The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 2 — Section 137

dcman<ls for truth, purity, uprightness, reverence, and fidelity, is the law abso/1,.tely uuchani;ea hle. I,•. CoMPLETE IN ITS PARTS. Observe--1. Its two divisions, turning, the one on the prinriple of love to God, the other, on the principle of love to man. 2. 1.'he relati11e rosi'fio11 o.f lhe two divisio11s--0uty to God standing first, and laying the needful founda- hnn for the right discharge of our duties to mankind. True love to man hRs it,R f,,untaiu head in love to God. Neglect of the dut.ies of piety will speedily be followed hy the neglect of <lut~· t-0 our neighbour. The Scripture does not ignore the distinction between religion (duties done directly to God) and morality (duties arising from earthly relations), but it unites the two in the deeper idea that all o.uty is to be done to God, whose authority is supreme in the one sphere as in the other. 3. The scope of its rrecepts. These cm·er the entire range of human obligation. The precepts of the first t.able (including here the Fifth Commandment) require that God be honour~d in his being, his worship, his name, his day, his human representatives. The precepts of the second table require that our neighbour be not injured in deed, in word, in thought; and in respect neither of his person, his wife, his property, nor his reputation. So com- plete and concise a summary of duty-religious and ethical-based on true ideas of the character of God, and takiug holiness, not bare morality, as its standard, is without parallel in ancient legislation. ,. SPIRITUAL IN ITS PURPORT. "The law is spiritual" (Ilom. vii. 14). 1. Tlie law wbe studied in its principle~. Taken in its bare letter, it might appear narrow. Here, however, as everywhere in Scripture, the letter is only the vehicle of the spirit. The v;hole law of Moses being founded on this part of it-being viewed simply as an expa11- 1.,ion or amplification in different relations of the principles embodieu in the ten words- it is plain, and common sense supports us in the view, that the principles are the main thinirs, the true roots of obligation. Thus, the Third Commandment, in the letter of it., forbid~ false swearing, or generally, any vain use of the name of God. But underlying this, and obv10usly forming the ground of foe oom.mand, is the principle that Gods name, i.e., everything whereby he manifests himself, is to be treated with deepest rever- ence. This principle, in its various applications, carries us far beyond the letter of the precept. Head in the same way, the Sixth Com.m.a.ndment forbids killing, but not less the murderous motive than the murderous act ; while the principle involved, viz., reverence for, and care of, human life (cf. Gen. ix. 6), branches out into a multiplicity of duties, of which the other parts of the law of Moses furnish numerous illustrations. 'fhe true key to the spiritual interpretation of the law is that given by Christ in the sermon on the Mount (Matt. v.-vii..). 2. 8ummed up in love. "Love is the fulfilling or the law" (Rom. xiii. S-10). (1) It is the central requirement. "Them that love me" (ver. 6). Implied in the first and all later precepts. Whatever in the way of outward service we render to God, or man, if wve is withheld, the Jaw is not fulfilled. (2) It is needed to fill up the meaning of the special precepts. These receive their fulness of interpretation only through love. And, in the spiritual reading of them. they cannot be kept without love. It is impossible, e.g., to keep the heart free from all envy, maJice, hate, covetousness, save as it is possessed by the opposite principle of love. Love is the root of fidelity to God, of spiritu- ality i11 his worship, of reverence for his name, of delight in his day, etc. The more deeply we penetrate into the meaning of the law, the more clearly do we perceive that love to God and love to man are indispensable for the fulfilling of it. (3) Love secures the fulfilling of the law. For" love worketh no ill to his neighbour" (Rom. xiii. 10). lt will not voluntarily injure another. It will not kill, rob, defraud, slander a fellow- man, or covet his possessioD.6. On the contrary, it will seek in every way it can to do him good. It is the great impelling motive to obedience. "The love of Christ con- straineth us" (2 Cor. v. 14). "Faith, which worketh by love" (Gal v. 6). VI. PoWEnFULLY E!.'FORCED,-1. By Divine threatenings (vers. 5---7). 2. By Divine example (ver. 11). 3. By Divine promi8Cs (vers. 6-12). See below. Behold, then, the beauty and perfection of the law. "Thy commandment is exceeding broad" (Ps. cxix. 96). We are not to be misled, 1. By the studied brevity of the law, which is part of-its excellency; or, 2. By its prevailing f1R1Jative form-a testimony, not to the unspirituality of the law, but to the existence of strong evil tendencies in thll heart, ri.eeding to be repressed (Rom. vii. 7, 8; 1 Tim. i. 9 10). Yet perfect IUI lL ••  Cl!. XX, 1, 2.) TIIE BOOK OF EXODUS. -------------- ---