-offering. The same offerings were
offered at the Feasts of Passover and Pentecost. On several other
occasions the offerings were nearly of the same proportions; while
during the Feast of Tabernacles the offerings commenced with thirteen
bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs for a burnt-offering to one
he-goat for a sin-offering.

The same disproportion of number and value may be noticed on many
occasions between the sin-offering and the peace offering. A striking
example of this was the sacrifice of peace-offerings made by Solomon on
the dedication of the temple to the number of 22,000 oxen, and 120,000
sheep.

We cannot but see that teaching of the most important character is to be
gathered from these facts; and is it not clear that while the need of
forgiveness and cleansing is never to be lost sight of, it is _not_
intended that a sense of the presence and defilement of sin should be
the prominent feature of the service of GOD? On the great Day of
Atonement Israel's sin was confessed _and put away_; and thenceforward
the daily and the Sabbath worship was that of whole burnt-offering. At
the special festivals a he-goat was sacrificed for sin; but, as we have
seen, the burnt-offerings, which speak of acceptance by, and devotion
to, GOD were the principal features. It is the purpose of GOD that in
the present dispensation His people should have and enjoy _full
assurance_ of salvation through the offering of JESUS CHRIST once for
all; and more than this, should know that He who "died for their
offences, and was raised again for their justification," henceforth
"liveth unto GOD;" _in order_ that His people may likewise "reckon
themselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto GOD, in JESUS
CHRIST our LORD." In JESUS CHRIST there is no condemnation. In JESUS
CHRIST, the law of the SPIRIT of life hath set me "free from the law of
sin and of death." By the will of GOD "we are sanctified, through the
offering of the body of JESUS CHRIST once for all;" and by "that one
offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

THE BURNT-OFFERING.

To return to the order of enumeration: the burnt-offering is always
mentioned first, because it is the highest in character, and gave most
pleasure to GOD. It was wholly the LORD'S; no part of it was eaten by
the priest who offered it, nor by the offerer who presented it, it was
all and only for GOD'S satisfaction. When Noah offered his
burnt-offering, the LORD smel