The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 203

of flesh instead of upon Go<l. 4. The source of all calamity among men, viz. sin. 5, The sign of 11n evil conscience-anger against an accuser. 6. The uselessne~s of force as a remedy for evils of any kind. 7. Tho courage required of them who would champion the cause of truth and right.-W. Ver. 9.-The eyes of the Lord. I. A MOMENTOUS DECLARATION. "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth." The words teach the doctrines of: l. The Divine omniscience; since "the eyes of the Lord" not only see to the ends of the earth, and "run to and fro throughout the earth," but are in every place at the same time. 2. The Divine vigilance ; since God not merely knows all that transpires on the earth and beneath the heavens, but, as it were, lies in wait to discover oppor- tunities for interposing on his people's behalf. Contrast with this exalted doctrine the teaching of the 'Odyssey' (xvii. 485): "The gods, in the likeness of strangers from far countries, put on all manner of shapes, and wander through the cities, beholding the violence and the righteousness of men." II. A OHEERING CONSOLATION. "To show himself strong on behalf of them whose hearts are perfect towards him." The object of the Divine interposition is not so much to punish and destroy the wicked, although that is indirectly implied, as it is to rescue and succour bis people. 1. In times of danger; like that of Israel at the Red Sea (Exod. xiv. 15-30), or that of Asa on the field of Zephathah (eh. xiv. 12), or that of Judah when the army of Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem (2 Kings xix. 35), or that of David when pursued by Saul (Ps. xviii. 17), or that of Elisha in Dothan (2 Kings vi. 17), or that of Daniel in Babylon (Dan. vi. 22). 2. In seasons of ajfiiction; such as befell the Israelites in Egypt (Exod. ii. 23-25), and the Jews in Babylon (Ezra i. 1); such as overtook Jacob in Hebron (Gen. :x:..x:xvii. 34; xlv. 28), Job in Uz (Job i., ii., iii., xiii.), David in Jerusalem (Ps. vi. 8), and the Hebrew children in Babylon (Dan. iii. 25). 3. In moments of trial; which oftentimes come upon his people as they came upon Abraham (Gen. xxii. 11), Joseph (Gen. x:xxviii. 12), David (1 Sam. xxvi. 9), and Job (ii. 9), and in which God's people could hardly hope to stand without Di vine assistance. III. A SEARCHING APPLICATION. Have we those perfect hearts to whom this Divine succour is promised? 1. This means not-Are we sinless 1 Noah was" perfect" (Gen. vi. 9), and yet "he drank of the wine, and was drunken" (Gen. ix. 21); Job was "perfect" (i. 1), and yet God charged him wit.h offences which caused Job to say, "Behold, I am vile" (xl. 4); David's heart was" perfect" (1 Kings xi. 4), yet David was guilty of grievous sins (2 Sam. xi. 4); Asa's heart also was" perfect" (eh. xv. 17), and yet Asa went astray in the war with Baasha (ver. 2). Jn the New Testament the Corinthians are designated "perfect" (1 Cor. ii. 6), and yet some of them were so far from sinlessness that they committed very gross offences against morality (1 Cor. v. 1; vi. 1). 2. This means-Are we sincere in our profession of relig£on, Where sincerity is wanting, religion is impossible. Nothing more reprehensible in itself, or more offensive to both God and man, than hypocrisy-pretending to be a servant of God when one is really a slave of Satan; to be a lover of righteousne~s when one is secretly a doer of unrighteousness. Scripture in both its parts pronounces woe against hypocrites (Job viii. 13; xv. 34; Matt. x.x:iii. 13; Luke xi. 44).-W. Vera. 11-14.-The career of Asa. I. His LIFE. 1. The length of his reign. Forty- one years. His father, whtise "heart was not perfect" towards God (1 Kings xv. 3), reigned only three years (eh. :xiii. 3). The Old Testament promised long life as a. reward to piety (Ps. :x:..xxiv. 12-14). But, even without a special promise, a religious life is calculated to prolong days. " Fear God, and keep bis commandments," is the first rule of health. 2. The incidents of his reign. (1) The reformation of religion (eh. xiv. 3). (2) The building of fortresses (eh. xiv. 6). (3) The preparation of au army (eh. xiv. 8). (4) The defeat of Zerah the Ethiopian (eh. xiv. 9). (5) The for- mation of a grand national covenant (eh. xv. 8). (6) The making of a league with Benhadad (eh. xvi. 1). (7) The oppression of his people (eh. xvi. 10). 3. The charcicte1· of his reign. (1) Peaceful. It began with ten years of quiet (eh. xiv. 1); an<l, with the two exceptions above specified, it had no more hostile iuvasions_ to repel. (2) Prosperou~. Since the days of Solomon the kingdom had nut attamed lo such a.  204 THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [en. xvi. 1-14.