Separation and Service; or, Thoughts on Numbers VI, VII.Taylor, James Hudson
Religion
Separation and Service; or, Thoughts on Numbers VI, VII.
Taylor, James Hudson
Bible. Numbers VI-VII -- Commentaries
The sin-offering, as its name indicates, recognized the offerer as
guilty and defiled, but obtaining forgiveness and cleansing through the
death of the victim in his stead. We see CHRIST as our sin-offering in
Isa. liii. 4-10. But guilt removed still leaves the believer needing the
imputed righteousness of CHRIST, and acceptance before GOD, which are
the aspects of CHRIST'S death foreshadowed, as we have seen by the
burnt-offering.
Lastly, the peace-offering--part of which was consumed on the altar,
while part was the portion of the priest, and the remainder furnished a
feast to the offerer and his friends--shows us GODS and man feasting
together on the perfect work of CHRIST. He that sanctifieth and those
who are sanctified, find their full satisfaction in Him, and in Him
alone. He has made peace by the blood of His cross. He has given us His
own peace. We are called to let His peace _rule_ in our hearts. And if
we will but bring our burdens and cares to Him, we are promised that the
peace of GOD shall guard and garrison our hearts and thoughts in CHRIST
JESUS!
PART II.
The Blessing of GOD.
NUMB. VI. 22-27.
We have already seen the grace of GOD making provision that His people,
who had lost the privilege of priestly service, might draw near to Him
by Nazarite separation and consecration. And not as the offence was the
free gift: those who had forfeited the privilege of priestly service
were the males only, but women and even children might be Nazarites;
whosoever desired was free to come, and thus draw near to GOD.
We now come to the concluding verses of Numb. vi, and see in them one of
the fullest forms of benediction to be found in the whole Word of GOD.
The thought naturally arises,
WHY IS IT FOUND HERE?
And the reply is twofold. There is the Divine side. Flowing from GOD'S
heart of love first came the _privilege_ of Nazarite consecration; and
then, by the _act_ of consecration, His loving heart is so gladdened
that it further overflows in these rich benedictions.
Looking, on the other hand, at the human side, we may learn that the
soul which is fully consecrated _always_ receives the blessing of GOD.
Where that blessing is not enjoyed, there is always something unreal or
defective in the consecration. It may be that we have separated
ourselves to carry out _our own will, or thought, or plan of service_,
instead of surrendering ourselves and _our_ will, to learn and to do
_His_ will. But it is real consecration _to GOD_ that puts us into the
position in which He can pour out His richest blessings upon us.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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