Jeremiah 22:15, 16 Shall you reign, because you close yourself in cedar? did not your father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice… The contrast between Josiah and his son has had many a parallel. The family emerges from honest homespun into splendid dishonor, dropping its virtues and its religion as it goes. In all periods of external development and material civilization it is well to remember that true greatness must be in the man and not in his circumstances, and that the richest amongst us cannot afford to do without the graces and benevolence that dignify and adorn even the humblest life. I. SHAM ROYALTY. "Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar?" With such persons the romp of circumstance is everything. Autocratic imperiousness is mistaken for empire. The whole superstructure is unsafe because the foundation is false. The ground is undermined. In proportion as men lose the reality of power they grasp at its shadow. II. TRUE ROYALTY. Essentially a spiritual thing. 1. In what it consists. In moral authority and real influence over men. This is never impaired by mere loss of external circumstance. The true king does not require his crown. 2. How it is secured. By (1) dependence on God, (2) simplicity of personal wants, (3) singleness of patriotic purpose, (4) sympathy with the ruled. It was well with him. This repetition is intended to impress. "Then it was well with him" - an emphasis of time that was to be noted. Josiah himself had gone away from this ideal life and God cast him off. - M. Parallel Verses KJV: Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him? |
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