UNKNOWN

UNKNOWN

As to Exodus 15, I think the abode of God’s holiness is the assembly viewed as in 1 Corinthians — the assembly in the wilderness — a separate and self-judged people in the world where Christ died. To that assembly God brings His redeemed ones — a holy circle here, composed of sanctified men and women, where there is preservation from the defiling and corrupting influences of the world. From the assembly viewed in this aspect Satan is ever seeking to take away its distinguishing characteristic — holiness. If he can introduce, as at Corinth, the activity of the carnal man, he has, so far, introduced what is morally destructive of the true character of that holy assembly. Hence the necessity for keeping the feast of unleavened bread, so that the assembly may maintain practically its true character as unleavened — a new lump.

There is nothing more attractive to a young convert than holiness. It appeals to every instinct of the one born of God. And he finds in the assembly a circle, not merely of human propriety and good conduct, but where God’s holiness dwells.

To learn the assembly in this aspect is the indispensable preparation for the next step, which is to know what it means to take what may be called spiritual ground. Risen with Christ is spiritual ground, sonship is spiritual ground, so is being seated in the heavenlies. The mountain of God’s inheritance ^[p. 394] is the place which He has made for Himself to dwell in. I think J.N.D.’s hymn expresses it well.

“Our God whom we have known,
Well known in Jesus’ love,
Rests in the blessing of His own,
Before Himself above”. (72:1)

But this is distinctly heavenly ground. It is not the abode of God’s holiness in the midst of an evil world, but it is the sanctuary where He is known and approached in the circle of His own love, and of all the infinitely blessed thoughts to which that love has given birth. The Lord’s supper, if rightly understood, is the door by which we pass spiritually from the one to the other.