An examination of Bp. Colenso's difficulties with regard to the Pentateuch Volume 2; and some reasons for believing in its authenticity and divine origin

by Alexander McCaul

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 ...them out; but it would have been cruel to ask Aaron, Eleazar, and Ithamar to perform this office. Though not absolutely a case of necessity, but only of humanity, Moses exempted Aaron's nephews from the penalty attached to the stranger who should draw near. Mishael and Elzaphan were not intruding into the priest's office, but obeying the command of the legislator, and therefore were free. And so, if Moses commanded the Levites to help Aaron and his sons in their overpowering labours, they also would have had no reason to fear death. But if, as Christians believe, not Moses, but God was the lawgiver, then Moses would go and inquire of the Lord, who would instruct him how to meet the difficulty. Indeed, for aught that appears to the contrary, Aaron himself and his sons had the necessary authority to call in help, when it was needed, from that tribe which was given to them "to minister unto them." The exclusion of the stranger on pain of death was obviously directed against intruders, not against subordinates obeying the commands of those who had authority. The penalty is not expressed by the words "shall surely die," which might imply miraculous death inflicted by God, but by the word r " shall be put to death," which does not imply any thing supernatural, but is the common word for execution by men1. That execution depended upon Aaron and his sons, who surely would not enforce the penalty on those whose help they required. The priests had certainly a discretion in cases of necessity, as we learn from 2 Chron. xxix. 34, where it is said, "But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other 1 See, fo...

60 pages, Paperback

Published May 22, 2012

About the author

1799-1863