The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-24
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
FEBRUARY %.
Lesson Text: Jeremiah Prosecuted,
xxxvii., 11-21-GOlden Text:
Jeremiah T., documentary.

II. "And it came to pass, that when the
army Of the Chaldeans was broken up from
Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh's 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 xii, q. THERE'S, however.
q little respite, for Pharaoh's army comes
forth out Of Egypt. and the Chaldeans de-
part from Jerusalem (verses :, 1N.
II. Then Jeremiah went forth out Of
Jerusalem to 60 into the land Of Benjamin
to separate himself thence in the midst of
the people" The Revised Version says,
ITO receive his portion there" Anathoth,
in the land of Benjamin, was his home
tchapter J., y. He had been q faithful wit
ness for God in the holy city, and his testi-
mony had been rejected. 1t was most nat
ural that he should desire to take advantage
Of this lull in the siege to retire If possible to
the quiet of his own town.
49, "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 uurighteous seems a strange
thing to many. It troubled David and
Asaph and even Jeremiah himself. See the
experiences of the first two in Ps. x1xyn
and lxxiii. In Jer. xii, !, We find the
prophet talking with God after this fashion,
II know, 0 Lord, that Thou art righteous,
but why do the wicked prosper and why are
they happy that deal treacherously" The
admonition to al~in similar circumstances
Is found in Heb xii. 1-3.
Il. Then said Jeremiah, It Is false, but
he hardened not to him; so Ti jah took Jere-
mah and brought him to the princes" II
the prophet saw only lriiah he would natur-
ally be greatly provoked, but. If 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 j., 2u.
Is. "Wherefors 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 (Math.
K, %, John xvi, ], Q; Acts ", IL, 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. IL, 10y.
16. "When jeremiah was entered into the
dungeon and had remained there many
days.n Blessed is the man that enduretn
trial (Jas. j., 12) We cannot endure what
does not continue, and yet that Is just what
we are apt to wonder at, that a trial should
continue instead of being quickly removed
in answer to prayer Consider Paurs prayer
and testimony in II Cor. xii, S-lO, AMI re-
member the same grace is yours.
II. "Then Zedekiah, the king, sent and
took him out, and the king asked him Sc
cretly in his house and said, Is there any
WORD from the Lord% 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
theeY' In somewhat similar form, Paul the
prisoner. appealed to Festus (Acts XIV, 1D.
Both Jeremiah and Paul had only spoken
the words and done the works OF JehoVah,
and that wes Just what Jesus did, and Tor
that they cruc,fied Him. The way OF God
being contrary to mans way provokes tne
evil that is IN man and stirs up his wicked
leQrU. 1 ue Va ~ A1AAHe -
enmity against God"
19. :'Where are now your prophets which
prophesied unto you, saying, The king Q
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 he
would restore in two years tchapter xviii,
2-4), but they were lying prophets, and thelr
words were vain words. ! -
20. Therefore, hear now, pray thee, y
nv Lord the King, cause me not TO turn TO
the house Of Jonathan the scribe, lest ole
there" While we ara not to fear death, out
rejoice ITO die to gain" and Ito depart is to
be with Christ Phil. l., 81, 23,, yet we are
not 10 throw away our lives unnecessarily,
but take all possible care OF our morea bod
les, which are temples Of the Holy Ghost,
aiming only to glorify God in life or death
(Phil. l., 2V).
81. ''Then Zedekiah, the king, commanded
that they should commit jeremiah into tine
court Of the prison and that they should gave
him daily a piece of bread. Thus Jeremiah
remained in the court Of the prison" Al
though after this he was for short time IN
a most filthy dungeon, from which lie wai
delivered by Ebed-Melech, the ethiopian
with ropes and rotten rags, yet the court o.
the prison was his lodging, and there he wa!
when the city was taken Chapter xxxVill.
12, 13, 90. There the captain OF the guare
Of the Babylonian army found him. and b.
command OF the king did we'll by him. Sc
chapters xxx, II. IL; H., 4, 5. So God
kept His promise to Jeremiah tchapte
l., 1N, and delivered him, thong
many a time they sought hi
life. So will He keep His wor
always, and we may unwaveringly trust Hin
and rely upon Him. See, also, His promise
to Ebed- Melech in chapter xxx, l6-lo, ant
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, ant
no manner Of hurt was found upon him. be
cause he believed in his God" For the same
reason mis- three friends walked in the mids,
of the fire unhurt (Dan. vi, %; iii, 2o). he
lying upon the same God, Paul could say: ".
know whomI have believed, and am per
suaded that He is able to keep that which
have committed unto Him against that day.
Il was delivered out of the mouth OF the lion;
and the Lord shall deliver me from every
evil work and will preserve me unto th'
heavenly kingdom" III Tim. j., II; iv., II, 18
All who 20 forth in the name OF the Lord, at
His command to do His bidding, may sure.
ly rely upon these words, "rhey that war
against thee shall be as nothing and as g
thing OF naught, for /, the Lord thy God. will
hold thy right hand. saying, Fear not viii
help thee" lisa. xii, II. 13 Lesson Helper.
IT is a very just observation tina
one reason and perhaps the creates
,ooeon II o;ptt parhaDs he added