Leviticus 5:1 And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he has seen or known of it; if he do not utter it… I. THAT THE SINS OF MEN CANNOT EVADE WITNESSES. An old writer has forcibly said "that to every sin there must be at least two witnesses," viz., "a man's own conscience and the great God." II. THAT IT IS THE DUTY OF WITNESSES TO GIVE EVIDENCE WHEN JUSTICE DEMANDS IT. When a witness heard the words of adjuration he was required at the proper place to give the needed information. It was his duty because — (1) The law of the Lord commanded it, and (2) The purity of society demanded it. III. THAT IN CONCEALING EVIDENCE AGAINST SIN WE INVOLVE OURSELVES IN SERIOUS GUILT. The guilt of concealing evidence is seen, in that by so doing we — 1. Dishonour God's voice, which speaks within us. 2. Disobey God's published laws. 3. Decrease our own antipathy to sin. 4. Encourage the trespasser in his wrong-doing. All sin ought to be acknowledged and expiated for the sake of the sinner and the wronged. (F. W. Brown.) Parallel Verses KJV: And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity. |
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