Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and Levites about the heaps, Sermons
I. THE IMPOSITION OF THE TITHES. Done by the commandment of Hezekiah (ver. 5), not, however, acting in his own name and by his own authority, but merely publishing the Law of Jehovah for the maintenance of those who conducted the temple service. Under the old economy Jehovah was the sole Head of the Church, as Christ is under the new. For the Hebrew Church the exclusive source of legislation was not the sovereigns or prophets of the nation, but Jehovah; as for the Christian Church it is neither kings nor parliaments, neither Church dignitaries nor Church courts, but Jesus Christ. That which gave binding authority to Hezekiah's commandment was not that it was "the word of a king" (Ecclesiastes 8:4), but that it was the ordinance of Jehovah as declared by Moses (Exodus 23:19; Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:12, 13, 21, 24; Deuteronomy 26:2-4). That which lends weight to human legislation in the Christian Church is the circumstance that it accords with the teaching of Christ in the New Testament Scriptures. II. THE PAYING OF THE TITHES, ETC. 1. Promptly. "As soon as the commandment came abroad," the children of Israel began to pour in their contributions (ver. 5). The absence of delay, showed their zeal was not fanatical, but religious, and not seeming, but real - the last thing to be affected by a man's religion being his purse; perhaps also it proved that the king's liberality had been not without its influence (2 Chronicles 30:24), as certainly it imparted additional value to their gifts. Qui cito dat bis dat. 2. Faithfully. Nothing was omitted or evaded that the Law enjoined. The people presented "the firstfruits of corn, and wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field;" paid in the tithes or tenth parts Jehovah had assigned as a portion for the whole tribe of Levi (ver. 5), as well as the tenth parts of such things as were dedicated to the Lord (ver. 6); and rendered free-will offerings to Jehovah over and above what had been directly commanded (ver. 14). 3. Unweariedly. It was no sudden fit of liberality which had overtaken them and quickly expended itself. The firstfruits presenting, tithe-paying, and free-will offering went on for four months (ver. 7). Many can do a generous deed when seized by a momentary impulse, but are wholly unable to bear the strain of continuous giving. That these ancient givers grew not tired of their liberality was a proof that it proceeded from principle rather than from impulse - showed they were acting more from respect to the Divine Law than from a desire to gratify their own feelings. 4. Abundantly. So extraordinary was the outburst of liberality, that not only had the priests and Levites obtained the most ample maintenance, having had enough to eat and plenty over (ver. 10), but so fast came the people's offerings in that they were obliged to be piled up in heaps (ver. 6), while so liberal had they been that, when the tithe season ended, so great a store remained (ver. 10), that the priests and Levites were guaranteed against want throughout the rest of the year. The Christian Church might herein find an example. It is poor policy, besides being unscriptural (Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:14), for Churches or congregations to starve or underpay their ministers. 5. Generally. Most likely there were those who refused to comply with the king's commandment, acting from a spirit of avarice which could not bear to part with their goods, or a spirit of unbelief which secretly hankered after the false gods they had formerly worshipped, or from a spirit of indifference, because they had no real interest in religion; and doubtless there were those who gave grudgingly and of necessity, adhering strictly to the letter of the Law, never going beyond the bond if they could help it, and certainly never throwing in any free-will offerings; but manifestly also the main body of the people, in the northern kingdom (ver. 5) no less than in the southern (ver. 6), yielded obedience to the king's commandment, and fell in with the order of the day. III. THE STORING OF THE TITHES. 1. The chambers for their reception. These were prepared in the house of the Lord (ver. 11), in accordance with instructions from Hezekiah, but whether they were old cells or new cannot be determined. 2. The officers for their supervision. (1) Two superior - Cononiah the Levite, and Shimei his brother (ver. 12). (2) Ten inferior-Jehiel and Azaziah, Nahath and Asahel, Jeri-moth and Jozabad, Eliel and Ismachiah, Mahath and Benaiah - who acted as subordinates and assistants to the two chiefs, who derived their authority from Hezekiah the king, the chief magistrate in the state, and Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok (ver. 10), and ruler of the house of God (ver. 12). IV. THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE TITHES, ETC. 1. The distributors. (1) The chief - Kore, signifying "Partridge" (Gesenius), a name borne by the son of Ebiasaph (1 Chronicles 9:18), and here by the son of Imnah. By descent a Levite, he was by occupation "a porter towards the east," i.e. keeper of the king's gate on the east side of the temple. (2) The assistants, six in number, named Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, resided in the cities of the priests in different parts of the country. 2. The distribution. (1) Kore distributed to those priests and Levites who served in the temple, first of such things as were required for the maintenance of themselves and the male children over three years of age who accompanied their parents (being priests) to Jerusalem when the turn came for these to serve, and secondly of such things as were necessary for any portion of their temple service. The distribution to the priests was according to fathers' houses (ver. 17) - so much for every house, according to its size; that to the Levites was to individuals from twenty years old and upwards, according to a carefully prepared register. (2) The assistants distributed necessary portions to those priests and Levites who resided in the priests' cities, not being at the time engaged in active duty at the temple, and to the families of these as well as of those who were engaged (vers. 15-19). Both parts of this work were performed with scrupulous fidelity (ver. 18); the distributors "acted in a holy manner with the holy gifts," distributing them "impartially and disinterestedly to all who had any claim to them" (Keil). Learn: 1. The duty of Christ's people to support the ministers of religion. 2. The voluntary character of all acceptable payments towards religion. 3. The necessity of order and system in Church finance. 4. The excellence of Christian liberality. - W.
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good. I. HEZEKIAH'S 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 God's 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 year's 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 God's strength as a religious man, and live for others. Let your sympathies embrace suffering bodies and perishing souls. Never mind being poor. Much of God's 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 man's religion, to be worth anything, must be sound. If he is to do anything which is "good and right and truth," he must — (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 3. It was whole-hearted. II. HEZEKIAH'S 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.) 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 Lord's work: "I had great longing for the advancement of Christ's 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 Christ's 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 God's help and for God's 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.) 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.) 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.) 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 man's 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.) 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 Hezekiah's ARDENT AND CONSISTENT PIETY. He stands in the front rank among the saints of Scripture as a man of prayer. (J. Thain Davidson.) (Handbook of Illustration.) 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.) (C. H. Parkhurst.). 8252 faithfulness, relationships 8151 revival, corporate Last Journey and Death, 1858 --Concluding Remarks. Tithing The Whole Heart Chronicles |
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