Ver. 1. These are the statutes.] Here Moses begins to comment upon the second commandment of the law. [See Trapp on “De 6:1”]
Ver. 2. Ye shall utterly destroy.] This clause of this law is judicial, peculiar only to the Jews, saith a grave interpreter; as being chiefly intended to prevent their worshipping God in any other place than that one that he had appointed, to which we in the days of the gospel are not tied. See Deuteronomy 12:5,6. It was a temporary ordinance, saith another, and a part of Moses’s polity, now abrogate.
Ver. 3. And ye shall hew down.] As was here done notably in King Edward VI’s days, notwithstanding the withstandings of the rude rabble, which more regarded commotioners than commissioners, and were more guided by rage than by right, &c. So that as one Mr Body, a commissioner, was pulling down images in Cornwall, he was suddenly stabbed into the body, by a priest, with a knife. Life of Edward VI, by Sir John Heywood.
Ver. 4. Ye shall not do so.] As wicked Ahaz did, (2 Chronicles 28:24) by the advice and help of Uriah, that turn-coat, (2 Kings 16:10-12) who had once passed for a faithful witness, (Isaiah 7:2) but afterwards proved a factor for the devil.
Ver. 5. And thither shalt thou come.] In token of a holy communion with God.
Ver. 6. Heave offerings of your hands.] For none might appear empty handed before the Lord.
Ver. 7. And there ye shall eat before the Lord.] Lo, this ye shall have of God’s hand, as a recompense of all your charge and pains, ye shall feast before him with joy. This made those good souls go bodily on “from strength to strength”; though they took many a weary step, yet their comfort was, that they should “every one of them in Zion appear before the Lord.” (Psalms 84:7) This was the sweetmeats of that feast; other dainty dishes there might be, but this was the banquet.
Ver. 9. For ye are not as yet come to the rest.] No more are any of us indeed, till we come to that “rest which remaineth for the people of God.” (Hebrews 4:3,8-10) The ark was transportative till settled in Solomon’s temple; so till we come to heaven, are we in continual unrest.
Ver. 10. So that ye dwell in safety.] Having peace both external and internal, of country and of conscience. Regionis et religionis,
Ver. 11. Your choice vows.] Your voluntary vows, and of your choicest commodities, the very best of the best.
Ver. 12. And ye shall rejoice.] No one duty is more pressed in both the Testaments, than this of rejoicing in the Lord always, but specially in his immediate services. And the contrary is complained of in Malachi 2:13, and sorely threatened in Deuteronomy 28:47.
Ver. 13. Take heed.] See Deuteronomy 11:16 Le 17:4.
Ver. 14. But in the place.] This taught them unity and uniformity in divine worship; as also that there was but one only way to obtain pardon of their sin, and acceptance of their services, viz., by Jesus Christ, of whom their tabernacle and temple was a type.
Ver. 15. According to the blessing.] God allows his not only a sufficiency, but an honest affluency, so they keep within the bounds of their ability.
Ver. 16. Only ye shall not eat.] [See Trapp on “Ge 9:4”]
Ver. 19. That thou forsake not the Levite.] But look to his livelihood; since, Ad tenuitatem beneficiorum necessario sequitur ignorantia sacerdotum; small allowances make either ignorant or negligent ministers. Panormitan.
Ver. 20. Thou mayest eat flesh.] Only it is noted as a fault to “feed without fear.” (Jude 1:12) And flesh mongers are taxed by Solomon. Nos etiam animas incarnavimus, saith an ancient, complaining of the arrogance of his times.
Ver. 22. Even as the roebuck,] i.e., As common and profane meats; for these creatures were rejected for sacrifice.
Ver. 25. Thou shalt not eat it.] Who can ever think any commandment of God to be light or little, when this of not eating the blood is charged with so much strictness? The minutula of the law, as well as the magnalia, must be carefully heeded and practised.
Ver. 26. Go unto the place.] Far off though it be, yet go thou must thither with thy sacrifices; though at home thou mayest kill and eat for thine own repast and refreshing.
Ver. 28. And with thy children after thee.] Whose comfort they that seek not, are peremptores potius quam parentes, rather parricides than parents. Bern., Epist., i. 1.
Ver. 32. Thou shalt not add thereto.] To add anything to the Word of God, saith Theodoret, is bold madness; but to open those things by the Word, that in the Word are more darkly delivered, is both lawful and laudable.