When ye reap the harvest of your land— Those who consider this humane law, and several others of the same sort in the Mosaic dispensation, will evidently discern that the great Author of them endeavoured to inculcate a high spirit of humanity and benevolence; and consequently that those professors of this law, who acted upon narrow and selfish principles, as much mistook its genius, as they did discredit to the Divine Lawgiver, even that Lord God, who, in rich bounty, giving them all things abundantly, to enjoy, required tenderness and charity to their fellow-creatures: for he is always the same; a God of love, full of mercy and compassion. Therefore they much mistake the God of the Hebrews, and the nature of the Jewish dispensation, who represent him as less merciful and gracious, and that dispensation as infinitely less benevolent than the Christian. The God of both dispensations is the immutable, unchangeable Jehovah; in both, love to him and our brother is the great commandment: the former can, with propriety, be considered only as a dispensation less perfect indeed, but nobly preparative of the Christian.
REFLECTIONS.—It was Moses's concern to make the will of God known to all the people; and a faithful steward he was in God's house.
1. A general command is given including all the rest: Ye shall be holy, or, be ye holy. The design of both the law and gospel, next to God's glory, is the holiness and happiness of his people. For there can be no enjoyment of God, in which alone true happiness consists, without conformity to him.
2. Particular commands, wherein this holiness must be expressed. (1.) In fearing father and mother: implying that filial affection, dutiful obedience, diligence to please, and fear of offending, which every son of Israel must shew to both his parents. (2.) In sanctifying the sabbath. They shew themselves truly children of God, who join piety towards their Father in heaven, to dutifulness to their parents on earth. To despise father or mother, or to prophane God's sabbaths, is the sure mark of a reprobate son. (3.) No idols must be worshipped. (4.) Their sacrifices of peace-offerings must not be eaten beyond the prescribed time. (5.) They must consider and leave a portion for the poor in the harvest-field, and at the vintage. Note; [1.] There can be no true piety towards God, where there is not charity towards men. A covetous heart can never have written upon it, Holiness unto the Lord. [2.] The prayers of the poor, who partake of our blessings, will make us ample amends for the handful we leave them. No gain so great or sure as what is thus lent unto the Lord.