NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.
Dedication of the Temple.
VERSE 22 states that Solomon stood before the altar, in presence of the congregation, and spread forth his hands toward heaven. The record in 2 Chronicles 6:12 is more minute, adding to the fact of his standing upon the brazen platform erected for the occasion, the statement that he "kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation." The standing position was usual in prayer, and Dr. Geikie notes the fact that this is the first mention in the Scriptures of the kneeling posture. But the position is afterward frequently mentioned as denoting humility and earnestness. Prominent instances are found in the example of Daniel at Babylon, Christ in Gethsemane, and Paul at his farewell to the Ephesian elders at Miletus; and the angels were seen by John in vision to fall down before the throne of God to worship. Rev. 7:11. THAT was a remarkable prayer offered on this most solemn occasion; it was a prayer in which the Spirit evidently made intercession; it was even prophetic in the anticipation of future emergencies. The character of God is aptly expressed in verse 23, in the words, "who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart." In all the agreements which God makes with men he fulfills his part perfectly; man can only perform his duty by the help of the Almighty; though the spirit be ever so willing, "the flesh is weak." Here, then, is God's mercy added to his integrity. He is so anxious to have man reconciled to him, has such love for the work of his hands, that he performs his own part of the contract without fail, and helps the willing though weak creature to do his part. Even with all of David's failings Solomon says God kept his promises with him. Well could David sing, as so often repeated in Ps. 136, "his mercy endureth forever." SOLOMON took courage from the fact that God had so faithfully fulfilled his word, as was manifest that day. As the cloud of the presence of God filled the temple, as it formerly had the tabernacle (see verses 10, 11), there could be no mistaking the divine acceptance both of the place and the services. Men often imagine that if they could only experience some visible manifestation of acceptance, they would have more courage and assurance in the service of the Lord. But this plea is a mere subterfuge. It is not sight that is lacking in this age, but faith. "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." John 20:29. The evidences of God's faithfulness to his word, in all ages, are so numerous that the skeptic and the doubting believer are utterly without excuse. THE manifestation of God's presence impressed the mind of the king with a sense of the comparative insignificance of his work. "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven, and heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded." Verse 27. The building of the temple was a great and magnificent work from a human stand-point; but when the Creator of the universe, for whom the whole earth is but a "footstool," confronted it, the builder saw his own achievement simply as "this house that I have builded." And so with all of man's greatest and best works, when viewed in the light of God's righteousness and power, they dwindle to the same level of imperfection as himself. It is then that he can say with the psalmist, "Lord, what is man that thou art mindful of him?" FROM verse 31 the prayer concerns specific contingencies which the Spirit seems to have indicated would arise. It will be noticed, however, that in every case in which the petitioner intercedes in advance for forgiveness of the people, the request is based upon the condition that they shall confess and turn again to the Lord, and make supplication. Solomon well understood the principles upon which the atonement rests, as prefigured in the typical ministrations, therefore he did not ask that prayer be heard or sin pardoned on any other condition. And now God is calling upon "all men everywhere to repent," that is, to turn from unrighteousness to obedience, and be forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ. The principle of confession and repentance as a condition of forgiveness, is even set forth as a rule between man and man. "If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him." Luke 17:3, 4. THE prayer includes a petition for the return to their land of those who should be taken captive by an enemy in battle. Bishop Baker says: "To be taken away from the land of promise, to be separated from communion with the covenant people, in whose midst Jehovah dwelt, and to live among heathen, was the greatest of all misfortunes to an Israelite." We find some professing Christians at the present time who are very careless regarding their covenant relations with the people of God, and who rather court the society and influence of the world. Some, who are restive under what they deem undue restraint in the church, even declare that they can be as good Christians out of the church as in it. Whether they can or not (and no doubt there are many who would), the mere act of trying to do so is presuming to violate the gospel order; to slight God's means of grace; to reject the ordinances of his house, and to ignore the wisdom of inspiration, which lays great stress upon the importance of the fellowship of the saints and separation from the world. See John 17:20-23; 2 Cor. 6:14; Phil. 1:3; 1 John 1:3, etc. W. N. GLENN. LET it not be forgotten that the man most advanced in knowledge needs to make specific preparation for each lesson, in order rightly to instruct even the most humble and ignorant. The teacher loses the greater part of the benefit to himself and of his power over his class, who relies upon his general knowledge, or his previous acquisitions, instead of preparing himself anew for each particular lesson. The mental food which he offers to his class should be, like the manna from Heaven, fresh from his mind.