The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-09-02

NN@ce0 ~ DAJWc uOWg hutOuSu Gil NhSAi
history, even to the elimination in
the crucifixion OF Christ, they had re-
sisted the Holy Ghost, rejecting their
wise leaders such as jeremiah, and de
liberately choosing the way of ruin.
IL. "Zedekiah." This twentieth and
last king Of Judah, though no worse
than many of his predecessors and
better than some of them, followed in
their path of wickedness, and his
career Is sort of summary OF all that
ha~ gone before. Was one and
twenty years old" He was Josiah's
youngest son, his mother being Ha-
mutual, the daughter of Jeremiah of
Libnah e Kings 24:1S) "Reigned
eleven years" B. C. 597-5S6.
II, He did that which was evil in
the sight of the LORD The charac-
ter Of Zedekiah seems to have been
weak rather than wicked. "And hum
bled not himself before Jeremiah" :"
Jeremiah consistently advised Zede-
kiah 10 submit TO the Chaldeans; but
the king, partly through fear OF his
princes, partly through Elusive hopes,
could never bring himself to do this. Z"
Cambridge Bible Speaking from
the mouth Of the LORD" 1t was the
special inspiration Of the prophets that
alone gave them authority.
Is. And he also" in addition to his
rebellion against God, "rebelled
against King Nebuchadnezzar." After
years Of intriguing with Egypt, Zede-
kiah sent an embassy to seek an alli-
ance. and the plot broke out into open
rebellion who had made him swear
by God This was on the occasion
OF Zedekiahs probably compulsory
visit to Babylon in the fourth year OF
his reign (Jer 51;59). Ezekiel (17:11-
21) describes the oath, and expresses
great indignation at the breaking of
the covenant. which should have been
held satred no matter with whom 1t
was made.
II. The Ubiquitous People. IA
"The poor king" says Professor II. p.
Smith, paid the penalty OF his weak
ness The city over which he was
nominal ruler was more to blame
This truth the chronicler perceiyes,
and expresses with clearness.
IA. Moreover" Compare with
this passage Tvs. 1+17) the similar.
bat much longer justification OF Gods
rejection Of the Ten Tribes, contained
in 2 Kings l7:7-23" Cook "All the
chief OR. ", "chIefs") Of the priests. .
See I Chron. /. 3-19 Polluted the
house OF the LORD" Ezekiel pre-
sents picture OF Hebrew women in
the temple courts waillng for the Ba-
bylonian god Tammuz (Ezek. $40:
OF the seventy elders Offering Incense
TO representations OF bestiaI gods pic
tured on the walls OF cellars beneath
the temple courts (Ezek. S.712): OF
sunworshipers. with their backs to the
Holy Place. bowing 10 the sun at
the very door of the temple (Ezek.
S:l6). So jeremiah (7:9-11: 23:l1-14).
III. Gods Messengers Despised and
Rejected.--Vs. Is, l6. The climax OF
the nations iniQuity was the fact that
IL sinned against abundant light.
Is. THE LORD God OF their faith
era "A reminder OF Gods long pa
tience and his repeated benefactions
through the centuries. Sent to them
by his messengers" His prophets
compare 2 Kings 17:12). such as
Isaiah, jeremiah. Ezekiel. Rising up
betimes (R. ", "early'') and sending. Z
Manifestlng an eag.S zeal for their
salvation. as a man rises early to
prosecute some enterprise on which
he has get his heart Because he
had compassion. Understanding the
depth OF the misery which sin would
bring TO the nation.
IS. But they Knocked the messen-
gers OF Cod Jeremiah was impris-
oned. beaten and threatened with
death: Urijah Ger. 26:2O-23) was put
to death. OF the fate of Habakkuk
twho also lived during the C'haIdean
period. Hab. 1:6) nothing is known :"
Cambridge Bible. And misused his
prophets" II. ", "scoffed al" verbal
mockery. as distinguished from bodily
narm. "Till there was no remedy"
Hebrew, healing. Every disease, II al
lowed 10 advance beyond certain
point, becomes incurable.
~. The Deserved Punishment.-Vs
1920. God was very patient with his
people, but for their good at last. as
we'll as for the satisfaction OF his JUS
tice. they must be made to taste the
bitter penalty OF sin.
II. Therefore," Because Of this
long rebellion. eliminating in the In
iquities of idolatry and rejection Of
truth under Zedekiah. He brought
upon them the king Of the Chaldees."
In December. b. c. 5SS. Zedekiah's in
trigues with Egypt brought Nebuchad-
nezzar into Judea. with a vast army.
The siege OF Jerusalem, interrupted
BY the arrival and defeat OF Zedekiah's
Egyptian allies, lasted year and a
half--a long time for the little city OK
1000 inhabitants (and perhaps much
iess) to hold out against the hosts OF
Babylonia.
At last, in July, B. G. $50, the great
famine in the city. and other horrors
OF the siege, so weakened the de-
tenders that the Chaldeans brake into