The Green Forest tribune., 1915-11-05


 GOLDEN TEXT-God loyeth cheerful giver.-II Cor 97
 The time of this lesson was about SIS B. C., and it follows within a few years last Sundays lesson. Inaugu- rated as king and instructed by a faithful priest, yet Joash discovered great lethargy on the part of the pr1estly class with regard to the house of God. He set himself to arouse great llberality and to repair the temple
 |. .letharsy, V. 4, 8. (1) It's cause, We should read in this connection II Chron. "A. From the two accounts and the previous history of the na- tion we conclude that the condition Of the temple was due, (a) to the weak and frequently vicious charac- ters of the rulers of the nation; (b) to the evil companions of both princes and priests and co to the cupidity of court and curate. @ The result of this lethargy regarding Gods cause was evidenced (a) upon the temple. and tb) upon the lives of the people of the kingdom, (3) The cure. Joash instituted great reforms in Judah and in these Jehoiada the priest (v. p had no small part. In this particular les son the prince (Y. ? seems to lead the priest. Unfortunately the godly priest did not long survive the crown ing of Joash and hence when he came under other influences he soon went back to the evil practices of his prede- cessors and his reign ended in an eclipse of evil QI Chron. 24: 15-26).
 In this lesson we have, however, a suggestion of what is needed to cure religious lethargy. (a) vision of the real condition of affairs (v. ': also II Chron. 24:O. Joash saw the resultant ruin of the temple after Is years of misrule; he also saw the misconduct of the priests and did not hesitate to call them to account. Iris no easy task to un- dertake a reformation and restoration such as this; witness Moses, Luther. Wesley and Cary. These priests had aided him to gain his throne and doubtless had had part in his boy hood training. Joash had inaugu- rated certain reforms before he be- gan this task which suggests the sec ond need of (b) persistence (see I Chron. 24:5, O. Such wor,. also de- mands (c) systematic effort and giv ing Joash placed himself among Is raefs beseasszisss isssaalee esrta Kip s tes. restoration of the temple and won a place alongside of Hezekiah and Jo- siah Modern churches are not, strict ly speaking, "a house of the Lord" such as the Jewish temple, yet tho condition of many of our churches would indicate great indifference to the cause of the kingdom. Our bod ies are indeed a temple" Cor. 3: l6; 6:19) and both the body and church buildings alike should be kept in proper condition.
 II. LiberaIity, vs. e-f5. The plan to have the priests gather funds for the repairs was Scriptural tExod. 25 2-8) God does not look upon the measure but upon the motive of our gifts GIT Cor. 8:12). The priests did not hasten the matter" so the king took it into his own hands (v. 9).
 
 chief priest, is held accountable for all (v. ?.
 We have in this story a rich sug. gestion as to Gods plan of Christian giving. CD The object It was dis tinctly for the glory of God and not to outbid others or to wastefulIy use the money for selfish purposes. CD All wpra tn norfioinato r{I out of their abundance 0I Chron. 24:10), systematically and faithfully. (3) The results were house repaired QI Chron. 24:12) beautiful QI Chron. 24:13) with the worship restored (II Chron. 24:14). Joash seems to have laid great emphasis upon the 'taber- nacle of witness" (24:6) and we need to recall that each and every part of that temple was testimony to the truth of God and had in it spiritual suggestion and prophecy. As whole, it suggested that God dwelt in the midst of his people. The sons of Athaliah (Joash's grandmother had so conducted themselves as to cause it to need repairing QI Chron. 24:0- When we turn to II Chron. 24:8-14 and read the record of the restoration of the temple, we discover: CD Each had it's part in the work. CD Each did perfect" work, @. g., did his task faithfully, fully and to finish. (3) Each did an orderly work, "in his state" None sought to suppiant or defraud others in the work assigned. (4) Each did a strong work, it was 'strengthened' and not a tritiing work as men-pleasers or for the moment.
 Try more prayer and like Joash. give the people a chance and there will be no lack.
 Again, note that they dealt faith. fully" We need to exercise faithful ness in our relations to God and in the use of that which he intrusts to our stewardship.
 Man and God alike will have con fidence in us according to the method whereby we receive and expend | money.
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