Josiah and Revival
W W Fereday.
Foreword
There is a widespread feeling of disappointment amongst the children of God at the present time because of the apparent non-success of their Gospel labours. The masses are less and less disposed to accept our Invitations, and come together to hear the marvellous story of God's grace. The Sunday Newspaper, the radio, and the many facilities for fleshly indulgence such as our fathers never dreamed of, are doing their deadly work in every direction. Even Britain, so long favoured with an open Bible, is rapidly becoming a pagan land. In conversation with individuals, one is frequently amazed at their absolute ignorance of even the outlines of Divine truth. An officer recently asked me who Moses was, for he had never heard the name before! Possibly the people in Central Africa are now more familiar with the things of God than the people of Britain. The need for revival is anxiously expressed. The following pages may serve to point the way to a true revival in spiritual things.
Some years ago the English religious denominations organised a “Come to Church” Campaign. The aim was to fill the “Churches" for at least one occasion. But much more than this is needed if souls are to be eternally blessed. In our Lord's familiar parable of the Great Supper in Luke 14, the man who spread the feast said, that my house may be filled" Generous grace! But the house of the parable is not a Parish Church, but the festal hall above. God wants that place filled.
Josiah was able to accomplish wonderful things for God in a particularly difficult time, because (1) he sought the Lord with all his heart; (2) because he was determined to be obedient in every detail to the written Word of God; and (3) because he set himself diligently to cast away from himself and from the sphere of his influence everything that was inconsistent with the divine law. Given these conditions in any locality, we might see great things yet, so gracious is our God. But shortened addresses, solos, choruses, and other unapostolical methods are poor substitutes for the spiritual features which characterised king Josiah, and which drew forth such blessing from God in the closing days of Israel's national history.
The careful reader will probably notice some repetitions and a few minor errors in this book. Kindly consideration for old age and infirmity will excuse these things. Even the youngest reader may become old himself some day and lose his alertness!
Contents
The Child King
Many Gracious Revivals
Seeking the Lord
Israel's “High Places"
The Land Purged and the House Repaired
Faithful in that which is Least
No Accounts Kept!
The Book of the Law Found
Thine Heart was Tender"
Huldah's Solemn Message
A Fresh Covenant
From Dan to Beersheba
Josiah at Bethel
Three Wrecked Lives
The Great Passover
Sad Megiddo!
The Wreck of the Kingdom
The Child King
Solomon, in his book of Ecclesiastes (which contains much sound wisdom concerning “things under the sun") says "Woe to thee O land, when thy King is a child Ecc. 10: 16). In earlier days than those of Josiah, Jehovah said with regard to Israel: I will give children to be their princes, and with childishness shall they rule over them. Isa 3: 4 This was judgement upon a people who did not value His word and who had no desire to walk in His ways. It is hard to say which is worse for a nation, a child in years, or a man with a childish mind. In the book of Ecclesiastes we read again: Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished Ecc. 4: 13. God's thought in connection with kingship is expressed in His description of David Ps 78: 72 "He fed them according to the integrity of his hearty: and guided them with the skilfulness of his hands." A land blessed with such a ruler is blessed indeed, but David was far from perfect, and God's ideal king will not be seen until our Lord Jesus returns from heaven.
It is startling to read in 2 Chron 34: 1 "Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign." This was surely not as it should be. Every nation needs strong and sound leadership, that evil may be suppressed, and that righteousness may prevail, What could a child of eight do with a turbulent people far advanced in iniquity, and dangerously near to overwhelming judgement? The sequel will show that Jehovah had mercy on the child, and also upon the nation. Josiah shines upon the page of inspiration as one of its brightest lights. His name means "Given of Jehovah," This is suggestive. Such a pious and conscientious king was a priceless gift to the people of Judah at a critical juncture. Through him Jehovah made a last tender appeal to his erring people before expelling them from the land. Would that the reign of Josiah could have been a long one! Alas, his own folly cut it short!
This young king's father Amon was murdered at the early age of twenty-four. He was a very wicked man who profited nothing by Jehovah's stern dealings with his own father Manasseh. (The doings of these kings must be kept in mind if we would understand the wonderful work of the Spirit of God in Judah during the thirty-one years of Josiah's administration (2 Chron. 33: 21-25).
Manasseh was twelve years old when he succeeded his father Hezekiah. He was therefore born during the fifteen years of extension of life which were granted to Hezekiah in answer to his prayers and tears (Isa. 38: 5). There can be no doubt that Manasseh was carefully instructed in the ways of God, for Hezekiah said: "the father to the children shall make known Thy truth" (Isa 38: 19). Let every Christian father note this carefully, and follow Hezekiah's good example (read also Ps. 128: 1-8). In spite of his early advantages Manasseh became the wickedest king that Judah had ever known. His enormities made it impossible for Jehovah to tolerate the presence of the people in His land. Manasseh practised every form of idolatry; he indulged deeply in Spiritism; and he freely slaughtered all who dared to oppose his evil ways. After many years of these devilries, in defiance of many warning messages sent to him by Jehovah, the king of Assyria was allowed to come up against him. In the days of Hezekiah, an earlier king of Assyria came against Jerusalem and its king to his own ruin. But it was otherwise with Manasseh: the invader dragged him from his throne, and carried him away to a prison in Babylon. Babylon at that time was not an independent kingdom, but was subject to the king of Assyria). Manasseh's downfall brought him to his senses. "When he was in affliction, he besought Jehovah his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto Him: and He was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah He was God" (2 Chron. 33: 12-13).
His energy after his return to his own country was remarkable. He sought to extirpate all the evils that he had set up; he repaired the long disused altar of Jehovah, and “commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel" (2 Chron. 33: 16). But whatever good Manasseh may have accomplished in his later years he failed to influence Amon his son, He had taught him to serve the Devil, and he persisted in that dread service. “He humbled not himself before Jehovah as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more" (2 Chron. 33: 23). When he ascended the throne of Judah after his father's long reign of fifty-five years, his ways were so abominable that he was murdered within two years. It is written of both these kings that “he was buried in the garden of Uzza” (2 Kings 21: 18 and 26). Thus beneath centuries of accumulated rubbish there lie these two kings — Manasseh and Amon, father and son The father sixty seven years old when he died, and the son was twenty-four; the father has gone to heaven and the son has gone to Hell and, awful though his father taught him the way to Hell. Gladly would Manasseh have undone the mischief that he had wrought in his unconverted days, but it was impossible. The evil had gone too deeply into the hearts of the people and of his own son in particular, to be eradicated by his influence. It is easier to put souls upon the downward road than to pull them off it again.
The early manifestation of piety in Josiah arrests us. His father, as we have seen, was an exceptionally wicked man, and of his mother we know nothing, save that she was “Jedidah, the daughter of Adiaah of Boscath" (2 Kings 22: 1). From whence then did the child Josiah get spiritual instruction? From his grandfather Manasseh, undoubtedly. The thoroughness with which the latter sought to undo the evil work of his former years would fill him with concern for his grandson. If Amon scoffed at his father's entreaties and plunged still more deeply into iniquity, there was hope that the child would pay heed.
Josiah was six years old when Manasseh died. What is implanted in the mind during the first six years of a child's life is not easily uprooted. Timothy owed much to his pious mother and grandmother. Of his father nothing is recorded save that he was a Greek. So carefully was Timothy trained spiritually that Paul could say to him later on: “From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1: 5, 2 Tim. 3: 15). It has been said that filling the mind of a child with the Scriptures is like the laying of a fire, which a simple match will cause to blaze up. Let a Christian parent who may read these lines not neglect this service. Children are a serious responsibility concerning which we must give account in the day of the Lord Jesus.
A number of years ago I baptised a man eighty-five years old and a lad of fifteen. The contrast impressed me deeply, and in my address I remarked that I scarcely knew for which of these we should be most thankful to God. In the one case we had a soul saved, but a life lost, and in the other we had not only a soul saved, but a life saved also. In Manasseh and Josiah we see something similar. The former we shall undoubtedly meet in Heaven — a sinner saved by grace, but his life was largely wasted; we shall also meet Josiah in Heaven, but with him there was a life saved, which was fruitful for God during many years.
Many Gracious Revivals
Israel's history after the death of Joshua was a very sorrowful one. His conquests put the people in possession of the land of promise. It was divided up under the guidance of Jehovah, and many cities were allotted to the various tribes that were still occupied by the enemy; but divine power was available for the expulsion or destruction of all those, if only the people of God had faith to use it. In Judges 1: 1, we read: “Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked Jehovah, saying, who shall go up for us against the Canaanites' first, to fight against them? And Jehovah said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand." Had Israel continued on this line, all would have been well, but poor flesh can never be trusted. Accordingly the Book of Judges is a story of miserable failure. Again and again Israel turned their back upon Jehovah, and worshipped idols, and as frequently He delivered them into the hands of their foes. But the Book of Judges not only tells us of repeated failures; it also tells us of various spiritual revivals in the mercy of God. From time to time men of faith were raised up (Gideon being the brightest of them all) who laid hold upon God on behalf of His wayward people, and they were used of Him to deliver them from their oppressors, and to lead them back to their God.
David's day was the greatest revival of all, Everything was in ruins when Jehovah took him from the sheep folds, and made him king over His people. The priesthood had broken down both morally and spiritually, and the king of the people's choice had been slain, and the excellent Jonathan with him. “Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine” (Ps. 78: 65). In David and Mount Zion He gave His people a new start in grace, But the effects of every revival were but transient. Of later revivals those in the days of Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah may be specially mentioned. Josiah was the last instrument thus graciously raised up by God before He suffered “the boar out of the wood to waste His vineyard, and the wild beast of the field to devour It (Ps. 80: 13). Since that awful catastrophe, which upset the whole order of nations as established by the Most High, the people of Israel have not been in possession of the land. All claim to it has been forfeited, whatever Jewish pride and self-will may say in our time. The people will not again possess the good land until He comes whose right it is to reign. Then grace will give what righteousness now refuses, and the seed of Abraham will enjoy rest and peace forever.
In speaking of Josiah as Israel's last revivalist, I am not overlooking the fact that he was King of Judah. His little Kingdom included (territorially) the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, which alone remained to the house of David after the great disruption which followed the death of Solomon. The ten tribes which revolted at that time and made Jeroboam the son of Nebat their king have not been re-united to their brethren to this hour. At various times the Kingdom of Judah received valuable additions in exercised souls who left the Northern Kingdom because of its appalling evils, and migrated to the south, where at least under certain pious kings, the Word of God was still somewhat respected (2 Chron. 11: 13-17). The spiritual enemy that leads to separation from real evil is always precious in the sight of God (2 Tim. 2: 19-22). Mere quarrelsomness He hates 2 Tim 2: 24
Although the majority of the people of God did not acknowledge his authority (and indeed many of them were no longer in the land, having been carried away by the Kings of Assyria) Josiah, being a man of faith, regarded his tiny remnant of a nation which was once as numerous as the sand of the sea, as representative of Israel. The unity of the people of God was very real and precious to him, notwithstanding, centuries of grievous failure. Upon the holy table in Jerusalem's sanctuary there still stood the twelve loaves with pure frankincense upon them Lev 14: 5-9; 2 Chron 13: 11, teaching that His own are always under the eye of God and covered with the acceptability of Christ. What God saw in His grace, Josiah saw in the simplicity of his faith. On the same principle Paul, several centuries later, spoke of "our twelve tribes" (Acts 26: 7), and James addressed his Epistle to "the twelve tribes that are scattered abroad, greeting” (James 1: 1).
Josiah lived in the late evening of Israel's national history; we are living in the late evening of the history of the Church. For Israel, the time of divine repudiation and banishment was near (Hosea 1: 9; 13: 3). For Christendom something analogous is impending. He who is Holy and Pure will shortly spue out of His mouth the unreal mass who profess to be Christians and are not (Rev. 3: 16). The fruitless branches will be cut out of God's olive tree (Rom. 11: 22). All who are truly Christ's will be caught up to meet their Lord in the air (1 Thess. 2: 17). In his day, Josiah was confronted with division, confusion and every evil work. The same things confront us now. The young King was profoundly moved by the written Word of God when it was brought before him and he was determined to be obedient in all things thereto. The feeling that the hour was late, and that the position was hopeless, did not check in Josiah's soul the sense of responsibility. Hoary customs were cast aside, and every trace of evil in the land was stamped out to the best of his ability. Many professed to follow the King in his holy zeal, but Jehovah who knows the secrets of all hearts, said, "Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly” (Jer. 3: 10). in all ages the people love to move with the tide. If the tide is flowing in the right direction (as in the Protestant Reformation) many will go with it outwardly; but if the tide is flowing in the wrong direction the mass will go with it eagerly. The latter was seen in the days of Israel's worst kings, and we have seen it also in Christendom.
The Scriptures which influenced Josiah so wonderfully were principally the five books of Moses. We are immeasurably more favoured than he, for we hold in our hands the complete revelation of God. Is it our habit to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest? Or is it possible that the bustle of the twentieth century, with the many side attractions that the restlessness of flesh has provided for everybody, is diverting us from the study of the Word of God? Foolish souls are we, if this is so. The Scriptures, as we meditate upon them, bring us into the presence of God; they lay bare our consciences and they quicken our spiritual affections. They enrich us divinely. Enjoyment leads to action. Every evil thing in our lives is cast out. We scrutinise our ecclesiastical associations; will they stand the test of the Word of God? Religious organisations and fellowships which betray the human hand we renounce as earnestly as Josiah renounced and destroyed the many religious evils which filled his realms. The Church rises up before our souls, in its wondrous unity as Christ's body and God's habitation, and in the light of it we seek by grace to walk while we wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Seeking the Lord
Having been brought to God myself in early youth, it has been somewhat of a habit with me, in moving about in the world, to inquire of any friends at what age they were converted, and it has been deeply interesting to learn that the great majority of them were saved in their “teens" Some could trace their spiritual history even further back. A lady of exceptional piety living in a town in Staffordshire told me in her seventy-eighth year that she had been “breaking bread" seventy years! This means that she confessed the name of the Lord and was accepted by her brethren for Baptism and Assembly fellowship when only eight years old! Such a case is doubtless very rare, but it proves to us what the grace of God can do. In October, 1945, I was told of the triumphant death of a man who was saved through my instrumentality in London in 1883! He was twelve years old at that time. Many years ago I baptised two girls, each thirteen years of age. Some feared that I was somewhat venturesome in doing so; but their after history. as in the two cases already mentioned, proved that they were true disciples of the Lord Jesus. One died of consumption after several years of bright Christian life; and the other, at the moment of writing, is an exemplary Christian in her fifty-seventh year.
Our Saviour-God delights to pardon and bless transgressors advanced in years. Manasseh in the Old Testament, and the Philippian jailor in the New, are examples of this. But our Lord's attitude towards children when here upon earth shows how deep is His interest in the young. Many who were rescued early by His grace have distinguished themselves in His service later. We recall David and Jonathan in the Old Testament, and Timothy in the New. No more pious persons have ever sat upon the throne of England than Edward VI and Lady Jane Grey the nine-days Queen; but both were only about seventeen years old at the time of their death.
I write these things for the encouragement of workers amongst the young. It has long been my conviction that our best Gospel work is wrought in the Sunday Schools and Bible Classes. Let none regard these as mere side-lines of service, for they are indeed our most fruitful fields.
Concerning Josiah we read: "He did that which was right in the sight of Jehovah, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young he began to seek after the God of David his father 2 Chron. 34: 2-3
There is no mention of any spiritual helper for Josiah as in the case of Joash more than a century earlier. The latter was favoured to have about him for many years his pious uncle Jehoida (2 Chron. 24: 2). With Josiah there was probably more direct dealings with God. This would account for his sturdy faith and his amazing energy in service for God. But whether it were Joash or Josiah, or the present writer and his readers, all is grace. Every scrap of good that has ever been seen in any of us is the work of the Holy Spirit
Thus at the interesting age of sixteen Josiah began to seek after the God of David his father. Man being a lost sinner, having by his love of sin strayed from his Maker into hopeless darkness, is always under responsibility to return to God, who has a righteous claim upon the love and obedience of all His creatures, as He has Himself expressed it in the law of Sinai, Seek ye the Lord while He may be found," is His command to the wayward. His forbearance with sinners will not continue indefinitely. Some day men may wish to "find" Him, and will discover that He is no longer “near" (Isa. 15: 6). Paul, when addressing the wise men of Athens, told them that men should seek after God, and he added “though He be not far from everyone of us" (Acts 17: 27). Precious words, when rightly understood! The many shrines which met the Apostle's eyes in the Greek capital suggested to him that one god was as good as another in the minds of the people there. Therefore he preached unto them the one true God and Jesus whom He raised from the dead.
But although it is ever the duty of men to seek after God, actually they refuse to do so. How tremendously solemn are the words of Psalm 53: 2: “God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Everyone of them is gone back: they are together become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." The great and gracious Creator surveyed the whole human race and He could not see one that wanted Him, or that even understood the purpose for which he was created! This is confirmed in Psalm 14: 2-3 and Romans 3: 11-12. To this we would add Psalm 10: 4: “The wicked through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."
This being the true condition of things, all would perish in their appalling folly, but for the activity of God in grace. If men do not want Him, He wants them! Immediately after the rebellion in the garden, the voice of God was heard, saying, "Adam, where art thou?" (Gen. 3: 9). The Gospel tells us (Oh, blessed thought!) that God is now the Seeker after men. This is the meaning of the coming amongst us of His beloved Son. Accordingly in the New Testament sinners are never charged to seek the Lord although it is still their responsibility to do so; in stead, they are told that God is seeking them. When the Lord Jesus was found fault with for receiving sinners and eating with them, He gave utterance to the delightful parables of Luke 15, wherein He delineated the grace that seeks the lost, and that welcomes the penitent. He likened Himself to a shepherd “going after that which is lost until He find it." When again complained of for entering the house of Zacchaeus the tax-gatherer, He said: “the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19: 10). The grace which seeks (oh, so unweariedly!) those whom righteousness might well condemn, is marvellous! What a God is ours! Yet how cruelly misrepresented by Satan to foolish men whom he would fain keep in eternal distance from the God who loves them! It is noticeable that when the Lord Jesus spoke of little ones He omitted the word “seek." All He said was: “the Son of man is come to save that which is lost." (Matt. 18: 11). Even the Youngest is lost by nature; but some have not had time enough to wilfully stray from their God. Yet they need to be saved.
Well, it is an unspeakably happy thing to be led to Christ in early youth, before the diabolical tendencies which are in all our hearts lead us into transgression and sin like the prodigal of Luke 15. C. H. Spurgeon, the most notable Evangelical preacher of the last century preached his first sermon at the age of sixteen! He subsequently described his spiritual history as follows: - "I looked to Him: He looked on me: and we were one for ever." Simple, sweet, and expressive! But the position would be more correctly stated thus: -
He looked on me:
I looked to Him:
And we were one for ever."
Man being at enmity with God, not God at enmity with man, the first step towards reconciliation should come from man, but it never does. God is the seeker, not man. What a God! How marvellous is His grace! The grateful Paul, once bold in his hostility, but now rejoicing in God's salvation, said: "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord . . . . the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant" (1 Tim. 1: 12-14).
Israel's "High Places"
At the age of sixteen (as we have seen) Josiah turned to God. Then followed four years of spiritual exercise. concerning the condition of things around him. His position as king made Josiah feel that it was not sufficient for him to be right with God personally; he also felt that he must purge the land of its abominations, and lead the people back to God. In this day we are not called upon to be iconoclasts. It is not our duty to go round with axes and hammers and destroy images and other things which we know to be hateful to God. All this will be dealt with by the Lord Jesus when He shows Himself from heaven in Kingdom-power and majesty. Our present duty is twofold: (1) to get our own souls right by testing all our ways and associations by the written Word; and (2) to use our influences to help others to return to the "old paths" (Jeremiah 6: 16) The latter we can do by personal conversation, and by definite public ministry if God has qualified us for such work. Mere addresses, carefully planned, with points, divisions, anecdotes, and alliterations may be entertaining; but it is doubtful if they reach hearts and consciences concerning the evils from which men should purge themselves. Time was when many Christians carried in their pockets a supply of booklets some suited for Christians and others for unbelievers. We wonder if this is done to any extent to-day?
At the age of twenty Josiah began to move. Five verses in 2 Chron. 34: 3-7 are packed with the Holy Spirits record of his courageous deeds. Although surrounded by people whose attitude was doubtful, he went forward energetically. Images were smashed, altars were broken down, and the bones of idolatrous Priests were burnt upon their altars. Thus the young king expressed his abhorrence of evil Practises and of the men who led the way in them. Josiah did not limit himself to the territories of Judah and Benjamin, although he commenced there. At all times the servants of God should first testify near home. Having done this, Josiah pushed Northward, and acted with vigour in Manasseh, Ephraim, etc. The ruling power in the North must have been weak for such action to be possible; but the young King took risks, confiding in God. Bold testimony in regions where the truth is most needed is called for to-day; but how far are we willing to move away from the warm shelter of Gospel Halls and other places of comfortable service. Yet, why should 'evangelists' abandon their earthly calling if they are unwilling for pioneer work such as the apostle speaks of in Romans 15: 18-24.
It is particularly noted that Josiah “began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places. These were very offensive to Jehovah, because they were the expression of the people's neglect and even contempt for His chosen centre. He definitely commanded the people to destroy all the images of the Canaanites and to devastate their high places (Num. 33: 52). At this point the reader would do well to lay down this book and read Deut 12. In that chapter Moses told the people before he died that they would find the land full of idols, with places of worship "upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree." All this was the expression of self-will of people who knew nothing of God and who were under the blinding influence of Satan. But the people of God must not be like them. They must listen to His voice, and obey Him in all things, especially in mattes relating to divine worship. He would choose His own centre, and thither the tribes of Israel were told bring their sacrifices and offerings. Shiloh, in Ephraim, was Jehovah's first dwelling-place (Jer. 7: 12), later, he chose Zion (Ps. 78: 60-68).
The sin of the people, which caused the ark of the covenant to fall into the hands of the Philistines, threw the relationships of the people with Jehovah into confusion, for the ark never returned to the Tabernacle. David brought it up to Zion out of the house of Obed-Edom to a tent that he had prepared for it (1 Chron. 15), but the Tabernacle was at Gibeon (1 Chron. 16: 39). During the years of confusion, even pious People worshipped at “high places." Samuel did this 2 Sam. 9: 12-25). But such irregularities became sin after the Temple was built, and filled with the cloud of Jehovah's presence. The very builder of the Temple led the way in this great sin. Solomon built high places for Chemosh and for all the gods of his pagan wives (1 Kings 11: 1-8).From Solomon's day onward, worship at high places became intermittent. Some kings sanctioned (or, at least tolerated) it; and others suppressed it. Sennacherib in his heathen ignorance, thought that Hezekiah had displeased his God by destroying the high places which the people had dedicated to His worship (2 Chron. 32: 12).
Coming now to ourselves, have we learned to be obedient in all things to the Word of God, or are we in any degree held by the unscriptural practises of Christendom? It has been said that just as a man is entitled to choose his own lawyer and his own baker, so he is entitled to choose his own “minister” and place of worship! This is rank self-will. Not only is God dishonoured by it, but it is injurious to the soul. The marvellous blessings and privileges which are characteristic of Christianity are to a large extent unknown to those who pursue such a course, Surely He has not left us to our own devices in matters of the utmost sacredness! Surely He has spoken! He who was so precise in the smallest details connected with the worship of His earthly people is not indifferent in His dealing with His heavenly saints! Shall we not, then, in the spirit of deep humility, search His Holy Word with care and seek grace from Him to obey what is written therein, cost what it may?
No more delightful unfolding of the subject of worship, with special reference to our own time, can be found than in our Lord's words to the Samaritan woman in John 4: 21-24. His pointed and heart-searching words made the woman feel the seriousness of having to do with God; and she desired to learn from Him where God could be found, for there was much controversy in the land concerning this subject. Her fathers had worshipped for centuries on Mount Gerizim, but the Jews affirmed that in Jerusalem was the place where men ought to worship. She was stating her difficulty to the One who could best answer it. He was the Father's well-beloved Son, Who had come from heaven to lead willing hearts into sweeter intimacies than had ever before been known. He said “Woman, believe Me" Oh, that men had been willing then: oh, that men were willing now, to listen to the Son, and believe every word from His gracious lips! Instead, many listen to the voice of religious leaders, and follow them blindly. "Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father." The day for material religious centres is past. Those who point to a building and speak of it as the "house of God" are two thousand years behind the times in their thoughts. God being now revealed as Father, He will be satisfied with nothing but the overflowing of the heart from those who are in the conscious relationship of children. Worship in spirit and in truth "is what He desires, and "the Father seeketh such to worship Him." Costly buildings, gorgeous ritual, and elaborate vestments are an offence to Him, for they are relics of Paganism and Judaism. Any simple building, even a private house, will suffice as meeting-places for God's saints during the Christian era. The true rallying centre is together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Let us beware of men's “high places." We are not called upon to destroy them, as Josiah did in his day; but it is our duty to reject them, and to be obedient in all things to the Word of our God.
The Land Purged and the House Repaired
The more we meditate upon the activities of Josiah, the more remarkable it seems that a young man of twenty should attempted and accomplished such great things for God. There is no hint in the sacred records of any backing on the part of the leaders of the people; and as for the people themselves, the early chapters of the book of Jeremiah reveals that their hearts were not with the king in his godly efforts, although they did not actively oppose him. It is a story of individual faith in God, on the part of a young man who perceived that things were very wrong round about him, and who earnestly desired, by the help of God, to put them right.
The word of God contains much encouragement for young men. Some of the outstanding characters in the Bible were young. It is sufficient to mention that Joseph, Jonathan, David, Elihu and Timothy in addition to Josiah (Jeremiah and Zechariah, among the prophets, were both young men,) We are living far down the dispensation, and departure from God and His truth is widespread. Also there is a deplorable lack of spiritual energy in the work of God. We would appeal to the young men to get to their Bibles, and exercise their minds and hearts about what they find there. You must not allow yourselves to be discouraged in your efforts by the criticisms of old men. We should always treat with respect what others may say to us, but we must not allow it to break our hearts and cast us back from useful service. Old men are apt to become set in their ways, and limited in their outlook. With them too often what has been should still be; no reconsideration of the situation can be tolerated! The grip of tradition can be firm and injurious even over those who have long stood aloof from the evils of Christendom. It is to reject traditions a thousand old and yet be slaves to tradition of scarcely fifty years standing.
Dear aged brethren, it is an old man of long and wide experience who is addressing you. Do not discourage young men. Do not snub the Josiahs of twenty years old. You may perhaps feel within yourselves that things are not as they should be, and possibly there is with you a feeling of weariness due to declining strength which may dispose you to settle down to things as they are rather than speak and act boldly for God. Give yourselves to prayer that God may be pleased to raise up faithful young men; but beware how you damp their energy when it begins to operate. It is admitted that young men can be forward and troublesome in the assemblies; but so can men who are far from being young. Have we not seen brethren assuming the work of oversight with no spiritual qualifications? And have not such men, by displays of petty authority sometimes blocked spiritual activities? Young men should never despise the counsel of the aged, and the aged should never discourage the zeal of the young. Let us help one another to a better understanding of the will of the Lord.
Josiah was desirous of keeping a Passover unto Jehovah. This was Israel's great foundation feast. Under the shelter of the blood of the lamb the people were spared the judgement Which fell upon the Egyptians. God would have this kept in Perpetual remembrance by a grateful people. Alas, the feast lapsed frequently. The paschal lamb was typical of Christ who "has been sacrificed for us" (1 Cor. 5: 7). The Lord's Supper differs somewhat from the Passover in that it is not a mere memorial of a great deliverance, but a remembrance of the Person who wrought the deliverance for us. "Do this in remembrance of ME," were our Lord's words (Luke 22: 19). Josiah's Passover was kept in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he was twenty-six years old (2 Chron. 35: 19). The purging of the land and of the temple took a considerable time.
The king rightly felt that Jehovah must be worshipped in pure surroundings. "Exalt Jehovah our God, and worship at His holy hill; for Jehovah our God is holy." Thus spake the Psalmist (Ps. 99: 9). In Hosea 11: 9, God spoke of Himself as "the holy One in the midst of thee." Every householder in Israel was responsible to search his house for any trace of leaven before the Passover could at any time be properly kept (Exodus 12: 15). In Josiah's day the land was full of abominations; not only the idols themselves, but also the filthy practices which are always connected with idolatry. It apparently required eight Years of energetic action to clear all this away. No evil should be glossed over if Josiah could prevent it; but he could not look into the hearts of the people, where, alas, in many cases the evils were still loved. Josiah's order of procedure is instructive; first, he purged the land and the temple; next, he "repaired the. .house of Jehovah his God;" then he felt ready to call the people together to keep the feast. A century earlier Hezekiah kept a great Passover in Jerusalem; but there was much irregularity connected with its observance, for which Hezekiah humbly sought the pardon of Jehovah for His people (2 Chron. 30: 18-20). But Josiah was careful that everything should be done strictly according to the written Word. Jeremiah commenced his prophetic ministry in the thirteenth year of Josiah's reign (Jer. 1: 2). His seventh chapter should be carefully read at this point. Jeremiah was divinely commanded to stand in the gate of Jehovah's house and speak solemnly to the people about their unreality, and of the judgements which must come upon them. The house in Jerusalem would soon be divinely forsaken as was the tabernacle in Shiloh long before. But it is always God's gracious way to give warning before He lifts His hand to destroy.
The story of Josiah's activities has a voice to us to-day. Christendom has long been filled with religious abominations, and seeing that brighter light has shone there than Israel ever experienced, the guilt is greater. The call to separation in 2 Cor. 6: 14-18 has primary reference to religious admixtures; “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean things." Paul's last inspired Epistle makes plain the path that faithful souls should tread now. After speaking of dangerous doctrines, and the deplorable confusion of vessels to honour intermingled with vessels to dishonour, the Apostle says; "If a man purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work" (2 Tim. 2: 21). As in Josiah's day, so in ours, purging is necessary if God is to be glorified. The Corinthian Assembly was charged to "purge out the old leaven" (1 Cor. 5: 7). The words of the Holy Spirit through the Apostle stirred their consciences, and the wickedness was judged. In his second Epistle, he was able to say, "In all things ye have proved yourselves to be clear in this matter." 2 Cor 7: 11 But when evil becomes established individual action is imperative, and the man who would go on with God must purge himself out. This is the plain teaching of 2 Tim. 2. But he (or she) who is brought to this painful necessity must then look around for others who are likewise desirous of walking in "the ways of the Lord." "Follow righteousness, faith, love, peace with them that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart." It is not the mere taking up of a more correct ecclesiastical position. A deep inward spiritual work is indicated which affects one's whole deportment in every sphere of life. The neglect of these moral excellencies in those who boast of separation from ecclesiastical evil is inconsistency of the greatest possible character.
No purging, however, is once for all. Those who have publicly repudiated Christendom's grievous departures from the will of God, should watch their conduct continually, "cleansing themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God "(2 Cor. 7: 1). Particularly is this necessary when we go up into the assembly of the Saints. We should examine ourselves (1 Cor. 11: 28). A servant of Christ once said that it would be well if all God's saints would spend a quiet hour every Saturday evening in spiritual exercise and preparation for the services of the Lord's Day. This is worth considering. Josiah would have said, "Holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, forever” (Ps. 93: 5). To this let us add our own reverent AMEN.
"Faithful in that which is Least"
Concern for His house and its due order is always precious in the eyes of God. Since the notable Pentecost of Acts 2. when the Holy Spirit came down from heaven, the house of God has not been a material structure such as the Temple in Jerusalem; it is a spiritual building, composed of living stones, men and women partakers of eternal life through grace. The Apostle Paul in his first epistle to Timothy tells us plainly what the house of God is in the Christian era: "These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." God delights to dwell amongst the people whom He has redeemed, whether Israel or Christians; but He insists upon purity and order. Oh, that we all may be as zealous as the young king Josiah that God may be glorified in His own house!
The repairing of the Temple was carried through most expeditiously. The work appears to have been commenced in the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign, and the Passover was kept in the same year (compare 2 Chron. 34: 8, with 35: 19). Yet the Passover was a Spring feast, appointed to the month Abib. In Hezekiah's time the feast had to be deferred until a month later because neither Temple nor people were ready (2 Chron. 30: 13-15); but Josiah and his people “killed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month" (2 Chron. 35: 1), according to the original divine order (Ex. 12: 18). This proves that the workmen put their hearts into the work of getting the house ready for Jehovah their God. It is written in Eccles. 9: 10. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." In Col. 3: 23, even slaves are told, “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men." This is not acceptable doctrine in our day. The "working" classes (so called) seem bent on squeezing the maximum of pay for the minimum of work! Let God's saints beware of the disorderly spirit prevailing around them, and give heed to yet another exhortation from the pen of Paul the Apostle: "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him" (Col. 3: 17). This puts everything in its true place, and faithful workers may be assured that the Lord will commend them in His day, which will be ample recompense for any reproaches which may come upon them from their fellow-men meanwhile.
When the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt after the return of the remnant from captivity, Nehemiah records, "the people had a mind to work” (Neh. 4: 6). Josiah would have said the same of the men employed by him. Some years ago a number of brethren in a Scottish town built an excellent Hall for their services with their own hands. When they had put aside a good sum of money for the purpose, the works in which they were all employed had to close down for lack of orders. The brethren judged that this was God's time for building the Hall.
Accordingly they wrought with a will early and late for many weeks in order to get the roof on, and the building as far as possible finished before the works re-opened. Fifty or more men whose wages were at a standstill toiling for love's sake! What a spectacle for men and angels! "The people had a mind to work." A Popish priest in the locality is reported to have said that if he had a band of men about him like those builders he would move Scotland! In the mercy of God, no such men were available for him. The less of Popery the better for Scotland, and for every other land.
What a contrast in the condition of things in the days of Haggai! Because the people met with some discouragement in the re-building of the Temple, they ceased operations, and laboured to build houses for themselves instead. "Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, saying, This people say, the time is not come, the time that Jehovah's house should be built." Such indifference was very displeasing to the One who had been so good to His erring people, and He sent them a remonstrance by Haggai the prophet, saying: "Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses and this house lie waste?" (Haggai 1: 1-4). Jehovah found it necessary to chasten His people for their apathy, and all blessing was withheld until they recommenced their work upon the Temple, and proceeded vigorously with it in faith. Then their barns filled up again with good things.
We are impressed with the Holy Spirit's record that in Josiah's, day the men were so conscientious that no account was kept of the money expended, the amount of which must have been considerable. The word "faithfully" is used in a two-fold way: (1) "the men did the work faithfully" (2 Chron. 34: 12); and (2) "there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully" (2 Kings 22: 7). Such men are worthy of imitation. Theirs was no mere "eye-service as men pleasers"; they worked "in singleness of heart fearing God" (Col. 3: 22). Britain could do; with millions of such workers to-day. The housing problem would then be quickly solved, and what excellent work would be put into the houses! And if also the men could be trusted. to use the money subscribed, purchasing the best possible materials, and taking no more in wages than is just — but perhaps we are dreaming! If such conditions may not be expected generally until the Millenial age, may all who fear God and reverence His Word seek to be like Josiah's workmen meantime.
In nothing perhaps are the children of God so commonly unfaithful as in the stewardship of money. Too much spent on luxuries, and too little dispersed abroad, and even that not always wisely. When shall we learn to neither spend nor give without seeking the guidance of God? In Luke 16: the Lord Jesus, after speaking of the unjust steward who so skilfully manipulated his circumstances for his own advantage, said: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." "Least?" Is that how men regard money? Note also our Lord's further words: “that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God!" In 1 Tim. 6. the Apostle has much to say about this serious matter. In verses 9-11 he warns saints who are not rich, but who aspire to be, that there are dangers ahead. Men in the world who pursue such a course frequently "drown themselves in destruction and perdition" and money-loving saints "pierce themselves through with many sorrows." In Verses 17-19 the Apostle charges those who are already rich not to "trust...in uncertain riches, but in God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy," and to be ready "with open hand for every good work." There is nothing wrong in possessing wealth (mark the word "enjoy") if the wealth comes to us. honourably; but when we consider that He to whom we owe our eternal all had not where to lay His head, and when we also remember that He is still "despised and rejected by men," to be holders of large sums of money puts us in a position of grave responsibility, in the discharge of which we need daily and hourly grace. Referring again to Luke 16. we can “make to ourselves friends by the mammon of unrighteousness," if our hearts so dispose us (ver. 9) or we may make enemies by the same means. Those who are generous and kind are beloved; but those who are selfish and haughty by reason of their wealth are disliked. Oh, that it may be said of us, as of Josiah's workmen "they dealt faithfully! "
No Accounts Kept!
The condition of the Temple was deplorable when Josiah moved to refit it for divine worship. His wicked predecessors, in their contempt for everything that was of God, had wrought havoc with the sacred building; but willing hands and devoted hearts quickly put things right, as we have seen. We gather from 2 Chron. 34: 8-13, that the relations between the carpenters and masons and their overseers were cordial and harmonious. These verses make pleasant reading, and they remind us of how agreeably Boaz and his harvest-men wrought together (Ruth 2: 4). What lessons these records contain for all who would please God in these turbulent days!
We return to the statement that there was no reckoning with the men who handled the money "because they dealt faithfully." This is found in the "King's" account, written earlier than the books of the Chronicles. It is noticeable that the same thing is said of the workmen in the days of Joash and Jehoiada (2 Kings 12: 15; 2 Kings 22: 7). The question will naturally arise: "Is this how God would have things done habitually? Should the example of these people of long ago be the pattern for us to follow to-day? The answer is “No." The times of Joash and of Josiah were exceptional. In each reign a great spiritual revival was in progress. After many years of grave transgression the people or at least a remnant of them were turning back to their God. Hearts and consciences were in exercise concerning His Holy will. This being so, precautionary measures against fraud were scarcely necessary.
But our God is above all things, a God of order, and He delights to see His people careful in all their ways, and particularly where money is concerned. It is of course possible to become methodical in such matters, and the assembly of God should never be shackled by mere forms and rules. But appearances must be considered; we must "provide things honest in the sight of all men" Rom 12: 18). In Mr. Darby's excellent translation there is a footnote to the word "provide”: “taking care by forethought that there should be what is comely and seemly." In the days of the Apostle Paul, large sums of money were contributed by various Gentile assemblies for the relief of their needy brethren in Judea. It was not unnatural that they should desire Paul to carry their gifts to Jerusalem, for he was the Spiritual father of these Gentile Christians, and those were not days of Bank drafts and Postal orders. But Paul. although delighted to have part in this work of grace, insisted upon having companions, men carefully chosen by the assemblies for the purpose. Chapters 8 and 9 of his second epistle to the Corinthians are worthy of very careful reading. These chapters have been described as "Paul's charity sermon." The tone throughout is delightful. The Lord Jesus is brought forward as our great example in the matter of generous giving.
“Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." With such words ringing in our ears and in our hearts we shall be liberal, realising that we owe infinitely more than we shall ever be able to give. David said: “Who am I, and what is my people that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of Thee and of Thine own have we given thee" (1 Chron. 29: 14). Paul says concerning the Macedonian saints who had given money for brethren in Judea, "They first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (2 Cor. 8: 5). Deborah said of some in her day, “the people willingly offered themselves" (Judges 5: 2, 9). It is recorded of one of Jehoshaphat's officers that he "willingly offered himself unto Jehovah" (2 Chron. 17: 16). In all these cases it was God who was uppermost in their minds; they yielded themselves and all that they had to Him, in appreciation of His grace to them.
The Macedonian saints were poor by comparison with their brethren in Corinth, but their "deep poverty" was accompanied by abundant joy in the Lord (2 Cor. 8: 2). It has frequently been observed that the poor give far more in proportion to their means than the rich, the widow with her two mites leading the way in this grace (Luke 21: 1-4). About fifty-five years ago, when a general collection was being made for a special object, the brother who consented to act as Treasurer in the matter called at my office in London one morning and produced two letters for me to read. One was from a brother holding a good Government post, (with no family to support), enclosing sixteen shillings with an apology for the smallness of the amount, because (as he said) "our assembly is not large!" The other was from an aged woman, who subsisted by taking in washing (for there was no Old Age Pension in those days), enclosing five shillings with deep regret that she could not send more! I am not ashamed to confess that the brother who brought the letters, and I also, dropped a few tears in my office that morning. "God bless the dear woman," we said with one accord. Brethren, don't be mean! Remember that your Lord gave His all — yea, Himself for you!
The Apostle said of the brethren who were to accompany him to Jerusalem with the offerings of the Gentiles, "they are the messengers of the assemblies, and the glory of Christ" (2 Cor. 8: 23) What higher commendation could any of us have this side the Judgement Seat of Christ? The men referred to had been carefully selected by their brethren as stewards in whom they could have full confidence. In contrast to this, the case of Judas Iscariot comes to our minds. How came he to be Treasurer for the apostolic band in the days of the Lord Jesus? It is unthinkable that the Lord Himself chose him for such service. Did He not once say "one of you is a devil?" (John 6: 70). Was He not aware, as the reader of all hearts, that love of money was the particular snare of Judas? Would He, who is always tenderly considerate and compassionate because of the frailty of poor flesh, expose any man to special temptation? Did He not teach the disciples to pray “lead us not into temptation?(Matt. 6: 13). How then did Judas become keeper of the bag? His companions must have chosen him for this service; certainly not for his spiritual grace, but rather for his business ability. Fatal blunder! It worked disastrously as we know. Many years after the unhappy Judas had "gone to his own place," the Apostle John wrote of him: "he cared nothing for the poor; but he was a thief and had the bag, and bare what was put therein" (John 12: 6).
Possibly it was with the terrible case of Judas before their minds that the Apostles bade the saints in Jerusalem to look out amongst themselves seven men to distribute their funds; but they must be "men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6: 3). These are admittedly high qualifications, but God can only be acceptably served by men of spiritual power and grace. Men should not be allowed to push themselves into positions of prominence merely because of their standing in the world. This is sheer carnality, and no good can result from it. It is as important to have Spirit-filled men to handle the finances as to preach and teach publicly the things of the Lord Jesus. Many companies of God's saints would do well to exercise themselves before God about this matter.
We conclude therefore that God would have His saints orderly in their accountancy, both individually and collectively. Our own books should be so kept that the Inspector of Taxes, if he has occasion to examine them, may see at a glance that we are honourable men; and the books of the gathered saints should be so ordered that everything may be above reproach. Once more we would remind ourselves that Josiah's labourers in their work and in their handling of the people's money "dealt faithfully." The Holy Spirit says in 1 Cor. 4: 2, "it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful."
The Book of the Law Found
It was a blessed thing for young King Josiah to “seek after the God of David his father." God is readily found by those who want Him; but the full revelation of Who and What He is could not be until the Only Begotten Son Who is in the bosom of the Father came from heaven to declare Him. Before His coming the faithful in Israel knew and trusted God as the covenant-keeping Jehovah. We who live on the resurrection side of the Cross, and who have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit know God as Father, and we have the assurance that we are His children, sons, and heirs. The Father loves us as He loves His Son. We have learnt this sweet truth from the lips of the Son Himself (John 17: 23).
But although Josiah came to know God early in life, and soon, began to serve Him amongst the people, it was some time before he came into contact with God's written Word. Those were not days of printed Bibles, making it possible for all who will to possess copies of the Scriptures. neither were the Scriptures yet fully written. Do we realize how favoured we are in this day, with God's Word in it's entirety abundantly printed, and obtainable at a reasonable cost? Are we alive to the fact that immense spiritual wealth is within our reach if only we have the sense to value it? Gold and diamonds are not found without labour, and how willingly will men endure hardships in order to fill their bags with these precious things, which, after all, only have a time value! Oh, that we were half as diligent in our search for the great and wonderful things contained in the book of God. These have eternal value.
While the Temple repairs were proceeding, "Hilkiah the priest found the book of Jehovah given by Moses” (2 Chron. 34: 14). He reported his great discovery to Shaphan the scribe: "I have found the book of the law in the house of Jehovah. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it" (2 Kings 22: 8). Shaphan did wisely, for a Bible unread is useless to anybody. This man's son became a leader in idolatry (Ezek. 8: 11). Over him evidently the Word of God had no power.
What was it that the High Priest found, and which so deeply moved the King when Shaphan read it before him? Was it the original book of the law written by Moses in the wilderness? After the return from captivity in Babylon copies were made of the law, and were read on the Sabbath days to the people in synagogues built for the purpose. Our Lord freely used these buildings, in which liberty was given to any one to exhort the congregation if competent to do so. The Apostles also used the synagogues for the same purpose (Luke 4: 17; Luke 4: 44; Acts 9: 20; Acts 13: 14). But there is no clear evidence that synagogues with copies of the Word of God in them, existed in the days of the Kings. Was then the book that Hilkiah found in the Temple the original work of Moses? An interesting question, but difficult to answer.
The early history of the written Word may profitably be considered here. The first recorded command to put Jehovah's commandments to His people into writing is found in Ex. 17: 14 "Jehovah said unto Moses, write this for a memorial in a book and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua; for I will. utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." Soon after this, Jehovah Himself put something into writing. The tables of stone, containing the ten commandments were written with the “finger of God." These (the second tables were called “the testimony," for in them God spoke to men, and they were deposited in the Ark of the Covenant (Ex. 25: 16; Ex. 28: 18). When Moses completed his fifth book he "commanded the Levites, which bare the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah, your God that it may be there for a witness against thee" (Deut. 31: 25). We learn from this that the book of the law was preserved in the house of God, in the Most Holy place. Thus Hilkiah found the sacred book just where it might be expected to be found. But it was evidently very little known for many years prior to the reign of Josiah. It appears to have been lost, covered over with rubbish in the very house of God, and so little valued that no search was made for it! What a picture of what has happened in Christendom! The house of God as established on the Day of Pentecost is "the Assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim. 3: 15). In the days of the Apostles the truth was loved, and earnestly propagated in every direction; but as the centuries passed, "the Church" became so grossly unfaithful and worldly that the truth was well-nigh lost. Priestly pretensions and ecclesiastical ordinances governed the whole situation, displacing the Word of God almost entirely. For all practical purposes the Word was buried under accumulations of rubbish, very much as in the days of King Josiah.
One of the happiest results of the Protestant Reformation was that the Scriptures became available to the people in many lands. Once more men were allowed to listen to the voice of their God apart from human interpolations. How eagerly did the poor resort to English Parish "Churches," where Bibles were chained by order of the King, with permission for all to read them who desired to do so! With what delight did those who could not read for themselves listen to those who could read! The memory of these doings is a reproach to us to-day. Bibles are plentiful and cheap, but it may be that in some homes they exist only on the top shelf, as dusty as the precious volume which Hilkiah found in the Temple! Brethren, let us consider carefully our attitude towards the Word of God. Therein is written the whole story of God's dealings with man, past, present and future. The counsels of His love are revealed therein, the knowledge of which makes humble children of God wiser than statesmen and others who are sorely bewildered by the problems of their times. Such knowledge imparts moral dignity to all who possess it. Yet, although all this is true (and much more might be said) these do not appear to be days of careful Bible study.
Returning to Hilkiah's important "find." The God of Israel told Joshua, the leader of His people after the death of Moses: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein, for then shalt thou make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Joshua 1: 8). This notable military commander, with great responsibilities resting upon his shoulders, must make time, not only to read, but to meditate on God's word. It was vital to his prosperity in every way, Do we "make time" for reading and meditation?
Although the existence of the book of the law seemed unknown to the men of Josiah's time until the eighteenth year of his reign, it was known to earlier rulers. Of Asa it is written that he "commanded Judah to seek Jehovah the God of their fathers, and to do the law and commandments" (2 Chron. 14: 4). Jehoshaphat sent the Levites throughout his dominions, "and they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of Jehovah with them” (2 Chron. 17: 9). Amaziah, when he came to the throne, put to death the murderess of his father," but he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where Jehovah commanded, saying, the fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin" (2 Chron. 25: 4). This King was far from being a good man, but he had respect for the book of the law and its divine instructions. When the boy king Joash was crowned two hundred and fifty years before the time of Josiah, as part of the coronation ceremonies, they "gave him the testimony" (2 Kings 11: 12). These Scriptures suffice to refute the assertion of some in our time that the book which Hilkiah found in the temple was of comparatively recent compilation, with the name of Moses attached to it to give it authority in the eyes of the king and his people. The assertion is as absurd as it is wicked. That which was brought to light once more was God's own revelation to His people, against which, unhappily they so frequently transgressed. In the stirring times of Josiah, when the Spirit of God was working to give Jehovah's poor fickle people one more opportunity, the rediscovery of the book of the law had tremendous effect upon the heart and conscience of the king; and, we may hope, upon the hearts and consciences of many of his subjects.
"The more we consider the Word the more we shall see its importance. Analagously to Christ the living Word, it has its source on high, and reveals what is there, and is perfectly adapted to man down here, giving a perfect rule according to what is up there, and, if we are spiritual, leading us up there, our conversation is in heaven." (J. N. Darby).
Thine Heart was Tender
It was a great moment in the spiritual history of Josiah when his Secretary of State brought in the book of the law and read it before him. Would that we could hear of similar doings in high places in this Twentieth century! Josiah had never seen the sacred scroll before, nor had he heard it read. How different from ourselves who possess the complete Word of God, and who may read it as often as our hearts desire! The book of the law had a great effect upon Josiah. He realized, as never before, how unfaithful Israel had been, and how seriously the commandments of Jehovah had been neglected. Worse — they had been openly defied! “It came to pass, when the King had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes'' (2 Chron. 34: 19). He did still more — he "wept." (ver. 27); These particulars are recorded in both the "Kings" and "Chronicles" accounts of Josiah's reign, proving how acceptable to God was the humiliation of His servant. (Not every detail of Josiah's doings is written in both books). Yet this king was no mere sentimentalist. He was a strong character, at that moment in the prime of life, and he was despotic in rule, accustomed to carrying all before him — happily in the right direction. High station and the possession of power, tend to puff up poor flesh, and make it undisposed to listen to rebuke, even though it may come from the Creator Himself. It is said of the first Napoleon that on one occasion when he was speaking of his ambitious plans to a group of his Marshals, one of them gravely remarked, “Sire, man proposes, but God disposes," Napoleon retorted, "I propose and I dispose." But he finished in St. Helena in spite of all his boastful pride. But Josiah, like Hezekiah before him, was child-like before his God. Delightful examples for us all to follow!
Jehovah appreciated the attitude of Josiah. In answer to his anxious inquiry, He said: "Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, concerning the words which thou has heard, because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God when thou heardest His words. . . and humbledst thyself before Me and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before Me; I have even heard thee also, saith Jehovah" (2 Chron. 34: 26-27). The heart of man is naturally hard in relation to God. Note the Apostle's words in Eph. 4: 18: "having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart." The Lord Jesus, in His parable of the Sower, spoke of the good seed of the Word falling by the wayside (Matt. 13: 4).
What could be harder, or less likely to be productive? In contrast with this, Josiah's heart was impressionable, gracious work of the Holy Spirit of God, assuredly. The divine Word is likened to a hammer in Jer. 23: 29: “Is not My Word like as a fire? saith Jehovah, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" The Philippian jailor needed the hammer when Paul and Silas first had to do with him: not so King Josiah. His heart was already tender.
Those of us who are privileged to live in Bible-reading lands need to exercise ourselves as to our attitude towards the "living oracles" (Acts 7: 38). That which is easily obtained is apt to be lightly regarded. Familiarity with sacred things may cause them to become common in our eyes. Every time we open our Bibles, we enter (as it were) into the presence chamber of the Divine Majesty. In the written Word (which suits every age, for it is never out-of-date) we hear the voice of God. This being true, we should seek preparation of heart (which only the Holy Spirit can give) before we read even a single page. "My heart standeth in awe of thy Word," says the Psalmist (Ps. 119: 161), "Receive with meekness the implanted word," is the counsel of James (James 1: 21). In the days of Isaiah, when the land of Israel was full of hypocrisy — men boasting of their religious privileges but utterly regardless of their spiritual condition — Jehovah said: "to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word" (Isa. 44: 2), Let us not miss the word “trembleth." It is not slavish dread but a sense of the greatness of the One who speaks to us, and of the gravity of disobedience to His voice. After the return from the captivity, when it was found that some in Israel were again setting at nought the commandments of God concerning intermarriage with the heathen, Ezra records: "Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the Words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away, and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice" (Ezra 9: 4). This holy trembling led to prayer and confession resulting in drastic action to clear away the evil. In the Lord's messages to the assemblies in Rev. 2 and 3 we meet repeatedly with the word "Repent." Even to Loadicea, the last of the series, the Lord said: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Rev. 3: 19). Love waits for repentance as long as it is righteously possible. The door stands open until the last hour before righteousness must act in judgement. If Josiah felt so keenly the grievous disobedience of Israel through nine centuries, how should we feel as we review our own history during nineteen centuries since Pentecost? What a record of departure from the Word of God! And what is the condition of things around us at this moment? Are our hearts tender? Do we know anything of holy trembling at the Word of God?
It will be good for us to consider a little further the solemn subject of repentance, especially in its relation to ourselves. The principle of corporate responsibility throughout the dispensation is not as well understood as it should be. We may learn a lesson from Daniel as to this. Although personally a holy man. reverencing God and His Word above many, he felt keenly the guilt of the nation to which he belonged. Israel was God's chosen heritage. As a people they stood in a relationship to God such as no others have ever known. Upon Israel He lavished His favours; to Israel He entrusted His Word; and upon Israel as His vine in the earth Jehovah bestowed all the care that divine Wisdom could devise (Isa. 5). But it was all in vain. Thus we hear Daniel pouring out his soul in humble confession of guilt. "We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from Thy precepts and from Thy judgements” (Dan. 9: 5). In his Prayer the prophet traced the history of his people from the deliverance from Egypt until the destruction of Jerusalem and its sanctuary by Nebuchadnezzar. From first to last Jehovah had been faithful and gracious; but Israel had been persistently rebellious and evil. But Daniel, knowing something of the heart of God, nevertheless pleaded for mercy.
This is the spirit that we should cultivate. Daniel looked back over the centuries, and we should do likewise. The Spirit of God came from heaven at Pentecost to form something far more blessed and favoured, and therefore far more responsible than the nation upon which the Lo-Ammi sentence was then resting, and is still resting. The Church is the body of Christ, set up in the world to represent Him during His absence, and to be the vehicle by means of which He could work for the glory of God, and for the blessing of men. The Church is also the house of God, in which He dwells, where His power is known, and from which His power goes forth for the good of all. No one pressed these important truths more earnestly than the Apostle Paul, yet he lived to see unfaithfulness spreading in every direction. His warnings to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20: 17-35, and his second letter to Timothy are full of foreboding. What has been the history of the succeeding centuries? The will of God has been set at nought, and the will of man has prevailed. Ecclesiasticism with its heavy hand has oppressed the people of God. The divine call to REPENT has been ringing out through the years, but how few have responded to the call! As surely as Josiah lived in the late evening of Israel's' national history, so are we living in the late evening of the Church on Earth. But it is never too late for those to return to God and His Word who desire to do so. Josiah felt this and acted accordingly. Shall we not do the same?
"Cease to do evil; learn to do well" (Isa. 1: 16-1). Do not be satisfied to follow the footsteps of your fathers. Such a life will not do for God. Each individual confessor of Christ has his own personal responsibility to Him. Examine all your associations and practises in the light of Holy Scripture. Resolutely abandon everything that will not stand this test; and then God who guided Abraham step by step when he followed Him out into the unknown, will not fail to guide you also (Heb. 11: 8)."The meek will He teach His way” (Ps. 25: 9). We need not doubt that the Lord will preserve for Himself a remnant true to His Word until the end. Until His coming there will still be the two or three gathered in His name. But repentance means far more than a mere change-over from one order of things to another. It involves a severe judgement before God of all the unscriptural things in which we have participated, and a humble casting our selves upon His grace to preserve us from ever countenancing them again. Truly repentant souls are not difficult to walk with; mere camp-followers can be a burden too heavy to be borne.
Huldahs Solemn Message
With heart and conscience thoroughly aroused, Josiah sought guidance from Jehovah concerning the words which had been read to him. It was clear that the people had long been disobedient to the law of their God, and Josiah rightly felt that the position was grave in consequence. It should be equally clear to us that the Church has long been disobedient to the Written Word. As we read of the spiritual power and order of Apostolic days, and compare those days with our own, grief should fill our hearts, and we should turn as anxiously to the One against whom we have offended, as did the King of Judah long ago.
But the course that Josiah adopted arrests our attention. He sent a deputation of five leading men in his realm to consult Huldah the prophetess as to what Jehovah would have done. The leader of the deputation was Hilkiah the High Priest! The religious head of the nation sent by the King to a woman for counsel! Why was this? When priesthood was first established in Israel, Jehovah warned Aaron and his sons against the use of strong drink that they might be able to "put difference between holy and unholy and between unclean and clean." They were to “teach the children of Israel all the statutes which Jehovah had spoken unto them by the hand of Moses" (Lev 10: 8-11.) At a much later date it was said, “The priest's lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of Jehovah of Hosts” (Mal. 2: 7). Here the high privileges and the spiritual distinction of the priesthood stands out clearly. Their special nearness to God should fit them to be His mouthpiece to the people. This would be particularly true of the High Priest. Yet Josiah sent the High Priest with others to learn the mind of God from a prophetess! Hezekiah did something similar in a time of national peril. The powerful Assyrian was at the door, and the King "sent Eliakim who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz” (2 Kings 19: 2). Although in this instance, the elders of the priests formed the bulk of the deputation, they were not sent to the High Priest, who is not even named in connection with the matter!
These facts must be understood if we would have intelligence in the ways of God. They show us how completely the priesthood had lost its original standing as the medium of communication between Jehovah and His people. The unfaithfulness of Eli and the wickedness of his sons brought about an entire change in God's dealings. The priesthood passed into the shade. Instead of the King walking by his counsel, the High Priest, was placed in subordination to the King. "He shall walk before Mine anointed for ever"(1 Sam. 2: 35). Doubtless in the days of the child-king Joash, Jehoiada the High Priest stood well to the fore, and was indeed the saviour of the royal house, and of the nation, but this was exceptional (2 Chron. 24: 2, 16); and the case of Jehoiada illustrates two important principles, (1) the sovereignty of God, who works through whomsoever He pleases, and (2) the honour that He delights to put upon individual fidelity wherever He sees it. But God never re-establishes an order of things which has failed in the hands of men. In His exceeding grace He goes on to something better; and all that in which man has proved so incompetent will be seen in perfection in Christ in the day of His manifestation.
Hezekiah in his need sent to a man (Isaiah); but Josiah sent to a woman! Huldah had a husband; his name is recorded, but nothing more is said about him. The prophetess Deborah, in an earlier day, also had a husband, but in his case also nothing is stated but his name (Judges 4: 4). Neither Lapidoth nor Shallum were used of God in moments of national emergency. Does not this perplex the reader, particularly in viewing the words of the Holy Spirit in 1 Cor. 14: 34 and 1 Tim. 2: 10-11? In these passages of Scripture women are charged to be silent in the assembly of God, and to learn “with all subjection." Such Scriptures need to be carefully considered by all who fear God and tremble at His word. Lawlessness is increasing in the world, and the Church is affected by it in a greater or less degree, due to the unwatchfulness of saints and neglect of the Word of God, Women are becoming less and less disposed to fulfil the duties which properly belong to their sex, and are determined to push into positions of leadership and rule. The nations of the world are yielding to this; "the emancipation of women" has become a popular cry. In the professing Church we hear now of women "ministers" and "elders." Such positions are a degradation to the women and a still deeper degradation to the men who "sit under" them, for the man "is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man" (1 Cor. 11: 7). God in His wisdom has placed the woman in the delightful position of nearness to the man as his counsellor and helper; but headship belongs to the man alone. Eve was built up from a rib taken from Adam's side (Gen. 2: 22); a simple fact with a great lesson. Several reasons are laid down in Scripture why the woman should be subject to the man, and in no wise intrude into leadership.
1: “Man is not of woman, but woman of man" (1 Cor. 11: 8). "Adam was first formed, then Eve" (1 Tim. 2: 13). These passages carry us back to the beginning of our race.
2: "Man was not created for the woman, but woman for the man" (1 Cor. 11: 9). Thus the woman was intended to supplement the man, not the man to supplement the woman.
3: “Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in transgression" (1 Tim. 2: 14). It does not lessen Adam's guilt that he was not deceived (it rather increases it); but the fact is placed before us that it was the woman who was beguiled by the serpent. Throughout human history, women have proved themselves particularly susceptible to deception, and in cases where they have gained the ears of the public, their influence has been disastrous. Witness Madame Blowatsky, Mrs. Besant and Mrs. Baker Eddy. The spiritual devastation wrought by these dupes of Satan is incalculable.
In the days of Isaiah, Jehovah said of His poor foolish people Israel: "My people! children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths" (Isa. 3: 12). This is the language of divine sorrow. Christian women — whoever may read these lines — seek to be obedient in all things to the Word of your God. Be content. with the place which He has assigned to you. Follow not the ungodly in rebellion against His will. Cover your heads in the presence of men in recognition of their headship; dress neatly, be willing to learn, and do not seek to teach. One of the Lord's gravest rebukes in the early days of our era was addressed to the assembly in Thyatira thus: "Thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach" (Rev. 2: 20).
But although the foregoing is true, the sovereignty of God must never be lost sight of. He works as He pleases, and gives no account of His matters. Particularly is this the case when everything is in confusion amongst His people. Why Jehovah chose to speak through Huldah to the King, and to the High Priest is known to Himself alone. Jeremiah was already in His service, for he began his prophetic ministry in the thirteenth year of Josiah's reign (Jer. 1: 2). and the book of the law was not found until five years later. Yet Jehovah spoke through Huldah on that occasion with which we are dealing and not through Jeremiah! God's saints need spiritual judgment in order to discern His sovereign actings. If it is important not to "lay hands suddenly" on a man, it is still more important that we should not "lay hands suddenly" on a woman (1 Tim. 5: 22). This laying on of hands is not ordination, but sympathetic identification with the worker. After the war of 1914-1918, a woman who had been a political agitator ("Votes for Women") suddenly became a lecturer on prophecy, and attracted many hearers. There was no time after the great change in her life to digest the great principles of God's ways, which lead to separation from the world, with humility of spirit; but the lady's alert brain nevertheless grasped a good deal of Prophetic truth. Evangelical leaders sat behind her on Public platforms, and acclaimed her as the “modern Deborah." Much disappointment ensued for many of them.
The word of Jehovah was undoubtedly with Huldah the prophetess. She was the divine mouthpiece at a most serious moment in the history of Israel. Storm-clouds were gathering over the guilty nation; everything was breaking up; the kingdom was about to be extinguished; and David's throne was soon to be overturned, not to be set up again until the day of the Lord Jesus. At such a moment the word of prophecy flowed from the lips of Huldah. Her message was in two parts: The word of Jehovah to the man who sent the deputation is given in 2 Chron. 34: 23-25; and her message to "the King of Judah who sent you to enquire of Jehovah" is given in the three verses which follow. The first part spoke of the ruin impending for the nation. Its cup of iniquity had been filling up for centuries; Manasseh's defiance of Jehovah's Word, and his excessive evil had caused the cup to overflow. In 2 Kings 21: 10-15, we have a summary of Jehovah's messages to that wicked king. He had gone beyond the Amorites in sin, and in consequence Jehovah was "bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle." Jehovah would "wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down." He would forsake His people, and cause them to "become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies." They had provoked their God to anger "since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt." It was thus persistent and hopeless evil. Josiah's personal piety was a delight to God, but it could not annul His righteous judgement. "Notwithstanding, Jehovah turned not from the fierceness of His great wrath wherewith His anger was kindled against Judah because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked Him withal. And Jehovah said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said My name shall be there." (2 Kings 23: 26 and 27).
Leviticus 26 and Deut. 28 are two of the most terrible chapters in the Word of God. Therein, with a mass of fearful detail, Jehovah set before His people ere they entered the land what must be the consequences if they rebelled against Him. It was probably those very chapters which so alarmed Josiah, causing him to rend his clothes and weep before God, Israel's course from first to last had been sinful. From time to time Jehovah had sent messengers to them, "rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place" (2 Chron. 36: 15). But it was all in vain." They mocked the messengers of God and despised His words, and misused His prophets until the wrath of Jehovah arose against His people until there was no remedy." Pious kings had sought to lead the people aright, but their hearts never were with their kings in their endeavours. This is specially recorded of the days of Josiah (Jer. 3: 10). Judgement must now take its course. Manasseh, who over-filled Israel's cup of iniquity is doubtless in Heaven, a sinner saved by grace late in life; but the governmental consequences of his transgressions remain unto this day. Josiah was told by Huldah that "wrath was about to be poured out upon this place and shall not be quenched" (2 Chron. 34: 25).
While this page is being written the Jews are clamouring with violence for the possession of Palestine. They have no claim, either politically or religiously, to the land. What their industry has accomplished there since 1918 is truly marvellous; but all their labour will be destroyed in the world's last crisis by the King of the North (Daniel 11: 40-43; Joel 2: 1-11). God is not in the movement of our time, but He is watching it with interest (Isa. 18: 4). The Jews who may get possession of the country (for a Jewish State will doubtless be set up) will prepare it for the Anti-Christ, not for the Christ of God. The unbelieving mass will share the overthrow of the arch-deceiver. A remnant only will be saved (Rom. 9: 27). Pray for the benighted children of Jacob who long for a home in Palestine, but will only find there a grave. That land will be the greatest of all sufferers when the judgements of God are abroad.
The second part of Huldah's prophetic message was personal for Josiah. The kindness of the heart of God is expressed in it. We must quote it in full: — "Thus saith Jehovah the God of Israel, concerning the words which thou hast heard, because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest His words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before Me, and didst rend thy clothes and weep before Me, I have even heard thee also, saith Jehovah. Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same." (2 Chron. 34: 26-28).
God deeply appreciated the piety of individual souls, particularly in days of abounding evil. Shall not both writer and reader cultivate to have always a heart tender and humble before God? The value of Josiah's personal piety was inestimable to the nation. He had the promise of God that the judgements should not be poured out while he lived. He was twenty-six years old when Huldah spoke. Humanly speaking, many years of sovereignty lay before him. Oh, why did he not walk warily, knowing that so much depended upon his life? Oh, why did he, at the age of thirty-nine, plunge into a quarrel which did not concern him, and risk — yea, sacrifice — his precious life? How foolishly can even the choicest of God's saints behave if they get away for a single moment from the controlling influence of the Word of God! What sorrow they can bring upon themselves and upon others! But the fact is thus emphasised that no one is absolutely trustworthy but God's blessed Son, our Lord Jesus. "I do always those things that please Him" (John 8: 29).
A Fresh Covenant
Josiah did not sit down in despair because of the serious things which Huldah made known to him. The judgements would not descend just yet; meantime, the energetic young King would do his utmost to lead the people back into “the old paths." It is never too late to be obedient to the Word of God. Our own position is solemn indeed. The spueing out of Rev. 3: 16, the cutting off of Romans 11: 22, is near, with the total apostasy of all that now calls itself “Christian”; but it is our responsibility to learn and do the whole will of God as long as we remain here. Philadelphian faithfulness will continue alongside Laodicean heartlessness until the last. Let us seek to be Philadelphian in character that the Lord may be able to say to us, “thou hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My name." (Rev. 3: 8).
Josiah convened a great national gathering in Jerusalem. Elders, priests, Levites, prophets, and a multitude of people small and great responded. The plural word prophets should be noted. Evidently other men besides Jeremiah were active in the land for God, yet He chose to speak through Huldah! We are quite unable to interpret all the details of the ways of God but we desire to be subject to His perfect wisdom.
"The king went up into the house of Jehovah. . . . . and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of Jehovah” (2 Kings 23: 2). Delightful spectacle for God and the angelic host to behold! What a joyful thrill we should experience if we could read in the public Press of Kings and Presidents calling mass meetings in their respective capitals that they might read to them the sorely neglected Word of God, pointing out with all earnestness and gravity those things wherein the people have gone astray, and appealing to them to return humbly to their God! This would Produce incomparably better results than the anxious discussions of statesmen who endeavour to find formulas whereby they may bring about the semblance of peace for a season. The times in which we live are more serious than those of Josiah. Then one Kingdom was tottering to its fall (dragging other Kingdoms down with it), but now the whole world-system is rushing to its doom.
All the words of the law suggests a considerable amount of reading. The meeting was thus lengthy. What a contrast to the short sermons that are barely tolerated in the Twentieth Century! This is the more deplorable seeing that we now possess the complete Word of God, containing the revelation of all His wonderful counsels of grace and glory which find their centre in Christ. Why are we satisfied with so little of the spiritual wealth that is within our reach?
Josiah not only read to the people the law of Jehovah, but he declared his own intention to be obedient to it. "The King stood in his place, and made a covenant before Jehovah, to walk after Jehovah, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul. to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book” (2 Chron. 34: 31). This is excellent. An ounce of example is worth more than a ton of precept. Joshua, in his final address to Israel, spoke similarly: “As for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah" (Joshua 24: 15). Paul urged Timothy to “be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation: in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4: 12). When the Lord Jesus was on earth the Jewish people had many teachers- Scribes and Pharisees- whose teaching was good, but their own lives were bad. “All therefore whatsoever they bid you, observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not” (Matt. 23: 3). Mr. Spurgeon once spoke of a Minister who was so good in the pulpit but so questionable in his manner of life, that the people said that when he was in the pulpit it was a pity he should come out of it, and when he was not in the pulpit they said it was a scandal that he should be allowed to enter it! Brethren, let us above all things be real! God forbid that we should proclaim to others truths of which we know not the power in our own souls. Paul could say to one who knew him intimately, "Thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience" (2 Tim. 3: 10)
Josiah, in his earnest zeal, went beyond telling the people of his own intentions; “he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it." The King meant well, but how feebly he understood the fickleness of the human heart! Other pious kings before him had caused the people to utter good resolutions before God; but how quickly they returned to their wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2: 22). Yet Josiah's subjects expressed no misgivings; “all the people stood to the covenant” (2 Kings 23: 3). It was the old sad story of Sinai repeated. Never having learned the depths of their own evil, nor the holiness of God, at the burning mount “all the people answered together and said, "All that Jehovah hath spoken we will do” (Ex. 19: 8). Paul learned to have “no confidence in flesh” (Phil. 3: 3), but his nation has not to this day learnt the lesson. While Josiah lived the people's behaviour was outwardly correct. “The inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. . . . they departed not from following Jehovah, the God of their fathers” (2 Chron. 34: 32, 33). But outward correctness will not do for God; Jeremiah's sad pages tell us how little the people's hearts loved the will of God. Quite a wave of enthusiasm passed over Jerusalem during one of our Lord's early visits to that city; but He who was able to look beneath the surface put no confidence in the people's words. “Many believed in His Name, when they saw the miracles which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, because He knew all men and needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man" (John 2: 23-25). The famous Lord Protector of the British Commonwealth — Oliver Cromwell — sought to create a “Christian" nation by statutes and restrictions; but how fearful was the reaction, the plunge into licentiousness, when his powerful hand was removed!
After the return from Babylon, Nehemiah, perceiving that things were very wrong with the remnant, made a great effort to put the people upon a sound footing with God. In the ninth chapter of his book we have a great meeting in Jerusalem similar to that in the days of Josiah. The book of the law of Jehovah was read publicly to the people; they confessed their sins from the beginning of their national history; and they solemnly vowed to do better in future. Their vow is given in seven parts in Neh. 10. “We make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites and priests seal it." Eighty-four persons, as representatives of the people, signed and sealed the solemn deed: — Nehemiah himself, 17 Levites, 22 Priests, 44 Chiefs of the people.
Alas for good Nehemiah's expectations! Even such a strong body of signatories could not make the covenant sure. We have only to turn over two pages of Nehemiah's book to find the people as lawless as before. Neither royal decrees nor documents solemnly signed and sealed will make flesh anything different from what it is: " the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God " (Rom. 8: 7-8).
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It is one of the cardinal truths of Ghristianity that God, in the work of the Lord Jesus, has not only dealt with our sins, but also with the life and nature which produced them. These two points are dealt with separately in Paul's Epistle to the Romans, which another has described as "the most weighty document which ever was placed in the hands of men." This description is just, because this Epistle lays down the foundations of our relationships with God. Until this is understood, at least in measure, there will be no settled peace and joy, and the great matters of Divine Councils will not be apprehended. The question of our sins — or personal guilt — is dealt with by the Apostle down to Rom. 5: 11. This is very properly treated first, because the soul when awakened by the Spirit of God, becomes alarmed about guilt and its righteous judgment. The evil of his nature will be learned later. So perfectly have our sins been expiated by the blood of Jesus (Rom. 3: 23-26), that God is able to say " your sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb. 10: 17), and the believer himself is entitled to say (with all his brethren): "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5: 1). Thus we no longer dread the One against whom we have offended, but we exclaim, “We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Rom. 5: 11). Blessed climax to the first part of the Apostle's great subject."
But many souls who are clear as to the question of their sins are sorely troubled concerning the evil life and nature which produced them, never having learned the completeness of the work of God on their behalf through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. Sin is defined in 1 John 3: 10 as “lawlessness.” (Darby's translation). Lawlessness is just self-will — the love of having our own way, and the determination to get it, if possible. This wretched principle is inherent in "flesh"; hence the Apostle's words "sin in the flesh" in Rom. 8: 3. In the sacrifice of Christ God “condemned" this. On the awful day when His blessed Son hung upon Calvary's tree, God took into account all our evil, and disposed of it righteously. Tree and fruit were both judged. The believer in Jesus, accepting this in faith, not only sees his sins gone, but himself — the man born of Adam's stock — gone also. “I am crucified with Christ" (Gal. 2: 20).
This being so, he seeks no more to improve his flesh; its evil is as ineradicable as the leopard's spots. His confidence in flesh is finished. Although the flesh is within him still, and must remain there until the great transformation at the Lord's Coming. He no longer regards it as an integral part of himself, but as an alien foe to be kept in chains perpetually. Instead of looking at self, and hoping for better things there, the instructed Christian looks away from self to Christ risen and glorified, to Whose image he will ere long be conformed. Thus holiness, i.e., Christlikeness, develops. The man described in Rom. 8: 7-24, had not learnt this lesson. Until he reaches the end of the chapter he is occupied with self. Personal pronouns, "I," "Me," "My," abound. He longs to do the right thing, but finds himself continually doing the wrong thing. All his efforts, by rules and regulations, to curb the workings of his flesh produce no good result. Instead, the poor distressed soul finds himself as it were, sinking ever more deeply into the mire. In verse 24 he cries out, "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of death?” The pronoun “Who” reveals that he realises that help must come from outside himself. Soon he is able to say, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." This is not victory over self — of which some pious souls dream, but deliverance from self — a very different matter. Having learned that God dealt with all his evil in the death of Christ, his mind and heart now live in a new world. “To me to live is Christ" says Paul in Phil 1: 21.
The question is sometimes asked, “Does Rom. 7 describe Paul's experience?” Doubtless in the early days of his spiritual life he learnt these great lessons with God; but when he wrote the Epistle to the Romans he was certainly not in the gloom and perplexity of chapter 7; he was in the liberty and joy of the great chapter which follows. The God of all grace has not called us to make us “wretched," but the rather to “rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." (1 Peter 1: 8).
It was not possible for either Josiah or Nehemiah to know the wonderful things which come before us in the New Testament Epistles. The Saviour had not yet come to earth; His great sacrifice for sin had not been offered; and His mighty triumph over every foe had not been effected. But they should have known enough of poor flesh not to saddle it with fresh restrictive covenants. Nothing but disappointment could be expected. But in the happy day that is not far distant, when Jehovah establishes His new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah He will write His law in their very hearts. This means new birth; then the will of God will be their real delight.
From Dan to Beersheba
For earnest zeal in the work of God, and for steady persev