The earlier part of this chapter is mainly concerned with things sanctified to God by vows.

I. DEVOTED THINGS DIFFER FROM THINGS SANCTIFIED.

1. In that they may not be redeemed.

(1) Things sanctified might be redeemed. The laws of estimation proceeded upon the recognition of this principle.

(2) But it is otherwise with things devoted (see verses 6, 21, 28). They are in the category of things "most holy," which only may be touched by the priests.

(3) Hence firstlings must not be sanctified (verse 26). The reason is that they are already the property of God. They can neither be given to him nor redeemed from him. They were types of Christ, who is therefore called the "Firstfruits of every creature" - the Antitype of all the firstfruits.

2. Persons when devoted were doomed to die.

(1) Such was the fate of the enemies of the Lord. The Canaanites as unfit to live were so devoted (see Exodus 22:19; Deuteronomy 25:19; Joshua 6:17; 1 Samuel 15:3; 1 Kings 20:42).

(2) Here is no reference to human sacrifices, as some have imagined. It is a question of justice and judgment upon the wicked.

(3) But by a rash vow the innocent may suffer. Thus through the adjuration of Saul Jonathan's life was imperiled (1 Samuel 14). Jephthah's vow compromised the life of his daughter (Judges 11:30, 31, 39). The reading in the margin (verse 31) is preferable. Jephthah could not make a burnt offering of anything unsuited to that purpose, and whatever else came forth he vowed not to sanctify but to devote.

(4) The severity of God upon those devoted for their wickedness should admonish sinners of the formidableness of his anger in the great day of his wrath.

II. THE LAW CONCERNING TITHES.

1. These are now formally required.

(1) They were originally vowed to God (see Genesis 14:19; Genesis 28:22).

(2) The acts of the patriarchs bound their posterity. Hence Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek, being yet ix the loins of Abraham (Hebrews 7:9, 10).

(3) Therefore God now claims them (verses 30, 32).

(4) The spirit of this law is still binding upon the spiritual seed of Abraham (see 1 Corinthians 9:11; Galatians 6:6).

2. Things marked as tithes must not be exchanged.

(1) The expression, "passeth under the rod," is thus explained by the rabbins: "When a man was to give the tithe of his sheep or calves to God, he was to shut up the whole flock in one fold, in which there was one narrow door capable of letting out one at a time. The owner stood by the door with a rod in his hand, the end of which was dipped in vermilion or red ochre. The mothers of those lambs or calves stood without, and as the young ones passed out, when the tenth came he touched it with the colour, and this was received as the legitimate tithe."

(2) Here note the vicarious principle. When the tenth was taken, nine went free. Christ is our Tenth (see Isaiah 6:13).

(3) The tenth must not be exchanged for better or worse. Providence is presumed to have guided the rod. While Christ becomes the Substitute for mankind, no one can take his place. - J.A.M.

The law of the sanctuary is to regulate all. Full weight is sought for, but neither superfluity nor abatement. God loves a perfect balance and a just weight. We do not know whether or not there was a standard measure kept in the sanctuary; but it is very probable. Some, indeed, render the words, "shekel of holiness," i.e., a true shekel; still it is every way likely that the other is the true meaning, admitting that this rendering be right. There was probably a standard measure kept in the sanctuary, by which all other weights and measures were regulated. Here would be a type to Israel of the Lord's justice. Here, in the sanctuary of Jehovah, they found the source and regulating measure of all dealings in business between man and man, and of all similar dealings between God and man, through His priests. Would not this standard measure be felt to be a type of the Lord's original attribute of righteousness? He it is that judges; He it is that fixes what is right and what is wrong; He it is to whom all Israel must come to have thought and action weighed. May not 1 Samuel 2:3 refer to this? Hannah's eye had rested on this standard measure, and so she sings, "By Him actions are weighed." Who shall stand before this holy God? He perceives what is wanting the moment He has adjusted His balances. He detects the want of faith in Cain at the altar; of true godly zeal in Jehu's heart; of love in Ephesus; of life in Sardis; of oil in the five virgins; of the wedding garment in the speechless guest: He judges according to the real weight — not the apparent. He judges "according as the work has been," not according as the show has been (1 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 22:12).

(A. A. Bonar.)