Deuteronomy 14

Chap. XIV. Ver. 1-29. Israel to be distinguished from others.—Those whom God hath chosen to be his children, he will form to be a holy people, of a peculiar and heavenly disposition, and “zealous of good works.” As they are so highly distinguished from other people, they must be careful to set an example of holy moderation in all their affections, and to avoid every thing which may disgrace their profession.— Having a Father in heaven, who ever liveth to supply all their wants and to make up every loss, they need not mourn for earthly friends disconsolately, as others do.—The Lord prohibits us nothing but in a wise and kind regard to our welfare. The language of his prohibitions, rightly interpreted, is, ‘Do thyself no harm;’ do not wound thyself; do not ruin thy health, thy reputation, thy domestic comfort, thy peace of mind; especially do not murder thy soul; be not the vile slave of thy appetites and passions; do not render all around thee miserable, and thyself the most wretched of all; but aspire at that which is noble, excellent, permanent, and useful.” Considering these prohibitions, in connexion with the manifold indulgences which he allows us, we must acknowledge that we should all be happy, if we consulted our own fatherly love, and to our mutual usefulness. That “Wisdom’s ways are ways of pleasantness,” is a truth, of which every man will have experimental proof in proportion to his devotedness to God. May we—then choose and pursue this happiness, and compassionate and pray for those deluded millions who seek for pleasure in sin, which is the only cause of all the misery in the universe: and let us learn to value every earthly advantage, as enabling us to glorify God, by disseminating the knowledge of his truth, and by communicating to the relief of our distressed brethren and fellow-creatures.—

Scott.

Notes on the verses

Chap. XIV. Ver. 1. Ye shall not cut yourselves.—Neither your flesh nor hair; see (Leviticus 19:27-28). (See notes.) [The heathen nations not only did these things in honour of their gods, but in grief for the death of a relative. The Scythians, as we are informed by Herodotus, were accustomed to slash themselves on the death of their king; and Virgil represents the sister of Dido, “tearing her face with her nails, and beating her breast with her fists.” The Persians even now cut and lacerate themselves when celebrating the assassination of Hossein.]—Bagster.—Nor make any baldness between your