2 Chronicles 27:1-9 - Homiletics

The blameless reign of a son who followed all that was good in a father's example, and took warning of what was wrong in it.

The preacher may take occasion, from the apparently scant contents of this chapter, to enlarge on the general subject of example as a force in human life, pointing out its strong points and its weaker side; what is requisite to give it a steady and equable influence, and how there is only one perfect Example—an Example always and in all things and by all worthy to be followed. Point may be given to the subject, as based on this chapter, by observing how it reminds us that—

I. NO HUMAN EXAMPLE CAN BE WORTHY TO BE FOLLOWED AND COPIED IN EVERY RESPECT . The most filial son may not look to the wisest, kindest, and most religious father as an absolutely safe guide and model in everything; and so, through the whole range and operation of the relationships, and the influences in them for good even, which affect our character and are prone to dominate our life.

II. THE EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHOM WE BEST LOVE — OF GREAT MEN , OF THE SAINTLIEST - KNOWN CHARACTERS , OF THOSE WHOM WE DESERVEDLY ADMIRE AND VENERATE — MUST NOT BE MADE ANY SLAVISH MODEL , MUCH LESS PERVERTED INTO AN IDOLATROUS ONE . Nay, how very common it is, in such cases, to see that errors, defects, peculiarities, mannerisms, are what are copied first, while the weightier qualities and objects of imitation are overlooked! As if we imitate perfectly our human model, much is still wanting of Divine perfection, and which in our measure it is quite possible to incorporate; so, if we imitate slavishly, we are putting in what had better be left cut, and are often caught putting it in, even at the expense of omitting the worthier things.

III. HUMAN EXAMPLE GIVES THE HELP OF WARMTH , SYMPATHY , AND AN ENCOURAGING INDUCEMENT TO ATTEMPT WHAT WE KNOW FROM IT THAT OTHERS HAVE DONE OR ATTAINED . It offers our thought and our moral nature a stepping-stone; it leads us on by the analogy to take the advantage of higher endeavour and of a higher model.

IV. FOR THE DISCRIMINATION ABSOLUTELY NEEDED , WHEN WE ARE FOLLOWING HUMAN EXAMPLES , SINCERE ENDEAVOUR , CONSCIENTIOUS THOUGHT , AND HUMBLE PRAYER WILL DO VERY MUCH TO FIT US . As in so much else these three moderating and directing forces reap God's blessing and gain safe practical results, so assuredly they will here, in what is a delicate grace to bloom and flourish in any circumstances, viz. that of discrimination. Jotham was made wise in this respect above many others, and his brief but very expressive and unique biography is therefore written without one single reproach or blot.