The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 174

L WHY FEBVE1'"r RELIGIOUS ZEAL IS DESPISED, 1. Alleged reasons; as (1) that it is fanatical; or (2) unintellectual, a sign of weak mind; a style of religion fit only for women and weak-minded men; or (3) hypocritical; or (4) not respectable. 'l'he better sort of people, it is alleged, keep their religion within due bounds ; certainly will eschew forms of religious earnestness which associate closely the upper. classes with the common people. 2. Secretca:uses. Ma.y be: (1) Ignorance. Want of knowledge of Christianity. .A.cquaint.ance with its great facts, doctrines, and precepts, and the exemplification of them in the lives of our Lord and his apostles, would make it clear that they demand and justify the utmost .warmth of love and zeal; so that for Christians to be zealous in holding, practising, and propagating their religion is simply to be consistent. (2) Irreligi.on., with or without knowledge. Unbelief or disbelief. The absence of religious faith and feeling. Possibly a settled hatred of religion and goodness. Men of this class cannot possibly understand or appreciate the operations of religion in the heart. The sincerely religious may disapprove of certain forms in which others display their zeal, but they will not indulge contempt of them. (3) Formalism or superficiality in religion. To which ardent devotion and self-consecration are unintelligihle. (4) Pride of intellect, taste, or station. "Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees? But this multitude whioh knoweth not the Law are accursed" (John vii 48, 49, Revised Version). (5) Sometimes would be found secret uneasiness. Zeal in others awakens conscience, which utters condemnation ; and conscience is relieved (or attempted. to be) by fi.xing attention on what is regarded as objectionable in the religious zeal of others, and cherishing contempt for them. (6) Religious bigotry, which has no tolerance for forms of religion, however sincere and good those who adopt them may be, that differ from those of the bigot himself, The piety of many good men is sadly marred by this spirit, and its earnestness feeds something very like hatred of fellow-Christians. In this case also contempt springs largely from ignorance, as well as from a la.ck of that principle of religion which is 11upereminent, viz. love. lL WHY SUCH ZEAL OUGHT NOT TO BE DESPISED. 1. It is in harmony with right reas00,. In view of the nature and works of God and our obligations to him, especially the redeeming love of God in Christ, the evils from which we are redeemed, the bless- i[IJ!:s which are brought within our reach, the cost of our redemption. It is not zeal, but indifference and coldness, which are irrational. Nothing but the willing devoteruent of heart and life to Christ is suitable as a return for his love. Devotion without warmth, senice which is ever measured and stinted, are absurd. 2. It is required by Holy &riptwre. The great duties of Christianity, love to God and man, necessarily include '.larmth and earnestness. And the terms iu which we are exhorted to seek our own CH. VI. 1-23.] 'rHE SECOND TIOOK OF SAMUEL. 179