Lesson. The Word of God is quick and powerful.
II. God's Message to Josiah (15—20). As in time of Judges, when Deborah was prophetess (Judges iv. 4), God speaks by a woman; double message.
To the people. A terrible punishment, as foretold in the Law, because of their sin. Had forsaken God—turned aside to other gods. Had not repented, therefore His wrath kindled against them.
To Josiah. His heart was humble; attended to God's message; he did weep for the people's sin. God has heard him—he shall be spared. The judgment shall not come in his time; his end shall be peace.
Lessons. 1. God ever the same. He must punish sin. He will deliver the just.
2. As then, so now, He sends warning by His Book, His ministers, and teachers.
3. Why will ye die? Return unto the Lord.
The Bible a Delight.
One day, when walking through Wales, Mr. Hone, the author, stopped at a cottage door and found a little girl reading the Bible. He asked for a glass of water, which was quickly brought to him. Getting into conversation with the girl, he asked her how she liked learning her task out of the Bible. "Oh," she said, "it is not a task to read it; I love it." Seeing his surprise, she added, "I thought everybody loved the Bible." The arrow went home. Hone pondered over her remark and began to read the Bible for himself, and from that time read the sacred book constantly. Before long, instead of being an opponent of the Bible, he became one of its strongest defenders, for he, like the child, had learned to love it.
December 11th.—Trying to Destroy God's Word.
To read—Jer. xxxvi. 20-32. Golden Text—Isaiah xl. 8.