Ver. 2. When ye be come into the land.] God, who in the midst of judgment remembereth mercy, and suffereth not his whole wrath to arise, seals up his love again to these recent revolters: and although he led them in and out, backward and forward, in that terrible wilderness, as if he had been treading a maze; yet he here gives them new directions what to do, when they, that is their children, came into the land of Canaan. Yea, he further tells them that he will smell a sweet savour of the herd, and of the flock; and is pleased to enlarge and explain some laws formerly delivered, in token of his reconciliation to them. So he renewed his favour to his relapsed spouse, now returning unto him, (Song of Solomon 5:3,6:4,5, &c.) and to his disciples, that had basely forsaken him, by giving them a new commission to execute the ministerial function. (John 20:21)
Ver. 4. Bring a meat offering.] As an appendix to the other sacrifices. These following laws were given likely during their so long station at Kadesh. Abulens.
Ver. 5. For a drink offering.] These drink offerings of wine signified that the saints must be most ready and cheerful to offer themselves up to God in martyrdom, as a drink offering, for the testimony of their faith, and for the service and ministry of the Church, as Paul, (Philippians 2:17 2 Timothy 4:6) and many martyrs, who went as willingly to die as to dine. One of them called it his wedding day, and invited his friends thereunto: others, filled with the Holy Ghost, so rejoiced, that they were misjudged by their adversaries to be drunk with wine, wherein is excess, as Morgan falsely objected to Mr Philpot in a conference. Act. and Mon., fol. 1653.
Ver. 20. Ye shall offer up a cake.] As a homage penny, as acknowledging God the chief Lord of all; and as craving his leave to partake of his creatures.
Ver. 22. And if ye hath erred and not observed.] Not serving of God, not sacrificing, is a sin. (Malachi 3:8 Ecclesiastes 9:2) Not robbing only, but the not relieving of the poor, was the rich man’s ruin. (Luke 16:21) Omission of diet breeds diseases, so doth omission of duty; and makes work for hell, or for the physician of our souls.
Ver. 24. By ignorance.] Or, Infirmity; incogitancy; inadvertency. For such there is a pardon, of course, ready sealed by God in Christ: else we might die in our sins, while the pardon is providing.
Ver. 30. But the soul that doeth aught presumptuously.] When the heart at any time deliberates, saith a learned divine, and yet that word is not sufficient to express it; but when the heart works according to its own proper inclination, and then wilfully disobeys the Lord in any commandment, certainly then it casts God away. And this is that “great transgression.” (Psalms 19:11) The same reproacheth the Lord.] As if he wanted either wisdom to observe, or power to punish, such as take themselves to be out of the reach of his rod. See Ezekiel 20:27. Dr Preston, Of God’s All-suff.
Ver. 31. That gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day.] This he did with a high hand, as Numbers 15:30, in contempt of God and his law. The baser sort of people in Sweden do always break the Sabbath day, saying, that it is only for gentlemen to keep that day. How much better that poor Indian in New England, who, coming by, and seeing one of the English profaning of the Lord’s day, by felling of a tree, said unto him, Do you not know that this is the Lord’s day? Much machet man, i.e., very wicked man, what! break you God’s day? The best and wealthiest of the Jews, to prevent servile work on the Sabbath day, with their own hands chop the herbs, sweep the house, cleave wood, kindle the fire, &c., on the day before. Mr Abbot’s Sermons. New England’s Firstfruits, p. 4. Buxtorf. Synagog.
Ver. 38. That they may make them fringes.] [See Trapp on “Mt 23:5”] A ribband of blue.] This sky coloured ribbon taught them, that though their commoration was on earth, their conversation should be in heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
Ver. 40. That ye may remember.] Our memories are like strainers, nets, grates, that let the pure water run away, but retain mud, trash, &c. It is with us as with those in Psalms 106:13, “they soon forgat his works,” &c., and therefore we have need of all good helps.