Deuteronomy 31:10-13 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

The law was read, no doubt, by the Israelites in their houses, among their children and families. Deuteronomy 11:18-20. And we know, that Moses was read in the synagogue every Sabbath-day. Acts 15:21. But this reading once in every seventh year, which was the year of release, it was to be in the whole assembly of Israel, in a more express and public manner. But Reader! is there not somewhat typical here? Yes! and very sweet it is. The year of release pointed to the year of release in JESUS. In this release by the LORD JESUS from sin and destruction, from the breaches of the law, and all its condemning power; JESUS, who is the sum and substance of the law, having fulfilled it in his own person for his people, is constantly read and constantly made over to them, in all his offices, relations, and character; and hence his gospel is expressly called, the acceptable year of the LORD. Luke 4:18-19. And it is worthy observation, that not only the males were required, as in the three great feast days of the year, to go up to Jerusalem, but in this year of release, the women, and children, and strangers were to be present. Teaching as expressly as possible, that neither Jew nor Gentile, bond nor free, male nor female, are separately interested, but all are one in CHRIST JESUS. Galatians 3:28. Reader! pray observe the sweetness and tenderness of that part of the precept, that the children which have not known anything: Anything of what? Apply it to the year of release in JESUS, and what is its gracious contents, but that our little ones, who receive from us in our fallen state, the seeds of sin, may be very early made acquainted, both with their ruined state by nature, and the only way of recovery by grace, in that merciful scheme of salvation, which is alone in the LORD JESUS. Oh! for grace to all parents, to record a memorial of this among their offspring!