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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
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on the Whole Bible</h1></center>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC03026.HTM">Previous</A>]
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>L E V I T C U S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXVII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:46">last verse of the foregoing chapter</A>
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seemed to close up the statute-book; yet this chapter is added as an
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appendix. Having given laws concerning instituted services, here he
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directs concerning vows and voluntary services, the free-will offerings
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of their mouth. Perhaps some devout serious people among them might be
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so affected with what Moses had delivered to them in the foregoing
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chapter as in a pang of zeal to consecrate themselves, or their
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children, or estates to him: this, because honestly meant, God would
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accept; but, because men are apt to repent of such vows, he leaves room
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for the redemption of what had been so consecrated, at a certain rate.
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Here is,
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I. The law concerning what was sanctified to God, persons
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:2-8">ver. 2-8</A>),
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cattle, clean or unclean
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:9-13">ver. 9-13</A>),
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houses and lands
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:15-25">ver. 15-25</A>),
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with an exception of firstlings,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:26,27">ver. 26, 27</A>.
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II. Concerning what was devoted,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:28,29">ver. 28, 29</A>.
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III. Concerning tithes,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:30-34">ver. 30</A>, &c.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Le27_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Law Concerning Vows.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto Moses, saying,
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2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a
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man shall make a singular vow, the persons <I>shall be</I> for the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> by thy estimation.
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3 And thy estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old
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even unto sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty
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shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
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4 And if it <I>be</I> a female, then thy estimation shall be thirty
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shekels.
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5 And if <I>it be</I> from five years old even unto twenty years
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old, then thy estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels, and
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for the female ten shekels.
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6 And if <I>it be</I> from a month old even unto five years old,
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then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver,
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and for the female thy estimation <I>shall be</I> three shekels of
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silver.
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7 And if <I>it be</I> from sixty years old and above; if <I>it be</I> a
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male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the
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female ten shekels.
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8 But if he be poorer than thy estimation, then he shall
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present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value
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him; according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value
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him.
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9 And if <I>it be</I> a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto
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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
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be holy.
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10 He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a
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bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast,
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then it and the exchange thereof shall be holy.
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11 And if <I>it be</I> any unclean beast, of which they do not offer
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a sacrifice unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, then he shall present the beast before
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the priest:
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12 And the priest shall value it, whether it be good or bad: as
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thou valuest it, <I>who art</I> the priest, so shall it be.
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13 But if he will at all redeem it, then he shall add a fifth
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<I>part</I> thereof unto thy estimation.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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This is part of the law concerning singular vows, extraordinary ones,
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which though God did not expressly insist on, yet, if they were
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consistent with and conformable to the general precepts, he would be
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well pleased with. Note, We should not only ask, What must we do, but,
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What may we do, for the glory and honour of God? As the <I>liberal
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devises liberal things</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+32:8">Isa. xxxii. 8</A>),
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so the pious devises pious things, and the enlarged heart would
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willingly do something extraordinary in the service of so good a Master
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as God is. When we receive or expect some singular mercy it is good to
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honour God with some singular vow.</P>
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<P>
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I. The case is here put of persons vowed to God by a singular vow,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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If a man consecrated himself, or a child, to the service of the
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tabernacle, to be employed there in some inferior office, as sweeping
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the floor, carrying out ashes, running of errands, or the like, <I>the
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person</I> so consecrated <I>shall be for the Lord,</I> that is, "God
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will graciously accept the good-will." <I>Thou didst well that it was
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in thy heart,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+6:8">2 Chron. vi. 8</A>.
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But forasmuch as he had no occasion to use their service about the
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tabernacle, a whole tribe being appropriated to the use of it, those
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that were thus vowed were to be redeemed, and the money paid for their
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redemption was employed for the repair of the sanctuary, or other uses
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of it, as appears by
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+12:14">2 Kings xii. 14</A>,
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where it is called, in the margin, the <I>money of the souls of his
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estimation.</I> A book of rates is accordingly provided, by which the
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priests were to go in their estimation. Here is,
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1. The rate of the middle-aged, between twenty and threescore, these
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were valued highest, because most serviceable; a male fifty shekels,
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and a female thirty,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>.
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The females were then less esteemed, but not so in Christ; for in
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<I>Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+3:28">Gal. iii. 28</A>.
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Note, Those that are in the prime of their time must look upon
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themselves as obliged to do more in the service of God and their
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generation than can be expected either from minors, that have not yet
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arrived to their usefulness, or from the aged, that have survived it.
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2. The rate of the youth between five years old and twenty was less,
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because they were then less capable of doing service,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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3. Infants under five years old were capable of being vowed to God by
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their parents, even before they were born, as Samuel was, but not to be
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presented and redeemed till a month old, that, as one sabbath passed
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over them before they were circumcised, so one new moon might pass over
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them before they were estimated; and their valuation was but small,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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Samuel, who was thus vowed to God, was not redeemed, because he was a
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Levite, and a particular favourite, and therefore was employed in his
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childhood in the service of the tabernacle.
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4. The aged are valued less than youth, but more than children,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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And the Hebrews observe that the rate of an aged woman is two parts of
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three to that of an aged man, so that in that age the female came
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nearest to the value of the male, which occasioned (as bishop Patrick
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quotes it here) this saying among them, <I>That an old woman in a house
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is a treasure in a house.</I> Paul sets a great value upon the aged
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women, when he makes them <I>teachers of good things,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+2:3">Tit. ii. 3</A>.
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5. The poor shall be valued according to their ability,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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Something they must pay, that they might learn not to be rash in vowing
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to God, for <I>he hath no pleasure in fools,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:4">Eccl. v. 4</A>.
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Yet not more than their ability, but <I>secundum tenementum--according
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to their possessions,</I> that they might not ruin themselves and their
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families by their zeal. Note, God expects and requires from men
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according to what they have, and not according to what they have not,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+21:4">Luke xxi. 4</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. The case is put of beasts vowed to God,
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1. If it was a clean beast, such as was offered in sacrifice, it must
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not be redeemed, nor any equivalent given for it: <I>It shall be
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holy,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:9,10"><I>v.</I> 9, 10</A>.
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After it was vowed, it was not to be put to any common use, nor changed
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upon second thoughts; but it must be either offered upon the altar, or,
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if through any blemish it was not meet to be offered, he that vowed it
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should not take advantage of that, but the priests should have it for
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their own use (for they were God's receivers), or it should be sold for
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the service of the sanctuary. This teaches caution in making vows and
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constancy in keeping them when they are made; for <I>it is a snare to a
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man to devour that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+20:25">Prov. xx. 25</A>.
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And to this that rule of charity seems to allude
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+9:7">2 Cor. ix. 7</A>),
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<I>Every man, according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him
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give.</I>
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2. If it was an unclean beast, it should go to the use of the priest at
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such a value; but he that vowed it, upon paying that value in money,
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and adding a fifth part more to it, might redeem it if he pleased,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:11-13"><I>v.</I> 11-13</A>.
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It was fit that men should smart for their inconstancy. God has let us
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know his mind concerning his service, and he is not pleased if we do
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not know our own. God expects that those that deal with him should be
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at a point, and way what they will stand to.</P>
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<A NAME="Le27_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="Le27_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Concerning Things Sanctified.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>14 And when a man shall sanctify his house <I>to be</I> holy unto
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the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, then the priest shall estimate it, whether it be good
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or bad: as the priest shall estimate it, so shall it stand.
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15 And if he that sanctified it will redeem his house, then he
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shall add the fifth <I>part</I> of the money of thy estimation unto
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it, and it shall be his.
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16 And if a man shall sanctify unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>some part</I> of a
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field of his possession, then thy estimation shall be according
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to the seed thereof: an homer of barley seed <I>shall be valued</I> at
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fifty shekels of silver.
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17 If he sanctify his field from the year of jubilee, according
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to thy estimation it shall stand.
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18 But if he sanctify his field after the jubilee, then the
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priest shall reckon unto him the money according to the years
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that remain, even unto the year of the jubilee, and it shall be
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abated from thy estimation.
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19 And if he that sanctified the field will in any wise redeem
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it, then he shall add the fifth <I>part</I> of the money of thy
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estimation unto it, and it shall be assured to him.
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20 And if he will not redeem the field, or if he have sold the
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field to another man, it shall not be redeemed any more.
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21 But the field, when it goeth out in the jubilee, shall be
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holy unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, as a field devoted; the possession thereof
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shall be the priest's.
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22 And if <I>a man</I> sanctify unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> a field which he hath
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bought, which <I>is</I> not of the fields of his possession;
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23 Then the priest shall reckon unto him the worth of thy
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estimation, <I>even</I> unto the year of the jubilee: and he shall give
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thine estimation in that day, <I>as</I> a holy thing unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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24 In the year of the jubilee the field shall return unto him of
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whom it was bought, <I>even</I> to him to whom the possession of the
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land <I>did belong.</I>
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25 And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of
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the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is the law concerning real estates dedicated to the service of God
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by a singular vow.</P>
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<P>
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I. Suppose a man, in his zeal for the honour of God, should <I>sanctify
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his house to God</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
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the house must be valued by the priest, and the money got by the sale
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of it was to be converted to the use of the sanctuary, which by degrees
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came to be greatly enriched with <I>dedicated things,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+15:15">1 Kings xv. 15</A>.
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But, if the owner be inclined to redeem it himself, he must not have it
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so cheap as another, but must add a fifth part to the price, for he
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should have considered before he had vowed it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
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To him that was necessitous God would abate the estimation
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>);
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but to him that was fickle and humoursome, and whose second thoughts
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inclined more to the world and his secular interest than his first, God
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would rise in the price. Blessed be God, there is a way of sanctifying
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our houses to be holy unto the Lord, without either selling them or
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buying them. If we and our houses serve the Lord, if religion rule in
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them, and we put away iniquity far from them, and have a church in our
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house, holiness to the Lord is written upon it, it is his, and he will
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dwell with us in it.</P>
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<P>
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II. Suppose a man should sanctify some part of his land to the Lord,
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giving it to pious uses, then a difference must be made between land
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that came to the donor by descent and that which came by purchase, and
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accordingly the case altered.</P>
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<P>
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1. If it was the inheritance of his fathers, here called the <I>field
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of his possession,</I> which pertained to his family from the first
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division of Canaan, he might not give it all, no, not to the sanctuary;
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God would not admit such a degree of zeal as ruined a man's family. But
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he might sanctify or dedicate only some part of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
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And in that case,
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(1.) The land was to be valued (as our countrymen commonly compute
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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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Le27_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Le27_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Le27_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Le27_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Le27_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Le27_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Le27_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Le27_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Le27_34"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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>.
|
|
29 None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be
|
|
redeemed; <I>but</I> shall surely be put to death.
|
|
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>.
|
|
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.
|
|
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>.
|
|
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.
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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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