God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
The passage to which the verse belongs was sung as triumphant sacred song and thanksgiving at the Feast of Tabernacles, after the Day of Atonement had brought peace with Heaven through confession of sins. The singing centered on the temple and the pomp of its sacrificial ceremonies, with music mingled with hosanna shouts. It was led by choirs of Levites ranged on either side of the white marble steps of the temple and taken up by the multitude waving branches of palm and myrtle. The song was then echoed by voices near and far until the encircling hills resounded with praise.
Binding the sacrifice with cords means laying all upon the altar as a living, consuming sacrifice, and securing it there with cords if it will not stay. The all laid on the altar includes worldly wealth above what is plainest and poorest, and parting with it humbles the giver and lays the giver under greater obligation. It calls for noble and generous dispositions that seek opportunities to do good, selling what is possessed, giving alms, and laying up treasure in heaven that does not fail rather than treasure on earth. Binding the sacrifice is giving oneself to prayer, living at the altar, and strengthening purpose by the promises of God.
Waiting upon the Lord for an answer to prayer means binding oneself upon the altar with the strong cords of faith and love and letting patience have her perfect work. Delay in the answer is for special benefit, to test whether faith is true and sincere or changeable like the worldling's. Faith is strengthened through continual exercise in waiting upon the Lord. While waiting for the answer, the very best use is still to be made of the means provided in time of necessity.
The passage to which the verse belongs was sung as triumphant sacred song and thanksgiving at the Feast of Tabernacles, after the Day of Atonement had brought peace with Heaven through confession of sins. The singing centered on the temple and the pomp of its sacrificial ceremonies, with music mingled with hosanna shouts. It was led by choirs of Levites ranged on either side of the white marble steps of the temple and taken up by the multitude waving branches of palm and myrtle. The song was then echoed by voices near and far until the encircling hills resounded with praise.
Binding the sacrifice with cords means laying all upon the altar as a living, consuming sacrifice, and securing it there with cords if it will not stay. The all laid on the altar includes worldly wealth above what is plainest and poorest, and parting with it humbles the giver and lays the giver under greater obligation. It calls for noble and generous dispositions that seek opportunities to do good, selling what is possessed, giving alms, and laying up treasure in heaven that does not fail rather than treasure on earth. Binding the sacrifice is giving oneself to prayer, living at the altar, and strengthening purpose by the promises of God.
Waiting upon the Lord for an answer to prayer means binding oneself upon the altar with the strong cords of faith and love and letting patience have her perfect work. Delay in the answer is for special benefit, to test whether faith is true and sincere or changeable like the worldling's. Faith is strengthened through continual exercise in waiting upon the Lord. While waiting for the answer, the very best use is still to be made of the means provided in time of necessity.