The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 327

Vere. 38-47.-SacrifiCIJ essential to hwman worship. The entrances and vestibules of the new temple were planned on a magnificent scale. The mind of the worshipper would be naturally impressed both with the greatness of the Proprietor and with the transcendent importance of the use to which it was devoted, But by what methods will the Sovereign Majesty of heaven be a.pproache<l? More and more this question oppresses a. reflecting man. As he gains the central courts of the temple the answer is clear. Sin is the great separator between man a.nd his Maker. Reconciliation can only be effected by sacrifice. At the altar of burnt offering God will meet with peni- tent men, a.nd confer on them his mercy. "Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sin." I. SACRIFICE IB THE TBYSTING-PLAOE BETWEEN HAN AND GoD. "The altar was before the house." From the first da.ys of man's fa.II the mercy of God allowed a.ccess for man to the presence of his Maker; yet access not free and unrestrained, as in the pristine state of innocence. Access to God's favour could now be found only at the altar of sacrifice. Hence Cain's suit failed because he brought only the fruits of the ground. Abel was accepted because his faith wa.s loyal to the Divine command, and because he felt the evil of sin. Such sacrifice of animal life could be in no respect proper compensation for moral rebellion against God. Yet it wa.s to man a revelation that God would accept substitution, a.nd it served as a matter-of-fact prophecy, that in due time God would provide an efficacious sacrifice. It wa.s as much for man's welfare as for the maintenance of Divine rule, that God would henceforth meet his fallen creature, a.nd give heed to his prayer, only a.t the sacrificial altar. IJ. 8AORIFICE SERVES MANY A.ND VITAL PURPOSES IN MAN'S SALVATION. Jn the temple sacrifices were of various kinds, and were presented with great variety of cere- mony. There was the sin offering, the trespass offering, the wave offering, etc. These were designed to meet the several wants of men. They expressed gratitude for benefit received; submission to the will of God; confession of past sin; acknowledgment that our sin deserved death; acquiescence in God's plan for forgiveness; a. new act of cove- nant with God; complete devotion of self to the service of ,Jehovah. The future, u well as the past, wa.e considered. The minds of men must be fitly impressed with the terrific evil of sin a.nd with the excellence that comes out of self-sacrifice. God's stupendous gift wakens our profoundest love. We aspire to act a.she a.cts, and so rise into the better life. Condescension is the road to eminence. III. SACRIFICE DEMANDS A VARIETY OF HUMAN SERVIOE, There were porters to keep the gates a.nd to prevent base intruders. There were men to slay the animals, and men to wash the flesh. There were men in charge of the building, 11nd men in charge of the altar. Some kinds of service were repulsive to the senses; some kinds were joyous and exhilarating. In God's temple there is some service which every Joya.I subject of Jehovah can render. '£he least endowed may perform some useful mission. As in nature every dewdrop has its effect, and the tiniest insect performs a. useful task, so it is a.lso in the kingdom of grace. The tears of the b11be Moses changed the fortunes or the world. The child Samuel was teacher to the high priest of Israel. A lad in the crowd possessed the barley loaves which served as the founda- tion of the Saviour's miracle. Provision was made in the temple for great variety of servants. The service of God is not arduous. "They also serve who only stand and wait." IV. SACRIFICE SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY A SERVICE OF BONG. "Without the inner gate were the chambers of the singers." Sacrifice may commence with sorrow; it also ends with joy. "Blessed a.re they that mourn" here; "they shall be com- forted." Music well befits temple-worship. Here, if anywhere, the souls of men should go forth in swelling tides of gladness. Before Jesus and hie companions went to Gethsemane they sang a. hymn. In the inner dungeon at midnight, with feet bpund in the stocks, Paul and Silas sang to God their praise. If joy thrills afresh the hearts of angels when one sinner on earth repents, it is meet that joy should a.lso fill God's temple on earth,-D. Ver, 8.-Divine measurement. Aesumin11 that the realization of this vision is found In no actual structure ever built by the hand of ma.n, but in that great spiritual edifice, the Church of J esue Christ, which Is still in course of erection, we ask what It Is that Li EZEICIEL-U, Z 838 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [oH. XL.1-49.