These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel.
The moral and ceremonial commandments, as compared with the gospel law
Many of these commandments are moral and of perpetual obligation. Others of them ceremonial and peculiar to the Jewish economy, which yet have a spiritual significance, and are instructive to us who are furnished with a key to let us into the mysteries contained in them; for unto us by these institutions is the gospel preached, as well as unto them (Heb_4:2). And upon the whole matter we may see cause to bless God that we are not come to Mount Sinai (Heb_12:18).
1. That we are not under the dark shadows of the law, but enjoy theclear light of the gospel, which shows us Christ the end of the law for righteousness (Rom_10:4). The doctrine of our reconciliation to God by a Mediator is not clouded with the smoke of burning sacrifices, but cleared by the knowledge of Christ, and Him crucified.
2. That we are not under the heavy yoke of the law and the carnal ordinances of it, as the apostle calls them (Heb_9:10), imposed till the time of reformation, a yoke which neither they nor their fathers were able to bear (Act_15:10); but under the sweet and easy institutions of the gospel, which pronounces those the true worshippers, that worship the Father in spirit and truth, by Christ only, and in His name, who is our Priest, Temple, Altar, Sacrifice, Purification, and All. Let us not therefore think that because we are not tied to the ceremonial cleansings, feasts, and oblations, a little care, time, and expense will serve to honour God with. No, but rather have our hearts more enlarged in free-will-offerings, to His praise, more inflamed with holy love and joy, and more engaged in seriousness of thoughts, and sincerity of intention. Having boldness to enter into the holiness by the blood of Jesus, let us draw near with a true heart, and in full assurance of faith, worshipping God with so much the more cheerfulness and humble confidence, still saying, Blessed be God for Jesus Christ. (Matthew Henry, D. D.)
The covenant in its relation to nations and individuals
The last chapter of the book is taken up with directions for individual worship, on the details of which we cannot enter; but this general thought is suggested, that though the nation as a whole may lose its covenant standing, the way is always open for individuals. There is much comfort in this thought, in view of such dark times as those to which the prophetical part of the preceding chapter points. The door of mercy is never shut, however dark and degenerate the times may be. However wickedness may abound in the world, and coldness and deadness in the Church, God will always have His witnesses, and they will always have their opportunities. This word is never changed, “Whosoever will, let him come.” In all times religion in the last resort must be an individual matter between the soul and God. No man can be saved in a crowd; but neither can any man be lost in a crowd. And sometimes, when the great multitude seems to carry all before it, God still may have His seven thousand men, known to Him alone, who have brought their individual offerings to Him, and “never bowed the knee to Baal.” Remember the comfort that was given to Daniel, when his spirit was ready to faint in the prospect of the dark days which the prophetic vision had disclosed. “Go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” “Go thou thy way”--in times of apostasy and darkness, it is for the individual believer to leave the destinies of the world and of the Church in the hands of Him who “doeth all things well,” and seek only to be faithful to his own duty. As for others: “shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” And as for thee, “thou shalt rest”--there is the fulfilment of the Sabbath and all the sabbatic series--“and stand in thy lot at the end of the days”--there is the fulfilment of the jubilee and all the eighth day series. Amid all the secularities and unbelief and disobedience of the times, let us seek to maintain communion with God, and bring our individual offerings, however “singular” they be, and we shall certainly find that “the joy of the Lord is our strength,” and that His thoughts of love expressed in the feasts of the old covenant will be fulfilled for us, and then atthe end of the days we shall enter on our sabbath of rest, and our jubilee of joy eternal. (J. M. Gibson, D. D.)
