What these burdens were the Holy Ghost hath not thought proper to record. That Joash thus died, and his son Amaziah became his successor, is the finishing part of his history. Alas! what a melancholy page it forms!
REFLECTIONS
The improvements to be gathered from the perusal of this chapter seem very obvious, and as important as they are plain. In the conduct of Joash we see to what an extent men may go in carrying on the purposes of religion when outward circumstances correspond to make it their interest, while all the while rottenness at the core is in the heart. In all this outside reform how plain is it that there is no regeneration, no work of God the Spirit; no turning of the heart to God; no real regard for his honour and glory. Oh! thou blessed Spirit of truth, thou glorifier of Jesus, let thy work on my soul be manifest. Plead, I beseech thee, O Almighty Lord, with my soul, and in my soul, the cause of Jesus. By thy discoveries to my own view of sin, of unbelief, of lusts, and all the train of corrupt affections, oh! give me to see, to feel, and to be earnest in seeking after Jesus in all his fullness, suitableness, and grace, that my whole soul may be truly brought over from dead works to serve the living and true God.
In the death of Zechariah let us behold the real, solid, and substantial worth of true faith. Oh! for grace to be the followers of them who now through faith and patience inherit the promises! See my soul, what a precious testimony the Lord Jesus in ages after gave to this his faithful servant's death. And thou, who livest in happier times, and art not called upon to resist unto blood, see that thou art always ready to bear testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus. Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Like Paul, count not thy life dear unto thyself, so that thou mayest finish thy course with joy, in fighting the good fight of faith, and laying hold of eternal life. Surrounded with such a cloud of witnesses, learn to run with patience the race that is set before thee, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of faith. Precious Lord! in all things do thou have the pre-eminency.