The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 422

of their history, revi\-ed vivid memories of the deliverance from Egypt, and ratified their engagement to be the Lord'.,. It reminded of the past, set a seal upon the present, and gave a ple<lge for the future. The Christian sacrament seals God's promises to the believer, and, at the same time, seals the believer's covenant with God, It establishes, nourishes, and strengthens the life received in the new birth. 2. An historic celebra- tum. " Surell there was not holden such a Passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, etc. A true religious awakening shows itself (1) in increased interest 1Il God's ordinances; (2) in stricter fidelity in observing them; aI!<l (3) in joyful ,J.acrity in ta.king advant11ge of them. II. FmELITY TO MOSES. 1. CJleaming away the concomitants of idolatry. Together tli.th the idols, Josiah cleansed out of the land the tribes of wizards, necromancers, i800thsa.yers, eto., who found their profit in the ignorance an<l superstition of the people, Where Bible religion returns, sanity returns. The hideous spectres begotten of fear and superstition vanish. Josiah further carefully eradicated any remaining traces of idol-worship that could be "spied." 2. Pre-eminent fidelity. In these deeds, and by his whole course as a reformer, Josiah earned for himself the distinction of being the most faithful king that bad yet reigned. He and Hezekiah stand out pre-eminent the one for trust in God (eh. xviii. 6), the other for fidelity to the Law of Moses. "Like unto him was there no king before him," etc. Like gems, each of which has its special beauty and excels in its own kind, these two kings shine above ell the rest. Only one character exhibits all spiritual excellences in perfection. III. IsRA.EL's SIN YET UNPARDONED. 1. God's unappeased anger. "Notwithstanding the Lord turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath," etc. The sole reason of this was that, notwithstanding the zealous J osiah's reforms, the people had not in heart turned from their great sins. The spirit of Manasseh still lived in them. They were unchanged in heart, and, with favouring circumstances, were as ready to break out into idolatry as ever. The outward face of things was improved as regards religion, but social injustice and private morals were as bad as ever. Hence the Lord could not, and would not, tnrn from his wrath. It is real, not lip, repentance that God requires to tnrn a.way his anger from us. We see : (1) The posthumous influence of evil. " One sinner destroyeth much good" (Eccles. ix. 18). Manaseeh's deeds lived after him. His repentance could not recall the mischief they had done to the nation. They went working on after his decease, propagating and multiplying their influence, till the nation was destroyed. (2) The righteousness of individuals cannot eave an unright- eous people. Not even though these righteous persons are high in rank, a.re deeply concerned for the revival of religion, a.nd labour with all their hearts to stem the tide of corruption. Their piety and prayers may dilay judgment, but if impenitence is persisted in, they cannot finally avert it (cf. Jer. xv. 1, "Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people "). 2. God's unshaken purpose. "I will remove Judah also out of my sight," etc. 'l'errible is the severity of God when his forbearance is exhausted. Moral laws are inexorable. If the spiritual conditions, by which only a change could be effected, are wanting, they work on till the sinner is utterly destroyed.-J. 0. Vere. 29-37.-Pharaoh-Nechoh and the Jewish, king,. A new power had risen in Egypt which was to play a temporary, but influential, part in the evolution of God's purposes towards Judah. Assyria. was at this time in its death-agonies. 'l'he sceptre of empire was soon to pass to Babylon. But it was Phara.oh-Necboh who, following the designs of his own ambition, was to set in motion a. train of events which had the effect of bringing Judah within the power of the King of Babylon. L Tm: DEA.TB OF Josun. 1. Circumstances of his death. Taking advantage of the troutles in the East, Phara.oh-Nechoh was bent on securing his own supremar.y over Syria and extending it as far as the river Euphrates. He disclaimed all intention of inter- fering with Josiah (2 Chron. xxxv. 21), but that monarch thought it his duty to oppose him. It was a. perilous venture, and Josiah seems to have entered upon it somewhat rashly. He certainly had not prophetic sanction for the enterprise. The issue was as might have been anticipated. He encountered Pha.ra.oh-Nechoh at Megiddo, and was diaaatrously defeated. Wounded by the archers, he bade hie servants carry him awny, and, placing him w au other chariot, they drove him off. ll is to be inferred from Zech. (JU, XXIU. 1-37.J THE SECOND noott OF '!'BE KINGS. 4,3