Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-17

I. The book of Leviticus Qhe book of the
Levites or laws pertaining to the priest
hood is in two parts. The first sixteen
chapters treat of the mode OF approach to
God, and the last ten chapters the condi-
ton of subsequent communion with God.
Our lesson is the closing section of the first
part.
2. The tenth day of Tisri, the seventh
month OF the sacred calendar correspond
ing to our October. was set apart each year
Heb, KID to exercises for the propitia-
ton Of sin. No work might be done on
that day Lev., xvi:29), which came to be
regarded very highly. The later Jews
called 1t Joma, or The Day. the great day.
8. This day was established and its exer-
cisss prescribed soon after the death of
Aaron's sons Uev, XVIII, recorded in an
earlier chapter Qev., x1-5). That unfor-
tunate event in which Nadab and Abihu
paid the penalty of their irreverence.
showed the necessity of greater precaution
in the service OF the sanctuary.
4. The Idea of atonement was very
Gent. Sacrifices were offered by the
heather to appease their deities. The Scrip
lures inform US that pious men OF the
earlier centuries approached God in this
way, 30 Abel Gen, iv:4), and Noah Gen..
vin:20), and Abraham Gen, xxii:l3. But
here We have a new institution, the setting
apart of an entire day, the time to which
the whole body of the people looked for
ward for national forgiveness.
5. Special care was exercised that the
high priest who conducted the exercises
should come to them in a proper spirit.
He spent a whole week prior to meditation
and preparation in an appointed room near
the sacred Enclosure. He Invested himself
OF his rich pontifical garments worn on
other occasions-the robe, the ephod, the
breast plate and the miter-and put on
the linen clothes of the sacerdotal vest
ments (verse A., common with inferior
priests. a most becoming act of humli-
alton.
EXPLANATIONS
l. Atonement.-This word signifies recon-
Citation or restoration of a sinner to Dr.
vine favor, at-one-ment, a preparation or
condition of approach to God. The uniform
mode Of atonement, practiced among an.
peoples. was by shedding blood QIeb.
ix:22), the surrender Of life for sin.
2 Sin Offering-A young bullock for the
priest, male kid or lamb for a ruler or
a female kid or lamb for a private person
was sacrificed with a confession of sin
and prayer for forgiveness. The offering
looked to the guilt of the offender. ire
spective Of the results of it's consequences.
Sins Of Ignorance were atoned. Willful
sins Numb xv:S0) were pardoneJ upon
amendment Of life. Qsa lv:7)
g. Burnt OfferingrThis consisted in
gift. usually an animal. wholly burnt on
the altar, Hgnifying that the offerer pre-
scented himself. soul and body. to God to
De SUBMISSIVE 10 tIfS DiNlne Will. was an
act Of conservation which could not be
made except by one either sinless or par
doned. Hence the burnt Offering was pre-
coded by the sin Offering 0ev. viii:14-1S.)
f. 1ncense.-A mixture of equal portions
Of gums, spices. etc. eek xxx :34-3S, made
after prescribed formula offered to the
Lord every morning and evening and at
other stated times. eek xxx:7-S) The
general opinion Of devout scholars is that
incense was an emblem Of prayer, an opin-
ion apparently supported by Scripture.
psalm cxli:2) See Fairbanks Typology,
vol. II. page 800.
5. Censer.-A small portable vessel Of cop
per or gold used to carry Goals on which
incense was burned Numb xvi:6-7)
goats presented by the people, selected to
bear their sins into the wilderness, repre-
senting Gods forgiveness. psalm ciii :12)
Z. Lot.-The custom Of deciding difficult OF
doubtful questions was very general in the
ancient world. Two tablets of lockwood or
gold-bearing inscriptions put in an urn
which was shaken, and then the tablets
were drawn. 1t was believed that the Di-
vine will was thus indicated. prov
xvi 33.)
g. Mercy Seat-This was the lid Of the
Ark Of the Covenant. The word seat is
superfuous AS the ark contained the law
it was proper that mercy should be dis
always through the sprinkled blood
Numb. vii:S9), emblem of forfeited
life.
CEREMONIAL.
With the above explanations the student
may easily follow the order Of procedure
prescribed for the day 81 atonement, part
OF it for the high priest and his house
hold; and part for the congregation
hn trh 1-t~