The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 366

Ing the religion prescribed by Moses (ver. 6). (b) Not to imitate the stubborn conduct of their fathers, who had been carried away captive (vers. 7, 8). (c) To res11me nttendnnoe nt tho sanctuary, which Jehovah had sanctified for ever as the central place of his worship (ver. 8). (2) A fourfold argument. (a) Duty. Jehovah waH the Lord Gud of their fathers, even of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and, as the one livinz anrl true, gracious, a.ud covenant-keeping God, was entitled to their allegiance (vers. 13, 7). (b) Fear. If they continued rebellious, Jcbovah's anger would fall on and consume them who were but a remna.nt, as already it had fallen on and consumed their father3. (c) Clemency. If they returned to ,Tebovah, Jehovah would turn away the fierceness of his anger from them, and extend mercy to those who had been carried away captive, cau.sing them to find favour in the eyes of their captors and even to return t0 their own land (ver. 9). (d) Hope. The certainty that they would thus be treated was guaranteed by the fact that Jehovah, whom they bad forsaken, and to whom they were uow invited to return, was a gracious and merciful God (ver. 9). Or otherwise, Hezekiah pleaded with them to return on the grounds of national_ umty-Jehovah was Israel's God as well as Judah's; of historic continuity-Jehovah had been the Lord God of their fathers; of self-interest-it was the only way to avert their total extinction; of brotherly compassion-it was the most effectual means of helping their exiled brethren. IV. THE RECEPTION ACCORDED TO THE MESSENGERS, (Vers. 10-12.) 1. In Israel. (1) From the main body of the population, laughter and scorn. Seemingly they ridiculed the idea of having to protect themselves from extermination by finding a sovereign in Hezekiah and a God in Jehovah. Tiglath-Pileser II., if the earlier date be adopted, had only overrun and laid waste a. portion of their country, the trans- J ordanic tribes, with the land of N aphtali, and from these had carried away not all the population, but only the principal inhabitants; while, If the latter date be accepted as the more probable, Sargon in addition had removed only 27,280 persons (' Records,' vii. 28). Hence as yet they perceived not the necessity of either abandoning hope for the kingdom or of repairing to Jerusalem to find a king and a God. So the ambassadors of a greater King than Hezekiah, wandering from city to city throughout the world and carrying to their fellows a better invitation than Hezekiah's runners did to Israel, a.re frequently met with derision for themselves and their glad tidings; as e.g. Paul at Athens (Acts xvii. 32), as Christ himself, God's chief Ambassador and Plenipotentiary in the city of Jerusalem (John i. 11). (2) From individuals, especially in Asher, Manasseh, Zabulon (ver. 11), and Issa.char (ver. 8), the northern tribes contiguous to Naphtali, cordial acceptance. These, being country-people, were meek ones, not ashamed to humble themselves on account of their own and their nation's wickedness, and to embrace the opportunity of becoming reconciled to Jehovah and their brethren in Judah. Acoordingly they spurned not the invitation addressed to them, but "came to Jerusalem." In like manner is the King's letter in the gospel oftener welcomed and accepted by unlearned rustics than by gay and wise residents in cities; and always by the poor in spirit, who, conscious of their sin and misery, loug to be reconciled to God (Matt. v. 3-6). 2, In Judah. The people generally responded to their sovereign's invitation. (1) With unanimity. They were of one mind to do the commandment of the king and the princes. A united heart an invaluable preparation for obedience, whether for individual or for state (Jer. :x:xxii. 39; Ezek. xi. 19, 20). (2) In a spirit of obedience. They recognized the king's and princes' commandmer.t to be in accordance with the word of Jehovah (cf. eh. xxix. 15). 'l'be Word of GoJ, in the Old and New Testaments, the supreme directory for faith and practice. "To the Law and to the testimony" (Isa. viii. 20), The Bereans searched the Scriptures (Acts xvii. 11). (3) In compliance with a heavenly impulse. That they were thus enlightened and unanimous was owing to Divine grace; "The hand of God was upon them" for good, as it always is upon them that seek him (Ezra viii. 22). Learn: 1. The unspeakable blessing to a land of a pious king and court. 2. The certainty that God will aid all who seek to extend his cause and kingdum. 3. The necessity of diligence, fidelity, sympathy, and courage ?~ the part of_ al_l "runners" to the King of heaven, 4. The hopefulness with which d1vrnely comm1ss1oned preachers may enter on their mission-there will always be found a remnant to hear and obey. 5. The excellenco of a humble spirit in disposing one to listen to the gospel.-W. ll, OllRONIOl,ES, 2 B  3i0 THF. SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [err. xxx. 1-27.