All this is true; and consequently, throughout the whole of the two chapters which lie open before us, and in each distinct paragraph, we have the sin-offering introduced. (See chap. xxviii. 15, 22, 30; xxix. 5, 11, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 38.) Thirteen times over is mention made of the sin-offering of atonement, and yet for all that it remains true and obvious that sin or atonement for sin is not by any means the great prominent subject. There is no mention of it in the verse which we have quoted for the reader, although that verse plainly gives a summary of the contents of the two chapters; nor is there any allusion to it until we reach the fifteenth verse. Need we say that the sin-offering is essential, inasmuch as man is in question, and man is a sinner? It would be impossible to treat of the subject of man’s approach to God, his worship, or his communion without introducing the atoning death of Christ as the necessary foundation. This the whole heart confesses with supreme delight. The mystery of Christ’s precious sacrifice shall be the well-spring of our souls throughout the everlasting ages. But shall we be deemed Socinian in our thoughts if we assert that there is something in Christ and in His precious death beyond the bearing of our sins and the meeting of our necessities? We trust not. Can any one read Numbers xxviii. and xxix. and not see this? Look at one simple fact, which might strike the mind of a child. There are seventy-one verses in the entire section, and out of these, thirteen allude to the sin-offering, and the remaining fifty-eight are occupied with sweet-savor offerings. In a word, then, the special theme here is, God’s delight in Christ. Morning and evening, day by day, week after week, from one new moon to another, from the opening to the close of the year, it is Christ in His fragrance and preciousness to Godward. True it is—thanks be to God, and to Jesus Christ His Son—our sin is atoned for, judged, and put away forever—our trespasses forgiven and guilt canceled; but above and beyond this, the heart of God is fed, refreshed, and delighted by Christ. What was the morning and evening lamb? was it a sin-offering, or a burnt-offering? Hear the reply in God’s own words,—“And thou shalt say unto them, ‘This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the Lord; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a _continual burnt-offering_. The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even; and a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat-offering, mingled with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil. It is a continual burnt-offering, which was ordained in Mount Sinai, for a sweet savor, a sacrifice made by fire unto the Lord.’”