2 Kings 18:4 He removed the high places, and broke the images, and cut down the groves, and broke in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made… We shall look at this instance of Hezekiah's strict regard to principle as one of those fine lessons which are continually found in the exhaustless word of God; and shall remark — I. THAT THE REVERENCE AND AFFECTIONS OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE TOWARDS THE OLD BRASEN SERPENT IS VERY EASILY ACCOUNTED FOR. In those days the people had few instructors, and fewer books. As a nation the Jews were in a state of childhood, scarcely capable of furnishing any materials for history. In such states of society there is a natural and strong clinging to the past. So there was this serpent of brass, which had been preserved from the days of Moses. II. THAT THE BURNING INCENSE TO THIS SERPENT OF BRASS WAS AN INDICATION OF THE PEOPLE'S FORGETFULNESS OF GOD'S PURPOSE IN ITS PRESERVATION. III. THAT THIS DESTRUCTION OF THE BRASEN SERPENT DERIVES MUCH OF ITS SIGNIFICANCE FROM THE FACT THAT IT WAS DONE BY HEZEKIAH IN HIS YOUTH. Hezekiah came to the throne at the age of twenty-five; and this appears to have been one of the first acts of his reign. Lessons herein for young men. 1. None but young men know how hard it is to be religious. The other sex are mercifully spared many of man's perils, difficulties, and temptations. 2. On many things young men when they become religious will have to write "Nehushtan": on bad books; bad company; frivolous pursuits; and old associations of evil. 3. Only a high order of principle will enable young men thus to act independently of the world's suffrage. 4. Only the resources of Almighty love and power will carry a religious young man through the perils and temptations of his career. God will always tell young men what Nehushtan to break in pieces, and He will give them strength to do it. (W. G. Barrett.) Parallel Verses KJV: He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. |
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