2 CHRONICLES 36 (NOTES OF A READING)
2 CHRONICLES 36 (NOTES OF A READING)
CAC I suppose the state of things here is the result of the people not receiving the gain of the great revival of Josiah’s day. The book of the law had been received and produced much exercise in the king and others, resulting in a great adjustment of things and a revival of the service of God. But it soon came to light that those who had outwardly participated in the results of that revival were not inwardly held by it.
Ques Is there any parallel on this line to the assembly?
CAC It raises the question whether we have really profited by the great revival that has taken place during these last days. The Scriptures being extant to us is a very great matter in the sight of God. We do not think much of the fact that we all have bibles, but it is an immense thing, a thing of which our brethren knew nothing for many centuries. And then not only was the book of the law restored, but there was a living ministry through the prophets. A good many of them had finished their course but Jeremiah was still ministering the prophetic word from the mouth of Jehovah.
Rem There was a disregard of all these things, and if what is of God is disregarded we are sure to fall in some way or other under what is of man.
CAC King Jehoiakim was a very solemn contrast to his father. His father trembled at the word of God, but he himself was prepared to disregard the book of the Lord and the prophetic word, and burn it with fire. I think,
too, we find in the prophets the real state of the people exposed. Even when there was outward revival and the restoration of the house and its service, the state of the people was dreadful; it is exposed in the prophets.
Rem So that what is important is not a fair outward order, but that there should be a work deep down in the people, a state commensurate with what was outward.
CAC That is what I was thinking. In Jeremiah and Baruch we see a remnant holding what was of God, preserved in heart and spirit from what was in the surrounding country, and it is a very enviable spirit, is it not? We should all beware of being carried by what is only external. We are only really carried along by God in our spirits. Does agonising in prayer mark us? It is a time of departure and that calls for agonising in prayer, not merely praying.
Rem We are affected by all that is around us. There must be what is individual and real and vital with us, to stand.
CAC While our associations are of very great importance, our personal spiritual condition is more important still. But we have the privilege of personal nearness to the Lord just in regard of the very conditions in which we are found. We should all be encouraged by that.
Rem In Daniel features come to light in keeping with what you are saying.
CAC Evidently Daniel had paid attention to the prophetic word of Jeremiah. Oh! these men are a great example for us in these days.
Ques What have we to learn from the two captivities, one in Egypt and then a second in Babylon?
CAC I think God brings His discipline and governmental ways upon us in stages, having in mind that repentance might be brought about. It is like the stages of judgment in Revelation, the series of trumpets and bowls, all in a view of repentance, and they become intensified. And they will increase in severity, having repentance in view, that we may judge all He judges and come into line with all He brings in in Christ (in Cyrus typically). God falls back on His own sovereignty, which is what He is doing largely today, and He is making a selection of certain persons (not better than others) in view of His own testimony, but for His own name’s sake. He has passed by great ones in the christian profession and taken up nobodies like ourselves.
Rem It shows how God carries things through, He selects persons for this, and if they fail in it, He brings in His judgment, all in view of carrying things through.
CAC Yes.
Rem It is written for our encouragement that however dark the day there is something going through.
CAC Yes, that is what we have been thinking in reading this book, written by Ezra afterwards; so that recovery is made prominent in the book and we want to be in it.
Ques At the end of Jehoiakim’s history, it speaks of what was found in him. Is that how God takes account of him?
CAC In fact very little was found in him for God, but it was taken account of.
Rem The last two verses of the chapter show the way God has His reserves as against a great dark background. It is stimulating.
Ques One of the points in Jeremiah is that there should be subjection to Jehovah. Is it not a very important matter?
CAC I am sure it is.
Rem They were to pray for the city where they were captives.
CAC God can do anything with a subject vessel.
Rem Jeremiah was taken to Egypt.
CAC He had to learn subjection. Sometimes it is right to submit to what comes upon us, even if we do not like it.
Ques We have to accept captivity conditions sometimes. Is salvation found in accepting? Are submission and subjection two things we have to learn?
CAC Yes, I think they are important things.
Rem The word of God, and the mouth of Jeremiah in this, makes it evident that God makes His voice heard.
CAC So we are tested whether we can discern God speaking. It was obvious in Jeremiah, but not so with Necho.
Rem If we are arrested on a course, it is well to ask ourselves why.
CAC God may use an unconverted man to check me. Am I spiritual enough to discern it is God’s voice? What is serious in this chapter is that the vessels are carried away; even the holy things fall under the power of the world.
Ques What would answer to the vessels and the holy things?
CAC Well, I suppose from this point of view things in themselves very precious, and in themselves intended to contribute to the glory of God, may be made part of a human system for the glory of man.
Ques Has that been done to many of our brethren?
CAC And the system is accredited, as it were, by their presence.
Rem In Isaiah 22:24 all the vessels hang on Christ for divine pleasure.
CAC The government of God is to be submitted to under all circumstances, though it may appear sometimes that the vessels of God are given over to idolatrous purposes.
Ques To what would the breaking down of the wall of Jerusalem refer?
CAC That is what the enemy would always like to do. It was the work of Nehemiah to set it up again. It represents the important principles of fellowship, which are the great protection of the house of God. Satan is always ready to break them down, so as to mix up what is of God with what is of man.
Ques What is keeping sabbath? “All the days of its desolation it kept sabbath, to fulfil seventy years” (verse 21).
CAC I suppose the people had not observed the sabbatical year from about the time of Solomon, so that seventy sabbatical years had been missed and they had to wait to make up the sabbatical years, showing that while things may be right outwardly, what is of God may be neglected. If you reckon it back it will come to about Solomon’s reign.
Rem Joel 2: 25 speaks of “the years that the locust hath eaten”.
CAC I hardly think the locusts would have had anything if the sabbatical year had been kept. It is most touching to see the tenderness and fidelity of divine love. God makes a long day of it, as it were. Christendom is not given up yet, but is a subject of God’s solicitude and divine care. He stands at the door and knocks. His great solicitude and care is that man might have to do with divine Persons.
Rem As well as what was taken from the house, there was the loss of the treasures also of the king and his princes.
CAC If we do not give to the Lord what is due to Him, we shall lose what is ours.
Rem The last part of verse 15 gives the longsuffering of God in view of blessing for His people, and of what is for His glory: two things God always has before Him.
CAC Yes.