The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-12-10

INTRODUCTION.- the last lesson
we learned how Josiah priced the book
OF the Lord which Hilkiah found in the
temple, and how he obtained counsel
from Huldah, because of the nations
SIN. one would expect that the warm
ing of the prophecies would lead TO
permanent reform, but Jehoiakim. Jo-
SANS son, on succeeding to the throne
opposed the godly course of his faith
er and sought to re-instate idolatrous
worship. jeremiah, the prophet, deep
ly distressed at this, caused Baruch TO
write message TO the king which was
TO be sent to certain members of the
court that their influence might be Sc
cured in it's behalf Verse III This
procedure indicates that Jehoiakim
was not kindly disposed toward the
prophet, and, accordingly, that he could
not be freely approached. After chang
ing hands several times the message
came to the princes. those who were
supposed to be near the king, and they
dismissed Baruch, directing him to re-
main in some secret place unknown to
| anyone as condition of safety. Verse
| 49,
CONCEALED.--As a further precau-
| tior to avoid the kings anger the prin-
ces laid up the roll of jeremiah in "the
| chamber of Elishama the scribe" who
! had succeeded Shapan, the scribe in
Josiah's time. g Kings. xxi, s. That
was very proper place for the doc
| ument as the scribe was the legal Gus
| tOdian of all such matters. 1t may be
assumed that he was a faithful ser
want, and that he would preserve what
was thus committed to him. More
| over, the message acquired added force
| and sanctity AT first it was only the
| will of the prophet. acknowledged in
| deed to De a mouth-piece of God, but,
| after its deposit in the chest with 9TH
| er sacred writings. it acquired an Off
| cial character and would be so regard
| ed for ever after. Having thus laid
away with the temple scribe what had
been written, the princes proceed with
some caution to the king. Verse 2O) and
| make known the contents to him. by
| this act their influences were eXerted
to secure proper hearing-the influence
! of Jeremiah, whom all regarded as 4
man Of God, the influence Of Elishama,
| who had filed Jeremiah's words: the in
| fluence of the princes, the helpers and
| advisers in the government.
| BROUGHT.-On hearing the State-
n;ent of the princes Jehoiakim sent a
servant TO fetch the roll (verse 21)
| There is no disclosure Of the kings
motive-whether ne was prompted by
curiosity or malice. The servant read
! and Jehoiallim and his princes lis
| tened, the latter standing reverently
beside the ruler. The scene was not
unlike that presented when Shaphan
read the book of the Lord to Josiah,
few years before g Kings, XXii:10)
| Only, in the earlier instance it was the
law of Moses that was heard while in
| the later case it was the word of warn
| ing from Jcremiah--the first showing
what Israel must do to please God, the
| last showing what had been done to
| displcase Him. 1t is probable that
| Moses was held in greater reverence,
for he had been long dead, and the in
| stitutiOns of the nation rested on him;
| while jeremiah was still living, and by
his many bold and earnest words had
| aroused the animosity of evil men.
j