The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 443

climax of rest. Proclaimed on Day of Atonement. Outcome of the original covenant. Specially soul-stirring and delightful, "waked up tht nation from the very centre of lts moral being." " All estates and conditions of the 1eople were permitted to feel the hallowed and refreshing influence of this most noble institution. The exile returned; the captive was emancipated; the debtor set free; ench family opened its bosom to receil·e once more its long-lost members; each inheritance received back its exiled owner. The sound of the trumpet was the welcome and soul-thrilling signal for the captive to escape; for the slave to cast aside the chains of his bondage; for the man- slayer to return to his home; for the ruined and poverty-stricken to rise to the pos- session of that which had been forfeited. No sooner had the trumpet's thrice-welcome sound fallen upon the ear than the mighty tide of blessing rose majestically, and sent its refreshing undulations into the most remote corners of Jehovah's highly favoured land." Regard it (1) socially, (2) morally, (3) spiritually. I. SocuLLY. An example of wise and beneficent legislation. As: 1. Security against accumulation of property in the hands of the few, to the oppression of the many, 2. Relief to inevitable reverses of fortune. 3. Maintenance of family life and bonds of natural affection. 4. Destruction of slavery. 6. Promotion of equality of condition and opportunity. 6. Preservation of hopefulness and cheerfulness in society. 7. Avoid- ance of litigation and social strife. II. MORALLY. An abiding support of the higher moral sentiments. 1. Benevolence and compassion. 2. Patriotism. 8. Personal liberty. 4. Moderation. 5, Brother- hood. 6. Industry. III. SPIRITUALLY. A type of realized salvation by Divine grace. 1. Proclaimed on Day of Atonement; fruit of reconciliation with God. 2. Universality of the offered deliverance, independent of human merits. 3. Promise of restored human condition- the "meek inheriting the earth." 4. The jubilee of heaven-" glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom. viii. 21; cf. Isa. !xvi. 12-23; Luke iv. 16-22; Rev. xi. 15; xiv. 6, 7; :u.L).-R. Vers. 35-56.-11ie law of personal servitude. I. GENERAL PRINCIPLE, love of OU1' neighbour. Servitude admitted in that early stage of the world, but limited and modified, and its extinction provided for in that principle of love and compassion which was seized and exalted by the gospel. God's method to subdue and extinguish effects of man's fall by the vital force of higher motive. Distinction between strangers and fellow-Israelite preserved the covenant, therefore the religion which taught love and saved the stranger. II. LESSON 01" UNSELFISHNESS AND UNWORLDLINESS. All servants of the Lord. All property his. The underlying facts of redemption, "bought with 'a price, there- fore glorify God," etc.-R. Vers. 19-21.-The sabbatical year. All the Divine institutions are marked by practical wisdom, and doubtle~s subserved many purposes which are not distinctly mentioned in the Law. To celebrate a year of abstinence from agricultural labour must have benefited the ground itseH, as well as tended to produce a spirit of brotherhood amongst all classes of the people. For in that year the natural uncultivated produce of the soil was free to be partaken of by the poorest. But we shall concern ourselves chiefly with the reasons given in the Law for the observance of the sabbatical year. I. THE PROPRIETORSHIP OF THE LAND 18 CLAIMED BY GOD. "The land is mine" (ver. 23). As proprietors occasionally shut up a path for a day in order to prevent its beine; claimed as public property, so God refuses every seventh year to let the Israelites do what they please with the Janel, in order to remind them of the fact that he is the real owner whose grace bestowed the tenancy on them. Men are but stewards. God's dominion is universal over their persons and possessions. Nothing that man is or has can be exempted from the need of consecration. The conditions of tenancy must be complied with. If the people were unwilling to observe the terms, let them quit their holding, and start somewhere for themselves. But where shall we procure aught by our own exertions apart frum the favour of the Almighty? Our very existence is due to him. Useless, then, is it to quarrel with the lease of our premises. ll. )4" 'N 16 TAUGHT THAT BE HAS OTHEB DUTIES THAN IHAT OF PB0VIDIN0 FOB HIS ~- xxv. 1-55.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. ~