‏ Leviticus 9

* The first offerings of Aaron for himself and the people.

(1-21) Moses and Aaron bless the people, Fire cometh upon the

altar from the Lord. (22-24)

1-21 These many sacrifices, which were all done away by the

death of Christ, teach us that our best services need washing in

his blood, and that the guilt of our best sacrifices needs to be

done away by one more pure and more noble than they. Let us be

thankful that we have such a High Priest. The priests had not a

day's respite from service allowed. God's spiritual priests have

constant work, which the duty of every day requires; they that

would give up their account with joy, must redeem time. The

glory of God appeared in the sight of the people, and owned what

they had done. We are not now to expect such appearances, but

God draws nigh to those who draw nigh to him, and the offerings

of faith are acceptable to him; though the sacrifices being

spiritual, the tokens of the acceptance are spiritual likewise.

When Aaron had done all that was to be done about the

sacrifices, he lifted up his hands towards the people, and

blessed them. Aaron could but crave a blessing, God alone can

command it. 22-24 When the solemnity was finished, and the blessing

pronounced, God testified his acceptance. There came a fire out

from before the Lord, and consumed the sacrifice. This fire

might justly have fastened upon the people, and have consumed

them for their sins; but its consuming the sacrifice signified

God's acceptance of it, as an atonement for the sinner. This

also was a figure of good things to come. The Spirit descended

upon the apostles in fire. And the descent of this holy fire

into our souls, to kindle in them pious and devout affections

toward God, and such a holy zeal as burns up the flesh and the

lusts of it, is a certain token of God's gracious acceptance of

our persons and performances. Nothing goes to God, but what

comes from him. We must have grace, that holy fire, from the God

of grace, else we cannot serve him acceptably, #Heb 12:28|. The

people were affected with this discovery of God's glory and

grace. They received it with the highest joy; triumphing in the

assurance given them that they had God nigh unto them. And with

the lowest reverence; humbly adoring the majesty of that God,

who vouchsafed thus to manifest himself to them. That is a

sinful fear of God, which drives us from him; a gracious fear

makes us bow before him.