A CLOSING WORD
There is a remarkable verse in Num. 18, which may suitably close our examination of these topics. After stating the charges of the priests, and then their portion of the most holy things for their special food, we read in verse 10, "In the most holy shalt thou eat it, every male shall eat it, it shall be holy unto thee.”
There is no varied Hebrew text as to this, nor any doubtfulness about the translation. The Septuagint confirms it, so that the supposition that it might be rendered "as most holy shalt thou eat it," in view of a suggested change in a Hebrew letter, does not seem tenable.
What does it mean then? For Aaron and his sons were forbidden to enter the most holy.
Is it not written purely for us? Intending that we who have the Substance and are the true priests now, should eat and feed on the foreshadowed Christ only in the most holy, only in the clear sense of God's immediate presence.
Flesh and its wisdom have no place there, and have no skill to appropriate such food.
But faith, seated in the heavenlies in Christ, can enjoy and assimilate all that is revealed of Him. "Eat O friends, drink, yea drink abundantly O beloved," Song of Sol. 5:11I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. (Song of Solomon 5:1).
E. C. P.
2, Headstone Drive,
Wealdstone, R.S.O.,
December 31St, 1894.