect Of
fering. 1t was to be an OK, or lamb, or
goat, or pigeon, according TO the offer.
er's means; for it is required Of man
according to that which he hath. and
not according to that which he hath
not. Then the offerer laid his hand
upon the victims head, in token that
he made IL his representative. IL was
TO represent him in the pouring out OF
It's life for sin, "for IL Is the blood that
maketh atonement for the soul" III:
III. And Il was also to represent him
as IL assembled in smoke from the altar.
This may seem faint and insufficient
emblem Of selfsunender. And 30 IL
was and yet none could be more i'm.
pressive to the mind OF the early wor.
shipper. Il was twhole burnt-offer-
ing; every part OF the victim was con.
sumed. And so the deyout offerer, so
far as his act was intelligent and sin.
cere, surrendered in il his entire being
body, soul and spirit. And IL was
this spirit Of penitent and trusting con-
secration which made the sacrifice a
"sweet savor" to God "Man rising
above the earth and mounting heaven.
wards Is, in all ages, the fulfilling Of our
heavenly Fathers will, and was the les.
son Of this the earliest form of sacri.
fice."
II should perhaps be said that some
excellent writers, OF whom Murphy is
one, have supposed that in this offering
the burning Of the entire victim was
intended 10 signify the fullness Of the
atonement made for sin, and that the
idea OF self.consecrafion did not enter
into il; but such i not the prevailing
view.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
]. No rightminded person can desire
to approach God empty handed the
spontaneous impulse of bis heart is to
sbring an offering unto the Lord"
2. God early made II plain that he
will accept only the best. Our choicest
possessions must be looked upon as be.
longing 70 him Some persons give 70
him only such as they cannot use for
themselves. or the pitlance left after
self indulgence. s0fIer IL now unto
thy governor, will he be pleased with