Goodness as a Morning Cloud

Spurgeon, Charles Haddon

2 Chronicles 24:2

And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

There are certain characters that are great curiosities. There are also other characters that are great monstrosities. The ease of Joash is s very extraordinary one. From his history learn —

I. THAT IT IS A GREAT BLESSING WHEN PEOPLE YIELD TO GODLY INFLUENCES.

1. The first six years of Joash's life were spent in the temple.

2. He was started in life's business in a very admirable way.

3. He was outwardly obedient to the law of the Lord in the days of Jehoiada.

4. He was zealous for the externals of religion.

5. He influenced others for good.

II. GOOD AS ALL THIS IS, IT IS NOT ALL THAT IS NEEDED.

1. This is not yielding the heart to God.

2. All this yielding to godly influences may exist without any personal, vital godliness whatever.

3. An externally pious character may even prevent men from being saved at all. It may lead a man to take for granted that he is saved.

4. To be under godly influences year after year, without any great trial or temptation, may leave the personal character altogether undeveloped.We must have some kind of test, or else we cannot be sure of the character. You cannot be sure about principle being in any young man if he has been kept under a glass case, and if his principles have never been tried. The real character of Joash had never come out at all, because Jehoiada, as it were, covered him. His own disposition was only waiting the opportunity of developing itself. I have heard of an officer in India who had brought up a young leopard. It was apparently as tame as a cat. One afternoon, while asleep in his chair, the leopard licked his hand in all tenderness as a cat might have done; but after licking awhile it licked too hard and a little blood began to flow. It no sooner tasted blood than the old leopard spirit was up, and his master was his master no more. So does it happen to many that being shut in, and tamed, as it were, but not changed, subdued but not renewed, kept in check but not converted, there has come a time afterwards when the taste of blood has called out the old nature, and away the man has gone.

III. THIS YIELDING CHARACTER MAY EVEN PROVE A SOURCE OF MISCHIEF. The princes of Judah came and "made obeisance to the king." What followed?

1. Joash went off to sin.

2. He refused reproof.

3. He slew his friend's son.

4. Having no faith in God, he robbed the temple, and gave all the gold and treasures unto Hazael the Syrian.

worlddic.com