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I. IT MUST BE AN ASSEMBLY WHICH SHALL BE SOLEMN IN THE SPIRIT IN WHICH IT MEETS. "Call a solemn assembly." In all probability these words refer to the legal purifications which were enjoined upon the people prior to their entering upon the worship of the temple. They are also indicative of the moral purity and earnestness which should especially characterise a penitential assembly. All who attended this meeting were to be washed from the defilement of their past sin, and were to come and bow before the Lord in a renewed condition of soul. This was not an assembly to inaugurate social reform, to advance scientific research, or to determine a political policy; but to manifest a deep sorrow for national apostasy, and to turn aside the peril which had been awakened thereby. This meeting was not to vaunt the prowess of the nation, hut to confess sin before God; and surely only a solemn mood would avail at such a time. How beneficial would be the effect of such an assembly.

II. IT MUST BE AN ASSEMBLY IN WHICH EVERY CONCEIVABLE AID TO REPENTANCE SHALL BE REGARDED. "Assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet."

1. There was the pathos of sorrowful old age. Here is old age in tears because of the sin of the nation, and because of the evil of which it is guilty before God. The elders were present. They have known the nation long. They are concerned for its welfare. They are deeply moved by the judgments with which it is visited.

2. There was the pathos of imperilled childhood. The children of the nation were present at this meeting; not even infants were exempt from attendance. And would not the thought of the danger to which these innocent babes were liable, and their piteous cries, lead their parents to humiliation before God?

3. There was the abandonment of domestic festivities. The bridegroom went forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet, in order that they might attend the meeting thus imperatively called. The newly-married were not to be exempt from this penitential assembly. The most innocent festivities of life were to yield their joy to the refreshing and saving tears of repentance.

III. IT MUST BE AN ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE MORAL LEADERS OF THE PEOPLE SHALL SUSTAIN THEIR APPROPRIATE RELATION. "Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar." The priests are to utter in public before God the inward feeling of the nation. This was a Divine arrangement. It was conducive to order. It was promotive of repentance. And so in the penitential assembly the moral leaders of the people must intercede on their behalf before God.

IV. IT MUST BE AN ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE MERCY OF GOD SHALL BE EARNESTLY SUPPLICATED. "Spare Thy people, O Lord, and give not Thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?" The priests were not only to weep; they were also to pray. Tears without prayers are vain.

1. The prayer of the priest is for mercy. They ask God to spare their undeserving but repentant people. They make no excuse.

2. The prayer of the priest remembers the covenant of God with His people. They plead that God will save His people and His heritage. In our prayer of repentance we may plead the Divine Ownership of us and the Divine interest in us. Each soul is the heritage of God.

3. The prayer of the priests desires the glory of God. The Jews were the people of God. Thus the priests plead .that national salvation may take away from their wicked enemies the opportunity of reproaching the Divine name.Lessons —

1. That national assemblies should be frequently called to confess sin before God.

2. That they should combine all classes of individuals.

3. That they should be arranged by the ministers of the Gospel.

4. That they should prayerfully seek. .the glory of God.

(J. S. Exell, M. A.)

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KJV: Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

WEB: Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly.