Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-03-02
TIE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Inte rnational Sunday School Lesson
for March 3d-AhaZ's Persistent
Wickedness-IT. ChrOn. rs: 1927.
BY REV. E. P. RODGERS, d. ID.

against the Lord; this is that King Ahaz."
III. Chron. 2S: %.
Central Truth Evil men i'm distress
wax worse and worse.
Between the reign of Aliaz and that o.
UZziah, which was described i'm the last
lesson. we have brief history of lothian
the son of Uzziah, who was pious king,
and whose administration of the kingdom
was energetic, wise and prosperous. He
reigned sixteen years and died in the
prime of life, leaving the kingdom to
Ahaz, he was then twenty years of age.
He came to the throne about 742 B. c.
The change OF kings was a sad one for
Judah. Ahaz did not walk i'm the ways
OF his good fcther Jotham, but ''did that
which was evil in the sight of the Lord
He practiced idOlatry himself, and ell
couraged it in his subjects. They wor-
shipped Baal and Moloca, with all the
cruel and superstitiOus rites belonging TO
these hideOus and bloody deities. This
brought upon Ahaz and his people, as
might have been expected, the anger OF
God. and exposed them TO the attacks OF
their enemies. The kings of Syria and
Israel made war upon Judah and de-
spoiled them OH a large scale. The Edo
mites and Philistines also. taking advaL-
tage of the opportunity, revolted from
their allegiance, made hostile inrOads on
the land, and carried nany Of the people
into captivity We should have thought
that. t.these repeated calamities would have
led AhaZ TO repent OF his sins. and seek
his lad. But this was DOT the case. ln-
stead OF going 10 Jehovah. he went TO
the king of Assyria for aid, and gained i'll
deed by his means deliverance from the
Syrlans, but only to be made an igho-
miniOus vassal to his new ally. The very
graphic account of his conduct and its
results is give.i in these words: ''And III
the time of his distress did he trespass
yet more against the Lord; this is that
King Ahdz.' The reference 10 him is al
most derisive, but it gives IA clue To his
weakness and wickedness.
This lesson closes with the death OF
Ahaz, under the displeasure of God, and
denied even tie honor of finding IA last
resting place in the sepulchres OF his
royal ancestors.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
j. Good fathers do not always have
good children.
AhaZ had Il good father. So did Alb
SalOm. SO have many others who We're
far from being good themselves. Good
ness is not hereditary. 1t does not run
in the blood 1t is indeed great bless
ing TO have piouS parents. and Gods COW
enalit with such is very precious and
comforting. Still each individual is IL
unit in Gods kingdom, anu must stand
or fail according to his personal character
aud conduct. A son cannot be saved by
the piety of his father, OF the prayers OF
his mother: If thou be wise, thou SHALT
be wise Tor thyself but if thou scornest,
thou alone shall bear it," prov. 8: 12.)
2. Unsanctified aifiictions only make
men worse.
1t was so with Ahaz. Gods judgments
did not have the same effect OH him
which they had Oh his illuslriOus ancestor
David. They only seemed 10 cOnfirin
him in his evil ways and drive him far
ther and farther from the path OF rectl.
tude. Again and again did God lay his
hand upon him in correction. but in vain.
The spirit Of disobedience seemed TO have
taken iull possession OF the wicked king,
and Gods dealings were i'll vain.
What better proof of the depravity of
human nature can be afforded than such
Il life. God put barrier after barrier in
the way OF Ataz, but he spurned them
all and continued TO sin.
1t is often so with wicked men. The
very means which might have restrained
and SOftened them are often perverted
into making them more Obdurate and
bent on sin. 1t is like some chemical
process where one substance Will be
melted by the flame, while another will
be made harder than eyer.
3. GOd is a better friend than the
world, in the day of trouble.
Ahaz in the day OF his calamity sought
the aid OF neighborng kings. They were
willing to help him, but only toi their
own selfish advantage. lie gave them
many things but they did not aid him
in the end. ''They were the ruin OF him
and of all Israel"
How slow We are to learn the lesson
that God is our best friend. His cftas-
usements are better than the smiles and
offers of the world. Nothing can be
more selfish, hollow and delusive than
her promises. David tells us that lit is
better to trust i'll the Lord, than to pul
confidence even in princes" None ever
trusted in Him and were confounded.
A. Sin is always progressive. Bad men
grow worse and worse.
This Was eminently true of this wick.
ed King Ahaz. The gradations Of his
wickednesS were very marked He firsl
wOrshipped golden calves. Then he be.
gan TO make lew molten images fol
Baalim. Then he offered human sacri
| fees TO MOloch. And he at last sunk in.
TO the most universal aud degraded lido
worship.
When man has fairly entered upor
the downward road he travels faster al
every stage. Special sins, one committed
pave the way tor others of greater enor
nifty. Conscience bribed or silenced be
comes less active, and it is far easier I,
resist her striyings. The habit of sil
strengthens daily, and the man is almos
uncOnciOusly "hOlden with the cords o
his SINS" specific vices likeslying, pro
fame swearing. gambling, drunkenness
from small beginnings Increase III thei
demands and In their power to eniOrc
enlarged qualifications. The sin. too, O
unbelief is one which grows more invet
crate as men continue in it. Oh, how i'm
portant is it to begin i'll early life t
fear God and keep liis commandments.
The path OF the just is as Il shining light
shining more and more unto the periec
day. But evil men and seduceTs Wa,
worse and worse deceiving anu being de
ceived."
8. The memory of the just is blessed
but the name OF the wicked shall rot.