694. 2CH 12:7. THE HUMILIATION OF THE PRINCES, AND THE KING, PLEASING TO GOD

2Ch_12:7. The Humiliation of the Princes, and the King, Pleasing to God

"And when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore, I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak."’972Ch_12:7.

The text is connected with an historical event, of considerable importance, in the history of Judah.

Rehoboam forsook the law of God, &c.; 2Ch_12:1.

The kingdom was invaded. All the fenced cities taken, with the metropolitan city of Jerusalem itself.

Then Shemaiah the prophet, was sent to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, to state the reason of their degraded and wretched condition; 2Ch_12:5.

This declaration produced the desired effect’97a spirit of general humiliation was evinced; "And when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves," &c.

Now, there are certain great principles involved in the text. Principles which have to do with God’s moral government, and with the responsibility of his creatures. These principles are applicable to all persons and ages.

We remark, then,

I. That the rejection of God must ever be productive of consequences the most disastrous.

In itself, this is a most heinous sin. To forsake the law of the Lord’97to reject his authority, &c. This sin is sometimes specially great.

(1.) When committed by those who have had pious ancestors.

(2.) By those who have once professed religion.

(3.) By those to whom the goodness of God has been largely displayed.

All these circumstances were connected with the case of Rehoboam. Is it not the case with many here?

Now, need we marvel that God should be displeased and punish such delinquency.

He did so in our first parents.

He did so in the apostasies of Israel.

He did so in the instance of the text.

He will do so in the case of all who utterly forsake him. "If thou forsake him," &c. "If any man draw back," &c.

II. That genuine humiliation is the only remedy that will avert these consequences.

Now there are several branches of genuine humiliation.

It includes,

(1.) A conviction of the evil of our doings.

(2.) An admission and hearty confession before God.

(3.) Deep and intense sorrow of heart, on account of it.

(4.) A turning from the evil of our doings.

(5.) Earnest prayer and supplication to God.

(6.) Faith in the divine mercy and goodness.

Now, these are the genuine features of evangelical humiliation. As in the text, God will behold these, "When the Lord saw," &c. He sees all things; but delights to behold the penitence of the contrite, &c. Hence, it is written, "To that map will I look," &c.

I notice,

III. That God will not destroy those who humble themselves penitentially before him.

Now this may be fairly deduced,

1. From the nature of God.

He desires not to destroy. Judgment is his strange work. Vengeance creeps, while mercy flies. He never destroys, until his forbearance has been exhausted, &c. Now, when the evil ceases, and the sinner is contrite’97then God’s nature must dispose him to pity and forgiveness.

2. From the engagements of God.

He said to Cain’97"If thou doest well," &c.

To the Israelites over and over again’97"Behold, I set before you this day, a blessing and curse," &c. "Let the wicked man forsake his way," &c. "When the wicked turneth from his wickedness," &c. "Whoso cometh to me," &c.

3. From the examples left on record. How often, when the Jews repented, did he turn aside his anger, &c.

When Manassah repented, &c.

So also in the case of Nebuchadnezzar.

So also in the case of Nineveh. See Jon_3:5-6, &c.

We see the same disposition of God portrayed in the parable of the Prodigal Son, and the Publican.

It has been exemplified in the history of numbers present.

Now from this subject, we learn,’97

1. The gracious character of God.

A God of goodness, mercy, and compassion. Full of pity, clemency, and longsuffering.

Surely this should enkindle in us emotions of love to him. He claims these. He desires these. Contemplate this God as the object of our unbelief and ingratitude, &c., and how heinous is sin, and how depraved the heart of man!

2. We learn that the destruction of the incorrigible is certain.

Either the impenitent sinner must be destroyed, or God’s law dishonored, and his truth falsified. These are impossible. His eternal honor and glory demand the destruction of the impenitent. How awful the word destroy! Not extinguish being’97but destroy the hopes and happiness of the soul’97and inflict the vengeance of eternal fire.

3. In Christ, and through his sacrifice, every penitential sinner shall be saved.

He is the refuge,’97The ark,’97The way to God.

Put your suit in his hands. Your souls on his merits. Your sins on his head; and by confession, &c., obtain everlasting life.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS