What precious tokens of divine favor? GOD not only appeared in glory, to testify his presence, but also he answered by fire, to testify his acceptance of their services. Reader! remark with me, that as the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifice, which might justly have consumed their persons for sin; so the HOLY GHOST came down in confirmation that JESUS'S offering for sin on the cross was accepted, who without his offering would not have come, neither could our persons have escaped destruction. Observe also, the gracious effects on the minds of the people; they shout for joy; they fall low in humbleness. Never doth a soul lay lower in the dust, than when GOD exalts that soul in thankfulness for mercy. We are humblest in ourselves, when we are most lifted up in JESUS. Like Paul, when most weak, then most strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Leviticus 9:1 REFLECTIONS
IN the perusal of this Chapter, may it be my happiness to look beyond the letter to the spirit of the sacred word; and here, I am sure, I shall see JESUS, my great High Priest, in everything signified. Was he not from all eternity set apart, consecrated, and ordained to be an Almighty High Priest in things pertaining unto man, to make reconciliation for the sins of his people? And did he not, in confirmation of it, in the fullness of time, offer himself unto GOD, a willing sacrifice, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing? And is he not, as Aaron of old, now gone into the tabernacle not made with hands, even into heaven itself, there to appear in the presence of GOD for us? Hath he not again and again blessed his people, and afforded the most incontestable evidences of his unalterable love? Doth not his presence now, in the assemblies of the faithful, testify the FATHER'S approbation of all our spiritual services, however poor they are in themselves, yet truly valuable, in being accepted in and through him? And ought not the many love-tokens of his favor, which correspond to the glory manifested in the Jewish church, bring with them the surest evidences of his grace, and call forth our shouts of holy joy? Dearest JESUS! may we never, never lose sight of thee in all our approaches to the mercy-seat, but behold thee as our sacrifice, our altar, our high priest, our all. Hail! LAMB of GOD, thou that takest away the sin of the world! Praises to thy name; thou needest not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for thine own sins, and then for the people; for by thy one offering, once offered, thou hast forever perfected them that are sanctified.