ed
the offering of Him who made his soul a propitiation for sin; were
sacred utensils, all of which referred to the ratification of God's
covenant, and the dispensation of its blessings to those who are enabled
to lay hold upon it. The Sabbath, returning every seventh day: the
periodic feast of unleavened bread for seven days, following upon the
Passover: the Sabbatic year, completing an interval reckoned by seven:
the year of jubilee, occurring always after seven times seven years
were completed; were all seasons that pointed out times of waiting upon
the ordinances of that Covenant which was ratified by the
oath--represented by the number of perfection that should be waited on
in ages most remote. Typical purifications; the ordeal for freeing from
the imputation of murder, conducted by slaying the heifer, and washing
the hands over it, while there was made a protestation of innocence,
that embodied an oath:[413] the means of removing ceremonial defilement
of various kinds: and the bitter water which, according to the innocence
or guilt of the party to whom it was administered, acted innocuously, so
as to denote the effects of a lawful oath, or as the oath which, by
being sworn falsely, is converted into a curse; were all of the nature
of an appeal to God. Oblations in general; the sin and trespass
offerings, which were never merely voluntary: the burnt-offering: the
peace-offerings, that were wont to be presented when vows were paid: in
particular, the offering of salt, the symbol at once of communion and
friendship, of durability and incorruption, and of sincerity of mind,
and which was commanded to be presented with every offering--the emblem
of an enduring covenant:[414] the pascal lamb, which represented Christ
slain, the blood of which was sprinkled, as his blood was, for defence
from wrath, and the flesh of which was eaten, so as to afford a vigour
symbolizing that of those who, having eaten of his flesh, like the hosts
of Israel from Egypt, go forth from bondage to liberty and peace; the
Covenant sacrifice of Abraham, consisting of the red heifer, whose ashes
were for purification; the she-goat of three years, for a sin-offering;
the ram for a burnt-offering; the turtle-dove and the young pigeon, for
a purification sacrifice and for a sin-offering, intimating that not
merely did he, as a covenant-head, represent the rich who should
present of their flocks and herds to the Lord, but of the poor, who of
their pove