home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Bible Heaven
/
Bible Heaven.iso
/
online
/
mhcc18
/
v18150
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-03-02
|
4KB
|
76 lines
18154
#31-37 After Josiah was laid in his grave, one trouble came on
another, till, in twenty-two years, Jerusalem was destroyed. The
wicked perished in great numbers, the remnant were purified, and
Josiah's reformation had raised up some to join the few who were
the precious seed of their future church and nation. A little
time, and slender abilities, often suffice to undo the good
which pious men have, for a course of years, been labouring to
effect. But, blessed be God, the good work which he begins by
his regenerating Spirit, cannot be done away, but withstands all
changes and temptations.
18161
* Jehoiakim subdued by Nebuchadnezzar. (1-7) Jehoiachin captive
in Babylon. (8-20)
#1-7 If Jehoiakim had served the Lord, he had not been servant
to Nebuchadnezzar. If he had been content with his servitude,
and true to his word, his condition had been no worse; but,
rebelling against Babylon, he plunged himself into more trouble.
See what need nations have to lament the sins of their fathers,
lest they smart for them. Threatenings will be fulfilled as
certainly as promises, if the sinner's repentance prevent not.
18168
#8-20 Jehoiachin reigned but three months, yet long enough to
show that he justly smarted for his fathers' sins, for he trod
in their steps. His uncle was intrusted with the government.
This Zedekiah was the last of the kings of Judah. Though the
judgments of God upon the three kings before him might have
warned him, he did that which was evil, like them. When those
intrusted with the counsels of a nation act unwisely, and
against their true interest, we ought to notice the displeasure
of God in it. It is for the sins of a people that God hides from
them the things that belong to the public peace. And in
fulfilling the secret purposes of his justice, the Lord needs
only leave men to the blindness of their own minds, or to the
lusts of their own hearts. The gradual approach of Divine
judgments affords sinners space for repentance, and believers
leisure to prepare for meeting the calamity, while it shows the
obstinacy of those who will not forsake their sins.
18181
* Jerusalem besieged, Zedekiah taken. (1-7) The temple burnt,
The people carried into captivity. (8-21) The rest of the Jews
flee into Egypt, Evil-merodach relieves the captivity of
Jehoiachin. (22-30)
#1-7 Jerusalem was so fortified, that it could not be taken till
famine rendered the besieged unable to resist. In the prophecy
and Lamentations of Jeremiah, we find more of this event; here
it suffices to say, that the impiety and misery of the besieged
were very great. At length the city was taken by storm. The
king, his family, and his great men escaped in the night, by
secret passages. But those deceive themselves who think to
escape God's judgments, as much as those who think to brave
them. By what befell Zedekiah, two prophecies, which seemed to
contradict each other, were both fulfilled. Jeremiah prophesied
that Zedekiah should be brought to Babylon, #Jer 32:5; 34:3|;
Ezekiel, that he should not see Babylon, #Eze 12:13|. He was
brought thither, but his eyes being put out, he did not see it.
18188
#8-21 The city and temple were burnt, and, it is probable, the
ark in it. By this, God showed how little he cares for the
outward pomp of his worship, when the life and power of religion
are neglected. The walls of Jerusalem were thrown down, and the
people carried captive to Babylon. The vessels of the temple
were carried away. When the things signified were sinned away,
what should the signs stand there for? It was righteous with God
to deprive those of the benefit of his worship, who had
preferred false worships before it; those that would have many
altars, now shall have none. As the Lord spared not the angels
that sinned, as he doomed the whole race of fallen men to the
grave, and all unbelievers to hell, and as he spared not his own
Son, but delivered him up for us all, we need not wonder at any
miseries he may bring upon guilty nations, churches, or persons.