Leviticus 19:29-37 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The fear of God.

Of this excellent things are spoken by Solomon. It is the "beginning of knowledge," "hatred to evil," "strong confidence," a "fountain of life," "prolongs days," and "gives riches and honour." So here—

I. IT IS A SOURCE OF PURITY .

1 . To the family.

2 . To the nation. "Lest the land," etc. ( Leviticus 19:29 ).

II. IT ARMS AGAINST THE POWER OF DEVILS .

1 . Familiar spirits are more than myths.

2 . The fear of the Lord will preserve us from them.

III. IT INSPIRES COURTESY .

1 . Respect for age ( Leviticus 19:32 ).

2 . Civility to strangers.

IV. IT PROMOTES JUSTICE .

1 . In judgment.

2 . In dealings.

God claims the authorship of these laws ( Leviticus 19:36 , Leviticus 19:37 ).

1 . They are worthy of him. He must be infatuated with ignorance or wickedness who would laud the "Roman virtue" in opposition to the "narrow spirit" of the Mosaic code.

2 . They were eminently calculated to secure the happiness of the nation at home, and to promote its credit abroad.

3 . Let us "observe" the Law of God to understand it, and, understanding, "keep" it. Then happy shall we be.—J.A.M.