T HE K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
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WEDNESDAY, May 24. Jer. 7:1-14. Israel Reproved. Jeremiah’s songs are pitched in the minor key. His prevailing tone is that of sadness. The causes of his grief are obvious. His love for the people was great even like that of Moses and Paul. He was willing to make any sacrifice and suffer any trial if only the people might be restored and reformed. "His efforts however were all in vain. It was a hopeless task. The people re jected the Divine testimony ajad would none of his counsel. He was" its faithful in reproof as in admonition and entreaty. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” He is called the weeping prophet. The lamentations justify the name. One can not but see in Jeremiah a reflection of the spirit of the Man of sorrows in his love for the people, his anxiety and effort to do them good, his sorrow at their unwillingness to be help ed and the hopefulness with which he looks forward to their final recovery and blessing. THURSDAY, May 25. Jer. 38:17-23. Jeremiah’s Counsel. After the downfall of Jérusalem, the faction in Israel that was against Baby lon, fled to Egypt and carried the proph et with them. Jeremiah protested against this movement and predicted its disastrous results. Some have ques tioned Jeremiah’s loyalty because he urged submission to Nebuchadnezzar. From his later prophecies, it is evident that God had given world empire to the king of Babylon and he was to subdue all kingdoms. He was called God’s ser vant,-25:9. To resist him therefore was to resist God. Submission to him meant submission to the will of God. It was because of Israel’s disobedience and failure that power was taken from them and given to the king of Babylon. From this time a new order of things is inaugurated and the times of the Gen tiles begin their course. Dan. 2:37, 38. L will attend His administration and that He shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. When this prophecy was given, the throne of David was imperil led, wickedness was insolent and ag gressive, while justice and equity were almost unknown. The King’s name, Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our Right eousness, is a wonderful revelation of the character and fidelity of God. The humanity of the Saviour is seen in His descent from David while His Deity is seen in this majestic name^Christ our Rlght^uSff 88 g^ 1 S'itli^'StFfHB.cient an swer to the claims of law and justice upon us and meets our every need. SATURDAY, May 27. Jer. 31:1-9. The Restoration of Israel. The restoration of Israel is repeated ly promised by Jeremiah and guaran teed by the most solemn assurance. It it minutely described in this and in the following chapter. The reason for the restoration is seen to be the changeless love of God, v. 3. The extent of the re-gathering is also mentioned and that both the house of Judah and the house of Israel will be brought back. Jere miah' committed himself openly to faith in Israel’s restoration in his purchase of the land of Hanameel. The Chal deans were besieging the city and would shortly capture it. Nevertheless God bids him to buy his relative’s field un der the assurance that in due time the people would be restored to their in heritance. Abraham bought a field for his dead. Jeremiah bought a field for a nation yet unborn. The new cove nant to be made with them is quoted frequently in the New Testament and referred to this future and distant day. Rom. 11:26,• 27; Heb. 8:8-13. SUNDAY, May 28. Jer. 35:1-10. The Rechabites. Jeremiah performs many symbolic acts after the manner of Ezekiel each of which has a significant and prophetic meaning. In ch. 13 he hides a linen girdle by Divine command in a cleft of a rock by the river Euphrates. In ch. 19 he breaks an earthen bottle in the valley of Hinnom in the presence of the priests and elders. In ch. 35 is the record and result of his temptation of the Rechabites. The prophet invited these ancient abstainers to drink wine and even offered them the cup but they stoutly refused. He then pressed home the moral but Israel paid no attention.
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