The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-07-13
THE LESSON STORY.

THE LESSON STORY.
We cannot appreciate the exceptional
enormity of the double offence of the old
est sons of Aaron, without first obtaining
some understanding of the circumstances
under which their offence was committed.
Their offence was dissertation of the
tabernacle-worship to whose solemn OBJ
servance they had been as priests conse-
Grated; it was furthermore, we infer in
diligence in strong drink, which made such
shallow bravado and profane acts possible.
The tabernacle was movable temple,
suited to the homeless and wandering con-
dition of the Israelites 1t was intended
to be both memorial and prophecy. 1t
was a reminder of the open-air altar, which
erected first by Abraham at Shechem had
been reproduced by his descendants in
different places during their subsequent
journeyings and sojourns. 1t was at the
same time the prophecy of more splendid
and durable temple to be built when the
Hebrews reached their promised country
ahd established their nation.
The tabernacle, from the external view
point, red but a tent. Its entire dimen-
sions, exclusive of its court, were eighty.
four by sixty feet. Four separate tapes
tries, one above another, made its roof;
it being in fact four tents, one within the
other. Its outer covering was of separate
strips of tapestry, fastened at the ridge
pole with loops, at the ground with tent
pins. The fabric, in all its Implications,
was gorgeously colored. The tabernacle
proper was distinct structure within the
tent; the tent being the appointed shelter
of the tabernacle. The tabernacle was
forty-hve feet long, fifteen feet vide, fifteen
feet high; without floor, or roof, or front,
the ground being its floor, the tert its
protection skvward, and curtain between
posts of acacia-wood its 'front.' The back
and sides were of acacia-wood planks,
standing on their ends, edge to edge. The
inside, the sanctuary, was divided into two
parts, the outer apartment, the holy place,
being thirty feet long by fifteen feet wide
Here the priests were privileged to enter,
but only one at time here the incense
was offered and the symbolic lamps were
kept burning and the table kept supplied
with bread. Beyond this apartment, sep
arated from it by curtain, was the holy
of holies, fifteen feet square. Into this
place only the high-priest was permitted
to enter; and he but once year and after
having symbolically passed through the
publication of death. In the holy of holes
the ark of the covenant was kept; the ark
being an acacia-wood chest, three feet
nine inches in length, one foot and three
inches alike in height and width the COW
enant being specifically the tablets con-
tanning the Ten Words. The lid of the
ark was of solid gold this was the mercy
seat. Upon the ark were two golden fig
ures of cherubim, with wings stretched
over the ark, their faces turned toward
each other. Between the cherubim, over
the ark, was the place peculiarly dedicated
to the presence of God.
Such, in meagre outline, was the tent of
the congregation and the tabernacle. 1t
had been built after a matured plan
Every part of the tent, the tabernacle, the
furnishings, and the outer court symbol
lied some historical or Divine fact. The
structure had been built by extraordinary
self-denial on the part of the lsraelites.
L. The COntemptuOus Priests
Stricken with Sudden Death,-vs.
Is.
Nadab, whose name means Noble, and
Abihu, whose name signifies God is
Father, were the the oldest two of the four
sons of Aaron and his wife Elisheba or
Elizabeth (Ex. 6:a3).
The glaring offence of these two sons of
Aaron against the tabernacle worship oc-
Cured on the very day after their own
conservation to the priesthood by a week
of dedicatory ceremonials. 1t occurred
also on the day when their father frs.
ministered as high priest by entering into
the holy of holes as intercessor for the
people.
What was their offence?
Its roots must have reached into their
past They must have regarded with con-
tempt both the tabernacle and its cere-
monies. 1t was easy for the consciously
inclined among the Israelites to make the
tabernacle appear ridiculous. They had
been familiar with the splendid stone tenn
Piles in Egypt. What in comparison was
this slight booth and its airy canopy?
Nadab and Abihu deprecated their own
duties in the tabernacle. They encouraged
each other in defiance and scorn of the
tabernacle and its ceremonies.
The law which had been promulgated
Eek. 81, 81 required that incense should
be offered in the holy place morning and
evening. 1t was also required that but
one priest at time should enter the holy
place. Again it was required that the fire
which burned the odorous spices in the
censor should be kinded from the fire on
the altar for burnt offerings. The offence
of these young priests is that they disdained
all these requirements. The two went to
gether into the holy place before the tim
Of the evening sacrifice. and fhav iiahtrsI