Bible Commentaries

THE OLD STORE AND THE NEW

‘Ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new.’

Leviticus 26:10

There is in these words a promise as to the fulness of the Divine gifts which has a far wider range and nobler application than to the harvests and granaries of old Palestine.

We may take the text in that aspect:—

I. As containing God’s pledge that these outward gifts shall come in unbroken continuity.—It may be good that we should have to trust Him even when the storehouse is empty; it may be good for us to know something of want; but that discipline comes seldom, and is never carried very far. God’s machinery for distribution is perfect, and its very perfection, with the constancy of the resulting blessings, robs Him of His praise and hinders our gratitude. By assiduity He loses admiration.

II. May we not apply the same thought of the unbroken continuity of God’s gifts to the higher region of our spiritual experience?—His supplies of wisdom, love, joy, peace, power, to our souls, are always enough and more than enough for our wants. He means that there should be no parentheses of famine in our Christian life. The source is full to overflowing, and there are no limits to the supply. The only limit is our capacity, which, again, is largely determined by our desire.

III. We may also see in this text the prescription of a duty as well as the announcement of a promise.—There is direction given here as to our manner of receiving God’s gifts, as well as large assurance as to His manner of bestowing them. All through our lives wisdom and faith say, ‘Bring forth the old because of the new.’ Accept cheerfully the law of constant change under which God has set us. Welcome the new, treasure the old, and in both see the purpose of that loving Father Who, Himself unchanged, changeth all things, ‘fulfils Himself in many ways lest one good custom should corrupt the world.’

Illustration

(1) ‘May we not apply this thought to our spiritual experiences? God’s supplies of wisdom, love, joy, peace, and power are always more than our actual needs. If ever we seem devoid of grace, mercy, and peace, it is our fault, not His. It is not God’s wish that there should be these breaks of famine in our lives. He is always giving, pouring forth His own self for us to take; our barns might always be filled with plenty, and our presses burst out with new wine; and if we are on short allowance, it is ourselves that are to blame.’

(2) ‘The spirit and heart of this promise remain, though the outward form may have passed away. To use the phrasing of another, it was a picturesque way of saying that the harvest should be more than enough for the people’s wants. All through the winter, and the spring, and the ripening summer, their granaries would yield supplies.’

HUMAN AND DIVINE REMEMBRANCE

‘If they shall confess … then will I remember.’

Leviticus 26:40; Leviticus 26:42

I. When I remember my sin and confess it, God remembers His covenant and returns to me.

Yes, even to me. I say, in my despair, that there are peculiarities in my case which make it exceptional, terrible aggravations in my guilt and evil. Let it be so. Let it be that I am the chief of sinners. My sin does not outrun His mercy, and is not so large as His grace. Its blackness, its heinousness, its thanklessness will but heighten His glory in forgiving and restoring me.

II. From my depth, let me look up to the saints who have finished their course and entered into the joy of their Lord. Once, in God’s holy eyes, they were no better than I am. From the horrible pit He took them, and from the miry clay. He will do as much for me. His arm is not shortened. He will set me with the princes of his people.

Illustration

‘Israel was a people whom He had chosen and formed for Himself. But they came into a line of strangers, who oppressed and enslaved them, that their hearts might be prepared to long for and welcome His deliverance. Then, in a series of mighty wonders, and through the blood of the paschal lamb, they were brought from under the hand of their oppressors, led through the Red Sea, and taught under the cliffs of Sinai—this thought being continually impressed on them, that they were the Lord’s people, whom He had purchased for Himself, that they might be holy, even as He is. God had a right to claim His people for holiness, because they were His purchased possession.’

HUMAN AND DIVINE REMEMBRANCE

‘If they shall confess … then will I remember.’

Leviticus 26:40; Leviticus 26:42

I. When I remember my sin and confess it, God remembers His covenant and returns to me.

Yes, even to me. I say, in my despair, that there are peculiarities in my case which make it exceptional, terrible aggravations in my guilt and evil. Let it be so. Let it be that I am the chief of sinners. My sin does not outrun His mercy, and is not so large as His grace. Its blackness, its heinousness, its thanklessness will but heighten His glory in forgiving and restoring me.

II. From my depth, let me look up to the saints who have finished their course and entered into the joy of their Lord. Once, in God’s holy eyes, they were no better than I am. From the horrible pit He took them, and from the miry clay. He will do as much for me. His arm is not shortened. He will set me with the princes of his people.

Illustration

‘Israel was a people whom He had chosen and formed for Himself. But they came into a line of strangers, who oppressed and enslaved them, that their hearts might be prepared to long for and welcome His deliverance. Then, in a series of mighty wonders, and through the blood of the paschal lamb, they were brought from under the hand of their oppressors, led through the Red Sea, and taught under the cliffs of Sinai—this thought being continually impressed on them, that they were the Lord’s people, whom He had purchased for Himself, that they might be holy, even as He is. God had a right to claim His people for holiness, because they were His purchased possession.’