The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 428

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 3-7.-The preferable service. There is considerable uncertainty as to the meaning of the words (ver. 3), "put the holy ark in the house," etc. (see Exposition). But whatever interpretation we give them, it is clear that Josiah intended the Levites to understand that he required them to render a different and a higher service than that of carrying the ark as a burden on their shoulders; they were to "serve now the Lord their God, and his people Israel;" they were to do this by "standing in the holy place," by "killing the Passover,'' and thus enable "their brethren to do according to the Word of the Lord." In other words, instead of the work of sacred porterage to which they had been accustomed, they were to render important services in the sanctuary; were to be instrumental in the keeping of a sacred feast by all their brethren; were to render valuable assistance in aiding them to carry out the command- ments of the Lord. They were to give up the lower for the higher service, the mechanical one for that which was more spiritual; one that was no longer needed for that which was urgent; the comparatively unprofitable for that which was likely to be fruitful of devotion and piety. We thus judge-- I. THAT ALL WORK FOR GoD MAY BE GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE. Josiah could not have meant that the carrying of the ark was not "service." Although the words, as they stand in the third verse, certainly bear that construction, we conclude that he could not have intended them to have that significance. No devout Jew would have questioned the statement that the work of carrying the ark of the covenant under Divine commandment was an act of sacred service. Indeed, it matters not how humble or even slight and trivial be the work we do in the cause of God, so long as it is rendered (1) cheerfully, and not of constraint or grudgingly; (2) faithfully, diligently, taking our part and carrying it out with loyalty and thoroughness; (3) harmoniously, in concert with our fellow-labourers; (4) religiously, devoutly, doing what we do CIS unto Ohrist, and not only as unto man; it is then good and sacred and acceptable untc: God our Saviour, "All works are good, and eaoh is bes& As most it pleases thee; Eaoh worker pleases when the rest He serves in charity ; And neither work nor man unblesi Wilt thou permit to be." 4.32 THE SEOOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [ou. x.uv. 1-27.