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Observe here, 1. That the apostle calls the dispensation of the gospel, a kingdom that cannot be shaken, in opposition to the law, which was an imperfect and alterable dispensation; the gospel-revelation after this, nor of any change of that religion which was brought from heaven by the Son of God, in regard of the perfection of it, and its admirable fitness to reform the world, and to recover mankind out of their lost estate and lapsed condition, and to bring them to eternal happiness; and this by the purity of its doctrine, and the power of its arguments, to work upon the minds of men by the clear discovery of the mighty tewards and punishments of another world; we have received now a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Observe, 2. The inference which the apostle draws from the perfection and perpetuity of theis revelation which God has last of all made to the world by his Son, let us have grace to serve God acceptably; that is, let us live as becometh those to whom God hath made so clear and perfect a revelation of his mind and will; we have all the advantages of divine revelation which the world ever had, and the last and most perfect that the world ever shall have; we have not only Moses, but Jesus; not only the moral law, but the glorious gospel, which the Son of God came down on purpose from heaven to declare to the world.
Observe, 3. The manner how God must be served, with reverence and godly fear. Reverence in divine service look at God's glorious excellency and majesty, and at our own unworthiness, together with that infinite distance between him and us; and godly fear is a religious awe upon the soul in holy duties, from the consideration of the great danger of sinful miscarriages in his worship.
Observe, 4. The reason making the foregoing duty necessary, For our God is a consuming fire.
Our God, intimates a covenant relation.
Note hence, That the believer's Gods is a consuming fire, but not to believers; or if so, not to consume their graces, but their corruptions only, or at most their corruptible comforts.
Note, 2. That though God takes us near to himself, and in covenant with himself, yet he expects that we consider who he is, and what he is, even a consuming fire and a jealous God.