The contrast between the noble severity of the Bible teaching on this subject, and the wretchedly low tone of the teaching of such writers as Bolingbroke, or even of Hume, is very noteworthy. III. CHECKS IMPOSED ON COVETOUSNESS. 1. The lender is not permitted to exact usury from his brothP,r (vers.19, 20). That the taking of interest was not regarded as in itself sinful is plain from the permission to take usury from a stranger. But in the cir- cumstances of the time, and in view of the design of the lawgiver to check rather than to encouraie extensive commercial operations on the part of the Jews, the law ,vas a wise one, and tended to repress covetousness in a form which would very readily have developed itself. LeI!'ding was to be free and cordial, and God's blessing, the best usury, was promised in return. 2. Vows were to be faithfully performed (vers. 21-23). This checked covetousness, so far as that might prompt the person vowing to grudge payment when the time for paying his vow arrived. The vow was in his own choice, but, if made, it was to be religiously performed (Eccles. v. 4, 5). It is easier to vow than at the proper time to make the sacrifices which the vow demands.-J. 0. Vera. 24-, 25.-The vineyard and corn-field. This law may be regarded: 1. As another check on covetousness. It restricted the operation of covetousness in the owner, and taught him to be generous and charitable. 2. As part of the Jewish pro- vision for the poor (cf. eh. xxiv. 19, 20). 3. As a lesson in honesty. It taught those who used the privilege to restrain themselves to their immediate wants, and to respect on principle the rest of their neighbour's property. It taught them to be honest by trusting them. 4. As giving every one an interest in the fruitfulness of the land. Custom and the force of public opinion would guard the Jaw from abuse.-J. 0. Vers. 1-8.-The cQngregaeion of the Lord fealously guarded. There has been con- siderable controversy about what the term" entering into the congregation of the Lord" signifies. It cannot be the Old Testament equivalent for our "communicants," or "Church members;" for it would seem from Exod. xii. 48, 49, that Jewish privileges were open to strangers on condition of their circumcision. Nor need we interpret it as merely indicating the marriage connections which Israelites were to avoid. We are satisfied with the interpretation, received by many, that the congregation (S;:,pJ does not always signify the sum total of the people, but the great assembly of elders. The prohibitions in this passage would, therefore, mean prohibitions from holding office in the theocracy; in fact, they sho,Y those who were ineligible to the Jewish eldership. The ineligible parties are- 1. Eunuchs. For physical perfection was indispensable in a kingdom typically and ideally to be perfect. Besides, it has been said that this excluded class are deficient in courage, which the elders required.1 2. Those whose family had the "bar sinister" within ten generations. This was a groat penalty against concubinage, and must have made the Jews most particulrlr about the legality of their marriages. 3, .Amorites and Moabites. 'l'hey are treated like those with the " bar sinister," a:, 1 Of. Jennings's 'Jewish Antiquities,' p. 97. THE BOO!t OF DEUTERONOMY. [err. unr. 1-25.
n jn,l~mrot on their inhumnn treatment of Israel. So that there was caution to be ,rxcrcisro. in the admission of outsiders to the honours of the Jewish commomvealth. 4. 1,',/omite,s a?ld Egyptians. They could not enter themselves, but their grand- :hildren were eligible. They were not kept waiting so long at the door ns those prrvionsly mentioned. This jealous guarding of the gate is surely instructive. I. IT snows us THE DUTY OF LAYING RANDS l'IUDDENl.Y Ul'ON NO MAN. This was Pan I's direction to 'l'imoLhy regarding the ordination of elders (1 'l'im. v. 22). Their 8election was so important, that it should not be hastily or carelessly done. They ~hould get time to proYe themselves as worthy. And our ideal of Church officers should be so high as to allow of the introduction of no ill-qualified person through our hnstc or careless selection. II. A Cmmcrr SHOULD MAINLY PRODUCE ITS OWN OFFICERS. Just QS breeding is 80 important physically, so is Church training spiritually. It is the children in the tenth g~neration of the bastard who 1>.re, so to speak, by their ecclesiastical development 1hrough nine previous generations in ecclesiastical connection, to wipe out the ill effects of the " bar sinister." The grandchildren of the Edomite and Egyptian are to he ehg1ble, because for three generations connected with the Church. That Church "·ill be strong who can train up from among her own children the officers she needs. III. OFFICE IN Goo's CHURCH SHOULD BE THE mGHEST AMBITION. For people :nc not in a wholesome state when they place offices in the world before those in the Ci,urch. God's service is highest service, whatever current gpinion may be. Let the thought of holding office in the Church of God be held before Church members as the Ycry noblest ambition for themselves or their children, and then shall the Church lie placed upon the pinnacle it deserves.-R. M. E.