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CHAPTER VIII.

The testimony of Moses in continuation, and the Tabernacle of Witness.

ON Mount Sinai, and at the time of God's covenant there made, mentioned in the conclusion of the last chapter, it appears that the Lord commanded Moses to make the tabernacle of witness; or as it is termed the beauty and glory of the holy, and most holy place, which neither tongue can utter, or pencil paint, or pen describe. And this even, is not the centre of the beauty, nor the height of the glory, that filled with light and perfection the holy of holies. For it was prepared under divine direction, and under the promise and intent of its being the temporary abode, witness, and mercy-seat, of the presence of the Son of God, the Creator, finisher and governor of the universe, and the Saviour of the human family; until, he should come in the tabernacle of flesh, to prepare the way for the more transcendant, and ravishing glories, of the Divine plan of Redemption. To have a clearer view, and to behold this Tabernacle of witness, in the most communicable and sublime manner that has or can be given of it, we shall follow Moses, the Mediator of the Jewish covenant, through the description he gives of its dedication, as recorded in Exodus, chapter 40, beginning at the 33d verse, and to the 38th inclusive. "And he reared up

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the court round about the Tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate; so Moses finished the work. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys." This 40th chapter concludes the book of Exodus, however, in the first chapter of Leviticus, verse 1, and 2, we find, "The Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, speak unto the children of Israel," &c. And again, Numbers 7th chapter, verse 89," And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with Him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy-seat that was upon the ark of testimony,from between the two cherubims." In the same book, chapter 9, 15th and 16th verses, "And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely the tent of the testimony and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night." And again, we find in the same book, chapter 12, verses 4 to 9 inclusive, "And the Lord spake

suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, come out ye three unto the Tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord, will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed." And again in 16th chapter, verse 19, is a history of the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and the result-" And Korah gathered all the congregation &c. unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation; and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the congregation. And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, separate yourselves from among the congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh." &c.

And again, when Moses besought the Lord to shew him his glory-no doubt the meaning is, he sought to behold him without the intervention of the cloud, and the Lord showed Moses a Rock to hide in, and the Lord promised to let all his glory pass by, and to put Moses in the cleft of the Rock, and to cover him with his hand while he passed by, and to take away his hand, and that he

might see his back parts: and let it be remem, Hered that the Lord said to Moses," my face shall not be seen," " for there shall no man see me and live." By this Moses and all are to know, that without the intervention of a veil or cloud, no man is able to behold the face and full glory of God.

CHAPTER IX.

Testimony of Abraham, the father of the faithful, as to the character of Christ.

WE are now to consider, in connexion with what has before been cited and considered, the relations and weight of Abraham's testimony, and see what amount of information we may receive from it, and place to account, in reference to the character of Jesus Christ. Abraham as to veracity is undoubted, and he was eminently informed and enlightened upon the subject. He is considered the father of the faithful, and distintinguished as the friend of God. We find in Genesis 17th chapter, and three first verses, "And when Abraham was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abraham, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God: walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abraham fell on his face: and God talked with him," &c. And let it be remembered, the Lord at this time, appeared unto Abraham, and declared his name Almighty God-and that Abraham, the most honored of men, and the father of many kings, fell upon his face, and God then talked with him, and renewed the covenant. Again Genesis 18th chapter, "And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre, and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; and he lift up his eyes and looked, and,

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