Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

MOSES is prosecuting the same subject of GOD'S laws through this Chapter. Here are precepts concerning the persons of the children of Israel, concerning their diet, of what may be eaten and what not; together with the tithes of divine service, and of rejoicing in them before the LORD, and of the third year's tithes of alms.

There is a vast deal of gospel in this, and if read under the teaching of the HOLY GHOST with an eye to the covenant mercies of GOD in CHRIST, it will not fail to bring sweet comfort to the soul. My brother! let me ask you or rather beg you to ask your own heart, are you of the children of the LORD your GOD? Are you distinguished from the ungodly world in being set apart for GOD'S glory, the purchase of JESUS'S blood, the subject of the HOLY GHOST's work? If you say yes to these and the like questions, will you not say also, I am distinguished no less by his grace from all the ungodly customs of a world professedly at enmity with GOD. Oh! for that sweet evidence which JESUS points at: John 15:18-19. If I were to detain the Reader any longer upon those two verses, it would be just to remark to him, that the HOLY GHOST hath graciously drawn the line of distinction between believers and unbelievers, at the loss of friends. While they sorrow as those that have no hope, because if they lose their earthly father they know nothing of an heavenly one; true believers in CHRIST JESUS know, that if all earthly connections cease, their FATHER, their Saviour, their sanctifier, ever liveth, who is the father of the fatherless, and the husband of the widow. Compare Jeremiah 2:27, with 49:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Concerning these precepts we had them before in Leviticus 11:2 to the Commentary on which I refer, and shall only just observe upon the repetition of them here; that though since the coming of the LORD JESUS nothing is unclean in itself which GOD hath cleansed; and, as the apostle saith, every creature of GOD is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving, when it is sanctified by the word of GOD and prayer; yet, though JESUS'S followers are called unto liberty, they dare not, they cannot indeed, neither do they desire to use that liberty for an occasion to the flesh. Reader! is JESUS your portion? Do you know what it is to eat spiritually of his flesh, and to drink spiritually of his blood? If so, you are but little concerned what perishing food your perishing body is sustained with. 1 Timothy 4:3-5; Galatians 5:13; Romans 14:2-3; Rom_14:17; Rom_14:21.

The same observations will meet us here concerning the food of fish and of birds, as under the foregoing of beasts. Spiritually considered, and with an eye to the gospel dispensation, the whole are of importance, meaning that all uncleanness is forbidden: and these things are not only commanded to be abstained from in the deed, but even in the very word: and not once to be named among the LORD'S heritage, as becometh saints. Ephesians 5:3.

It is delightful to remark what provision GOD hath made for his ministers, for his poor, for those who are by his providence brought into straits and difficulties. That is an universal precept and as fully to be observed now, as when it was at first given. Deuteronomy 15:11.

It is pleasing to observe the care GOD hath for the Levite. Was not this with an eye to JESUS?

GOD is a bountiful master. He giveth liberally and well may his people. Reader? I have found the truth of that saying; Proverbs 11:24.

REFLECTIONS

BLESSED LORD! give me to see that thou hast chosen me to be one among thy people, that thou hast adopted me into thy family, that thou hast sanctified me by thy grace, and that I am thine in an everlasting covenant which cannot be broken: and help me to live to thy glory that I may be distinguished as thy people are distinguished, and then shall I live to thy praise and honour all the day long.

LORD! teach me to learn from the precepts in this chapter, how pure and holy all thy people ought to live, repeating things which are without. May I never wallow in those corruptions which the ungodly and carnal wallow in! May it be my meat and my drink to do thy will! May I use a sparing enjoyment of mere creature comforts, but constantly keep in view, and make it by grace the mark of my conduct, that the kingdom of GOD is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the HOLY GHOST.