of Merodacb-Baladan must be placed in connection with tha.t event, and that both the ~ickness and the mission should be dated about B.o. 712--10 (Sayce, Cheyne, Driver). 3, The pretext of this e,,,,,bassy, (1) Friendship. To congratulate Hezekiah upon his recovery from what bad seemed a fatal malady (2 Kings xx. 12). A proper thing for friends and acquaintances, especially if CbrisLian, to do-to congratulate each other on restored health, provided always such congratulations be sincere, not like those of Joab to Amasa (2 Sam. xx. 9), but like those the patriarch of Uz received from bis friends (Job xlii. 11). (2) Scientific research. To inquire of Hezekiah concerning the wonder that was done in the land (eh. xxxii. 31). According to the view taken of the date of this embassy, the wonder referred to will be the destruction of Sennacherib's army, or, what is more probable, the miraculous phenomenon connected with the step-clock of Ahaz (Delitzsch, Keil, Stanley). There is, however, no ground for thinking that either of these formed the real reason. 4. The object of this embassy. Political. Perhaps (1) with an eye to future expeditions, "to investigate a little more closely the condition of the forces of J udab" (Ewald); but also (2) with a view to present needs, to concert measures against the King of Assyria by forming a league between Babylon and the Palestinian states (Sayce, Rawlinson). II. ITs NATURE. 'fbe discovery to Sargon's (or Sennacherib's) envoys of all the treasures in his palace and in bis kingdom (2 Kings xx. 13; Isa. xxxix. 21). A twofold indiscretion, 1. .A political blunder. So Isaiah warned Hezekiah. The days would come when these very treasures which Hezekiah had so good-naturedly exhibited to the ambassadors of the Babylonian king, or others in their room, would be carried into Babylon (Isa. xxxix. 3-8). The prophet saw that "from Babylon especially Judah had nothing good to hope for, inasmuch as that state, though often in dispute with Nineveh, was yet by its peculiar position too closely entwined with Assyria; and it was really only a question whether Nineveh or Babylon should be the seat of universal dominion. , .. .Accordingly, it flashed like lightning across Isaiah's mind that Babylon, attracted by those very treasures which Hezekiah, not without a certain complacency, bad displayed to the ambassadors, might in the future become dangerous to that same kingdom of Judah it was now flattering" (Ewald, 'The History of Israel,' iv. 188). "Even political sharp-sightedness might have foreseen that some such disastrous con- sequences would follow Hezekiab's imprudent course " (Delitzscb on 'Isaiah,' ii. 126). 2. .A personal transgi·ession. That Hezekiab's indiscreet conduct was the outcome of mingled motives is hardly doubtful. Amongst these were (1) var.ity, or a feeling of inward complacency-in fact, be felt flattered by the attentions of a great Oriental prince like Merodacb-Baladan; (2) pride, or a sense of his own importance, a.rising from the fact that bis military resources-bis wealth, weapons, and war-chariots-were so abundant; and (3) self-sufficiency, which made him set a higher value on himself than on Jehovah as an Ally. III. !Ts CAUSE. "Jehovah left Hezekiah to try him, that be might know all that was in his heart." 1. The fact stated. "Jehovah left Hezekiah." (1) He did not warn Hezekiah by sending Isaiah to him before the Babylonian ambassadors bad arrived at Jerusalem, or before the evil bad been done. God is under no obligation to his intelligent creatures, or even regenerate children, to adopt special means to warn them of approaching danger in the sbape of temptation, seeing that the faculties they possess, aided by the light of natural and revealed truth, should suffice to apprize them of the imminence of peril. (2) He did not supernaturally enlighten Hezekiah, either as to the secret designs of the ambassadors or as to the disastrous consequences that should in after-years result from the false step be was about to take. The former Hezekiah should have suspected-Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes; knowledge of the latter was not requisite for determining the course of action which duty prescribed. (3) He did not exceptionally reinforce Hezekiah in the moment of trial, so as to pre- vent him from falling. Had Hezekiah sought grace, be would have got it; Jehovah was under no obligation to extend it unasked. 2. The reason given. "That be might know all that was in his [Hezekiab's] heart." The heart the proper seat of religion (Deut. xxx. 6; 1 Kings viii. 58; Jer. xxxii. _39; Ezek: xi. 1~~- The cb~;acter of t_he heart in every instance known to God (eh. v1, 30; 1 Kings vm. 39; Ps. vu. 9: CXXXIX. 1--4; Jer. xvii. 10; Luke xvi. 15). Yet this character not always visible to others or even to one's self (Jer, xvii. 9). Heuce God is wont, when his wisdom deems it II, CHRONIOLJ;la, 2 Il 4-02 THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [oH. xxxm. 1-25.
necessary, to withhold reinforcements of grace from the inuividual, that this discovery -the unsuspect.ed character of the heart-may be thereby brought to the light. So Christ dealt with Peter (Luke xxii. 31, 32). LESSONS. 1. The danger of flattery. 2. The sin of ostentation. 3. The feebleness of good men when left by God. 4-. The necessity of having the heart right in religion 6. 'l'he certainty that God tries all.-W. •