Lesson 3 The Last Five Kings of Judah October 10-16

Memory Text: “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” (Jeremiah 22:16, NIV).

Famed Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky spent four years in a Siberian prison in the 1800s for subversive political activities. Later, writing about his experiences, he talked about some of his fellow prisoners' utter lack of remorse for their terrible behavior. “In the course of several years, I never saw a sign of repentance among these people; not a trace of despondent brooding over their crimes, and the majority of them inwardly considered themselves absolutely in the right.”-Joseph Frank, Dostoevsky, the Years of Ordeal, 1850-1859, p. 95.

Dostoevsky could have been talking about, with the exception of Josiah, the five kings who ruled Judah during the ministry of Jeremiah. One after another, these men seemed totally unrepentant for their actions, even as it became clearer and clearer that their actions were bringing the calamities that the Lord, through Jeremiah, had warned would come.

It had never been God's intention to give Israel a king; by the end of this week's lesson, we will better understand why. We'll understand, too, the severe pressure that poor Jeremiah faced during much of his unappreciated ministry.

Sunday October 11 Under the Rule of JosiahJosiah was the sixteenth king to rule in the Southern Kingdom (Judah); his dates were 640-609 b.c. He became king at the age of eight, after more than half a century of moral and spiritual decline under his father (Amon) and grandfather (Manasseh), two of the most evil kings in Judah. Josiah's reign lasted for thirty-one years. Unlike his ancestors, however, Josiah “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 22:2), despite an environment that worked against him.

“Born of a wicked king, beset with temptations to follow in his father's steps, and with few counselors to encourage him in the right way, Josiah nevertheless was true to the God of Israel. Warned by the errors of past generations, he chose to do right, instead of descending to the low level of sin and degradation to which his father and his grandfather had fallen. He 'turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.' As one who was to occupy a position of trust, he resolved to obey the instruction that had been given for the guidance of Israel's rulers, and his obedience made it possible for God to use him as a vessel unto honor.”-Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings , p. 384.

Read 2 Chronicles 34:1-33. Josiah Reigns in Judah 34:1 Josiah [was] eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. 34:2And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined [neither] to the right hand, nor to the left. 2. Neither to the right hand. See also 2 Kings 22:2. This is the only ruler concerning whom this statement is made. Thus Josiah fulfilled the specifications laid down by Moses for Israel’s future king (Deut. 17:20; cf. Deut. 5:32; 28:14).1

34:3For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. 34:4And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that [were] on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust [of them], and strowed [it] upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. 34:5And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. 34:6And [so did he] in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about. 34:7And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.

Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God. 34:9And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem. 34:10 And they put [it] in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the LORD, and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the LORD, to repair and amend the house: 34:11 Even to the artificers and builders gave they [it], to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed.

1 Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1977). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 3, pp. 307–308). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

34:12 And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them [were] Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set [it] forward; and [other of] the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of music. 34:13 Also [they were] over the bearers of burdens, and [were] overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites [there were] scribes, and officers, and porters. 34:14 And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD [given] by Moses. 14. Book of the law. During the apostasy that took place in the reign of Manasseh, the Temple copy of the book of the law had been lost sight of. Possibly it had been lost through indifference, or hidden by some faithful priest during Manasseh’s persecution (see 2 Kings 21:16). 34:15 And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan. 34:16 And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do [it]. 34:17 And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen. 34:18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. 34:19 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. 19. Rent his clothes. Josiah was deeply stirred as he listened to the word of the Lord. The law pointed out that only in the pathway of obedience would blessing be found, and that disobedience would bring desolation and ruin. Well did he know that his nation by its transgressions had brought itself face to face with doom. 34:20 And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying, 34:21 Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great [is] the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book. 34:22 And Hilkiah, and [they] that the king [had appointed], WENT TO HULDAH THE PROPHETESS, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that [effect].

14. Huldah the prophetess. A number of prophets were active during the reign of Josiah.

Jeremiah was already engaged in his important work (Jer. 1:2). Habakkuk and Zephaniah also prophesied during the reign of Josiah (Zeph. 1:1; PK 384, 385, 389). No reason is given as to why Huldah was selected for the present interview. Among the prophetesses mentioned in the Bible are Miriam (Ex. 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), Noadiah (Neh. 6:14), Anna (Luke 2:36), and the four daughters of Philip (Acts 21:8, 9).

Keeper of the wardrobe. Shallum, the husband of Huldah, had charge of either the vestments of the priests in the Temple or the royal wardrobe. Either office would make him a personage of some importance.

College. Heb. mishneh. Literally, “second,” that is, “second part” or “second quarter.” The reference is probably to the new or outer city—the expansion of Jerusalem to the north of the old city, which had been enclosed by the wall of Manasseh (2 Chron. 33:14; cf. Zeph. 1:10, where mishneh is translated “second”). According to Neh. 3:9, 12, there were two “half” parts of Jerusalem. The translation “college” is the rendering of the Targums, which take mishneh in the sense of the later Mishnah, “instruction,” from the idea “to repeat,” hence “to teach” and “to learn.”2

34:23 And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me, 34:24 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, [even] all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah: 34:25 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched. 34:26 And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel [concerning] the words which thou hast heard; 34:27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard [thee] also, saith the LORD. 34:28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.

Josiah Restores True Worship 34:29 Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 34:30 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words 2 Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1976). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 973–974). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. 34:31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book. 34:32 And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand [to it]. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 34:33 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that [pertained] to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, [even] to serve the LORD their God. [And] all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.

What were the components of Josiah's reform, and why would they be central to any attempt at spiritual reformation, be it corporate or personal? MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: The components were… A. he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. B. brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that [were] on high above them, he cut down; C. the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust [of them], and strowed [it] upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. D. And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. And [so did he] in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali. E. Repair of the temple. F. Worship of the true God and rededication to Him and His will. They would be central because one cannot attach him or herself to God except they let go of all other gods. Further, a person cannot get a clear picture of God while behold false images. The influence of everything and every person had to be negated if God was to have full control. Josiah's reform consisted of two main components: First, it was getting rid, as much as possible, of anything and everything that smacked of idolatry. That is, he worked to remove the evil practices that had arisen in the nation.

But that was only the first step. An absence of evil or wrong practices doesn't automatically mean that good will follow. Second, after hearing the book of the law read to him, the king made a covenant before the Lord “to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book” (2 Chron. 34:31).

Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, pp. 381 - 385.Chapter 32 - Manasseh and Josiah

The kingdom of Judah, prosperous throughout the times of Hezekiah, was once more brought low during the long years of Manasseh's wicked reign, when paganism was revived, and many of the people were led into idolatry. "Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do

worse than the heathen." 2 Chronicles 33:9. The glorious light of former generations was followed by the darkness of superstition and error. Gross evils sprang up and flourished--tyranny, oppression, hatred of all that is good. Justice was perverted; violence prevailed.

Yet those evil times were not without witnesses for God and the right. The trying experiences through which Judah had safely passed during Hezekiah's reign had developed, in the hearts of many, a sturdiness of character that now served as a bulwark against the prevailing iniquity. Their testimony in behalf of truth and righteousness aroused the anger of Manasseh and his associates in authority, who endeavored to establish themselves in evil-doing by silencing every voice of disapproval. "Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another." 2 Kings 21:16.

One of the first to fall was Isaiah, who for over half a century had stood Judah as the appointed messenger of Jehovah. "Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." Hebrews 11:36-38.

Some of those who suffered persecution during Manasseh's reign were commissioned to bear special messages of reproof and of judgment. The king of Judah, the prophets declared, "hath done wickedly above all . . . which were before him." Because of this wickedness, his kingdom was nearing a crisis; soon the inhabitants of the land were to be carried captive to Babylon, there to become "a prey and a spoil to all their enemies." 2 Kings 21:11,14. But the Lord would not utterly forsake those who in a strange land should acknowledge Him as their Ruler; they might suffer great tribulation, yet He would bring deliverance to them in His appointed time and way. Those who should put their trust wholly in Him would find a sure refuge.

Faithfully the prophets continued their warnings and their exhortations; fearlessly they spoke to Manasseh and to his people; but the messages were scorned; backsliding Judah would not heed. As an earnest of what would befall the people should they continue impenitent, the Lord permitted their king to be captured by a band of Assyrian soldiers, who "bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon," their temporary capital. This affliction brought the king to his senses; "he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto Him: and He was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord He was God." 2 Chronicles 33:11-13. But this repentance, remarkable though it was, came too late to save the kingdom from the corrupting influence of

years of idolatrous practices. Many had stumbled and fallen, never again to rise.

Among those whose life experience had been shaped beyond recall by the fatal apostasy of Manasseh, was his own son, who came to the throne at the age of twenty-two. Of King Amon it is written: "He walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshiped them: and he forsook the Lord God of his fathers" (2 Kings 21:21, 22); he "humbled not himself before the Lord, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more." The wicked king was not permitted to reign long. In the midst of his daring impiety, only two years from the time he ascended the throne, he was slain in the palace by his own servants; and "the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead." 2 Chronicles 33:23, 25.

With the accession of Josiah to the throne, where he was to rule for thirty-one years, those who had maintained the purity of their faith began to hope that the downward course of the kingdom was checked; for the new king, though only eight years old, feared God, and from the very beginning "he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left." 2 Kings 22:2. Born of a wicked king, beset with temptations to follow in his father's steps, and with few counselors to encourage him in the right way, Josiah nevertheless was true to the God of Israel. Warned by the errors of past generations, he chose to do right, instead of descending to the low level of sin and degradation to which his father and his grandfather had fallen. He "turned not aside to the right hand or to the left." As one who was to occupy a position of trust, he resolved to obey the instruction that had been given for the guidance of Israel's rulers, and his obedience made it possible for God to use him as a vessel unto honor.

At the time Josiah began to rule, and for many years before, the truehearted in Judah were questioning whether God's promises to ancient Israel could ever be fulfilled. From a human point of view the divine purpose for the chosen nation seemed almost impossible of accomplishment. The apostasy of former centuries had gathered strength with the passing years; ten of the tribes had been scattered among the heathen; only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained, and even these now seemed on the verge of moral and national ruin. The prophets had begun to foretell the utter destruction of their fair city, where stood the temple built by Solomon, and where all their earthly hopes of national greatness had centered. Could it be that God was about to turn aside from His avowed purpose of bringing deliverance to those who should put their trust in Him? In the face of the long-continued persecution of the righteous, and of the apparent prosperity of the wicked, could those who had remained true to God hope for better days?

Read 2 Chronicles 34 31 Then the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book.

Read 2 Chronicles 34:32-33. 32 And he made all who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand. So the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 33 Thus Josiah removed all the abominations from all the country that belonged to the children of Israel, and made all who were present in Israel diligently serve the Lord their God. All his days they did not depart from following the Lord God of their fathers.

What do these verses tell us about the power of a good example, especially among people in positions of power and influence? MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: A Good example has the ability to influence others in the right way. A good example accomplishes much good. During his lifetime his faithful example and his inspiring and energetic leadership caused the people outwardly to walk in the ways of the Lord. Think long and hard: What influence do your words and actions exert on others? MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: Hopefully a positive one.

Monday October 12 Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim: Another DescentJehoahaz (also known as Shallum) was 23 years old when he succeeded his father on the throne. His reign lasted only three months. Pharaoh replaced him with his brother because Jehoahaz was not favorable toward Egyptian politics. Jehoahaz was taken to Egypt, and there he died. (See 2 Chron. 36:4, 2 Kings 23:31-34.)The king that followed Jehoahaz was Jehoiakim, who reigned from 609-598 b.c. (11yrs). He was the son of Josiah. When Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem, Jehoiakim was taken to Babylon along with vessels from the temple. Jeremiah again warned the people that their new king was leading the nation down a wrong path.

Read Jeremiah 22:1-19. 1 Thus says the Lord: “Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and there speak this word, 2 and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, O king of Judah, you who sit on the throne of David, you and your servants and your people who enter these gates! 3 Thus says the Lord: “Execute judgment and

righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. 

3. Judgment. Or, “justice.” From the words in the previous verse, “Thy people that enter in by these gates,” it would seem that Jeremiah delivered this message to the king as he sat in the gate in the presence of his subjects (see on ch. 21:12), probably conducting the affairs of state.

Shed innocent blood. One example of this unrelenting and extreme cruelty was the murder of Urijah by Jehoiakim (see ch. 26:20–23).3

4 For if you indeed do this thing, then shall enter the gates of this house, riding on horses and in chariots, accompanied by servants and people, kings who sit on the throne of David. 5 But if you will not hear these words, I swear by Myself,” says the   Lord, “that this house shall become a desolation.”’”

4. If ye do this. Here again the prophet graphically portrays the glory and prosperity that would come to Jerusalem if the people fulfilled God’s divine purpose for them (see on ch. 17:25).

5. I swear by myself. An expression emphasizing the certainty of God’s intention to fulfill His purpose (see Gen. 22:16). The reason, of course, why God thus swears is because there is none greater than Himself (Heb. 6:13).

This house. From the context it is plain this refers not to the Temple but to the royal palace.

6 For thus says the Lord to the house of the king of Judah:“You are Gilead to Me,The head of Lebanon;Yet I surely will make you a

wilderness,Cities which are not inhabited.7 I will prepare destroyers against you,Everyone with his weapons;They shall cut down your choice cedarsAnd cast them into the fire.”

8 And many nations will pass by this city; and everyone will say to his neighbor, “Why has the Lord done so to this great city?” 9 Then they will answer, “Because they have forsaken the covenant of the   Lord   their God, and worshiped other gods and served them.”

10 Weep not for the dead, nor bemoan him; Weep bitterly for him who goes away, For he shall return no more, Nor see his native country.

9. Forsaken the covenant. See Deut. 29:24–26. The “covenant” that made Israel God’s special people was broken by the people, not by the Lord.

10. The dead. A reference to the righteous king of Judah, Josiah, for whom Jeremiah had composed a solemn lamentation (see 2 Chron. 35:25). Josiah was greatly respected and beloved by his people, and his untimely death was deeply mourned.

Him that goeth away. A reference to Josiah’s son and successor, Jehoahaz, whom Pharaoh-Necho removed from the throne and carried away into Egypt (2 Kings 23:31–34; 2 Chron. 36:2–4). The fate of this king, who was to “return no more” to his “native country,” was more

3 Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1977). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 4, pp. 435–436). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

suitable for lamentation than was the death of Josiah, who had been fatally wounded on the field of battle (see on 2 Kings 23:29, 30; 2 Chron. 35:24), and had thus been spared the evil to come to his people (2 Kings 22:20; Isa. 57:1). These references to Josiah and Jehoahaz indicate that the time when this message was given was certainly after the reign of Jehoahaz (see on Jer. 22:1, 11).

11 For thus says the Lord concerning Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah, who reigned instead of Josiah his father, who went from this place: “He shall not return here anymore, 12 but he shall die in the place where they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more.”13 “Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousnessAnd his chambers by injustice,Who uses his neighbor”s service without wages And gives him nothing for his work,Without wages. Jehoiakim evidently imposed forced labor on some of his unfortunate subjects. Instead of being free, the people were virtually slaves, receiving their food but no wages.14 Who says, “I will build myself a wide house with spacious chambers,And cut out windows for it,Paneling it with cedarAnd painting it with vermilion.”Vermilion. Probably the same red pigment that was used in the buildings of Assyria and Egypt (see Eze. 23:14). Possibly it was cinnabar, or red clay and oxide of iron. Jehoiakim very probably had the vain ambition to emulate the architectural glory of the Egyptian king Pharaoh-Necho, who had placed him on the throne (2 Kings 23:34).15 “Shall you reign because you enclose yourself in cedar?Did not your father eat and drink,And do justice and righteousness?Then it was well with him.16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy;Then it was well.Was   not this knowing Me?” says the Lord.16. Was not this to know me? See ch. 9:23, 24. In contrast with his son, Josiah did not seek greatness through secular accomplishment. His greatness was found in his fellowship with the Lord and that fellowship was revealed by Josiah’s justice and mercy toward “the cause of the poor and needy” (see Micah 6:8; Matt. 25:34–40).17 “Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness,For shedding innocent blood,And practicing oppression and violence.”18 Therefore thus says the Lord concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:

“They shall not lament for him,Saying, ‘Alas, my brother!’ or ‘Alas, my sister!’They shall not lament for him,Saying, ‘Alas, master!’ or ‘Alas, his glory!’19 He shall be buried with the burial of a donkey,Dragged and cast out beyond the gates of Jerusalem.”

What were some of the issues with Jehoiakim that brought such a stern rebuke from the Lord? MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: Lack of recognition and reverence for the true God as seen in his not keeping the covenant …going after other gods. Self aggrandizement evidenced by taking advantage of the poor for

self gain.

The Lord, speaking through Jeremiah, had very sharp words for this corrupt and covetous ruler. Jehoiakim was an oppressive and greedy king who imposed heavy taxes in Judah (see 2 Kings 23:35) in order to pay the Egyptians. Worse, using forced labor, he had elaborate construction done on his own palace, in defiance of the Torah, which was clear about paying people for their work: “Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning” ( Lev. 19:13 ). Also, unlike Josiah, his father, Jehoiakim permitted pagan rites to flourish again in Judah.

Jeremiah 22:16 is a powerful text. In the context of comparing the corrupt Jehoiakim to his father, Josiah, the Lord said to him: “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” (NIV). In other words, the true knowledge of God comes from how one treats those who are in need; it comes when we step out of ourselves to benefit those who can really do nothing for us in return. We see here, again, as we see all through the Bible, the Lord's concern for the poor and the helpless, as well as the obligation we have to help those who cannot help themselves.Dwell on the idea that helping the “poor and the needy” is how we come to know the Lord. What does that mean? MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: Fellowship with the Lord, implies receiving the mind and heart of God. Hence it means that as one helps the poor and needy they avail themselves of the opportunity to identify with, yes, even discover the heart and mind of God.

Tuesday October 13 The Short Reign of King Jehoiachin of JudahThe nineteenth king of Judah became Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim. He reigned on David's throne for barely three and a half months. In 598 b.c. Nebuchadnezzar brought his forces to Jerusalem and seized the 18-year-old king with his mother, his wives, and many other royal captives. In 561 b.c., in the thirty-seventh year of his captivity, Jehoiachin was given mercy by Evil-Merodach, Nebuchadnezzar's successor. He was granted the right to dine with the king of Babylon, and he could wear his kingly robes. (See 2 Kings 25:27-30, Jer. 52:31-34.) His sons were also in Babylon with him, yet Jeremiah's prophecy said they would have to give up the throne of David.Read Jeremiah 29:1-14, the words of the Lord through Jeremiah after King Jehoiachin and his family and the court were taken captive from Jerusalem. Even amid this tragedy, how is God's love and grace revealed?

Jeremiah 29:1-14 Jeremiahs Letter to the Captives

1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive - to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 (This happened after Jeconiah the king, the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.) The queen. That is, the queen mother (see on ch. 13:18); Jehoiachin’s mother, Nehushta, wife of Jehoiakim, was captured with him (2 Kings 24:8, 12, 15).

3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying,4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:4. I have caused. The prophet informed the exiles that their being in captivity at that time was not contrary to God’s will, and that they should accept quietly their fate and make the best of the situation.4

5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters - that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 5. Build ye houses. The fact that such counsel was necessary indicates that, like their brethren in the homeland (see ch. 28), the Jewish exiles in Babylon were restless and unwilling to yield to their Chaldean conquerors. This attitude received support from the false prophets among them, who urged the people not to submit. Jeremiah counseled the exiles to accept patiently their present state of subjection.7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.

8. Prophets and your diviners. These two classes of deceivers were carrying on their work in Babylon as in Judea, predicting that the Jews would be speedily delivered from their captivity (see ch. 28:1–3). The “diviners” were those who attempted to foretell the future by various methods of interpretation of signs and omens (see on Dan. 1:20).

Ye cause to be dreamed. These deceptive dreams were, after all, those that the Israelites wanted to hear, again emphasizing the earlier divine lament, “my people love to have it so” (see Jer. 5:31; Isa. 30:9, 10; Micah 2:11). 9 For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord.

4 Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1977). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 4, pp. 457–458). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

10 For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.

10. Seventy years. In denial of this illusive hope of a short captivity, God again affirms that the Captivity will be for the full 70 years (see ch. 25:12). By this time about 10 years of the 70 had already passed by (see on ch. 25:1, 12).

I will visit you. See on Ps. 8:4; 59:5. When the 70 years would come to its end, then, and not before, would God “perform” His “good word” of promised grace and mercy by causing His people “to return to this place.” 11   For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the   Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.   12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

11. Thoughts of peace. See on ch. 6:14. Even the captivity of the exiles would be for their own good (see on ch. 24:5–10). God assured and comforted His people with the promise that when the 70 years would end, His “eyes” would be “upon them for good” (ch. 24:6).

An expected end. Literally, “a latter end and an expectation.” In other words, God promises His chosen nation that all things will come out well for them in spite of their captivity. If in justice the Lord had to “wound” His children by means of the Captivity, in His love and mercy He would “heal” them by means of the restoration (see Deut. 32:39; Job 5:18; Hosea 6:1).

13. With all your heart. This wonderful promise is an echo of Deut. 4:29. God makes it plain that He can do nothing for His people unless they seek Him with sincerity of purpose.

MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: God’s mercy is seen first and foremost in their being able to continue a somewhat life while in captivity. Then, their release from captivity 70 years later with God answering heir prayers.

One of the most famous verses in the Bible is this: “'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'” (Jer. 29:11, NIV). Here, of course, we have the immediate context: that of the Lord speaking through Jeremiah to the captives of Judah who had seen their lives completely uprooted by their Babylonian conquerors. Yet, even then, no matter how bad their situation seemed, the Lord wanted them to know that He still loved them and had only their good in mind. No doubt, considering the horrific circumstances, they must have welcomed such promising and hopeful words. Thus, even amid all dire warnings and threats, the people were still given the promise of “a future and hope.” How crucial it must

have been for them, especially at that time, to have such assurance!A future and a hope? MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: Yes because God was moving in their favor. What promises can you claim from the Lord for “a future and a hope” even right now, regardless of your circumstances? MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: Job 23:10. 1 John 1:9. Phil 1:6

Wednesday October 14 At the End of the Dead End

Read 2 Chronicles 36:11-14. What do these verses tell us about the last king of Judah before the final destruction of the nation? 2 Chronicles 36:11-14 Zedekiah Reigns in Judah11 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 11. Zedekiah. For the parallel account see 2 Kings 24:18 to 25:21.5

12 He did evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the Lord. 13 And he also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear an oath by God; but he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the   Lord   God of Israel . 14 Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the   Lord  which He had consecrated in Jerusalem.

2 Kings 24: 19. Which was evil. Zedekiah was a moral weakling (see 2 Chron. 36:12–16; Jer. 37:1, 2; 38:5; 52:2; Eze. 17:13–19; 21:25). There are indications that he at times endeavored to do that which was right but lacked the courage to abide by his convictions (Jer. 34:8–16; 37:2–21; 38:4–28).

20. Zedekiah rebelled. This clause introduces the events of the 25th chapter and would more appropriately appear at the beginning of that chapter. The 24th chapter appropriately closes with the word “presence.” The rebellion of Zedekiah against Babylon caused Nebuchadnezzar to come against Judah in a campaign and thus to bring that nation down in ruins. Early in the reign of Zedekiah there was a general expectation fostered by false prophets that there would be an early return of the exiles from Babylon and an end of the Babylonian yoke (Jer. 27:16; 28:1–4, 10, 11). It was probably in connection with this expectation that Zedekiah sent an embassy to Babylon (Jer. 29:3), and in the fourth year of his reign went to Babylon himself (Jer. 51:59). Jeremiah constantly sought to correct this impression, and counseled continued submission rather than revolt (Jer. 27:5–22; 28:5–17; 29:1–32). Zedekiah, however, continued his activities to throw off the Babylonian yoke, seeking for help from Egypt toward this end (Eze. 17:15; cf. Jer. 37:5; 44:30). The neighboring peoples of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Zidon were also anxious to throw off the yoke of Babylon, and had earlier sent ambassadors to Judah proposing

5 Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1977). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 3, p. 316). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

a general revolt (Jer. 27:3–11).6

MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: It was characterized by evil and pride. It was one of rebellion and resistance to the true God. The nation sinned even more. What spiritual principles of apostasy are revealed in these texts? MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: 1. The first step is in being prideful and not listening to God’s chosen mouth piece. 2. Being resistant and hardening one’s heart to the promptings of God and following the heathen nations. 3. Lack of respect for the holy and consecrated things of God.

Zedekiah (also known as Mattaniah) took the throne at the age of 21, placed there by Nebuchadnezzar as a puppet king. Unfortunately, as the texts say, he hadn't learned many lessons from what had gone before with previous kings, and as a result he brought even greater ruin to the nation.

Second Chronicles 36:14 states something very profound, a point that in many ways went to the heart of their apostasy. Amid the list of all the evil done under the reign of Zedekiah, it is said that Judah was following “all the abominations of the nations” (NKJV).

There they were, hundreds of years after the Exodus, hundreds of years as the covenant people who were to be a light and a beacon to the nations ( Deut. 4:5-8 ) , and yet they were still so caught up in the prevailing culture, so caught up in the cultural and religious environment of their neighbors, that they were doing “all the abominations” of the pagans.

Might there be a message there for us? MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: Yes most definitely. We need to constantly search our hearts. Review what we are doing in the light of what God has called us to do and be. Guard against becoming like the world and embracing its value system.

Read Jeremiah 38:14-18. What did the king ask him, and why? Zedekiahs Fears and Jeremiahs Advice14 Then Zedekiah the king sent and had Jeremiah the prophet brought to him at the third entrance of the house of the Lord. And the king said to Jeremiah, “I will ask you something. Hide nothing from me.”14. Into the third entry. Or, “at the third entrance.” It is impossible to identify the place of this secret meeting.15 Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I declare it to you, will you not surely put me to death? And if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”Wilt thou not hearken? Or, “thou wilt not hearken.” The LXX reads, “Thou wilt not hearken to

6 Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1976). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 984–985). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

me,” with the strongest possible of Greek negatives (see on Matt. 5:18).7

16 So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, “As the Lord lives, who made our very souls, I will not put you to death, nor will I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life.”17 Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “Thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘If you surely surrender to the king of Babylon’s princes, then your soul shall live; this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall live. 

17. The God of hosts. See on ch. 7:3.Princes. Those commanding the army that surrounded Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar was at

Riblah, on the Orontes River in Coele-Syria (see ch. 39:5).

18 But if you do not surrender to the king of Babylon”s princes, then this city shall be given into the hand of the Chaldeans; they shall burn it with fire, and you shall not escape from their hand.MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: The king probably asked him whether or not he should submit to the king of Babylon. A fundamental weakness of character King Zedekiah’s vacillation proved to be his undoing. He was uncertain, insecure and didn’t trust others.

The Lord had made it clear on numerous occasions that the nation was to submit to the rule of Babylon, that this conquest was punishment for their iniquity. Zedekiah, however, refused to listen, and he formed a military alliance against Nebuchadnezzar. Israel relied heavily on the hope of an Egyptian military victory. But Nebuchadnezzar was victorious over Pharaoh's army in 597 b.c. This defeat permanently sealed the fate of Jerusalem and the nation. Despite so many opportunities to repent, to reform, to be revived, Judah refused.We as a church have been raised up to proclaim a message to the world that no one else in the world is proclaiming. In many ways that is very similar to what Judah was to do. What lessons can and should we learn for ourselves from their mistakes? MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: 1. We need to be true to our calling. 2. Do not seek our own will in opposition to God. 3. It does not make sense depending on any other source than God alone. 4. We will not find what we need by forming alliances with non-Christians.

Thursday October 15 The Dark Years

What became of Israel and Jerusalem after rejecting God's message? Jer. 39:8-9.

7 Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1977). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 4, p. 488). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

8 And the Chaldeans burned the kings house and the houses of the people with fire, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.8. Burned the king’s house. For a more detailed account of this devastation see Jer. 52:12–14; cf. 2 Kings 25:8–10.9 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive to Babylon the remnant of the people who remained in the city and those who defected to him, with the rest of the people who remained.9. Carried away captive. To prevent rebellion Nebuchadnezzar followed the same deportation policy as did the Assyrians before him (2 Kings 15:29; 17:6).MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: They were carried away into captivity.

Everything that God had warned them would happen to them is exactly what happened. However much they didn't want to believe the warnings, they certainly did believe them after it all came to pass. Who hasn't, even on a personal level, experienced something similar? We're warned by the Lord not to do something or else this will happen, but we do it anyway and, sure enough, what we were told would happen happened.

What message is found in Jeremiah 23:2-8? 2 Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the   Lord.

2. Scattered my flock. This accusation was literally as well as spiritually true. As a result of the neglect, tyranny, weakness, and apostasy of their rulers, the Israelites were dispersed into Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, etc.

I will visit. See on Ps. 8:4; Ps. 59:5. Inasmuch as the unfaithful shepherds had “not visited” the flock with the purpose of attending to the needs of the sheep, God would “visit” these shepherds with the purpose of punishing them for “the evil” of their “doings.”

3 “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4 I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the Lord.

3. Bring them again. Though certain and final doom was to fall upon the “shepherds,” or rulers, there was hope for “the remnant” of the flock. The prophet brought these messages of hope to Judah at the very time when the besieging armies of Babylon were being brought against Jerusalem (see PK 427), perhaps during the time Jehoiachin was being besieged in 597 B.C. (see on v. 1).

4. Shall feed them. The evil shepherds “fed themselves, and fed not the flock” (Eze. 34:8).

God planned that the shepherds of the restoration should be true to their name and trust, and be faithful undershepherds of the “chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:2–4).

5 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord,“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;A King shall reign and prosper,And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.6 In His days Judah will be saved,And Israel will dwell safely;Now this is His name by which He will be called:”THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.7 “Therefore, behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “that they shall no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ 8 but, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ And they shall dwell in their own land.”

5. Branch. See on Isa. 11:1; Zech. 3:8; 6:12.A King shall reign. Or, “He shall reign as King,” referring to the “Branch,” Christ, who will

rule with “judgment and justice” the kingdom of the redeemed (see Isa. 9:6, 7; Dan. 7:13, 14; Rev. 11:15).

6. And Israel. The promise of restoration to those who were faithful was given to all the people, both the house of Judah and the house of Israel (see on ch. 3:18).

The Lord our righteousness. A title calling attention to the fact that righteousness comes only through Christ (see Rom. 1:16, 17; 3:21–25; 8:1–4; 9:30–33).

7. No more. “In the ages to come the deliverance wrought in” behalf of God’s people “would exceed in fame that wrought for the children of Israel at the time of the Exodus” (PK 427; see on Jer. 16:14, 15).

8. North country. See on ch. 1:14.

What hope was given the people there? MY POSSIBLE ANSWER: The hope of finally being brought back to their own land where their King will lead them in safety and prosperity….Pastors will feed them and “A Branch of Righteousness” will save them.

From a human perspective, all seemed lost: their nation lay in ruins, their temple was destroyed, their rulers were exiled and held captive, and the city of Jerusalem was a pile of stones. The Jewish nation and the Jewish people should have at that time disappeared from history, as had so many other nations that had undergone what they just had.

The Lord, though, had other plans, and in the verses above (and in many others) He gave them the hope that all was not lost but that a remnant would remain and would return and through them the promises would be fulfilled. That is, amid all the warning of doom and destruction, the prophets also gave the people their only hope.

“The dark years of destruction and death marking the end of the kingdom

of Judah would have brought despair to the stoutest heart had it not been for the encouragements in the prophetic utterances of God's messengers. Through Jeremiah in Jerusalem, through Daniel in the court of Babylon, through Ezekiel on the banks of the Chebar, the Lord in mercy made clear His eternal purpose and gave assurance of His willingness to fulfill to His chosen people the promises recorded in the writings of Moses. That which He had said He would do for those who should prove true to Him, He would surely bring to pass. 'The word of God . . . liveth and abideth forever.' 1 Peter 1:23.”-Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings , p. 464 .

Friday October 16 Further Thought:

“In the closing years of Judah's apostasy the exhortations of the prophets were seemingly of but little avail; and as the armies of the Chaldeans came for the third and last time to besiege Jerusalem, hope fled from every heart. Jeremiah predicted utter ruin; and it was because of his insistence on surrender that he had finally been thrown into prison. But God left not to hopeless despair the faithful remnant who were still in the city. Even while Jeremiah was kept under close surveillance by those who scorned his messages, there came to him fresh revelations concerning Heaven's willingness to forgive and to save, which have been an unfailing source of comfort to the church of God from that day to this.”-Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings , p. 466 .

Look at the phrase, “Heaven's willingness to forgive and to save.” Think about all the ways that we have been shown “Heaven's willingness” to forgive and save. After all, the Cross alone should tell us about this willingness. We have the Word of God, which reveals to us the plan of salvation. We have been given the Spirit of Prophecy, a wonderful gift. What are other ways we have been shown “Heaven's willingness to forgive and to save”?

Discussion Questions:

1“[The people approached] Jeremiah the prophet and said to him, 'Please hear our petition and pray to the Lord your God for this entire remnant. For as you now see, though we were once many, now only a few are left'” (Jer. 42:2, NIV). What does this verse and what we read in Jeremiah 23:3 have to say about the remnant theme in Jeremiah?

2It's so easy from our perspective to look back at sacred history and see all the faults and shortcomings and spiritual deficiencies of God's people of antiquity. And we should, because we have been told that these stories were written as examples for us (1 Cor.

10:11). The sad thing is, many of these people at the time, in their own context and culture, thought that they were doing the right thing, that they were just fine with the Lord. What warning should that give us about just how blind we can be to our true spiritual state? What are ways we can come to grips with our true spiritual condition? Why must we keep the Cross central to that process? What would happen to us if we didn't keep it central to our spiritual lives?

Inside Story~ The Unexpected Answer

A small group of Adventists in Malawi planned to hold evangelistic meetings. On the first night of the meetings we were disappointed when only a few people came. We prayed, but attendance hovered around 30. Some suggested that we cancel the meetings, but the speaker refused. “If we pray earnestly,” he said, “God will make something happen.”The next evening the meeting opened with the same 30 people. We sang and prayed, then the speaker stood up. Suddenly a commotion of clapping and cheering drowned out the speaker.

The commotion increased as a crowd of people following a nyau [nee-ow]-a spirit worshipper dressed in swishing grass skirts and rags and wearing an ornate headdress and mask-approached the meeting place. The nyau probably was on his way to a graveyard.When the nyau came nearer, he stopped dancing and turned toward the speaker. The crowd following him stopped, and the nyau didn’t move. Instead, he leaned against a wall, apparently planning to listen to the evangelist. The crowd following him stopped clapping and listened as the speaker quickly resumed his message.The nyau listened quietly to the rest of the sermon. Someone estimated that 200 people who had been following the nyau listened as well. The speaker was nervous, but he continued with his presentation about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2. After the closing prayer, the nyau and his followers continued toward the cemetery.

The next evening the meeting started with the same 30 people, but as the program progressed, more came. Even the nyau, dressed in his mask and swishing skirts, came with his followers. He didn’t stand outside the meeting place this time, but entered the tent and sat down. His followers sat down, too. The speaker couldn’t be sure that the nyau was the same who had come previously, but he recognized many of the nyau’s followers. Other visitors came, curious to know what was being preached in their neighborhood that could possibly interest a nyau. That night almost 80 people attended the meeting.

Attendance at the meetings continued increasing. A few nights later, the speaker invited listeners to accept Jesus as their Savior. That evening 95

people accepted Jesus and asked for further Bible studies.The next night close to 200 people came to the meeting, including two

more nyaus, dressed in torn clothes and wearing leafy branches to cover their faces. That night an additional 50 answered the call to accept Jesus.

The meetings continued for 21 nights, and baptismal classes followed. On the day of the baptism 145 were baptized. Among them was a man who identified himself as the nyau who had interrupted the meeting when he stopped to listen that first night. This former nyau continues to be faithful to Jesus.

Today the little group that prayed and worked to increase their membership are now worshipping in a larger church. Their previous church was too small to accommodate all the new members and those who continue to come, curious about the message that attracts devil worshippers to worship the living God.___ Willan Mkandawire is an active lay worker in Lilongwe, Malawi. below is always the same

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Friday – Further StudyEllen G. White, Prophets and Kings, pp. 464 – 471

Chapter 38 - Light Through Darkness

The dark years of destruction and death marking the end of the kingdom of Judah would have brought despair to the stoutest heart had it not been for the encouragements in the prophetic utterances of God's messengers. Through Jeremiah in Jerusalem, through Daniel in the court of Babylon, through Ezekiel on the banks of the Chebar, the Lord in mercy made clear His eternal purpose and gave assurance of His willingness to fulfill to His chosen people the promises recorded in the writings of Moses. That which He had said He would do for those who should prove true to Him, He would surely bring to pass. "The word of God . . . liveth and abideth forever." 1 Peter 1:23.

In the days of the wilderness wandering the Lord had made abundant provision for His children to keep in remembrance the words of His law. After the settlement in Canaan the divine precepts were to be repeated daily in every home; they were to be written plainly upon the doorposts and gates, and spread upon memorial tablets. They were to be set to music and chanted by young and old. Priests were to teach these holy precepts in public assemblies, and the rulers of the land were to make them their daily

study. "Meditate therein day and night," the Lord commanded Joshua concerning the book of the law, "that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:8.

The writings of Moses were taught by Joshua to all Israel. "There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them." Joshua 8:35. This was in harmony with the express command of Jehovah providing for a public rehearsal of the words of the book of the law every seven years, during the Feast of Tabernacles. "Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates," the spiritual leaders of Israel had been instructed. "that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: and that their children, which have not known anything, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it." Deuteronomy 31:12, 13.

Had this counsel been heeded through the centuries that followed, how different would have been Israel's history! Only as a reverence for God's Holy Word was cherished in the hearts of the people, could they hope to fulfill the divine purpose. It was regard for the law of God that gave Israel strength during the reign of David and the earlier years of Solomon's rule; it was through faith in the living word that reformation was wrought in the days of Elijah and of Josiah. And it was to these same Scriptures of truth, Israel's richest heritage, that Jeremiah appealed in his efforts toward reform. Wherever he ministered he met the people with the earnest plea, "Hear ye the words of this covenant," words which would bring them a full understanding of God's purpose to extend to all nations a knowledge of saving truth. Jeremiah 11:12.

In the closing years of Judah's apostasy the exhortations of the prophets were seemingly of but little avail; and as the armies of the Chaldeans came for the third and last time to besiege Jerusalem, hope fled from every heart. Jeremiah predicted utter ruin; and it was because of his insistence on surrender that he had finally been thrown into prison. But God left not to hopeless despair the faithful remnant who were still in the city. Even while Jeremiah was kept under close surveillance by those who scorned his messages, there came to him fresh revelations concerning Heaven's willingness to forgive and to save, which have been an unfailing source of comfort to the church of God from that day to this.

Laying fast hold on the promises of God, Jeremiah, by means of AN ACTED PARABLE, illustrated before the inhabitants of the fated city his strong faith in the ultimate fulfillment of God's purpose for His people. In the

presence of witnesses, and with careful observance of all necessary legal forms, he purchased for seventeen shekels of silver an ancestral field situated in the neighboring village of Anathoth.

From every human point of view this purchase of land in territory already under the control of the Babylonians, appeared to be an act of folly. The prophet himself had been foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem, the desolation of Judea, and the utter ruin of the kingdom. He had been prophesying a long period of captivity in faraway Babylon. Already advanced in years, he could never hope to receive personal benefit from the purchase he had made. However, his study of the prophecies that were recorded in the Scriptures had created within his heart a firm conviction that the Lord purposed to restore to the children of the captivity their ancient possession of the Land of Promise. With the eye of faith Jeremiah saw the exiles returning at the end of the years of affliction and reoccupying the land of their fathers. Through the purchase of the Anathoth estate he would do what he could to inspire others with the hope that brought so much comfort to his own heart.

Having signed the deeds of transfer and secured the countersignatures of witnesses, Jeremiah charged Baruch his secretary: "Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days. For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land." Jeremiah 32:14, 15.

So discouraging was the outlook for Judah at the time of this extraordinary transaction that immediately after perfecting the details of the purchase and arranging for the preservation of the written records, the faith of Jeremiah, unshaken though it had been, was now sorely tried. Had he, in his endeavor to encourage Judah, acted presumptuously? In his desire to establish confidence in the promises of God's word, had he given ground for false hope? Those who had entered into covenant relationship with God had long since scorned the provisions made in their behalf. Could the promises to the chosen nation ever meet with complete fulfillment? Perplexed in spirit, bowed down with sorrow over the sufferings of those who had refused to repent of their sins, the prophet appealed to God for further enlightenment concerning the divine purpose for mankind.

"Ah Lord God!" he prayed, "behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched-out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee: Thou showest loving-kindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the great, the mighty God, the Lord of hosts, is His name, great in counsel, and mighty in work: for Thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give everyone according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: which hast set signs and wonders in the land of

Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made Thee a name, as at this day; and hast brought forth Thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched-out arm, and with great terror; and hast given them this land, which Thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey; and they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not Thy voice, neither walked in Thy law; they have done nothing of all that Thou commandedst them to do: therefore Thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them." Verses 17-23.