6 local and transitory, Let Thy light and Thy truth be with Thy holy one.'- He said unto his father and unto his 'mother, I have not seen him, neither did he acknowledge 'his brother, nor know his own children.' So the greatest of the tribe of Levi described their stern disregard of any human affection-the source at once of their strength and of their weakness, of their faith and of their fanaticism. So he described the virtue of a religious ministry in language which may rise far above its original meaning, to denote that high impartiality which rises beyond all earthly and family connections, in consideration of the greater claims of justice, mercy, and truth; and through the long continuance of their power and of their name, the benediction upon them, couched in language almost as fierce as their own deeds, has received a fulfilment beyond that which has fallen to the lot of any other earthly organisation: Bless, LORD, his sub'stance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through 'the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that 'hate him, that they rise not again.'1 'Deut. xxxiii. 8-11. Compare Michaelis's Laws of Moses, Art. 52. LECTURE XXXVII. ORIGINAL AUTHORITIES. 1. 'Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel' (Amaziah), 2 Chr. xxv. 26; ibid. (Ahaz) xxviii. 26; or 'of Israel and Judah' (Jotham), xxvii. 7. 2. Book of the Chronicles (literally 'words of the days') of the Kings of Judah (Amaziah), 2 Kings xiv. 18; ibid. (Azariah) xv. 6; ibid. (Jotham); xv. 36; ibid. (Ahaz) xvi. 19. 3. Acts (literally words ') of Uzziah, first and last,' by Isaiah, 2 Chr. xxvi. 22. 4. Joel; Amos; Micah; Zech. ix.—xi.; Isaiah i. 6, ii. 2, iv. 6, v. 1–14. 433 LECTURE XXXVII. THE AGE OF UZZIAH. B. C. THE century on which we now enter represents a vigorous struggle of three able sovereigns, to raise the kingdom from the state of depression into which it had fallen since the death of Jehoshaphat—a struggle partly successful, but partly frustrated by calamities beyond the control of human power. The first step was the reconquest of Edom by Amaziah. Amaziah. A victory was gained in the neighbourhood of the Dead Sea, Petra was taken, and the prisoners thrown down from the cliffs of their own city. This enterprise had been deemed so important, that Amaziah had, in the first instance, hired Israelite mercenaries to assist him; and when it was accomplished, he was so elated as to challenge the King of Israel to fight for his own. But the proud house of Jehu was not thus to be dealt with. to recover from its misfortunes. Israel was just beginning with the little kingdom of Judah, take the attitude of the lofty cedar looking down on the humble thistle. A decisive defeat at Bethshemesh reduced Amaziah to submission. The northern wall of Jerusalem was dismantled by the conqueror, and, as usual, the sacred treasures carried off. For fifteen years Amaziah survived the disgrace; but it rankled in the hearts of his people. He was murdered at Lachish, a Philistine fortress now rising into importance. His body 12 Chr. xxv. 6-17; 2 Kings xiv. 7, 8. 837-808. Uzziah. B. C. 808-757. was brought on horseback to Jerusalem, and buried in state, and by a formal popular election his youthful son Uzziah or Azariah succeeded to the throne.1 An obscurity rests on Uzziah's reign, the longest except that of Manasseh, the most prosperous excepting that of Jehoshaphat, since the time of Solomon. In the narrative of the Book of Kings this long period is passed over in almost absolute silence. It is from the Book of Chronicles that we derive our impressions of his splendour. His first endeavour was to follow up his father's conquest of Edom by the reestablishment of the port of Elath, and, consequently, of the commerce on the gulf of Akaba. In the confusion which attended the fall of the house of Jehu, large portions of the east and south-east of the Jordan also fell under his power. The wild Arabian tribes that had shown such an independent spirit against Joram were subdued.2 The Ammonites, who had formerly belonged to the Kings of Israel, and had asserted their independence, paid tribute to him.3 Into the southern desert, as far as the frontier of Egypt, his name 'spread abroad.'4 On the west, the turbulent Philistines were attacked, and three of their fortresses razed to the ground.5 He consolidated his internal resources in every quarter. The weak point of the walls of Jerusalem which had suffered from the late inroad of Israel he fortified. He prepared, seemingly with a skill and a zeal unprecedented in the military experience of Judah, projectiles of all sorts against besiegers, as well as the more common weapons for the soldiers of the army. The army was reorganised. The ancient body of the six hundred heroes of David seem to have been superseded by a more numerous body, bearing the 12 Chr. xxv. 27-xxvi. 1; 2 Kings xiv. 19-21. 22 Chr. xxvi. 2-7 (Heb. and LXX.). * 2 Chr. xxvi. 7, 8; Isa. xvi. 1. • Ibid. 6. same name, but consisting of the heads of families.1 The numbering of the fighting population, which in David's reign had been regarded with aversion and awe, was now effected without scruple, under the chief officers of the court and camp. Nor was he neglectful of the arts of peace. He built towers on the frontier of the desert. He dug wells for the protection and support of his numerous herds of cattle, both in the level country of Philistia and in the downs on the east of the Jordan. He had vineyards on the southern Carmel for he loved husbandry.' 2 In all these departments, his success seemed to correspond to his double name; 'the strength of Jehovah' (Azar-iah) and the help of Jehovah' (Uzz-iah); and, accordingly, the Chronicler again and again insists on the pre-eminent greatness he had attained. God helped him.' He strengthened 'himself exceedingly.' He was marvellously helped'... 'he was strong.' Nor did his prosperity cease at his death. Slight as are the notices of his son Jotham, they are all of Jotham. B. C. the same kind. . He fortified the city and Temple. He too 757-738. built cities on the Judæan mountains, and castles and towers in the forests. He also repressed every effort of revolt amongst the Ammonites, and of him as of his father, though more shortly, it is said that he was strong.' The country swelled with a consciousness of vigour. Its cedars of Lebanon, its oaks of Bashan, its high mountains and hills, covered each with its high tower and fortress, seemed to defy God Himself. The commerce of Uzziah still loaded the ships of Tarshish with articles of costly and beautiful merchandise.7 |