The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-05-18
THE DEFEAT OF THE
SOUTHERN KINGDOM

| LESSON TEXT-Jeremiah ls:1.10. lisa, TIA.
GOLDEN TEXT-Come. and Let us re-
turn unto the Lord.-Hosea 81.
History repeats itself. Men never
seem to learn from the experiences
of others, whether they be personal
or national. Judah, the southern
part of the divided kingdom, saw the
downward path of Israel and its ul-
innate captivity. The same process
went on in Judah, although hindered
now and then by good kings who
brought about partial return to
God.
Ultimately the day came when
Jerusalem was destroyed by
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS troops and the
people carried off to their long years
of captivity in Babylon.
| jeremiah ministered as Gods
prophet during Judah's declining
years, bringing them Gods word of
judgment for their sins and urging
them to submit. His voice was I'M
needed and for his faithfulness he
received only their hatred and per-
secution. God gave him the strength
and grace to be true in very diff
cult mission.
| Our lesson for today tells how God
In graphic object lesson taught the
prophet and the people that they
were in the hands Of a sympathetic
but at the same time sovereign
God.
4 1. The Potter and His Work wv.
l 14.
The maker of pottery took the
lump Of clay, placed it on his wheel,
and with his hand formed it into
the kind Of vessel he wanted. If it
became misshapen or showed a de-
feet, he could moisten and remold
the clay into another vessel as it
suited him. The clay was in his
hand to meet his purpose and his
4 will.
A DR.. G. Campbell Morgan fittingly
suggests that there are three things
4 to be borne in mind here: prin-
ciple, purpose, and a person. And
as we apply the truth to ourselves as
Gods children, we spell the Per-
son of the Potter with capital "P,"
for He is none other than God Him
self.
4 The principle is that God is abso-
l lutely sovereign, that He does as He
wills for His own glory. Until we
recognize that principle, life will be
i failure. #, however, / have dis
covered this principle alone, then my
soul will be filed with terror. I
must also see the purpose"
| The purpose is the working out Of
His will for each of us. He knows
us, and He has plan for our lives,
and is able to make that plan come
to pass if we permit Him to do So.
4 But, as DR.. Morgan says, eff
know principle and purpose only, I
shall yet tremble and wonder, and
be filledwith a haunting foreboding."
But as II press through the principle
and beyond the purpose and discov-
er the Person of the Potter, then the
purpose will flame with light, and
the principle that appears so hard
and severe will become the sweetest
and tenderest thing in my life."
God spoke to jeremiah through the
scene in the potter's house, and He
also wants to talk to our hearts.
III. God and Judah wv. $40, lisa,
17a).
The lesson is plain. God had for
His people a high and glorious pur-
pose. He wanted to bless them and
use them for His glory. But they
were sinful and rebellious people,
stiff-necked and stubborn in their UNI
belief, and the vessel Of honor which
God was trying to form was married
In His hand.
God did not act In anger or in
disregard Of their rights. He was
forced to bring judgment upon them
because Of their own sin. That sin
is stated in verse 15-they had for
gotten God.
One trembles as he applies that
test Of Gods requirement for Bless
ing upon nation to our own land.
There is haunting fear that while
there are some who truly worship
God, and larger number who pro-
fess to worship Him, a great host Of
the people Of America have forgot
ten God.
Does our nation remember Him
and seek His counsel and blessing
in its national affairs? Do we in
quire after the ways Of righteous
ness? Are we eager for spiritual
revival and increasing grace even
within the church?
Judah was to be scattered Gas
with an east wind who does
not know that it came to pass. Where
are they today?
But even in the midst of judgment
the Lord speaks of mercy. The Lord
who will 'pluck up, break down and
destroy" (v.O the people who forget
Him, is eager and ready ito build
and to plant" the nation when it
turns to Him.
The sure promise Of Gods future
blessing upon repentant Israel and
Judah is written large in the mes
| Sa0aa ~ all tho nroy,hafc