A truth, a test, and a solution.
We have here—
I. A TRUTH RESPECTING AN INDIVIDUAL DEATH; viz. that we may hope or may fear too much from the death of one man. Philistia was evidently inclined to hope too much from the death of a Jewish king; another was arising (Hezekiah) who would be to his predecessor what a cockatrice was to a serpent—a still more formidable enemy. (2 Kings 18:8). The wicked nation, or the unprincipled party, or the unscrupulous man that indulges a feeling of security because some strong opponent is dead may, probably will, find itself (himself) miserably disappointed. The resources of a righteous providence are not exhausted, though a very pillar of justice be fallen. Or, on the other hand, the righteous may fear too much from the death of a powerful friend. Will not the good cause perish now that the tongue of its most able advocate is silent in death? Christianity did not perish with the departure of Christ or with the death of the apostles. The Father of spirits will not let righteousness expire for want of righteous men, whom he can create and endow and send forth into the world.
II. A TEST FOR THE COMMUNITY. IS the nation, is the Church, doing its work, fulfilling its Master's will concerning it? One good, if not faultless, test is found in the answer to the question—Is it carting for its humblest members? If nothing better can be said for the nation than that its monarch is living in magnificence, or that its rulers or nobles are possessed of great wealth and rejoicing in splendid luxury, then is that nation rapidly descending to ruin. If nothing better can be said for the Church than that its hierarchy is powerful or its ministers well sustained, then is that Church a long way from its Lord's ideal. It is when it can be said of the one that "the firstborn (the poorest) of the poor feed, and the needy lie down in safety" (Isaiah 14:30), and of the other that "the poor of the people trust in it," or "betake themselves unto it" (Isaiah 14:32),—it is then that the end of their existence is answered. The "community" exists for "the common people," and especially the Church exists for the "little ones," the poor, the needy, the unbefriended, the young, the dependent.
III. THE SOLUTION OF PROSPERITY. What should be the answer given to the "messengers of the nation" inquiring about the deliverance of Jerusalem? This: "The Lord hath founded Zion" (Isaiah 14:32). This is the best account we can give to others, as it is the best we can give to ourselves, of any deliverance or of any prosperity we may be enjoying. To refer it to good fortune is shallow and irreverent. To ascribe it to our own ability or energy, or to that of our friends, is insufficient and, it may be: spiritually harmful. We are safe and wise in attributing it to God (Psalms 87:7; Psalms 89:17; Psalms 115:1; 1 Corinthians 4:7). Our faculties, our resources, our opportunities, are all of him; and from him come the energizing force and the overruling power without which all our efforts must be in vain. The reverent and religious spirit
HOMILIES BY R. TUCK