Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-07-21
THE SUNDAY School
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY "a.
Subject: Jehoshaphat's Reform, IL
Chron., xix, 1-11-Golden Text IL
Cnrop,, xix, 11-NIemOry Verses, 40
Commentary on tho Days Lesson.

Subject: JenOshHph"t y -'
Chron., XIX, 1-11-Golden Text III
Chron., xix, 11-Memory verses 4-o
documentary on tho Days Lesson
T A severe reproof Tvs. l-3). Thls
chopter is entirely additional to hinRs,'
and is of great interest. 1t dca's VIII
three matters only: The rebuke addressed
to Jehoshaphat by the prophet Jehu Tvs.
l.3): the personal efforts OF Jehoshapna'
to effect a religious reformation ". A.;
and his reform of the judicial system VS.
Eli. /. Returned" From the battle
against Benhadad in which Ahab was slam.
ain peace" Without capture or pursuit,
being miraculously delivered from lmmi
3 "JeRu," etc. The Hanani who is
here mentioned was probably the seer VINO
rcproved Asa for seeking help from the
King of Syria (chap. 1870. His son Jehn
was early called to the same divine work
which distinguished his father, More than
thirty years before this .Jehu had foreto.d
the doom Of Baasha, King OF Israel u
Kings l6:D. ITO meet him." He went at
the earliest possible moment. God had
sent him for this purpose and the old
prophet did not hesitate. But Jehu re
ceived better treatment from Jehoshapha'
than his father Hanan had received IRON
Asa (chap. l6:7-l0).. "Shouldest thou;
what 1OrClDle, pleiCihB H"@''""'
aphats conscience would cause MN TO
ouickly answer it negatively. Help the
nngodIy." "Such was the idolatrous Ahab,
whose kingdom was SO largely gwen over
To the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth;
a great principle is here laid down. Gods
neople should not give the hand OF tel
iowship to the wicked or assist them IN
any Of their ungodly doings. The words
of the apostle are to the point: be ye not
unequally yoked together with nnbellev.
ers. And what agreement hath the
temple of God with idols?" q Cor. 6:l4
l8). And love them" etc: James says.
"Whosoever therefore will be friend OF
the world is the enemy of God, (chap.
4.N. What would we conclude II those
whom we supposed to be our friends Should
Join themselves to our enemies and show a
fondness for those who were bent on our
downfall? John says, Love an the
world" etc. Il John 2:l5, l6); The friend
ship of wicked men Is one OF the most Dan
eerons temptations to which Christians
are subjected The wealth OF the word
and business interests are largely in the
hands of men who are not trends o!
Christ. While the Christian religion re-
ouires no narrow or ascetic seclnslon frolu
the world it does forbid the seeking world
iv friendships and alliances for selfish
ends and to the peril of religious useful
ness and religious character. CHRISTIAN
alliances with the wicked do not command
the respect of the very, men for whose
favor they are formed. TO love those who
hate God is personal thrust at Jesus
Christ. Therefore is wrath. Inc
nropbet does not tone down or mince mat
ters. Faithful are the wounds of friend,
hut the kisses of an enemy are deceitiui'
Upon thee" He was plainly told that
the consequences of his sin would fall upon
him and his people with crush hing force;
And is not the wrath OF God upon an
those alliances which His people form with
the ungodly, whether they be social, matrl'
monial, commercial or political!
3. "Nevertheles." The seer has Tor
Jehoshaphat words of encouragement as
we'll as words of blame, and reminds the
King that in taking away the groves ne
had shown the true theocratlc spirit, Whlch
would not fail to be recognized and blessed
of God. And this oracle of blame and
praise inspired the King to attempt further
reforms. "Groves." The Asherah images.
ii. Judges appointed Tvs. 40. T.
again" This refers to his previous re-
forms described in chapter II. beer
sheba " This was at the southern extrem.
itv of Judah. Mount Ephram.' The
kingdom of Judah was bounded on the
north by the mountains of Ephralm. .'e'
hoshaphat travelled the whole length OF ms
kingdom and examined everything himself
ito see that judgment and justice were
properly administered among the people.
drought them back" Many probably
had gone INTO ldolatry When tney sI h an'.a
klng SO intimate WIN .aold'G hT, tno r,lce
he put 1orth every elloi. ".Slo,I ~ ,rS' ,n
them and hrlng ihem PACK 10 ,he tiuc a..
hglon. Those who truly repent OF SIN 90
all In their power to repair the oaUase
they may have done % others D. oe'
judges" The hlng appointed Iocal mas
trates in all the principal clties, nccofuI Ie.
to the directions OF the law tDe9t' lo'
1920, so that justice might De ad Nuns
tered with ease and convenience o. lahe
heed" A very solemn ana necessary eau .h.
ton. Inc case seems hopeleSs "Heh 'ue
Judge IS corrupt. is WIN you see ~
V. The judges IN deciding cases agaihS.
the rich and powerful were 10 s'rehg'neih
themselves with the thought Hod Is Wild
us. 7; Wherefore now. frooapiy
Jehoshaphat discovered irregularities ana
wrongs in the administration OF justice
such as showing respect OF persons ana 1ne
taking OF brlbes, and ne accordingly uhutr'
took an extensive reform IN 'he matter.
His work no doubt consisted largely IN
removing evil judges and confirming lhe
good III their oihce.
III. A supreme court established VS.
SID.
8. I'm Jerusalem" Jehoshaphat sec
ond reform measure was to establish
court of appeal in Jerusalem IN accordance
with Deut. E:S-l2. This measure was
probably altogether new DAVID and Solo