Least In Our Own Eyes

"Least In Our Own Eyes" - 2 Kings 22:16-20 (Hebrews 11:16) The ancients attained a good testimony of things not seen. All the righteous who are mentioned in Hebrews. The real explanation for this is that they were in a heavenly homeland. This is singular (uncommon, surprising) when we remember that most of the promises to the people of Israel had to do with the material blessings of this land. But they also had a heavenly hope, and this hope enabled them to treat this world as a strange country. This spirit of pilgrimage is especially pleasing to God. Darby writes, "He is not ashamed to be called; He is the God of those whose heart and portion are in heaven." He has prepared for them a city, and in it they find rest and 'contentment' and perfect peace."

I. Your heart was responsive, and you humbled yourself before the Lord.

A. Soften, he was moved.

1. The prophet confirmed Josiah's fears that God would "soon" punish Judah because of the corruption of the people.

2. God knew Josiah's tenderness and concern (2 Kings 22:19).

3. He had been "exceedingly affected" by the reading of God's word, trembled before it, and submitted to it.

4. With this 'tenderness' of heart he had humbled himself before Jehovah."

5. Those who most fear God's wrath are "those least exposed to feeling it upon themselves."

6. God thinks about Josiah's pain and stops the punishment until after Josiah's death.

7. God offers him peace.

8. God promises him that he will not live to see the great catastrophe, which would have been a small reward if there were not another world in which he would be more than (intensity, greater than that which is considered) rewarded.

9. He died in God's favor and love, a peace that could not be disturbed by the unfortunate circumstance of dying on the battlefield.

B. 1. God is the same (Hebrews 13:8)

2. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

3. (James 1:17)... who does not change, no shadow of variation.

4. God measured hearts and according to what was inside was the righteous holy judgment.

5. God cannot be mocked with our existence.

6. (Revelation 19:14) Believers who die during this period will not miss out on the blessings of the Millennial Kingdom.

7. And their works are still with them.

8. (Job 42:1, 42:6) In the act of humbling us, brethren.

9. Job is overwhelmed.

10. He's had enough!

11. He acknowledges God's sovereignty and confesses that he has spoken unwisely with his lips.

12. Now that he has not only heard the Lord, but has seen Him with his "eyes," he hates himself and repents in dust and ashes.

13. He was having such a vivid revelation of His wisdom, power, providence, and sovereignty that it was equivalent to seeing the great God face to face.

14. In Job 1:1, Job is called "upright and blameless," perfect.

15. Here, at the end of the book, he hates himself.

16. This has always been the experience of "God's chosen saints" through the ages.

17. The more you grow in grace: D.L. Moody: The smaller you are in your "own eyes."

18. It is when he becomes holy, in the eyes of God, not in your demands.

19. (Mark 14:72) And thinking of this he wept.

20. I don't know that Man.

21. A rooster's voice.

22. The world of nature seemed to protest in this way against this cowardly lie.

23. It was taking care of his little skin, just like our nature.

24. Peter immediately acknowledged that the Lord's prediction had been fulfilled.

25. When he realized this, he began to cry.

26. Learn the lesson that self-confidence leads to humiliation.

27. We must learn to distrust the self and to quench ourselves totally in the power of God. Amen.