_If he do not utter it._ OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE LAWS IN THE FIFTH AND THOSE IN THE FOURTH CHAPTER 1. The former laws seem to concern the Israelites specially, where it said (verse 27), “If any people of the land”; but these concern all whomsoever they see or know to offend. 2. The sins o... [ Continue Reading ]
_He also shall be unclean._ MORAL CONTAGION This avoidance of unclean animals and places is not without practical illustration in our own personal experience and action. To-day, for example, we avoid places that are known to be fever-stricken. We are alarmed lest we should bring ourselves within th... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing._ SIN MUST BE FULLY CONFESSED Cover sin over as much as we may, and smother it down as carefully as we can, it will break out. Many years ago the packet ship _Poland _was bound for Havre, with a cargo of cotton on board. By some singular accident... [ Continue Reading ]
_If a soul commit a trespass._ THE TRESPASS-OFFERING I. As to the distinctive character of this offering. 1. It was not a “sweet savour” offering. Christ is here seen suffering for sins; the view of His work is expiatory. 2. It was a trespass as distinct from a sin-offering. Not the person, but t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Though he wist it not, yet is he guilty._ SINS OF IGNORANCE It is supposed in our text that men might commit forbidden things without knowing it; nay, it is not merely supposed, but it is taken for granted, and provided for. The Levitical law had special statutes for sins of ignorance, and one of... [ Continue Reading ]