Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-08-11

From the SD to the 4Sth chapters of
Jeremiah, there are recalled a number
of prophecies that are more or less
unique in prophetic literature. They are
prophecies based on historical incidents.
One of these, the incident of the burning
Of the roll, is the basis of our study to-
day. The others are equally as interest
ing and important. Take the time to study
them; you will be well repaid.
The present incident occurred in the
fourth year of Jehoiakim, the son of Jo-
siah, % years therefore after Jeremiah
began preaching. During all those years
he had been proclaiming Gods messages
to the people of Judah, but apparently
without avail AS pointed out last week,
there were two political parties in judah,
the Egyptian and, the Assyrian parties.
Each of these nations was seeking the
alliance Of Judah against the other; while
Judah realized that without protection
from one or the other, she could not
stand-so far had she fallen away from
God as not to appreciate that simple trust
in, and obedience to, Him was her real
safety. OF course, each of these nations
had its adherents among the people. Jere-
miah and Josiah and all the pious people
favored the Assyrians because the ease,
luxury and RIGHTEOUSNESS of Egypt had
already rotted Judah to the core. Josiah
had lost his life in lighting a Pharoah
who was on his way against Assyria.
Jeremiah had prophesied many times
against Egypt, but to no avail.
After the death of Josiah, Pharoah-
Necho, who had killed Josiah, placed
his son Jehoabag on the throne. but left
him there only three months. He then
removed him and placed his brother Ella
kim on the throne, changing his name to
Jeboial1inn. He paid the taxes to Pharoah
that he required. Thus -Jehoialxim, while
nominally king Of Judah, was in reality
but the Egyptian kings vassal and vice
regent.
Naturally he did not relish the prophe-
cies Of jeremiah which foretold the tri-
umph of the Babylonians. Nebuchadnez-
Ear was the most prominent figure on
the political horizon of that day. He was
sweeping everything before him in vic
tory and was headed toward Judah and
Egypt. When jeremiah urged the king
to surrender to him If he would save him
self and his people, stating as his rea-
son that God had ordained that Nebu-
chadnezzar should be His instrument to
punish Judah for her faithIessness and
disobedience, but would afterward de-
stroy the Babylonians for their own sins,
it is easy to see how Jehoiakim, the vas
sal of Egypt, would feel. He had per-
sistently rejected Jeremiah's appeals.
One year previous to the present Incl
dent ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS had won the first
encounter and had carried away some
of the people. Avfast had been proclaim
ed to celebrate their loss. Sometime dur
ing that year Jehoiakim had forbidden
jeremiah to preach any more in the
temple; but about the same time God
commanded him to write what he had
spoken to him in a book that 1t might
be read to the king and people. When
one door is closed to Gods servants, he
opens another that they may still be
used. SIS
jeremiah therefore dictated to Baruch,
scribe, all the words God had spoken
to him, and he wrote them down on the
roll. When it was completed, because
jeremiah was forbidden to- speak in the
temple area, Baruch went there on this
fast day, when the people of Jerusalem
and of many of the cities of Judah were
gathered there, and read the book to
them.
REACHES THE KING.
1ne reading seems to have produced
very little impression on the people as
whole; in fact it appears that only
one man was very much moved by it,
He was the grandson of Shaphan, the
officer of Josiah who had read the book
of the law to him when Hilkiah had
found it, He was so deeply impressed
that he reported the matter to the
princes gathered together in a scribe's
room in the palace. One of those in that
company was his own father. These
men we're interested and had Baruch
come and read the roll to them. They
appreciated the political situation keen
ly enough to realize that it would not
do for the king to get his hands on
Baruch and Jeremiah; they also felt 1t
was wise to keep the roll as we'll But
they would be recreant to their trust
as leaders of the people If they did not
do what they could to avert the threat
ened catastrophe to the nation which
had been predicted by jeremiah unless
the nation repented and submitted to
Babylon as God had directed.
They, therefore, went to the king with