The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 270

man-we ha,:e found sin in its last form. But we are mistaken. Closer thinkinrr, 0 and what is still better, a deeper experience, will disclose to us a depth in our souls lower than that in which volitions occur, and a form of sin in that d1,pth, and to the bottom of it very different from the sin of single volitions. 'l'ho thinking mind which cannot stop' with mere effects, but se~ks for firs~ causes, a1:1d csp~cially the heart that knows its own plague, cannot stop with that quite superficial action of the will which mani- fests itself in a volition. The action is too isolated-too intermittent-and in reality too feeble, to account for so steady and uniform a state of character as huma~ sinfulness: For these particular volitions, ending in particular outward actions, the mind instinc- ti rnly seeks a common ground. For these innumerable volitions, occurring each by itself and separately, the mind instinctively seeks one single indivisible natwre from which they spring. When the mind has got back to this point, it stops content, because it has reached a central point." This most important truth, then, is most powerfully presented by this law regarding issues. We are held responsible for much more that: the voluntary element in life. Ill. THE FRUITLESSNESS OF THESE OUTCOMES OF NATURE SHOULD ALSO RECEIVE A PASSING NOTICE. The issues spoken of in this chapter are, with one exception, fruitless issues. In no plainer way could the fruitless issues of man's evil nature be illustrateu. If " out of the heart are the issues of life," out of man's evil heart of unbelief are issues of fruitlessness and death. IV. Foa THESE UNCLEANNESSEB, INVOLUNTARY AND SECRET, GOD PROVIDED A FITTING ATOJIEMENT. It is very noticeable that, while the reality of the guilt in these cases is made manifest, it is the smallest sacrifice, two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, which God requires. There is no exaggeration in dealing with the secret sins. Done in ignorance, they are not placed upon the same level with voluntary transgres- sions. At the same time, they are not winked at. The sin offering is, of course, e. type of Christ, our .Atoning Sacrifice. It is on the ground of his atonement that we e.sk cleansing from secret faults (Ps. xix. 12) as well as from conscious transgressions. In truth, we are encouraged to come and to acknow- ledge that sin is a much larger matter than we are conscious of, that, in fact, it goes beyond all our conceptions, but at the same time is within the reach and grasp of our Lord's atoning power. If he thus sets our secret sins in the light of his countenance, it is that he may have them entirely removed. Saul mlly have committed his sins of persecution ignorantly in unbelief, but he needs to obtain mercy on account of them (l Tim. ii. 13). Superficial views of sin would lead men to imagine that a sin done in ignorance is not a guilty thing. God thinks differently, because he looks into the heart and discerns the deep-seated source. The burnt offering was to express the renewed sense of consecration which the cleansing brings. Out of defilement the soul passes, by Divine grace, into devotion. The whole analysis of sin in these chapters (xiii.-xv.) is profound and philosophical. In fact, portions of Scripture apparently repulsive become replete with wholesome truth when handled humbly and reverently.-R. M. E. Vers. l-33.-Undeanness. Had sin never entered, there had been no disease. Diseases are consequences of sin; their symptoms are therefore taken as emblems of it. So when our Lord miraculously " healed all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease," he evinced ability to remove all corresponding moral evil. The examples specified in the Law are typical or representative, and are such as have symptoms pronounced and visible. I. THOSE WHO HAD IBBUEB IN THE FLESH WERE UNCLEAN. 1. Out of a pure heart are tl,e issues of life (see Prov. iv. 23). (1) 'l'he blood, which is the life of the flesh, issuing from the hea1t, passes along the arteries to the extremities of the body, and carries nourishment to every part. (2) This is a fine emblem of the heart of the "good treasure," whose influence upon any corporation, whether domr.stic, civic, or ecclesiastic, is life-giving (Luke vi. 45). But: 2. Out of a foul heart are the issues of death. (1) If the blood is poisoned at its source, the poison is ca.rried to the extremities, and will break out in ulcers and purulent issues. (2) As these symptoms declare the b~tlness of the blood at the heart, which, if not purified, must terminate in mortification and death, so are they appropriate emblems of moral impurity (see Matt. xii. 34, 35;  OH. XV. 1-33.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 236