The Hebrew Lawgiver Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865 Excerpt: ...blossoming in January, and yielding its ripe fruit in March: an emblem that Aaron's sons, as the ministers of God, should be the most ready to hear the awakening calls of grace. It brought forth fruit: signifying that though Aaron's house was separated from the inheritance of Israel, yet was it the fruitful family. of all their tribes. But particularly herein was signified the Divine call of that family to the priesthood: a matter now placed beyond dispute, and to ii. 23S. W. Neumann in Kurtz, iii. 299. Vol. Ii.--16 be known afterwards by the preservation of this rod. It would seem that this rod was sometimes kept in the ark, sometimes beside it. When the temple of Solomon was dedicated, there was nothing in the ark but the two tables of stone, 1 Kings viii. 9; but Paul declares that other things were in it, including Aaron's rod. Heb. ix. 4. These were doubtless placed there afterwards: and this rod was among the things lost irrecoverably in the burning of Solomon's temple. In the New Testament age of the church the services of God are greatly changed. The ministry is no longer a priesthood; that name should no longer be applied where the distinguishing functions have ceased: and indeed all approach to priestly dignities or duties should be thought an encroachment upon the great work of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the sole priest of the New Testament church, and can never have any associate or successor in his office, since he for ever lives to carry it on. (See Heb. vii.) And now the ministry is no longer a natural succession. To be born of Aaron's line was a Divine call to the Jewish priesthood. But the call to the Christian ministry is pre-eminently addressed to the soul of its recipient; and, though ordinarily to be ratified by the existing rule in t...