Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit · Sermon No. 1808
“At that time, when David saw that the Lord had answered him on the threshing floor of Oman, the Jebusite, he sacrificed there.” 1 Chronicles 21:28.
“Then David said, This is the house of the Lord God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.”
1 Chronicles 22:1.
DAVID was, for many years, searching for a site for the great temple which he purposed to build for Jehovah, his God. It had been ordained that the sacrifices offered to the one God should be offered by all Israel upon one altar, but as yet the Ark of the Lord was within curtains, near David’s palace, and the altar of burnt offering was situated at Gibeon. Where should the one altar be erected? Where should the Ark find its permanent dwelling place? David said, “Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.” Yet for a long time he received no indication as to the exact spot where the Lord’s altar should be reared, save only that he was told that the Lord had chosen Zion and desired it for His habitation.
David watched, and waited, and prayed and, in due time, he received the sign. God knew the spot and had consecrated it long before by His appearance unto Abraham. The other Lord’s Day, you remember, our text was, “Jehovah-jireh,” [Volume 30, No. 1803] and we then learned that in the mountain the Lord would be seen. Upon Mount Moriah, on or near that particular spot which had been named Jehovah-jireh, was the temple to be built. Abraham had there unsheathed the knife to slay his son. Wondrous type of the great Father offering up His Only-Begotten for the sins of men! The scene of that grand transaction was to be the center of worship for the chosen people. Where Abraham made the supreme sacrifice, there should His descendants present their offerings! Or if we look into the type and see God, there, presenting Jesus as a Sacrifice for men—it was most suitable that man should forever sacrifice to God where God made a sacrifice for him!
As yet it was not known to David that this was the chosen place. Now it is indicated by memorable signs—the Angel of Justice stands above the spot and his sword is sheathed there in answer to the cries of the afflicted king, according to the long-suffering mercy of God. Then David clearly saw the mind of the Lord and said, “This is the house of Jehovah my God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.” Then He commenced at once with double speed to prepare the materials for the temple. Though he knew that he might not build it, since his hands had been stained with blood, yet he would do all that he could to help his son, Solomon, in the great enterprise.
This problem which David had, at last, worked out by the good hand of God upon him, is one which, in a deep spiritual sense, exercises our hearts often. Where is it that man may meet with God? How is it that man may speak with His offended Lord and be reconciled to Him? Is there not some meeting place where the sinner may express his repentance and where mercy may grant full absolution? Many are saying, “Oh, that I knew where I might find Him!” Hearts touched by the Spirit of God are still seeking after God if, haply, they may find Him. In what condition and by what means may man be at peace with God and dread no longer the sword of His justice?
For the heart of some of us, that problem takes a further shape—we know where man may meet with God, but we need to know how the careless, proud, rebellious heart shall be induced to come to God in His appointed way. We know it is by the power of the Holy Spirit, through the preaching of the Word of God, and the uplifting of the all-attracting Cross—but we would like to know the state of mind which will lead up to reconciliation—for now we often have to go
back to Him that sent us and cry—“Who has believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” We would lead men to God by Jesus Christ if we could—we stretch out the finger and we point the way—but they will not see! We stretch out both hands and entreat them to come, but they will not yield!
Our heart breaks for the longing that it has to present every man in Christ reconciled unto the living God—but how shall it be? How shall the sinner come to God? We may get some light from the type before us upon that question— where shall God’s temple be? How shall men be brought to it? We speak not, at this time, upon natural things, but upon the things of the Spirit! Therefore let us pray the Holy Spirit to enlighten and instruct us, for only by His aid shall spiritual Truth enter our hearts! And, first, I remark that externally there was and there is nothing in any place why it should be the peculiar meeting place of God with man. But, secondly, that spiritually the place which God did choose was most suitable, for in it we read the true ground upon which God does actually meet with men in a way of Grace. When we have lingered over these two subjects, we shall then have to exhort you after this fashion—heartily let us use the place which God has set apart to be our meeting place with Himself.