United praise.
Commencement of the worship and confessions with general praise.
I. THE LEADERS OF THE WORSHIP. An honourable and responsible office.
II. THEIR EXHORTATION TO THE PEOPLE.
1. As to the attitude in which they were to offer praise. "Stand up"—the fitting posture for this part of Divine worship.
2. As to the praise they were to offer.
III. THE UNITED PRAISE.
1. Introductory.
2. Praise of God as "Jehovah alone."
3. Ascription to him of the creation of all things (Nehemiah 9:6). A great truth not only unknown to most of the heathen, but given up by many cultivated men in Christian lands. In the praise of God the display of his power, wisdom, and goodness in the work of creation should hold a prominent place. He who made all should receive homage from all his intelligent creatures.
IV. THE RECOGNITION OF OTHER WORSHIPPERS. "The host of heaven worshippeth thee." It is inspiring, when uniting in Divine worship, to remember our fellow-worshippers, and thus cultivate fellowship with them (compare the beginning of the Te Deum). The Jews had not this satisfaction in respect to any other people. They alone worshipped the true God, and they had not learned to think and feel as to heathen worship that it was about equivalent to their own. All the more gladly did they recognise that their God, unknown and unworshipped by the rest of the world, was adored and praised and served by hosts of exalted intelligences in other worlds. To us, also, this is an inspiriting truth, adapted to stimulate and elevate our worship. The greatest beings God has made bow down with lowliness before him, and with all the ardour of their seraphic nature celebrate his praise. We need not be ashamed to be like them, but should seek to make our worship resemble theirs as nearly as possible, and be thankful that, through the mediation of our Redeemer, in whom heaven and earth are united, it is as acceptable to God. They praise the Saviour as well as the Creator; we praise him with a feeling they cannot share; for he redeemed us by his blood, not them.
God's favour to Abraham.
The multitude, led by the Levites, now begin the recital of God's gracious dealings with their race; and, first, with their great ancestor, Abraham. By the words, "Thou art Jehovah God," they allege that it was the only living and true God, the Creator of all things, who distinguished Abraham, and through him their nation, by his favour. They then recount—
I. His CHOICE of Abraham. Of his own gracious will separating him from others, to preserve the knowledge and worship of himself, and to be the Father of the people whom he appointed to be peculiarly his own.
II. His LEADING him from Chaldaea to Canaan.
III. His CHANGE of his name from Abram to Abraham. Thus promising him a numerous posterity.
IV. His RECOGNITION Of his faithfulness. A reference to Genesis 15:6, where "believed" is part of the same verb as the word "faithful" here (comp. Galatians 3:9—faithful Abraham ). Abraham was faithful in heart, and that before God. He trusted God, and continued to trust him through all trials of his faith. He was faithful in maintaining the worship of God in the midst of idolaters, and in teaching his household to "keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment" (Genesis 18:19). And God marked and rewarded his fidelity.
V. His COVENANT with him. Genesis 15:18-21 seems especially referred to. The larger promises, that Abraham and his posterity should be a blessing to all men, do not here come into view.
VI. His PERFORMANCE Of the covenant. In which God's righteousness is recognised (Genesis 15:6).
Reflections:—
1. All blessings enjoyed by men have their origin in the free grace and choice of God.
2. Yet God in his treatment of men has regard to their faithfulness to him.
3. The righteousness, as well as the goodness, of God assures us that he will fulfil all his promises.
4. We as well as the Jews have reason to praise God for the grace shown to Abraham. For he is our spiritual ancestor, "the father of all them that believe" (Romans 4:11).