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v19650
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1994-03-01
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19650
#15-27 See what a great judgment on any prince or people, the
death of godly, zealous, useful men is. See how necessary it is
that we act in religion from inward principle. Then the loss of
a parent, a minister, or a friend, will not be losing our
religion. Often both princes and inferior people have been
flattered to their ruin. True grace alone will enable a man to
bring forth fruit unto the end. Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada,
being filled with the Spirit of prophecy, stood up, and told the
people of their sin. This is the work of ministers, by the word
of God, as a lamp and a light, to discover the sin of men, and
expound the providences of God. They stoned Zechariah to death
in the court of the house of the Lord. Observe the dying
martyr's words: The Lord look upon it, and require it! This came
not from a spirit of revenge, but a spirit of prophecy. God
smote Joash with great diseases, of body, or mind, or both,
before the Syrians departed from him. If vengeance pursue men,
the end of one trouble will be but the beginning of another. His
own servants slew him. These judgments are called the burdens
laid upon him, for the wrath of God is a heavy burden, too heavy
for any man to bear. May God help us to take warning, to be
upright in heart, and to persevere in his ways to the end.
19663
* Amaziah, king of Judah. (1-13) Amaziah worships the idols of
Edom. (14-16) Amaziah's rash challenge. (17-28)
#1-13 Amaziah was no enemy to religion, a but cool and indifferent
friend. Many do what is good, but not with a perfect heart.
Rashness makes work for repentance. But Amaziah's obedience to
the command of God was to his honour. A firm belief of God's
all-sufficiency to bear us out in our duty, and to make up all
the loss and damage we sustain in his service, will make his
yoke very easy, and his burden very light. When we are called to
part with any thing for God and our religion, it should satisfy
us, that God is able to give us much more than this. Convinced
sinners, who have not true faith, always object to self-denying
obedience. They are like Amaziah; they say, But what shall we do
for the hundred talents? What shall we do if by keeping the
sabbath holy we lose so many good customers? What shall we do
without this gain? What shall we do if we lose the friendship of
the world? Many endeavour to quiet their consciences by the
pretence that forbidden practices are necessary. The answer is,
as here, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this. He
makes up, even in this world, for all that is given up for his
sake.
19676
#14-16 To worship the gods of those whom Amaziah had conquered,
who could not help their own worshippers, was the greatest
absurdity. If men would consider how unable all those things are
to help them, to which they look whenever they forsake God, they
would not be such enemies to themselves. The reproof God sent by
a prophet was too just to be answered; but he was bidden
not to say a word more. The secure sinner rejoices to
have silenced his reprovers and monitors; but what comes of it?
Those that are deaf to reproof, are ripening for destruction.
19679
#17-28 Never was a proud prince more thoroughly mortified than
Amaziah by Joash king of Israel. A man's pride will bring him
low, #Pr 29:23|; it goes before his destruction, and deservedly
brings it on. He that exalteth himself shall be abased. He that
goes forth hastily to strive, will not know what he shall do in
the end thereof, when his neighbour has put him to shame, #Pr
25:8|. And what are we when we offer to establish our own
righteousness, or presume to justify ourselves before the Most
High God, but despicable thistles, that fancy themselves stately
cedars? And are not various temptations, is not every
corruption, a wild beast of the desert, which will trample on
the wretched boaster, and tread his haughty pretensions to the
dust? A man's pride shall bring him low; his ruin may be dated
from his turning from the Lord.
19691
* Uzziah's good reign in Judah. (1-15) Uzziah's attempt to burn
incense. (16-23)
#1-15 As long as Uzziah sought the Lord, and minded religion,
God made him to prosper. Those only prosper whom God makes to
prosper; for prosperity is his gift. Many have owned, that as
long as they sought the Lord, and kept close to their duty, they
prospered; but when they forsook God, every thing went cross.
God never continues either to bless the indolent or to withhold
his blessing from the diligent. He will never suffer any to seek
his face in vain. Uzziah's name was famed throughout all the
neighbouring countries. A name with God and good people makes
truly honourable. He did not delight in war, nor addict himself
to sports, but delighted in husbandry.