s Joash made a proclamation throughout Judah
and Jerusalem, to bring in for the Lord the tax that Moses, the servant
of God, laid upon Israel in the wilderness" (2 Chron. xxiv. 9).

And it was the claim for this impost, too rashly conceded by Peter with
regard to his Master, which led Jesus to distinguish clearly between His
own relation to God and that of others, even of the chosen race.

He paid no ransom for His soul. He was a Son, in a sense in which no
other, even of the Jews, could claim to be so. Now, the kings of the
earth did not levy tribute from their sons; so that, if Christ paid, it
was not to fulfil a duty, but to avoid being an offence. And God Himself
would provide, directly and miraculously, what He did not demand from
Jesus. Therefore it was that, on this one occasion and no other, Christ
Who sought figs when hungry, and when athirst asked water at alien
hands, met His own personal requirement by a miracle, as if to protest
in deed, as in word, against any burden from such an obligation as
Peter's rashness had conceded.

And yet, with that marvellous condescension which shone most brightly
when He most asserted His prerogative, He admitted Peter also to a share
in this miraculous redemption-money, as He admits us all to a share in
His glory in the skies. Is it not He only Who can redeem His brother,
and give to God a ransom for him?

It is the silver thus levied which was used in the construction of the
sanctuary. All the other materials were free-will offerings; but even as
the entire tabernacle was based upon the ponderous sockets into which
the boards were fitted, made of the silver of this tax, so do all our
glad and willing services depend upon this fundamental truth, that we
are unworthy even to be reckoned His, that we owe before we can bestow,
that we are only allowed to offer any gift because He is so merciful in
His demand. Israel gladly brought much more than was needed of all
things precious. But first, as an absolutely imperative ransom, God
demanded from each soul the half of three shillings and sevenpence.

_THE LAVER._

xxx. 17-21.

For the cleansing of various sacrifices, but especially for the
ceremonial washing of the priests, a laver of brass was to be made, and
placed upon a separate base, the more easily to be emptied and
replenished.

We have seen already that although its actual use preceded that of the
altar, yet the other stood in front of it, as if to assert, to th