For the feasts, see notes in Lev. 23.

See note Exo. 20:8^1a.

Those who would serve the Lord directly in His presence should not contact those who are spiritually dead. See note Lev. 21:1¹ and note Lev. 11:31¹.

See note Lev. 11:31².

Whenever we draw near to God, we need to offer the sin offering, applying the Lord’s redemption and receiving the cleansing of His precious blood. See note Exo. 29:36¹.

See note Num. 18:20¹.

This indicates that all who serve God as priests not only have God as their possession (v. 28) but also have Christ in all His rich aspects, signified by the offerings, as their enjoyment (cf. Eph. 3:8). See note Num. 18:9¹ and note Num. 18:31¹.

This signifies that in our contact and relationship with others, we need to be pure and uncomplicated (cf. 1 Tim. 3:2 and note 1 Tim. 3:2³).

See note Lev. 10:9¹ and note Num. 6:3^1a.

The hair on our head signifies our submission to the Lord’s headship. To shave off all one’s hair signifies rebellion against the Lord’s headship (1 Cor. 11:5, cf. v. 10). On the other hand, for a male to have long hair signifies self-glory with ambition to be a leader. If we would be qualified to serve the Lord, we should not shave our head, meaning that we should have a proper submission (Eph. 5:21; 1 Pet. 5:5), and we should not let our hair grow long, meaning that we should not seek self-glory, self-dignity, position, and leadership (Matt. 23:1-12).

This indicates that the priests were not allowed to mix what is holy with what is profane but were to maintain a separation between the holy and the profane.

Linen garments signify a daily living and walk in the life-giving Spirit by the life of Christ. Such a living and walk is pure, clean, and fine. Woolen garments would cause the priests to sweat (v. 18), a sign of fallen man laboring under God’s curse, without God’s blessing, by his own energy and strength (Gen. 3:19).

Whereas the fat of the offerings typifies the preciousness of the person of Christ, the blood signifies the redemptive work of Christ. In our service to God we must present both to Him.

Those who follow the majority and go astray from the Lord in pursuit of idols have lost their qualification and position to serve the Lord directly (vv. 10-14). They may still have a part of the church service, but their service will be an indirect service to the Lord. Only those who are circumcised and absolutely faithful to the Lord can serve Him directly (vv. 15-16).

Circumcision typifies dealing with the flesh, the natural man, and the old man by the inward operation of the cross (cf. Rom. 2:28-29; Phil. 3:3; Col. 2:11). If our flesh, natural man, and old man have not been dealt with by the cross, we are not qualified to serve in the church. Rather, we are considered by the Lord a foreigner. See note Exo. 4:25¹ and note Exo. 12:43¹.

Lit., they.

See note Ezek. 43:5¹.

The Prince here is Christ as the King in the coming millennial kingdom. The word in vv. 1-3 indicates that Christ and God have an equal position, for only Christ can enter in and go out by the gate through which God has passed. Thus, God and Christ have a special, holy portion among God’s people.