Ver. 4.-Politics and morals. David no sooner set before the people their duty with regard to the ark than they immediately resolved to act in accordance wit.h his counsel. The chronicler explains why they did so; he tells us, in language remark- ably dignified and simple: "For the thing was right in the eyes of all the people." I. A NATION SOMETIMES NEGLECTS TO DO WHAT IS BIGHT THROUGH INATTENTION, The ark seems to have been overlooked during the years it remained at Kirjath- jearim: "We inquired not at it in the days of Saul." It is singular that nations sometimes connive at great national sins, that national conscience seems to slumber. How otherwise can we account for the prevalence of war, of slavery, of cruelty to pri~oners, and other evils, which have disgraced civil and Christian communities? lL IT IS A HAPPY THING WHEN THE QUESTION IS PUT TO A NATION-\VHAT IS BIGHT? It is too common to ask the people-What is customary and in accordance with precedents? What is expedient? What will contribute to national fame? But nations as well as individuals are under the government of a righteous moral Ruler and King. And there is one question which those who would elevate and guide a nation should ever raise-What is right 1 ill. THE NATIONAL CONSCIENCE SOMETIMES CORDIALLY RESPONDS TO THE REVELA- TION OF RIGHT. Let not the multitude be flattered; they are prone to bow before the furious gust of passion; yet, when the impulse of prejudice or anger is past, they are capable of proving themseh·es amenable to higher motives. Great acts of justice and self-sacrifice have, in such cases, been performed by a morally awakened society. If "the thing be right in the eyes of all the people," then there may be witnessed magnificent displays of heroism and unselfishness. Then is the adage true, Voz populi tKJZ Dei. IV. NATIOKAL CONSCIENCE ONLY FULFILS ITS PART WHEN IT LEADS TO NATIONAL ACTION. "All the congregation said that they would do so." Feeling must lead to correspondina achievement, or it is mere worthless sentimentality. A people's protest is goid, but a people's action is better still. LESSONS, 1. Let those who would forward a great movement appeal to the people at large, and seek to enlist the national judgment and conscience on their side. 2. Let nations that would enjoy the Divine favour seek it by doing the Divine will, by pursuing "the thing that right is,"-T.
Ver. 8.-Holy mirth. To some minds the two ideas, holiness and mirth, do not seem to harmonize. Whether because goodness is sometimes associated with austerity, and religious observances with dulness, or because mirth is sometimes associated with sensual indulgence and profanity; the fact is that to many minds there appears a mutual repugnance between the two. I. WE HAVE liERE A SUITABLE AND INBPIRITINO OCCASION OF ITOJ,Y MIRTH, General rejoicing should not take place ouly when temporal deliverances or material prosperity have been experienced, When God showa l;lis mercy toward~ a people,_ it1 conferrin~ oR. xm. 1-14.] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 207
upon them spiritual privileges, then should they show forth his praise, and make a joyful noise unto the Lord. II. THE UNION OF ALL OLJ.SSES IN ROLY MIBTR. King, priests, and people rejoiced together, and if all orders and ranks are alike indebted to God's goodness, all should alike join in his service and praiso. Widespread is the benefir,ence of the heavenly Father; let all the children give thanks, and be joyful before the Lord the King. III. HOLY MIRTH FINDS AN APPROPRIATE EXPRESSION IN CONJOINED A~D CORDIAL SERVICES OF MUSIC AND BONG. Such utterance of mirth is natural, is in accordance with the constitution God our Maker has given us. It is scriptural, for both under the old covenant and the new, vocal praise was practised by the saints of God. It is acceptable: "With such sacrifices God is well pleased." It is an anticipation of heaven, where the praises of the redeeming God are universal and perpetual. LESSONS. 1. Discourage a severe, morose piety. 2. Let son~s of rejoicing a.bound in Christian homes and Churches. 3. Let the young be trained to associate happiness with religion-to take plea.sure in "the service of song in the house of the Lord."-T. Ver. 10.-Severity of ;'udgment. To understand this narrative it is necessary to bear in mind the character of the older dispensation. It was an economy in which persons, things, and places were set apart as holy, doubtless in order to instil into the minds of the people ideas of spiritual purity and consecration. The ark was a holy thing, in a sense in which nothing material is holy under the Christian dispensation. But there are principles which underlie these ceremonial appointments and provisions, which are deserving of our serious and discriminating attention. I. THE HISTORICAL INCIDENT. The chronicler here relates: 1. A serious offence. When Uzza put forth his hand and touched the ark, though he did so only for the security of the sacred chest, he incurred the Divine displeasure. His act was one of officiousness; it was not his business to interfere with the apparatus of Divine worship. He waa guilty of irreverence; for he showed that he did not stand in awe of the symbol of the Divine presence. And we may discern even profanity in his conduct; it was only for the chosen tribe to minister in connection with the sanctuary and what it contained, and although the ark was in transit to its resting-place, its safe conduct should have been left to the Levites. 2. A severe punishment. "The Lord smote him . . . there he died before God." The penalty seems at first view disproportionate. Yet it was both what might have been anticipated and what was necessary to produce a wholesome impression. That it, did produce awe and trembling there ce.n be no question. The severe judgment tempered the national rejoicing e.nd even altered the purpose of the king as to the residence of the ark of the Lord. II. THE MORAL LESSON. As we read this narrative we a.re impressed with the general lesson of: 1. God's displeasure with disobedience. 'l'be Scriptures are full of lessons illustrating this principle; they begin on its first page and continue to its last. There is a more specie.I lesson, viz. : 2. That unspiritual men should not meddle with spiritual things. In Christian Churches it is of the highest importance that men actuated by carnal and worldly motives should not be allowed to intrude and to infiuenee their affairs. Let those be clean who bPe.r the vessels of the Lord. The profane cannot with impunity discharge sacred functions. LESSONS. 1. Let God and all the.t is his be regarded with reverence. 2. Let sinners ~pared by Divine mercy adore the forbearance and loving-kindness of the Lord, and "seek him whilst he may be found, and call upon him whilst he is near."-T.