There is companionship too in this journey. When we were led in true exercise by the Spirit of God, we found others exercised by the Spirit desirous also to go on in the same path of faith.
(vs. 1) “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Then faith looks off to the time when one’s feet will stand in Jerusalem.
(vs. 2) “Our feet shall stand within Thy gates, O Jerusalem.” This is followed by meditation as to what is to be found there.
(vs 3) “Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together.”
(vs 4) “Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.”
When building the wall, Nehemiah said, “The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall” (Neh. 4:1919And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. (Nehemiah 4:19)) Those were remnant days-the beginning of a recovery from what carelessness and disobedience had brought in. See 2 Chron. 36:1414Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 36:14).
Faith sees Jerusalem “compact together,” when in reality it lay in ruins at the time when the journey began; but the energy of faith could change all this. “Compact together” makes one think of what we have in the New Testament, “gathered together” and “fitly joined together and compacted” (Eph. 4:1616From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:16)), the result of the unity and operation of the Spirit of God in producing the unity (Eph. 4:33Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)), which is far beyond anything that man can bring about.
Another thing: it is not simply where the feeble remnant was going, but “whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord”! Faith takes in the whole of Israel, though the greater part were long since lost among the nations. Faith embraces the whole, and so now the Lord would not have us stop short of the whole body of Christ, the Church. Our faith must realize that anything short of this is sectarian and stops short of what is outlined for us in the path of faith according to the scripture (Eph. 4:44There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4); 1 Cor. 12:1313For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)).
“Unto the testimony of Israel.” This brings before us the Ark of God which contained the tables of the law, which was spoken of as the dwelling place of the Lord God. It was also the true gathering center for all Israel (1 Chron. 13:6; 23:256And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the Lord, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it. (1 Chronicles 13:6)
25For David said, The Lord God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever: (1 Chronicles 23:25)). This should bring before us the One who is now the true Center of the Church – the One of whom it could truly be said, “Thy law have I hid in my heart.” In such a place one is in the position where thanks can be given unto the Lord-”To give thanks unto the name of the LORD.” This is what He desires, as we shall see as we proceed with these Songs of Degrees.
(vs 5) “For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.” The thrones of the house of David was the place where justice was administered. Absalom sought craftily to usurp the throne on the plea that justice was not being done. He declared that failure had come in; but, though there was failure present, yet it was not as extensive as he sought to make out. This world has yet to wait for the “King” to “reign in righteousness” (Isa. 32:11Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. (Isaiah 32:1)). He was here once, but was rejected (Luke 19:41-4441And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. (Luke 19:41‑44)). The setting aside of David was not allowed, and Absalom lost his life in attempting to do so.
Is it not striking that the Lord, when speaking of the Church which was yet to be established, gives it this character – the place of justice, because He is in the midst (Matt. 18:15-2015Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:15‑20))? How many times the enemy has sought to set this truth aside on some such plea as Absalom’s!
The true effect of the unity that is of the Spirit is the exercise that peace might be there. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” Should not the need of collective peace exercise our hearts now? How often has individual responsibility been unduly pressed with sad results. The same one that could speak of conferring “not with flesh and blood,” afterward speaks of going to see Peter and abiding with him fifteen days, and again going up and communicating privately to them of reputation, lest by any means he had run or should run in vain (Gal. 1-2).
(vs. 8) “For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.” The one who has been voicing these godly exercises has now learned to speak of those whom he has found to have like precious faith as himself, as his brethren. A relationship has been formed by the Spirit of God with these and God’s chosen center, and its peace is their one consuming thought and objective.