5.MOSES, AARON, AND THE PRIESTLY HOUSE. (Numbers 3:38.) (Continued from page 42.)

We have brought before us in this verse the position occupied by the priestly house in association with Moses and Aaron, in reference to the tabernacle. " But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death."

Our attention is here particularly called to the east, and those influences of this world which it may speak of to us. It is noticeable that this direction is spoken of twice in the verse-"east" and "eastward." In the original a different word is used in the second case from that employed in the first, and we get from this two very distinct thoughts. In the first case it is from a root meaning "to project," or "precede; " so that there is the thought of a preventative obstacle to advance toward the desired object. By this, hostility comes in. The character of the east wind agrees with this. "Its effects are thus described by a traveler in the desert:'When this wind blows, the atmosphere assumes a yellowish appearance, fading into gray, and the sun becomes of dusky red. The smell is nauseating and sulphurous, the vapor thick and heavy, and, when the heat increases, one is almost suffocated.'" (Ency. Biblica.) We can easily see how, in a natural way, these influences would be hostile to advance and continued progress in wilderness travel. But it has its spiritual meaning also. It speaks of the hatred, or enmity, of the world under Satan's power and control, which he desires to use in preventing all progress and development in a spiritual sense. He would use the adversity which so often besets us, and those things which are the needed trial of our faith, as a means to drive us back and out, if possible, from the maintenance of all faithfulness to God. In this connection Israel met her enemies as she traveled eastward toward the promised land, and so do we.

This is one side of what the east speaks of; but in the second case the word used means "sunrise." It presents to us the thought of that bright sunrise of glory which lies just a little beyond-our portion and eternal rest. Eastward is the direction in which our advance must be made; hence the enemy's malign power to oppose us; but the goal is God's glory; and without a doubt we shall reach it in spite of all.

Let us put these two aspects of the east together. For us undoubtedly there should be only one thing filling our eyes, that is the glorious light of the sunrise, God's glory. We have been taken out of the kingdom of darkness, and translated into the light of God. His glory, which is all light tempered for us by the rays of infinite love, is the portion for our faith, while, also, the ultimate end of our journey, our eternal abode. It is this, with all its connected blessings, that God would have in all its luster fill our eyes and hearts. A sky without a cloud, filled only with light. But then the east wind of adversity, trial, or, it may be, in the form of failure, and its consequent sorrow, blows upon us. What then ? How soon the atmosphere changes ! The light, with its brightness and joy, which we have been delighting in, seems to wane. There is that "fading into gray, and the sun becomes of a dusky red;" its brightness is deadened. How simple to translate this into the language of our spiritual experiences. And then, how the vapors of this world's noxious condition press one down with their nauseous fumes until, soul-sick and heart-racked, escape must be made. Then it is that Satan will seek to draw the heart away, for relief, to some other and fairer side of the world and its influences-perhaps westward or southward. But is our refuge, or way of escape, to be found in this way ? And if the soul will not yield to his lies and false ways, the fiery trial of persecution will be felt, with its hot and withering blast "the heat increases," says the traveler before quoted, "one is almost suffocated." The heart and soul writhe under the intense pressure, while Satan seeks to press in his evil wedge and turn the oppressed one into his destructive ways. Whither shall the burdened soul flee ? Where is the avenue of escape, and the refuge of peace and calm repose ? The brightness of the sunrise is dimmed:darkness has come in :the joy and previous sense of favor is gone. What is the way of recovery, and how obtained ?

Our answer is to be found in those who confront and face the east,-the priestly house,-who go in and out of the sanctuary, feeding upon the sacrifice and the "presence bread." Their charge, and the burden of their service, is all in connection with the sanctuary. Beloved, our way of triumph over eastern powers and their influences is abiding in the sanctuary, occupied with our priestly service therein. Thither must we ever flee. It is not a question of battling with those influences we have been describing. To do this would be but to feel their power the more:thus we would become weaker, and more easily fall a prey to the enemy's devices. We must ever turn to that blessed Presence from whence comes all our light and joy. The moment this is done the atmosphere is cleared, the sun shines as bright as ever. " We rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Well indeed will it be for us to maintain our priestly character and its associate blessings, as occupying the place of service eastward. And no fear need there be in turning to the sanctuary after failure has come. No smiting rod awaits us, but only the welcoming love of the Father. Christ now appears in the presence of God for us, and in His value we can ever enter without fear or doubt. Blessed, wondrous grace !

But let us notice the blessed association in which we are placed as occupying our priestly position. The priestly house encamps eastward with Moses and Aaron:they are typical of Christ as " the Apostle and High Priest of our confession " (Heb. 3:i). Moses was the appointed and faithful servant in God's house (the tabernacle) set over it all to govern and direct. The tabernacle pictures for us the Church of God in a double way. The court represents it in the individual aspect of the saints bearing before the world the testimony of the truth in practical righteousness. And it is this which blessedly introduces through the "One Way" of entrance to the Altar of Burnt-offering, where that sacrifice, wholly burnt and all sweet savor, was offered for the acceptance of the offerer, speaking of the one sacrifice of Christ; then to the Laver, the word of God, the means of practical sanctification and holiness. The boards, etc., speak of the Church in its corporate aspect, as seen by God in the glory Christ has given to it. Thus, the coverings which speak of Him cover all the structure, and the Church before God is in Christ, hid, as it were, under His wondrous perfections. Within this God dwells. Thus the Church is the temple of the Lord, and a habitation of God through the Spirit. In a broader sense, also, the tabernacle is a type of the whole universe of God. Moses, in connection with these typical meanings of the tabernacle, is the type of Christ as the Head over all things to the Church-"the Apostle," God's representative, who has been set in authority over all.

Aaron is the high priest ordering the priestly ministry-type of Christ as the great High Priest over the house of God, under whose leadership the whole universe will be filled with the sweet odor of praise and worship resulting from His service.

The other Levitical families, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, are not in the same immediate and close relationship with Moses and Aaron as the priestly house is. Their service is especially toward men, but dependent upon, and flows out of, the performance in the first place of the priestly office. This is toward God, and in the sanctuary-thus in immediate association with the governing and priestly heads, since it was done in the place with which they are especially connected. Likewise with us in our priestly activity. It is in special connection with Christ, the governing Head and great High Priest, it being carried on for faith in the place where He now is, that is, in heaven, in God's presence. Our service typified in Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, is like theirs towards men, and entirely dependent upon the priestly service under the leadership of Christ being, first of all, properly fulfilled. Thus, the priests keep "the charge of the sanctuary," and upon the carrying out of this charge depended all other Levitical service. We see from this, that as priests in the sanctuary we are in the nearest relation to Christ of any; yea, all other relations flow from it. How blessed, then, to know we are in this position, and to maintain it in all its fulness! In this lies the secret of our progress and further advance, while also, alone, as occupying the place of service eastward in this character, can there be proper enjoyment of the glory and blessing God has made our own, and the victory gained over every hostile power or influence. May it be so with us to the glory of His grace!
J. B. Jr.

(To be continued.)