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- As the temple was a type of the Church of God, and the stones of which it was composed represented individual believers, so the completing of the building foreshadowed that grand consummation in which the number of the elect shall be complete. The consequent dedication of the finished edifice will therefore represent the future devotion to the service of God of his glorified Church. By anticipation it also describes the service which believers should now render to God, since each part should be a true sample of the whole. In this view how fittingly was the dedication of the temple an occasion of joy (ver. 16)!

I. THE REJOICING WAS OVER THE FINISHED WORK.

1. It was the end of all their toil.

(1) The end, in being the consummation towards which they wrought. So will the heavenly state be to all true workers in the Church of God.

(2) Also the end, in the sense of bringing their toil to its period. The labour of twenty long years was now closed. No more straining of muscles in felling of cedars in Lebanon. No more sweat of the face in lifting great stones. No more endurance of cruel mockings and violent persecutions, So when we gain our reward "there will be no more curse" (Revelation 21:3-5).

2. It was the triumph of their faith and hope.

(1) The word of God sustained them against opposition from the rulers and from the rabble. It nerved them under the discouragements of threats and violence. So amidst vicissitudes for twenty years they plodded on. Now they reap the reward of their constancy.

(2) So has the Church of God been carried up stone by stone amidst opposition from princes and people. Amidst poverty and perplexity. With interruptions and threatenings. But it is destined to witness a magnificent sequel (see Revelation 21:1, 2, 9, etc.).

(3) The history of the Church has its epitome in the experience of its members. Their constant faith will reap its reward too in the heights of the heavenly Zion.

II. THEY REJOICED OVER IMMENSE SACRIFICES.

1. There were peace offerings for the dedication.

(1) The number of the victims was 100 bullocks and 600 smaller animals, viz., 200 rams and 400 lambs. At the dedication of Solomon's temple the sacrifices were 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep (see 1 Kings 8:63). Yet this immolation does not compare unfavourably. Here were only 50,000 Jews as against say 10,000,000 Israelites in the days of Solomon, or 1 to 200. Multiply these victims by 200, and they scarcely differ in number from those offered at the earlier dedication (see also Ezra 8:35). Consider also the difference in their circumstances (see 2 Corinthians 8:2, 3). Well might they rejoice in their religious zeal.

(2) Corresponding to this enormous slaughter, there will be in connection with the dedication to God of his glorified Church a fearful sacrifice of his enemies. These judgments began upon the antichristian Jews (see Jeremiah 19:6, 7). They will culminate in the destruction of the Antichrist of Gentiledom (see Isaiah 34:1-7; Ezekiel 39:17-20). If mercy rejoices, it rejoices upon judgment (not "against" it); as the ark of mercy rode upon the flood of judgment (see Revelation 22:15).

2. There were sin offerings for all Israel.

(1) "Twelve he-goats according to the number of the tribes." The number of the victims sacrificed for the tribes at the dedication of Solomon's temple is not mentioned (2 Chronicles 7:4).

(2) Why for "all Israel," when so large a part of the ten tribes remained in their dispersion? Perhaps an expression of faith in those promises which speak of a full restoration of "all the house of Israel wholly" (see Ezekiel 11:14-20). This restoration was but an instalment of the ultimate restoration even of Judah.

(3) Atonement necessary to the acceptableness of services. The "children of the captivity" had a lively remembrance of the miseries they had suffered through sin. The redeemed in heaven will sing of Calvary (Revelation 5:8-13).

III. THEY REJOICED OVER THE ORDERING OF THE SERVICE OF GOD.

1. The priests were distributed into their divisions.

(1) These "divisions" are also called courses (2 Chronicles 8:14). They were twenty-four in number, and so ordered by David (1 Chronicles 24:1-5). They served in turn, under the direction of the high priest, and on entering this service were ceremonially sanctified (2 Chronicles 5:11). Example in the case of Zacharias (see Luke 1:5, 8).

(2) There will be supreme order in the service of God in heaven.

2. The Levites also were distributed into courses.

(1) David, the type of his infinitely more illustrious Son, gave this ordinance likewise (1 Chronicles 23:3-6).

(2) Their services were

(a) those connected with sacrifice (2 Chronicles 31:2).

(b) Supervising matters pertaining to the temple.

(c) Keeping the doors of the house of the Lord.

(d) Leading the praise in the worship of God.

3. Believers in Christ are the priests and Levites of the spiritual sanctuary.

(1) They offer continual sacrifices of prayer, of praise, of service.

(2) Everything which concerns the house of God concerns them. The service they render is therefore joyful service. We should welcome holy ordinances with joy (Psalm 100:2) - J.A.M.

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KJV: And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,

WEB: The children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.