2. I will speak then, since I am so
bidden. And I will speak both to the good shepherd here, and to
you, his holy flock, as I think is best both for me to speak, and for
you to hear to-day. Why is it that you have begged for one to
share your shepherd’s toil? For my speech shall begin with
you, O dear and honoured head, worthy of that of Aaron, down which runs
that spiritual and priestly ointment upon his beard and
clothing. Ib. cxxxiii.
2. Why is it
that, while yet able to stablish and guide many, and actually guiding
them in the power of the Spirit, you support yourself with a staff and
prop in your spiritual works? Is it because you have heard and
know that even with the illustrious Aaron were anointed Eleazar and
Ithamar, the sons of Aaron? Lev. viii. 2. For I pass
over Nadab and Abihu, Ib. x.
1. lest the allusion
be ill-omened: and Moses during his lifetime appoints Joshua in
his stead, as lawgiver and general over those who were pressing on to
the land of promise? The office of Aaron and Hur, supporting the
hands of Moses on the mount where Amalek was warred down Exod. xvii. 12. by the Cross, The
Cross. The stretching out of Moses’ hands was a type of
the outstretched hands of our Lord Jesus, and His “intercession
for the transgressors,” upon the Cross.
prefigured and typified long before, I feel willing to pass by, as not
very suitable or applicable to us: for Moses did not choose them
to share his work as lawgiver, but as helpers in his prayer and
supports for the weariness of his hands.