Hopes that betray.
The king, continuing in his rebellion against God as well as against Nebuchadnezzar, invoked the aid of Pharaoh-Necho. At the tidings of his advance the Chaldeans raised the siege, but only that they might defeat the Egyptians, and return again in greater force and fury.
I. THE NATURE OF THESE HOPES.
1. They are based upon human means alone.
2. They arise from following the dictates of our own will and wisdom.
II. HOW THEY BETRAY.
1. They are full of promise, and gain confidence.
2. They must fail,
3. They spiritually ruin. They lead us first to ignore and then to resist the will of God. In this alone is our welfare secured. For although the first expression and demand of that will be gloomy and severe, the end of it to the obedient is peace and salvation (1 Peter 1:3-9).—M.