The Arvada enterprise., 1917-08-23
INTERNATIONAL.
SlNlNSQbO0L;
LESSON Z
(By REV. p. B. FITZWATER, d. D.,
Teacher OF English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute OF ChicnEo.)
Copyright. 1917, Western Newspaper union.)
LESSON FOR AUGUST rs.
THE CAPTIVITY OF JUDAH.

eSlsyrsN i-.NA NVcs BAltu tu0
Lord God. I have no pleasure in tho
death OF tho wicked.-Exekiel H:u.
Many years after the kingdom Of
Israel was taken captive by the As
syrians, Judah was carried away to
Babylon. Judahs captivity was In
three stages. covering about twenty
years. The first deportation was while
Jehoiakim was king. Daniel and his
friends went into captivity ut this
time (Dcn. :l-8). 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 (Exeklel 1:l.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 unlmpOrtant were
left. Jerusalem itself WAS destroyed
at this time.
!. jerusalem osslsesd wv. 1-S).
Zedekiah owed his kingship to the king
OF Babylon (chspter 24:17), who ap-
polluted him to the throne after the re.
moval Of Jehoiakim. His name was
changed from Mattaniah to Zetiekish.
He was not good man Ga :10).
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, hut the king refused.
Nebuchadnexzar came In person with
nu his host aud laid Siege to Jerusalem.
even building forts against It ". ~.
This siege lasted for about u year and
half. For while during that period
the Chaldean army withdrew because
Of the appearance Of PharaOh's army
(Jer. 81 10y. Shut OF 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 Clam. 4:lO). The richest, even
ladieg In sllkeu robes, wandered about
Searching for scraps In the dung heaps
Clam. 4:5-1O). Their tongues ciave
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.
u. zsdskIah's Flight wv. ~. Al
length the city was broken up. and the
king md his warriors Ned by night. His
thought was to escape to the country
beyond the Jordan. The Chaldean
army overlook him. scattered his army
nnd carried Zedckinh to Riblnh. where
Nebuchndnexxnr had his headquarters
Here Judgment was passed upon him
In his trial II wns shown that his
solemn oath Of allegiance to the Chni
deans had been broken. thus showing
himself a traitor III ChrOn. 10 :13). Ar
II punishment for his treachery his own
sons were slain before him. his eyes
put out ". y. and he himself carried
to Babylon. where ne remained a pris.
oner I'LL his death (Jer. ~ :11). In this
we have n marvellous fulhllment Of
prophecy Ezekiel 12:S). which says
that Zetlekiah shall be taken to Baby.
Ion and die there and yet not see tho
rlty. He could not see II because his
eyes were out. Let NJ learn from this
that that which God snys will surely
come to pass. even though we cannot
explain its details.
III. The Destruction Of the City (vv.
s-lO). Not only were the people taken
captive. but the city itself was sub.
jected 10 the utmost rig0rs Of war.
They plundered tho house Of the Lord,
the palace and the houses Of the rich.
md then consigned them 10 the flames
". H. They even broke down tho
walls Of Jerusalem ". 10Y and mas.
sacred many Of the people Clam.
2:3. ~.
~. Disposition Of the Inhabltants
and the Contents Of the Temple (vv.
1l.2D. ]. The Inhabitants (vv. II, 12).
They were divided into two classes.
those who hnd deserted To tho Bnby.
l0nIans during the Siege md those who
we're found inside Of the city ut tho
time II wnn taken. Mnny doubtless de-
serted to the Bnbyloninns during this
Siege, M even Jeremiah was arrested
on this charge der. 38 :13). The moor
Of the land were left to be vine dress.
crs and husbnndmen. The wealthy
md influential were taken away. Nh
they would be Of vnlue to the conquer.
Ing milton; besides they would be a
menace II left behind. The I,oOr wcre
left because pnupcr cuptives would bs
q burden.
Besides II WINS very undesirable
for the lnnd 10 lie In waste. M then
they could not exnct tribute from II.
To that end encouragement wns given
by the Enbyloninns ny vineyards and
helds" were given to the poor.
2. The contents Of the temple (vv.
13.2D. From the temple which had
been twice plundered before III Chr0n.
W:7, 1W, such Of gold. silver and
bronze vessels M stllI remained were