2 Chronicles 15:1-7 - Homilies By T. Whitelaw

A conqueror's welcome.

I. A MESSAGE FROM GOD . ( 2 Chronicles 15:1 , 2 Chronicles 15:2 .)

1 . Its banter. Azarlah, "Whom Jehovah aids," the son of Oded; mentioned only here. Jehovah may, and often does, transmit messages of moment through humble and obscure messengers. What fitted Azariah to be the bearer of the Divine announcements was the coming upon him of the Spirit of Eiohim, the Spirit being the Revealer and Interpreter of the Divine will to the soul of man ( Numbers 11:26 ; Job 32:8 ; Ezekiel 2:2 ; 1 Corinthians 12:8 ). That the Spirit of God came upon a man did not prove him to have been a good man, Balaam ( Numbers 24:2 ) and Saul ( 1 Samuel 10:10 ) being witness; though there is no reason to doubt that Azariah was a true prophet of Jehovah. The Spirit came by measure upon him, as upon other holy men of the old dispensation through whom God spoke to his people; on Christ, through whom God's highest and last message has been sent to mankind, the Spirit was poured out without measure ( Isaiah 11:2 ; John 3:34 ; Revelation 3:1 ). Hence the supreme importance attaching to the gospel.

2 . Its recipients. "Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin." God claims a right to address sovereigns as well as their subjects. Between princes and peasants in his sight is no difference ( Acts 10:34 ; 1 Peter 1:17 ). God's messages in the Law and the gospel are directed equally to all. The monarch is as much under the Law as the subject; the subject has as valid a title to the provisions of the gospel as the monarch. Asa and his warriors were returning from a victorious campaign, when Jehovah's prophet interposed with notes of warning. These were timely, since the king and his veterans were in danger of self-laudation and serf-confidence—of ascribing their recent splendid exploits to their own skill and prowess, and of trusting to their own valour to protect them in future, without troubling themselves to think about Jehovah, his religion, or his help. So men (not excepting Christians) are never more in peril of forgetting God than when fortune smiles upon them ( Deuteronomy 8:13 ), and never more need to be admonished than when rejoicing in deliverances wrought for them by God,

3 . Its contents. A doctrine, a promise, a warning.

II. A LESSON FROM HISTORY . (Verses 3-6.)

1 . The possibility of lapsing into religious apostasy. Such times had formerly existed in Judah, and hence in the future might reappear ( Ecclesiastes 1:9 ; Ecclesiastes 3:15 ). Whether Azariah's language depicted the condition of Judah then (Grotius), or in the future (Luther), or in the past, in the days of Rehoboam and Abijah (Syriac, Arabic), or in the period of the judges (Vitringa, Bertheau), is open to debate. As the prophet has not definitely stated the time, he may have designed to express truths of force at. all limes (Keil). Of such days as the prophet alludes to, Judah and Israel had both before had experience. The description of them is peculiarly affecting.

2 . The certainty that religious apostasy will be followed by national disaster. So it had been in the past, and so it would be in the future.

3 . The only way of escaping from the miseries and horrors of such evil times, viz. by repenting and turning to Jehovah. "But when in their distress," etc. So had it been in the days of the Egyptian oppression ( Exodus 2:23 ), and in those of the Midianite supremacy ( 6:6 ). So had it been in the experience of Asa himself, whose cry unto Jehovah on the field of war had been heard ( 2 Chronicles 14:11 ). So would it be again, if in the season of their calamity they remembered God ( 2 Chronicles 7:14 ). The doctrine here enunciated holds good of individuals as well as of nations; e.g. David ( 2 Samuel 21:1 ; Psalms 18:6 ; Psalms 34:4 ; Psalms 138:3 ), Jehoshaphat ( 2 Chronicles 17:4 , 2 Chronicles 17:10 ), Uzziah ( 2 Chronicles 26:5 ). The ear of God is open to every cry of a distressed soul ( Psalms 34:15 ). "Fools, because of their transgression," etc. ( Psalms 107:17-19 ).

III. AN EXHORTATION FROM A PROPHET . (Verse 7.)

1 . The counsel. Action.

2 . The encouragement . Recompense. "Your work shall be rewarded."

Learn:

1 . The superiority of the new dispensation in having God's Son as its Messenger ( Hebrews 1:1 , Hebrews 1:2 ).

2 . The equity of God ' s dealings with men in providence and in grace ( 1 Samuel 2:30 ; Ezekiel 18:29 ).

3 . The miserable state of the heathen world, as destitute of the true knowledge of God ( Ephesians 2:12 ; Ephesians 4:17 , Ephesians 4:18 ).

4 . The value of affliction as a means of religious improvement ( Job 33:17-19 ; Ezekiel 20:37 ; Lamentations 3:27 ; 2 Corinthians 4:17 ; Hebrews 12:11 ).

5 . The secret of national prosperity—righteous-ness ( Proverbs 14:34 ).

6 . The duty of persevering in religion ( John 15:4 ; Acts 11:23 ; 2 Timothy 1:14 ; 1 Peter 5:9 ; Revelation 2:27 ).

7 . The certainty that faith shall not lose its reward ( Luke 6:35 ; 1 Corinthians 3:14 ; Hebrews 10:35 ).—W.