Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 31:20
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought [that which was] good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
20. and truth ] R.V. and faithful.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
2Ch 31:20-21
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good.
Hezekiah-an example for young men
I. Hezekiahs religion.
1. It was expensive. He set about reforming the national religion. The spirit of such a life should be, must be, respected in every one of us if the religion we possess is to be worth anything. The young man whose mind is that of Jesus Christ has learned to live, not for himself, but for others. Harlan Page was a house joiner at Coventry, in America. His social position gave him but little influence, but what he had he gave to God. He was the living missionary wherever he went. See how Gods grace brought him out of self. He wrote: When I first obtained a hope I felt that I must labour for souls. I prayed, year after year, that God would make me the means of saving souls. Is your position that of a clerk? Imitate David Nasmith, who without talent or money sanctified the desk by working for Christ and perishing souls. He was the founder of City Missions, and the home heathen owe more to the Glasgow clerk than to any man who ever lived. Is your position that of a military officer? Imitate Hadley Vicars. The soldier of the Queen became the soldier of Christ. He had hard work to stand his ground at mess, but he did stand it; and one of the soldiers said, Since Mr. Vicars became so good he has steadied about four hundred men in the regiment. Is your position that of a merchant? Imitate George Moore, who rose to his partnership by sterling integrity, high principle, and hard work. He had no idea of growing rich and forgetting those by whose labours he accumulated his wealth. Every clerk and servant in his employment knew, in a very tangible way, that a good years business had been done. In a word, young men, whatever you may be, peer or peasant, professional man or tradesman, merchant or mechanic–come out in Gods strength as a religious man, and live for others. Let your sympathies embrace suffering bodies and perishing souls. Never mind being poor. Much of Gods work in this world has been done by men of little education, slender means, and few advantages. Do your duty for Christ and your influence will reach further than you think. Thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah.
2. It was sound. He wrought that which was good and right, and truth before the Lord his God.. A young mans religion, to be worth anything, must be sound. If he is to do anything which is good and right and truth, he must–
(1) Be able to give some account of the hope which is in him; he must get out of the company of those who understand neither what they say, nor what they affirm.
(2) Base his religion on a personal study of the Bible.
(3) Support his religion by the plain lessons of history; the religious history of our own country.
(4) Continually submit to the teaching of the Holy Spirit.
(5) Above all, his religion must be centred in a personal Saviour.
3. It was whole-hearted.
II. Hezekiahs reward. And prospered.
1. His reward was of God.
2. He had his reward in his country. What a benefactor he must have appeared in the eyes of his subjects.
3. He had his reward in himself. (John Burbidge.)
Life in earnest
I. The sphere which Christian earnestness occupies in the Divine life.
1. It will make a man think very earnestly for his Lord and Master. In the diary of Jonathan Edwards we find the following account of his feelings towards the Lords work: I had great longing for the advancement of Christs kingdom in the world; my secret prayer used to be in great part taken up in praying for it. If I heard the least hint of anything that had happened in any part of the world which appeared to me in some respect or other to have favourable aspect on the interest of Christs kingdom, my soul eagerly caught at it, and it would much animate and refresh me. I used to read public news letters, mainly to see if I could find some news favourable to the interest of religion in the world. When we are full of zeal for God it is the same with us.
2. It will make a man plan and purpose for the cause of Christ.
3. It will show itself in perseverance.
4. It will show its zeal in an entire dependence upon God, and in intensely fervent prayer for Gods help and for Gods blessing.
II. Arguments which provoke to this earnestness.
1. The greatness of the work we have to deal with.
2. The earnestness of Satan.
3. The responsibilities which lie upon us as a Church.
4. The onflowing of the stream of death.
5. The love which we have received of Jesus.
III. May god give me fresh grace while i undertake the solemn work of dealing with careless and unconverted souls. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The character of Hezekiah
Every man who wishes to do good in his generation, who would bless others and be blessed himself, must cultivate the same principle of goodness that Hezekiah did. In every work that he began, he did it with all his heart.
I. Inducements which should lead us to adopt this prudent and decisive conduct.
1. It saves time; or at least it leads us to apply every part of it to the best advantage. It prevents our life being abridged by years of irresolution and delay. It gives us the assurance that we are husbanding our talent well.
2. It secures our continual happiness.
3. Its beneficial effects on society are incalculable.
II. Examples of this principle are to be found–
1. In the Bible. Moses, Ezra, Nehemiah, etc.
2. In general history.
The origin and progress of almost everything great and good in society has been achieved by the zeal and active virtues of a few individuals. The advancement of the arts and sciences; the extension of commerce; the blessings and security of a legal government; the inestimable value of a pure and reformed religion, etc. (J. Hewlett, B.D.)
Hezekiahs good reign
A beautiful lily laid in your hand would show you nothing of the mud and slime of the river bed from which it sprung. Like such a lily is Hezekiah, the flower of kings. Some natures seem to grow strong in virtue, by contact with its opposite. Joseph, Moses, end Daniel ripened in strange gardens, and Hezekiah must have sucked honey out of thistles. Consider–
I. His reverence. Victor Hugo affirms that neither Wellington nor Blucher won the battle of Waterloo. Napoleon conquered himself. His own excessive weight destroyed the equilibrium. He vexed God by his importance, and so his fall was decreed. Hezekiah began his reign by exalting God and humbling himself.
II. His religious zeal.
III. His public spirit.
IV. His sincerity of heart. (Monday Club Sermons.)
How to succeed in life
There are three lessons we may learn from Hezekiah.
I. He was not afraid of work. He did not seek success without toil. Depend upon it, said Sir Walter Scott, there is nothing to be had without labour. Horace Greely said to the youth of America, The darkest day in any mans earthly career is that wherein he first fancies that there is some easier way of gaining a dollar than by squarely earning it. When I was a telegraph operator in Pittsburgh, said Andrew Carnegie, I knew all the men who speculated. I have lived to see all of them ruined–bankrupt in money and bankrupt in character. There is scarcely an instance of a man who has made a fortune by speculation and kept it.
II. Hezekiah concentrated his effort. What he did, he did with all his heart. The one prudence in life is concentration, says Emerson, the one evil is dissipation. There is a proverb which says, A canoe is paddled on both sides, which means that to succeed you must do one thing at a time, and do it with all your heart and all your powers.
III. Hezekiah aimed at thoroughness in his work. (A. F. Forrest.)
Hezekiahs thoroughness in God s service
I. We learn from Hezekiah a lesson of concentration of energy.
II. Method and punctuality, too, seem to be hinted at in the text, and they are almost indispensable to prosperity.
III. The great lesson is the value of thoroughness in doing whatever we undertake, and doing it well. Do nothing as if it were trifling.
IV. Emulate Hezekiahs ardent and consistent piety. He stands in the front rank among the saints of Scripture as a man of prayer. (J. Thain Davidson.)
Concentration
A number of tiny brooklets will turn no mill, and will probably dry up when the sun is hot, but all the water turned into one channel will move the wheel to grind the corn which may supply a town with bread. All apostles of progress in religion, or science, or philosophy, have been men whose aims have all converged to one great centre, and whose forces have been thrown upon one sublime purpose. (Handbook of Illustration.)
The objective point
In military operations there is always what is called the objective point. The objective point is the point to be made, the thing to be done; all the forces in the army are concentrated on the making of that point, and when that is made, success follows. In one sense life is a warfare, and every one should have his objective point, a clearly defined purpose, and work up to it with undeviating persistency. This is the only way he can succeed.
Enthusiastic service
A dealer in pictures who makes it his business to find as many new painters as possible, both in this country and abroad, was asked recently in regard to his methods of selecting pictures to buy. He was very frank in his talk, and one thing which he said is shrewd enough to be worth quoting. Of course, he said, with my experience I am able to judge whether there is promise in a painters work, but I never buy with any idea of putting the painter on my list until I have seen the man and talked with him myself. I always watch him closely, and I never buy his pictures unless his eye lights up when I talk to him about his work and about his profession. The artist whose heart was really in his work could not discuss it without kindling, and the man who did not paint from the heart was not the one whose pictures the dealer wanted. The remark was not only one which showed insight and shrewdness on the part of the dealer, but it is one of a good deal of significance in regard to all work. The man who does anything worth doing is the man who cannot talk about what he has accomplished or what he hopes to accomplish without enthusiasm, no matter how far short of his ideals what he has actually done may seem to him to fall.
National righteousness
From Hezekiahs conduet, and from Gods approval of it, we learn–
I. That to establish religion in a land is the duty of every righteous government.
II. That to employ the power and appliances of the state in order to extend the knowledge of God, is beneficial both to the individual and to the nation at large. (Louis Stenham, M.A.)
Impassioned men
It is the impassioned men that have made history always, religious and secular both. They are the torch to the heaped-up combustibles; they are the pulse to the general body that is listless and waiting. No man has moved the world like Jesus Christ, because no man besides Him has embodied so wide, so profound, and so Divine enthusiasm. People are passionate in everything but their passion for men; and that is the one Christian passion. (C. H. Parkhurst.)
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Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 20. Wrought – good and right and truth] Here is the proper character of a worthy king: he is GOOD, and he does good; he is UPRIGHT, and he acts justly and maintains justice; he is truly RELIGIOUS, and he lives according to that truth which he receives as a revelation from God.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
20. Hezekiah . . . wrought thatwhich was good and rightHe displayed the qualities of aconstitutional king, in restoring and upholding the ancientinstitutions of the kingdom; while his zealous and perseveringefforts to promote the cause of true religion and the best interestsof his subjects entitled him to be ranked with the most illustriousof his predecessors (2Ki 18:15).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah,…. Settled the courses of the priests and Levites, and made a provision for them and their families:
and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God: or did that which was truly right and good, according to the law and will of God, in the sincerity and uprightness of his soul, and as in the presence of the omniscient God, he approving and accepting it for Christ’s sake.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(20) Truth (hameth).Faithfulness, or sincerity.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
(20, 21) Conclusion of the account of Hezekiahs reformation.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
DISCOURSE: 427
HEZEKIAHS CHARACTER
2Ch 31:20-21. 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.
RELIGION, when set before us in the precept, is thought impracticable: but, when it is embodied in the life of some eminent saint, it commends itself to us as in the highest degree estimable, and its yoke appears to us both light and easy. In a person like Hezekiah, at the early age of twenty-five, (when the mind is too generally carried away by thoughtless gaiety,) presiding over a kingdom, with all possible means of sensual gratification at his command, it does indeed approve itself to us as lovely, and as worthy to be cultivated by every child of man. For the purpose of elevating your souls to the pursuit of it, I will propose to your consideration,
I.
The character of Hezekiah as here drawn
Many of the saints were eminently distinguished above their brethren by some peculiar grace, which they exercised in an extraordinary degree. Hezekiah excelled in faith: He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him [Note: 2Ki 18:5.]. But in the passage before us, his character is drawn more at large. We behold,
1.
The objects of his attention
[Placed at the head of an empire, he laboured to promote the benefit of his subjects by a wise and just administration of his government. But his views were not confined to objects of temporal importance merely: he sought to repair the mischiefs of his fathers reign, and to bring back his people to the knowledge and enjoyment of the only true God. He neglected not what was politically good and right and true: but he also strove to accomplish whatever was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. The passover, which had been instituted to commemorate the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt, and had been ordained of God to be observed every year at an appointed time, had long been neglected. He therefore called the priests and Levites to the performance of their duty [Note: 2Ch 29:4-5.]; he ordered them to sanctify the house of God, which had been profaned by all manner of abominations [Note: 2Ch 29:15-16.], and to prepare all the offerings which were necessary for the occasion; he himself setting them an example by a most munificent contribution of cattle for that end [Note: 2Ch 30:24.]. Nor was he content with effecting this amongst his own people. He exerted his influence to bring also the ten tribes of Israel, over whom he had no control, to a sense of their duty, and to a concurrence with him in this holy work. In a word, he considered himself as a servant of the Most High God; and for the advancement of his glory he exerted all the influence which his high station gave him.]
2.
The manner of his exertion
[This is particularly specified; and, indeed, it deserves especial notice: in every work that he began, he did it with all his heart. He did not satisfy himself with giving commands to others: he himself led the way, and enforced, by his example, the precepts which he issued. In the very first month after his coming to the throne of Judah, he set to work with all his might: and in the second month, the fourteenth day of the month, all was ready for the observance of the ordinance: and though his zeal brought upon him much obloquy and contempt from ungodly men [Note: 2Ch 30:10.], he persevered with undiminished ardour, and kept such a passover as had not been seen from the time of Solomon to that day [Note: 2Ch 30:26.]. It was in this way that he began the work of the Lord: and in this blessed course did he continue to the end of life. In fact, it was his zeal for the service of God which caused him to weep so bitterly, when he was informed by the prophet that the time was come for him to die [Note: 2Ki 20:1-3.]. It was not that he was afraid of death: for he could appeal to God that he had walked before him in truth and with a perfect heart: but he saw that the reformation which he had begun was likely to be stopped as soon as he should be removed; and therefore he implored a prolongation of his term on earth, that he might consolidate and complete the work he had begun.]
3.
The issue of his labours
[In my text we are told, he prospered. The kingdom, when he first assumed the reins of government, was in a most desolate condition; subjected, in fact, to the Assyrian monarch [Note: 2Ch 29:8.]; from whose power, however, he delivered it [Note: 2Ki 18:7.]: and, from being grievously impoverished, he raised it to a high degree of wealth and power [Note: 2Ch 32:27-30.]. The moral change effected in it was most remarkable: at the time of his fathers death, the land was wholly given to idolatry and all its attendant abominations: but in a short time, through Gods blessing on his endeavours, all the vestiges of idolatry were swept away, not only from his own dominions, but from the tribes of Ephraim also and Manasseh, who were independent of him.]
Having viewed the character here drawn, let us contemplate,
II.
The instruction to be gathered from it
Surely we may learn from hence,
1.
The extent of our duty
[All of us should, doubtless, be peculiarly attentive to the offices to which, in our respective stations, we are called. From the king upon the throne, to the lowest subject in his dominions, this is required. As in the natural body, so also in the body politic, all, from the head to the foot, have their proper functions, which it becomes them diligently to discharge. But all, without exception, are bound, in the first instance, to serve their God, and to do whatever is good and right and true in his sight. Whatsoever things are true, says the Apostle, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things [Note: Php 4:8.]. Nor should our efforts terminate on ourselves: we should seek the best interests of all around us; and labour especially to bring them to the knowledge and enjoyment of their God. As Hezekiah called his people to the observance of the passover, so should we endeavour to call mens attention to the Gospel, and to Christ as our Passover that has been sacrificed for us. Never can influence be used for a more salutary end than this: and every one of us, according to the measure of influence that he possesses, is bound to exert it in this way for the Lord his God.]
2.
The proper mode of engaging in it
[Whatever our hand findeth to do, we should do it with all our might [Note: Ecc 9:10.]. It is not by listless endeavours that we can hope to succeed: we must strive for the mastery, if we would overcome our corruptions; and fight a good fight, if we would subdue our enemies; and run, as in a race, if we would obtain the prize that is held forth to us in the Gospel. All of these images imply the most strenuous exertion in the Christian life. Nor will it suffice to begin well: we must go on, and continue to the end, if we would secure the approbation of our God [Note: Gal 6:9.].]
3.
The certain issue of our endeavours
[Never did any one thus labour, without obtaining a successful issue. To those who strive to do the whole will of God, and prosecute their object with their whole heart, a failure is impossible. They must prosper: God will never suffer such persons to run in vain, and labour in vain [Note: 1Co 15:58.]. As far as respects the benefiting of others, he may not indeed attain all he proposes to himself: but as far as respects his own soul, he cannot but flourish: he will necessarily grow in grace: his peace also will flow down like a river: his joy will become unspeakable and glorified; and his weight of glory will be in proportion to his attainments and his services.]
Reflections
1.
How rare is this character!
[Persons attending to their worldly callings, and prosecuting them with their whole hearts, and prospering in them, are to be found in every place. But where do we find persons labouring thus in spiritual things, and making their profiting to appear unto all? Look at the generality, and you behold no progress in them from year to year: and even amongst those whom, in the judgment of charity, we should call believers, there is, alas! far less of holy zeal and spiritual advancement than their profession requires.]
2.
How honourable is this character!
[Let a person be really zealous for the Lord his God, and profane sinners will be sure to mock and deride him, as they did Hezekiah and his agents. But still they will honour him in their hearts, even as Herod feared John, at the very time that he consigned him to prison and to death. But if not, still, at his departure, his loss will be felt and mourned as a public calamity. The Jews built the sepulchres of departed prophets, at the time that they persecuted and put to death the living ones. And it is no uncommon thing, in this day, to behold a repetition of that farce. As for the honour itself, it is of no value to the saints, whether dead or living: but it is a testimony for God, that his servants are indeed worthy of all honour, and that the righteous is more excellent than his neighbour.]
3.
How blessed is this character!
[Compare Hezekiah with his father Ahaz, or his son Manasseh. They possessed the kingdom, even as he: but how differently did they exert their influence! They lived but for the gratification of their own malignant passions; whereas he lived only for the welfare of his people, and the honour of his God. And can any one doubt which of them was the happiest? Hear the mournings of Manasseh, and they will satisfy your mind: or, if you could now behold the state of Ahaz, it would leave no doubt who is the happier manhe who lives for God, or he who lives only for himself.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
This is but a short account of Hezekiah’s character, yet is it a very precious one. What he did was with a single eye to the glory of God. Reader! it is a great thing to have a heart not divided. Few know what this means. The Lord gives an account what it means when he saith concerning Israel; he is an empty vine; he bringeth forth fruit unto himself; their heart is divided. Hos 10:1-2 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 31:20 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought [that which was] good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
Ver. 20. And wrought that which was good, &c. ] This his uprightness was the best stake in his hedge, when the news of death made all crack. Isa 38:3
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 31:20-21
2Ch 31:20-21
SUMMARY OF HEZEKIAH’S DEVOTION TO THE LORD
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah; and he wrought that which was good and right and faithful before Jehovah 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.
E.M. Zerr:
2Ch 31:20-21. This paragraph as a whole is a commendation of Hezekiah for his good life and work. It is not in the nature of flattery, but states a logical reason for the favorable treatment he received from God. Every work that he attempted for the house of God prospered, and the reason for it was the fact that he did it with, all his heart. It has ever been the desire of the Lord for his people to be in earnest about their work and not be halfhearted in the doing of it.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
wrought: 1Ki 15:5, 2Ki 20:3, 2Ki 22:2, Joh 1:47, Act 24:16, 1Th 2:10, 3Jo 1:5
Reciprocal: Deu 23:9 – General Deu 28:7 – flee before 1Ki 2:3 – prosper 1Ki 11:4 – his heart 1Ki 15:3 – and his heart 2Ki 18:3 – right in the sight 1Ch 29:2 – with all 2Ch 14:2 – good and right 2Ch 24:16 – because 2Ch 32:32 – goodness 2Ch 35:26 – goodness Neh 13:14 – house Job 1:1 – perfect Psa 26:11 – I will Psa 51:6 – Behold Psa 101:2 – behave Psa 119:1 – undefiled Psa 119:80 – sound Ecc 2:21 – whose Ecc 2:26 – wisdom Ecc 9:10 – thy hand Isa 16:5 – judging Isa 32:1 – king Isa 33:5 – he hath Isa 38:3 – I have Mal 3:4 – as Mat 6:33 – seek Mat 25:16 – went Mat 25:21 – Well Mar 14:8 – hath done Luk 11:39 – but Col 3:17 – whatsoever
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ch 31:20-21. Thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah His pious zeal was extended through his whole kingdom; and all parts of the country, as well as those that lay next him, shared in the good fruits of his government. And wrought that which was good, and right, and truth Whatsoever he thought was pleasing to God, conformable to the law, and profitable for his people, he performed with integrity of heart. And in every work that he began he did it with all his heart, and prospered He prosecuted it with vigour, and brought all his good intentions to a good issue. And in all that he did in the service of the house of God, and in the government of his kingdom, he prospered. What is undertaken with a sincere and disinterested regard to the glory of God, will succeed to our own honour and comfort at last.