WHEN the people of God are in a healthy spiritual condition, the funds are healthy also and the Treasurers have no anxiety. The spiritual affections being in full flow, all that is required for the maintenance of the Lord’s work is in full flow also. When Jehovah asked Israel in the wilderness to prepare Him a habitation, the offerings were so abundant that the people had to be restrained. Bezaleel and his helpers reported to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which Jehovah commanded to make” (Ex. 36:55And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make. (Exodus 36:5)). Their hard-earned Egyptian wages, secured for them by Jehovah Himself before they left that land (Ex. 3:2222But every woman shall borrow of her neighbor, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians. (Exodus 3:22)), were willingly laid at the feet of their Saviour-God. Even so, their devotedness will not compare with that of the poor widow upon whom the eye of the Lord Jesus rested in the days of His flesh (Luke 21:2-42And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. (Luke 21:2‑4)).
There was a pitiful contrast in Malachi’s day. The remnant returned from Babylon, to whom God had shown much favor, became so cold and indifferent in their religious exercises that even the prescribed tithes and offerings were not brought in (Mal. 3:8-108Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (Malachi 3:8‑10)). Voluntary offerings―the “extras” which manifest the love of the heart, were absolutely non-existent.
When Hezekiah appealed to the people concerning the needs of the house of Jehovah, he was delighted with the result. “When Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed Jehovah and His people Israel” (2 Chron. 31:88And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his people Israel. (2 Chronicles 31:8)). The pious king’s feelings were similar to those of Paul in Philippians 4:1717Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. (Philippians 4:17)― “Not that I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”
The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost produced a marvelous wave of surrender amongst the newly saved. Their joy was great. Behold how they stood with God! Having been convicted of the awful crime of killing the Son of God, they had come to understand that His death was part of a divine counsel of grace, and that in virtue of His death and resurrection they were forgiven and blessed. Their affections followed earth’s rejected One to the place where He had gone, and this made the things of earth of but small value in their eyes. Accordingly, they “sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (Acts 2:4545And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (Acts 2:45)). They did not understand union, for the Mystery had not yet been revealed, but they practiced unity most blessedly. There were no suffering poor in the early Church in Jerusalem. Barnabas is specially named in connection with this remarkable wave of surrender. “Having land, he sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the Apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:3737Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:37)). This community of goods was not demanded of them; but the voluntariness of it made it very precious in the sight of Him who for our sakes became poor that we through His poverty might be rich (2 Cor. 8:99For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)).
A community of goods was only practicable while the Church was limited to one city. As the truth spread, and Assemblies sprung up elsewhere, a different condition of things obtained. Some were rich, and others were poor. The Corinthians were wealthy, but the Assemblies of Macedonia were poor (2 Cor. 8:1-21Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. (2 Corinthians 8:1‑2)). When need arose in one quarter, it was met from another, for the Church of God is one throughout the earth. The first example of this is recorded in Acts 11:27-3027And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: 30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27‑30). A general famine was predicted by Agabus, and the brethren in Antioch, “every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea.” The threatened trouble was to be “a great dearth throughout the world.” Thus Antioch was in danger, as well as Judea, yet they sent their gifts! Unselfish love, assuredly! This is a greater and more enduring bond than ecclesiastical regulations, however well-intentioned they may be. Judea might well have replied to Antioch, “the things which were sent from you are an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God” (Phil. 4:1818But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18)). Coming now to the Temple, Solomon was the man chosen by God to build it. “Solomon thy son, he shall build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his father” (1 Chron. 28:66And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. (1 Chronicles 28:6)). But the plans were nevertheless given to David. “All this,” said David, “Jehovah made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern” (1 Chron. 28:1919All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern. (1 Chronicles 28:19)). These plans David entrusted to Solomon, “the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof,” etc. (1 Chron. 28:1111Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlors thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, (1 Chronicles 28:11)). David stood upon higher ground in relation to Jehovah than his distinguished son. He was as truly a vessel of divine inspiration as Moses in the wilderness. What honor will compare with conscious nearness to God?
In all his afflictions David delighted in the thought of a house for God. The humble tabernacle was very dear to him meantime. “Jehovah, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth” (Psa. 26:88Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwelleth. (Psalm 26:8)). When his wanderings ceased, and he dwelt in peace in “a house of cedar,” it did not please David that the ark of God still abode in curtains (2 Sam. 7:22That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. (2 Samuel 7:2)). The intensity of his desire is expressed in Psalms 132 But however godly his desire, and however acceptable to God, the man of peace, not the man of war, must be the builder of God’s house (1 Chron. 22:8-98But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. 9Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. (1 Chronicles 22:8‑9)). Psalms 132 looks far beyond the day of Solomon to Christ’s millennial reign. Then a Temple will be reared that will excel in glory anything that earth has yet seen. Ezekiel’s last nine chapters describe with much detail the new conditions.
But if David must not build the house for God, he could at least make preparation for it, and this he did with all his heart. Hear him: “I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God.... I have set my affection to the house of my God” (1 Chron. 24:2-32But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office. 3And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. (1 Chronicles 24:2‑3)). This is what God hives to see in His people. Yet “the day came when He had to say to Israel, “Who is there among you that would even shut the doors for naught?” (Mal. 1:1010Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. (Malachi 1:10)). “Behold, what a weariness is it!” (Mal. 1:1313Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord. (Malachi 1:13)) said their poor wayward hearts. All their sorrows have come upon them because they “served not Jehovah their God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things” (Deut. 28:4747Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; (Deuteronomy 28:47)). When David brought the ark up to Zion, he “danced before Jehovah with all his might” (2 Sam. 6:1414And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. (2 Samuel 6:14)). The same holy enthusiasm manifested itself in him in old age and imparted itself to Solomon, the princes, and the people generally. The whole of the two concluding chapters of 1 Chronicles should be read, for they describe the unity of mind and heart amongst all classes in Israel concerning the great project of building a house for Jehovah.
David’s attitude towards the people while encouraging them to build for God is very beautiful. “Hear me, my brethren” (1 Chron. 28:22Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: (1 Chronicles 28:2)). Jehovah desired Israel’s king, when the time came that they would have one, to read the book of the law daily “that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren” (Deut. 17:2020That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. (Deuteronomy 17:20)). There is nothing of the Oriental despot in this. God’s king must not tyrannize over, but “feed Jacob His people and Israel His inheritance” (Psa. 78:7171From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. (Psalm 78:71)). The great King of Kings, when He sits upon the throne of His glory with angels in attendance will acknowledge lowly men who have preached His word as “My brethren” (Matt. 25:4040And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40)).
The offerings for the work of the Temple were immense. David had stored up vast sums, partly the spoil of his conquests; from his own fortune he gave largely; and the princes and people added their quota. The figures stand thus:
1,000,000 talents of silver.
10,000 talents of silver.
Reckoning the gold at ₤5,475 per talent of 114 lbs. weight, and the silver at ₤342 Per talent, the total amounts to ₤591,300,000 gold and ₤347,814,000 silver. This is the value of the precious metals. The brass, iron, and precious stones would swell the amount further.
“The people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to Jehovah, and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.” The king in his public thanksgiving took no credit for this lavishness, saying, “Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee” (1 Chron. 29:9, 149Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. (1 Chronicles 29:9)
14But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. (1 Chronicles 29:14)).
He then called upon the people to bless Jehovah. “And all the congregation blessed Jehovah God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads and worshipped Jehovah and the king.” Burnt-offerings followed on a large scale, and the people “did eat and drink before Jehovah on that day with great gladness” (1 Chron. 29:20-2220And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the Lord your God. And all the congregation blessed the Lord God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the Lord, and the king. 21And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings unto the Lord, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel: 22And did eat and drink before the Lord on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the Lord to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest. (1 Chronicles 29:20‑22)). Why? Because their faithful God had consented to dwell in their midst, and had allowed them the honor of building the house for His name.
Thus everything was prepared before David’s death for the first of the five Temples which are connected with Jerusalem in the sacred records.
(1) Solomon’s Temple, now to be constructed.
(4) Antichrist’s Temple, built by Jews in his day, and desecrated by him (Rev. 11:11And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. (Revelation 11:1); 2 Thess. 2:44Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4); Matt. 24:1515When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) (Matthew 24:15)).
(5) The Millennial Temple, specifications given in Ezekiel 40, etc.
When the Lord Jesus died, the veil of the Temple was rent in the midst, God thus signifying that the old order was abolished. The time has now come when neither in Jerusalem nor in Samaria’s mountain should men worship the Father (John 4:25-24).
A few words may well be added here concerning worship in “the hour that now is” (i.e. Christianity). Its fullest expression is found in John 4:21-2421Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:21‑24). Those who suggest that the Samaritan woman raised the question of places of worship in order to turn aside the keen edge of the Lord’s exposure of her evil life are not quite just. What she had in her mind more probably was the difficulty as to where He could be found of whose holiness the Speaker was making her conscious. The Samaritans said one thing and the Jews another; where then was the true religious center? The Lord replied, “Woman, believe Me” ―note His words! He speaks with authority; He knows God as no other could know Him; and He only can reveal His thoughts. “Believe Me, the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.” Samaritan worship never had a divine standing—It was an abominable conglomeration from the beginning (2 Kings 17:4141So these nations feared the Lord, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day. (2 Kings 17:41)); Judaism, on the contrary, was originally of God. But both must stand aside now. The Father stands revealed in the person of the Son of His love; all distance is ended. Sanctuaries and ecclesiastics are worse than useless now. The place of assembly matters little—schoolhouse, barn, private dwelling, etc. The Father seeks those who are conscious of intimate relationship with Himself, and who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Nothing else will satisfy Him “in the hour that now is.” It was doubtless a delight to Him when Hezekiah reopened and repaired the slighted Temple (2 Chron. 29:33He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them. (2 Chronicles 29:3)); but such service could have no value today.
In verse 22 The Lord said, “the hour cometh,” for God had not yet definitely rejected the earthly sanctuary. Ere long the veil would be divinely rent, but the action was still future. In verse 23 the Lord goes further, saying, “the hour cometh and now is.” The subject here is not the place of worship, but the character of it. The Son having come, He who is now revealed by the sweet name Father, requires something more than forms, however scripturally correct. “The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.” Precious thought! the Son was on earth seeking sinners; and the Father by His revelations in and through the Son was seeking worshippers. Thus, even before the Temple was divinely disowned, there was more for God in the adoration of Mary of Bethany than in all the gorgeous ritual of the Aaronic priesthood (John 12:33Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. (John 12:3)).
“In spirit and in truth” does not mean merely that all worship must be in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in accordance with revealed truth (although that is deeply important); it means also a spiritual and truthful condition. Hence the Lord’s words in verse 24 “God is a spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” Not now the “Father,” but “God.” Being what He is, He insists that those who approach Him should do so in this way and condition. “Must.” Neither Peter nor Barnabas were in a spiritual and truthful condition when they dissimulated at Antioch; Paul, who was, faithfully exposed and rebuked their dishonesty (Gal. 2:11-1411But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? (Galatians 2:11‑14)).
National worship, expressed in ritual, was once according to God, at least as far as Israel was concerned, and it will be so again in the millennial age, as Ezekiel’s concluding chapters tell us; but both in the past and in the future for such worship a visible sanctuary and a priesthood are necessary. All this is entirely out of place in the hour that now is.
The gathering center now is not a building, but a name. “Where two or three are gathered together unto My name there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)). This supposes grateful souls attracted by what they have found in the Name of their Lord corning together to speak to God and to one another about Him. This is heart-exercise, very precious to the Father and the Son, and very delightful to the worshippers themselves.