od; of gold, blue, and purple, and scar-purple, and scarlet, and twined linen. let, and fine twined linen. 9 It was four-square; they made the breast-plate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled. 10 And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was * a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row. 11 And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. 12 And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. 13 And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were enclosed in ouches of gold in their enclosings. 14 And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes. k 15 And they made upon the breastplate chains, at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold. 16 And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings: and put the two rings in the two ends of the breast-plate. 17 And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breast-plate. 18 And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it. 19 And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breast-plate, upon the border of it which was on the side of the ephod inward. 20 And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. 21 And they did bind the breast-plate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod, with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breast-plate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses. 22 T And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue. 23 And there was a hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend. 24 And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and j See on 28:17,21.-Rev. 21:19 | See on 28:31-35. -21. • Or. ruby. k Cant. 1:10. 25 And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates, upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates. 26 A bell and a m pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the n hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses. 27 And they made coats of fine linen, of woven work, for Aaron and for his sons. 28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen. 29 And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needle-work; as the LORD commanded Moses. 30 And they made P the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, & HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 31 And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses. 32 T Thus was all the work of the tab ernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. 33 And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, 34 And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the veil of the covering, 35 The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy-seat, 36 The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shew-bread, 37 The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light. 38 And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle-door, 39 The brazen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot, 40 The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court-gate, his cords and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation, B. C. 1491. t CHAPTER XL. 41 The cloths of service to do ser- bring in the candlestick, and light the vice in the holy place, and the holy gar-lamps thereof. ments for Aaron the priest, and his sons' garments to minister in the priest's office. 42 According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. 43 And Moses did look upon all the work, and behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them. CHAP. XL. Moses, at God's command, sets up the tabernacle, and consecrates it with its furniture, 1-33. The Lord, by the cloud and glory takes possession of it, and guides and protects Israel, 31-38. ND the LORD spake unto Moses, A saying, b 2 On the first day of a the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation: 3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the veil. d 4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it, and thou shalt Marg. c 21. See on 25:17-22. 26:33, d 22. See on 25:23-30. 26:35, * Heb. the order thereof. Lev. V. 43. The words, "as the Lord commanded Moses," or to that effect, are used no less than ten times in this chapter. This shews the importance of the exact observance of the directions given, to the acceptableness of the service; without which the liberality and activity of the people, and the skill of the workmen, would have been of no avail. 5 And thou shalt set the altar of gold, for the incense, before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle. 6 And thou shalt set the altar of 7 And thou shalt set the laver be- 1 9 T And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy. 10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt-offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar + most holy. 11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it. 12 And thou e 24,25.-See on 25:31-39. f 26,27.-See on 30:1-5.-37: g 28. 26:36,37. 36:37,38, h 29. See on 27:1-8.-38:1 i 30-32.-See on 30:18-21. teaching and assistance, he will graciously ap- CHAP. XL. V. 2. On the fifteenth day of the first month the Israelites came out of Egypt; on the fiftieth day after that event the law was given; and with several intervening delays, Moses spent at least eighty days upon the mount. Half the year must therefore have passed, or perhaps more, before they began to work upon the tabernacle; in half a year, or somewhat less, PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. When unanimity, diligence, and zeal animate the hearts of numbers in a good cause, much may be done in a short time: and when the commandment of God is continually attended to, as the rule and standard of every service, the whole will be done well.-We ought indeed daily to prove our own work, to take the counsel and regard the judgment of others, to present all we do before the Lord, and beg to be shewn how far he approves or disapproves it: but the grand trial of all our actions will be at the conclusion of them. We ought not therefore rashly to judge others, or their works, before the time; nor be elated by man's applause, or cast down by his re-the whole was completed; and immediately Moproach, which are often alike erroneous and uninerited: but we should exercise ourselves to keep a conscience void of offence, be contented with its testimony, and wait that day, "when the Lord shall come, and bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts, and then shall every man have praise of God." For though the glory of all the good we do belongs to him, and our best needs much forgiveness; yet, if by his grace our hearts are humbly upright and willing, and we work by his rule, for his glory, and in dependence on his || 30:22-33. 42 VOL. I. ses received directions for setting it up."The tabernacle" means the whole building; "the tent," the curtains by which it was covered. (Marg. Ref.). V. 3, 4. Marg. Ref. c-e. Notes, 25:10-39. V. 5. Marg. Ref. f, g. Notes, 26:36,37. 30:1 -8. V. 6. Marg. Ref. Nole, 27:1-8. V. 7,8. Marg. Ref. i, k. Notes, 27:9-19. 30: B. C. 1490. and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. 13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. 14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: 15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an P everlasting priesthood, throughout their generations: B. C.7 16 Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he. 17 ¶ And it came to pass, in the 1490. first month, in the second on the year, first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up. г 18 And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars. 19 And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses. t 20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the "mercy-seat above upon the ark. 21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses. 22 And he put the table in the tent o See on 28:41. John 3:34. 17: 19. Heb. 10:10,29. 1 John 2: 20,27. p 12:14. 30:31. Num. 25:13. Ps. 110:4. Heb. 7:3,17,24. q 2. Num. 7:1. 9:1. r 26:15-30. 36:20-34. 26:1-14. 36:8-19. t 16:34. 25:16-21. 31:18. Ps. 40:8. 10:4. u 37:6-9. Rom. 3:25, Heb. 4:16. 10:19-21. 1 John 2:2. 3. 26:33. 35:12. y 4. V. 12-14. Marg. Ref. n, o. Notes, 29:1-37. V. 15. Everlasting.] This priesthood endured, in the family of Aaron, till Christ came; and in him, the Substance of all these shadows, it rests for ever. The sons of Aaron were anointed with the same holy oil, as their father; but it is not generally supposed, that it was poured on their heads, as it was on his. At least this is never mentioned concerning any other than the high priest. (29:7. Lev. 8:12. 21:10. Ps. 133:2.) The anointing oil was "sprinkled both on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons, and on their garments." (29:21. Lev. 8:30.)-In this respect, "Moses anointed them, as he anointed their father:" and perhaps some of the oil might be applied to their heads, though not poured on them, as on that of their father. The distinction between the anointed priest, or high priest, and the other priests, seems marked through all the subsequent part of the Old Testament, wherever the subject is introduced. 29 And he put the altar of burnt-offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt-offering, and the meatoffering; as the LORD commanded Moses. 30 And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal. 31 And Moses, and Aaron and his & washed their hands and their feet sons, thereat. 32 When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses. 33 And he reared up h the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate: so Moses finished the work. 34 Then a cloud covered the tent b 8. 27:9-16. i 39:32. 1 Kings 6:9. Zech. 4: 9. John 4:34. 17:4. 2 Tim. 4: 7. Heb. 3:2-5. k13:21,22. 14:19,20,24. 25:8,22. 29:43. 33:9. Lev. 16:2. Num. 2 9:15-23. 1 Kings 8:10. Chr. 5:13. Is. 6:4. Ez. 43:47. Hag, 2:7,9. V. 17-33. (Marg. Ref.) In the whole of this solemn service, Moses acted as a priest, and as a type of him, who unites in his own person the offices of a Prophet, Priest, and King. (Note, Deut. 18:15-19.) But after Aaron and his sons were fully established in their office, it does not appear, that Moses performed any of the services, to which they were especially appointed. As however he went into the tabernacle to inquire of the Lord, it may be supposed that, on these occasions, he washed his hands and feet at the laver, as Aaron and his sons did in their daily ministrations.-The time, in which the anointing and consecrating of the sacred vessels took place, seems to have been the same, as that in which Aaron and his sons were consecrated; though of the congregation, and the glory of the [dren of Israel went onward in all their LORD filled the tabernacle. journeys: Moses in this general narrative did not specially mention it. V. 34, 35. The Lord testified his acceptance of the services of the people, and his entire reconciliation to them as a nation, by his gracious residence among them in the cloud, the symbol of his special presence. This rested above the tabernacle, while a more resplendent glory filled it, so that Moses himself could not enter for a time; but probably it afterwards was confined to the holy of holies, above the mercy-seat between the cher ubim. 37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not, till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and "fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. *Heb. journeyed. n Ps. 78:14. 105:39. Is. 4:5,6. lowing the Lord, when they are gratifying their own wayward inclinations. Upon the whole, in all matters, let us refer "to the law and to the testimony." Plain precepts and maxims of wisdom are far surer rules, than the most ingenious allusions: and the book of Providence, as well as the supposed guidance of the Spirit, must be examined by, and brought to the test of, the plain rules of the written word, "which are the light || of our feet and the lantern of our paths." PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 36-38. (Note, Num. 9:16-23.) In allusion to this special guidance of Israel, many pious per- The several parts of divine revelation, the dissons use the expression, "moving of the cloud," tinct offices of Jesus Christ, and the various as denoting the providential and gracious direc-graces of the Christian character, are never seen tion which God now affords his people: and doubt- || in their glory and beauty, till they are viewed as less it is allowable thus to accommodate and apply || united in one harmonious whole; which whole the these typical passages to our own circumstances, believer values, desires, and seeks to call his own. provided it be done with sobriety, judgment, and -The periodical return of the seasons should recaution. But we should be careful not to intro- mind us of the duties to God and our souls, to duce a new rule of duty; or give occasion to un- which we are called: and we may hope for a good certainty, error, or enthusiasm, by a vague and year, month, week, or day, if we begin it with indeterminate use of such allusions. We are not serious attention to the worship of God, and solunder the same evident infallible guidance that emn dedication of ourselves to him. But when Israel was: the word of God, soberly explained, we remember that within this very year, which is our only and our sufficient rule of duty; and in was entered upon in so promising à manner, the understanding it, and in applying general pre-Lord was not well pleased with the most of the Iscepts to particular circumstances, good counsel, raelites, and doomed "their carcasses to fall in fervent prayer, and a careful observance of Prov- the wilderness;" we may justly fear, lest we should idence, should be employed. Some things are al-amuse and deceive ourselves with a form of godliways our duty, when we have opportunity and ness: and the consideration, how few of them enability; and these need no other direction: other tered Canaan, should warn young people not to things are lawful in themselves; but it may be postpone the care of their souls till they are setdoubtful, whether in our case and situation they tled in life, lest that should prove too late. Hapare advisable; that is, whether they are likely, py they, who like Moses receive repeated testi. all things considered, to conduce to the glory of mony from God, that they do his will and keep God and our own real good, and the good of our his commandments! But, through him, let us look brethren and neighbors. When, after mature unto Jesus Christ, who collects his people from consultation and fervent prayer, such matters all nations and ages; and according to the will of still remain doubtful; the events of Providence the Father, having washed them in his blood, and may be of some weight in the decision, especially anointed them with the unction of his grace, in cases where self-denial must be exercised, and forms them into one holy temple, "a habitation of danger encountered. But, when any undertak- God through the Spirit," in which he dwells to iling is evidently wrong, or plainly inexpedient, or luminate, to purify, to guide, and to defend them unadvisable in the opinion of impartial judges, through life, and in which he will dwell for ever. and yet the inclination leans that way; in this Being then taught by the Spirit to imitate Christ, case, that which men call the "moving of the as well as to depend on him, devoutly to attend on cloud," or the opening of Providence, is generally his ordinances, and obey his precepts; we shall be no more than a temptation of Satan. The sug-preserved from losing our way, and be "led in the gestions of at enemy are often mistaken for midst of the paths of judgment," till we come to divine impressions; and men fancy they are fol- heaven, the habitation of his holiness. [331 THE THIRD BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED LEVITICUS. In the Hebrew Bible this book, like the preceding, is named from the first word (p): but, after the Greek translation, we call it LEVITICUS: because it records the solemn consecration of Aaron and his sons, who were of the tribe of Levi, to be the priests of the Lord, and the confirmation of the priesthood to their descendants in all subsequent ages, while that dispensation endured; and because directions for their various ministrations are here very particularly given; though many things respecting the separation of the rest of the tribe, and the services allotted to them, are recorded in the subsequent book. It contains little history, except the awful death of Nadab and Abibu, the sons of Aaron, as soon as consecrated, for irreverence in their sacred office: and it principally consists of ritual laws, delivered to Moses from above the mercy-seat, during the first month after the Tabernacle was erected; though moral precepts are frequently interspersed.--In these ceremonies the gospel was preached to Israel: and the solemn and exact manner, and the many repetitions, with which they are enforced, are suited to impress the serious mind with a conviction, that something immensely more important and spiritual, than the external observances, is couched under each of them. We are indeed thus taught, that all true religion must be grounded on divine revelation, and be regulated by it; and not be left in any degree to human invention: yet one inspired apostle calls the legal institutions "beggarly elements," and "the law of a carnal commandment;" and another allows, that they formed "a yoke which neither they nor their fathers were able to bear."-But if we look carefully into the New Testament, we shall be convinced, that these ordinances, which to numbers appear so unmeaning and unreasonable, were not only “shad ows of good things to come," but real prophecies; which, being exactly accomplished in the gospel, prove the book in which they are found to be divinely inspired. It is not known how far the Israelites observed the singular law concerning the sabbatical year, and that of Jubilee, which, it is evident, were very frequently neglected; but no impostor would have ventured to enact such statutes; much less to have committed himself by these words: "And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase. Then I will command my blessing on you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years. And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat yet of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in, ye shall eat of the old store." (25:20-22.) Yet we do not find, in the whole history, a single complaint that this extraordinary promise failed of an exact accomplishment.-The twenty-sixth chapter likewise contains an evident prediction of the present state of the nation of Israel, which amidst all its dispersions and oppressions has hitherto been preserved a distinct people, apparently in order to the performance of the promises made them in the close of the chapter.-It seems peculiarly useful, in this skeptical age, to introduce each book in the sacred volume, by some notice of those prophecies found in it, which have received an evident accomplishment, many ages after the time when we have full proof the books were extant; as this tends to establish, not only their authenticity, but also their divine authority, far more than human testimony can do.--In addition to this we may observe, that the sacred writers, in all the subsequent parts of Scripture, and even our Lord, as well as his apostles, quote or refer to this book in language which proves, both that it is the genuine work of Moses, and also that the statutes contained in it are the word of God; the two points which many, called Christians, seem at present ready to concede to skeptics and infidels. (2 Chron. 30:16. Ezra 7:6,12. Matt. 8:4. Luke 2:22–24. Rom. 10:4,5. Comp. 26:12. with 2 Cor. 6:16. and 19:18. with Gal. 5:14.) Let us therefore adhere to the testimony of these unexceptionable witnesses, and study it as a part of "the oracles of God;" and very important instruction will be derived from it, even to us in this remote age, though we are no longer under the obligation of its ritual appointments. B. C. 1490. 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. c 22:18,19. Gen. 4:3-5. 1 Chr. 16:29. Rom. 12:1,6. Eph. 5:2. was not able to enter; but the Lord called to him to draw nigh, and as he stood without he spake the laws to him.-The word rendered offering, (2 Corban, Mark 7:11.) signifies brought near, and, in general, means any oblation presented to God; and therefore the meatofferings, regulated in the next chapter, were intended, as well as the burnt-offerings, &c.— The sacrificing of innocent animals had been an institution of true religion from the fall of |