Leviticus 1

Leviticus 1:2-9

The Jewish oblations, in their matter and ceremonies, were not only typical of Christ, but most of them also emblems of the moral duties of Christians, whether ministers or people.—The matter of the offerings pointed at qualities in Christ, or in his people and their service. The male sex figured out the excellency of these; the being without blemish their purity; the voluntariness, the willingness and cheerfulness with which God must be served. The presenting at the door of the tabernacle in ordinary cases, (for in extraordinary ones it might be otherwise, 1 Sam. vii. 9. and xi. 15. 2 Sam. xxiv. 18. 1 Kings viii. 64. and xviii. 32. Judg. vi. 26.) imported the acceptableness to be through the person and mediation of Christ. The laying on of the offerer’s hand imported the transferring of guilt on the sacrifice, and devoting it to God. The sprinkling of the blood round about the altar imported the divinity of Christ’s atonement, and the extensive virtue of it, to all the church and ordinances thereof. The washing of the inwards and legs imports the perfect holiness of heart and life in Christ, and which ought to be in his people. The burning of the whole flesh imported that Christ was, and his people ought to be, wholly devoted to God. The holy fire denoted the wrath of God on Christ, and holy love in him and in his people

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. I.—In the oblation of these valuable, social, patient, pure, and peaceful animals, let me behold my all-excellent, social, patient, peaceful, and holy Redeemer, as presented before God in the council of peace, brought into this world, and in due time presented at Jerusalem; as having our sins imputed to him by his Father; and as offered by himself a sweet-smelling sacrifice, without spot, unto God, to vindicate and glorify his imputed perfections, and to expiate our sin! How willingly he presented himself! How painful and dolorous were his sufferings, and chiefly those of his soul, while in love to us made him to lie in the flames of his Father’s wrath, leaving our sins! He expired on a cross, on the north-west of Jerusalem, and extends the virtue of his death chiefly to the north-west parts of the world! For us, poor and destitute criminals, he exerted all his care; suffered his soul and body to be divided asunder; but neither separated from his Godhead! And, after lying in his grave, he put off every mark of mortality and guilt, and ascends to his throne on the right hand of God. What precious meat and drink-offerings of blessings and comfort to himself and to my soul do attend this oblation!—Let me therefore, all inflamed with his dying love, cheerfully tender to the Lord the best that I have. Acknowledging myself the servant of death, and rejoicing that Jesus has borne my sins and guilt, let me, though unworthy, be it, I have to the Lord, as an holy sacrifice, acceptable through Jesus Christ. Washed in every part, may my whole soul be inflamed with the sacred fire, the love of God shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost! May an holy and prudent zeal for the Lord consume and burn up every selfish care and inward corruption; and influence me earnestly to lay out all my gifts and graces in winning poor sinners to a God in Christ!