2 Kings 14:1-22

The twenty five years of Amaziah's reign may be brought into a narrow compass. His history, as is here related, consisted chiefly in restoring order in the temple service, by which it is said he did right in the sight of the Lord, though not like David. The other parts are much like that of others in extending his authority, and in a wish to extend his conquests, in which, however, he was worsted. The parable of the thistle and cedar, which Jehoash made use of to correct Amaziah's folly, was well chosen. And the event corresponded to its figure. But what I would chiefly desire the Reader to remark while passing through these Chapter s, of war, and desolation, and the sword, is to view in them the sad consequences of a fallen state. Even in the history of Israel, the nation whom God chose for himself from all the earth, we see the same sad ruin by reason of sin. No man hath ever contemplated to the full, the dreadful situation to which our nature has been reduced by the fall. And never will it be fully ascertained in this life. And hence no one, not even the redeemed who feel the precious effects of regeneration, can ever while they remain in a body of sin and death calculate the glorious consequences of redemption by Jesus. Oh! thou blessed, gracious, dearest Lord Jesus! when shall I know to the full thy loveliness, and the immense mercies thou hast accomplished for thy people to the praise of thy Father's grace, and the purchase of thy blood?,