The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1917-08-24

Israel was taken captive by the AS
SyrianS, Judah was carried away Il
Babylon. Judah's captivity was II
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. ICY. 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 conf
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 Besieeed wv. 1-3).
Zedelziah owed his kingship to the king
of Babylon (chapter "a 10, who ap-
pointed him to the throne after the re-
moval of Jehoiakim. His name was
changed from Matraniah to Zedekiah.
He was not good man GA :19).
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 off
the yoke of Babylon. jeremiah coun-
seled submission, but the king refused.
Northumberland came in person with
all his host and laid siege to Jerusalem,
even building forts against 1t ". u.
This siege lasted for about year and
a half. For while during that period
the Chaldean army withdrew because
of the appearance Of PharaOh's army
(Jer. 81 ~. Shut off from help from
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. 10Y. The richest, even
aides in silken robes, wandered about |
for scraps in the dung heaps |
Liam. 1910. Their tongues clave
% 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
O surrender; others insisted upon
folding out.
II. zedekiah's Flight wv. 40. At
9TH hn nj u nd hn
ing and his warriors fled by night. His
bought was to escape to the country
eyond the Jordan. The Chaldean
rmy overlook him, scattered his army,
nd carried Zedekiah to Riblah, where
had his headquarters.
Iere judgment was passed upon him.
4 his trial it was shown that his
Dlemn oath of allegiance to the Chal-
cans had been broken, thus showing
imSelf traitor (II Chron. SO :13). AS
punishment for his treachery his own
ms were slain before him, his eyes
ut out ". y, and he himself carried
Babylon, where he remained a pris-
Ter till his death Ger. SO :11). In this ,
e have a marvellous fulfillment of ,
'ophecy Ezekiel 12:3), which says
at Zedekiah shall be taken to Baby
n and die there and yet not see the
ty. He could not see it because his '
res we're out. Let us learn from this
at that which God says will surely q
me to pass, even though we cannot u.
plain its details.
III. The Destruction of the City wv.
-0. Not only were the people taken
ptive, but the city itself was sub
tied to the utmost rigorS of war.
ey plundered the house of the Lord,
: palace and the houses of the rich,
d then consigned them to the flames
81. They even broke down the
lis Of Jerusalem ". 10Y and mas
red many of the people clam.
!, A..
v. Disposition Of the Inhabitants
the Contents of the Temple wv.
Ply. /. The inhabitants wv. II, 12).
ey were divided into two classes,
Sc who had deserted to the Baby
ians during the siege and those who
re found inside of the city at the
e it was taken. Many doubtless de-
ted to the Babylonians during this
ye, as even jeremiah was arrested
this charge Ger. 9s :13). The poor
he land were left TO be vine dress
and husbandmen. The wealthy
influential were taken away, as
? would be of value to the conquer
nation; besides they would be a
lace if left behind. The poor were
because pauper csptives would b
urden.