The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 190

Vere. 8-19.-.Ancient cnvenanters. I. SERIOUS PREPARATION'S, (Vers. 8-11.) 1. The purgation of the land from idols. Encouraged by the words of the son of Oded -not Oded, as in the text-Asa, on reaching his capita.I, determined to convene a national assembly, and enter into a. solemn league and covenant to carry out the work of reform:.tion so auspiciously begun (eh. xiv. 2-5), and so manifestly owned of J ehova.h in the splendid victory he had granted over the Cushite invader (eh. xiv. 12). As a preliminary, he "put away the abominations," i.e. the idols, "from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities he had ta.ken from the hill country of Ephraim." In the sa.me spirit acted Jacob, before going up to meet with Jehovah at Bethel (Gen. xxxv. 2); and Moses, before the interview of Israel with Jehovah at Sinai (Exod. xix. 14); Hezekiah, before he celebrated the Passover (eh. xxx. 14); and Josiah, before he renewed the covenant (eh. xx.x.iv. 3-7). If such preparation on the pa.rt of Israel was needful to qualify her for an interview with Jehovah e.ven in external cele- brations (A.mos iv. 12), much more is a similar preparation of the heart indispensable on the part of souls who come before God in any act of spiritual worship (eh. xix. 3; XL 33; 1 Sam. vii. 3; Ps. lvii. 7; Luke i. 17). In particular, all known sin must be abandoned (Isa. i. 16, 17). 2. The renewal of the altar of the Lord. The great brazen altar of Solomon (eh. iv. 1) had probably been defiled by idol-rites during pre- ceding reigns, and required reconsecration (Bertheau); while, after sixty years of ser~ vice, it al.most certainly stood in need of repairs (Keil). Most likely Asa's renovation of the alt.ar was of both kinds--an external reparation and a religious consecration. It is commonly a sign that a Church or nation is in earnest in entering upon religious reformation when it attends to the externals as well as to the internals of religion- when it corrects abuses, repairs defects, and adds improvements in the outward means of grace, as well as endeavours to impart to these fresh attractiveness and zeal. Indi- viduals begin not well who neglect to engage all their powers of body, mind, and heart in the work, or to seek for these a new and gracious baptism from above (Rom. xii. 1). 8. The invitatum of the peopl,e to a national assembly. Without the hearty consent and co-operation of the people, reforms of no kind can be effected-as little religious as political or social, and just as little these as those. Accordingly, all Judah and Ben- jamin, with such Israelites as sympathized with the new movement, were summoned to J eruse.lem on a certain day to covenant to seek Jehovah. As early as the days of Reboboam. strangers from the northern kingdom had found their way into the southern (eh. xi. 16); Asa's victory over Zerah having been accepted as a proof that Jehovah was on the side of Judah'e king, the number of these immigrants largely increased (ver. 9). What was wanted then in Judah and Israel to rally the pious is demanded still-a leader, who has God upon his side, because he is on the side of God. 4. The gathering of the piOU,s in Jerusalem. It showed the spirit of the people that they responded at once to their monarch's call. Followers that will not follow are a hindrance to those who would lead in reformations in either Church or state. Union is strength, and generally victory; disunion weakness, and always defeat. II. SoLEKlf TRANSACTIONS. (Vere. 12-14.) 1. The presentation of the spoi1s. These, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep, formed part of the plunder taken from Zr;rah's army (eh. xiv, 14, 15), a.Dd were now presented to Jehovah; as Abraham gave OH. xv. 1-19.] THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 191