Leviticus 11:9-12 These shall you eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers… Here, says Maimonides, "the exposition of this sentence, 'A word spoken according to his two faces is as apples of gold in (משׂכיות) maschyoth of silver' (Proverbs 25:11). Maschyoth are a kind of lattice or network having very small interstices. Therefore 'when a word spoken according to both its faces' (that is, according to its exterior and interior signification) is likened to 'apples of gold in network of silver,' the meaning is that the exterior sense is good and precious as silver, but the interior is much more excellent as gold. An apple of gold covered with a silver network, viewed at a distance, seems to be all silver; but if by the worth and beauty of the silver yon be attracted to view it more narrowly, you may discover the apple of gold that is vailed within, So are the words of the Law in the letter useful and excellent for direction in morals, or for the outward government of the Church, while the interior part or spirit is of superior excellence to build up the believer in the sublime mysteries of faith." According to this principle, let us consider here - I. THE MYSTERY OF THE WATERS. 1. They denote multitudes of peoples. (1) This is expressed in such passages as Isaiah 55:5 and Revelation 17:15. (2) The reason, perhaps, is that they lave the shores of the earth and are the highway of commerce. At all times they sustain a multitude of navigators; and at one time, in the ark of Noah, the entire population of the world was afloat. (3) In the text the waters are distributed into "seas" and "rivers." 2. The sea may be diversely considered, (1) Before the formation of light, when its consistency was muddy, it was called the deep, or the abyss, and was the symbol of hell (Genesis 1:2; Luke 8:31; Romans 10:7; Revelation 20:3). (2) Under the action of light, the earthy particles precipitated, and the upper portion became gradually clearer and more liquid. Then the mass received the name of "seas" (Genesis 1:10), In this condition the waters became stocked with living creatures and capable of supporting fleets, when it became a figure of the peoples of the world. (3) When disturbed by fierce winds, and the sediment from the bottom worked up, as if the abyss of hell had been moved, the state of the wicked is described (see Isaiah 57:20). The winds by which the wicked are stirred are their passions, and the effects am turbulence and insurrection (see Psalm 65:7; Psalm 107:26; Jude 1:13). (4) We carry waves and storms within us; they threaten to drown us (James 1:6); none can save us from ourselves but that Jesus who miraculously stilled the tempest (Matthew 8:26). 3. Rivers also may be variously considered. (1) They are taken in a good sense when they keep their channels, for then they are sources of blessing. The river of Eden represented the covenant of God, which, branching into "four heads," showed how the blessings of the gospel were to be carried to the four quarters of the world (Genesis 2:10; Psalm 36:8; Psalm 46:4; Psalm 65:9; Revelation 22:1). The peaceful people of the covenant would also be represented. (2) Rivers are taken in a bad sense when they overflow their banks, in which case they become muddy, and carry desolation where they rush. Hence they are compared to invading armies and to ungodly men moved to violence (Judges 5:21; Psalm 69:15; Isaiah 8:7, 8:18; 59:19; Revelation 12:15). II. THE INHABITANTS OF THE WATERS. 1. The clean are distinguished by fins and scales. (1) The fins are their instruments of locomotion. By means of these they rise to the surface and swim in purer water under the clearer light of the heavens. Thus they teach us that a holy people should be active, not in the darkness of sin and ignorance, but in the day of goodness and truth (John 3:21; John 8:12; John 9:4, 5). (2) The scales, which have a beautiful metallic luster, suggest the idea of armour; and, when the creature swims near the surface, these brilliantly reflect the glories of the sun. They teach us to "put on the armour of light" (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 6:7). 2. The unclean are those without fins and scales. (1) Those destitute of both, like the eel, shun the light, and bury themselves in the mud at the bottom. They teach us to avoid the corresponding habits of the wicked, who rush into sin and ignorance and wallow in moral filth (Job 24:13-17; John 3:19, 20; Ephesians 5:13). (2) Those who have fins but no scales are covered with a thick glutinous matter, which in appearance contrasts unfavourably with the silver and golden armour in which the clean creatures are clad. If they use their fins to rise out of their depths, it is to make havoc upon shoals of brighter creatures. So are the wicked bloodthirsty and voracious, who therefore should be shunned. (3) In the imagery of the prophets, anti-Christian kingdoms are sometimes described as great sea-monsters (see Daniel 7:2, 3; Revelation 13:1). Such kingdoms must be held in abomination by the thoughtful student of the Law, and the time, earnestly longed for, when the Lamb will appear on Mount Sion. - J.A.M. Parallel Verses KJV: These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. |
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