The Carlisle independent., 1917-07-12
INTERNATIONAL SUNDMSQlO0L
 LESSON (By E. o. SELLERS, Acting Director of the Sunday School Course of the Moody Bible Institute of Chieago) Copyright, 1917. Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR JULY 15.
HEZEKIAH, THE FAITHFUL KING
LESSON TEXT-II Chron. SO:1.


 God must believe that he is. and that he Is rewarder of tlSm that diligently seek him-Heb. 11:6
 The reformation under Hezekiah is one of the bright and attractive spots in the latter history of the kingdom of Israel. It was a most thorough refor- nation and God set his seal upon it in many wonderful ways Teachers ought to give their classes a compre- hensive view of all that Hezekiah did, as recorded in II Chron., chapters 29-32.
 l. Hezekiah's Proclamation. (vv. 1-6). The proper introduction to this lesson would be to return to chapter 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 (29 :15), then called upon a cleansing of the house of God and it's 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-offering, and the result of these offerings in the Le- vitical music and in the worship of the great congregation (29. 2S). The se- quel of song always follows and ac- companies a true revival of religion. Having consecrated themselves unto the Lord, Hezekiah sends out this proclamation. The consecration of the nnnra1n i,, aho very complete. (See w. 31-36) Heze- kiah was q man of deep discernment as we'll 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 12 1928; Cor. 5: ', 8; Rom. 8 :25, 26; John 1 :29.) Hezekiah did not confine his call to those of Israel alone, but extended it beyond it's borders to those of Ephraim, thus manifesting 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 a God of time or place. Wherever obedience is possible, whether it be a 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 people had not gathered themselves together at Jerusalem" for a long time, might have warranted a 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 Exhortation (vv. r 13). Hezekiah began his exhortation by calling attention to 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 (v. S) 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 and desolation was well known, "as ye see" (v. D. Anyone with eyes open can see today the deso- lation of individuals, of families, com munities and nations who trespass against God. For a generation we have had the deity of Christ and the of his Word called into question and that the individual man is the dictator of his own conscience and life, and it 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 fuS tIicln tO IcpcltduCc, Dul tucy WOulu not hear (see Oh. 36 IS; Ex. 32:9; Rom. 10:2D. In place of this "stiff- neckness" of their hearts Hezekiah entreats them to turn again to the Lord and not to be stiff-necked as were their fathers (v. S), that if they will turn again unto the Lord (v. 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 als4 to serve him. Most blessed results we're 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 "is gracious and merciful' (Ex. 34 :6, T; Ps. S6:5; Jonah 4:2; Mark 7:1S).