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137 The Tabernacle tute, bearing "the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53: 6). The turtledove and pigeon symbolize "mourning innocency," and are "associated with poverty." The fowls of the heav- ens also speak to us of the Heavenly One, who came down to offer Himself as our Sacrifice upon the altar. If an Israelite was not rich enough to offer a lamb or one of the other more expensive sacrifices, he could present unto God two turtledoves or two young pigeons (Lev. 5:7; 12:8). Mary, the mother of our Lord, obeyed the command of Lev. 12:8 when she took the Infant Jesus to the temple, and offered "a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons" (Luke 2: 24) . The offering of these birds, in any of the Levitical ceremonies, foreshadowed the coming into the world of the sinless Man of Sorrows, who, "though he was rich," yet for our sakes "became poor," that we "through his poverty might be rich" (II Cor. 8:9). Of course, no animal sacrifice, however perfect physic- ally, could satisfy the holiness and the justice of God. But these Old Testament sacrifices and offerings were ob- ject lessons to God's children to point them on to Jesus, "the Lamb of God," "without blemish and without spot." That is why the Holy Spirit said, in Heb. 10:1-18, those wonderful words, part of which we quote just here: "The law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year con- tinually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a re- membrance again made of sins every year (i.e., on the Day of Atonement). For it is not possible that the
The Tabernacle for all," the sinner in Israel could present unto a holy God his offerings that symbolized dedication and thanksgiving and communion with Him. That is why he first brought the sin offering and the trespass offering. Then, knowing that the penalty of his sin had been paid, in type, and that forgiveness for all his trespasses and iniquities had been granted, he brought to God the burnt offering and the meal offering in token of his desire to consecrate himself wholly to His service. Finally, with "the peace of God, which passeth all under- standing" filling his heart, he had sweet fellowship and communion with Him as he presented unto Him the peace offering. The priest in Israel had to offer sacrifices "for his own sins" (Heb. 7:27). Then he ministered on behalf of others who brought their offerings to the altar, whether these were presented for the nation as a whole, or by a ruler of the people, or by any one of the congregation. The Creatures Used in the 01ferings-Typical of Christ One or more of five different animals or birds could be used in the offerings and sacrifices that were acceptable unto God: ( 1) a bullock, or ox; (2) a sheep or a lamb; ( 3) a goat; (4) a turtledove; ( 5) a young pigeon. The bullock speaks to us of Christ the strong One, patient and faithful as the Servant of God, "obedient unto death,, (Phil. 2: 8). The sheep and the lamb remind us of lsaiah•s description of our Lord's meekness and submission to His Father's will; for He was led "as a Iamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb," so He opened "not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus was the Passover Lamb, "without blemish and without spot" (I Peter 1: 19), The goat is a picture of Christ, the sinner's Substi-
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