Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Leviticus Ch.6 / 27 Ch.s
LE:6
* Concerning trespasses against our neighbour. (1-7) Concerning
the burnt-offering. (8-13) Concerning the meat-offering. (14-23)
Concerning the sin-offering. (24-30)
#1-7 Though all the instances relate to our neighbour, yet it is
called a trespass against the Lord. Though the person injured be
mean, and even despicable, yet the injury reflects upon that God
who has made the command of loving our neighbour next to that of
loving himself. Human laws make a difference as to punishments;
but all methods of doing wrong to others, are alike violations
of the Divine law, even keeping what is found, when the owner
can be discovered. Frauds are generally accompanied with lies,
often with false oaths. If the offender would escape the
vengeance of God, he must make ample restitution, according to
his power, and seek forgiveness by faith in that one Offering
which taketh away the sin of the world. The trespasses here
mentioned, still are trespasses against the law of Christ, which
insists as much upon justice and truth, as the law of nature, or
the law of Moses.
#8-13 The daily sacrifice of a lamb is chiefly referred to. The
priest must take care of the fire upon the altar. The first fire
upon the altar came from heaven, ch. #9:24|; by keeping that up
continually, all their sacrifices might be said to be consumed
with the fire from heaven, in token of God's acceptance. Thus
should the fire of our holy affections, the exercise of our
faith and love, of prayer and praise, be without ceasing.
#14-23 The law of the burnt-offerings put upon the priests a
great deal of care and work; the flesh was wholly burnt, and the
priests had nothing but the skin. But most of the meat-offering
was their own. It is God's will that his ministers should be
provided with what is needful.
#24-30 The blood of the sin-offering was to be washed out of the
clothes on which it should happen to be sprinkled, which
signified the regard we ought to have to the blood of Christ,
not counting it a common thing. The vessel in which the flesh of
the sin-offering was boiled must be broken, if it were an
earthen one; but if a brazen one, well washed. This showed that
the defilement was not wholly taken away by the offering; but
the blood of Christ thoroughly cleanses from all sin. All these
rules set forth the polluting nature of sin, and the removal of
guilt from the sinner to the sacrifice. Behold and wonder at
Christ's love, in that he was content to be made a sin-offering
for us, and so to procure our pardon for continual sins and
failings. He that knew no sin was made sin (that is, a
sin-offering) for us, #2Co 5:21|. Hence we have pardon, and not
only pardon, but power also, against sin, #Ro 8:3|.