“The remembrance of Josias is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the apothecary: it is sweet as honey in all mouths, and as musick at a banquet of wine.”
Perfumer. The Scripture reproaches this king alone with no fault. (Calmet)
“He directed his heart unto the Lord, and in the time of the ungodly he established the worship of God.”
Directed. Greek, “prosperous in converting the people,” 4 Kings xxii., and 2 Paralipomenon xxxiv. (Haydock) — He began when he was only eight years old: but set to work more effectually ten years afterwards. The prophets complain of the disorders which prevailed before that period. (Calmet)
“All, except David and Ezekias and Josias, were defective: for they forsook the law of the most High, even the kings of Juda failed.”
Sinners. Or “sins,” when iniquity was become fashionable. He consulted no false policy, (Haydock) but boldly exerted himself in God’s service, and even invited the Israelites out of his dominions to come and celebrate the passover, 2 Paralipomenon xxxiv. 6. (Calmet) — They belonged, in effect to him, as the twelve tribes were all promised to David’s family, and the kingdom of Jeroboam was only a rebellion, chap. xlvii. 23. (Haydock)
“Therefore he gave their power unto others, and their glory to a strange nation.”
Sin. The two former effaced their sins by repentance, and never tolerated idolatry, which even Josaphat and Asa did, (3 Kings xxii. 43., &c.; Calmet) not destroying the high places. Many others yielded not to idol worship. (Worthington)
“They burnt the chosen city of the sanctuary, and made the streets desolate, according to the prophecy of Jeremias.”
Despised. Greek, “they failed,” and lost the crown.
“For they entreated him evil, who nevertheless was a prophet, sanctified in his mother's womb, that he might root out, and afflict, and destroy; and that he might build up also, and plant.”
They gave. Achaz called in to his assistance the king of Assyria, who afterwards claimed the kingdom as tributary to him, 4 Kings xviii. 7, 14. Greek, “He (God, Calmet; Alexandrian copy has They) gave their horn,” &c. (Haydock)
“It was Ezekiel who saw the glorious vision, which was shewed him upon the chariot of the cherubims.”
Holiness. Jerusalem, which was styled holy, in the sicles of Simon. — Desolate. No one came to the festivals, Lamentations i. 4.
“For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of the rain, and directed them that went right.”
Renew. To foretell the destruction and establishment of kingdoms, Jeremias i. 5, 10.
“And of the twelve prophets let the memorial be blessed, and let their bones flourish again out of their place: for they comforted Jacob, and delivered them by assured hope.”
Cherubims. Ezechiel i. 4., and viii. 1., and x. 1.
“How shall we magnify Zorobabel? even he was as a signet on the right hand:”
Rain. Denoting great misery, Ezechiel xiii. 11., and xxxviii. 22. (Calmet) — And of. Literally, “to do good,” (Haydock) or to announce the liberation of the penitent captives, Ezechiel xviii. 21., and xxiii. 16., &c.
“So was Jesus the son of Josedec: who in their time builded the house, and set up an holy temple to the Lord, which was prepared for everlasting glory.”
Place. Chap. xlv. 15. The Pharisees adorned the tombs of the prophets, Matthew xxiii. 29. Daniel is not mentioned among them, because he lived at court.
“And among the elect was Neemias, whose renown is great, who raised up for us the walls that were fallen, and set up the gates and the bars, and raised up our ruins again.”
Hand. Most precious, Jeremias xxii. 24., and Canticle of Canticles viii. 6.
“But upon the earth was no man created like Enoch; for he was taken from the earth.”
Josedec. He was a noble figure of Christ, and helped to build the temple, Aggeus i. 2., and ii. 3., and Zacharias iii. 1., and vi. 11.
“Neither was there a young man born like Joseph, a governor of his brethren, a stay of the people, whose bones were regarded of the Lord.”
Houses. He laboured much for the people’s welfare, 2 Esdras v.
“Sem and Seth were in great honour among men, and so was Adam above every living thing in creation.”
Henoch. Before the deluge. (Menochius) — He stood up for the Lord, amid the most corrupt people, and was translated, chap. xliv. 16. He and Joseph have many advantages over the rest. (Calmet)
Joseph. He has not been named, but designated, chap. xliv. 27. (Calmet) — Who. Greek, the “ruler,” &c. (Haydock)
They prophesied. That is, by their being carried out of Egypt, they verified the prophetic prediction of Joseph, Genesis l. (Challoner) (Carriers.) — This sentence is omitted in Greek. (Haydock) — See chap. xlviii. 14. — Joseph had intimated that the Israelites should leave Egypt. (Worthington)
Men. The former was the father of the faithful, before the deluge; the latter after. (Calmet) — Beginning. Greek, “in the creation” was appointed to rule. (Haydock) — He alone among men was innocent, coming from the hands of God, and he might glory that he had no other father. (Calmet) — Eve enjoyed the like privileges. (Haydock)