Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc18/v19700

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 4KB | 68 lines

19706
 #16-23 The transgression of the kings before Uzziah was,
 forsaking the temple of the Lord, and burning incense upon
 idolatrous altars. But his transgression was, going into the
 holy place, and attempting to burn incense upon the altar of
 God. See how hard it is to avoid one extreme, and not run into
 another. Pride of heart was at the bottom of his sin; a lust
 that ruins many. Instead of lifting up the name God in gratitude
 to him who had done so much for him, his heart was lifted up to
 his hurt. Men's pretending to forbidden knowledge, and seeking
 things too high for them, are owing to pride of heart. The
 incense of our prayers must be, by faith, put into the hands of
 our Lord Jesus, the great High Priest of our profession, else we
 cannot expect it to be accepted by God, #Re 8:3|. Though Uzziah
 strove with the priests, he would not strive with his Maker. But
 he was punished for his transgression; he continued a leper to
 his death, shut out from society. The punishment answered the
 sin as face to face in a glass. Pride was at the bottom of his
 transgression, and thus God humbled him, and put dishonour upon
 him. Those that covet forbidden honours, forfeit allowed ones.
 Adam, by catching at the tree of knowledge which he might not
 eat of, debarred himself of the tree of life which he might have
 eaten of. Let all that read say, The Lord is righteous. And when
 the Lord sees good to throw prosperous and useful men aside, as
 broken vessels, if he raises up others to fill their places,
 they may rejoice to renounce all worldly concerns, and employ
 their remaining days in preparation for death.
19714
 * Jotham's reign in Judah.

 - The people did corruptly. Perhaps Jotham was wanting towards
 the reformation of the land. Men may be very good, and yet not
 have courage and zeal to do what they might. It certainly casts
 blame upon the people. Jotham prospered, and became mighty. The
 more stedfast we are in religion, the more mighty we are, both
 to resist evil, and to do good. The Lord often removes wise and
 pious rulers, and sends others, whose follies and vices punish a
 people that valued not their mercies.
19723
 * The wicked reign of Ahaz in Judah.

 - Israel gained this victory because God was wroth with Judah,
 and made them the rod of his indignation. He reminds them of
 their own sins. It ill becomes sinners to be cruel. Could they
 hope for the mercy of God, if they neither showed mercy nor
 justice to their brethren? Let it be remembered, that every man
 is our neighbour, our brother, our fellow man, if not our fellow
 Christian. And no man who is acquainted with the word of God,
 need fear to maintain that slavery is against the law of love
 and the gospel of grace. Who can hold his brother in bondage,
 without breaking the rule of doing to others as he would they
 should do unto him? But when sinners are left to their own
 heart's lusts, they grow more desperate in wickedness. God
 commands them to release the prisoners, and they obeyed. The
 Lord brought Judah low. Those who will not humble themselves
 under the word of God, will justly be humbled by his judgments.
 It is often found, that wicked men themselves have no real
 affection for those that revolt to them, nor do they care to do
 them a kindness. This is that king Ahaz! that wretched man!
 Those are wicked and vile indeed, that are made worse by their
 afflictions, instead of being made better by them; who, in their
 distress, trespass yet more, and have their hearts more fully
 set in them to do evil. But no marvel that men's affections and
 devotions are misplaced, when they mistake the author of their
 trouble and of their help. The progress of wickedness and misery
 is often rapid; and it is awful to reflect upon a sinner's being
 driven away in his wickedness into the eternal world.