T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S servant of Jehovah continues to speak forth the word that was given him. He warns the people that if they. stay in the city they will suffer the tortures ot famine and the ravages of diseases It would be better for them to submit and throw themselves- upon the mercy of their foes than await certain destruc tion by carrying the resistance through a long and protracted siege. They had withstood God so long and departed from Him so far that their doom was sealed and judgment was inevitable. TUESDAY, June 6. Jer. 37:11-15. The Prophet in Prison Jeremiah’s enemies accused him to the king, charging him with being dis- affeeted toward the government and be ing a dangerous man. During the Chal dean invasion, a temporary withdrawal of the Chaldean army gave the people of Jerusalem a brief respite from the siege with a chance to go out and hunt for food. Jeremiah went out with others intending to visit his old home in Ana- thoth on a matter of private business. One of his enemies who saw him charg ed him with treason affirming that he was in league with the Chaldeans be cause of his prophecy of their return. Zedekiah was a weak king who was afraid to oppose the princes, and yield ing to their demand, he had the proph et thrown into prison. It was a deep pit which had been full of water which had been emptied during the siege so that only mud remained. Josephus says that he sank up to his neck in the mire. Probably this persecution intend ed that he should suffocate or drown. WEDNESDAY, June 7. Jer. 37:16-21. The Prophet’s Appeal to the King. Jeremiah shows a notable example of the triumph of the moral over the physi cal nature. Usually we know very lit tle of the personal life of the prophets but Jeremiah discloses to us his inmost thoughts. He did not look always on the bright side of things. He was timid, sensitive,' desponding and constantly complaining. Nevertheless there is no word of rebuke spoken to him. The reason for this is that he was always doing his duty to the full extent of his powers. His strength consisted in his determination to do what was right at *ny cost. No opposition or persecutior could avail to shake his constant mind. He saw the ruin of his country drawing near. He knew the remedy and he also knew that it would be offered in vain. He might have given way to murmuring when alone with God but he set his
613 face like a flint when he confronted the world. THURSDAY, June 8. Jer. 3 8 :1 -1 3 . The Prophet Rescued. An Ethiopian stranger saves the prophet of God when his own country men tried to destroy him. Ethiopians were among the earliest converts to Christianity, Acts 8:27, and already at this early time, God was showing what good reasons there were for calling the Gentiles to salvation through faith in the Saviour whom the Jews rejected and crucified. This African servant spoke to the king publicly and claimed justice on behalf of Jeremiah. The king suddenly changes front and orders Jeremiah’s rescue while a guard is sent to protect him from any possible inter ference from his enemies. A black man and some old rotten rags are used by God to save his faithful servant, choosing the weak things of this world to bring to nought the mighty. God ever standeth within the shadow keep ing watch above Hfs own. FRIDAY, June 9. Luke 3 :1 5 -2 0 . John the Baptist Imprisoned. Imprisonment has been the price that the faithful witness has had to pay more than once for his testimony. Jeremiah always told the truth no matter what the consequences were to himself. When 'the king sent to consult him secretly his answer was bold and clear. He never temporized, or equivocated. He forgot that he was a prisoner speaking -to a king and only remembered that he was a prophet speaking for God. He may be classed as among those who “ out of weakness were made strong.” He was willing to plead for the king’s help “ lest he die.” yet he spake all that was commanded and was undismayed. Jer. 1:8, 17. For everyone that trusts Him, God will do what He did for Jeremiah, make him a “ defenced city, and an iron pillar and brazen walls.” SATURDAY, June 10. Psalm 4 0 :1 -17 . Deliverance From Trouble. The Psalms are timeless mirrors of human experience. As we read the thirty-first and the fortieth Psalms it is impossible not to think of Jeremiah. They might almost have been written by the prophet himself so accurately do they reflect his experiences of suffering, trust and deliverance. Times of testing and trouble come to all. Sorrow and trial wait for every one. Forms of trouble differ but the form is indifferent. The fact aloné is real. The experience of others does not
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