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ZION A TYPE OF THE CHURCH
THE efficacy of fervent prayer is strongly marked in the Holy Scriptures: there is scarcely a saint, respecting whom any information is given us, who may not be adduced as an example of God’s readiness to answer prayer. Solomon, if, as some suppose, he was the author of this Psalm, records the answer which God vouchsafed to the supplications he had offered at the dedication of his temple: and it is worthy of observation, that the very language of his petition was made the vehicle of God’s promise [Note: Compare ver. 8–10 and 2Ch_6:41-42. with the text and the verse following it.].
In considering these words we shall notice,
I. God’s love to his Church—
Mount Zion must be numbered among the most distinguished types, not only because its very name is given to the Church of Christ, but because God’s love to his Church was represented to the world by the favours conferred on that chosen hill. As formerly on Mount Zion, so now in the Christian Church, God,
1. Dispenses his ordinances—
[The Jews were not suffered to present their offerings in any other place: there alone were the sacrifices to be slain; and there alone were the means of reconciliation with God to be exhibited before their eyes. Thus in the Church of Christ, and in that only, have we the way of life and salvation fully opened. Among the heathen world we behold no traces of that path marked out for us in the Gospel: but wherever God has called a people to the knowledge of his Son, and appointed over them a faithful shepherd, there his word is preached with power; there the atoning blood of Jesus flows; the administration of the sacraments is not there an empty ceremony, but a lively and impressive exhibition of the doctrines of grace,]
2. Vouchsafes his presence—
[When the ark, which had long abode in a moveable tabernacle at Shiloh, was brought to Zion, its residence was fixed; and the Deity, whom it represented, called that place his “rest.” From that time his visible glory was revealed there: he dwelt between the cherubims; and was accessible to all through the blood of the sacrifices, and the mediation of the high-priest. In the Church also is his glory seen, even “the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Whatever may be known of him in the works of creation and providence is darkness itself, in comparison of that light which shines in his Gospel. To those, who seek his face, “he manifests himself, as he does not unto the world;” and often constrains them to cry out with astonishment, “How great is his goodness! how great is his beauty!”]
3. Communicates his blessings—
[When the high-priest had finished his work within the vail, he came forth to bless the people; and his word was confirmed by God to all penitent and believing worshippers. So now in his Church does God bless his people with all spiritual blessings. He imparts pardon to the guilty, strength to the weak, consolation to the troubled: whatever any stand in need of, they are sure to obtain it, if they come to him in his appointed way [Note: Psa_48:2-3.]. This thousands can attest; this thousands yet unborn shall, in every succeeding age, experience.]
But his love to the Church will yet further appear by considering,
II. The promises made to her—
These, as has been observed, precisely accord with the petitions offered. In them God assures his Church that he will bestow abundant blessings,
1. On the ordinances—
[There may be in the text some reference to the, assembling of all the males three times a year at Jerusalem, when it was probable that the conflux of such multitudes to one place might produce a scarcity of provisions, and thereby distress the poor. This effect God promises to counteract by giving them abundant crops. But certainly we must understand this as relating also to spiritual food: and how delightfully is it verified under the ministration of the Gospel! The word, dispensed in one short hour, has, like the bread multiplied by our Lord, been food for thousands; and though simple, and unadorned, has, like the pulse given to Daniel and his companions, been more nutritious than all the dainties sent from the monarch’s table [Note: Dan_1:12-13.].]
2. On those who administer the ordinances—
[The priests who served in the temple, were clad with linen, to denote the purity that was expected of them. But they, who minister under the Gospel, provided they walk worthy of their high and holy office, shall be “clothed with salvation” itself: “in watering others, they themselves shall be watered;” and “in saving others, they themselves shall be saved.” Nor is this a blessing to themselves alone; for, in proportion as ignorant and ungodly ministers are a curse to those over whom they are placed, the superintendence of pious, intelligent, and faithful ministers must be esteemed a blessing.]
3. On those who attend the ordinances—
[The request made by Solomon was, that “the saints might shout for joy:” and God tells him that they shall shout aloud for joy: thus does God on numberless occasions give us more than we either asked or thought. A faithful dispensation of the ordinances is a source of joy to many souls. The saints especially, who receive the truth in the love of it, are often enabled by it to “rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorified.” And this is a blessing, not to themselves only, but to the whole Church. By this they adorn, and recommend the Gospel; and are stimulated to diffuse the savour of it all around them.]
Infer—
1. How little reason have mere formal worshippers to think that they belong to the Church of God!
[The enjoyment of these promises is inconsistent with habitual formality: either therefore God falsifies his word (which it were the vilest blasphemy to imagine), or the formalist is yet an “alien from the commonwealth of Israel.”]
2. How impotent are all attempts to destroy the Church [Note: Psa_125:1; Psa_48:12-13; Psa_46:5 and Mat_16:18.]!
3. How strong is the Christian’s obligation to serve and honour God!
[Does God so delight in his Church as to make it his rest, and to load it with so many benefits? Surely every member of it should testify his gratitude by a cheerful and unreserved obedience.]