Evening star., 1929-06-29

We have concluded the first part of
six-month course on Prophetic
Teaching and Leadership of Judah"
The past quarters lessons have covered
about a hundred and fifty years Of
the history of the southern kingdom,
from the death of Uzziah in 1876 BIC.
to the close Of Zedekiah's reign In 566
BIC. Between UZziah's and Zeekdiah S
administrations nine other kings exer-
cised their authority as rulers Of Judah
during the nations decline. In our
studies we have not taken up their
work as individuals. We have consid-
cred the work of Hezekiah and Josiah
and in the fall of Judah the result OF
Zedekiah's administration.
God sought during this period to re-
veal His everlasting love to Judah
through the work Of the prophets, who
tried to draw the nation back into His
ways by their messages. Although
seven prophets were active during the
period we have been studying, seeking
to make known unto the potentates and
people the will of God, we have con-
sidered only two. Three of our lessons
we're selected from Isaiah, whose ministry
extended from the death Of Uzziah
through at least the reigns of lothian
Ahaz and Hezekiah. the exact hour
of the close Of his ministry being un-
known. Five Of our lessons were from
jeremiah, who did not commence his
work until some time after the close
If Isaiah'S active service. He commenced
his ministry during the reign Of Josiah
and continued his passionate efforts
inspired by great ethical ideals, for the
purity of the state, through the ad-
ministrations of Josiah, Jehoiakim and
Zedekiah. II, as some hold, that 1t Is
by no means impossible that Isaiah was
a victim of ManaSSeh's bloody sword
then these two men, the greatest oi
the prophets, covered the last $50 years
Of Judah's history, with the exception
Of Ammon's short reign.
Two IIIustriouS Prophets.
Judah failed to learn the lesson:
taught by the fall of the northern
kingdom. During the early days Of 1t:
history it was q small nation, made uI
of herdsmen and vine dressers. During
Nzziah's long and prosperous reign
the boundaries were enlarged, commerce
developed and wealth accumulated. W.
know of the country's economic pros.
perity, but we do not know much about
the social, moral and religious aspects
Of the kingdom when Isaiah was called
to become prophet.
Isaiah held fast to a few cardina
principles which served him as gooc
guide in every crisis. He believed tha
Judah was under the protection o!
Jehovah. The lpace and safety Of thu
state depends therefore upon the ma
tion's fidelity to Him and confidence II
Him. He saw the danger in the polit'
ical devices, such as were common t.
the people of that age, and recognized
that In the end they would bring harm
to a small nation like Judah. He be-
lieved that Jerusalem would be invul'
nerable, not by the power OF her armies
not by membership in foreign ALI
ance, but by independence of every
power of earth and by sole relianc'
upon Jehovah This made his minis
try one "of obedience, judgment ane
mercy" From the commencement O
his service he was an outstanding fig'
ure III the nations life, the seer, states
man and servant Of God.
He tried to prevent Aflaz making thu
fatal alliance with Assyria when Pekaf
and Razon were seeking to force hin
into an alliance against Assyria. Ahai