the service was an emblematical
representation of the religious worship offered in the swearing of the
oath. Besides, was not his design to curse Israel either by the true
God, or by some gods of the heathen? And was it not in imitation of some
such practices, as that which he attempted, that Goliath cursed David by
his gods? But offerings of this kind were presented when federal
transactions were ratified by the worshippers of God. After the three
friends of Job had uttered all their hard speeches against him, the Lord
addressed to them a command which included not less than the injunction,
to enter into an amicable compact with the afflicted character whom they
had so much misrepresented, and also to accompany it with a religious
service.[149] The duty enjoined embodied likewise a confession of sin
and an appeal to God for the truth of their acknowledgments. The
covenant promise made to them was, that God would accept them through
the intercession of Job,--not as if that were of itself meritorious, but
approved through the great Mediator. The offering of seven bullocks and
seven rams was a confirmation of their friendly Covenant, and could not
be less than an emblem of their oath to the Most High. Finally. In the
first year of his reign, Hezekiah declared, "Now it is in mine heart to
make a Covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may
turn away from us." That He, the priests and Levites, the rulers of
Jerusalem, and as many of the congregation of Israel as were present,
carried his design into effect, for the first time, on the occasion of
the solemnities which took place in the first month, appears from his
command, uttered when he declared his devout intention. He said,--"My
sons, be not now negligent: for the Lord hath chosen you to stand before
him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him and burn incense
(or, _offer sacrifice_)."[150] That all Judah and Israel were enjoined
to accede to the Covenant, in the second month, is manifest from the
King's command to them--"Now be ye not stiff-necked, as your fathers
were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary,
which he hath sanctified for ever; and serve the Lord your God, that the
fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you."[151] That such of them
as came up to the passover, at the King's command, by the word of the
Lord, gave their adherence to what had been done before at Jerusalem,
appears from the account