The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 65

possibly more recondite principleR of ever-enduring application and value. Let us, then, observe from this whole service of dedication the following suggestions. I. How THE INEFFABLE NATURE PERMITS ITSELF TO BE REPRESENTED AS HAVING LO0AL HADITATION ON EARTH. If that infinite, spiritual Nature or Bein'" did of old neither preclude the possibility nor prohibit the imagination of such a thi;" there can be no intrinsic reason why it should not be so now and for all time. We m;;t not sup- pose that Certain well-known and sublime·passagcs in New Testament Scripture outruled this. But, on the contrary, they acknowledge it rather, and are only anxious to do so to the extent of universalizing it. The place of this worship is, indeed, wherever the worBhipper himself iB; and not only in Jerusalem, nor only "in this mountain," but where Jacob stretched himself, when his head was pillowed on the stones, and waking he exclaimed, "This is the house of God;" or in the dungeon; or in the windowless, chimney less, mud-built croft; or in the chamber's solitude; or in the palace, the church, or cathedral, all-gorgeous with arch and pavement, height and length, music and painting. In fact, God's condescending grace gives what the nature of man, once also itself given of him, constantly and everywhere either postulates as of course, or craves with stimulated spiritual force. There is scarcely anything that sits closer to our, not mere outer but innermost nature, than that law which binds us by association, and by the associations of place in particular. There is no reason why we should disown it, or be ashamed of it, or slight it, or try at any time to rid ourselves of it by force. The reasons lie rather to the contrary, if only we cherish the sacred associations and discourage the reverse. It is not when our sense of God as a Presence in a place is nearest, that we leaBt feel that he still "dwells," to be wondered at and adored, "in the thick darkness," or that we least "fear because of him." 'l'he acts of worship, no doubt legitimate everywhere, are helped there, and to cherish that help is wise. !I. THE ESSENTIAL, OR NATURAL AND MOST DESIRABLE BEQUIREMJ.:NTS OF SUCH A. DEDICATION-THE DEDICATION OF A PLACE FOR THE WORSHIP AND SERVICE OF GoD. They are such as these : 1. The presence of the people, or of a representative gathering of them, in a prepared and quickened state of mind, of whom in part and for whom the occasion of the dedication arises. The people were certainly present on this occasion. They are already in a very quickened state of mind, which is greatly added to when their leader faces them, and in the act, as it is here called, of" blessing them," summons them to take an earnest and intelligent part in the impending ceremony. 2. A rehearsal, in the nature of a preamble, of the circumstances which had led up to the present work-the human side of them, the Divine side of them, the motives which had been at work in them, the promise and providence of God, and the gratitude due to him for them. 3. Prayer uttered by one, offered by all, acknowledging the sole Godhead, without comparison in heaven and earth, magnifying his infinite condescen- sion, reposing entire confidence wpon his supporting and encouraging goodness ; with imploring petitions that an ear may be opened to the special prayers now waiting to be offered, and a. gracious eye bent down upon the place a.nd the scene now out- stretched before heaven. Special note may be made under vers. 19-21 of the three points: (1) of the earnestness of the prayer that prayer may be heard; (2) that it may be heard by witness of this very memorial house on earth, unto which Divine and emphatic promise had been made; and (3) that forgiveness (ver. 21) may be the first part of answer to every and all prayer. What an amazing depth of significant import underlies this one fact, and how entirely it is in harmony with o.11 Scriptures' setting forth of the position of human nature in the presence of God I III. 'l'HE SEVENFOLD PETITION OF THE SE!'\VICE. Whatever these petitions are, they speak distinctly the apprehensions-and those from a religious point of view-which the king and leader of the nation had in respect of that nation. The circumstances of the position compel us to regard them as a correct and faithful reflection or transcript (from the inner thoughts of Solomon and those who co-operated with him in the com- position) of those perils to national well-being which might sadly ripen as time went on. It is evident that the estimate formed of these perils was such, and of such significance, that to deprecate them most importunately absorbs the larger part of the whole prayer. The petitions are manifestly more what concern the outer life, for the most part, than the inner thought of the people; the providence of Heaven, than their own work and doing. Bnt, for that very reason, they bind together so much more II, CHRONIOLES. I'  66 THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [on. vr. 1-42,