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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Deuteronomy, Chapter XII].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
<CENTER>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>D E U T E R O N O M Y</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XII.</FONT>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
</CENTER>
<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Moses at this chapter comes to the particular statues which he had to
give in charge to Israel, and he begins with those which relate to the
worship of God, and particularly those which explain the second
commandment, about which God is in a special manner jealous.
I. They must utterly destroy all relics and remains of idolatry,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>.
II. They must keep close to the tabernacle,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:4,5">ver. 4, 5</A>.
The former precept was intended to prevent all false worship, the
latter to preserve the worship God had instituted. By this latter law,
1. They are commanded to bring all their offerings to the altar of God,
and all their holy things to the place which he should choose,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:6,7,11,12,14,18,26-28">ver. 6, 7, 11, 12, 14, 18,
26-28</A>.
2. They are forbidden, in general, to do as they now did in the
wilderness
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:8-11">ver. 8-11</A>),
and as the Canaanites had done
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:29-32">ver. 29-32</A>),
and, in particular, to eat the hallowed things at their own houses
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:13,17,18">ver. 13, 17, 18</A>),
or to forsake the instituted ministry,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:19">ver. 19</A>.
3. They are permitted to eat flesh as common food at their own houses,
provided they do not eat the blood,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:15,16">ver. 15, 16</A>,
and again,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:20-26">ver. 20-26</A>.</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="De12_1"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_2"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_3"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_4"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Relics of Idolatry to Be Destroyed.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 These <I>are</I> the statutes and judgments, which ye shall
observe to do in the land, which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of thy fathers
giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the
earth.
&nbsp; 2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations
which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high
mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:
&nbsp; 3 And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars,
and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven
images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that
place.
&nbsp; 4 Ye shall not do so unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
From those great original truths, That there is a God, and that there
is but one God, arise those great fundamental laws, That that God is to
be worshipped, and he only, and that therefore we are to have no other
God before him: this is the first commandment, and the second is a
guard upon it, or a hedge about it. To prevent a revolt to false gods,
we are forbidden to worship the true God in such a way and manner as
the false gods were worshipped in, and are commanded to observe the
instituted ordinances of worship that we may adhere to the proper
object of worship. For this reason Moses is very large in his
exposition of the second commandment. What is contained in this and the
four following chapters mostly refers to that. <I>These are statutes
and judgments</I> which they must <I>observe to do</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
1. In the days of their rest and prosperity, when they should be
masters of Canaan. We must not think that our religion is instituted
only to be our work in the years of our servitude, our entertainment in
the places of our solitude, and our consolation in affliction; no, when
we come to possess a good land, still we must keep up the worship of
God in Canaan as well as in a wilderness, when we have grown up as well
as when we are children, when we are full of business as well as when
we have nothing else to do.
2. <I>All the days,</I> as long as you <I>live upon the earth.</I>
While we are here in our state of trial, we must continue in our
obedience, even to the end, and never leave our duty, nor grow weary of
well-doing. Now,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. They are here charged to abolish and extirpate all those things that
the Canaanites had served their idol-gods with,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:2,3"><I>v.</I> 2, 3</A>.
Here is no mention of idol-temples, which countenances the opinion some
have, that the tabernacle Moses reared in the wilderness was the first
habitation that ever was made for religious uses, and that from it
temples took their rise. But the places that had been used, and were
now to be levelled, were enclosures for their worship on <I>mountains
and hills</I> (as if the height of the ground would give advantage to
the ascent of their devotions), and under green trees, either because
pleasant or because awful: whatever makes the mind easy and reverent,
contracts and composes it, was thought to befriend devotion. The solemn
shade and silence of a grove are still admired by those that are
disposed to contemplation. But the advantage which these retirements
gave to the Gentiles in the worship of their idols was that they
concealed those works of darkness which could not bear the light; and
therefore they must all be destroyed, with the altars, pillars, and
images, that had been used by the natives in the worship of their gods,
so as that the very names of them might be buried in oblivion, and not
only not be remembered with respect, but not remembered at all. They
must thus consult,
1. The reputation of their land; let it never be said of this holy land
that it had been thus polluted, but let all these dunghills be carried
away, as things they were ashamed of.
2. The safety of their religion; let none be left remaining, lest
profane unthinking people, especially in degenerate ages, should make
use of them in the service of the God of Israel. Let these pest-houses
be demolished, as things they were afraid of. He begins the statutes
that relate to divine worship with this, because there must first be an
abhorrence of that which is evil before there can be a steady adherence
to that which is good,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:9">Rom. xii. 9</A>.
The kingdom of God must be set up, both in persons and places, upon the
ruins of the devil's kingdom; for they cannot stand together, nor can
there be any communion between Christ and Belial.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. They are charged not to transfer the rites and usages of idolaters
into he worship of God; no, not under colour of beautifying and
improving it
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
<I>You shall not do so to the Lord your god,</I> that is, "you must not
think to do honour to him by offering sacrifices on mountains and
hills, erecting pillars, planting groves, and setting up images; no,
you must not indulge a luxurious fancy in your worship, nor think that
whatever pleases that will please God: <I>he is above all gods,</I> and
will not be worshipped as other gods are."</P>
<A NAME="De12_5"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_6"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_7"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_8"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_9"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_10"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_11"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_12"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_13"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_14"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_15"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_16"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_17"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_18"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_19"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_20"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_21"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_22"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_23"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_24"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_25"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_26"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_27"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_28"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_29"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_30"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_31"> </A>
<A NAME="De12_32"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Where Sacrifices Must Be Offered; Ceremonial Observances; Cautions Against Idolatrous Rites.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>5 But unto the place which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God shall choose out
of all your tribes to put his name there, <I>even</I> unto his
habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:
&nbsp; 6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your
sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand,
and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of
your herds and of your flocks:
&nbsp; 7 And there ye shall eat before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God, and ye shall
rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your
households, wherein the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God hath blessed thee.
&nbsp; 8 Ye shall not do after all <I>the things</I> that we do here this
day, every man whatsoever <I>is</I> right in his own eyes.
&nbsp; 9 For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the
inheritance, which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God giveth you.
&nbsp; 10 But <I>when</I> ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God giveth you to inherit, and <I>when</I> he giveth you
rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in
safety;
&nbsp; 11 Then there shall be a place which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God shall
choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring
all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your
sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and
all your choice vows which ye vow unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>:
&nbsp; 12 And ye shall rejoice before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God, ye, and your
sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your
maidservants, and the Levite that <I>is</I> within your gates;
forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.
&nbsp; 13 Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings
in every place that thou seest:
&nbsp; 14 But in the place which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall choose in one of thy
tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there
thou shalt do all that I command thee.
&nbsp; 15 Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy
gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the
blessing of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God which he hath given thee: the
unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as
of the hart.
&nbsp; 16 Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the
earth as water.
&nbsp; 17 Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn,
or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or
of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy
freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:
&nbsp; 18 But thou must eat them before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God in the place
which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy
daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite
that <I>is</I> within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.
&nbsp; 19 Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as
long as thou livest upon the earth.
&nbsp; 20 When the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath
promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy
soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy
soul lusteth after.
&nbsp; 21 If the place which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God hath chosen to put his
name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd
and of thy flock, which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath given thee, as I have
commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy
soul lusteth after.
&nbsp; 22 Even as the roebuck and the hart is eaten, so thou shalt eat
them: the unclean and the clean shall eat <I>of</I> them alike.
&nbsp; 23 Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood <I>is</I>
the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.
&nbsp; 24 Thou shalt not eat it; thou shalt pour it upon the earth as
water.
&nbsp; 25 Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and
with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do <I>that which is</I>
right in the sight of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
&nbsp; 26 Only thy holy things which thou hast, and thy vows, thou
shalt take, and go unto the place which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall choose:
&nbsp; 27 And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, the flesh and the
blood, upon the altar of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God: and the blood of thy
sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy
God, and thou shalt eat the flesh.
&nbsp; 28 Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that
it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for
ever, when thou doest <I>that which is</I> good and right in the sight
of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God.
&nbsp; 29 When the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God shall cut off the nations from before
thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest
them, and dwellest in their land;
&nbsp; 30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following
them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that
thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations
serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
&nbsp; 31 Thou shalt not do so unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God: for every
abomination to the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, which he hateth, have they done unto
their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have
burnt in the fire to their gods.
&nbsp; 32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou
shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
There is not any one particular precept (as I remember) in all the law
of Moses so largely pressed and inculcated as this, by which they are
all tied to bring their sacrifices to that one altar which was set up
in the court of the tabernacle, and there to perform all the rituals of
their religion; for, as to moral services, then, no doubt, as now, men
might pray every where, as they did in their synagogues. The command to
do this, and the prohibition of the contrary, are here repeated again
and again, as we teach children: and yet we are sure that there is in
scripture no vain repetition; but all this stress is laid upon it,
1. Because of the strange proneness there was in the hearts of the
people to idolatry and superstition, and the danger of their being
seduced by the many temptations which they would be surrounded with.
2. Because of the great use which the observance of this appointment
would be of to them, both to prevent the introducing of corrupt customs
into their worship and to preserve among them unity and brotherly love,
that, meeting all in one place, they might continue both of one way and
of one heart.
3. Because of the significancy of this appointment. They must keep to
one place, in token of their belief of those two great truths, which we
find together
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+2:5">1 Tim. ii. 5</A>),
That <I>there is one God,</I> and <I>one Mediator between God and
man.</I> It not only served to keep up the notion of the unity of the
Godhead, but was an intimation to them (though they could not
stedfastly discern it) of the one only way of approach to God and
communion with him, in and by the Messiah.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Let us now reduce this long charge to its proper heads.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. It is here promised that when they were settled in Canaan, when they
had <I>rest from their enemies, and dwelt in safety,</I> God would
choose a certain place, which he would appoint to be the centre of
their unity, to which they should bring all their offerings,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:10,11"><I>v.</I> 10, 11</A>.
Observe,
1. If they just be tied to one place, they should not be left in doubt
concerning it, but should certainly know what place it was. Had Christ
intended, under the gospel, to make any one place such a seat of power
as Rome pretends to be, we should not have been left so destitute of
instruction as we are concerning the appointed place.
2. God does not leave it to them to choose the place, lest the tribes
should have quarrelled about it, each striving, for their secular
advantage, to have it among them; but he reserves the choice to
himself, as he does the designation of the Redeemer and the institution
of holy ordinances.
3. He does not appoint the place now, as he had appointed mounts
Gerizim and Ebal, for the pronouncing of the blessings and curses
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+11:29"><I>ch.</I> xi. 29</A>),
but reserves the doing of it till hereafter, that hereby they might be
made to expect further directions from heaven, and a divine conduct,
after Moses should be removed. The place which God would choose is said
to be the place where he would put his name, that is, which he would
have to be called his, where his honour should dwell, where he would
manifest himself to his people, and make himself known, as men do by
their names, and where he would receive addresses, by which his name is
both praised and called upon. It was to be his habitation, where, as
King of Israel, he would keep court, and be found by all those that
reverently sought him. The ark was the token of God's presence, and
where that was put there God put his name, and that was his habitation.
It contained the tables of the law; for none must expect to receive
favours from God's hand but those that are willing to <I>receive the
law from his mouth.</I> The place which God first chose for the ark to
reside in was Shiloh; and, after that place had sinned away its
honours, we find the ark at Kirjath-jearim and other places; but at
length, in David's time, it was fixed at Jerusalem, and God said
concerning Solomon's temple, more expressly than ever he had said
concerning any other place, <I>This I have chosen for a house of
sacrifice,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+7:12">2 Chron. vii. 12</A>.
Compare
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+6:5">2 Chron. vi. 5</A>.
Now, under the gospel, we have no temple that sanctifies the gold, no
altar that sanctifies the gift, but Christ only; and, as to the places
of worship, the prophets foretold that <I>in every place</I> the
spiritual <I>incense should be offered,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+1:11">Mal. i. 11</A>.
And our Saviour has declared that those are accepted as true
worshippers who worship God in sincerity and truth, without regard
either to this mountain or Jerusalem,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+4:23">John iv. 23</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. They are commanded to bring all their burnt-offerings and
sacrifices to this place that God would choose
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>
and again
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>):
<I>Thither shall you bring all that I command you;</I> and
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
<I>There thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings;</I> and
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
<I>The flesh and the blood must be offered upon the altar of the Lord
thy God.</I> And of their peace-offerings, here called their
<I>sacrifices,</I> though they were to <I>eat the flesh,</I> yet <I>the
blood</I> was to be <I>poured out upon the altar.</I> By this they were
taught that sacrifices and offerings God did not desire, nor accept,
for their own sake, nor for any intrinsic worth in them, as natural
expressions of homage and adoration; but that they received their
virtue purely from that altar on which they were offered, as it
typified Christ; whereas prayers and praises, as much more necessary
and valuable, were to be offered every day by the people of God
wherever they were. A devout Israelite might honour God, and keep up
communion with him, and obtain mercy from him, though he had not an
opportunity, perhaps, for many months together, of bringing a sacrifice
to his altar. But this signified the obligation we Christians are under
to offer up all our spiritual sacrifices to God in the name of Jesus
Christ, hoping for acceptance only upon the score of his mediation,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+2:5">1 Pet. ii. 5</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. They are commanded to feast upon their hallowed things before the
Lord, with holy joy. They must not only bring to the altar the
sacrifices which were to be offered to God, but hey must bring to the
place of the altar all those things which they were appointed by the
law to eat and drink, to the honour of God, in token of their communion
with him,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
Their, <I>tithes, and heave-offerings of their hand,</I> that is, their
first-fruits, their vows, and <I>free-will-offerings,</I> and
firstlings, all those things which were to be religiously made use of
either by themselves or by the priests and Levites, must be brought to
the place which God would choose; as all the revenues of the crown,
from all parts of the kingdom, are brought into the exchequer. And
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
<I>There you shall eat before the Lord, and rejoice in all that you put
your hands unto;</I> and again
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
<I>You shall rejoice before the Lord, you, and your sons, and your
daughters.</I> Observe here,
1. That what we do in the service of God and to his glory redounds to
our benefit, if it be not our own fault. Those that sacrifice to God
are welcome to eat before him, and to feast upon their sacrifices: he
<I>sups with us,</I> and <I>we with him,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:20">Rev. iii. 20</A>.
If we glorify God, we edify ourselves, and cultivate our own minds,
through the grace of God, by the increase of our knowledge and faith,
the enlivening of devout affections, and the confirming of gracious
habits and resolutions: thus is the soul nourished.
2. That work for God should be done with holy joy and cheerfulness. You
shall <I>eat and rejoice,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>,
and again,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>
and
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
(1.) Now while they were before the Lord they must rejoice,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
It is the will of God that we should serve him with gladness; none
displeased him more than those that <I>covered his altar with
tears.</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+2:13">Mal. ii. 13</A>.
See what a good Master we serve, who has made it our duty to sing at
our work. Even the children and servants must rejoice with them before
God, that the services of religion might be a pleasure to them, and not
a task or drudgery.
(2.) They must <I>carry away with them</I> the grateful relish of that
delight which they found in communion with God; they must rejoice in
all that they <I>put their hands unto,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
Some of the comfort which they must take with them into their common
employments; and, being thus strengthened in soul, whatever they did
they must do it heartily and cheerfully. And this holy pious joy in God
and his goodness, with which we are to rejoice evermore, would be the
best preservative against the sin and snare of <I>vain and carnal
mirth</I> and a relief against the <I>sorrows of the world.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
IV. They are commanded to be kind to the Levites. Did they feast with
joy? The Levites must feast with them, and rejoice with them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>,
and again,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>;
and a general caution
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
<I>Take heed that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou
livest.</I> There were Levites that attended the altar as assistants to
the priests, and these must not be forsaken, that is, the service they
performed must be constantly adhered to; no other altar must be set up
than that which God appointed; for that would be to forsake the
Levites. But this seems to be spoken of the Levites that were dispersed
in the country to instruct the people in the law of God, and to assist
them in their devotions; for it is <I>the Levite within their gates</I>
that they are here commanded to make much of. It is a great mercy to
have Levites near us, within our gates, that we may ask the law at
their mouth, and at our feasts to be a check upon us, to restrain
excesses. And it is the duty of people to be kind to their ministers
that give them good instructions and set them good examples. As long as
we live we shall need their assistance, till we come to that world
where ordinances will be superseded; and therefore <I>as long as we
live</I> we must not forsake the Levites. The reason given
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>)
is because <I>the Levite has no part nor inheritance with you,</I> so
that he cannot grow rich by husbandry or trade; let him therefore share
with you in the comfort of your riches. They must give the Levites
their tithes and offerings, settled on them by the law, because they
had no other maintenance.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
V. They are allowed to eat common flesh, but not the flesh of their
offerings, in their own houses, wherever they dwelt. What was any way
devoted to God they must not eat at home,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:13,17"><I>v.</I> 13, 17</A>.
But what was not so devoted they might kill and eat of at their
pleasure,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
And this permission is again repeated,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:20-22"><I>v.</I> 20-22</A>.
It should seem that while they were in the wilderness they did not eat
the flesh of any of those kinds of beasts that were used in sacrifice,
but what was killed at the door of the tabernacle, and part of it
presented to God as a peace-offering,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+17:3,4">Lev. xvii. 3, 4</A>.
But when they came to Canaan, where they must live at a great distance
from the tabernacle, they might kill what they pleased for their own
use of their flocks and herds, without bringing part to the altar. This
allowance is very express, and repeated, lest Satan should take
occasion from that law which forbade the eating of their sacrifices at
their own houses to suggest to them, as he did to our first parents,
hard thoughts of God, as if he grudged them: <I>Thou mayest eat
whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.</I> There is a natural regular
appetite, which it is lawful to gratify with temperance and sobriety,
not taking too great a pleasure in the gratification, nor being uneasy
if it be crossed. The unclean, who might not eat of the holy things,
yet might eat of the same sort of flesh when it was only used as common
food. The distinction between clean persons and unclean was sacred, and
designed for the preserving of the honour of their holy feasts, and
therefore must not be brought into their ordinary meals. This
permission has a double restriction:--
1. They must eat according to the blessing which God had given them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
Note, It is not only our wisdom, but our duty, to live according to our
estates, and not to spend above what we have. As it is unjust on the
one hand to hoard what should be laid out, so it is much more unjust to
lay out more than we have; for what is not our own must needs be
another's, who is thereby robbed and defrauded. And this, I say, is
much more unjust, because it is easier afterwards to distribute what
has been unduly spared, and so to make a sort of restitution for the
wrong, than it is to repay to wife, and children, and creditors, what
has been unduly spent. Between these two extremes let wisdom find the
mean, and then let watchfulness and resolution keep it.
2. They must not eat blood
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>,
and again,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>):
<I>Only be sure that thou eat not the blood</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
<I>Thou shalt not eat it;</I> and
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
<I>Thou shalt not eat it, that it may go well with thee.</I> When they
could not bring the blood to the altar, to pour it out there before the
Lord, as belonging to him, they must pour it out upon the earth, as not
belonging to them, because it was the life, and therefore, as an
acknowledgment, belonged to him who gives life, and, as an atonement,
belonged to him to whom life is forfeited. Bishop Patrick thinks one
reason why they were forbidden thus strictly the eating of blood was to
prevent the superstitions of the old idolaters about the blood of their
sacrifices, which they thought their demons delighted in, and by eating
of which they imagined that they had communion with them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
VI. They are forbidden to keep up either their own corrupt usages in
the wilderness or the corrupt usages of their predecessors in the land
of Canaan.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. They must not keep up those improper customs which they had got into
in the wilderness, and which were connived at in consideration of the
present unsettledness of their condition
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:8,9"><I>v.</I> 8, 9</A>):
<I>You shall not do after all the things that we do here this day.</I>
Never was there a better governor than Moses, and one would think never
a better opportunity of keeping up good order and discipline than now
among the people of Israel, when they lay so closely encamped under the
eye of their governor; and yet it seems there was much amiss and many
irregularities had crept in among them. We must never expect to see any
society perfectly pure and right, and as it should be till we come to
the heavenly Canaan. They had sacrifices and religious worship, courts
of justice and civil government, and, by the stoning of the man that
<I>gathered sticks on the sabbath day,</I> it appears there was great
strictness used in guarding the most weighty matters of the law; but
being frequently upon the remove, and always at uncertainty,
(1.) They could none of them observe the solemn feasts, and the rites
of cleansing, with the exactness that the law required. And,
(2.) Those among them that were disposed to do amiss had opportunity
given them to do it unobserved by the frequent interruptions which
their removals gave to the administration of justice. But (says Moses)
when you come to Canaan, you <I>shall not do as we do here.</I> Note,
When the people of God are in an unsettled condition, that may be
tolerated and dispensed with which would by no means be allowed at
another time. Cases of necessity are to be considered while the
necessity continues; but that must not be done in Canaan which was done
in the wilderness. While a house is in the building a great deal of
dirt and rubbish are suffered to lie by it, which must all be taken
away when the house is built. Moses was now about to lay down his life
and government, and it was a comfort to him to foresee that Israel
would be better in the next reign than they had been in his.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. They must not worship the Lord by any of those rites or ceremonies
which the notions of Canaan had made use of in the service of their
gods,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:29-32"><I>v.</I> 29-32</A>.
They must not so much as enquire into the modes and forms of idolatrous
worship. What good would it do to them to <I>know those depths of
Satan?</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+2:24">Rev. ii. 24</A>.
It is best to be ignorant of that which there is danger of being
infected by. They must not introduce the customs of idolaters,
(1.) Because it would be absurd to make those their patterns whom God
had made their slaves and captives, cut off, and destroyed from before
them. The Canaanites had not flourished and prospered so much in the
service of their gods as that the Israelites should be invited to take
up their customs. Those are wretchedly besotted indeed who will walk in
the way of sinners, after they have seen their end.
(2.) Because some of their customs were most barbarous and inhuman, and
such as trampled, not only upon the light and law of nature, but upon
natural affection itself, as <I>burning their sons and their daughters
in the fire to their gods</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>),
the very mention of which is sufficient to make it odious, and possess
us with a horror of it.
(3.) Because their idolatrous customs were an abomination to the Lord,
and the translating of them into his worship would make even that an
abomination and an affront to him by which they should give him honour,
and by which they hoped to obtain his favour. The case is bad indeed
when the sacrifice itself has become an abomination,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+15:8">Prov. xv. 8</A>.
He therefore concludes
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>)
with the same caution concerning the worship of God which he had before
given concerning the word of God
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:2"><I>ch.</I> iv. 2</A>):
"<I>You shall not add thereto</I> any inventions of your own, under
pretence of making the ordinance either more significant or more
magnificent, <I>nor diminish from it,</I> under pretence of making it
more easy and practicable, or of setting aside that which may be
spared; but observe to do all that, and that only, which God has
commanded." We may then hope in our religious worship to obtain the
divine acceptance when we observe the divine appointment. God will have
his own work done in his own way.</P>
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