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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJabez Burns Sermons: 860. 2Ch 31:20-21. Doing God's Work From Right Principles and with All the Heart
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2Ch_31:20-21. Doing God's Work From Right Principles and with All the Heart
"And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered."—2Ch_31:20, 2Ch_31:21.
The character of good Hezekiah is beautifully drawn in the Holy Scriptures. God has strikingly exhibited in his history the declaration that those who honor him he will honor; so that while many of the kings of Judah and Israel only appear on the record of Holy Scripture, covered with shame and infamy—Hezekiah, the servant of God, has his name, and an honorable reputation preserved, and handed down for the admiration of future generations.
Hezekiah was a great national and religious reformer; and this chapter abounds with the pleasing details of his labors. But it is not so needful for our purpose, that we enter minutely into the consideration of these, as that we look at the great principles on which he acted. Thus, his spirit and conduct will be found well worthy of our imitation. And they were such as ought to distinguish all God's people in their efforts to extend the cause of Christ in the world.
Let us contemplate,
I. The great principles by which he was governed.
II. His zeal and devotedness to the cause of God.
And,
III. The Divine prosperity with which he was favored.
Observe, then,
I. The great principles by which he was governed.
Reversing the order, a little, of the text, we shall observe that he was actuated,
1. By equity.
In the text it is said, he wrought that which was "right." Avoided all injustice,—all wrong. Acted equitably, in all he did. Did not consult his own pecuniary interests, or the law of expediency, but the claims of justice. This is the only true basis of solid excellency. What does the Lord require of his people? "To do justly." This is one of the essential principles of Divine morality and true godliness. However we may seek to honor God, or advance religion in the world, we must have as the basis of all our operations an unswerving regard to equity and righteousness. God will not have robbery for a burnt-offering. He will not accept of the fruits of oppression, or of the gains of avarice. He will not be pleased even with the most costly sacrifices, if the claims of justice are either disregarded or neglected. Hezekiah's good work rested, in the first instance, on doing that which was "right"—right towards God and towards man.
Another of these principles was that,
2. Of benevolence.
In the text called "good." This is the very spirit of the Divine law.—"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." To do that which is for the real good of others, and that from a good feeling of kindness. There is a difference between a mere righteous and a good man. In both, we are assimilated to the Divine character; but goodness is the glory of God, and the highest perfection of the godly man.
To be righteous, is the demand of the law. To be good, is the end both of the law and the gospel. A righteous king or a righteous reformer must be a blessing to a community; but he is also still more exalted, and more lovely when all is done in the spirit of benevolence and love. Right doing must be perfected by kind and benignant doing. Hezekiah did that which was "right," and also "good," before the Lord his God.
His conduct also was distinguished,
3. For fidelity.
Described as "truth." Fidelity in regarding God's covenants. Sincerity and uprightness of character. For it is added, "before the Lord"—he acted as accountable to God—as in his sight, with reference to his glory. Fidelity involves purity of motive, and simpleness of eye. Having no mixed designs, but acting from an enlightened conscientious desire to honor God. And it also involves constancy in opposition to vacillation; and perseverance in well-doing, in opposition to wearying, or turning aside.
Now, here are the grand essential pillars of religious reformation—equity, goodness, and fidelity; or, as in the text, they are expressed as "right," and "good," and "truth."
Now these were Hezekiah's principles of action, in doing God's work.
How essential these principles are to all true excellency! Notice then,
II. His zeal and devotedness to the cause of God.
"And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law and in the commandments." Observe,
1. His labors were numerous.
"In every work," &c. Not merely one work, but "many." The great workers for God and souls will have many claims on their labors. The friends and donors of one great object are often so, in reference to several and many. The friends of education, are also the friends of peace and liberty. With care and order, a man may do much for many good and useful objects. No man should excuse himself because he is already engaged in one work. Look at the claims made on God's ancient servants! on Moses, on Joshua, on David, on Nehemiah, on Daniel, and on the Apostles of Jesus; also on the Protestant reformers. Think of what Luther had to do! What Calvin had to do! What Knox, and Whitfield, and Wesley had to do! Look at the engagements of Wilberforce—of the missionaries Williams, and Moffat, and Knibb, and others! So Hezekiah threw himself fully into varied and numerous services.
2. His labors had special respect to the house of God.
He recognized this as connected with the Divine glory—the Divine favor—and the Divine blessing. He saw too, its intimate bearings on man's elevation, happiness, and salvation. So it is now, and must ever be. Christian sanctuaries are the bulwarks of a nation. Its turrets of honor. Its temples of purity and of peace.
He who would truly bless his country and benefit his species, cannot do so in any way so effectual, as by directing his zeal and liberality to the house of God. The house of God becomes the centre of light to the benighted neighborhood—the school of religious education for the young. It acts as salt, in staying the moral putrescence of the district. It tends to intellectualize the people around. It rears massive barriers against the tide of profligacy. It essentially purifies manners, blesses and exalts the social hearth; and above all, it brings perishing men within the range of life and salvation. Here man is blessed, and blessed in all respects; and here God is most honored and glorified.
3. His labors were done with entire earnestness and sincerity.
"With all his heart." This was the mainspring; and gave an impetus to all his efforts. With all his heart—with all its affection for the work. Not coldly—not languidly; but with all the fervor and power of his heart.
The things of religion demand this. God, the soul, and eternity, should ever be identified with this right and whole-heartedness. Religion deserves it—ought to have it. This is according to true wisdom; to give the best to the best objects. Who can fail to admire the full service of the whole heart! And God is pleased with this. It is just in harmony with his claims and demands. We may give attention, and time, and labor, and even diligence to secular duties; but the fervor of the soul God must have for his service. He will not accept the work of the hands without the heart—nor will he accept of half the heart; but he must have the whole heart given to him, and devoted to his work.
Such then was the zeal and devotedness of Hezekiah in the work of the Lord.
Notice,
III. The Divine prosperity with which he was favored.
He did God's work with all his heart, "and prospered." Prospered both personally, as a godly man; and publicly, as a king Those who are fully devoted to God, prosper,
1. As they are the especial subjects of Divine Providence.
God cares for them—will undertake for them—keep them—and often signally delivers them. Look at Joseph, and the moral heroes we have mentioned—Moses—David—Daniel! Look at the apostles of Jesus—the great Protestant reformers, and Puritans, and revivalists of all ages and countries! As a rule, they have prospered; they have carried out their plans of piety—succeeded in their works of usefulness; and have alike been victorious for the truth, and blessings to the world. God's providence has been signally displayed in their history; in silencing opposition—beating down their enemies—overruling apparent evil for real good, and delivering them from the most deadly perils. Often, the stones of the street, and the beasts of the field, have been in league with them, and all things have worked together for their good. But they have also prospered,
2. As they have been the objects of precious promises.
God's declarations and engagements of love and mercy towards them, are varied, rich, and numerous—they are both temporal, and spiritual, and eternal. God's blessing is with, and upon them. It maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow therewith.
Now, these conveyances of God's love, cheered his people in all ages. These animated them to duty, and made them happy in it. These were their present support, and a full realization of them, their future reward.
Such also shall prosper,
3. As their final recompense shall be great and eternal.
Every thing favorable to eternal life is prosperity. Even poverty, troubles, affliction, in the end, yield a perfectly satisfying reward. Every good act shall be rewarded. Even a cup of water, given to any and every one, in the name of a disciple. Besides, the good God's people do, by the gracious help of God, shall last and abide; and this in itself shall be more than a full return for the toil, and pain, and sacrifice, they have given, or endured, in God's service. To witness the triumph of truth over error—of holiness over sin—of happiness over wretchedness. To behold brands plucked from the burning. To witness in the day of eternity, the fruits of righteous effort, and to be permitted to say to the benignant Judge upon the throne—"Here are the children thou hast given me." Here are the sheaves of the blessed harvest—here are the triumphs of thy cross; and as such, the crown and rejoicing of our souls. Oh, yes! this is prosperity, alike beyond all our present utterance, or conception.
Hezekiah's success in God's work was an ample reward, both of honor and joy to his godly spirit.
Then learn,—
1. That true religion has its distinct recognized principles. Righteousness—goodness—fidelity. We can do nothing without these; and these must never be compromised or superseded.
2. That true religion involves the consecration of ourselves to God. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."—Rom_12:1. How we should seek to obtain this entire heartedness in the service of God. How we should labor in God's work, and for his glory; so that the sentiments of the poet should be written on our inmost souls:
"I would the precious time redeem,
And longer live for this alone:
To spend, and to be spent, for them
Who have not yet my Saviour known;
Fully on these my mission prove,
And only breathe, to breathe thy love.
My talents, gifts, and graces, Lord,
Into thy blessed hands receive;
And let me live to spread thy word;
And let me to thy glory live;
My every sacred moment spend
In publishing the sinner's Friend."
3. That God's favor will ever secure real prosperity. Yes, prosperity is here—and nowhere else. That is true prosperity which will abide the test of time—the ordeal of a dying hour—and the scrutiny of the judgment-day. Let us so live and labor, that we may anticipate in hearing Christ say—"Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."—Mat_25:23.