2 KINGS 11 (JOTTINGS OF A READING)
2 KINGS 11 (JOTTINGS OF A READING)
CAC Joash is the first king since Solomon to be a definite type of Christ — a type that should appeal to our hearts in a peculiar way as one hidden and preserved of God in a time of apostasy. It is typical of the place Christ has in His assembly,
[p. 241] kept all the while in their affections until publicly manifested. He is treasured in the house of the Lord at a time when the antichristian element is dominant in the world. God does not intend that Christ shall not have a place, and He will preserve whatever is precious to Himself.
Jehosheba means, ‘The oath of Jehovah’, indicating faithfulness to preserve everything of Christ in a day of apostasy, because of God’s faithfulness, and also of faithfulness in men. To be entrusted with Christ is more honourable than to trust Christ. The apostle says, “Keep, by the Holy Spirit which dwells in us, the good deposit entrusted” (2 Timothy 1: 14); in one word that must be Christ. All has now to be guarded, and we are to be His ‘bodyguard’.
Rem Here it is the priest, not the prophet. Eleazar had to stand before Joshua.
CAC The priestly element is to be controlled. The priestly element is necessary, therefore the king and priest go together.
The nurse of Joash would indicate the tender care for that which is youthful among us of Christ. What do we know of Christ? None of us could set up to know much of Him. Those knowing most would say they knew but little. What do we know of the sonship of Christ?
There is at the present time no fresh element of evil. The apostle wrote, “It is the last hour” (1 John 2: 18) and all the elements were present before the apostles left this scene. Here it is to sworn men that the king’s son is shown. If people are anxious to find the Lord, where will they find Him today? In the same place, in the house of the Lord. You will not find Him in public places. In the beginning of Luke He was found in the hearts of a few; Simeon, Anna, Elizabeth, and others. Elizabeth means, ‘The oath of God’. Faithfulness is the great outstanding feature of God, so His people must swear, too, and be like Him. Can God commit to us His thoughts of Christ today?
Ques We speak much of the military element, but is not [p. 242] the nursing element needed as well, when that which is of Christ is small?
CAC Yes indeed. Paul says of the Galatians, “Of whom I again travail in birth until Christ shall have been formed in you” (Galatians 4: 19). They had not really come into this wonderful trust. That is our business, brethren. To nourish that, for Christ will have no place unless He is built up in the hearts of His people. One side is connected with the hidden character of things — the treasure hidden in the field, treasure which when found a man hides. The Lord is not competing with the public position; He accepts the hidden position, and so must we.
The word ‘sacrament’ means originally in Latin, ‘A military oath of allegiance’. The Supper is the most solemn oath we can put our hand to. It is allegiance to Christ as the rejected One and who is hidden. We announce His death “until he come” (1 Corinthians 11: 26). I have often said that the faithfulness of God is the rock of eternity, but God looks for faithfulness in His people too.
This was all done before they saw the king’s son, and no one else will see Him otherwise. They were His bodyguard, before the oath was taken. We are more apt to think of our being taken care of by Christ, but that is an infantile thought. The division into three companies would suggest we have to accept our allotted part in the guarding. We need our weapons in our hands or we may make friends with the world. Peter used his in a carnal way, and so had none when he went into the high priest’s palace. Paul tells us what his weapons are in 2 Corinthians 10: 4. The couriers would be like Anna who had the remarkable faculty of knowing the people to speak to. David’s weapons were ancient things.
Rem We can go back one hundred years.
CAC Yes, we can go back nineteen hundred years! Every spiritual weapon in the house of God is available to us if we are man enough to use it.
The Lord’s sonship is the great truth brought forward [p. 243] lately. What God is doing today is a profound secret, only known to sworn men who were to be with the king, “When he goes out and when he comes in” (verse 8). The Lord has movements among His own. It is Christ as Son getting His place in the house circle: the assembly is where Christ gets the place that is due to Him. It is what His supper is intended to lead to. The Supper is the beginning of our meeting, not the end. A circle is provided where He is, in view of His glory and of worshipping Him.
As Lord He is predominant: as the Son He is pre-eminent. The Supper is in His absence, but when we make Him a supper He is there and all worship goes out to Him. We may not be conscious, but the Lord is conscious when He has His place, and is then free to lead us to His God and Father. Lazarus was raised to be a companion of the One who raised him. If the breaking of bread is early there is more room to pass on.
Rem The conditions must be there.
CAC The conditions are generally there, and we should be ready to come under the influence of the bread and the cup. We must bring the conditions with us to the meetings. The sisters can get all their prayers expressed in public. We can count on spiritual affections in the saints — they are there. It would be good for each to come having asked in their chamber beforehand for an impression of Christ they never had before. I know next to nothing of Him, He is so great — I say honestly. Why, He is infinitely great! If there is joy over a sinner repenting, do you not think there is greater joy to God to hear a saint pray for a greater and deeper impression of Christ? There is something far better than ministry. It is better than ministry to get the presence of Christ. He is greater than ministry. He is greater in Himself than all the ministry of the apostles.
Ques “He was manifested in another form ... to them” (Mark 16: 12). Would that be it?
CAC Yes, worshipping is as He is present. They brought forth the king’s son and crowned him. This chapter is one of the most beautiful scriptures in the Old Testament applying to the present time. We are getting it now beforehand. The greatest thought of all is the knowledge of the king’s son.