The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-27
Note and Comment.

Time-During the first two-thirds OF the
reign OF JOash, S7S-Si0. Tile repairs were
completed in his twenty-third year, b. C..
S56-154 years before our last lesson.
Place-Jerusalem, in the kingdom of
Judah.
Kings-Joash, eighth king of Judah.
Jehu was king of Israel during the first
part of JOash's reign.
Affairs in Israel-Ahab and Jezebel his
heather wife had done their best to de-
EtrOy the worship OF Jehovah, and increase
the wicked idol worship OF Baal. Just
about the time that Joash was born, Jehu
became king of Israel. He DESTROYED the
family of Ahab, and the priests of Baal
making great reformation.
Affairs IN Judah-The grandmother of
Joash, Queen Athaiiah, was the daughter
OF Ahab and Jezebel, and inherited the
disposition and talents OF her wicked
mother. She killed ali her Crandsons ex-
cept Joash, who was rescued and hidden
by his aunt Jehosheba and became ruler
OF judah. She neglected and injured the
temple OF God and had temple 10 Baal
even in Jerusalem. Many of the people
became idolatrOus and wicked.
Prophet-Elisha was living in all the
days OF JOash.
Parallel Accounts-II Kings, chap. -
The history OF the times is given in the
ii Kings viii, p to Is, 20; and III Chron.
chs. 22 to "a
IntroductiOn-We now turn back to the
kingdom Of Judah, and the time OF Jehu
in Israel. Lesson III of this quarter. }
When Joash, living as a child in the tenn
pie, was seven years old, the people rose
MP against the wicked queen, his grand
mother, slew her, and crowned Joash in
the temple as king, but his uncle Jehoiada
really ruled for many years.
Helps over Hard Places. After this:
his marriage, and coming TO age Tvs. 81.
Joash was minded to repair the house of
the Lord: the temple, now $50 years old.
and neglected and injured. (See V. ~
There had been several reforms before
this. Oh The people had renewed their
covenant to God (lI Kings xi, ~. (2)
The people on the same day, by popular
uprising, tore down the temple of Baal
I'll Kings xi. Isl. 90 The Sc. vice of
the priests in the temple was reorganized
Oh Chron. xxxiii. 49,. Now came the
fourth reform. t5) Go out and gather:
each one Independently. The Levites
fastened II not: the delay was very long.
till the 23d year OF Josh III Kings xii. g..
The reasons we're probably Cd want of in
terest; 81 the money collected largely be-
longed 10 them by law, and there was not
much more gathered than was needed ;
81 the people had not much interest to
give where they saw no results. (6l
Tabernacle of witness: the laws of Moses
were made when there was no temple, but
only the tabernacle. (S) A chest: with
a small hole in the top. At the gate: il
was IN the court Of the priests, near the
altar, and near the door from the court
into the temple proper. Co., Collection
that Moses, ETC.: see TX. Xxx, I3; Lev.
XVII, %; Deut. xii, sis.
Applications. o. Ii is a sure sign OF
religious declension when the house OF
God Is neglected and out OF repair.
2. Gods spiritual temple. the church.
is sometimes neglected and needs reforma-
ton. That money, and time, and thought,
which should be devoted TO religion and
the spread of the gospel, is transferred to
the temple Of Mammon. PRAYER and the
reading Of the bible declines in private
and in the family; meetings are poorly at
tended few are invited to Christ; world
illness prevails.