The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-08-17
JEREMIAH CAST
INTO PRISON

LESSON TEXT.-JeremIah 9l


when men shall reyile you. and persecute
you. and say all manner OF evil against
you falsely. for my ke."-Matt. 5:ll:
TINE OF this lesson was y. O. 5S-5S6 |
Is years after our last lesson during the |
last siege OF Jerusalem by Nebuchadnez- |
zar, from the 9th 10 the llth year OF Zede-
kiah's reign.
PLACE-Jerusnlem surrounded by the
besieglng armies Of the Cnadeans. and |
suffering from famine and pestilence der.
SS;2).
jeremiah had prophesled nearly 40 years
(since 500 and was a prematurely old
man.
Zsdeklah was the last king Of Judah.
regning II years
Nebuchadnezzar. 18th and 18th year Of
his reign.
Jehoiakim reigned six years after
he had burned the roll OF JeremaE's
prophecies, which, like the fabled
phoenix rose anew and fresh from
the ashes He was slain In 597.
The first blow Of the threatened
doom Of Judah had fallen during the
fourth year OF his reign, the first toll
ing OF the bell of Judgment which
should have summoned the very dead
3n sin to awake. But they gave no
heed.
Jehoiachin. his son. ascended the
throne, bad, weak boy, utterly unht
10 cope with the situation. His reign
lasted only three months. Upon Je-
hoiachln descended the full force OF
the divine vengeance incurred by
previous generations. He was scarcely
on the throne when the Chaldean
forces, which had been ravaging Ju-
dea, were Joined by Nebuchadnezzar
himself and closed around Jerusa'
lem, and Jehoiachin surrendered at
discretion. The arm OF Babylon raised
TO strike his father fell on him, and
fulfilled the prophecy against Jehoia-
kim. He shall have none to sit upon
the throne Of David" Jehoiachin was
kept a prisoner In Babylon for 81
years and was then released. Ezekiel
was carried away with him, and tho
greatgrandfather of Mordecal, Queen
Esther's cousin.
This was the second blow OF divine
judgment. the beginning OF the second
captivity, when 10000 people were car
ried captive to Babylon. Among them
were the kings wives and officers,
and 1000 that we're strong and apt
for war. and 1000 craftsmen; and
large part of the 5,400 vessels OF gold
and silver from the Temple and paE
aces. The policy OF Nebuchadnezzar
was to remove out Of the way all those
who might be able to organize re-
volt when he and his army had de-
parted. Such men 1t would have been
dangerous to leave behind. 1t would
seem as II all this would have been
sufficient to prevail on the people TO
repent and be saved.
Zedekiah, the brother Of Jehoiakin,
was placed upon the throne by Nebu'
chadnezzar, "a shadow king over
desperate band of men. During the
first nine years of his reign the ma
ton. instead OF embracing the oppor-
tunity of repentance, plunged more
deeply into folly The dregs of the
people. left behind in Jerusalem. laid
this fattering unction to their souls:
I'VE have been spared by Jehovah
tAeIelOIe We arc lAbntVN"' "
sight"
During a brief respite while Nebu'
ehadnezzar left Jerusalem free while
he fought the Egyptians Jeremiah
went forth out Of Jerusalem to go into
The land of Benjamin. His home was
at Anathoth In Benjamin, three oi
four miles north of the city 1t was
apparently to secure his share OF the
tithes and produce Of the Levitica
glebe of the village, due to him as one
of its priests Knowing that the Chal
deans would return 1t was imperative
that he should obtain tie means o.
subsistence to take back into the city
so soon to be beleagured afresh. Oth
ers think It was to secure himself II
the possession OF an inheritance
There was a natural rush to get ou
OF the city after so long confine
ment. jeremiah went wi.h the others
When Jeremiah was In the gate o
Benjamin, the north gate OF the city
that by which any one would go I
the country OF Benjamin which ad
Joined Jerusalem. guarl said: Tho
fallest away to the Chaldeans; yo
are trying to desert TO the enemy.
His we'll known prophecies of the d'
struction of the city, and advice tina
the people should yield the city to tn
Chaldeans, gave color to this accus'
ton
Then said jeremiah: "Falsel A lie
l fall not a way to the Chaldeans'
He was arrested by the guard, an
brought to the princes, the officials
the government, who were wroth VIII
Jeremiah. He had compared them
rotten figs. He was the strongest an
most resolute opponent Of their wa
policy. But for him they would nav
had It all their own way
jeremiah was placed in a dungeo
under the prison building. Jerusale
was honey.combed with subterranea
cisterns vaulted or arched overhea
and cabins, vaults, the subterranea
arched spaces of cistern, containir
water
At last Zedekiah, the king, secret
took him out to inquire: rs there al
word from the Lord?" Jeremiah I
plied: There Is" The word wa
Thou shalt be delivered into the hal
of the king of Babylon" At Jeremiah
reouest, and to escape from the gu
of being the murderer OF the proph'
zedekiah had him cared for In q
court of the guard. and supplied hi