The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 422

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 3.- Worship. The prophet, having described by anticipation the sacred city and temple, having represented the several duties of prince, priest, and people, having given regulations for sacrifices and festivals, now proceeds to depict the sacred services for which all this preparation has been undertaken. The rulers of the nation, the ministers of religion, and the people of the land are beheld uniting in the solemn function of spiritual worship. This is the loftiest exercise of the Church, whether upon. earth or in heaven. The worship of the individual soul yields in beauty and in grandeur to that sacrifice of worship in. which multitudes, willingly, gratefully, and joyfully unite. I. THE OBJECT OF WORSHIP IS Goo ONLY, In this a distinction existed between Israel and the heathen people around; for whilst these worshipped gods many and lords many, the chosen people worshipped Jehovah, and him alone. In the Church of Christ, whilst many of the great and holy in former times are remembered with grati- tude and veneration, worship, in the strict and proper sense of the term, is reserved for the Supreme and Eternal, who shares his honour with none beside. His glorious perfections demand the homage and adoration of his intelligent creatures; and the more his character is studied, the more will it appear worthy of all the admiration and reverence which can be brought into his sacred presence. IT. TnE woRSHIPPERB ABE THE CBUB.oa oF THE LIVING Goo. The great e.nd the small, the young and the old, the learned and the lay, are all qualified to present t<.> the Eternal the spiritual tribute which is his due. For it is in virtue of their humanity, their participation in human nature, experience, and powers, and not in virtue of any peculiar possession or acquisition, that they are summoned to unite in the worship of their Creator. The idea of the prophet' was one in a high degree expanded and comprehensive; yet even this fell short of the great reality as apprehended by the Apocalyptic seer. ill. THE BEAT OF ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP 18 THE HEART, It is true that this spiritual doctrine is especially that of Christianity, of the New Testament. But the attentive reader of the Psalms and prophecies of the old covenant is aware tho.t the enlightened Hebrews were superior to a merely formal and mechanical view of worship. Sacrifices and offerings were known and felt to be of no avail unless they txpressed the deep and sincere emotions of the inner nature. Thus it must ever be; he who is a Spirit must be worshipped in spirit and in truth. IV. THE CHARACTER OF TRUE WORSHIP 0ORBESPONDS WITH THE NATURE AND NEED OF THE WORSIIIPPERB. 1. There must he acknowledgment of the Divine attributes, contemplated with reverence. 2. Thero must be humiliation and confession of sin. 3. Ther~ must be the presentation of the due offeri~ of gratitude to him from wholll all blessings proceed. 4. There must be petitions ai:id intercessions for needed good, OH. XLVI. 1-24.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPilET EZEKIEL. 437