The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 467

Antitype of all those anciently separated to God. Hence his dwelling at Nazareth was in the order of providence, and in fulfilment of prophecy, viz. that he should be callod a. Nazarene (Matt. ii. 23). 3. & are true Ohristiana. <1) The disciples of Jesus who were first called "Christians" at Antioch, were also distmguished as "Nazarenes:, (seo Acts xi. 26; xxiv. 5). They do not appear to have refused either title. (2) Professors 1ohould strive to prove themselves worthy of both. All Christians, in their baptism and in their voluntary acceptance of Christ, are hound by sacred vow,. (3) '!'ho truo merit of our modern abstainers from intoxicants who are so for the glory of God, is that of the Nazarite. Il. THINGS IIAY BE OONSECRATED AS WELL AS PEBSONB. 1. A beast might be the subjed of a singular 11ow. (1) The Law prescribes that should it be such as might be offered in ~rifi~ to ~ . it must not be exchanged (vers. 9, 10)- '!'be reason appears to be that m this case 1t must be looked upon as a type of Chnst, and for him there can be no substitute. (2) But if unsuitable for sacrifice, then it becomes the priests'. In this case it became the subject of estimation, and from the value put upon it by the priest there is no appeal. This assumes that his valuation is just; and this certainly is true of his Great Antitype, who will be our Judge. 2. .d house may be the subject of ~ singular vow. (1) By means of dedicated things the sanctuary came to be the depository of great treasure (1 Kings xv. 15). (2) The riches of the gospel are principally spiritual. The houses which enrich the Church are saintly families. 3. A fiild might be tM svlJject of a singular 110w. (1) The estimation of the land is by the quantity of seed sown in it, fifty shekels to the homer (ver. 16). But the estimation was modified with respect to the law of the jubilee. The values of all earthly things are influenced by their relation to things heavenly. (2) If the owner v,ould redeem that he vowed to God, he must add a fifth to the estimated value. This was a general rule ; and was instituted to disconrage fickleness in relation to the service of God.- J. A.M. Vers. 26-84.-Devoted things. The earlier part or this chapter is mainly concemed with things sanctified to God by vows. L DEVOTED THINGS DIFFER FROM TErINOB SANCTIFIED. 1. In that t'hey may not be redeemed. (1) Things sanctified might be redeemed. The laws of estimation proceeded upon the recognition of this principle. (2) But it is otherwise with things devoted (see vers. 6, 21, 28). They are in the category of things "most holy," which only may be touched by the priests. (3) Hence firstlings must not be sanctified (ver. 26). The reason is that they are already the property of God. They can neither be given to him nor redeemed from him. They were types of Christ, who is therefore called the "Firstfruits of every creature "-the Antitype of all the firstfruits. 2. Persons when devoted were doomed to d~. (1) Such was the fate of the enemies of the Lord. '!'he Canaanites a.s unfit to live were so devoted (see Exod. xxii. 19; Deut. xxv. 19; Josh. Fi. 17; 1 Sam. xv. 3; 1 Kings XL 42). (2) Here is no reference to human sacrifices, as some have imagined. It is a question of justice and judgment upon the wicked. (3) Bnt by a rash vow the innocent may suffer. Thus through the adjuration of Saul Jona.than's life was imperilled (1 Sam. xiv.). Jephthah's vow compromised the life of his daughter (Judg. xi 30, 31, 39). The reading in the margin (ver. 31) is prefer- able. Jephthah could not make a burnt offering of anything unsuited to that purpose, and whatever else came forth he vowed not to sanctify but to devote. (4) The severity of God upon those devoted for their wickedness should admonish sinners of the formid- ableness of his anger in the great day of bis wrath. IL THE LAW CONCERNING TITHES. 1. These are now formally required. (1) They were originally vowed to God (see Gen. xiv. 19; xxviii. 22). (2) The acts of the patriarchs bound their J??Sterity. Hence Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek, being yet in the loins of Abraham (Heh. vii. 9, 10). (3) Therefore God now claims them (vers. 30, 32). (4) 'l'he spirit of this law is still binding upon the spiritual seed of Abraham (see 1 Cor. iL 11; Gal. vi. 6). 2. Thing, marked as tithe• must not be ezchanged, (1) 'l'he expression," passeth under the rod," is thus explained by the rabbins: "When a man wa.s to give the tithe of his sheep or calves to God, he was to shut up the whole flock in one fold, in which there was one narrow door capable of letting out one at a time. 'l'he owner stood by the door with a rod in his hand, the end of which was OH, ll.Vll, 1-34.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS, 433