After telling, in the meaning of the seven feasts or fixed times of the twenty-third chapter of all His plans for the saving of their souls and bringing His children into full blessing, God reminds them in this chapter that there was to be a long dark night before the dawn of Israel’s day. So we have light provided at the beginning (verses 1 to 4) to be burning continually from the evening to the morning.
This tells us that the Holy Spirit was not going to give them up, but to shed light from God in this dark world; though the mass of the people were asleep as toward God, yet there would be some who had faith in Him, believing His word, and looking for the morning of eternity. “Before the Lord,” too, the twelve loaves, to signify the twelve tribes of Israel, the whole nation, were to be always.
Verses 10 to 23 show that sin was there, and that it must be punished. God does not forget sin; and the agony of the Lord Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:40-4440And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:40‑44)), and on the cross (Matthew 26:45-4645Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. (Matthew 26:45‑46) and Psalm 22) tell us that God cannot pass our sins by, even when the blessed Son of God took our sins as though they were His own, Who was ever sinless.
Dear young reader, fly to this deaf Saviour who is ready to receive you.