in fact, the chief articles which were presented unto God in sacrifice ; and consequently they designate those services which conduced at the same time to the honour of God, and to the refreshment of man. Under these are comprehended the word and ordinances of Jehovah, and especially those great and precious promises of his which minister strength and comfort to all his waiting people. To have communion with God in his worship, and to derive from him all the blessings of salvation, will doubtless be the chief objects of desire amongst all the people who shall assemble at Jerusalem. And by this will they obtain a most abundant communication of spiritual blessings to their souls, insomuch that, from having hitherto resembled only a desolate wilderness, they will be- come, in all the fruits of righteousness, " like a well watered garden;" and will from that time "dismiss all the sorrows" with which for so many centuries they have been oppressed. This shews, that the prophecy before us has not ever yet been fulfilled but in a very slight and partial manner; and that its full accomplishment yet waits for the arrival of the Millennial age.]
3. The effect which will be produced —
[Unutterable will be the joy that will then pervade the whole nation : " Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together : for I will turn their mourning into joy, and make them rejoice from their sorrow." In that all ranks and orders of men will unite ; the priests and the people vying with each other in the expressions of their joy.
But here also it is evident that this was to take place under the Christian dispensation. The sacrifices which were offered under the law, were for the support of the priests only, with their families : nor was the fat to be eaten even by them : That must on all occasions be consumed upon the altar : whereas at the time to which this prophecy refers, " the priests shall satiate their souls with fatness," and all the people indiscriminately, together with the priests, (being all of them a royal priesthood,) shall " be satisfied with the goodness of the LordV Other things, to whatever extent they may be en- joyed, are empty and unsatisfying : but those who attain these things shall be so satisfied," as never to thirst after any thing elsec. Who can conceive the full import of expressions like these ? ]
II. The interest we have in it —
An especial command is issued to the whole Gen- tile world, both to consider, and to proclaim this glad event. It is our duty to contemplate it,
b Compare 1 Sam. ii. 15 — 17. with Isai. Iv. 2. c John vi. 35.