Part X9.1 - Every Day Duties

CHAPTER XIX.

EVERY-DAY DUTIES. THE address is to " all the congregation of the children of Israel." Their attention is required to what is spoken, both individually and collectively. The introductory command is, " Ye shall be holy ; for I the Lord your God am holy." And throughout the chapter, the often repeated declaration, " I am the Lord," " I am the Lord your God," characterizes the instruction given. For the Lord here speaks of the work of sanctification carried on practically, with respect to the doings of the people, in observing all the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and in avoiding everything done by the nations that were to be cast out as contrary thereto (Leviticus 20:22-23). It is generally to be observed, that, while the law was for nature, it also teaches of spiritual things and church circumstances (1 Corinthians 10:1-33, and Heb. pass.).

Leviticus 19:3. Regard to the authority of parents is regard to the authority of God in the person of those to whom He has delegated it, and is thus a constant means of testing men’s recognition of God. This is " the first commandment with promise " (Ephesians 6:2), and entails blessing by inducing and confirming a habit of subjection and obedience. God gave His commands to parents, and obedience through all succession would, if faithfully observed, lead up to God. And if, as a consequence of discipleship, these relationships should for the truth’s sake be broken, they are commanded to be taken up again " in the Lord," in all their force. Compare Luke 12:51-53 and Ephesians 6:1. This command is connected with a general and more direct recognition of God in His ordinance of the Sabbath. The connection gives a principle like that in John 4:20. The Lord says (Exodus 31:13; Exodus 31:17), "It is a sign between Me and you . . . that ye may know that I am the Lord That doth sanctify you. . . . for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth," &c. Comp. Ezekiel 20:12-20. In Ezekiel 44:24, it is the part of the priests to hallow the Sabbaths. Comp. Ezekiel 22:26. In Hebrews 4:3, it is said, " We which have believed do enter into rest;" and yet, " there remaineth a rest." But "he that hath entered into his rest," he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His;" and he now works the work of God, the Father, which is to " believe on Him Whom He hath sent." Thus we see how the Sabbath is to be cautiously observed as a sign and memorial that "it is the Lord that sanctifieth." As God He has finished His works, as the Father and the Son He is working still; for He is completing the new creation.

Leviticus 19:4. A warning against the evil which results from disregard to the statutes of the Lord, for He is God, and must so be regarded in obedience. Every turning from Him is a turning to idols; yet the offender may not at first be conscious of this. When the golden calf was set up, the proclamation was, " To-morrow is a feast to the Lord." To fulfil our own desires, rather than the commandments of the Lord, is in principle a "making to yourselves molten gods."

Leviticus 19:5. For producing the enjoyment of peace, our obedience and service must be free and unconstrained. But it is a present matter; it is an abominable thing not to be at peace with God, and an indication either of something wrong in our apprehension of His character, or of our disobedience. Thus much is repeated here concerning the peace offering, because it is connected with the point in question-" ye shall be holy." Wherever the obedience of love is found, there peace will also abide.

Leviticus 19:9. But, in the enjoyment of the abundance which God gives, regard must be had to the poor and the stranger, and that both in the harvest and the vintage; for we must remember that those who possess less than we do have nevertheless equal needs. Upon this principle will God deal in His great harvest and vintage (Isaiah 24:13).

Leviticus 19:11. So Paul speaks of the necessity of avoiding these prevailing evils of nature, " seeing ye have put off the old man " (Ephesians 4:1-32; Colossians 3:1-25). For the full blessing which is given to us removes all occasion for these things. In Matthew 5:34, the Lord says, " Swear not at all." The knowledge of what we are in ourselves will lead us to be careful in thus profaning the name of the Lord, and to be content with yea and nay, or, " if the Lord will." " For whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." ’

Leviticus 19:13-18. Various details of good to be done, and evil to be avoided, closing with the precept which marks the spirit of the whole, and which the Lord says is the fulfilling of the law.

Leviticus 19:19. The fitness and propriety of things is to be regarded. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers," says the apostle. "

Evil communications corrupt good manners;" the result of all evil associations is evil. "And again, the apostle says, " Doth God take care for oxen ? .... for our sakes, no doubt, this is written." The " seed " is the word, and that only is to be sown in the field, which is the world. In a similar precept (Deuteronomy 22:9), it is added, " lest the fruit of thy vineyard be defiled." Compare 1 Corinthians 2:1. The linen is the material of the holy priestly garments, and believers are to make no compromise of their profession in the world. Woollen garments may be worn when away from the holy place; but the materials are not to be mixed.

Leviticus 19:20. The corruption of the Church is here symbolized. Under the circumstances it is not to be followed by exterminating but chastising judgments, and is to be forgiven, when the trespass offering has been presented. Perhaps there is a hint at the condition of the Jews.

Leviticus 19:23. The present is not the time of eating fruit, but of planting and waiting: for what is planted is described as " all manner of trees," and first their fruit must be made " holy to praise the Lord withal." There. will be service and waiting until the whole work is completed. When the last enemy is destroyed, then will come unhindered enjoyment.

Leviticus 19:26. The injunction as to eating blood is here repeated together with a caution against enchantments, &c. There must be no seeking to obtain any knowledge, or to accomplish any end, apart from God. No appearance is to be made of sorrowing for the dead, as if we were without hope. For God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. His people have passed from death unto life. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18.

Leviticus 19:29. The least approach to association with the evil of the world is to be avoided, as opening the door to the full consummation of evil. God’s Sabbaths are to be kept-the sign of His sanctification ; and His sanctuary is to be reverenced. " Whoso defileth the temple of God, him will God destroy."

Leviticus 19:31. The Lord has not left us to the need of seeking for knowledge from any other source than Himself; for He has made known all things to us. By the assured conviction that this is the case, the evil here mentioned is to be avoided. Only by the Holy Spirit can we receive knowledge: for the Spirit searcheth " all things, yea, the deep things of God."

Leviticus 19:32. We regard God in rendering honour to whom honour is due, and fear to whom fear (1 Peter 2:17).

Leviticus 19:33. The stranger (" for ye were strangers ") is to be loved, like the neighbour, "as thyself." The Lord answered the question, " Who is my neighbour," by the parable of the Samaritan.

Leviticus 19:25. In all respects, in the minutest circumstances, the remembrance that they were the people of God, should lead the Israelites to an exact uprightness and circumspection in their conduct. They should observe all His statutes, and do them.