2 Chronicles 34:27 Because your heart was tender, and you did humble yourself before God, when you heard his words against this place… "Rending of clothes" was a thing frequently used in old times, and it was a visible representation of the inward sorrow of the heart (Job 1:20; Job 2:12; Acts 14:14; Mark 14:63; Isaiah 37:1). It was frequently used among the heathen also. Observe — I. THAT THE BODY AND SOUL MUST JOIN TOGETHER IN THE ACTION OF HUMILIATION. II. THAT WHEN GOD WILL AFFLICT OR HUMBLE A MAN, IT IS NOT A KINGDOM THAT WILL SAVE HIM. III. THAT TEARS AND MOURNING FOR SIN, WHEN IT COMES FROM INWARD GRIEF, IS A TEMPER WELL BEFITTING ANY MAN. IV. THAT IT CONCERNS MAGISTRATES ABOVE ALL OTHERS, TO TAKE TO HEART ANY DANGER WHATSOEVER THAT IS UPON THEIR PEOPLE. V. THAT IT IS THE DUTY OF EVERY CHRISTIAN TO TAKE TO HEART THE THREATENING OF GOD AGAINST THE PLACE AND PEOPLE WHERE HE DOTH LIVE. VI. THAT GOD TAKES A PARTICULAR NOTICE AND UNDERSTANDS THE PRAYERS WE MAKE UNTO HIM. God hears our prayers, because — 1. He is gracious and merciful. 2. He is our Father. 3. He has promised to do so (Psalm 1:15). 4. They are the motions of His own Spirit (Romans 8:26, 27). 5. They are offered up in the name of a Mediator. 6. They are made according to His will.Conclusion: If we would have God hear us, then — 1. Let us hear God as Josiah did. 2. Our prayers must proceed from a broken heart. 3. We must add to them the wings of love, faith, hope and earnestness, as Josiah did here. 4. Let us have such a resolution and purpose of reformation like Josiah's. ( R. Sibbes..) Parallel Verses KJV: Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD. |
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