Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-06-09


brought his son. lothian. to the throne.
lothian was good and a successful
king. Amongst other things he strength
ened the kingdom by the. yearly tribute
of a large sum from the Ammonites
whom he had conquered. At the end of
his Is years reign he was succeeded by
his son. Ahaz, who was without question
the worst king Judah had ever had He
plunged into the deepest idolatry; he
built affairs to Baaiim in every corner
OF Jerusalem: he murdered his own chill
dren as sacrifices to the gods; and wher-
ever he could debase the people he did
so. For one hundred and thirty-seven
years before him Judah had had an un-
interrupted succession Of good kings.
During his Is years he undid practically
all they had constructed. Furthermore,
when syria and Assyria threatened
Israel, he appealed to Assyria for help.
Some of the prophecies of Isaiah that
have been preserved TOR US deal with
this unholy alliance. When God afflict-
ed him and his people for their sin, in
stead of coming back TO Him in re-
pentance, he went farther away. He sac
rifced to the gods Of Damascus, saying
that since they had given the Syrians
victory. II was possible rney would give
him victory, TOO. To cap the climax, he
closed the temple of Jehovah, and dis
continued the worship.
HEzEKIAH'S REFORM.
Such was the condition Of the kingdom
when Hezekiah succeeded his wicked
father to the throne-the kingdom depict
ed. its revenues cut of, the Syrians,
Philistines. and Assyrians in the ascend
ancy. the temple closed, and idolatry in
every corner and on every green hill.
1t was no small task for this young
man of 25 years TO shoulder. And with
the example OF such a father before him
il might have been a great question as to
the outcome. But Hezekiah had a great
heritage in his mother. She was the
daughter OF that Zechariah who had help
ed TO mould the early life of the great
King Uzziah. The record OF him is that
ne had understanding in the visions of
God. Such a grandfather would be
source of inspiration to the boy as he
grew up and his godly mothers training
was enough to offset the evil life of his
father. 1t must have been frequent
subject of conversation between the boy
and his mother, and we may well imagine
the pain they would experience as they
saw the evil life of Ahaz. Fortunately
il was cut shot.
With this training therefore Hezekiah
an the age of 3 assumed the robes of
authority His first act was significant,
for Immediately upon ascending the
throne. he ordered the doors Of the tenn
pie opened, and the place cleared out.
His address TO the Levites is remark
able one. Study it carefully some time
n will repay you. He put before them
their high calling, and encouraged them
caf al
duty with vim, and at the end of two
weeks had the temple cleansed and ready
for occupancy. Imagine the pollution OF
Ahaz that made two weeks work nee
essary.
Hezekiah then ordered the restoration
Of the temple worship along scriptural
lires. the lines laid down by Moses The
sin offering was made for priests and
people. and the burnt offering was made
for their entire conservation. And Wnen
the burnt offering. began. the song OF
the Lord began also" To me this Is one
of the most striking statements IN the
Bible. The sin of Ahaz had brought the
people into sore straits: their worship
was discontinued, their hearts were
heavy. there was no song. But when
<bev confessed their sin and Offered the
buIlocks and rams in atonement OF H.
and gave themselves unreservedly TO
God fas was tyuiped by the burnt offer
incl then the song began too. Oh. heavy
hearted one, you have lost the song
your life is without joy, every searcn
for pleasure that satisfies has been IN
vain. Here is the way; take this leao'
when the burnt offering began, then
the song Of the Lord began also.
A strange condition of affairs, now
ever. was found to exist; the ofrering
was so large and the priests so Few tnat
the Levites had 20 help them Tor 'ne
I,evites were more upright In heart 70
sanctifv themselves than were the
rries*ss The people who should. have
been the leaders became the followers
Dsd Won ever hear of church TO-DAY
where there was anything similar, Where