Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc18/v18050

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 7KB | 117 lines

18054
 #35-37 That night which followed the sending of this message to
 Hezekiah, the main body of their army was slain. See how weak
 the mightiest men are before Almighty God. Who ever hardened
 himself against Him and prospered? The king of Assyria's own
 sons became his murderers. Those whose children are undutiful,
 ought to consider whether they have not been so to their Father
 in heaven? This history exhibits a strong proof of the good of
 firm trust and confidence in God. He will afflict, but not
 forsake his people. It is well when our troubles drive us to our
 knees. But does it not reprove our unbelief? How unwilling are
 we to rest on the declaration of Jehovah! How desirous to know
 in what way he will save us! How impatient when relief is
 delayed! But we must wait for the fulfilling of his word. Lord,
 help our unbelief.
18057
 * Hezekiah's sickness, His recovery in answer to prayer. (1-11)
 Hezekiah shows his treasures to the ambassadors from Babylon,
 His death. (12-21)

 #1-11 Hezekiah was sick unto death, in the same year in which
 the king of Assyria besieged Jerusalem. A warning to prepare for
 death was brought to Hezekiah by Isaiah. Prayer is one of the
 best preparations for death, because by it we fetch in strength
 and grace from God, to enable us to finish well. He wept sorely:
 some gather from hence that he was unwilling to die; it is in
 the nature of man to dread the separation of soul and body.
 There was also something peculiar in Hezekiah's case; he was now
 in the midst of his usefulness. Let Hezekiah's prayer, see #Isa
 38|. interpret his tears; in that is nothing which is like his
 having been under that fear of death, which has bondage or
 torment. Hezekiah's piety made his sick-bed easy. "O Lord,
 remember now;" he does not speak as if God needed to be put in
 mind of any thing by us; nor, as if the reward might be demanded
 as due; it is Christ's righteousness only that is the purchase
 of mercy and grace. Hezekiah does not pray, Lord, spare me; but,
 Lord, remember me; whether I live or die, let me be thine. God
 always hears the prayers of the broken in heart, and will give
 health, length of days, and temporal deliverances, as much and
 as long as is truly good for them. Means were to be used for
 Hezekiah's recovery; yet, considering to what a height the
 disease was come, and how suddenly it was checked, the cure was
 miraculous. It is our duty, when sick, to use such means as are
 proper to help nature, else we do not trust God, but tempt him.
 For the confirmation of his faith, the shadow of the sun was
 carried back, and the light was continued longer than usual, in
 a miraculous manner. This work of wonder shows the power of God
 in heaven as well as on earth, the great notice he takes of
 prayer, and the great favour he bears to his chosen.

18068
 #12-21 The king of Babylon was at this time independent of the
 king of Assyria, though shortly after subdued by him. Hezekiah
 showed his treasures and armour, and other proofs of his wealth
 and power. This was the effect of pride and ostentation, and
 departing from simple reliance on God. He also seems to have
 missed the opportunity of speaking to the Chaldeans, about Him
 who had wrought the miracles which excited their attention, and
 of pointing out to them the absurdity and evil of idolatry. What
 is more common than to show our friends our houses and
 possessions? But if we do this in the pride of ours hearts, to
 gain applause from men, not giving praise to God, it becomes sin
 in us, as it did in Hezekiah. We may expect vexation from every
 object with which we are unduly pleased. Isaiah, who had often
 been Hezekiah's comforter, is now is reprover. The blessed
 Spirit is both, #Joh 16:7,8|. Ministers must be both, as there
 is occasion. Hezekiah allowed the justice of the sentence, and
 God's goodness in the respite. Yet the prospect respecting his
 family and nation must have given him many painful feelings.
 Hezekiah was indeed humbled for the pride of his heart. And
 blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; for they rest from
 their labours, and their works do follow them.
18078
 * Wicked reign of Manasseh. (1-9) The prophetic denunciations
 against Judah. (10-18) Wicked reign and death of Amon. (19-26)

 #1-9 Young persons generally desire to become their own masters,
 and to have early possession of riches and power. But this, for
 the most part, ruins their future comfort, and causes mischief
 to others. It is much happier when young persons are sheltered
 under the care of parents or guardians, till age gives
 experience and discretion. Though such young persons are less
 indulged, they will afterwards be thankful. Manasseh wrought
 much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, as if on purpose to
 provoke him to anger; he did more evil than the nations whom the
 Lord destroyed. Manasseh went on from bad to worse, till carried
 captive to Babylon. The people were ready to comply with his
 wishes, to obtain his favour and because it suited their
 depraved inclinations. In the reformation of large bodies,
 numbers are mere time-servers, and in temptation fall away.

18087
 #10-18 Here is the doom of Judah and Jerusalem. The words used
 represent the city emptied and utterly desolate, yet not
 destroyed thereby, but cleansed, and to be kept for the future
 dwelling of the Jews: forsaken, yet not finally, and only as to
 outward privileges, for individual believers were preserved in
 that visitation. The Lord will cast off any professing people
 who dishonour him by their crimes, but never will desert his
 cause on earth. In the book of Chronicles we read of Manasseh's
 repentance, and acceptance with God; thus we may learn not to
 despair of the recovery of the greatest sinners. But let none
 dare to persist in sin, presuming that they may repent and
 reform when they please. There are a few instances of the
 conversion of notorious sinners, that none may despair; and but
 few, that none may presume.

18096
 #19-26 Amon profaned God's house with his idols; and God
 suffered his house to be polluted with his blood. How
 unrighteous soever they were that did it, God was righteous who
 suffered it to be done. Now was a happy change from one of the
 worst, to one of the best of the kings of Judah. Once more Judah
 was tried with a reformation. Whether the Lord bears long with
 presumptuous offenders, or speedily cuts them off in their sins,
 all must perish who persist in refusing to walk in his ways.