The Dermott news., 1917-07-12
LESSON FOR JULY IS.
AEzEkIAH, THE FAITHFUL KING

The reformation under Helekiah Is one of the bright and attractive spots in the latter history of the kingdom of Israel. It was most thorough refor- nation and God set his seal upon it l In many wonderful ways. Teachers
 ought to give their classes compre-
 hensive view of all that Hezekiah did,
 as recorded in II Chron, chapters 29-32.
 !. Hexekiah's Proclamation. (vv. 1-6). The proper introduction to this lesson would be to return to chapter 1 twenty-nine and note the restoration of the worship of Jehovah. How it began in one mans heart. Hezekiah: : how he called the people to be clean co :15), then called upon cleansing of the house of God and its restoration (vv. IS, 19). How he called them to renewed sacrifice and worship (vv. 20. 2D. The restoration of the sin offering and of the burnt-offeriug. and the result of these offerings in the Le- vitical music and in the worship of the great congregation GO, 2S). The se- quel of song always follows and ac- Having consecrated themselves unto the Lord. Hezekiah sends out this proclamation. The conservation of the people, as referred in chapter %. was very complete. (See w. 31-36) Heze- kiah was man of deep discernnent as well'as of true piety. He saw the meaning of the sacrifice of redemption and put the passover forward as the very heart-center of the worship of Jehovah. (See w. 1. 2) Whoever un- derstands the passover, understands Gods way of salvation. (See Exodus l2 1928; Cor. '. &; Rom. 3 :25. 20: John 1 :29.) Hezekiah did not confine his call to those of Israel alone. but extended it beyond its borders to those of Ephraim. thus manfesting the true missionary spirit Hezekiah had am- pie Scriptural warrant keeping this passover out of it's regular order (vv. 9-13). God Is not God of time or place. Wherever obedience is possible. whether 1t be n matter of time or not. God approves. Hezekiah, however. did not act upon his own initiative, but sought counsel. (See V. 2.) The man who Is the most clearly led of God Is the man who Is most eager and anxious to know how God Is leading other men and will listen most patient
 ly to their counsel. The fact that the people had not gathered themselves together at Jerusalem" for long time. might have warranted fur ther delay. Not so with this enthusi- astic young king. He was not bound by precedent, but was anxious to please God.
 II. Hezekiah's Exhortat,on (vv. T. 13). Hezekiah began his eShortatlon by calling attention 10 the trespasses of their fathers (v. D. At the same time he reminds them that If God gave them over to desolation because they themselves were stiff-necked tv. 8 and yielded not themselves unto the Lord to enter his sanctuary. which he had sanctified unto them. they would come under the fierceness of Gods wrath. for they had turned from the Lord they had "trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers" Because of that trespass God had ''given them up to desolation." Literally he had made them ''an astonishment." This astonishment and desolation was well
 known, "as ye see" (v. D. Anyone with eyes open can see today the deso- t.s .l
 munities and nations who trespass against God. For generation we have had the deity of Christ and the
 inspiration of his Word called into question and that the individual man Is the dictator of his own conscience and life. and 1t is because men have departed from their faithful allegiance ! to Jesus Christ and fail to obey his
 command. that we see the strife and desolation of today.
 The first departure caused people to
 be "stiff-necked" and Jehovah is call ing them to repentance. but they would
 not hear (see On. 38:13; Ex. g %;
 Rom. 10 :21). In place of this "stiff-
 neckness" of their hearts Hezekiah entreats them to turn again to the
 Lord and not to be stifr-neckcd as were
 their fathers (v. 8. that if they will turn again unto the Lord tv. 9) they will find compassion so that they shall
 again enter his gracious and merciful
 dealings. Having yielded themselves they were to enter into communion with him and "enter into his sanctu-
 ary. which he had sanctified forever" They were also to serve him. Most blessed results were to follow for them
 and for their brethren and their chil-
 dren, but all of this bright prospect is
 conditioned upon repentance. surren- der, communion and service. which Is
 based upon the fact that Jehovah f'is gracious and merciful" tEx. 34:6. q; Ps. SC :5; Jonah 4.o: Mark 7:le). Then. even as now. there were thJse
 who would not yield themseivesg to Ia