Two things, by which God is greatly affronted, men are here said to be
ensnared by, and entangled not only in guilt, but in trouble and ruin
at length:--1. Sacrilege, men's alienating holy things and converting
them to their own use, which is here called devouring them. What is
devoted in any way to the service and honour of God, for the support of
religion and divine worship or the relief of the poor, ought to be
conscientiously preserved to the purposes designed; and those that
directly or indirectly embezzle it, or defeat the purpose for which it
was given, will have a great deal to answer for. Will a man rob God in
tithes and offerings? Mal. iii. 8. Those that hurry over religious
offices (their praying and preaching) and huddle them up in haste, as
being impatient to get done, may be said to devour that which is holy.
2. Covenant-breaking. It is a snare to a man, after he has made vows to
God, to enquire how he may evade them or get dispensed with, and to
contrive excuses for the violating of them. If the matter of them was
doubtful, and the expressions were ambiguous, that was his fault; he
should have made them with more caution and consideration, for it will
involve his conscience (if it be tender) in great perplexities, if he
be to enquire concerning them afterwards (Eccl. v. 6); for, when we
have opened our mouth to the Lord, it is too late to think of going
back, Acts v. 4.