CONTENTS The Chapter before us is a continuation of certain laws, appointed to be observed in certain cases. Here are directions concerning divorces; of the permission, for the newly married to refrain from war; concerning pledges; men-stealers; leprosy; hire of wages; of justice, and of charity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Our blessed LORD'S comment upon this law throws a full light upon the subject of divorces in general. The permission of such acts, carries with it the evidence of the hardness of the human heart. Matthew 19:8. But what a precious thought is it to the true believer in JESUS, that his union with him a... [ Continue Reading ]
This precept very properly follows the one respecting divorces. Absence from the object we love begets coolness; and it would be well to be considered by the married, whether much of the infidelity we hear of in common life, doth not begin in this. But whether this be so or not; well I know that the... [ Continue Reading ]
This precept had much of mercy in it, because the nether, or upper mill-stone, was daily needed to grind the borrower's food. But, do I not see here a fence thrown up, to secure to a believer, his inheritance both in the upper and the nether springs of all our mercies in JESUS? Reader, depend upon i... [ Continue Reading ]
Beside the cruelty to the body, in selling a child or youth from his friends, there was yet greater cruelty to the soul, in causing an Israelite to be sent out of his land, whereby he was in danger of going after other gods. This was what David so much condemned in Saul's conduct towards him: See 1... [ Continue Reading ]
Leprosy was disease of so singular a nature, and to be treated so differently from all others, that we cannot hesitate to conclude, what both Jewish and Christian writers indeed have all agreed in; that it had a reference to somewhat of a spiritual allusion. The priest, and not the physician, was to... [ Continue Reading ]
These directions concerning poor debtors, show the mercy of the LORD. Without going into all the minute circumstances of the case, respecting our insolvency towards GOD, I would ask the Reader; whether he doth not discern some very interesting points, which show us our mercies in JESUS. Yes! Reader,... [ Continue Reading ]
The justice, to say nothing of the mercy, of this precept, is too obvious. The LORD grant, that no cry of my poor brother, or of a stranger, may ever go up to my GOD against me. Reader! think only what a discordant thing it would be, if while you are sending up a prayer for mercy, another should be... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD hath reserved to himself This privilege, of punishing the sin of the fathers upon the children, but he hath no where given this authority to others. Exodus 20:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
The consciousness of our past ruined state, when in the awakened condition of a poor sinner, a stranger to GOD and to CHRIST, is the best of all possible arguments, to induce compassion to the souls of the unawakened. Oh! that the Reader, if the LORD hath in mercy called him out of darkness and the... [ Continue Reading ]
All these are additional arguments, to manifest the tender mercies of the LORD. We have a beautiful example, of obedience to these precepts in the instance of Boaz. And, as in that instance, we have a lively type of the ever-blessed JESUS, I hope the Reader will not fail to consult it in this place... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS I BESEECH my GOD and Saviour, that he will enlighten the eyes of my understanding, that in reading those precepts of his holy law, I may be led to view somewhat either leading to JESUS, or pointing to him, in every one. If, dearest LORD, thou hast betrothed me to thyself, thou wilt not g... [ Continue Reading ]