The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 609

~- The chief int.erest for us of this altar (as of every other) ari~ee from the f&ct th&t it wl\s not merely symbolic of spiritual truth, but &lso typical of ite embodiment in Christ-the Alt.ar (as well aa the Offering &nd the Offerer), the.new and only true (Hob, vii. 2), perfect, effectual, central, universal, &nd enduring AltRr &nd Tomple (John ii. 21) where God records his name, and where we dr&w nigh to God, offer spiritual sacrifices' and find acceptance with him. It was "a shadow of things to come; but the body i~ of Christh (Col. ii. 17). "We have &n altar [his cross and sacrifice], whereof they have no right to eat who serve the t.abernacle" (Heb. xiii. 10), Consider, with this reference- I. THE ERECTION OF THE ALTA'R, as (in connection with the offerings, apart from which it ca~not be fully contemplated) : 1. Rendered nece.~sary by human sin, through the temptation of Sat.an; estrangement from God through pride and disobedience to his Law; exposure to condemnation and death (Reb. ix. 22). 2. O,·dained by Divine "·isdom and love, "before the foundation of the world" (1 Pet. i. 20), in order to the remission of sine and the restoration of sinners to the fellowship of God (Heb. ix. 26). 3 . .Adapted to the fulfilment of that purpose ; by the atonement there made (eh. xxi. 3; Le,. i. 4; I&&. liii. 6; John i. 29; 1 John ii. 2; 2 Cor. v. 19; Gal. iii. 13); by the exhi- bition of the duty, sinfnlness, and desert of men, and the sovereignty, righteousness, and mercy of God (Rom. iii. 21-26). "When sinful souls approached the altar of God, where dwelt his holiness, their sinful nature came between them and God, and atonement served the purpose of coverin~ their sins, of cancelling the charges on which they were arraigned" (Kiiper). 4. Designed to do away with every other altar and to afford free access to God for all people in all places and ages (Isa. lvi. 7 ; John iv. 23; Eph. ii. 18). The language in which the death of Christ is 'described in the New 'l'estament is derived from the sacrifices of the former dispensation, and can only be properly understood by some acquaintance with them. It is no longer needful or possible to set up an altar (according to a common mode of expression), except in the sense of recognizing, approaching, and ma.kin~ known " the altar of God" which is set up in Christ Jesus (Ps. :tliii. 4; John xiv. 6). '"Let us draw near," etc. (Heb. x. 22). II. THE OFFERINGS PRESENTED THERE. "And offered burnt offerings and peace offerings" (1 Sam. L 3; eh. vi. 17-19). Jn becoming himself an Offering (Isa. liii. 12) and Propitiation for our sins (complete and incapable of being repeated or rendered more efficacious), Christ displayed a.spirit (Heb. x. 5-7) in which (coming to him with peni- tence, ver. 10, and faith) we must participate, and thus" offer up spiritual sacrifices," etc. (1 Pet. ii. 5). L The free, entire, and continual surrender (ver. 14) and dedication of ourselves, spirit, soul, and body, to God (Rom. xii. 1). 2. Prayers, supplications and intercessions (ver. 17; Judg. xx. 26; Ps. li. 17; cxli. 2). "And the Lord Jehovah was entreated for the land." " Sacrifice is in the main embodied prayer.n 3; "The sacrifice of praise" (Heb. xiii 15). 4. Holy obedience (ver. 19), generous gifts (ver. 24), and benevolent activities. "To do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (Heb. xiii. 16; Phil. iv. 18). "The altar is not to stand in its beauty and st.ateliness a solemn, unapproachable thing, on which we may reverently gaze, but which we may not touch without sacrilege, It is for use; its broad summit is to be laden with oblations and crowded with victims; it stands in the midst of us; it accompanies us wherever we wander, that it may invite our offer- ings, and be always ready to receive what we should always be ready to give" (Pa. iv. 5 ; xxvi. 6 ; cxviiL 27). ill. THE AOOEPTANCE OJI' THE Ol"FEBEB. "Jehovah thy God accept thee" (ver. 23); " And the plague was stayed from Israel." Christ's offering was well-pleasing to God ; and we are accepted~in him (Epb. v. 2; i. 6, 7). 1. Ther~ i~ now no condemnation (Rom. viii. 1 ; Heb. L 16-18). The sword is put up agam mto the sheath thereof. 2. The presence, favour, and sanctifying power of God are manifested to us (Acts ii. 3, 4). 3. Peace with God, and" the communion of the Holy Ghost," are vouchsRfed to us. 4. And we" rejoice in hope of the glory of God "(Rom. v. 1, 2; Eph. ii. 19-22; Bev. lli. 3, 4). "Thou didst turn for me my mourning into dancing: Thou didst put off my sackcloth, and didst gird me with joy: To the end that my glory should sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Jehovah my God, for ever will I give thanks unto thee.'' (Ps. xu. 11, 12.) OB, XXIV, 1-25,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL, 625