The Brinkley argus., 1917-08-24
INTERNATIONAL SUNIGYSC[l()OL,
 LESSON
LESSON FOR AUGUST 26.
THE CAPTIVITY OF JUDAH.

Many years after the kingdom of Israel was taken captive by the As syrians, Judah was carried away to Babylon. Judah's captivity was in three stages, covering about twenty years. The first deportation was while Jehoiakim was king. Daniel and his friends went into captivity at this time Dan. :1-6). The seventy years captivity dates from this time. The second deportation was while Jehoia- kim reigned. Most likely Ezekiel was carried away with this second com- pany (Ezekiel 1:1-2). The third de- portation, some twelve years after the second. is the one described in our les son. At this time the greater part of the nation was removed to Babylon. Only the poor and unimportant were left. Jerusalem itself was destroyed at this time.
 |. Jerusalem Besieged (yv. 1-3). Zedekiah owed his kingship to the king of Babylon Chapter 24:1O, who ap- pointed him to the throne after the re- moyal of Jehoiakim. His name was changed from Mattaniah to Zedekiah. He was not good man CA I'D. Though having his position by the Will of the king of Babylon, he rebelled against that king. He thought that by the aid of the surrounding nations, especially Egypt, he could throw or the yoke of Babylon. Jeremiah coun- seled submission, but the king refused. Nebuchadnezzar came in person with all his host and laid siege to Jerusalem, even building forts against it (y. D.. This siege lasted for about year and half. For a while during that period the Chaldean army withdrew because of the appearance of Pharaohs army (Jer. 37 .5). Shut off from help from without, the Jews soon were famish- ing for want of bread The horrors of this famine were awful. For descrip- tion of it one should read the book of Lamentations. Mothers ate their own children Clam. :10). The richest even ladies in slken robes, wandered about searching for scraps in the dung heaps Clam. 4:5-10). Their tongues clave to the roofs of their mouths, and their skins were dried up. Added to these horrors were murderous fights between parties among the Jews. Some wanted to surrender; others insisted upon holding out.
 II. Zedekiah's Flight (vy. AID. At length the city was broken up, and the king and his warriors fled by night. His thought was to escape to the country beyond the Jordan. The Chaldean army overlook him, scattered his army, and carried Zedekah ito Riblah, where Nebuchadnezzar had his headquarters. Here judgment was passed upon him. Tn his trial it was shown that his solemn oath Of allegiance to the Chal- deans had been broken, thus showing himself traitor GIT Chron. 36 :13). As q punishment for his treachery his own sons were slain before him, his eyes put out (v D, and he himself carried to Babylon, where he remained pris- oner till his death Ger g :11). In this we have q marvellous fulfillment of prophecy (Ezekiel 12:3), which says that Zedekiah shall he taken to Baby lon and die there and yet not see the city. He could not see if because his eyes were out. Let us learn from this that that which God says will surely come to pass, even though We cannot explain its details.
 III. The Destruction of the City (vv. S-10). Not only were the people taken captive, but the city itself was sub iected to the utmost rigors of war; They plundered the house of the Lord the palace and the houses of the rich, and then consigned them to the flames (v. 9. They even broke down the walls of Jerusalem (v. 10) and mas sacred many of the people Clam. 2;3, 4).
 W. Disposition of the Inhabitants and the Contents of the Temple (vv. 11-2D. 1. The inhabitants (vv. Il, 12). They were divided into two classes, those who had deserted to the Baby lonians during the siege and those who were found inside of the city at the time 1t was taken. Many doubtless de- serted to the Babylonans during this siege, as even Jeremiah was arrested on this charge Ger 3S :13). The poor of the land were left to be vine dress CTS and husbandmen. The wealthy and influential were taken away, as they would be of value to the conquer ing nation; besides they would be a menace if left behind. The poor were left because pauper captives would he burden.
 Besides it was very undesirable for the land to lie in waste, as then they could not exact tribute from it. To that end encouragement was given by the Babylonians as 'vlneyards and fields" were given to the poor
 2. The contents of the temple (yv. 13-2i). From the temple which had been twice plundered before GIT Chron. S6:7 10), such of gold, silver and bronze vessels as still remained were taken, even the great pillars of the molten sea. The captives and the treas ure were delivered to Nebuchadnezzar at Roblah, where more than threescore of men were killed tyv. 19-2D.