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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Leviticus, Chapter XXVII].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
on the Whole Bible</h1></center>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
[<A HREF="MHC03026.HTM">Previous</A>]
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
</TD></TR></TABLE>
<HR>
<!-- (Begin Body) -->
<CENTER>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>L E V I T C U S</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXVII.</FONT>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
</CENTER>
<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:46">last verse of the foregoing chapter</A>
seemed to close up the statute-book; yet this chapter is added as an
appendix. Having given laws concerning instituted services, here he
directs concerning vows and voluntary services, the free-will offerings
of their mouth. Perhaps some devout serious people among them might be
so affected with what Moses had delivered to them in the foregoing
chapter as in a pang of zeal to consecrate themselves, or their
children, or estates to him: this, because honestly meant, God would
accept; but, because men are apt to repent of such vows, he leaves room
for the redemption of what had been so consecrated, at a certain rate.
Here is,
I. The law concerning what was sanctified to God, persons
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:2-8">ver. 2-8</A>),
cattle, clean or unclean
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:9-13">ver. 9-13</A>),
houses and lands
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:15-25">ver. 15-25</A>),
with an exception of firstlings,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:26,27">ver. 26, 27</A>.
II. Concerning what was devoted,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:28,29">ver. 28, 29</A>.
III. Concerning tithes,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:30-34">ver. 30</A>, &c.</P>
</FONT>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Law Concerning Vows.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto Moses, saying,
&nbsp; 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a
man shall make a singular vow, the persons <I>shall be</I> for the
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> by thy estimation.
&nbsp; 3 And thy estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old
even unto sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty
shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
&nbsp; 4 And if it <I>be</I> a female, then thy estimation shall be thirty
shekels.
&nbsp; 5 And if <I>it be</I> from five years old even unto twenty years
old, then thy estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels, and
for the female ten shekels.
&nbsp; 6 And if <I>it be</I> from a month old even unto five years old,
then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver,
and for the female thy estimation <I>shall be</I> three shekels of
silver.
&nbsp; 7 And if <I>it be</I> from sixty years old and above; if <I>it be</I> a
male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the
female ten shekels.
&nbsp; 8 But if he be poorer than thy estimation, then he shall
present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value
him; according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value
him.
&nbsp; 9 And if <I>it be</I> a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, all that <I>any man</I> giveth of such unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall
be holy.
&nbsp; 10 He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a
bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast,
then it and the exchange thereof shall be holy.
&nbsp; 11 And if <I>it be</I> any unclean beast, of which they do not offer
a sacrifice unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, then he shall present the beast before
the priest:
&nbsp; 12 And the priest shall value it, whether it be good or bad: as
thou valuest it, <I>who art</I> the priest, so shall it be.
&nbsp; 13 But if he will at all redeem it, then he shall add a fifth
<I>part</I> thereof unto thy estimation.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
This is part of the law concerning singular vows, extraordinary ones,
which though God did not expressly insist on, yet, if they were
consistent with and conformable to the general precepts, he would be
well pleased with. Note, We should not only ask, What must we do, but,
What may we do, for the glory and honour of God? As the <I>liberal
devises liberal things</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+32:8">Isa. xxxii. 8</A>),
so the pious devises pious things, and the enlarged heart would
willingly do something extraordinary in the service of so good a Master
as God is. When we receive or expect some singular mercy it is good to
honour God with some singular vow.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. The case is here put of persons vowed to God by a singular vow,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
If a man consecrated himself, or a child, to the service of the
tabernacle, to be employed there in some inferior office, as sweeping
the floor, carrying out ashes, running of errands, or the like, <I>the
person</I> so consecrated <I>shall be for the Lord,</I> that is, "God
will graciously accept the good-will." <I>Thou didst well that it was
in thy heart,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+6:8">2 Chron. vi. 8</A>.
But forasmuch as he had no occasion to use their service about the
tabernacle, a whole tribe being appropriated to the use of it, those
that were thus vowed were to be redeemed, and the money paid for their
redemption was employed for the repair of the sanctuary, or other uses
of it, as appears by
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+12:14">2 Kings xii. 14</A>,
where it is called, in the margin, the <I>money of the souls of his
estimation.</I> A book of rates is accordingly provided, by which the
priests were to go in their estimation. Here is,
1. The rate of the middle-aged, between twenty and threescore, these
were valued highest, because most serviceable; a male fifty shekels,
and a female thirty,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>.
The females were then less esteemed, but not so in Christ; for in
<I>Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+3:28">Gal. iii. 28</A>.
Note, Those that are in the prime of their time must look upon
themselves as obliged to do more in the service of God and their
generation than can be expected either from minors, that have not yet
arrived to their usefulness, or from the aged, that have survived it.
2. The rate of the youth between five years old and twenty was less,
because they were then less capable of doing service,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
3. Infants under five years old were capable of being vowed to God by
their parents, even before they were born, as Samuel was, but not to be
presented and redeemed till a month old, that, as one sabbath passed
over them before they were circumcised, so one new moon might pass over
them before they were estimated; and their valuation was but small,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
Samuel, who was thus vowed to God, was not redeemed, because he was a
Levite, and a particular favourite, and therefore was employed in his
childhood in the service of the tabernacle.
4. The aged are valued less than youth, but more than children,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
And the Hebrews observe that the rate of an aged woman is two parts of
three to that of an aged man, so that in that age the female came
nearest to the value of the male, which occasioned (as bishop Patrick
quotes it here) this saying among them, <I>That an old woman in a house
is a treasure in a house.</I> Paul sets a great value upon the aged
women, when he makes them <I>teachers of good things,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+2:3">Tit. ii. 3</A>.
5. The poor shall be valued according to their ability,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
Something they must pay, that they might learn not to be rash in vowing
to God, for <I>he hath no pleasure in fools,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:4">Eccl. v. 4</A>.
Yet not more than their ability, but <I>secundum tenementum--according
to their possessions,</I> that they might not ruin themselves and their
families by their zeal. Note, God expects and requires from men
according to what they have, and not according to what they have not,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+21:4">Luke xxi. 4</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. The case is put of beasts vowed to God,
1. If it was a clean beast, such as was offered in sacrifice, it must
not be redeemed, nor any equivalent given for it: <I>It shall be
holy,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:9,10"><I>v.</I> 9, 10</A>.
After it was vowed, it was not to be put to any common use, nor changed
upon second thoughts; but it must be either offered upon the altar, or,
if through any blemish it was not meet to be offered, he that vowed it
should not take advantage of that, but the priests should have it for
their own use (for they were God's receivers), or it should be sold for
the service of the sanctuary. This teaches caution in making vows and
constancy in keeping them when they are made; for <I>it is a snare to a
man to devour that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+20:25">Prov. xx. 25</A>.
And to this that rule of charity seems to allude
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+9:7">2 Cor. ix. 7</A>),
<I>Every man, according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him
give.</I>
2. If it was an unclean beast, it should go to the use of the priest at
such a value; but he that vowed it, upon paying that value in money,
and adding a fifth part more to it, might redeem it if he pleased,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:11-13"><I>v.</I> 11-13</A>.
It was fit that men should smart for their inconstancy. God has let us
know his mind concerning his service, and he is not pleased if we do
not know our own. God expects that those that deal with him should be
at a point, and way what they will stand to.</P>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Concerning Things Sanctified.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 And when a man shall sanctify his house <I>to be</I> holy unto
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, then the priest shall estimate it, whether it be good
or bad: as the priest shall estimate it, so shall it stand.
&nbsp; 15 And if he that sanctified it will redeem his house, then he
shall add the fifth <I>part</I> of the money of thy estimation unto
it, and it shall be his.
&nbsp; 16 And if a man shall sanctify unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>some part</I> of a
field of his possession, then thy estimation shall be according
to the seed thereof: an homer of barley seed <I>shall be valued</I> at
fifty shekels of silver.
&nbsp; 17 If he sanctify his field from the year of jubilee, according
to thy estimation it shall stand.
&nbsp; 18 But if he sanctify his field after the jubilee, then the
priest shall reckon unto him the money according to the years
that remain, even unto the year of the jubilee, and it shall be
abated from thy estimation.
&nbsp; 19 And if he that sanctified the field will in any wise redeem
it, then he shall add the fifth <I>part</I> of the money of thy
estimation unto it, and it shall be assured to him.
&nbsp; 20 And if he will not redeem the field, or if he have sold the
field to another man, it shall not be redeemed any more.
&nbsp; 21 But the field, when it goeth out in the jubilee, shall be
holy unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, as a field devoted; the possession thereof
shall be the priest's.
&nbsp; 22 And if <I>a man</I> sanctify unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> a field which he hath
bought, which <I>is</I> not of the fields of his possession;
&nbsp; 23 Then the priest shall reckon unto him the worth of thy
estimation, <I>even</I> unto the year of the jubilee: and he shall give
thine estimation in that day, <I>as</I> a holy thing unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
&nbsp; 24 In the year of the jubilee the field shall return unto him of
whom it was bought, <I>even</I> to him to whom the possession of the
land <I>did belong.</I>
&nbsp; 25 And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of
the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Here is the law concerning real estates dedicated to the service of God
by a singular vow.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. Suppose a man, in his zeal for the honour of God, should <I>sanctify
his house to God</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
the house must be valued by the priest, and the money got by the sale
of it was to be converted to the use of the sanctuary, which by degrees
came to be greatly enriched with <I>dedicated things,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+15:15">1 Kings xv. 15</A>.
But, if the owner be inclined to redeem it himself, he must not have it
so cheap as another, but must add a fifth part to the price, for he
should have considered before he had vowed it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
To him that was necessitous God would abate the estimation
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>);
but to him that was fickle and humoursome, and whose second thoughts
inclined more to the world and his secular interest than his first, God
would rise in the price. Blessed be God, there is a way of sanctifying
our houses to be holy unto the Lord, without either selling them or
buying them. If we and our houses serve the Lord, if religion rule in
them, and we put away iniquity far from them, and have a church in our
house, holiness to the Lord is written upon it, it is his, and he will
dwell with us in it.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. Suppose a man should sanctify some part of his land to the Lord,
giving it to pious uses, then a difference must be made between land
that came to the donor by descent and that which came by purchase, and
accordingly the case altered.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. If it was the inheritance of his fathers, here called the <I>field
of his possession,</I> which pertained to his family from the first
division of Canaan, he might not give it all, no, not to the sanctuary;
God would not admit such a degree of zeal as ruined a man's family. But
he might sanctify or dedicate only some part of it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
And in that case,
(1.) The land was to be valued (as our countrymen commonly compute
land) by so many measures' sowing of barley. So much land as would take
a <I>homer,</I> or <I>chomer,</I> of barley, which contained ten
ephahs,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+45:11">Ezek. xlv. 11</A>
(not, as some have here mistaken it, an <I>omer,</I> which was but a
tenth part of an ephah,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+16:36">Exod. xvi. 36</A>),
was valued at fifty shekels, a moderate price
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
and that if it were sanctified immediately from the year of jubilee,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
But, if some years after, there was to be a discount accordingly, even
of that price,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
And,
(2.) When the value was fixed, the donor might, if he pleased, redeem
it for sixty shekels the homer's sowing, which was with the addition of
a fifth part: the money then went to the sanctuary, and the land
reverted to him that had sanctified it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
But if he would not redeem it, and the priest sold it to another, then
at the year of jubilee, beyond which the sale could not go, the land
came to the priests, and was theirs for ever,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:20,21"><I>v.</I> 20, 21</A>.
Note, What is given to the Lord ought not to be given with a power of
revocation; what is devoted to the Lord must be his for ever, by a
perpetual covenant.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. If the land was his own purchase, and came not to him from his
ancestors, then not the land itself, but the value of it was to be
given to the priests for pious uses,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:22,24"><I>v.</I> 22, 24</A>.
It was supposed that those who, by the blessing of God, had grown so
rich as to become purchasers would think themselves obliged in
gratitude to sanctify some part of their purchase, at least (and here
they are not limited, but they might, if they pleased, sanctify the
whole), to the service of God. For we ought to give <I>as God prospers
us,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+16:2">1 Cor. xvi. 2</A>.
Purchasers are in a special manner bound to be charitable. Now,
forasmuch as purchased lands were by a former law to return at the year
of jubilee to the family from which they were purchased, God would not
have that law and the intentions of it defeated by making the lands
<I>corban, a gift,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+7:11">Mark vii. 11</A>.
But it was to be computed how much the land was worth for so many years
as were from the vow to the jubilee; for only so long it was his own,
and God <I>hates robbery for burnt-offerings.</I> We can never
acceptably serve God with that of which we have wronged our neighbour.
And so much money he was to give for the present, and keep the land in
his own hands till the year of jubilee, when it was to return free of
all encumbrances, even that of its being dedicated to him of whom it
was bought. The value of the shekel by which all these estimations were
to be made is here ascertained
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>);
it shall be twenty gerahs, and every gerah was sixteen barley-corns.
This was fixed before
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+30:13">Exod. xxx. 13</A>);
and, whereas there had been some alterations, it is again fixed in the
laws of Ezekiel's visionary temple
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+45:12">Ezek. xlv. 12</A>),
to denote that the gospel should reduce things to their ancient
standard.</P>
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>26 Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>'s
firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether <I>it be</I> ox, or
sheep: it <I>is</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>'s.
&nbsp; 27 And if <I>it be</I> of an unclean beast, then he shall redeem
<I>it</I> according to thine estimation, and shall add a fifth <I>part</I>
of it thereto: or if it be not redeemed, then it shall be sold
according to thy estimation.
&nbsp; 28 Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote
unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of all that he hath, <I>both</I> of man and beast, and
of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every
devoted thing <I>is</I> most holy unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
&nbsp; 29 None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be
redeemed; <I>but</I> shall surely be put to death.
&nbsp; 30 And all the tithe of the land, <I>whether</I> of the seed of the
land, <I>or</I> of the fruit of the tree, <I>is</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>'s: <I>it is</I>
holy unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
&nbsp; 31 And if a man will at all redeem <I>ought</I> of his tithes, he
shall add thereto the fifth <I>part</I> thereof.
&nbsp; 32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock,
<I>even</I> of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be
holy unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
&nbsp; 33 He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall
he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the
change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.
&nbsp; 34 These <I>are</I> the commandments, which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> commanded Moses
for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Here is,
I. A caution given that no man should make such a jest of sanctifying
things to the Lord as to sanctify any firstling to him, for that was
his already by the law,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
Though the matter of a general vow be that which we were before obliged
to, as of our sacramental covenant, yet a singular vow should be of
that which we were not, in such circumstances and proportions,
antecedently bound to. The law concerning the firstlings of unclean
beasts
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>)
is the same with that before,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. Things or persons devoted are here distinguished from things or
persons that were only sanctified.
1. Devoted things were most holy to the Lord, and could neither revert
nor be alienated,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
They were of the same nature with those sacrifices which were called
most holy, which none might touch but only the priests themselves. The
difference between these and other sanctified things arose from the
different expression of the vow. If a man dedicated any thing to God,
binding himself with a solemn curse never to alienate it to any other
purpose, then it was a thing devoted.
2. Devoted persons were to be put to death,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
Not that it was in the power of any parent or master thus to devote a
child or a servant to death; but it must be meant of the public enemies
of Israel, who, either by the appointment of God or by the sentence of
the congregation, were devoted, as the seven nations with which they
must make no league. The city of Jericho in particular was thus
devoted,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+6:17">Josh. vi. 17</A>.
The inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead were put to death for violating the
curse pronounced upon those who came not up to Mizpeh,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+21:9,10">Judg. xxi. 9, 10</A>.
Some think it was for want of being rightly informed of the true intent
and meaning of this law that Jephtha sacrificed his daughter as one
devoted, who might not be redeemed.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. A law concerning tithes, which were paid for the service of God
before the law, as appears by Abraham's payment of them,
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+14:20">Gen. xiv. 20</A>),
and Jacob's promise of them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+28:22">Gen. xxviii. 22</A>.
It is here appointed,
1. That they should pay tithe of all their increase, their corn, trees,
and cattle,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:30,32"><I>v.</I> 30, 32</A>.
Whatsoever productions they had the benefit of God must be honoured
with the tithe of, if it were titheable. Thus they acknowledged God to
be the owner of their land, the giver of its fruits, and themselves to
be his tenants, and dependents upon him. Thus they gave him thanks for
the plenty they enjoyed, and supplicated his favour in the continuance
of it. And we are taught in general to <I>honour the Lord with our
substance</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:9">Prov. iii. 9</A>),
and in particular to support and maintain his ministers, and to be
<I>ready to communicate</I> to them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+6:6,1Co+9:11">Gal. vi. 6; 1 Cor. ix. 11</A>.
And how this may be done in a fitter and more equal proportion than
that of the tenth, which God himself appointed of old, I cannot see.
2. That which was once marked for tithe should not be altered, no, not
for a better
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>),
for Providence directed the rod that marked it. God would accept it
though it were not the best, and they must not grudge it though it
were, for it was what passed under the rod.
3. That it should not be redeemed, unless the owner would give a fifth
part more for its ransom,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
If men had the curiosity to prefer what was marked for tithe before any
other part of their increase, it was fit that they should pay for their
curiosity.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
IV. The
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:34">last verse</A>
seems to have reference to this whole book of which it is the
conclusion: <I>These are the commandments which the Lord commanded
Moses, for the children of Israel.</I> Many of these commandments are
moral, and of perpetual obligation; others of them, which were
ceremonial and peculiar to the Jewish economy, have notwithstanding a
spiritual significancy, and are instructive to us who are furnished
with a key to let us into the mysteries contained in them; for <I>unto
us,</I> by those institutions, <I>is the gospel preached as well as
unto them,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+4:2">Heb. iv. 2</A>.
Upon the whole matter, we may see cause to bless God that <I>we have
not come to mount Sinai,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:18">Heb. xii. 18</A>.
1. That we are not under the <I>dark shadows</I> of the law, but enjoy
the clear light of the gospel, which shows us <I>Christ the end of the
law for righteousness,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+10:4">Rom. x. 4</A>.
The doctrine of our reconciliation to God by a Mediator is not clouded
with the smoke of burning sacrifices, but cleared by the knowledge of
<I>Christ and him crucified.</I>
2. That we are not under the <I>heavy yoke</I> of the law, and the
carnal ordinances of it (as the apostle calls them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+9:10">Heb. ix. 10</A>),
imposed till the time of reformation, a yoke which <I>neither they nor
their fathers were able to bear</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+15:10">Acts xv. 10</A>),
but under the sweet and easy institutions of the gospel, which
pronounces those the <I>true worshippers that worship the Father in
spirit and truth,</I> by Christ only, and in his name, who is our
priest, temple, altar, sacrifice, purification, and all. Let us not
therefore think that because we are not tied to the ceremonial
cleansings, feasts, and oblations, a little care, time, and expense,
will serve to honour God with. No, but rather have our hearts more
enlarge with free-will offerings to his praise, more inflamed with holy
love and joy, and more engaged in seriousness of thought and sincerity
of intention. <I>Having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood
of Jesus, let us draw near with a true heart, and full assurance of
faith,</I> worshipping God with so much the more cheerfulness and
humble confidence, still saying, <I>Blessed be God for Jesus
Christ!</I></P>
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