Leviticus 1:1-2 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Sacrificature.

The Book of Exodus closes with an account of the entrance of the Shechinah into the tabernacle; with the manner in which that sacred structure was enveloped by the cloud of the Divine presence; also that in which, by rising from the tabernacle, God gave his order for his people to march, and, by resting upon it, to halt and encamp. The Book of Leviticus is concerned with the revelations which God gave to Israel from this habitation of his holiness, in which the laws published from Sinai were amplified (comp. Le Leviticus 7:37 , Leviticus 7:38 ). The text lays down broad principles upon the subject of sacrificature, which is considered first in order, because of its great importance to the Levitical system, and to that more glorious system of the gospel which it shadowed forth. We learn that—

I. SACRIFICATURE HAS GOD FOR ITS AUTHOR .

1 . It existed before the time of Moses.

2 . It could not have been invented by man.

3 . Here we have it authorized by God.

II. IT WAS PUBLISHED FROM HIS SANCTUARY .

1 . There are revelations of God in nature.

2 . But these are evident only after the hight of them is given.

3 . Sacrificature is not taught in nature.

III. THE SACRIFICES APPROVED ARE " FROM THE HERD AND FROM THE FLOCK ."

1 . They are selected from the animals that are clean.

2 . They are gregarious creatures.