Homilist 2 Kings 3:1-3 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah… Two subjects are here illustrated — I. That whilst the forms of evil may change, the principle may continue rampant. His father and mother worshipped Baal, but the very "image" of the idol "that his father had made he put away." But notwithstanding that, "he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam." Observe: 1. Though the existing generation sins not in the form of the preceding, their sin is not less sin on that account. The forms in which barbarians and our uncivilised ancestors sinned, appear gross and revolting to us; nevertheless, our sins are not the less real and heinous in the sight of God. Our civilisation hides the revolting hideousness, but leaves its spirit perhaps more active than ever. 2. That mere external reformations may leave the spirit of evil as rampant as ever. Jehoram "put away the image of Baal," but the spirit of idolatry remained in him in all its wonted force. "He cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin: he departed not therefrom." This is ever true. You may destroy this form of government or that, monarchical or democratic, and yet leave the spirit in which these forms work, vital and vigorous to manifest itself in other forms. Another subject illustrated here is — II. THAT WHILST SIN MAY ONLY BE IN THE FORM OF NEGLECT OF DUTY IT MAY IN THE CASE OF ONE MAN ENTAIL SERIOUS EVILS ON POSTERITY. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years. |
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