Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Leviticus 9:24
And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: [which] when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
24. A second blessing follows after Moses and Aaron come out from the temple. God’s approval is signified, for His servant has returned from His presence with gifts of grace for His people. It is further signified by the appearance of the glory of the Lord (cp. Lev 9:4 ; Lev 9:6), and the fire from before the Lord which consumes the Burnt-Offering and the fat. Similar manifestations of approval are recorded in Jdg 6:21; 1Ki 18:38 ; 1Ch 21:26. In 2Ch 7:1 the fire comes down from heaven.
24 a is perhaps an interpolation. In Lev 9:13 ; Lev 9:16 (cp. Lev 8:20) the ‘fat’ is not mentioned in connexion with the Burnt-Offerings, while it is stated ( Lev 9:13) that Aaron burnt the pieces one by one. Moreover, the sacrifice was already ended ( Lev 9:22), so that there is difficulty in supposing the fat and burnt-offering to be still upon the altar.
Perhaps the LXX.’s ‘offered’ and ‘put’ for ‘burnt’ in Lev 9:13 ; Lev 9:17 ; Lev 9:20 may be influenced by this consideration. This is, however, a somewhat precarious deduction.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The very ancient Jewish tradition has been widely adopted that the sacred fire of the altar originated in this divine act, and that it was afterward preserved on the altar of the tabernacle until the dedication of the temple, when fire again came down from heaven. 2Ch 7:1. But according to the sacred narrative the altar-fire had been lighted in a natural way before this occasion. (Compare Lev 8:16; Lev 9:10, Lev 9:13, etc.; Exo 40:29.) It would therefore seem that the fire which came out from before the Lord manifested itself, according to the words of Lev 9:24, not in kindling the fuel on the altar, but in the sudden consuming of the victim. For the like testimony to the acceptance of a sacrifice, see Jdg 13:19-20; 1Ki 18:38; 1Ch 21:26, and probably Gen 4:4. The phrase to turn a sacrifice to ashes, became equivalent to accepting it (Psa 20:3, see the margin). The fire of the altar was maintained in accordance with Lev 6:13.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 24. When all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.]
1. The miracle was done in such a way as gave the fullest conviction to the people of its reality.
2. They exulted in the thought that the God of almighty power and energy had taken up his abode among them.
3. They prostrated themselves in his presence, thereby intimating the deep sense they had of HIS goodness, of their unworthiness, and of the obligation they were under to live in subjection to his authority, and obedience to his will. –
This celestial fire was carefully preserved among the Israelites till the time of Solomon, when it was renewed, and continued among them till the Babylonish captivity. This Divine fire was the emblem of the Holy Spirit. And as no sacrifice could be acceptable to God which was not salted, i. e., seasoned and rendered pleasing, by this fire, as our Lord says, Mr 9:49, so no soul can offer acceptable sacrifices to God, but through the influences of the Divine Spirit. Hence the promise of the Spirit under the emblem of fire, Mt 3:11, and its actual descent in this similitude on the day of pentecost, Ac 2:3-4.
THE most remarkable circumstance in this chapter is the manifestation of the presence of God, and the consuming of the victims by the miraculous fire. We have already seen that the chief design of these sacrificial rites was to obtain reconciliation to God, that the Divine Presence might dwell and be manifested among them. To encourage the people to make the necessary preparations, to offer the sacrifices in a proper spirit, and to expect especial mercies from the hand of God, Moses promises, Le 9:4, that the Lord would appear unto them on the morrow, and that his glory should appear, Le 9:6. In hope or expectation of this, the priest, the elders, and the people purified themselves by offering the different sacrifices which God had appointed; and when this was done God did appear, and gave the fullest proofs of his approbation, by miraculously consuming the sacrifices which were prepared on the occasion. Does not St. John evidently refer to these circumstances, 1Jo 3:2-3: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; and every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” This manifestation of God in the tabernacle was a type of his presence, first, in the Church militant on earth; and secondly, in the Church triumphant in heaven. They who expect to have the presence of God here, must propitiate his throne of justice by the only available sacrifice; they who wish to enjoy everlasting felicity, must be purified from all unrighteousness, for without holiness none can see the Lord. If we hope to see him as he is, we must resemble him. How vain is the expectation of glory, where there is no meetness for the place! And how can we enter into the holiest but by the blood of Jesus? Heb 10:19. And of what use can this sacrifice be to those who do not properly believe in it? And can any faith, even in that sacrifice, be effectual to salvation, that does not purify the heart? Reader! earnestly pray to God that thou hold not the truth in unrighteousness.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
There came a fire, in token of Gods acceptation and approbation of the priesthood now instituted, and the sacrifices now offered, and consequently of others of the like nature. See the like instances, Jdg 6:21; 13:19,20; 1Ch 21:26. And this fire now given was to be carefully kept, and not suffered to go out, Lev 6:13, and therefore was carried in a peculiar vessel in their journeys in the wilderness.
From before the Lord; or, from the face or presence of the Lord; i.e. from the place where God was in a special manner present: either,
1. From heaven, as 1Ki 18:38; 2Ch 7:1, which is oft called Gods dwelling-place, as Deu 26:15; Isa 63:15. Or,
2. From the holy of holies, where also God is said to dwell, 2Ki 19:15; 2Ch 6:2; Psa 80:1. And what is done before the ark is said to be done before God, as 1Ch 13:8,10; 16:1, &c. And this may seem more probable by comparing this with Lev 10:2.
They shouted; as wondering at, rejoicing in, and blessing God for this wonderful and gracious discovery of himself, and of his favour to them therein.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24. there came a fire out from . . .the LordA flame emanating from that resplendent light thatfilled the holy place flashed upon the brazen altar and kindled thesacrifices. This miraculous firefor the descent of which thepeople had probably been prepared, and which the priests wereenjoined never to let go out (Le6:13) was a sign, not only of the acceptance of the offeringsand of the establishment of Aaron’s authority, but of God’s actualresidence in that chosen dwelling-place. The moment the solemn thoughwelcome spectacle was seen, a simultaneous shout of joy and gratitudeburst from the assembled congregation, and in the attitude ofprofoundest reverence they worshipped “a present Deity.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And there came a fire out from before the Lord,…. Either from heaven, or from the holy of holies, where was the symbol of the divine Presence, and Jehovah had now took up his residence:
and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering, and the fat; according to Aben Ezra, the burnt offering of Aaron, and of the people, and of the daily sacrifice, for so it is written, besides the burnt offering of the morning, Le 9:17 and the fat of the calf and ram of Aaron, and of the goat, ox, and ram of the people, which though they were laid upon the altar at the time of their offering, yet it is thought by some they were not burnt till now: it is a conjecture of Bishop Patrick’s, that this burnt offering was the burnt offering of the evening sacrifice, which was consumed by the fire from the Lord; he supposes that the offering of the above sacrifices had taken up the whole day, from the time of the morning sacrifice until the evening; and that all the other sacrifices were burnt with common fire, but this with fire from the Lord; but then, what was the fat that was consumed? however, this was a token of acceptance; in like manner as it descended on the sacrifice of Abel, as is thought, Ge 4:4 and on the sacrifices offered at the dedication of the temple, 2Ch 7:1 and on the burnt sacrifice of Elijah, 1Ki 18:38 testifying the divine approbation and acceptance of them: for though in the mystery, the fire may design the wrath of God as a consuming fire, which was very distressing to Christ, and brought him to the dust of death; yet, with respect to the persons for whom this sacrifice was offered, it denotes acceptance of it, that it was an offering by fire, and of a sweet smelling savour to God, his law and justice being satisfied, and having honour done them: concerning this fire, and the perpetual burning of it, [See comments on Le 6:12] [See comments on Le 6:13]. The Heathens, in imitation of this, have pretended to have fire come down also from heaven on their altars, as the Brahmans, among the Indians, taken notice of in the above note. And so Solinus h speaks of the Vulcanian hill in Sicily, where they that serve in sacred things lay wood of vines on the altar, but put no fire; and if God is present (and so the sacrifice is approved) the branches, though green, will take fire of themselves, and a flame is kindled by the deity sacrificed to, no one setting them on fire. And Servius says i, that with the ancients fires on altars were not kindled, but they procured a divine fire by their prayers, which kindled on the altars; but these were mere pretences, and juggling tricks, in which they were assisted by Satan to vie with this wonderful appearance of God in the acceptation of the sacrifice of his people:
[which] when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces; Aaron blessing them, and the appearance of the glory of God unto them, no doubt, gave them joy and pleasure, as the spiritual blessings by Christ, and the gracious presence of God do to his people,
Ps 103:1 but what filled them with joy unspeakable was the acceptance of their sacrifices, as typical of the sacrifice of Christ, and atonement by it, which made them shout, and the court to ring with it; and yet fell down on their faces with all reverence and humility, under a sense of the divine Majesty being so near unto them, in this sensible token of his presence.
h Polyhistor. c. 11. i In Virgil. Aeneid. l. 12. ver. 200.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(24) And there came a fire.As a further indication of His acceptance of all the forementioned rites, the Lord sent forth from the luminous cloud flashes of fire, which, on this occasion, suddenly consumed in the sight of the people the victims that ordinarily continued smouldering on the altar all the day and all the night. In this manner God afterwards testified His acceptance of the sacrifice of Gideon (Jdg. 6:20-21), of Elijah, (1Ki. 18:28), and of the sacrifices of Solomon at the dedication of the Temple (2Ch. 7:1-2). Tradition assures us that the sacred fire which thus issued forth from the immediate presence of God continued to be nourished on the altar with the fuel especially provided by the congregation, and constituted the perpetual fire. (See Lev. 6:13.)
They shouted, and fell on their faces.On seeing these visible tokens of the Divine acceptance of the services, the people expressed their thankfulness in the same manner as they showed it on a similar occasion. Thus we are toldWhen all the sons of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord shone upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever (2Ch. 27:3).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24. There came a fire out from before the Lord This supernatural fire was the divine ratification of the priesthood, and acceptance of their first offering. According to the Jews, it couched upon the altar like a lion; it was bright as the sun; the flame was pure and solid, emitting no smoke, and consuming wet and dry things alike. Says Oehler, “The Shekinah shows its reality in the sanctuary by means of actions of power which go out from it.” See Lev 10:2, note. The command to keep this heavenly fire is recorded in Lev 6:13. See note for the period during which it was preserved.
They shouted This was the shout of victory the prostration of worship. All was now complete the sacrifice, the robed and mitred priest, the priestly family associated with their head, the priestly benediction, the appearance of the King and Priest, and the outflashing of the divine glory a marvellously beautiful shadow of things to come.
Ever since the Son of God was glorified on high as our High Priest, and his sending down the Paraclete, has the earth resounded with the shouts of souls filled with the Holy Ghost. All true service is gladdened by the divine acceptance, and glorified by the divine presence.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And there came forth fire from before Yahweh, and consumed on the altar the burnt-offering and the fat. And when all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.’
God then sent forth a streak of fire from the tabernacle and consumed on the altar the whole burnt offering and the fat. Of course there was much more than that on the altar. On top of the whole burnt offering of the morning sacrifice had been piled the parts of the sacrifices of peace offerings. Thus they too would be wholly consumed in a moment by this fierce flame. But the point being emphasised is that God was making clear His acceptance of the whole burnt offering for atonement, dedication and tribute.
For we must recognise that these offerings did not usually all burn up instantly. In Lev 6:6 we saw that the evening whole burnt offering was expected to continue burning through the night until the morning. Thus what God consumed was the burning carcases that were still burning away through the morning. They had offered them by fire, now He revealed by His act that He had personally received them through fire. He too was participating in the ceremony.
“And when all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.” The appearance of the glory of Yahweh, and the flame coming to consume the whole burnt offering, produced an immediate reaction in the crowd. They yelled out in wonder, awe and fear, and fell on their faces. This was the full prostration offered to a powerful overlord, but it was also the reaction of those who could not bear the sight of what had appeared to them. Like the seraphim in the presence of the glory of God (Isa 6:2) they had to hide their faces. Once again they had beheld something that they would never forget (or at least for short time). In the face of this how could there be opposition to the appointment of Aaron and his sons? We will soon see.
So was the priesthood established, and so did God reveal His satisfaction at what had taken place. The procedure had been long and to some extent repetitious, but surely that would mean that lessons had been learned. Who now could do anything but walk in awe of the Holy One of Israel, and obey Him implicitly? (The answer is, of course, ‘sinful man’).
It is a reminder to us as Christians that our position before God was also not bought lightly and without a price. Jesus Christ came as our High Priest, appointed by God and carried through the offering and sacrifice necessary for our salvation, for our purification, for our atonement, for our reconciliation, and so that He might sanctify us as His priests. And the road for Him was long and arduous, but He succeeded at last, and His work on our behalf now continues as He acts as our Trek Leader in Heaven (Heb 2:10). And we too, if we would serve with Him, must go through a divinely appointed period of sanctification so that we might be useful in His service, first accepted in the Beloved, and then brought to full dedication, and then shaped by Him in accordance with His will (Php 2:13). For some it takes longer than others, but until we have come as Aaron did, laying aside all else that we might serve Him, our lives will not be fruitful in His service. But when we do, then the glory of the Lord will break forth upon us, and we will shout and throw ourselves at His feet.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Lev 9:24. And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and confirmed upon the altar, &c. In token of his acceptance, the LORD sent forth from his presence a fire, which consumed the burnt-offering, and its fat; by which the evening-sacrifice is generally understood. Thus God gave a public attestation to the ministry of Aaron. In the same manner the place of worship was dedicated in the time of David; 1Ch 21:26 and so likewise the temple of Solomon, 2Ch 7:1. Thus the authority of Elijah too, to restore the true religion, was justified. 1Ki 18:38. See also Jdg 6:21. And hence comes the expression, remember all thy offerings, and accept [Hebrew, turn to ashes] thy burnt-sacrifice. Psa 20:3. This sacred fire, now sent forth from God, was ordered (ch. Lev 6:12-13.) to be kept always burning; and accordingly it is said to have lasted till the time of Solomon, when God sent fire anew from heaven to consume the sacrifices offered at the consecration of the temple; and that again is said to have continued till the Babylonish captivity. It was certainly a very solemn subject of contemplation, that their sacrifices were consumed by an uninterrupted continuation of the same celestial flame, which the priests, watching day and night for that purpose, fed with constant fuel. Josephus tells us, that there was a kind of festival, which he calls , from the people’s bearing wood upon it to the temple for the maintenance of the holy fire. This fact was both known to the heathens, and imitated by them. Julian himself acknowledges that fire came down from heaven in the time of Moses, and again in the days of Elijah, consuming the sacrifices: and in imitation thereof, the Pagans endeavoured to gain credit to their religion by the like reports of fire sent from an invisible hand to consume their sacrifices, of which there are various instances; insomuch that Servius, in his notes on these words of Virgil, AEneid 12: Foedera fulmine sancit; (he establishes his covenants by lightning,) says, that “anciently they did not kindle fires upon their altars, but procured by their prayers divine fire.” And Solinus says, ch. 2: “The flame sprung out of the wood by a divine power: if the god be present and the sacrifice acceptable, the faggots, though green, kindle of themselves.” But further, and doubtless in conformity to this sacred institution, and in an idolatrous imitation of it, many nations preserved a perpetual fire: the Persians were remarkable for it; the Greeks at Delphos, and many other places, preserved also a perpetual fire. “In every corporation-town,” says Sir Isaac Newton, “the ancient Greeks had a prytaneum or council-hall, where the people at times assembled to consult about the common interest; and here was also a place of worship, and a perpetual fire kept therein upon an altar for public sacrifice.” Chronology, p. 174. The Romans had but one perpetual fire, which was kept by the vestal virgins, in the centre of the temple of Vesta, which was round, and emblematical of our system, with the sun in the centre. The Shechinah, or appearance of the true God, was always attended with fire and light; so that there can be no wonder that the heathens, who worshipped fire and light, applied these as the best symbols of the Divinity.
Which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces See 2Ch 7:3. The people shouted for joy, and prostrated themselves with awful reverence: circumstances which well explain Psa 2:11. The author of the book of Cosri judiciously observes, that “if a man look only at the foregoing part of the work of this day, (the priests killing of the sacrifices, the blood running about their hands, their slaying of them, washing the entrails, rinsing the pieces of the flesh, sprinkling the blood, laying the wood in order, kindling the fire, &c.) they might rather set his mind further off from God than draw it near to him; till, after all these things performed orderly, he saw the fire coming down from heaven, testifying God’s gracious acceptance of the sacrifice; or felt another spirit excited in him beyond any thing he was acquainted with before; or had divine dreams, or heroical motions, which he believed were the effects of what he had been doing,” &c. And, no doubt, all good men, in future ages, felt their minds raised, by the thoughts that the sacrifices they offered were as acceptable to God as that offered at this time; being consumed, in some sort, by the same fire which burned continually on the altar, and was never extinguished till their captivity. “Such acceptable sacrifices, as St. Cyril tells Julian, we Christians still offer, but infinitely better, being spiritual and intellectual, and consequently nearer to the Divine nature; and that by fire sent from heaven, viz. the Holy Ghost, (of whom this fire was but a figure,) illustrating the church, and enabling its members to offer continually the sweet-smelling sacrifices of faith, hope, love, righteousness, temperance, obedience, thanksgiving, and every other virtue.”
REFLECTIONS.Moses goes with Aaron into the tabernacle, either to pray for the promised manifestation of the Divine glory, or to instruct him in the service, or both. At their return they join in their benedictions on the people who waited at the door of the tabernacle, and God sealed the blessing, 1. By a visible display of his glory from the holy place. Note; It is good not to be weary of waiting upon God; a glimpse of his glory, if but at parting, will amply repay our attendance. 2. There came a fire out from before the Lord, (from the appearance of his glory, it should seem,) which consumed the sacrifice: a gracious token of God’s acceptance of their offerings, and of his constant benediction on those who brought the sacrifices to that altar, the fire of which, now kindled by him, was never permitted to go out. Note; (1.) The fire of God’s Spirit in our heart must kindle up unquenchable love, and consume our vile affections. (2.) Unless he give the holy fire of grace, none of our services can please him. (3.) If it be kindled, we must support it with the daily fuel of the word, meditation and prayer. 3. The people, with holy joy and reverential awe, shout and fall prostrate before the Lord. Note; (1.) It is matter of great triumph in experience God’s sensible presence with our souls. (2.) The more we taste of God’s love the more humble it will make us.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
What precious tokens of divine favor? GOD not only appeared in glory, to testify his presence, but also he answered by fire, to testify his acceptance of their services. Reader! remark with me, that as the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifice, which might justly have consumed their persons for sin; so the HOLY GHOST came down in confirmation that JESUS’S offering for sin on the cross was accepted, who without his offering would not have come, neither could our persons have escaped destruction. Observe also, the gracious effects on the minds of the people; they shout for joy; they fall low in humbleness. Never doth a soul lay lower in the dust, than when GOD exalts that soul in thankfulness for mercy. We are humblest in ourselves, when we are most lifted up in JESUS. Like Paul, when most weak, then most strong. 2Co 12:9-10 . Lev 9 REFLECTIONS
IN the perusal of this Chapter, may it be my happiness to look beyond the letter to the spirit of the sacred word; and here, I am sure, I shall see JESUS, my great High Priest, in everything signified. Was he not from all eternity set apart, consecrated, and ordained to be an Almighty High Priest in things pertaining unto man, to make reconciliation for the sins of his people? And did he not, in confirmation of it, in the fullness of time, offer himself unto GOD, a willing sacrifice, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing? And is he not, as Aaron of old, now gone into the tabernacle not made with hands, even into heaven itself, there to appear in the presence of GOD for us? Hath he not again and again blessed his people, and afforded the most incontestable evidences of his unalterable love? Doth not his presence now, in the assemblies of the faithful, testify the FATHER’S approbation of all our spiritual services, however poor they are in themselves, yet truly valuable, in being accepted in and through him? And ought not the many love-tokens of his favor, which correspond to the glory manifested in the Jewish church, bring with them the surest evidences of his grace, and call forth our shouts of holy joy? Dearest JESUS! may we never, never lose sight of thee in all our approaches to the mercy-seat, but behold thee as our sacrifice, our altar, our high priest, our all. Hail! LAMB of GOD, thou that takest away the sin of the world! Praises to thy name; thou needest not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for thine own sins, and then for the people; for by thy one offering, once offered, thou hast forever perfected them that are sanctified.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Lev 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: [which] when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
Ver. 24. They shouted, and fell on their faces. ] The consideration of God’s gracious acceptation of us in Christ should make us to lift many a humble, joyful, and thankful heart to God.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
came a fire. See note on Lev 10:2, and compare 1Ch 21:26 and Gen 4:4. Jdg 6:20, Jdg 6:21; 1Ki 18:38. 2Ch 7:1, 2Ch 7:2. See Lev 6:13.
shouted. Compare 2Ch 7:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
there came a fire: These victims were consumed by a fire of no human kindling. Josephus says that “a fire proceeded from the victims themselves, of its own accord, which had the appearance of a flash of lightning, and consumed all that was upon the altar.” Lev 6:13, Gen 4:3, Gen 4:4, Gen 15:17, Exo 3:2, Jdg 6:21, Jdg 13:19, Jdg 13:20, Jdg 13:23, 1Ki 18:38, 2Ki 19:15, 1Ch 21:26, 2Ch 6:2, 2Ch 7:1-3, Psa 20:3, Psa 20:4, Psa 80:1, *marg.
they shouted: Gen 17:3, Num 14:5, Num 16:22, 1Ki 18:39, 2Ch 7:3, Ezr 3:11, Mat 26:39, Rev 4:9, Rev 5:8, Rev 7:11
Reciprocal: Gen 17:17 – fell Exo 29:18 – a burnt offering Exo 39:32 – all the Lev 1:7 – fire Lev 3:16 – all the fat Lev 6:12 – the fire Lev 10:1 – strange Lev 10:2 – fire Num 3:3 – whom he consecrated Num 16:46 – from off Jos 5:14 – fell on his 1Ki 18:24 – answereth by fire Neh 8:6 – with their faces Job 1:16 – there came Eze 1:28 – I fell Mat 17:6 – General Luk 5:12 – fell Heb 11:4 – he obtained
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Lev 9:24. And there came a fire In token of Gods approbation of the priesthood now instituted, and the sacrifices offered, and consequently of others of the like nature. And this fire now given was to be carefully kept, and not suffered to go out, (Lev 6:13,) and therefore was carried in a peculiar vessel in their journeys in the wilderness. It is said to have lasted till the time of Solomon, when God sent fire anew from heaven to consume the sacrifices offered at the dedication of the temple. And that again is said to have been preserved till the destruction of that first temple. From before the Lord Or, From the presence of the Lord; that is, from the place where God was in a special manner present, either from heaven or from the holy of holies. They shouted As wondering at, rejoicing in, and blessing God for, this gracious discovery of himself, and his favour.
This also was a figure of good things to come. Thus the Spirit descended in fire upon the apostles, so ratifying their commission, as this did that of the priests. And the descent of this holy fire into our souls, to kindle in them devout affections, and such a holy zeal as burns up all unholiness, is a certain token of Gods gracious acceptance.