God reminds us at every meal of Christ as the food of the soul. Meat tells us of death by which we live ; bread (the "corn of wheat"), of resurrection; water, of Christ, the living source of refreshment, as of life.
Every thing is based upon atonement. So Israel was taught, and so we are taught, in Lev. 17:" What man soever there be of the house of Israel that killeth an ox or lamb or goat in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp, and bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord, blood shall be imputed unto that man." It was to be offered for a peace-offering to the Lord.
How beautiful the every-day life of the Israelite ! Much more, how beautiful the every-day life of the Christian ! for that great Peace-Offering has been made by the blood of the cross, and upon that new and holy ground we eat and drink and live. What we eat and drink, the clothes we wear, the air we breathe, the light and sunshine we enjoy, the couch we rest on, the sleep that revives us, the house that shelters us,-all are different object-lessons telling us of Christ.
It was nothing but sin for an Israelite to partake of the beef he had killed, unless he had first offered of it to the Lord. Every part of his life was linked with and had its meaning as part of the life of a worshiper of Jehovah, who had redeemed him to Himself, for His own glory, leading him "by the hand" (Jer. 31:32), providing every thing for him. All this is a type of us. May the truth in its manifold teachings in the Word, and in created things, sanctify us, and fill us with reverence. If we
cultivate a spirit of worship, we shall be filled with joy in the common things of life. Read Lev. 17:" How blessed would it be for us if nature's real lessons were known and laid to heart after this manner continually, and our common every-day lives thus lifted into higher meaning! Thus would God make Christ to be ever before our eyes, and fellowship with Him to be confirmed and strengthened,-the things seen and temporal to minister to the things unseen and eternal.
"As a provision against the wandering heart after other gods also, there is in all this deep significance. In truth, it is the unoccupied part of our lives, whatever in them is not positively consecrated to God, that betrays us to the enemy. We need to realize that, in an enemy's country as we are,-and no? only so, but on a daily battle-field,- there can be no neutral ground. Whatever, as well as whosoever, is not for Christ is against Him. There is no place where sin will not gain advantage over us except the presence of God." (Numerical Bible, Lev. 17:) E. S. L.