the idolatrous practices to which they had become accustomed by the laxity of for mer reigns. He even went so far as to dig up the bones of pagan priests and bum them. No greater manifestation of disapproval could have been expressed than this. Josiah exerted his efforts to pur ify the land even in the northern kingdom which evidently looked to the southern kingdom for protection after Sargon II captured Samaria in 722 B.C. In all of his actions Josiah had an eye single to the glory of God. Josiah's Temple Restoration vv. 8-12a The disrepair into which the temple was allowed to get by Josiah’s time in dicates how careless of the things of God the people had become. This carelessness is brought into clearer light when we note that the law of God was found in the temple at this time. (See 2 Ki. 22:8- 14.) It is a pretty sad state of affairs when the Word of God becomes lost in God’s house. Yet such is the case in many places in Christendom today. Many things are being substituted for the pure Word of God. In others its message is being seriously diluted. In Josiah’s reign he did all that he could to restore both the ma terial and the spiritual aspects of the tem ple. He wanted God to be worshipped without hindrance. Josiah’s men who car ried out his desires with respect to the restoration of the temple “ did the work faithfully” (v. 12). Thus they reflected the character of their leader. Helps for the Children A Young King 2 Chr. 34 MEMORY VERSE: ". . . Cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment [jus tice] . . ." (Isa. 1:16b, 17a). Last Sunday we talked about a 12-year- old king who did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. Today, we shall learn about an 8-year-old king who caused his people to love and to worship the Lord his God. Josiah became king when he was 8 years old. When he was only a young boy of 16, he decided that God should be the real leader of his kingdom. Josiah removed all of the idols from his land, commanded some of his men to repair the house of the Lord, and listened to one of the scribes read the book of God which had been found by the workers in the temple. Josiah tore his clothes as a sign of his sorrow for the sins of his people. As God’s book was read, the king realized how disobedient the Jews had been. Jo siah met with all of his people in the temple and read the book of the law to them. When the reading had ended, Jo siah and his people promised to keep God’s commandments from that time on. The young king might have decided to use his great power to lead others away from God. What an important choice he had to make! Each Christian boy and girl must choose every day whether those who hear him speak and who watch his life will find it easier to obey the Lord Jesus or will de sire to obey Satan. Which choice will you .make? CONTINUED ►
grieve the heart of their Lord. Sometimes God must allow trouble or pain or sorrow to come into their lives to cause them to remember His Word. When David sinned against God and others, he prayed, “ Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit within me.” When you sin, pray for your Lord’s cleansing, and pray that He will keep you from sin. June 12, 1955 Preparing Youth for God's Service 2 Chr. 34:l-12a Pointers on the Lesson Josiah’s reign shines in marked contrast to that of his two predecessors—Manasseh and Amon, and he also stands out bril liantly against the black horizon of the coming captivity. From his youth we see in Josiah a king who made an honest ef fort to serve God. Josiah's Consistency vv. 1 ,2 No man is saved or lost because of his heredity. A man’s spiritual state is de termined by his personal attitude toward God. See John 1:12,13. In the case of Josiah we see a man who was true to God in spite of the example of his father, Amon, who “ did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord” (33:22). It is stim ulating to note that Josiah did not waste any of his youth in the service of sin, but chose to do right in his earliest years. He “ declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.” He kept his eyes on the goal of pleasing God all his days. Josiah's First Reforms vv. 3-7 When Josiah was 16 he began a defi nite plan of seeking God’s favor. By the time he was 20 he was of sufficient ma turity to launch out on a program of purging all Jerusalem and Judah from
repentance is a rightabout face in spiritual matters. Evidence of Repentance vv. 14-20 The sincerity of Manasseh’s repentance is manifested by what he did following his repentance. He sought to engage in a constructive kingship in Judah. Note all the good things he did in this passage. True repentance results in holy living. It issues in spiritual fruitage. When a man really turns to God he will also turn to godly living. The two things are inseparably connected. Helps for the Children A King in Trouble 2 Chr. 33 MEMORY VERSE: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Ps. 51:10). Manasseh was only 12 years old when he became king over God’s chosen people, the Jews. For 55 years Manasseh did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. He caused the people to worship idols and to sin more than the heathen around them sinned. The Lord finally allowed enemies to take the wicked king captive to another land. During this time of punishment, Manasseh realized that his life had been sinful; he realized that the Lord was the only true God. The king prayed to God for forgiveness of his many sins. God heard his prayers and allowed him to return again to his king dom. Manasseh destroyed the idols which he had caused his people to worship; he repaired the altar in the temple and be gan to offer sacrifices to God. The wicked king had learned that even a king has trouble in his life when he does not put God first. Christian boys and girls find trouble in their hearts and in their lives when they do not obey God’s commandments. Sinful deeds, unclean thoughts and careless words
★ ★ God’ s P lan of Salvation
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Salvation is a fact. God in His infinite wisdom has formu lated a plan by which He proposes the salvation of lost men. The plan began in the mind of God. If man had been the author of a plan of salvation, he would have made salvation depend upon man’s achievement. The religions of the world say, “ Do and live.” The Bible says, “ Live and do.” The writer knows enough about human nature from years of experience in contact with men to know that the plan of salvation out lined in the Bible did not start with man. It is God’s plan. It cost the life blood of God’s Son. The Spirit o f God seals the contract and makes us know we are children of God. This plan of salvation is extended to the whole world. W h osoever w ill m ay com e. God has provided that which the human heart needs. His salvation is by grace. The gift of God is eternal life. Men cannot buy salvation. They cannot pay for it after they get it. They must accept it by faith. In the nail-pierced hand of Jesus, there is a pardon offered to all men. But this pardon has no value to the one who w ill not accept it. — Bob Jones Comments. MAY, 19 55
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