Passaic City record., 1892-02-27
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
FEBRUARY 28.
Lesson Text: Jeremiah Prosecuted, /"
xxxvif., 11-21-Golden Text:
Jeremiah H., 19-Commentary.

JeIuS<1lem IOf lear OF IQafdOlS army" we
are now in the reign OF Zedekiah, son of
Josiah, the last of the kings of Judah. He,
like the three who preceded him, would not
listen to the words of Jehovah, although at
times he seemed inclined to do differently, ,as
we shall see, and even asked the prophet to
pray for him and for the people; verses 1-3
But the end was now near; the city is be-
sieged, and God is about to give The dearly
beloved of His sour into the hands of her
enemies tchapter xiii, ~. There is however.
z little respite, for Pharaoh's army comes
forth out OF EGYPT, and the Chaldeans de-
part from Jerusalem lverses .. lO.
IL. "Then jeremiah went forth out of
to separate himself thence in the midst Of
the people" The Revise1 Version says,
"To receive his portion there" Anathoth,
in the land of Benjamin, was his homa
jchapter j., u. He had been faithful wit
ness for God in the holy city. and his testi-
moDy had been rejected. It was most nat
ural that he should desire to take advantage
the quiet Of his own town.
IS. .And when he was In the gate of Ben
jamin captain of the ward took Jeremiah,
the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to
the Chaldeans." That the righteous should
be falsely accused. prosecuted and even
slain by the unrighteous seems strange
thing to many. 1t troubled David and
Asaph and even Jeremiah himself. See the
experiences Of the first two in Ps. xxxvii
and Ixxiii. In Jer. xii, !, we find the
prophet talking with God after this fashion,
II know, O Lcrd, that Thou art righteous,
but why do the wicked prosper and why are
they happy that deal treacherouslyT The
admonition to all in similar circumstances
is found in Heb Xii. 1-3.
IA. Then said jeremiah, It is false, but
he hardened not to him; SO Irijah took Jere-
miah and brought him to the princes" II
r~-ss - -
ally be greatly provoked, but it he saw the
hand of God he would be quiet. When Job
lost his family and his property through the
malice OF Satan he said, THE Lord gave and
the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the
name of the Lord Job l., 2n.
Is. Wherefore the princes were wroth
with Jeremiah and smote him, and put him
in prison." Jesus forewarned His apostles
that thus would they be treated and worse,
but that they must not be offended tMath.
K, IS; John xvi, l, Q; Acts ", 1S, 40; xvi,
23. And from the glory He sent word to
one of the churches that the devil would cast
some of them into prison, and that they
would have tribulation ten days, but they
must be faithful even though slain for Him
REV. H., 10.
16. eWhen Jeremiah was entered into the
dungeon and had remained there maEy
days" Blessed is the man that endureth
trial JAS l., 12). We cannot endure what
y
we are apt to wonder at, that trial should
continue instead of being quickly removed
in answer to prayer. Consider PauIs prayer
and testimony in II Cor. xii, S-l0, and re-
member the same grace is yours.
II. Then Zedekiah, the king sent and
cretly in his house and said, Is there any
word from the LordY' This was one of those
secret interviews which the king had with
the prophet, apparently willing to do right
but really afraid OF his own people.
IS. Moreover, Jeremiah said unto King
Zedekiah, What have l offended against
theew In somewhat similar form, Paul the
prisoner, appealed to Festus (Acts XIV, III.
Both jeremiah and Paul had only spoken
the words and done the works of Jehovah,
and that was just what Jesus did, and for
that they crucifed Him. The way of God
being contrary to mans way provokes the
evil that is IN man and stirs up his wicked
heart. 1.-THE carnal or natural mind is
enmity against God"
49, Where are now your prophets which
prophesied unto you, saying, The king OF
Babylon shall not come against you, nor
against this land" There were false pro-
phets who taught the people that the king OF
Babylon would not come against the city,
and that what he had already taken be
would restore in two years chapter xviii,
20, but they were lying prophets, and their
words were vain words.
U.
my Lord the King, cause me not to turn to
the house Of Jonathan the scribe, lest die
theren While we ara not to fear death. but
rejoice ito die to gainn and ITO depart is to
be with Christ" Phil. l., 81, 2N, yet we are
not to throw away our lives unnecessarily,
but take all possible care OF our mortal bod
les, which are temples Of the Holy Ghost,
aiming only to glorify God in life or death
phil. j., 2U. :,
that they should commit Jeremiah into the
court of the prison and that they should give
him daily piece OF bread. Thus Jeremiah
remained in the court of the prison" Al
though after this he was for short time In
q most filthy dungeon, from which he was
delivered by Ebed-Melech, the Ethiopian.
with ropes and rotten rags yet the court OF
the prison was his lodging, and there he was
when the city was taken chapter xxxvln;
II. Is, 2S). There the captain of the guard
Of the Babylonian army found him. and by
command of the king did well by him. See
chapters xxx, IL, 12; xl.. 5. So God
kept His promise to Jeremiah (chapteI
l., 19l, and elivered him, though
many . time they sought hi,
life. So win He keep His word
and rely upon Him. See, also, His promises
to Ebed- Melech in chapter xxx, 16-lS and
remember that the same God makes equally
great promises to all who put their trust in
Him. In reference to Daniel it is written.
$50 Daniel was taken up out of the den, and
no manner of hurt was found upon him. be-
cause he believed in his God" For the same
reason his three friends walked in the midst
of the fire unhurt dan. vi. %; iii, 25l. Re
lying upon the same God, Paul could say: y
know whom have believed, and am per-
suaded that He is able to keep that which |
have committed unto Him against that day"
81 was delivered out IL the mouth of the lion;
and the Lord shall deliver me from every