EXODUS XL-GOD ENTERS THE TABERNACLE 173 37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. 38 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. Introduction to the Book of Leviticus The book of Leviticus is so called because it contains the laws of the Levites or tribe of Levi, who were the appointed priestly caste among the Hebrews. Moses was himself a Levite, and it was probably for this reason that he received his strongest support from this tribe. In Exodus we are told that when the Israelites worshipped the golden calf, the tribe of Levi were not only the first to rejoin Moses, but they drew sword at his command and slew even their own brethren. We are told that it was after this that they were chosen as the priesthood. Among the Hebrews this book is known as "Wayyikrā,” signifying “and he called," from the opening word of its first verse. The name Leviticus was first employed in the Greek Bible. It is undeniably appropriate; for the book consists almost entirely of the laws established to guide the Jewish priesthood or Levites. The only narrative portion is that which tells of the inauguration of Aaron as high priest and of the punishment of his sons, Nadab and Abihu. The five chief themes of priestly instruction are: first, the directions relating to sacrifice both for worshippers and priests (chapters 1-7); second, the details of the priestly consecration (chapters 8-10); third, the law of the clean and unclean (chapters 11-15); fourth, the law of the Day of Atonement (chapter 16); and fifth, the law of holiness (chapters 17-26), with an appendix on vows and tithes in chapter 27. The law of holiness is of a broader character than the other parts and applied not merely to the Levites but to Israel in general. Hence this portion of the book is allied closely with some parts of Deuteronomy. All of the directions in Leviticus are so carefully formulated and so exact in detail that in its present state the book is generally regarded as being of later date than the bulk of the material in Genesis and Exodus. The elaborately described ritual of the ceremonials causes Leviticus to become of small interest to general readers, though all who are interested in the meaning of the duties of the priestly office must ever read its pages with special care. 174 Joseph Before Pharaoh BY PETER CORNELIUS, FROM THE ORIGINAL IN THE CASA BARTHOLDI AT ROME. + "The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years; the dream is one.”Gen., 41, 26. A T THIS time the shepherd ruler or Pharaoh over all Egypt was probably that Apepi of whom there are several striking memorials preserved, especially a portrait statue in the British Museum, which shows him refined and strong and dignified. Joseph at length came to the monarch's notice through having interpreted the dream of his chief cup-bearer. Pharaoh himself dreamed those two well known visions of the seven lean cows which ate up the seven fat ones, and the seven thin ears of corn which devoured the seven full ears. None of his interpreters, the professional magicians with whom his court was filled, could explain the meaning of these dreams. Then the cup-bearer remembered Joseph, and told how he had successfully interpreted the visions of the cup-bearer and baker in prison. Thus Joseph was sent for. We can imagine his anxiety. "He shaved himself and changed his raiment," that is to say, he assumed the fashions of Egypt, "and came in unto Pharaoh." Yet he pretended to no merit or power in his interpreting. "It is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." Then he pointed out that the Seven years vision was a divine warning. of plenty were to be followed by |