Ezekiel 46:4-12 - Homilies By W. Clarkson

The optional and the obligatory in the kingdom of God.

1. Here are minute and positive prescriptions, requiring exact conformity and allowing no deviation. The burnt offering was to be six lambs and one ram—no more and no less ( Ezekiel 46:4 ). In the day of the new moon—at that particular time—the offering was to include a young bullock ( Ezekiel 46:6 ). They who entered in by the north gate were to go out by the south gate, and vice versa ( Ezekiel 46:9 ). These (and other) instructions were in full and careful detail, and there was to be no departure from them.

2. On the other hand, the prince might, at certain hours and on occasion, bring an offering that was purely "voluntary;" one that was "voluntarily" presented unto the Lord ( Ezekiel 46:12 ). Room was left for spontaneity, even in the midst of these very specific requirements. In the kingdom of Jesus Christ we have these two orders of service—the obligatory and the optional, the plainly and positively enjoined, and the voluntary; and that Christian life is not complete which is lacking in either.

I. THE OBLIGATORY . Of those things pertaining to our Christian life which are indispensable there are:

1. At its entrance :

2. Throughout its course :

II. THE OPTIONAL . There is room for the voluntary as well as for the necessary in our Christian life.

1. In the particulars of our worship . We have one main principle binding upon all men everywhere ( John 4:23 , John 4:24 ), but it is left to our individual choice—to our own judgment and conscience—at what times, in what forms, within what buildings, with what kind of human ministry, we shall draw nigh to God in true and pure devotion.

2. In the minutiae of obedience . What shall be the rules and the regulations we shall lay down for the observance of the great principles of purity, of temperance, of equity, of veracity, of reverential speech, of courtesy.,—these are not to be found in any Christian directory; they are to be decided upon m the sanctuary of every consecrated spirit and of every cultivated conscience.

3. In the measure and methods of loving service . What proportion of our income, what amount of our time, what order of personal effort, we shall devote to the cause of Christ and in the interest of our fellow-men,—this rests with every individual Christian man to decide. These must be, in some sense and degree, "voluntary offerings."—C.