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governors know this, the Thundering Legion, 754 and therefore they say, such
worshippers shall be my strength as Moses with Aaron and Hur there to Joshua, 755
and others to Jehoshaphat, 2 Chronicles 20. 756 Let me only observe once more,
that this was not a confidence on an arm of flesh; no Jeremiah 17 757 and Psalm
118, 758 for in the close of the verse it is added In the Lord of hosts, their God, i.e.,
Jesus Christ; He is the prince of Judah, verse 2, 759 who had been with them at the
siege of Jerusalem; and this Jesus has all power in heaven and on earth the same,
yesterday, today and forever. The Lord God, Psalm 68:20, 760 without Christ they
could do nothing. All the strength of their faith was from Him, and their prayers
were only heard for His merits and intercession. This both governors and all the
people did confess and therefore they gave the glory to God in Christ, who grants
unto His people strengths and victory, Psalms 27 761 and 68. 762
B. Blessed inhabitants who have such governors; and happy governors,
with such inhabitants, both pious and trusting in the Lord their God. Surely a
most pleasing and harmonious union, which could produce nothing less but
blessing from the Lord, Psalm 133:1. 763
ב Oh, may this heavenly prediction be also fulfilled in and among
us; that our governors might have a heart and reason to say that this would be a
most agreeable evidence of our mutual piety and then we might humbly trust that
the Lord of Hosts would further prosper our arms and armies in and for the
common cause of and liberty not only but because we of the number of them are
inhabitants of His Jerusalem, whose strength is in the Lord and for this purpose it
will be necessary that both governors and inhabitants each do contribute as much
as is in their power, that the community may be saved.
ג It becomes them who are governors not only to be and behave
as faithful friends to the State and the Church of course, but also to be a good
example to their people and lead them with wisdom and prudence, that no
measure be taken, no ways be chosen who tend to and terminate in destruction.
The wisdom of the just is peculiarly necessary for governors, whilst zeal without
knowledge frequently produces confusion, and bad management. Oh, would to
God that governors did apply to Jesus in His Word and by prayer, as well as
carefully observe the pious ways of the Lord. Enquiring for God’s direction and
strength, without first consulting their own interest or inclinations, but seeking the
754
The Roman Legio XII Fulminata, also known as the Thundering Legion, was sent to Jerusalem to
retaliate against the destruction of a Roman garrison, in 66 AD.
755
Exodus 17:10 – Moses ensures victory against the Amalekites by the power of the staff of God.
756
Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, is confronted with an international crisis, the invasion of Judah.
757
This passage deals with “the human heart and the justice of God”: Judah’s sin is engraved in their
hearts; the human heart and trust in God [17:5: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed are those who trust in
mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord.’”]; the heart
is devious; God’s ways are high; Jeremiah’s third lament; Judah and the Sabbath.
758
Thanksgiving for victory in battle. Psalm 118:8-9: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put
confidence in mortals. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.”
759
In Zechariah 12, some claim that Jesus revealed himself to the Jews, but certainly not in verse 2,
and not directly as “prince of Judah.”
760
“Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belongs escape from death.”
761
Protection in the Temple of the trustworthy God: “The Lord is my light and my salvation.”
762
A victory hymn.
763
“How very pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!”
358