This feast of tabernacles immediately followed the day of atonement, and no doubt in the appointment, a precious doctrine was contained. There is, indeed, cause of joy, even holy joy and rapture ahead, when through the blood of atonement, we have peace with GOD through JESUS. CHRIST our LORD. See GOD'S command to this effect, Isaiah 40:1-2. I again refer the Reader to what was before said on this solemnity, Leviticus 23:34-44. But, as the Reader will find in comparing that scripture with this, that here are added directions about the offerings made by fire, it will be proper to observe that the fire of grace, that holy flame in the heart, is the only thing to make every offering acceptable. JESUS is, and must be the sum and substance of the whole. Without me, saith CHRIST, ye can do nothing, John 15:5. How much of gospel, also, was in that service, that during the people's dwelling in booths, which carried with it an idea of a tabernacle-state, having no certain dwelling-place, but to be put up and taken down as occasion required; I say, how much of gospel was in it, that the daily sacrifice, notwithstanding the inconveniency of it, was by no means to be omitted? Reader! whoever you are, however you are circumstanced, JESUS is; and must be the morning and evening Lamb of your sacrifice and oblation! Yes, dearest LORD! do thou remind my poor forgetful heart, both morning, evening, and throughout the whole day, that thou alone art the High Priest, altar, and sacrifice of my soul: and LORD; grant that I may be accepted in the beloved! Ephesians 1:6. Was not this daily decrease of the number of the bullocks during the feast of tabernacles, an expressive type of the gradual decline of the Levitical dispensation, in proportion as the gospel was coming forward? The Apostle to the Hebrews seems to have had this idea when comparing the old covenant, as he calls it, with the new: for he saith, that which decayeth and waxed old is ready to vanish away. Hebrews 8:13 : I would have the Reader notice one thing very particularly in the feast of tabernacles, and that is the sin offering enjoined, Numbers 29:19. And what is offered under this appointment, but this: that, in our highest enjoyments and under all our highest privileges in the covenant mercies of GOD in CHRIST, we derive all from him, and his gracious interposition, who was made sin for us, though he knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21. It may not be amiss to observe, that if was at this memorable feast of tabernacles, when JESUS stood and cried, "If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink; " sweetly teaching, that if any poor awakened Jew felt, under the HOLY GHOST'S influences, the burden of sin, and the insufficiency of all those legal ordinances to bring comfort, to the soul, and therefore thirsted after a better righteousness to commend his soul to GOD; JESUS stood ready to receive all that came to GOD by him, and would satisfy his desires. John 7:37.
Numbers 29:12-38
12 And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days:
13 And ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish:
14 And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth deals to each ram of the two rams,
15 And a several tenth deal to each lamb of the fourteen lambs:
16 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.
17 And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:
18 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
19 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering thereof, and their drink offerings.
20 And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish;
21 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
22 And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.
23 And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:
24 Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
25 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.
26 And on the fifth day nine bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:
27 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
28 And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.
29 And on the sixth day eight bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:
30 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
31 And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.
32 And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:
33 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
34 And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.
35 On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no servile work therein:
36 But ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: one bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish:
37 Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
38 And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.