The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 197

for " Immanuel's land " was a sort of preoinct or forecow·t of the eternal sanotuo.ry, and it was the home of &nation of priests (Exod. xix. 6). Hence we may learn (1) that sacrifice is only offered where there is sin, and (2) tho.t the oross goes together with the kingdom (Rev. i 5, 6); it is the altar of the Holy Catholio Church. (2) In it.s elevation. Probably the altar was made high to give it due honour and prominence, or there mn.y have been the thought of elevating the so.cri.fice towards heaven. But, whatever the reason, it struck the eye; everyone sn.w thn.t it was the centre and ornament and distinguishing mark of the court of the priests. Now the cross itself was probably raised but two or three feet above the ground- pictures generally represent it incorrectly-but it was planted on a hill. Conder (" Tent-work," pp. 196, 198) identifies Calvn.ry with a rounded knoll, above a cliff or precipice some thirty feet high, near the Damascus gate), and it still-and this is the important thing-" towers above the wreck of time." It is still tho glory and badge and attraction of Christ's people of priests. It was fitting, too, thn.t He should be raised above earth who was from above (John iii. 31) ; that He should be suspended between earth and heaven who should reconcile eadh to heaven. (3) The cross had no horns, but it had arms-arms to which the victim was bound, arms wbich were stained with His blood, arms which offer shelter and sanctuary to the world. " Lord, on the cross Thine arms were stretched, To draw Tby people nigh," &c. 2. The Sacrifice prefigured the Orucijirion. It is hardly needful or possible here to point out in what manifold ways the various sacrifices of the Law fore• shadowed the oblation of Calvary. It must suffice to say here that this too was a voluntary offering (Heh. ix. 14), a whole offering (''?;i-cf. Heh. x. 10, &c.), the grateful savour of which ascended (the idea of the word i1')1) to heaven (Gen. viii. 21; Epbes. v. 2); that the life was given (Matt. xx. 28) and blood poured (1 Peter i. 2) ; that the blood was pow·ed for the remission of sins (Matt. ::i:xvi, 28; Heh. ix. 22), and the life given for the life of the world (John vi. 61). It is for us to lay our hands on the head of the sacrifice, and the analogy is complete. We must bring no offering of our own merits, bnt mUBt take refuge under the arms of the Cross- " Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to thy Cross I cling." It must not be supposed, however, that because sacrifices, properly so called, have ceased, because they ha.ve found their blessed fulfilment in "the one offe1ing," " once for e.11" (Heh. L 10, 14), therefore the pictures and pleadings of that offering have ceased also. On the contrary, the death of Calvary, which cannot be repeated, is for ever pleaded (Rev. v. 6) in the heavenly temple. In this sense it is a con- tinual offering (Exod. xxix. 42). And it is also pleaded by the Church on earth. For the holy sacrament, like the sacrifice, tells of death, and of the same vicarious and victorioUB death. The sacrifice pleaded the merits of Him who should come; the sacrament the merits of One who has come. The first was, the second is, an avaµ.vqo-tt of the death which won our life. (See Homiletics on eh. vi. pp. 114, 116.) II. THE ALTAB OF INCENSE. It is often forgotten that Judaism had two altars. But who shall say that the altar of incense was less important or less gracious than that of sacrifice. A few simple questions will perhaps best bring this subject of incense before us. Let us therefore ask- 1. What WQ,8 the incense I It was (see Exod. xx:x. 34 sqq.) (1) a confection of sweet BpiceB/ a compound of the most fragrant and grateful products of the earth, which when burned emitted a pleasing odour. (2) .A perfwme ordadnea of God. Its constituents and their proportions were alike prescribed (ib. vers. 84, 86). These were to be "tempered (Heh. salted) together." Hence the scrupulous co.re with which it was prepared and preserved in the "house of Abtines.' And hence the  ea. rx. 10-28.] THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. 199