I am enrolled among the people and army of God: am I worthy? What am I, to serve so holy a God?' The payment was meant-
(a) To excite the sense of sin. This should be present in all approach to God, in all service; accompanying the recognition of our Christian standing. Our sense of sin is far too slight and weak; this defect is at the root of much feebleness in popular religion. The sense of sin must embrace not outward acts only, but inner spirit also.
(b) To suggest the possibility of expiation. It was ransom,' i.e. covering,' something paid that guilt might be taken away and sin regarded as non-existent. This is, of course, obviously, only a symbol. No tax could satisfy God for sin. The very smallness of the amount shows that it is symbolical only. Not with corruptible things as silver' is man redeemed.
