Jehoiada waxed old.
A message for the aged
I. Examine the name of this aged priest. “Jehoiada”--“one who has knowledge of Jehovah.”
1. He had been experimentally acquainted with Jehovah in His fatherly and merciful character.
2. He had as priest special opportunities of gaining acquaintance with God.
II. Consider his beneficent influence in--
1. Instructing the youthful king.
2. Acting as regent of the kingdom.
3. Patriotically serving his country and promoting the well-being of her people.
4. Doing good to, and in connection with, the house of God.
III. Contemplate the honoured close of a long and useful life. (Fairfax Goodall, M.A.)
Religious instructors useful to civil society
Some have conjectured that these words were a part of an epitaph put upon Jehoiada’s tomb. They express the high sense which the nation entertained of his eminent usefulness in his sacred profession.
I. The common opinion of mankind respecting the usefulness of religious instructors in civil society. The opinion of the world upon this subject is evidenced by their uniform and immemorial practice. Jews, Christians, and heathen have universally agreed to support religious teachers.
II. This common opinion of mankind respecting religious instructors is well founded.
1. The common opinion of the world is generally just. Men seldom form a wrong judgment of those things which come under their own observation and experience.
2. Another argument is drawn--
(1) From the duties which the ministers of religion ought to teach.
(a) The duties which rulers owe to their subjects.
(b) The duties which subjects owe to their rulers.
(c) Every private as well as public duty.
(2) From the motives by which they ought to enforce all their religious instructions.
(a) The being and presence of the all-seeing and heart-searching God.
(b) The infinite authority of all His precepts and prohibitions.
(c) The controlling influence of His universal providence.
(d) Future and eternal rewards and punishments.
III. Suggestions.
1. Since men in all ages have generally and justly agreed in the opinion that religious instructors are useful in civil society, it discovers no less ignorance than presumption in those who adopt and endeavour to propagate the opposite sentiment.
(1) It betrays want of knowledge in the science of politics.
(2) It betrays ignorance of the impotency of human laws.
2. None are fit for civil rulers who would exclude religious instructors from civil society.
3. A people ought to consider the gift of wise and faithful ministers as a great public blessing.
4. It is the wisdom and duty of civil rulers to favour the cause of religion and employ every proper method to promote the general diffusion of religious knowledge.
5. It argues a great degree of infatuation in those who govern to oppose or restrain religious instruction.
6. It is extremely difficult for civil rulers to subvert a good government while religious teachers faithfully discharge their duty.
7. Ministers of the gospel ought to exert all the power and influence which their sacred office gives them to prevent the ruin of the nation.
8. We have great reason to fear the displeasure of God for neglecting and abusing the ministrations of His Word. (N. Emmons, D.D.)