WISDOM, 'l'his is suggested by the word "ruler." "Order is Heaven's first law," and this law is certainly not violated in his most precious and beloved work. God's own wisdom is displayed in his own temple. Ill. GoD'B OWN SoN IS THE RULER IN HIS OWN HOUSE. No earthly sovereirn or ecclesiastical. po'!-tiff is tJ:te head of the spirit~al society in which God's Spirit ever dwells. Christ 1s the Kmg, the Lord, the Priest; "the Head over all things to his Church." !V, ALI, HUMAN RULERS ARE SUBJECT AND SUBORDINATE TO THE Drvnra LORD, Bishops are overseers, and presbyters are pastors; but they are not lords over God's heritage. They have only authority to declare his will, and to execute his commands ; and this trust they fulfil, not for their own honour, but for the order and prosperity of God's house.-T. Ver. 13.-" Very able men." In this Book of Chronicles praise is accorded, not only to great warriors, but also to scholars and ministers of religion. In this passage priests are described in language which would seem more appropriate to soldiers. They are termed "mighty men of valour," or valiant heroes, paraphrased in our version as "very able men " for the service of the house of the Lord. The employment of persons eo highly qualified to render such service is very suggestive. L GOD CAN MA.KE UBE OF THE FEEBLEST AND HUMBLEST INSTRUMENTS IN THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF HIS PURPOSES. This should be remarked, lest any persons should consider themselves disqualified from serving God because, in their own judgment, not justly worthy to be termed "very able" or effective labourers. II. No ABILITY IS TOO GOOD, OR EVEN GOOD ENOUGH, FOR GoD'B SERVICE. If responsible posts, influential professions, call for the services of men highly endowed and thoroughly furnished, shall we say that anything is good enough for the work of Goel ? Remembering the honour of serving him, the difficulties peculiar to his service, let us rather seek to offer to him the best. There is abundant scope for intellectual vigour, mental acquisitions, tender sympathy, unsparing labours, and all other precious gifts, in the service of our redeeming God, III. Therefore, THE STRONG AND GIFTED SHOULD BE ESPECIALLY SUMMONED TO ENTER UPON THE WORK OP CHRIST; to come up "to the help of the Lord against the mighty." '!'here is room for others; there is room for all ; why not for such? If the temple ministrations offered scope for "very able men," what need is there for wise master-builders, capable pastors, stout-hearted labourers, valiant soldiers, in tho work which is dear to the heart of Gotl, and which has been commenced by the grace of tho Divine Redeemer I To one and to all we would say," The Lord h11s need of you,"-T.
Vers. 26-32.-Ministers of the sanctuary. The arrangements for the service of the Levites in the Lord's house seem to have been me.do, or at llll events settled, by Samuel and by David. The same arrangements, substantially, were adopted by Solomon, in connection with the first temple, and by Ezra and Nehemiah in the second temple erected by Zerubbabel. For the custody of the holy house, four chief warders were appointed, under whom were e. hundred and sixty-eight porters, who, in tum, fulfilled their important and sacred office. These attendants had their homes in certain villages in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem. A course of twenty-four of them seem to have attended the sanctuary every week, commencing with the sabbe.th, and the turn of each course would come ronnd once in seven weeks. I. OBSERVE THE VARIETY AND UNITY OF THE LEVITIOAL SERVICE, 1. The variety. Some were entrusted with the duty of orning and closing the doors. Others had charge of the treasury, where coin, sacre vessels and vestments, etc., were kept in security. Others had the custody of the various vessels and instruments used in sacri- ficial services. Others made ready the sacrifices, manufactured the incense, or prepared the sacred cairns and shewbread, 2. The unity. One God appointed them all, by tbo same law and ordinance, to their several ministries. One sanctuary occupied their attention and called forth their activity. One nation and people wcro served by all tl,o Ininistrntions of the priests and Levites. Ono object was before them all-to servo Jehovah, to obey his Law, to seek his favour. JI, REMARK THE STRIKING FIGURE WHICH WE HAVE IN TIIESE MINISTRATIONS 01' 116 THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [cu. 1x. 1-44,