‏ Leviticus 6

* Concerning trespasses against our neighbour. (1-7) Concerning

the burnt-offering. (8-13) Concerning the meat-offering. (14-23)

Concerning the sin-offering. (24-30)

1-7 Though all the instances relate to our neighbour, yet it is

called a trespass against the Lord. Though the person injured be

mean, and even despicable, yet the injury reflects upon that God

who has made the command of loving our neighbour next to that of

loving himself. Human laws make a difference as to punishments;

but all methods of doing wrong to others, are alike violations

of the Divine law, even keeping what is found, when the owner

can be discovered. Frauds are generally accompanied with lies,

often with false oaths. If the offender would escape the

vengeance of God, he must make ample restitution, according to

his power, and seek forgiveness by faith in that one Offering

which taketh away the sin of the world. The trespasses here

mentioned, still are trespasses against the law of Christ, which

insists as much upon justice and truth, as the law of nature, or

the law of Moses. 8-13 The daily sacrifice of a lamb is chiefly referred to. The

priest must take care of the fire upon the altar. The first fire

upon the altar came from heaven, ch. #9:24|; by keeping that up

continually, all their sacrifices might be said to be consumed

with the fire from heaven, in token of God's acceptance. Thus

should the fire of our holy affections, the exercise of our

faith and love, of prayer and praise, be without ceasing. 14-23 The law of the burnt-offerings put upon the priests a

great deal of care and work; the flesh was wholly burnt, and the

priests had nothing but the skin. But most of the meat-offering

was their own. It is God's will that his ministers should be

provided with what is needful. 24-30 The blood of the sin-offering was to be washed out of the

clothes on which it should happen to be sprinkled, which

signified the regard we ought to have to the blood of Christ,

not counting it a common thing. The vessel in which the flesh of

the sin-offering was boiled must be broken, if it were an

earthen one; but if a brazen one, well washed. This showed that

the defilement was not wholly taken away by the offering; but

the blood of Christ thoroughly cleanses from all sin. All these

rules set forth the polluting nature of sin, and the removal of

guilt from the sinner to the sacrifice. Behold and wonder at

Christ's love, in that he was content to be made a sin-offering

for us, and so to procure our pardon for continual sins and

failings. He that knew no sin was made sin (that is, a

sin-offering) for us, #2Co 5:21|. Hence we have pardon, and not

only pardon, but power also, against sin, #Ro 8:3|.