Loving Righteousness And Hating Iniquity

by Martin Dyer, Edinburgh, Scotland | Category: Lovers Of God's House | Sept 1999

In Proverbs 8:17 we have a promise that is worth bearing in mind, 'I love them that love me; and those that seek me diligently shall find me'. In the Father's words to the Son quoted in Hebrews 1:9, He said, 'Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity' (wickedness Psalm 45:7). This love of righteousness was characteristic of the Son, who pleased the Father in all His ways. This same characteristic should also be seen in those who claim a love for the Lord. The fulfilment of the promise of Proverbs 8:17 and the characteristic of a desire 'after righteousness' is evident in the lives of many men and women of Scripture. Notable among these are Asa and Josiah, kings of Judah.

'For David's sake'

In the record of the life of Asa in 1 Kings chapter 15, it is interesting to note that his birth and accession to the throne following the death of Abijam his father, are directly linked to David his great forefather who had died a little more than sixty years previously. Verses 4 and 5 tell us:

Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem: because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

David's life and his love for the Lord and His house had repercussions well beyond his own lifetime. Note too the importance of verse 11 '...Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father'. In the life of David the Lord found a standard by which He measured Israel's kings, they walked or walked not in the ways of David their father, or did or did not that which was right as David their father. We do not live unto ourselves; our lives can have an influence for good or ill extending beyond our own lifetime. All this is so perfectly expressed in the pattern Man, the Lord Jesus Christ. In the life of His Son, God has given us a standard against which we should measure our lives. The Lord said, 'I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you' (John 13:15), and we are enjoined that in following the Master we ought 'to walk even as he walked' (1 John 2:6). The life that on earth glorified His God and Father (John 17:4), has affected countless millions not only in this life, but will do so throughout eternity.

There was an early recognition by Asa that the Lord is a holy God, 'ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy' (Lev. 11:45). Unclean, defiling men and practices had crept into Israel's national life, things that the Law of the Lord condemned. Immorality and unnatural practices were associated with the worship of many heathen deities and had no place in the worship of a holy God. Asa acted decisively in removing from the land: idols, persons and practices. Family relationships did not come between him and his perception of what was the right thing to do. His father's idols were removed and he deposed his mother Maacah from her role as queen mother owing to her links with the Asherah, a Phoenician and Canaanite goddess. The Lord had instructed Israel to cut down her altars and pillars 'for thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God' (Ex. 34:13,14). The corrupting effects of sin and idolatry are referred to by Paul in the first chapter of his epistle to the Romans. Men 'changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things' (verse 23). The following verses in the chapter make clear that the sinful nature of man has not changed through the years; the sins that Paul details are with us today. As God expected that His own holy character would be reflected in Israel, so He expects this among His people today. 'Like as he which called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy' (1 Pet. 1:15,16). 'Holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for evermore' (Ps. 93:5).

In doing that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, Asa had an influence for good on the nation. Like-minded people came together out of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, '...for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him' (2 Chr. 15:9). There were many in Israel whose hearts were toward the Lord and His house who found in Asa a leader who inspired them.

So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem ...and they sacrificed unto the LORD ...And they entered into the covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul (2 Chr. 15:10-12).

This was a lovely reflection of Deuteronomy 6:5 demonstrating love for the LORD their God. The number of sacrifices mentioned in 2 Chronicles 15:11 makes an interesting contrast with the number sacrificed by Solomon in 1 Kings 8:63, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep by Asa, and twenty-two thousand oxen and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep by Solomon. Do we have here an indication of a decline in resources because of the departure from the Lord during the preceding reigns? (See Deut. 28: vv. 4,18).

Revival under Josiah

Josiah's accession to the throne at the age of eight was followed by a rapid development of interest in spiritual things (2 Chr. 34:1,2). He did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, and while still young he began a work of reformation, purging Judah and Jerusalem and the house of the Lord, from idolatry and all its evil practices. This task took six years to accomplish. Then in the eighteenth year of his reign he began to repair the house of the Lord his God. What influences developed this interest in the Lord and His house? What a contrast with Ammon his father! (2 Chr. 33:21-25). Perhaps we have a clue in the name of Josiah's maternal grandfather Adaiah, which means 'adorned of Jah', and in the name of his mother Jedidah meaning 'beloved'. There must have been a strong influence for good in the earlier period of Josiah's life both before and after he came to the throne, and most likely it came from his grandfather and his mother. Perhaps in all this we have the fruits of a father's 'instruction' to his daughter and grandson, and the benefits of a mother's 'law' to her son (Prov. 1:8).

Josiah in turn influenced others. The priests and the Levites had been involved in the neglect of the house of the Lord and His word. In the course of repairing and setting in order, Hilkiah the priest found a book, a forgotten book in an uncared-for house. This was the book of the covenant given to Israel by the hand of Moses (Ex. 24:7) and to which Israel had pledged obedience. We learn from Hebrews 9:19 that the original book of the Law and the people had been sprinkled with blood. That was a serious occasion in Israel's history, a covenant ratified by a sacrificial death and the shedding of blood. This was a Law mandatory upon Israel, and as the book was read Josiah recognized that its statutes had not been kept and in consequence, divine judgement would follow. What ensued is one of the highlights of Israel's Old Testament history. King Josiah, priests, Levites, elders and people, gathered at the house of the Lord listening to the word of the Lord. This reading had its due effect upon all present. It led to fresh dedication and a commitment to the word of the Lord. This, in turn, led to a passover being held such as had not been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel (2 Chr. 35). Enlightenment from the word of God also resulted in a return to a divine pattern of service for the house of God given to Israel through Moses and David (vv. 6,15). What a lovely picture of order in God's house we have in this chapter: the ark of the covenant returned to its rightful place (verse 3), the priests in their place and the Levites by their courses (verse 10), the singers the sons of Asaph in their place and the porters at every gate! (verse 15). In all, a delightful illustration of Psalm 29:1,2):

Give unto the LORD, O ye sons of the mighty, Give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

A pathway

We are grateful to the Lord for those who have gone before us, who perceived from the Scriptures a pathway of truth and service for believers today; living stones, built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, to be a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession (See 1 Pet. 2:1-10). The privileges that Israel enjoyed in worship and service have fallen to the people of God today. 'For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh' (Phil. 3:3). The word through Isaiah is vital for us too, '...be ye clean, ye that bear the vessels of the LORD' (Is. 52:11).

Martin Dyer, Edinburgh, Scotland | Sept 1999
Lovers Of God's House