Ver. 1. And the Lord called.] A continuation of the former history, from the rearing of the tabernacle to the numbering of the people; being the history of one month only.
Ver. 2. Bring an offering.] Whereby they were led to Christ; as the apostle showeth in that excellent Epistle to the Hebrews, which is a just commentary upon this book.
Ver. 3. Burnt sacrifice.] A whole burnt offering, (Hebrews 10:6) purporting whole Christ suffering for us, (Isaiah 53:12) and our sacrificing our whole selves to him as a “reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)
Ver. 4. And he shall put his hand.] As acknowledging his own guilt, and transferring the same upon Christ, resting upon him with full assurance of faith, handfasting us unto him.
Ver. 5. And he shall kill the bullock.] The priest shall kill it: for it was death for any man to offer his own sacrifice. So it is still for any to come to God, otherwise than in and by Christ.
Ver. 6. And he shall flay the burntoffering.] To show the grievousness of our Saviour’s sufferings; the cruel usage of his suffering saints; (Micah 3:3 Hebrews 11:35) and the duty of all that have benefit by him, to flay off the old man with his deceitful lusts, (Ephesians 4:22) dealing thereby as the Turk dealt by him that betrayed the Rhodes. He presented unto him his promised wife and portion; but with it told him that he would not have a Christian to be his son-in-law; and therefore caused his baptized skin, as he called it, to be flayed off, and him to be cast into a bed strawed with salt, that he might get a new skin. See Mark 9:49. Leunclavius.
Ver. 7. Fire upon the altar.] That fire from heaven (Leviticus 9:24) -which the heathens apishly imitated in their vestal fire—typing either the scorching wrath of God seizing upon Christ, or the ardent love of Christ to his, and their zeal for him.
Ver. 8. In order upon the wood.] Showing that ministers must rightly divide, and dispose the word of God, (2 Timothy 2:15) and evidently set forth Christ crucified. (Galatians 3:1)
Ver. 9. Shall he wash.] Shadowing Christ’s perfect purity (Hebrews 7:26) and our entire sanctification. (Ezekiel 26:19 Hebrews 10:22) Of a sweet savour unto the Lord.] The burning and broiling of the beasts could yield no sweet savour; but thereto was added wine, oil, and incense, by God’s appointment, and then there was a savour of rest in it. Our prayers, as from us, would never please; but as indited by the Spirit, and presented by Christ, they are highly accepted in heaven.
Ver. 10. A male without blemish.] But “cursed be the deceiver that hath in his flock a male, and voweth and sacrificeth unto God a corrupt thing.” (Malachi 1:14)
Ver. 11. On the side of the altar northward.] Not eastward, as the heathen sacrifices: or to note the obscurity of the legal ceremonies.
Ver. 12. In order.] [See Trapp on “Le 1:8”]
Ver. 13. He shall wash.] [See Trapp on “Le 1:9”]
Ver. 14. Turtle doves, or young pigeons.] Old turtles and young pigeons are the best: God must have the very best of the best, as being best worthy.
Ver. 15. Wring off his head.] Or, Pinch it with his nail, that the blood might go out, without separating it from the rest of the body. This prefigured the death of Christ without either breaking a bone or dividing the Godhead from the manhood; as also the skill that should be in ministers, to cut or divide aright the word of truth.
Ver. 16. His crop with his feathers.] Or, The maw with the filth thereof—that is, the guts which receive the filth sent unto them from the maw—was plucked out, and the blood strained at the side of the altar. This signified those clots of blood wrung from our Saviour before his oblation upon the cross.
Ver. 17. And he shall cleave it.] That the inward part might be laid on the fire. See Psalms 51:18,19 Mr 12:33.