Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-21

|
| dent of this lesson should read some
translation of the Taylor cylinder. now
| threefold account recorded in the
Scriptures.
| Sargon's death was followed by a large
number of revolutions in various parts Of
by Merodach- Baladan. the deposed Baby
| lonian king. who had returned upon the
assassination OF the mighty Sargon to
head the revolutionary movement in the
east. Sennacherib had to fight his way to
the throne of his father. His frst efforts
were put forth to crush the revolutions in
the east and south. The influence of the
Egyptian party supplemented that Of the
to influence Hezekiah at the time Of his
illness to throw of the calling yoke Of
Assyria. Isaiah. who had strenuously
opposed the Assyrian alliance. now ex-
| erted all his influence to keep the leaders
from breaking their treaty obligations to
AsSyr1a Events soon proved the wisdom
OF Isaiah. who urged upon his countrymen
obligations; opposed the nations putting
| their whole trust 'in the shadow Of
Egypt" and not in God.
dach- Baladan. who was the leader Of the
revolution In the east. After two years
desperate fighting in Babylonia Senna-
cherib placed Bsl.ibni upon the Baby
the situation in the west. He then on
tered upon his second campaign In Pales-
tine, where nine years previously he had
earned for his father. Sarson. the title Of
subtugator Of Judah" During this In
vasion the Assyrians captured tho for
titled cities Of Judah. ono after another.
and received tho humble submission of
Hezekiah. who paid large hne to tho
Assyrians when they were at Lachish.
Hezektah had not been idle during the
Mt cd hAt an
Sennacherib's first invasion and the in
Vasion of today's study. He prepared
Jerusalem for defense against q strong
100 by bringing the water from the
spring of the Virgins fountain. outside
OF the city walls. to the Pool OF SLOAN
at a point inside Of the walls. The rec
ords OF this engineering achievement
were discovered by some boys. who one
discovered tho Canaanite Inscriptions
that confirmed tho Scripture records
He1ekfah also sought to protect the city
both by building walls and by forming
alliance with foreign powers. until he
became the head of an organised rebel
lion in Palestine against Asayria. Egypt
had promised assistance. and the diplo-
mats Of Merodach Baladan. who had
visited him in his Illness had assured
the Judean king Of their support. Hexe-
kiah had dethroned rulers who were
favorable to the Assyrian throne. One
OF the number. Padi. King Of Ekron, was
imprisoned because of his loyalty to
Assyria.
Hexekiah's mistake in rejecting the
advice of Isaiah extended over a period
OF several years. SO that Sennacherib
considered Judah to be the chief Of
FENDER. He proposed to apply drastic
measures to the nation that had broken
their treaty obligations by refusing to
against Assyria. Sennacherib quickly
mastered the situation that confronted
him in the west. He crushed the
Phoenician rulers with the exception
of Tyre. advanced into the Philistine
plain. conquered Ekron. restored Padi
to his throne and subjugated forty-six
Tortured cities that belonged to Judah.
His marvellous success caused a re-
action In Jerusalem. SO that each time
he demanded of Hezekiah that he sur
render the city all. with the exception
OF Isaiah. were panicstricken. In fact,
before tho demand for a surrender had
been made Hezekiah had sought terms
OF peace and. to comply with Sem
nacherib's requirements of 300 talents
of gold. the king had been compelled
to sacrifice many of the temple treas
ures: When the tribute had been paid
and the strength Of Jerusalem's forth
fications were realized Sennacherib,
who boasted that he did not break
treaties" tried to break the one re-
Gently made with Hezekiah. The skilled
strategist realized the imminent dan
ger that threatened his forces from
such a strong foe In the rear of his
army while he was making cam
paign against Egypt. He demanded,
through deputation and letter. the I'M
conditional surrender Of Jerusalem.
In his danger the king turned to God
In prayer and appealed to Isaiah. who
also prayed for the safety of Jerusalem.
Tho Lord gave assurance to the prophet
of His determination to protect the city
Rabshakeh. the Assyrian prime min
lister, who revealed his skill both as
diplomat and demagogue by his pre-
tension to speak with the authority Of
Jehovah. was defeated in hts plans BY
the strong personality OF Isaiah, who
filled both the king and the city with
courage by his message OF confidence,
urging them to "be not afraid" Rab-
shaken lost his case when he denied
Gods power. Hezekiah, recognizing in
his despair that he had been untrue to
God, confessed his error when he spread
the boasting and arrogant demands Of
Sennacherib's letter before God His
prayer that God would save them from
danger, SO that all the kingdoms of the
earth might know that Thou art God"
placed the burden of protecting Jeru-
ga lem upon Jehovah.
1t Is comfort to know that God hears
the petitions of His children who turn
unto Him in their distress and danger
The Lord Jesus has assured Hts follow
SrB OF uelp from ABOVE Wnen tney seek
1t in His name and for His glory. 1t is
well that we follow the example of
Hezekiah and recognize the part that
our careless conduct and unchrtsttap
character frequently plays In our suf-
ferings. Our temper may be responsible
for our trouble. Our own selfshness
may explain our suffering. Our personal
sins may be the cause Of our sad ex-
periances There are hours when even
loyalty to Christ and His cause NAV be
the source OF bitter trials. The Master
assured His disciples that they were
"blessed' when they suffered for right
eousnessH sake"-for being good and do
ing right. 1t Is In n righteous cause
that America Ia called upon to endure
sorrow and suffering at this time, SO
that we can approach His throne seek
Ing for protection for our forces and
power for them to bring peace among
men Of all nations.
| In this hour that tests the patriotism
of the nation let every American nut
first In hin petitions for the protection
of tbs Lind pnd her forces the glory of
Gods Kingdom. Victory will come to the
man or ma iioa who tn faith spreads be-
fore God the problems presented for So
luton each day, The prayers against
the arrogant king who blasphemed .The
Holy One of Israel" were answered. The
God who heard HeHekiah and Isaiah will
hear President Wilson and the modern
prophets, who have been sent into the
world to preach the gospel of the risen
Christ. The Assyrian records are silent
concerning the end Of their efforts 10
subjugete Jerusalem. but the prophecy
| of Isaiah was fulfilled. The city was
blockaded. the king being shut up like