_For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel._ THE WAYS OF THE KINGS OF ISRAEL Israel was for the most part more powerful, wealthy, and cultured than Judah. When Ahaz came to the throne as a mere youth, Pekah was apparently in the prime of life and the zenith of power. He is no inapt symbol o... [ Continue Reading ]
_A prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded._ THE STORY OF THE PROPHET ODED Probably few will recognise this name. It is associated with no book of perpetual instruction, with no course of heroic action. No mighty deeds like those of Elijah or Elisha adorn his story; no length of stately... [ Continue Reading ]
_But are there not with you, even with you, sins against the Lord your God?_ A HOME QUESTION This question is pertinent to-- 1. Nations. 2. Sects. 3. Classes. 4. Individuals. I shall-- I. Put a home question to-- 1. The moralist. 2. The accuser of the brethren. 3. The outwardly religious.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign._ THE MYSTERIOUS IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT The growth of humanity is not after a horticultural manner. We cannot say that a good tree will have good off-shoots, if we are speaking of humanity. The holiest father may have a murderer for his son. The sweet... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel._ THE SIN OF AHAZ I. I would draw attention to some special points in the history of ahaz. 1. The king himself was peculiarly the transgressor. 2. The people also were transgressors. 3. Mark the special sins enumerated in the histor... [ Continue Reading ]
_And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the Lord._ WHEN AFFLICTION MAY BE SAID TO HAVE FAILED OF ITS OBJECT I. I suppose that you have set your heart upon some cherished design--that you have dwelt upon it to such a degree as to neglect for it many social duties and all y... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them._ DESTRUCTIVE SUBSTITUTES We may not try to substitute one god for another, or to patch out our tattered theology by borrowing and misappropriating the ideas of the enemy. There is one fountain at which we may dra... [ Continue Reading ]