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, Mark 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, Matthew 3:11, and its actual descent in this similitude on the day of pentecost, Acts 2:3, Acts 2:4.

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, Leviticus 9:4, that the Lord would appear unto them on the morrow, and that his glory should appear, Leviticus 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, 1 John 3:2, 1 John 3:3 : "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? Hebrews 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.

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.'

Leviticus 6:13 The fire shall ever be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.

Genesis 4:3,4 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD...

Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace...

Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the middle of a bush: and he looked, and, behold...

Judges 6:21 Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes...

Judges 13:19,20,23 So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it on a rock to the LORD: and the angel did wondrously...

1 Kings 18:38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust...

2 Kings 19:15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwell between the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone...

1 Chronicles 21:26 And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on the LORD...

2 Chronicles 6:2 But I have built an house of habitation for you, and a place for your dwelling for ever.

2 Chronicles 7:1-3 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices...

Psalm 20:3,4 Remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice; Selah...

Psalm 80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you that lead Joseph like a flock; you that dwell between the cherubim, shine forth.

they shouted

Genesis 17:3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.

Numbers 16:22 And they fell on their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin...

1 Kings 18:39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

2 Chronicles 7:3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the house...

Ezra 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks to the LORD; because he is good...

Matthew 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me...

Revelation 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who lives for ever and ever,

Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps...

Revelation 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces...