The National tribune., 1888-07-26
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated above.l
SUBJECT: TIE FIRST FORM OF BURNT OFFER
ING, TO WIT, THE COLLATION. OF BULLOCK.
l. Time.
The Israel5es left Egypt on the I4th day of
Nissan. In two months they reached Mt. Sinai.
About 10 months were spent in receiving GER
tain laws and regulations and in constructing
the tabernacle. Within ii days Of q year from
the departure the tabernacle was erected to
wit, Nissan 1st, of the year 2414 A. NJ. The
structure completed the next step was TO
arrange for the services. These are set forth in
the book of Leviticus named from Levi, who
was founder of the Jewish priesthood This
book sets forth the duties, services, etc, re-
qured of the ministers of the Jewish Church.
2. Place.
At first God talked with Moses from the
burning bush. eek, 3 2-4; Deu., 80 16; Acts,
1900 After that and to q fuller extent, the
two eonversed through the medium Of the
pillar of cloud and fire. (Nu., II: 5; Deu.,
81: 15.) But to a greater measure God talked
with Moses on Mt. Sinai. lex, 81 How
ever, the tabernacle, with its Holy of Holes,
containing the mercy seat, cherubim and Sheki-
nah, having been completed, God thereafter
communicated with Moses in front of the vail,
Moses being in the East end of the Holy Place
Doubtless Moses wrote down Gods words, and
so preserved them to US. On the tabernacle
door as the place of meeting between God and
Moses, see Elk, %: 42-45; 30: 6, SO; NJ, IL: 4;
Deu., II 5, g. God promised TO dwell with
his people, manifesting himself in the Sheki-
nah. The cloud outside betokened his pres
ence. He spoke from within.
3. The Command
The order was from God to the people through
Moses Worship is very important, and its
form could not be left either to within or guess.
God is very particular as to the how, The
tabernacle was built from pattern furnished
by Jehovah, stating size, materials, etc. So
also as to methods of service therein. These
must be after fixed, certain, uniform, sensible
instructions. Let no one imagine that shabbi-
ness is excusable in worship.
4. The Kind Of Offering
There were several sorts of oblations and
different kinds of each sort. The one treated
of in the lesson we study is a burnt offering.
1t was offered on the braZen altar, which was
situated midway between the gate of the
court Of the tabernacle and the door of the
tabernacle proper. lex, 40: 9, %; Lev, II 3,
d. At said altar the sacrfcial animals were
offered, killed and prepared to be put on the
altar, where they were completely burned,
leaving nothing but ashes. The object was to
teach the people that the way toward acceptance
| by God, the method of entrance into the Holy
! Place, the plan Of securing holiness Of heart
runs by the scene of suffering and death. We
/ are sinners deserving punishment. We cannot
! be saved without such punishment In person
4 or by some suitable substitute the debt must
| be paid This thought needed emphasis. As
| men stood by the brazen altar, looking toward
| the spot where God spoke out from the mercy
seat-as they saw the. blood of innocent victims
! flowing for their sakes-they would be deeply
! impressed with the Nervousness of sin.
5. Analysis.
! l. The kind of offering-burnt IT,
2. The vietim-bulloek. (5.)
/ 3. The place of offering-the brazen altar. (5.)
| 4. The person presenting the animal-any
man. ~
| 5. Acts of the offerer. g. 81
| 8. Receivers of the Rnimals-Aaron's sons. 81
z. Acts Of the receivers. (5-9.)
8. Results of the oblation. "a, 81
6. Discussion
1. The lesson treats of form of burnt offer
! ing. The word Offering comes from Hebrew
verb, which means TO draw near. In early
/ times and in Eastern lands persons approach
| ing each other offered presents. An inferior
| would not hope to draw near to q superior
| without gift Had one offended another he
would seek an interview for reconciliation
with present in hand. A burnt offering was
gift to God from the sinner who went to God
! for forgiveness.
q The victim. There were several kinds OF
| burnt offerings, as to meet the ability oil
each worshiper; some being costly, others OF
t U
first class, and would be demanded of those in
good circumstances 1t was bullock. 1t met
| the requirements mentioned in verses and g.
1t was a cattle Offering, and hence from the
herd instead of the flock. Five kinds of ami
mails could be sacrifced-ox, sheep, goat, dove.
! pigeon. Domestic instead of wild animals
were chosen, as more easily secured, more in
dicative of the spirit of God and the Church,
| and more similar to the mildness becoming q
follower of God. An Offering from herd OF
flock must be killed. Blood would flow. The
life would be taken. There was greater sig
nifcance in such a sacrifice. Cain offended
because he brought Of the fruit Of the field
unlike Abel, whose offering was from his flock
Gen, 4: g. A. 1t was necessary to choose ami.
mails ceremonially clean. In the case Of the
burnt offering the sacrifice was required to be
male Females could be offered in certain
other cases. (3:l @; AIS; NJ, 9:2.) In
Christ sex makes no difference. Men and
women alike are invited to become Christians
The sacrifices must be without blemish. ~ -
%; NAL, I'D; Eph., SGT; Heb, 1926;
Pet, l 49, They must be free from disease
deformity, etc. They would thus symbolic
the Lamb, Jesus, who knew no sin, and US
who should live blamelessly.
3. The place of Offering The brazen ALTA
was in the court which enveloped the taber
nacIe proper, being halfway between the gate
of the court and the door of the tabernacle.
1 BSCfIilGS COulu not DC OuoE6O SloeWu6I0 Jill
Temple Of Solomon was built, when a fxeC
brazen altar was constructed. The temple be
ing now destroyed, the Jews have who'll!
ceased to offer burnt sacrifices.
d. The person (sinner) bringing the sacrifc
to the brazen altar. Any Jew could have thi
privilege. In the general burnt Offering TIL
man represented his family. Provision wa
made to meet the different classes, and not t.
preclude from the benefits even the poores
person.
s. The acts of the oferer. They must b
voluntary. (See 1875; 22:19; Ps., 1913;
Cor, 8: IL; $40 The person must bring tn
! animal to the brazen altar and take persona
part and interest in the sacrifice. He must pu
his hand ". 4)-probably both hands (16 81
, on the head of the victim. (3:2, 8, 49, 4 a
8:18; Elk, % 10, Is; NJ, 8 12) The slime
was obliged to identify himself with the offer
ing. Probably the act was accompanied b,
the confession of sim q6: 21.) In a sense tn
, mans sins were laid on the animal whcl
then became responsible 1t must meet tn
fate due the suner-die for, or instead of, o
, in the place of, the wOrshiper. The sinner b.
| his evil should in justice lose his life, ant
this fact is graphically pictured by the KILN
{ of the animal. Practically the man said t
the priests who stood for Cod and who, a
his agents, might be ordered to Stay tn
, sinner: Here is my substitute. This anima
assumes all my guilt. Seize it. Kill it. She
no 70 hot 1,vlA IN, l.