foundation, so God has provided a foundation for his Church in the atonement of the Lord Jesus, as it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."

The ground on which the priests stood, and on which the tabernacle was erected, must have been very straight and level. The Psalmist seems to refer to this in several of the Psalms when he says, "My foot standeth in an even place;" and again, "My foot shall not slide." So it will be always. If we indeed abide in Jesus, the true Tabernacle, and "walk in the light as He is in the light," we shall walk securely. Our feet then will not slide. We shall then realize most fully the value of that blood which "cleanseth from all sin," and our walk with God will be a happy and a holy walk.

In the curtains of the tabernacle we have another feature of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are told that the tabernacle was to be made of "ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue and purple, and scarlet: " and that "every one of the curtains shall have one measure." "The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another." Thus there was to be proportion in each. There was to be no unevenness or disparity in anything pertaining to them. So it was in Christ. There was the most perfect consistency in all his ways. No one grace in his character eclipsed another, as it is with the best of men here. There was a divine symmetry in everything con

nected with Him. At all times, and under all circumstances, He was the perfect Man. This was instructively typified in the fine flour of the offerings. That fine flour represented Him who was the bread of life. It was all evenness. The same perfect proportion that existed in the type existed in Him. was truly "perfect Man and perfect God."

He

One point more to which I would call the reader's attention in closing this part of my subject. In the account of the tabernacle and its furniture, as recorded in these chapters (Exodus xxv.-xxx.) there are evidently two distinct aspects of truth. From the 25th chapter to the 27th chapter and 19th verse we have the description which begins with the ark inside the veil, and ends with the brazen altar in the court. In this aspect we have presented the way in which God meets man. Jehovah is in the most holy place, and comes down to meet man as a sinner at the brazen altar. This is the first description, for redemption is God coming down to man as a sinner, and providing for that sinner a way up to God. From the 27th chapter and 19th verse to the end of the 30th chapter we have the other aspect of truth. In this description we are shown the way by which man as a sinner can get back to God. Thus we have the divine and the human side presented. We have God coming down from his throne of glory to meet man as a sinner at the brazen altar; then we have man provided with the way by which he can come up to God. Where God meets man as a sinner in the cross of Christ, through that meeting-place the sinner can now get back to God.

Reader, has your soul been brought into experimental acquaintance with these blessed truths? Have you, as a sinner, met God in Christ at the brazen altar-the cross? Are you now rejoicing in the glorious privilege of the children of God? Are you a blood-washed soul? Are you in Jesus? Is He your life, your peace, your joy, your all? Reader, "what think you of Christ?"

ONE

CHAPTER IV.

THE BRAZEN ALTAR.

EXODUS xxvii. 1-8; xxx. 17-21; xxxviii. 8.

NE of the most striking features connected with the tabernacle was this-it had no floor. The reason is evident. The entire tabernacle was designed by the Holy Spirit to represent Christ, and nothing which represents Christ must be beneath the feet. Christ must not be trodden upon. The same thought is presented by the place on which the blood was sprinkled in Egypt. It was sprinkled on the lintel, and the two side-posts of the houses wherein the Israelites dwelt, but not on the ground. The blood of Christ is not to be "trodden under foot." (Heb. x. 29.) There is a sense, indeed, in which Christ is foreshadowed on the very ground on which man treads. The manna lay upon the ground all round the very tents of Israel. When the Israelite rose in the morning he had to do one of two things, stoop down and pick up the manna, or trample upon it. Jesus has come down from heaven. He has stooped to the lowest depths of man's fallen condition. He stoops still-yea, down to the sinner's very feet, in

order to save his soul. Yes, the manna is on the very ground. Every man living is either taking up that "living bread which came down from heaven," or he is treading it under foot. Reader, which is it?

In entering upon the consideration of the holy vessels of the tabernacle may our minds be solemnized by these thoughts! May we feel we are on "holy ground!" May we take the very "shoes off our feet," and tread softly! We are dealing with the God-man

Jesus in all the varied aspects of his grace and glory. May the Holy Spirit give us "reverence and godly fear!"

The word "altar" is derived from the Latin word