The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 440

Vere. 1-7.-Divi11e discipline. This was certainly one of the most striking insti- tutions which God gave to Israel. It was, in a high degree, disciplinary. Rightly taken, it would engrave sacred truth on their minds more deeply and effectnally than either word or rite. It was calculated- I. To TEACB THEM THE TRUTH AS TO THE DivmE OWNERSHIP. God claimed to be I.he One Proprietor of the land. He had given it to the nation by his direct guidance, and by his interposing power. To him it belonged, and those who occupied were to feel that they held everything at his good pleasure. What could more effectually and impressively teach this than the right which God reserved, to require them to do what he thought was best with the soil-to cultivate it or to leave it untilled? How difficult we find it to realize as we shonld that we hold everything as tenants at the Divine will; that we must be ready at his word to lay down that which we most regard as "our own;" that we are but" strangers and sojourners with God" (ver. 23) I II. 'l'o INCULCATE MODERATION IN THE UBE OJ' THAT wmCB THEY POSSESSED. Making haste to be rich, men too often exhaust themselves and the objects on which they work. How often is land impoverished by the incessant demand the agriculturist makes upon it! God demanded that the rich land he gave Israel should not be rendered infertile by their drawing immoderately on its virtue. He would have us use prudently, as those who look forward, the things which he puts in our power. The lesson particularly applies, in our timfl, to the use we make of our physical and mental powers; we should give these full measure of rest, a restorative sabbath, that they may serve us the better and the longer. III. To ENCOURAGE A BENSE OJ' BROTHERHOOD AND KINDNESS OJ' HEART. (Vel'!I. 6, 7.) Of that which was spontaneously produced all might freely partake. The land was for the nation, and not merely for those whose names were enrolled as proprietors, The husbandman was to be trained to see his neighbours, whatever their condition or relation to himself, gathering the fruits of his land. This sabbatic institution said practically to him, and says to us," God has given the earth and all it bears to the many and not to the few, to all classes of the people: cause all to rejoice in the abundance of his gifts." IV. 'l'o TEST THEIR MORAL AND RELIGIOUS DISPOSITION. 1. It would test their obedience. They would be under some temptation to make the ordinary use of their opportunity, and to secure a harvest by tillage. Thie word of the Lord tried them; the obedient regarded, the disobedient disregarded, hie will. 2. It would also test their industrial virtues. Perhaps there was more room left for daily activity than some have imagined. "Each day would still present certain calls for labour in the management of household affairs, the superintendence or care of the cattle, the husbanding of the provisions laid up from preceding years, and the execution, perhaps, of improvements and repairs." Nevertheless, there must have been some temptation to abuse the long holiday. A wise man has said that nothing is so certain a criterion of character as the way in which men spend their leisure hours. The idle are tempted to vacancy or folly; the wise find an opportunity for (1) real recreation, for (2) self-improvement, for (3) service of others, for (4) the worship of God (see Deut. x:u.i. 9-13).-0. Vers. 8-55.-Year of Jubilee: I. .A. nation', joy. On every fiftieth year of national life, as the sun went down on the great Day of Atonement, when the sins of the nation had been forgiven, and peace with God was once more assured, the sound of many trumpets ushered in the blessed year of jubilee. Then (1) the forfeited patrimony was restored to its rightful heir (vers. 10, 13, 28, 41); then (2) the bondsmen were free once more (vers. 10, 41-64); then (3) members of the same family, long sepa- rated, were reunited (vers. 10, 41); then (4) tho ties which bound man to man through- out all classes and conditions of the nation were to be recognized and honoured (ver~ 12-14, 17, 35, 36); then (5) the relation in which Israel stood to Jehovah was to be distinctly and peculiarly realized (vers. 17, 18, 23, 38, 55) ; and then (6) in holy joy the favoured nation was to be glad in the prosperity which came from God (ver. 19).  406 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [cH, XXV, 1-55.