The Dermott news., 1917-08-23

Lord God, have no pleasure in the death of the wieked.-Ezekiel Sl1.
 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 wont into captivity at this time (Dan. :1-8). The seventy years captivity dates from this time. The second deportation was while Jehoia- kim reigntd. Most likely Ezekiel was carried away with this second con- pany (Ezekiel :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 eesieoed (vv. 1-3). Zedekiah owed hts kingship to the king of Babylon (chapter 24:lO. who ap- pointed him to the throne after the re- moval of Jehoiakim. His name was changed from Mattaniah to Zedekiah He was not a good man CA :lS). 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 of the yoke of Babylon. Jeremiah coun- seled submission. but the king refused. Nebuchadnezzar came in person with all his hos; and laid siege to Jerusalem. even building forts against it (v. D. This siege lasted for about a year and half For while during that period the Chaldean army withdrew because of the appearance of Pharaoh's 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- ton of It one should read the book of Lamentations. Mothers ate their own children uam. .lo). The richest. even ladies in silken robes. wandered about searching for scraps In the dung heaps Clam. :5-lo). Their tongues clave 10 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 tvv. 4-D. At length the city was broken up. and the king and his warriors fled hy night. His thought was to escape to the country beyond the Jordan. The Chaldean army overlook him. scattered his army, and carried Zedeklah to Riblah, where Nebuchadnezzar had his headquarters. Here judgment was passed upon him. In his trial II was shown that his solemn oath of allegiance to the Chal- deans had been broken. thus showing himself traitor UI Chron. 36 :13). As q punishment for his treachery his own sons were slain before him. his eyes put out (v. -. and he himself carried to Babylon. where he remained pris- oner till his death (Jer. B :lD. In this we have marvellous fulfillment of prophecy Ezekiel i2 :3). which says that Zedeliah shall he taken to Baby lon and die there and vet not see the city. He could not see it 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 i,s details
 tli. The Destruction Of the City tvv. sio) Not only were the people taken captive. but the city itself was sub iected Co 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 fy. el. They even broke down the walls of Jerusalem tV. i0l and mas. sacred many of the people Uam. 2.a q.
 w. plsposltlon of the inhabitants and the Contents os the Temple (vv. ii-2i1 i. The inhabitants tvv. II. 12). They were divided into two classes. those who had deserted to the Baby tonlans during the siege and those who were found inside of the city at the time it vas taken Many doubtless de- serted to the Babyionlans during this siege. as even Jeremiah was arrested on this charge tier. as isD. The poor of the land were left to he vine dress CTS and hushandm.n. The wealthy and influential we're taken away. as they would be of value Ia the conquer ing nation; besides they would be . menace if left behind. The poor were left because panper captlSes would be . burden.
 Besides it was very undesirable for the land to lie in waste. as then they could moi exact tribute from it. To that end encouragement wns given by the Babylanians as vineyards and nelds" were given to the poor.
 2. The contents of the temple tvv. i9-21l. From the temple which had been twice plundered before ll Chron. & '. i0l. such of gold. silver and hrnrza N.sx3.4fa aa .fE4f F.stsfafuaH xg.ra