In the seventh month, in the fifteenth day ... shall he do the like in the feast of the seven days. So also, whereas the feast of tabernacles had its own offerings, which diminished as the days of the feast advanced, here the same are appointed as on the Passover. Thus it is implied that the letter of the law is to give place to its spirit, those outward rites of Judaism having no intrinsic efficacy, but symbolizing the spiritual truths of Messiah's kingdom; as, for instance, the perfect holiness which is to characterize it. Compare 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 as to our spiritual "Passover," wherein, at the Lord's Supper, we feed on Christ by faith, accompanied with "the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." Ordinances that are literal, though not slavishly bound to the letter of the law, will set forth the catholic and eternal verities of Messiah's kingdom.
Remarks:
(1) In the blessed time which is coming to Israel, ample provision will be made for the sanctuary, the holy city, and the prince. They shall each have allotted to them their respective portions. Thus, no room will be left for the oppressions of past days, all having ample provision made for their wants and comforts ( Ezekiel 45:8 ). All will mutually cooperate for the goad of one another, and for the common welfare.
(2) The thought of that happy and righteous age to come ought to lead all, in their several spheres, even now to put far from them violence and injustice, and to have just balances ( Ezekiel 45:10) in all their dealings with, their fellow-men. The time past should "suffice" us (Ezekiel 45:9) to have neglected our obligations toward our fellow-man and toward our God. Henceforth let us do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8 ). How happy would nations be if their princes ruled in justice, not for self-aggrandizement, but for the glory of God, and as holding their authority under Christ; and how happy the people so governed would be, living in tranquillity, prosperity, and, above all, true godliness!
(3) Hereafter there shall be a new Passover (Ezekiel 45:21 ) and a new Feast of Tabernacles ( Ezekiel 45:25 ; Zechariah 14:16-19) observed in Israel, with ceremonies vastly exceeding glory those of the same feasts under the Old Testament. The antitypical, perfect, and eternal realities of Christ's manifested kingdom shall be set forth with observances which, though literal, are not to be slavishly bound down to the letter of the old law, but which shall bring out all the heretofore hidden glories and excellencies of that law, viewed in its essential spirit. Meanwhile Christ is spiritually our Passover, sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth ( 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 ). Let us, as sojourners in tabernacles of clay, look forward to the blissful time when, dwelling in our house not made with hands eternal in the heavens, we shall celebrate with joy our feast of tabernacles, commemorating our having ended our wilderness journey, and entered the everlasting rest which remaineth for the people of God.