Notes on the International Lesson.
By W. N. Glenn
THE temple built by Solomon, the dedication of which is described in the chapter containing this lesson, was, in arrangement and purpose, a counterpart of the tabernacle built by Moses in the wilderness of Sinai. It is quite common among theologians to treat both structures as types of something that was to occur on this earth under the Christian dispensation. And we have heard prominent ministers laboring hard to point out in the structure of the Christian church some antitype of every detail in the temple. It seems evident that such labor is in vain. WE learn from Heb. 8:5 that "Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle," that he should make all things according to the pattern shown to him in the mount. And concerning Moses' sprinkling both the tabernacle and the vessels with the blood of calves and goats, Paul says: "It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices." Heb. 9:23. Then the tabernacle and temple were patterns of something in heaven, according to Paul's exposition. AND the next verse carries further the same idea: "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." As this appearing for us shows him in the light of a priest "in heaven itself," his mediatorial ministration must be in his temple. If one is "in heaven itself," the other must also be there. In the eighth chapter, verses 1 and 2, we read: "We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." WE can see from these facts some reason why the Lord was so careful with the sanctuary, as well as the priestly ministration, that it should be according to the pattern. Otherwise they could not faithfully portray the real mediatorial work of Christ. "BLESSED be the Lord that hath given rest unto his people Israel." He hath given them rest from their enemies, absolute peace. What for? To consume the blessing upon their lusts?—No; it was to give them opportunity to set about a work that was designed to glorify God in the eyes of all the nations of the earth. When Israel was delivered from Egyptian bondage, it was to give them freedom to observe his law and to spread a knowledge of the true God throughout the earth. And in Rev. 7:1-3 we read of the angels holding the four winds until the servants of God should be sealed. It appears, then, that all the peace vouchsafed in this sinful world is that opportunity may be given for furthering the great plan of salvation. "THERE hath not failed one word of all his good promise." And there never will. "For all the promises of God in him [Christ] are yea, and in him amen." 2 Cor. 1:20. "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for he is faithful that promised)." Heb. 10:23. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9. THERE are some promises that are too important to be overlooked in connection with this feature of the lesson. "We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Pet. 3:13. "Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth." Matt. 5:5. And John saw in prophetic vision the new heaven and new earth, and also the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven. Rev. 21:1, 2. And in chapter 22:14 is the final promise: "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." THAT there is no difference in the requirements and necessities incident to a godly life in Solomon's day and ours, is clearly set forth in the following petition in verses 57 and 58 of the lesson: "The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers; let him not leave us, nor forsake us; that he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers." AND the grand object of a perfect walk is not, as many suppose, merely that the individual so walking may be saved; but "that all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else." The plan of salvation is broad enough to include the world; and the Saviour never did anything with a narrow design. His prayer for the unity of his disciples was "that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." John 17:23. IN this age we can hardly comprehend the immense slaughter of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep as a sacrifice; but it was acceptable to God. We must not indulge the too common idea, because the day of animal sacrifice is past, and the great antitypical sacrifice has been made, that all obligation has ceased and offerings are no longer due in connection with the worship of God. In proportion as our light and privileges increase, so does our obligation increase. "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts." Ps. 96:8.