Fidelity to God.
In the verses before us we note the injunction—
I. THAT THE STATUTES OF THE LORD MUST BE KEPT. These require:
1. That there be no unnatural mixtures.
(a) Cattle which God ordered "after their kind" (Genesis 1:25), are not to be let to gender with diverse kinds. Hybrids are degenerated creatures; they are monsters; and they are withal unfruitful.
(b) Mingled seed must not be sown in the field. The plants of both kinds in such a case are found to be inferior (Deuteronomy 22:9). The land also is impoverished.
(c) Garments of mingled flax and wool are not to be worn. The mixture would induce electrical disturbances impairing to health.
2. That atonement be made for sin.
3. That the fruit of a tree uncircumcised must not be eaten.
(a) Trees are taken as emblems of men (Psalms 1:3; Matthew 3:10; Isaiah 61:3; Jud Isaiah 1:12).
(b) First thoughts and forward desires are vanity, and must be rejected as coming from the flesh (see Genesis 2:11). To let them ripen is to injure the character.
(c) In the fourth year, when the fruit is in perfection, it is consecrated to God as the "firstfruit," which therefore is not always that which comes first in order of time, but the best. The service we render to God after the removal of inordinate desire by converting grace, is our firstfruit, or best service.
(d) As to the fourth year, Christ who is the "Firstfruit" and "Firstborn of every creature," or Anti-type of the firstborn of every kind of creature, appeared amongst us in the fourth millennium of the world. And when he comes again it will be to introduce the fourth dispensation, viz. the millennial. The three dispensations preceding we need scarcely specify to be the Patriarchal, Levitical, and Christian.
(e) In the fifth year and thenceforward, the fruit was sanctified to the use of the owner. The consummation of our felicity will be in that glorious state to succeed the millennium, the "new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." We note—
II. THAT THE CUSTOMS OF THE HEATHEN MUST NOT BE FOLLOWED.
1. Nothing must be eaten with the blood.
2. Superstition must be shunned.