Commentary on the Pentateuch, Commentary 5 · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII.
Verſ. 1. THeſe are the Statutes] Here Moſes begins to comment upon the ſecond Commandement of the law. See the Note on Chap. 6.1.
Verſ. 2. Ye ſhall vtterly deſtroy] This clauſe of this law is judiciall, peculiar onelyonly to the Jewes, ſaith a grave Interpreter; as being cheifly intended to prevent their worſhipping God in any other place, then that one that he had appointed, to which we in the dayes of the Goſpell are not tied. See Verſ. 5, 6. It was a temporary Ordinance, ſaith another, and a part of Moſes politie, now abrogate.
Verſ. 3, And you ſhall hew downe] As was here done notably in King Edward the ſixths dayes, notwithſtanding the withſtandings of the rude rabble, Life of Edw. 6. by Sir Joh. Heyw.which more regarded commotioners then Commiſſioners, and were more guided by rage then by right, &c. So that as one Maſter Body, a Commiſſioner, was pulling down images in Cornwall, he was ſuddenly ſtabbed into the body, by a Prieſt, with a knife.
Verſ. 4. Ye ſhall not do ſo] As wicked Ahaz did, 2 Chron. 27.24. by the advice and help of Ʋriah, that turn-coat, 2 King. 16. who had once paſſed for a faithful witneſs, Iſai. 7.2. but afterwards proved a factour for the Devil.
Verſ. 5. And thither ſhalt thou come] In token of an holy communion with God.
Verſ. 6, Heave-offerings of your hand] For none might appear empty-handed before the Lord.
Verſ. 7. And there ye ſhall eat before the Lord] Loe this ye ſhall have of Gods hand, as a recompence of all your charge and pains; ye ſhall feaſt before him with joy. This made thoſe good ſouls go bodily on from ſtrength to ſtrength; though they took many a weary ſtep, yet their comfort was, that they ſhould every one of them in Zion appear before the Lord, Pſal. 84.7. This was the ſweet-meats of that feaſt; other dainty diſhes there might be, but this was the banquet.
Verſ. 9. For ye are not as yet come to the reſt] No more are any of us indeed, till we come to that reſt which remaineth for the people of God, Heb. 4.3, 8, 9, 10. The Ark was tranſportative, till ſetled in Solomons temple; ſo till we come to heaven, are we in continual unreſt.
Verſ. 10. So that ye dwell in ſafety] Having peace both external and internl, of country and of conſcience.Regionis & Religionis.
Verſ. 12. And ye ſhall rejoyce] No one duty is more preſſed in both the Teſtaments, then this of rejoycing in the Lord alwaies, but ſpecially in his immediate ſervices. And the contrary is complained of, Mal. 2.13. and ſorely threatned, Deut. 28.47.
Verſ. 14. But in the place] This taught them unity and uniformity in divine worſhip; as alſo that there was but one only way to obtain pardon of their ſin, and acceptance of their ſervices, viz. by Jeſus Chriſt, of whom their Tabernacle and Temple was a type.
Verſ. 15. According to the bleſſing] God allowes his not only a ſufficiency, but an honeſt affluency, ſo they keep within the bounds of their ability.
Verſ. 16. Only ye ſhall not eat] See the Note on Gen. 9.4.
Verſ. 19. That thou forſake not the Levite] But look to his livelihood; ſith, Panormitar….Ad tenuitatem beneficiorum neceſſariò ſequitur ignorantia ſacerdotum; ſmall allowances make either ignorant or negligent Miniſters.
Verſ. 20. Thou mayſt eat fleſh] Only it is noted as a fault, to feed without fear, Jude 12. And fleſh-mongers are taxed by Solomon. Nos etiam animas incarnavimus, ſaith an Ancient, complaining of the ſurquedry of his times.
Verſ. 22. Even as the roe-buck] i. e. as common and prophane meats; for theſe creatures were rejected for ſacrifice.
Verſ. 25. Thou ſhalt not eat it] Who can ever think any commandement of God to be light or little, when this of not eating the blood, is charged with ſo much ſtrictneſs? The Minutula of the law, as well as the Magnalia, muſt be carefully heeded and practiſed.
Verſ. 26. Go unto the place] Far off though it be, yet go thou muſt thither with thy ſacrifices; though at home thou mayſt kill and eat for thine own repaſt and refreſhing.
Verſ. 28. And with thy children after thee] Whoſe comfort they that ſeek not, Bern. Epiſt. 111.are peremptores potiùs quam parentes, rather parricides, then parents.
Verſ. 32. Thou ſhalt not adde thereto] To adde any thing to the Word of God, ſaith Theodoret, is bold madneſs; but to open thoſe things by the Word, that in the Word are more darkly delivered, is both lawful, and laudable.