aws against falsehood and injustice. (1-9) The year of rest,
The sabbath, The three festivals. (10-19) God promises to
conduct the Israelites to Canaan. (20-33)
Verses 1-9: In the law of Moses are very plain marks of sound moral
feeling, and of true political wisdom. Every thing in it is
suited to the desired and avowed object, the worship of one only
God, and the separation of Israel from the pagan world. Neither
parties, friends, witnesses, nor common opinions, must move us
to lessen great faults, to aggravate small ones, excuse
offenders, accuse the innocent, or misrepresent any thing.
Verses 10-19: Every seventh year the land was to rest. They must not
plough or sow it; what the earth produced of itself, should be
eaten, and not laid up. This law seems to have been intended to
teach dependence on Providence, and God's faithfulness in
sending the larger increase while they kept his appointments. It
was also typical of the heavenly rest, when all earthly labours,
cares, and interests shall cease for ever. All respect to the
gods of the heathen is strictly forbidden. Since idolatry was a
sin to which the Israelites leaned, they must blot out the
remembrance of the gods of the heathen. Solemn religious
attendance on God, in the place which he should choose, is
strictly required. They must come together before the Lord. What
a good Master do we serve, who has made it our duty to rejoice
before him! Let us devote with pleasure to the service of God
that portion of our time which he requires, and count his
sabbaths and ordinances to be a feast unto our souls. They were
not to come empty-handed; so now, we must not come to worship
God empty-hearted; our souls must be filled with holy desires
toward him, and dedications of ourselves to him; for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased.
Verses 20-33: It is here promised that they should be guided and kept
in their way through the wilderness to the land of promise,
Behold, I send an angel before thee, mine angel. The precept
joined with this promise is, that they be obedient to this angel
whom God would send before them. Christ is the Angel of Jehovah;
this is plainly taught by St. Paul, (1Co 10:9). They should have
a comfortable settlement in the land of Canaan. How reasonable
are the conditions of this promise; that they should serve the
only true God; not the gods of the nations, which are no gods at
all. How rich are the particulars of this promise! The comfort
of their food, the continuance of their health, the increase of
their wealth, the prolonging their lives to old age. Thus hath
godliness the promise of the life that now is. It is promised
that they should subdue their enemies. Hosts of hornets made way
for the hosts of Israel; such mean creatures can God use for
chastising his people's enemies. In real kindness to the church,
its enemies are subdued by little and little; thus we are kept
on our guard, and in continual dependence on God. Corruptions
are driven out of the hearts of God's people, not all at once,
but by little and little. The precept with this promise is, that
they should not make friendship with idolaters. Those that would
keep from bad courses, must keep from bad company. It is
dangerous to live in a bad neighbourhood; others' sins will be
our snares. Our greatest danger is from those who would make us
sin against God.
aws against falsehood and injustice. (1-9) The year of rest,
The sabbath, The three festivals. (10-19) God promises to
conduct the Israelites to Canaan. (20-33)