The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 216

to 'apples of gold in network of sn\ter,' the meaning is that the exterior sense is good and precious a~ silve~, but the interi_or is much _more excellent as gold. An apple of gold covered with a silver network, viewed at a distance, seems to be all silver• but if by the worth and beauty of the sil~er Y?U be ~tt~cted to view it more narrowly: you may discover the apple of gold that 1s va1led w1th1n. So are the words of the Law in the letter useful and excellent for direction in morals, or for the outward government of the Church, while the interior part or spirit is of superior excellence to build up the believer in the sublime mysteries of faith." According to this principle, let us consider here- I. THE MYSTERY OF THE WATERS. 1. They denote multitudes of peoples. (1) This is expressed in such passages as Isa. lv. 6 and Rev. xvii. 15. (2) The reason, perhaps is that they lave the shores of the earth anrl are the highway of commerce. At ali times they sustain a multitude of navigators; and at one time, in the ark of Noah the entire population of the world was afloat. (3) In the text the waters are distri~ buted into "seas" and" rivers." 2. The sea may b6 diversely. considered. (1) Bef~e the formation of light, when its consistency was muddy, it was called the deep, or the abyss, and was the symbol of hell (Gen. i. 2 ; Luke viii. 31; Rom. x. 7; Rev. xx. 3). (2) Under the action of light, the earthy particles precipitated, and the upper por- tion became gradually clearer and more liquid. Then the mass received the name of "seas" (Gen. i. 10). In this condition the waters became stocked with living creatures and capable of supporting fleets, when it became a figure of the peoples of the world. (3) When disturbed by fierce winds, and the sediment from the bottom worked up, as if the abyss of hell had been moved, the state of the wicked is described (see I~a. lvii. 20). The winds by which the wicked are stirred are their passions, and the effects are turbulence and insurrection (see Ps. h:v. 7; cvii. 26; Jude 13). (4) We carry waves and storms within us; they threaten to drown us (Jas. i. 6); none can save ns from ourselves but that Jesus who miraculously stilled the tempest (Matt. viii. 26). 3. Rivers also may be vario11,1;ly considered. (1) They are taken in a good sense when they keep their channels, for then they are sources of blessing. The river of Eden represented the covenant of God, which, branching into "four heads," showed how the blessings of the gospel were to be carried to the four quarters of the world (Gen. ii. 10; Psa. xxxvi. 8; xlvi. 4; !xv. 9; Rev. xxii. I). The peaceful people of the covenant would also be represented. (2) Rivers are taken in a bad sense when they overflow their banks, in which case they become muddy, and carry desolation where they rush. Hence they are compared to invading armies and to ungodly men moved to violence (Judg. v. 21; Ps. Ix.ix. 15; Isa. viii. 7, 8; xviii. 2; !ix. 19; Rev. xii. 15). . II. THE nnLUIITANTB OF THE WATEBB. 1. The clean are distinguished by fins and scales. (1) The fins are their instruments of locomotion. By means of these they rise to the surface and swim in purer water under the clearer light of the heavens. Thus they teach us that a holy people should be active, not in the darkness of sin and igno- rance, but in the day of goodness and truth (John iii. 21; viii. 12; ix. 4, 6). (2) 'l'he scales, which have a beautiful metallic lustre, suggest the idea of armour; and, when the creature swims near the surface, these brilliantly reflect the glories of the sun. 'l'hey teach us to "put on the armour of light" (Rom. xiii. 12; Eph. vi. 7). 2. The 1'nclean are those without fins and scales. (1) Those destitute of both, like the eel, shun the light, and bury themselves in the mud at the bottom. 'l'hey teach us to avoid the corresponding habits of the wicked, W~?. rush into sin and ignorance and wallow in moral filth (Job xxiv. 13-17; John m. 19, 20; Eph. v. 13). (2) Those who have fins but no scales are covered with a thick glutinous matter, which in appearance contrasts unfavourably with the silver and golden armour in which the clean creatures are clad. If they use their fins to rise out of their depths, it is to make havoc upon shoals of bri"hter 0 creatures. So are the wicked bloodthirsty and voracious, who therefore should be shunn,,d. (3) In the imagery of the prophets, anti-Christian kin"doms 0 are sometimes described as great sea-monsters (see Dan. vii. 2, 3; Rev. xiii. 1). Such kingdoms must be held in abomination by the thoughtful student of the Law, and the time, earnestly longed for, when the Lamb will appear on Mount Sion.- J. A. M. Vere. 13-25.-.Flying creatures. So conflicting are the opinions of the learned u to many of the animals indicated in the Hebrew names in the verses before us, that it. ~n. :Z:J. 1-47.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. li9