The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 379

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. The offering of rest: the sabbath. Ch. xxiii. 1-3; cf. Gen. ii. 2, 3; Exod. xvi. 22; xx. 8-11; Mark ii. 23-28; Rev. i. 10. In the sacrificial worship we come across what is essentially different as an offering from the sacrifice of an animal or of any palpable possession, and yet is a real sacrifice all the while-we mean that of time. The sabbath, as an offering of rest, has consequently a very high place among the Jews. As Ewald has remarked, it is the only sacrifice which finds a place among the ten commandments. No wonder he regards it as "the greatest and most prolific thought" in the Jewish religion. And here let us notice-- I. T:eE HIGH VALUE HAN USUALLY BETS ON BIS TlllE. It is indeed said to be money. Many will make almost any other sacrifice more willingly than that of their time. They will give money, valuables, almost anything you like to ask, except their precious time. What a fuss made about an evening devoted to you by a busy friend, or ho.If an evening, or sometimes ho.If an hour I Hence, in demanding from mau a proportion of his time, God nsks for what man esteems highly and is loth to give. 'l'ime is regarded as so peculiarly man's own, to do what he likes in, that it becomes no light se.crifice, but rather the crown of all sacrifices, when a considerable portion of time is made over unto God. II. THE DEMAND GoD MAKES IS IN MAN'S INTEREST, FOR IT IS FOR REST AFTER LABOUB. Six days of work, and then, saith God, one day of rest. The body needs it. Seven days' unceasing toil would soon take the heart out of all workers, and bring on premature decay. God himself has set the example. After the untold labours of the creation, after the hard work-if we may reverently use such terms of God-of the creative periods, he has entered into the long sabbath of human history. He is iu the midst of it now. This is implied by the words of Jesus, "My Father workoth hitherto, and I work" (John v. 17), in their connection. And so a restful Father in heaven calls upon his toiling children upon earth to rest, as he has done, one day out of seven, and not sink through unceasing labour. So consonant is this weekly rest with the laws of our physical nature, that some, who do not see clearly the scriptural proof and obligation of a holy day, believe that it might safely be allowed to rest upon the foundation of physical need. But the needs of others, alus I constitute no sufficient sanction with selfish men. God must speak and make his demand, else men will run counter to their general welfare in their self-indulgence. III. GoD'B REST 18 TO BE CHARACTERIZED BY SOCIAL WOBBHil'. Man is not to spend his seventh day in inactivity. He is not to loiter about his tent or gossip at its door all the day. There is to be "an holy convocation" ("✓~-N;Rz:i). The day is to be 344. THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [ Oil, XXIII. 1--5.