2 Chronicles 12:10 - Homilies By T. Whitelaw

Brazen shields for golden.

I. A VIRTUE . To content one's self with shields of brass when shields of gold cannot be got. "Be content with such things as ye have" ( Hebrews 13:5 ).

II. A HYPOCRISY . To pretend that brazen shields are golden, either:

1 . To hide the truth, that our shields of gold have been stolen, lost, or never had an existence: "Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees," etc. ( Luke 12:1 , Luke 12:2 ); or:

2 . To keep up appearances, and so gratify our vanity by seeming richer or more socially exalted than we are: "Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes," etc, ( Luke 20:46 ).

III. A SERMON

1 . To such as serve God with brass when they should do so with gold—an exhortation to liberality.

2 . To those who serve God with the appearance of ' gold when the inward reality is awanting—a discourse upon sincerity.

3 . To them who would serve God with gold but have only brass—a promise of better days when Jehovah's word shall be fulfilled, "For brass I will bring gold" ( Isaiah 60:17 ).—W.