Commentary on the Pentateuch, Commentary 4 · Chapter 25
CHAP. XXV.
Verſ. 2. VVHen ye be come into the land] God, (who in the middeſt of judgment remembreth mercy, and ſuffereth not his whole wrath to ariſe;) ſeales up his love again, to theſe late revolters: And although he led them in and out, backward and forward, in that terrible wilderneſs, as if he had been treading a maze; yet he here gives them new directions what to do, when they (that is, their children,) came into the land of Canaan. Yea he further tells them, that he will ſmell a ſweet ſavour of the herd, and of the flock; and is pleaſed to enlargeand explain ſome laws formerly delivered, in token of is reconciliation to them. So he renued his favour to his relapſed ſpouſe, now returning unto him, Cant. 5.3. with Chap. 6.4, 5, &c. and to his diſciples, (that had baſely forſaken him) by giving them a new commiſſion to execute the miniſteriall function, Ioh. 20.21.
Verſ. 4. Bring a meat-offering] As an Appendix to the other ſacrifices.
Verſ. 5. For a drink-offering] Theſe drink offerings of wine ſignified that the Saints muſt be moſt ready and chearfull to offer themſelves up to God in Martyrdome (as a drink-offering,) for the teſtimony of their faith, and for the ſervice and Miniſtery of the Church, as Paul, Phil. 2.17. 2 Tim. 4.6. And many Martyrs, who went as willingly to dye, as to dine. One of them called is his wedding-day, and invited his friends thereunto: Others, filled with the Holy Ghoſt, ſo rejoyced, that they were misjudged by their adverſaries, to be drunk with wine, Act. and Mon. fol. 1653.wherein is exceſs; as Morgan falſely objected to Mr. Philpot, in a conference.
Verſ. 20. Ye ſhall offer up a cake] As an homage-penny, as acknowledging God, the chief Lord of all; and as craving his leave to partake of his creatures.
Verſ. 22. And if ye have erred, and not obſerved] Not ſerving of God, not ſacrificing is a ſin, Mal. ….18. Eccleſ. 9.2. Not robbing only, but the not relieving of the poor, was the rich mans ruine, Luk. 16. Omiſſion of diet breeds diſeaſes, ſo doth omiſſion of duty: and makes work for hell, or for the Phyſitian of our ſouls.
Verſ. 24. By ignorance] Or infirmity, incogitancy, inadvertency; for ſuch there is a pardon, of courſe, ready ſealed by God in Chriſt: elſe we might dye in our ſins, while the pardon is providing.
Verſ. 30. But the ſoul that doth ought preſumptuouſly] When the heart at any time deliberates, (ſaith a learned Divine;) and yet that word is not ſufficient, to expreſs it; D. Preſton of Gods Alſuff.but when the heart works according to its own proper inclination; and then wilfully diſobeyes the Lord, in any commandement; certainly then it caſts God away. And this is that great offence, Pſal. 19.11. [The ſame reproacheth the Lord] As if he wanted, either wiſdome to obſerve, or power to puniſh, ſuch as take themſelves to be out of the reach of his rod, See Ezek. 20.27.
Verſ. 31. That gathered ſticks upon the Sabbath day] This he did with an high hand (as verſ. 30) in contempt of God and his Law. Mr. Abbots his ſermons.The baſer ſort of people in Swethland do alwaies break the ſabbath, ſaying, that 'tis only for gentlemen to keep that day: How much better that poor Indian in new-England, who comming by, and ſeeing one of the Engliſh profaning of the Lords day, by felling of a tree, ſaid unto him, New-Engl. firſt-fruites. pag. 4.do you not know, that this is the Lords day? Much machet man, i.e. Very wicked man, what, break you Gods day? The beſt and wealthieft of the Iewes, (to prevent ſervile work on the Sabbath day,) with their own hands chop the hearbs, ſweep the houſe, Buxtorf. Synagog.cleave wood, kindle fire, &c. on the day before.
Verſ. 38. That they may make them fringes] See the Note on Mat. 23.5. [Aribband of blue] This sky-colourd ribband band taught them, that though their commoration was on earth, their converſation ſhould be in Heaven, Philip. 3.20.