all his heart." He did not satisfy himself with giving commands to others: he himself led the way, and enforced, by his example, the precepts which he issued. In the very first month after his coming to the throne of Judah, he set to work with all his might and in the second month, the fourteenth day of the month, all was ready for the observance of the ordinance: and though his zeal brought upon him much obloquy and contempt from ungodly men, he persevered with undiminished ardour, and kept such a passover as had not been seen from the time of Solomon to that day. It was in this way that "he began" the work of the Lord: and in this blessed course did he continue to the end of life. In fact, it was his zeal for the service of God which caused him to weep so bitterly, when he was informed by the prophet that the time was come for him to die. It was not that he was afraid of death: for he could "appeal to God that he had walked before him in truth and with a perfect heart :" but he saw that the reformation which he had begun was likely to be stopped as soon as he should be removed; and therefore he implored a prolongation of his term on earth, that he might consolidate and complete the work he had begun.] 3. The issue of his labours [In my text we are told, "he prospered." The kingdom, when he first assumed the reins of government, was in a most desolate condition; subjected, in fact, to the Assyrian monarch; from whose power, however, he delivered it1; and, from being grievously impoverished, he raised it to a high degree of wealth and power. The moral change effected in it was most remarkable: at the time of his father's death, the land was wholly given to idolatry and all its attendant abominations but in a short time, through God's blessing on his endeavours, all the vestiges of idolatry were swept away, not only from his own dominions, but from the tribes of Ephraim also and Manasseh, who were independent of him.] Having viewed the character here drawn, let us contemplate, II. The instruction to be gathered from it- 1. The extent of our duty [All of us should, doubtless, be peculiarly attentive to the offices to which, in our respective stations, we are called. From e 2 Chron. xxx. 10. f 2 Chron. xxx. 26. h 2 Chron. xxix. 8. k 2 Chron. xxxii. 27-30. the king upon the throne, to the lowest subject in his dominions, this is required. As in the natural body, so also in the body politic, all, from the head to the foot, have their proper functions, which it becomes them diligently to discharge. But all, without exception, are bound, in the first instance, to serve their God, and to do whatever is good and right and true in his sight. "Whatsoever things are true," says the Apostle, "whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things." Nor should our efforts terminate on ourselves: we should seek the best interests of all around us; and labour especially to bring them to the knowledge and enjoyment of their God. As Hezekiah called his people to the observance of the passover, so should we endeavour to call men's attention to the Gospel, and to "Christ as our Passover that has been sacrificed for us." Never can influence be used for a more salutary end than this and every one of us, according to the measure of influence that he possesses, is bound to exert it in this way for the Lord his God.] 2. The proper mode of engaging in it— ["Whatever our hand findeth to do, we should do it with all our might m." It is not by listless endeavours that we can hope to succeed: we must "strive for the mastery," if we would overcome our corruptions; and "fight a good fight," if we would subdue our enemies; and "run, as in a race," if we would obtain the prize that is held forth to us in the Gospel. All of these images imply the most strenuous exertion in the Christian life. Nor will it suffice to "begin" well: we must go on, and continue to the end, if we would secure the approbation of our God".] 3. The certain issue of our endeavours [Never did any one thus labour, without obtaining a successful issue. To those who strive to do the whole will of God, and prosecute their object with their whole heart, a failure is impossible. They must "prosper:" God will never suffer such persons to run in vain, and "labour in vain." As far as respects the benefiting of others, he may not indeed attain all he proposes to himself: but as far as respects his own soul, he cannot but flourish: he will necessarily grow in grace: "his peace also will flow down like a river:" "his joy will become unspeakable and glorified;" and his weight of glory will be in proportion to his attainments and his services.] REFLECTIONS 1. How rare is this character! [Persons attending to their worldly callings, and prosecuting them with their whole hearts, and prospering in them, are to be found in every place. But where do we find persons labouring thus in spiritual things, and making " their profiting to appear unto all?" Look at the generality, and you behold no progress in them from year to year: and even amongst those whom, in the judgment of charity, we should call believers, there is, alas! far less of holy zeal and spiritual advancement than their profession requires.] 2. How honourable is this character! [Let a person be really zealous for the Lord his God, and profane sinners will be sure to mock and deride him, as they did Hezekiah and his agents. But still they will honour him in their hearts, even as "Herod feared John," at the very time that he consigned him to prison and to death. But if not, still, at his departure, his loss will be felt and mourned as a public calamity. The Jews built the sepulchres of departed prophets, at the time that they persecuted and put to death the living ones. And it is no uncommon thing, in this day, to behold a repetition of that farce. As for the honour itself, it is of no value to the saints, whether dead or living: but it is a testimony for God, that his servants are indeed "worthy of all honour," and that "the righteous is more excellent than his neighbour."] 3. How blessed is this character! [Compare Hezekiah with his father Ahaz, or his son Manasseh. They possessed the kingdom, even as he: but how differently did they exert their influence! They lived but for the gratification of their own malignant passions; whereas he lived only for the welfare of his people, and the honour of his God. And can any one doubt which of them was the happiest? Hear the mournings of Manasseh, and they will satisfy your mind: or, if you could now behold the state of Ahaz, it would leave no doubt who is the happier man-he who lives for God, or he who lives only for himself.] CCCCXXVIII. HUMILIATION FOR THE SIN OF THE HEART. 2 Chron. xxxii. 26. Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart. THE best of men are liable to fall through temptation, but they will deeply bewail any sin into which they have been betrayed. Hezekiah was a man of very distinguished piety; but he was not sufficiently aware, that his integrity was the effect of divine grace, and not of human power. God therefore left him for a moment to the influence of his own heart". In consequence of this he soon gave a proof of his inherent depravity; but, on discovering his sin, he instantly humbled himself for it before God. We shall shew, I. What were the grounds of Hezekiah's humiliation— The sin committed by him does not in human estimation appear great [The princes of Babylon sent to congratulate him on his recovery: he received them with all the kindness and courtesy that he could express, and shewed them "every thing in his dominions" that could afford them entertainment".] But his conduct was exceeding sinful in the sight of God; for in it, 1. He sought his own glory [Hezekiah evidently thought of nothing else at that time. He wished to shew how great a man he was, in order that his alliance might be courted, and his power feared. Now this would have been highly criminal in any man, but it was especially so in him, at that particular juncture. He had just been at the borders of the grave; and therefore should have been more impressed with the vanity of earthly grandeur, and should have seen the folly and wickedness of priding himself in things so empty, so worthless, so transient.] 2. He sought his own glory in preference to God's honour [He had now a happy opportunity of magnifying the God of Israel. He might have told the ambassadors, what God a 2 Kings xx. 3 b ver. 31. c2 Kings xx. 13. d Prov. xxv. 27. had done for his nation in former times; he might have recited the wonderful restoration which God had at this time afforded to himself in particular, together with the stupendous miracle with which the promise of that recovery had been confirmede he might have commended Jehovah as an answerer of prayerf and in this way have exalted him above all the gods of the heathen; and surely the mercies that had been vouchsafed unto him, demanded such a tribute: but he was pitifully occupied about SELF, and basely preferred his own honour before God's.] 3. He sought his own glory before the good of his friends [The ambassadors were shewing great kindness to him: he should therefore have recompensed them in the best way. He should have instructed them in the knowledge of the God of Israel, and have told them how willing HE was to become their God; thus, perhaps, he might have converted and saved their souls, and have spread the knowledge of the true God in Babylon; yea, eventually, he might have been instrumental to the salvation of thousands. But he utterly forgot the necessities of their souls, and was offering incense to his own vanity, when he should have been promoting their eternal welfare.] This was his sin; and God denounced a heavy judgment against him on account of it [His riches were all to be taken away by the Chaldeans, his own children were to be made eunuchs in the king of Babylon's palace, and the whole nation to be led into a miserable captivity.] But, if his offence was great, his humiliation also was remarkable [He heard with trembling the judgments which God threatened to execute. Instead of palliating his sin, he acknowledged at once the justice of the Deity in inflicting such a punishment on account of it: in concert with all his subjects, he implored forgiveness at God's hands; and, having obtained a respite of the sentence, meekly, and even thankfully, acquiesced in the determinations of Heaven.] While we see in him much to shun, and much to imitate, let us shew, e 2 Kings xx. 11. It is worthy of remark, that the ambassadors were sent on purpose to inquire into the miracle wrought in the land in making the sun go back ten degrees. His neglect therefore was the more sinful. 2 Chron. xxxii. 31. f 2 Kings xx. 4, 5. g Isai. xxxix. 8. |