The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 126

The tree.sure& of the temple of whatever kind were also holy things. (2) To withhold any of these dues, or to profane by eating that which belonged to the priests, was a sacrilege, and, if wittingly done, exposed the criminal to death (see Lev. xxii. 14-16; comp. ver. 9). 2. This was the crime of Achan. (1) Joshua's adjuration devoted all the spoils taken at Jericho to the Lord (Josh. vi. 17-19). Achan, therefore, not only incurred the curse of the adjuration, but was also guilty of sacrilege. He is, there- fore, said to have" transgressed the covenant of the Lord" (Josh. vii. 11, 15). (2) His punishment was consequently signal. For his sake the children of Israel were smitten before the men of A..i, and the anger of the Lord was only averted from the nation by their stoning and burning Achan, his family, and all pertaining to him (Josh. vii. 24-26), 3, This also was the crime of Ananias and Sapphira. (1) Under the glorious influences of the Holy Spirit at the Pentecost, the Church agreed to have all things in common, to which Ananias aud Sapphira were consenting parties. They ac- cordingly sold a possession which had been thus devoted to God, but secretly reserved part of the price, placing the balance only at the apostles' feet. (2) This crime was miraculously punished with death. The punishment evinced that the spirit of the Law is still in the gospel. Query: How does this bear upon those who have vowed that a proportion of their revenue should be sacred to God, but with increasing pro- sperity have become worldly, and withdrew the hand (see Mai. iii. 8-12)? II. SACRILEGE THROUGH mADVERTENCY ADMITS OF REPARATION. 1. Jn casea that are undoubted. (1) This class of cases is described ver. 15 : " If a soul commit a tres- pass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the Lord," etc. He knows what he did, though ignorant that it was sacrilege, but is now better informed. (2) His duty now is clear: "He shall bring for his trespass unto the Lord a ram without blemish out of the flocks." He brings a male, probably in recognition that his sin was an interference with things concerning rulers ecclesiastical " With thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering." (3) But how are we to understand this? It may mean that payment may be made in money or silver, according to the estimated value of the harm sustained by the trespass. Some read, "by thy estimation two shekels of silver,'' etc., which would be a restoring four- fold, half a shekel being the atonement money, This is given to the temple (see Exod. xxx. 13). "And he shall add to it a fifth, and give it to the priest." With this he is accepted. 2. In cases that are doubtful. (1) These are described ver. 17: "And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the com- mandments of the Lord; though he wist it not, yet," etc. He suspects that he may have trespassed in sacrilege, but is not sure; "Yet is he guilty." The very doubt makes him guilty. (2) This principle is recognized in the precepts of the New Testa- ment. Paul doubtless deduced from this Law his declarations, that" Whatsoever is not of faith is sin," and that " He that doubts is damned," or condemned. (3) This person also must bring a ram with his estimation for the hypothetical harm; but in this case there is no addition of the fifth. Learn that ignomnce is a crime, as it leads to trans- gressioo: therefore study God's Law, Cultivate a tender conscience.-J. A. M. Vers. 15, 16.-Restitution to God. 'l'he trespass for which "God spake unto Moses" that the children of Israel should make 11tonement, was an offence in which there was preseut the element of reparable ,vrong-doing. Something, it was contemplated, would be done which could be in some respects made good, and where this was possible it was to be clone. In most cases this would refer to wrong done to man; but here we have the truth that God may be wronged, and that he coodescends to receive restitution at our hands. We may look at- I. SIN REGARDED AS A DEDT WllIOH IB DUE TO GoD, Jehovah was sovereign Lord of the Hebrew commonwealth, and actual proprietor of all; anything withheld from those who were his ministers was a sacred due withheld, a debt undischarged. Our God is he: 1. Who has placed us under immeasurable obligation-by creation, preser- vation, benefaction, fatherly love, Divine interposition. 2. 'l'o whom we owe every- thing we are and have-our hearts and lives. 3, From whom we have withheld tha~ which we shall never be able to pay: our reverence, gratitude, obedience, submission• " ten thousand talents" (Matt. xviii. 24). But there are some special defaults:- ' II. ARREARS IN HOLY THlNGs. " If a soul commit a trespass •.. in the holy things of S4 THE BOOK OF LEVITIOUS. [011. v. 14-19.