God's footstool.
"Worship at his footstool." By the "footstool" is meant the cover of the ark, on which the Shechinah-light was regarded as resting. Round the top of the ark ran a crown or wreath of pure gold, and upon it was the mercy-seat, of the same dimensions as the ark, made, not of wood overlaid with gold, but entirely of pure gold. At either end of the mercy-seat rose two golden cherubim, with outspread wings, and faces turned towards each other, and eyes bent downwards, as though the Shechinah-glory were too dazzling to look fully upon. It would appear to be a special idea of David's, for in his last address to his people he said, "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" (1 Chronicles 28:2). The Eastern idea of a footstool to a throne is seen in Solomon's ivory throne. "There were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold" (2 Chronicles 9:18). The man who offered homage, or presented a petition, might approach no nearer to the king than his footstool. In a more general sense heaven is said to be God's throne, and the earth his footstool; then anywhere on earth is a fitting place for offering our worship (see Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 5:35; John 4:20-24).
I. WORSHIPPING AT GOD'S FOOTSTOOL SUGGESTS THE DIVINE CONDESCENSION. He lets us come into his presence, and even to come so near to him, so directly into personal communion with him, as is indicated by approaching his footstool. But he permits no presumption, no irreverence. And it is well to remember that, if Christianity permits of familiarity with God, it must never be other than a holy familiarity. The Christian must keep at the footstool. The surprise at the Divine condescension in permitting us to come so near as this is well indicated in 1 Kings 8:27; Isaiah 66:1, Isaiah 66:2.
II. WORSHIPPING AT GOD'S FOOTSTOOL SUGGESTS THE MOOD OF THE WORSHIPPERS, A royal presence is always affecting, and a man who enters it is always set upon securing the best preparations and attitudes. There is lacking from much of our worship and prayer that sense of coming to a King who is so glorious that we may not get nearer to him than his footstool. The proper mood for the Divine presence may be elaborately unfolded and illustrated. We only suggest that the proper mood is a holy blending of humility and confidence—the humility that says, "I dare not," with the confidence that says, "I may."—R.T.