Covenanter Witness Vol. 54 - Rparchives.org

you."
will follow the king because he is the
king. It is very important that he that
ruleth over men shall be just, ruling in
the fear of God.
The reform of Uzziah did not seem to
be very deep spiritually. Hence the
falling into idolatry
rapid.
under Ahaz was
HEZEKIAH LEADS IN A GREAT
REVIVAL, 2 Chron. 29.
There were many in Judah who had
not been led away by the idolatries of
Ahaz but did not seem to have the
power of leadership that could stem
the power of evil that swept the land.
Then there would be many that, though
they had followed the crowd, had an
underlying sense of guilt, and were
glad to return to the Lord under the
strong leadership of Hezekiah. The
greater number had followed a bad lead
er.
This was the moral condition of Judah
when Hezekiah come to the throne. The
material prosperity that had been de
veloped under the reforms of Uzziah,
was used by Ahaz to demoralize the
people. It requires stable character to
withstand the temptations of wealth.
Wealth in the presence of poverty may
be used as an aid to righteousness or as
a means of practicing selfishness and
lust. Righteousness is not effected by
wealth or poverty. But the material
condition most conducive to godliness is
neither poverty nor riches. A true faith
in God teaches us with whatsoever
things we have, therewith to be content.
Hezekiah very wisely sought the co
operation of the princes and the priests.
With this strong support, he appealed
to the people, and they gave a quick
response. There were preparations that
had to be made. The proper use of the
Temple had been neglected, and it had
been desecrated and abused by idol wor
ship. It was dirty, broken and littered
with Idols. The priesthood was badly
disorganized. The first thing then, was
to organize and sanctify the priesthood.
Then the Temple had to be cleansed
of all idol trash. The work began the
first day of the year, and was not com
pleted on the 14th day of Nizan, which
was the first month in the year, and the
regular time for the observance of the
passover. So the Passover was set for
the month following. The day is not so
important as the spirit of worship and
obedience. A fanatical holding to a cer
tain day rather than to the spirit of
fellowship and worship on an establish
ed day, is a great obstacle against a
harmonious Sabbath, both in law and in
practice.
Hezekiah's call to the passover was
sent to all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba.
It was met by many with scorn.
282
Since it was to be held in Jerusalem,
the scorn might have been caused from
the spirit of nationalism, jelousy, pride
or stubbornness. Change the first word
to denominationalism, and we may find
all of these working against the com
plete hrmony among Christian people
today. They may appear when the loca
tion, building or repair of a church is
discussed; or in the discussion of church
policies or sometimes in the election of
officers. There are some who will not
concede their preference even where no
moral issue is at stake, for the sake of
harmony. We do not like that spirit
when we see it in the Northern Tribes
of Israel. God does not like it when
He sees it hindering the comfort, in
dustry and efficiency of His flock.
WE MUST HAVE ORGANIZATION
AND LEADERS
A leader of men should himself be led
by God. And Christ should be recognized
by all as the supreme leader. Human
rulers and leaders should be followed in
moral life only so far as they follow
Christ.
We see the effect of a stable leader
ship on Nations. As compared with other
nations in Europe, Denmark, Finnland
and the Scandinavian nations, whatever
the vicissitudes have been, have main
tained a high stability in government.
England, under a nominal Christian
leadership has shown remarkable stabil
ity. James Brice of England, author of
"The American Republic," (I am sorry
that I cannot quote his exact words,)
said in effect, that while with a few
exceptions the presidents of the United
States had not been great men, there
had been none that did not hold a high
moral and intellectual standard. The
recognition, even in measure of Chris
tian standards in civil government has
been blessed of God in giving stability to
civil governments, wherever it is found.
There is a growing effort in our country
to separate the state, beginning with
our schools, from the influence of
Christianity. Atheistic communism has
no greater ally.
CONFIDENCE LN THE LORD
REMOVES FEAR
Ahaz found himself involved among
the nations around. Judah was paying
tribute to Assyria, but was not free
from other dangers.
Ahaz sought to
make alliances. Isaiah advised against
such alliances, but Ahaz would not
listen. Instead of finding protection in
alliance, he was overpowered by As
syria, and put under heavier tribute.
This was the state of affairs when Heze
kiah came to the throne. Hezekiah had
faith to trust in God, and so was not
afraid to refuse to pay the tribute to
Assyria,
and to declare the independ-
ance of Judah. Sennacherib answered by
the invasion of Judah, which we will
consider next week.
THE VALUE OF A UNITED FAITH,
v. 12
Several generations had passed since
Israel had separated from the original
nation. Now Samaria was completely
helpless under the power of Assyria.
That, no doubt, influenced many to at
tend the Passover in Jerusalem. If they
had given full co-operation they might
have joined in the deliverance that the
Lord gave Judah. Patriotism is a strong
bond. Faith is stronger.
So Sennacherib's invasion met a strong
ly united Judah, with some support from
the Northern tribes. It was a nation
that God could work with. They did
what God told them to do. They trust
ed in God to do what was beyond their
power, and God did.
The possibility of a world disaster is
driving us to God as our only refuge.
Or should I say, toward God. We are
still trusting very
much in horses and
chariots. In the victories God wrought
for Hezekiah and Gideon, armies had
their place. Victories are not given to
the overwhelming army, but to the
faithful army. This promise was to a
Nation: "If ye seek Him, He will be
found of
2 Chron. 15:2
PRAYER MEETING TOPIC
May 25, 1955
Rev. John O. Edgar
"The 'Aniens' of Jesus" (No. 5)
Birth"
"The Necessity of the New
John 3:3-5
Psalms:
138:1-4, page 338
146:1, 2, 4-7, page 353;
91:1, 2, 13-15, page 223
37:30-33, page 94.
References: II Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15;
Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:1-6; I Pet. 1:23; I John
3:9; Ezek. 36:26.
In a letter from Whitefield to Benja
min Franklin, dated 1752, occur these
words: "As I find you growing more
and more famous in the learned world
I would recommend to your diligent and
unprejudiced study the mystery
of the
new birth. It is a most important study,
and when mastered, will richly answer
all your pains. I bid you, my friend,
remember that One at whose bar we
shall both presently appear hath solemn
ly declared that without it we shall in
no wise see His kingdom."
The reference is to the solemn words
of Jesus, addressed to Nicodemus.
"Verily, verily (I most solemnly say
unto you), except a man be born again
COVENANTER WITNESS