Leviticus:9

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* Verse 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 . * Verse 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 , Hebrews strkjv @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 . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

---