The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 175

workers in the kingd9m of God, ell the strengthening, stimulaUng, elevating influence we cnn possibly command. III. CARINO Fon AND CONSULTING THE WELFARE OJI OUR COUNTRY. Asa built those "fenced cities in Judnh" that he might make timely provision against the enemy and thus keep him off, or repel him if he attacked. What are the enemies of our native land? These are not to be found (chiefly) in invading hosts; there is but little to be feared from them. We find our national enemies in intemperance, in impurity, in dishonesty and fmud, in unconscientious and unfaithful labour, and, therefort,, in poor and unsound production, in political charlatanism and pretence, in ecclesiastical bitter- ness. We want to call in to the field forces that will expel these evils from the land. Where shall we find them? 1. In Christ-like men; in men imbued with the spirit, possessed of the principles, living the life, of Jesus Christ. 2. In (Jhristian institutions; in earnest, working Churches; in Sunday schools; in temperance societies; in guilds for the inculcation of all that is pure and wholesome; in philanthropic associations of many kinds. 3. In Christian literature. Not only that which is distinctively reli- gious, but that also which is sound in tone and spirit, which imparts and infuses a. true idea of human character and human life. Our patriotic work must be found in building up these; building up these men in our homes and circles by the influence of our Christian character; sustaining these institutions by generous gifts of time and strength and money; countenancing and supporting this wholesome, edifying literature. So shall we also" build and prosper."-C. Vers. 8-15.-77,,e secret and the spirit of true defence. We may learn from this narrative of unprovoked attack and triumphant defence- !. THAT OUR UTMOST PREPABATION WILL NOT SECURE us FROM ATTACK. .Asa endea- voured to make his little kingdom impregnable to assault by (1) fortifying the out- posts, and (2) training and equipping a large army (vers. 7, 8). Nevertheless, the Ethiopians came up against him with an a.rmy far stronger than his. The military and naval preparations of one country usually incite to greater preparations in another, and instead of war becoming impossible because each nation is invulnerable, it becomes probable because the combative spirit ha.a been developed; one nation considers itself challenged by another, and because a large number of professional men are eager to exert their power and improve their position. But not only does "history repeat itself" thus; we have here an illustration of a wider truth-that whatever efforts we may make to guard ourselves against the inroad of evils, we shall surely fail. Sickness of some kind will attack us; disappointment and disillusion will find their way to our heart; sorrow will surprise us; loss and separation will befall us; death will knock at our door. There are no fortifications we can construct, there are no forces we can raise, be we never so vigilant and alert, which will keep all enemies from the gate. Spite of fenced cities and many thousands of Jewish spears and Benjamite bows, the Ethiopian army comes up a.gainst Jerusa.lem. II. THAT IN THE PATH OF MORAL AND SPIRITUAL RECTITUDE WE ARE m THE WAY 01!' SAFETY, .Asa. had no need to be alarmed. Had he wickedly departed from the Lord he might well have been in the greatest consterna.tion, for then the severe warnings of sacred Scripture would have been as a knell in his ears; but as it wa.s, bis fidelity to Jehovah was an assurance of safety. He was God's servant; he was in a. position to "cry unto the Lord his God" (ver. 11); to say, "0 Lord our God;" to claim that the Ethiopian's triumph would be a prevailing against the Lord himself: " Let not man prevail against thee." The king could hide in the cleft of the rock; he could fall back on almighty power; he was safe before a blow was struck. He did the right thing on the occa.sion. (1) He brought his army into the field, well equipped and well ~rrayed (ver. 10); and then (2) he made his earnest, believing appeal to the Lord his God_ This is the path of safety, the place of wisdom. Let us, in days of peace and plenty, in the time of joy and honour, seek and serve the Lord our God, and then, when the darkness falls, when the enemy appears, when such power is ne~ded as ~o~s far beyond our small resources, we ca.n turn with a holy confidence and with C~r1st1a.n calmness to the succour of the faithful and the mighty Friend. We shall mdeed do as Asa did; we shall summon all our own powers and wisdom to confront the danger, to meet, the difficulty ; but, lik~ the King of J uda.b, we shall feel that our true ho:pe is in the li6 THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [on. xiv. 1-tlt