Jeremiah Received His Commission
There is no sin greater nor so destructive to faith as disbelief in God s commands and promises. In order to secure information from the present day accepted Judeo-Christian scholars time has been spent studying Bible dictionaries and reading Bible encyclopedias on Jeremiah without finding a sing indication that this prophet, commission of God, was able to carry out his full mission.
God assigned to him a task to root out, pull down and destroy, and then the most important part of his word, to build and to plant. The fulfillment of this final phase of his mission is completely overlooked and ignored by the Judeo-Christian scholars who have written on the life of Jeremiah.
Upon reading this and studying what is actually being said by the Prophet Jeremiah it is almost as if he was talking directly to our nation of the United States of America today, with its evil blood thirsty leaders; and with the anti-christs that have been brought into the administration by those evil leaders.
Jeremiah s Commission
Jeremiah s Commission is a story that the Judeo-Christian clergy will never teach you; or at least the truth about it. His commission is recorded in Jeremiah 1:10:
See, I have this day set thee over the (Israel) nations and over the (Israel) kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. (We inserted the words Israel to show who Jeremiah was to root out and to pull down and to destroy. For many will think this is the nations of the world, and Jeremiah was not sent to all the nations of the world to do this to them, but only to the Israel nations of the world).
This commission breaks down into six phases thusly:
(1) To root out;
(2) To pull down;
(3) To destroy;
(4) To throw down;
(5) To build; and
(6) To plant.
You may search all the Bible commentaries, dictionaries, atlases or encyclopedias on this verse and find next to nothing worth repeating.
Its almost as if the verse didn t exist, and this commission is probably one of the greatest ever authorized by Yahweh. All the great minds of nominal theology are stymied for an explanation. What few utterances these sources do have to offer are preposterous generalizations which have little, if any, application.
It is only in the Israel Truth Message that a satisfactory answer can be found especially on the building and planting. All others are helplessly mute on the subject. This among a very few other key verses, the entire Bible stands or falls. If the building and planting cannot be explained, the Israel identity is a myth as well as all Holy Writ. Without this verse, we might as well quit and join the world order.
To bring you the details surrounding this verse commissioning Jeremiah, we will quote Destiny Magazine (Yearbook), May, 1947, the last of a series called Study In Jeremiah entitled Building and Planting, by Howard Rand, pages 163-165:
We now come to the most important part of Jeremiah s mission. It concerns the task God assigned to him to build and to plant. The first part of his mission was carried out in Palestine and finally in Egypt. He was hated by his countrymen because he told them the truth, denouncing their sins and calling upon them to restore righteousness in the nation.
The Holy Scriptures are silent concerning Jeremiah s whereabouts after describing his journey to and sojourn in Egypt. But we do know that the Bible records only the fulfillment of the first part of the prophet s mission: See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant. (Jeremiah 1:10)
Jeremiah accomplished in its entirety the destructive phase of his commission and we have every reason to believe God would see to it that he was prepared to accomplish the building and planting for which he was also commissioned. The daughters of Zedekiah became the prophet s words and because God had promised that His covenant would not be broken with David, that he would never lack a son to reign upon his Throne, the building and planting obviously had to do with preserving this royal branch of the House of David.
Daughters of Zelophehad
When Nebuchadnezzar killed the sons of Zedekiah, allowing his daughters to go free, he did not know of the Israel law. Under a decision rendered by the Lord in the matter of the daughters of Zelophehad, a judgment was incorporated into the Israel Law of Inheritance to provide for the daughters so that they might inherit as though they were males when there were no sons. The case of Zelophehad s daughters was presented to Moses when they appeared before him and demanded an inheritance in the land, for their father died leaving no sons: And the Lord spoke unto Moses saying, The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. (Numbers 27:6-7)
The Judgment was laid down
And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father s brethren. And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the Lord commanded Moses. (Numbers 27:8-11)
Daughter of Zedekiah
Zedekiah s sons were killed so there were no male heirs to the throne. Under the above law a daughter would inherit as though she were a son and the right of descent would pass to her. This fact was evidently unknown to Nebuchadnezzar who thought that in slaying Zedekiah s sons he had destroyed every heir to the Throne of David. It became Jeremiah s responsibility to see to it that the Throne of David was established IN THE APPOINTED PLACE.
Escaping Remnant
While Jeremiah prophesied that those who had gone down into Egypt would be destroyed by the sword and famine, he also said, for none shall return but such as shall escape. (Jeremiah 44:14)
At an earlier date, during the time the prophet was experiencing troubles and turmoil in the violent opposition he was meeting from his countrymen, he exclaimed: Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me. (Jeremiah 15:10)
The Lord then said to Jeremiah: Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction. (Jeremiah 15:11)
Unknown Land
This statement is followed by the promise that Jeremiah would pass into a land which he did not know. Where was this unknown land to which he was to go? Before answering this question let us review the statements of other prophets. Isaiah tells us of a remnant that was to go forth from Jerusalem and escape from Zion, or whom he says: And the remnant that is escaped, of the house of Judah, shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. (Isaiah 37:31)
These promises are entirely overlooked by those who seek to end Jeremiah s career in Egypt. It is well know that Jeremiah was fully alive to the importance of securing every evidence which might be of value in carrying out his work. He could not begin the building and planting until after the fall of Jerusalem and the dethronement of Zedekiah.
This part of the mission must be completed somewhere, evidently SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN PALESTINE or Egypt. He could no more fail to accomplish this, or avoid its deliberate undertaking if he was (Yahweh s) agent, than he could prevent the preceding and predicted destruction of Jerusalem and Egypt to which he bore testimony.
Long before the days of Ezekiel and Jeremiah, Nathan told David of this place of planting (2 Samuel 7:10; 1 Chronicles 17:9). We have already referred to Jeremiah s purchase of the title deeds of Anathoth, concealing them prior to his departure from the land. To date this hidden evidence of Jeremiah s right to Palestine has never been produced, for they were to continue in concealment for many days (Jeremiah 32:14-15), a period which evidently has not yet run out.
Tea Tephi
Some believe that the most beautiful romance of the ages is the story of Tea Tephi and the preservation of David s line, whit its interwoven history of the Coronation Stone and legends of the Ark of the Covenant. It surpasses the stories of King Arthur, the Holy Grail, or the Nibelungen Ring, for romance, besides being historic, Biblical and prophetic.
The story begins in the dim past; its main action takes place nearly 600 years B.C., while some of its significance is still future. Its Biblical and prophetic scenes are laid in Palestine and Egypt, and its fulfillment in the Isles of the West, at Tara in Ireland.
Tea Tephi is the name of the most celebrated queen in early Irish history; and Ireland has a very remarkable early history. Even when the rest of Western Europe was almost unknown, Ireland was a center of learning for those times.
All Bible students who do not know the proofs that the Anglo-Saxon race in the British Empire and America are descendant from the northern tribes of Israel should look up the subject! Why? Because, they will find not only many historical proofs, but prophetic Biblical passages identifying lost Israel with the Anglo-Saxons; identifications that are fully as strong and definite and numerous as the Biblical references that identify Jesus as the Messiah. Read and see! Not until the world awakes to this fact will the story of Tea Tephi receive proper appreciation.
There are many lines of research tangent to this subject, so that it is necessary to seem to digress at times, then resume the main lie of the argument, and also to explain many things antecedent or collateral thereto.
The Patriarch Jacob was given the name of Israel. The descendants of the twelve sons of Israel were called Israelites or Hebrews. After Solomon s reign, the Hebrew nation divided into two kingdoms, the northern one containing ten and ½ tribes, being known as the House of Israel, and the southern one the House of Judah. Between 738 B.C., and 714 B.C., the people of the northern Kingdom of Israel were carried into captivity by the Assyrians and were settle in Media, whence, drifting northward and westward, finally after the times of the Apostles, the last of them became lost to their identity and to the world.
The Old Testament has many passages regarding the destiny of this lost House of Israel in contradistinction to the Jews who were not lost, BECAUSE THEY WOULD NEVER LET THE WORLD LOSE THEM. Part of the Jews are the mixed-breeds of Judah, just one of sons of Jacob/Israel and are, therefore, only ½ of 1/12 of the Israelites.
It would be like saying: The people of Texas are Americans, therefore all Americans are Texans. It is agreed that while some of the prophetic Biblical passages regarding Israel have to do with ALL of Israel, Judah included, yet the majority refer to the House of Israel only.
Israel of the northern kingdom drifted northward and westward until, in the course of centuries, successive invasions of them, as the Saxon, Danes, and finally the Normans, swept into Britain and formed the Anglo-Saxon race. Sharon Turner and other historians trace the ancestors of the Anglo-Saxons back to Media where the Bible leaves the northern House of Israel. Although it is very seldom mentioned by the Judeo-Christian clergy, probably because they don t know any better, but the majority of the House of Judah joined the House of Israel in their march toward the isles of the sea. This very briefly states the overland route of the main body of the House of Israel in their sifting among the nations. (Amos 9:9)
Various tribes of the Israelites had various characteristics. For instance, the descendants of Dan were roving and adventurous and were pioneers on land and on sea. They had maritime colonies along the Mediterranean, and farther west had established colonies in Ireland as early as Saul s time, about 1000 B.C., so when we say that Ireland has a very remarkable, as well as early, history, we are within the truth. It is another remarkable fact that Ireland was never conquered by the Romans.
From Genesis 49:10 we learn prophetically that whatever kings the Israelites were to have were to be descendants of Judah, Judah had twin sons, Zarah and Pharez. Zarah and his descendants are called by some, Knights of the Scarlet Tread from the incident at his birth mentioned in Genesis 38:28. Great stress was placed on primogeniture and because Pharez was considered the elder, the royal line of Judah was considered to belong to his descendants and, know this, the Zarahites, who were men of great wisdom (for Solomon in 1 Kings 4:31 was compared to them), left Egypt before the Exodus and were prominent in the early history of several nations.
Finally a descendant of Zarah, a king of the Milesians in Spain, married the daughter of the king of the Danites in Ireland, and their son became a noted king in early Irish history named Eiochaid, the Heremonn. Note that he was a descendant of Judah through the Zarah line.
When the Israelites in Palestine came to the point in their national history where they wanted a king, after trying Saul, a Benjamite, they finally selected King David, a descendants of Judah through the line of Pharez.
David was promised by Yahweh that his descendants would always rule over some portion of Israel (see 1 Chronicles 22:10 and 2 Chronicles 13:5), but not necessarily over all of Israel. (See Hosea 3:4) This promise of Yahweh is repeated in several places, and is a strong, definite prophecy.
Yet the last one of David s descendants to rule over any portion of Israel, mentioned in the Bible, was King Zedekiah, the last of David s descendants to rule over the Kingdom of Judah, and he was captured by the great Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, in 583 B.C., and finally died in a Babylon dungeon. Were we an agnostic searching for weak spots in biblical armor, we would certainly consider this a notable one; if we did not know the romance of Tea Tephi!
The prophet Jeremiah was a remarkable man. His daughter married King Josiah, and he was therefore closely connected with the royal family of Judah. In 2 Maccabees 2:4-7, it is stated that Jeremiah was the last custodian of the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant and the Altar of Incense. In Jeremiah 1:10 his commission as a prophet of Yahweh is given in these words:
See, I have his day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
The Bible gives evidence of the first four in the stormy careers of the last four kings of Judah (Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah), but upon the last and constructive part of Jeremiah s mission, viz., to build and to plant, it is silent. The last the Bible states about Jeremiah is that he went down to Egypt with Zedekiah s daughters, his own great-grandchildren, and took refuge at Tahpanhes, a fortress and palace of the Egyptian Pharaoh Hophra in the eastern part of the Delta of the Nile.
Ireland has, as we have stated, a very ancient history. This is obtained thorough the old Irish Chronicles, or various genealogical records of the Irish line of kings and families, kept by bards and heralds down through the centuries. From these sources we learn that about 565 B.C., soon after Jeremiah and the king s daughters disappeared in eastern history, there appeared in Ireland at Tara, the seat of the Irish kings, a remarkable and mysterious personage, a prophet named Ollam Fola, who instituted a school of prophets in Ireland. From the number of Hebrew words connected with this mysterious personage he is shown to have been a Hebrew prophet. The only Hebrew prophet who disappeared with any such mission as would take him to the Isles of the West, was Jeremiah, whose bust is in Dublin Castle, and whose name is so familiarly in the old couplet:
There s not a hut the isle around
In which a Jerry is not found.
There also came to Ireland at this same period a remarkable princess named Tea Tephi, from Egypt, for she was known as the daughter of a Pharaoh or king. With her the lion came into Irish heraldry, an emblem of the Israelites, but especially of the tribe of Judah. With Tea Tephi also a most remarkable stone came to Ireland called the Lia Fail, or stone wonderful, upon which the Irish line of kings were crowned until about 500 A.D. Thereafter it was carried to Scotland and used as coronation stone there till 1300 A.D. The Edward I carried it to Westminister Abbey where it has been ever since, until just recently when it was returned to Scotland, as the Coronation Stone of Great Britain.
To digress a little to tell more about this remarkable stone. The old legend; that wherever it went, the royal line and empire were to go, is well stated in Sir Walter Scott s translation of the ancient Gaelic couplet:
Unless the Fates are faithless grown
And the prophet s vice be vain,
Where er is found this Sacred Stone
The Wanderer s Race shall reign.:
Those who have studied the probable earlier history of this wonderful stone say that it was the coronation stone of the Hebrew nation in Palestine, as mentioned at the coronation of Joash (2 Kings 11:14 and 2 Chronicles 23:13); that it was the stone rejected at Solomon s Temple and which became the head stone of the corner in the coronation ceremonies (Psalm 118:22); that it was the rock that Moses smote in the wilderness, at Horeb and at Kadesh; that it was the stone upon which Jacob had his dream at Bethel, and in this connection it is interesting to note that it is commonly known in London as Jacob s Pillow.
Tea Tephi married the Irish monarch, Eiochaid, the Heremonn, thus joining the Pharez and Zarah branches of Judah s royal line, and from them through the Irish and Scotch line of kings one can trace the descent to George VI and show that David s line did not lapse for Yahweh keep His covenant of salt. (2 Chronicles 13:5)
From the poem of a celebrated Irish bard, written in the eleventh century we learn that there was a mystery not to be uttered connected with Queen Tephi and her tomb at Tara s Hill called the great Mergech, a Hebrew word meaning a repository of place of hidden treasures. Many of those who have investigated this subject firmly believe that some day archaeological research at Tara Hill will disclose this great Mergech with the hidden treasures consisting of the title deeds of the purchase of the field of Anathoth (Jeremiah 32:7-14), and other direct proofs, among them perhaps the Ark of the Covenant, that will show conclusively that it was Jeremiah the Prophet who came to Ireland to fulfill the principal part of his mission, to build the nation Israel in the Isles of the West and to plant the royal line of David upon Israel s throne in the person of Zedekiah s daughter, Tea Tephi.
The romance of Tea Tephi can be compared, as it is in the riddle of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 17), to one of the lofty royal House of King David. Our tree of romance springs from the rich soil of Biblical history; its roots are the sure word of prophecy; the trunk and branches reach their height and fall during the stirring times of Nebuchadnezzar, of the Captivity of the House of Judah and of the beginning of the Times of the Gentiles. Tea Tephi, a tender twig from the highest branch of this tree, was transplanted into a land of traffic and becomes the fairest flower of all romance.
Our Race It s Origin and Its Destiny
In 1892 a series of books were written by Charles A. L. Totten, 1st Lieut., 4th Artillery, U. S. A.. Professor of Military Science and Tactics. S. S. S. of Yale University.
Professor Totten made an intense study to try to unravel the Saxon riddle. The books he wrote in this study were published by Our Race Publishing Company, New Haven, Conn.
Dr. Swift had several of these old books which of course are no longer available; and in our visit with Mrs. Swift, this September of 1978, she gave me one of these old books and suggested that I prepare a summary of some of the interesting parts of this story The Renewal of History , series II, Number 5 of Totten s works. This is the story of how an Empire was torn down and uprooted and how it was rebuilt and replanted...as we are told in scripture...and history.
Hochaidh, The Heremonn
The Knight of The Scarlet Thread
In this study the author proves that the reigns of the Kings of Israel and the Kings of Judah harmonize. And that what some chronologists failed to see was that some events were from the sacred calendar and some from the civil calendar. And that the writers of scripture knew exactly what they were telling you, even though some translators and chronologists did not understand.
The author also compares the Dynasties of Egypt to bring out that it was corruption of the office of Pharaoh that produced the ruler who knew not Joseph. Thus, brought terrible oppression to Israel in their last years in Egypt. Then he covers the genealogies of Pharez and Zarah, the twin sons of Judah, by Tamar, (Genesis 38:27‑30), to bring you to the conclusion with the story of Eochaidh Ό the Heremonn Ό the Knight of the scarlet Thread.
The work of the author in his series of books was to trace the migrations of our race, from the time that they came out of Egypt, and the Middle‑East, in their Westward journey, then, in this book, conclude the central romance of what is all a romance of unique proportions.
Although Israel, struggling thru the wilderness of Northern Europe, would be without a king for many days, and all thru their weary pilgrimage...this being without a king was only from the de facto point of view, for their de jure King was never wanting.
The Zarah people, later called the Milesians, migrated into these North Western regions of Europe in their quest of an Empire far enough away from their ancient enemies that they would no longer be plagued by them, and in anticipation of the triple junction prophesy of the "Three Overturns" in the scepter of power, or the right to sit upon the throne, and rule, which eventually came about. (Ezekiel 21:27 "I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more (overturned), until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.")
Thus, to the East, the House of Israel is lost, as well as the House of Pharez, and the earliest of all, the House of Zarah. But in accompanying Yeremyah, on his journey, we find that the Throne of David, as well as the Stone of Destiny had reached its Western sanctuary long before the bulk of the tribes of Israel arrived there to find that Zarah s royal line was in place to greet them. To find that the culmination of all this brings forth the story of the renewal of Israel history in the West thru the marriage of our hero and the heroine from the East, Tea Tephi, who was from David s line.
This story is as the mosaic of the Bible story...as piece by piece it fits into the whole picture of YAHWEH S plans for this earth. The background must be laid, and then we can begin to see the picture as the main characters are put into place. Thus, in effect, The Renewal of History was what resulted from the transfer of the Throne Seat, and the "Bethel Stone" Ό Lia Faile...to the Isles.
In the Westward journey, the tribes of Israel received many changes of names, and this contributed to blindness on their parts...as to who they were and where they came from. But they struggled on. And as they journeyed, they found some of their people had prepared the way. This was the purpose of the tribe of Dan as they took to their ships, as well as in their overland journeys. But they also found the people called Phoenicians in many places who were also a seafaring people. But they were still of the same race Ό the Adamic race.
In tracing the Zarah people, we find that they left Egypt before the Exodus, and started moving Westward although a small group first went to the East. They lingered in Spain, and then some moved up the coastline of Western Europe and formed colonies along the Western shore of Europe. The word Hebrew means "Colonizer," and we have been a Colonizing People in the earth.
Although the bulk of the people may have been the seafaring Phoenicians, or Danites, or others of this race of people, still many times their kings were of the tribe of Zarah, who were later to be called the Milesians. The name Milesian came from Milesius Ό Guillam, or (William the Conqueror of Ireland at a later date). But the name came from this soldier of Spain whose name was Milesuis. Thus we find that the Kingship of the House of David would be already in the West long before the transfer of the scepter from the East to the West was accomplished by Yeremyah.
To arrive at the setting of our story, the author tells us that Milesius married an Irish Princess by the name of Muiream. This Princess was the only daughter of the ruler of Ireland at that time. To this marriage was born a son, who was named Eochaidh, the Heremonn, or Heremon as he is generally known. Heremon was the 8th and last of the legitimate Princes of Spain. As the lad developed and grew his father determined in his 10th year, to send him to Ireland to complete his education. It was also decided that his mother, Muiream, was to accompany him, and oversee his education.
Muiream, his mother s name, was the equivalent of Mary. She was not only a pure descendant of the Tuatha de Danaans, but was strangely impressed with a presentment that somehow, in her, the line in due time, would be extinct. Although she never lived to be the last surviving child and heir of Old Ard Ri Mac Greame (son of the sun). Nevertheless, in a somewhat vary subtle premonition of what the fates had yet in store, the constant tenure of her private converse with Eochaidh was the impending downfall of her house.
This came to pass. But not exactly as she had dreamed. And the sunset of this noble line of Danaan kings was very glorious Ό but not without the promise of a more glorious beyond.
By Irish law the female line was fully recognized. And Muiream was destined to preserve it in a providential manner by her very marriage. It is merely to be noted here that Eochaidh the Heremonn, inherited the Danaan succession as well as the Milesian (Zarah) through his parents. There are other parallel cases to be found in England s history as well.
Muiream was well equipped to superintend the schooling of anyone, particularly of her own son. Carefully educated in the storied greatness of her own people, and more than usually learned in all the Druid mysteries which could be shared by women, she had been most tenderly reared in her grandfather s court amid surroundings which at an early age had fully developed her superiority and queenly parts. She was the embodiment of an age old regime. Older by far than its brief Irish past of 75 years by that time, and clung to it s traditions with an open and determined constancy and affection.
Muiream possessed the power of persuasion, the subtle gift that comes of faith in what one teaches. And she lost no opportunity to mold her son, who in reality, was birth‑marked a Danaan, and responded to her impress.
To Muiream, the Milesian (Zarah) union had been at first distasteful. Hence its original delay. But Milesius was a chivalrous soldier and actually won her love before gaining her hand. But the hand of destiny is still seen in some marriages that the first proposal meets with anything but quick response from all concerned. Yet in the end find deeper reasons and a sound philosophy. As a matter of fact, the union had resulted in naught but good.
And the Queen s life had its full share of a woman s joys, and it was not stripped of the far grander mission of which she acquitted herself supremely well. To Muiream s perception, in spite of the Danaan throne, the Milesian (Zarah) conquest of her native land was an accomplished fact.
For commerce had already won the issue. The land of Erin, Ireland, was itself entering upon its Golden Era. Its art, literature, as well as its culture had already made it famous throughout Europe. But it was its commerce that had developed it. And that island owed the Phoenicians, and latterly to their Western representatives, the Milesian Princes, the great middle men of ancient ocean trade...until fate made them principals by moving them to the West and destroying their Eastern market places.
It is true that there was a decisive battle in that generation. But we must view the Milesian conquest...in light the Norman conquest of England, 1635 years later ...rather than as a deluge which swept the land and continent away.
Indeed, there is a noticeably striking similarity between these two invasions, in their motives, methods, and results. And reading down between the lines...they possess more philosophy than modern scribblers on the scrolls of history can dream. During the reign of Milesius, and the succeeding century, Spain was so completely drained of the wandering sons of Zarah who flocked to friendly coalition with the people of kindred interests, that they have hardly left a trace behind them on the continent. While in the land of their adoption, they had evidently so melted into the general mass of the Irish with the Danites, so as to be indistinguishable the one from the other, and as between the Saxon and the Norman, there was soon no possibility of discrimination, and there is even less today.
But to return to Muiream s love for her father s people which was her ruling motive, and with all the qualities of a race whose women have even been famous, she devoted herself to the fulfillment of her mission, which Yahweh God, himself Ό had pre‑ arranged. Heremonn, or as with Danaan learning, she preferred to call him Eochaidh, was a youth of special promise. And like his mother a genuine Danaan. However, he was also a son of Milesius, a Zarahite, and well acquainted with Milesian/Zarah history.
In the meantime, Muiream was particularly careful that her special charge should be instructed in the lore and history of her own people, and she brought to bear upon the task not only her own magnetic influence, but secured the assistance of the best of the Druid Elders. However, in the deeper religious mysteries, his half brother Amhergin, who had already been studying Druidism in the same schools, turned out to be far more proficient. Heber, another half brother, remained at home, and under his mother Scota s constant tutelage, prepared to take the Kingdom when his father relinquished it. Thus, trouble would naturally come, but Destiny would, however, rule.
Muiream was also busy with designs which looked steadily toward the eventual consolidation of both realms into one. Although MacGreame, the ranking king of Ireland, had no children, save herself, he soon learned to love and admire his Milesian (Zarahite) grandson, and still viewed him as the possible heir of the Danaan throne. Yet this was far beyond in his thoughts, and they would have been unwelcome...aye Ό and maybe even dangerous to all concerned. Thus, Muiream never broached the topic to her father.
Throughout this sojourn in the land of Destiny, she and Eochaidh dwelt at Cathair Crofin, and it was there the Royal Palace was erected. His going in and out among the Clans and his excellence in manly sports of all descriptions soon endeared him to the people.
He was far better known as an athlete, and a leader in all feats of arms, than as a mere University student, and he gained the love and admiration of all with whom he came in contact. All this had a beneficial influence upon his fortunes...when in later days, an unfortunate occurrence brought about an open rupture resulting in the actual conquest of Ireland by the Milesians, and still later when the Clans took up the topic of supremacy, in a partisan spirit, between Heber and Heremonn.
But to return to this queenly teacher and her son Ό as the time drew near when she began to anticipate their recall to Spain, she redoubled her efforts to instill Danaan learning in the young Prince Ό nor even after the summons and return, were there wanting ample opportunities to pour over the legends of her people into his ears. The summons came when he had reached his 18th year, and with reluctance, she obeyed the order to return to Spain.
In Irish history, the Eras (there were five in 497 years) belonged to different dynasties, all jealous of each other. And to this day, no one had threaded their labyrinth. But we must not forget that Yahweh was also in this matter, and was disposing of its several and completely dissevered historical chapters.
For purposes then future, and in methods hardly even yet perceptable, manifest, and clear, the same Providence was weaving in the East and West the more or less confusing groundwork of the "Romance of the Ages". But by no possibility could the actors of either of these widely separated groups of peoples...grasp the true purpose of the whole. They, in fact, had lost the mutual meaning of the threads which tied their individual parts together, although their records show that they followed these threads towards each other untill, eventually, their very fibers were entwined.
Mother and Son
Time and again, reclining at his mother s feet, had Eochaidh listened with enjoyment to her graphic way of scanning through the story of her native island. To Muiream, its tale was simply that of one of a continuing Danaan conquest and settlement. And in his earliest childhood, Eochaidh had caught from her the spirit of its romance.
His broader education at the Irish Universities had never ruptured the thread which she ran backward through his heritage. A heritage that studying through his books, only continued, and served to string it together, more thickly with new beads, and fill the spaces here and there, which she in the enthusiasm of a grounded faith, had either hastened over, or else entirely neglected.
Her work was like to that of genius upon canvas which in but a few bold strokes, brings out the whole effect. But the impatience, and the quick, receptive mind of Eochaidh was easily persuaded, yielding, and flexible to her brush. Such is the power of woman as a mother, that it never did lose the master s stroke.
Moreover, there was an ample amount of interest in this theme that Muiream had loved, and which she therefore chose most frequently in converse with her son. For we must not forget that there were earlier chapters in the story of these people. Chapters that stretched further back, still, into their remotest past Ό and spanning at least another 1000 years, including the stories of the Tuatha de Danaan proper Ό The Fir Bolgs, The Fomorians, The Nemhedians, The Parthalonians, the Iberians, and earliest of all the Craunnogs. No wonder our historians have been long at sea in their search. They sailed without a compass pointing unto Israel as the Pole, or focal point of their search.
Muiream s sole object was to establish the unity of the Irish race down to the eventual Milesian/Zarahite conquest (of which she foresaw), that would bring comparatively few newcomers to the Island. For as she firmly believed that Eochaidh would be its Ard Ri, or common thread, and she desired to impress upon him that the mass of his subjects would be his mother s people. And that he would be truly King of the Danaanites...as if he had been the son of the ranking king of Ireland MacGreame himself. She was jealous of her people s ancient prestige, and she wished her son to have good reason to be true to them, no matter what, that they in turn, might give him their support without reservation.
As wave after wave of what was left of flotsam, or the human goods, whose history and heritage had been lost in the shipwreck of time, and had been floating on the sea of one successive immigration after another... which history eventually washed up on the Irish shores ...was passed in review before Muiream s gaze, and her own analysis of what the sea gave up, bore ample evidence that all of it was but a part of one great ship of State whose sections, derelict upon the tide, had simply come in one by one instead of all at once. The wreckage all bore the marks of common origin, and therefore gave opportunity for a rude assortment when they reached the shore.
Beyond this Muiream gave the subject little thought. She viewed it only from its western aspect which gave her summary its greatest value. For as we've already noted, it shows that Yahweh, Himself, was intimately involved in the case, and was disposing matters that were not, altogether, too clear in the west ...of what He had ever so quietly, begun in eastern lands.
We must not forget that we view Erin s story through even later heaps of jetsam, or human goods which sank in the sea, and remained under water...as a people that had become totally forgotten in history altogether, and more and more they have been confused by those who have disturbed the Emerald Isle's history and heritage...ever since it became an object of Anglo‑Saxon contention and dispute. None of its strata have much order now, and long ago their main treasures were mined out.
We do however believe that early Irish history as Muiream viewed it, was mostly true in a broad sense. So let's turn to those earlier days of Eochaidh, and sitting with him at the feet of Muiream, take from thence a somewhat hasty survey of the history of Erin, for it's only after that, that we may confidently move forward with our hero into other scenes.
Muiream s Story
Well, Eochaidh, thy mother must at once betray the weakness of her sex, and therefore will anticipate the end and fond conclusion of her story at its very start. I shall bring Danaan history with you, to whom it has come fully down, and in whom, I believe, it will literally culminate. You are my son, and I the Queen. If not the last, as certainly the youngest of all the Royal Danaans; hence also, you are peculiarly my people s son. For as my uncles have no children and MacGreame's own line runs out in me, you are the only rightful heir of Erin s Craun.
I am not concerned so much, my son, in your Milesian story, for you have come hither to the Western Bournes, guided by the same Destiny that pioneered your predecessors. And now the Fates have given them an equal promise in the future, for I see in the philosophy of facts, that history will soon repeat itself. It is for you to follow back the special line marked by that Scarlet Thread (Genesis 38:28).
Danaan history is without beginning. Who we were in the far off shadows of the rising son , was never clear to me. Accounts are so confusing. Although they all conspire to point unto the gods themselves. A long time ago, our ancestors came into a land which they named Dania for their father Dan , who was our Posie‑Dan, or Father of the Sea. This land was at the very center of the earth, and therefore always overrun with enemies.
For there first, did men congregate, and there the struggle for supremacy began. There to, I think, that they had many brethren. But very early, they, that is our own peculiar ancestors, grew weary of pursuits on shore, which so engrossed the others. So they abandoned Dania one by one, for the more daring life upon the waves where they were born. Indeed, they mostly lived upon their ships thereafter, and wandered in them everywhere.
And perhaps this is the reason that we know so little of the true history of ancient Dania, for it soon became an almost Universal name. And so in time, the men whose sons and daughters continued to be born, as at first, upon the sea, in various places, and from generation to generation, there literally was no special Dania, or homeland for the Danaan left.
But some at last grew weary of having no fixed resting place, and hence it is that we, one branch of their descendants, have now once more become quite content and reconciled to life on land. Even so, we still love the sea on which this Island home floats safely even though we worship the gods beneath the groves. But enough now, of the primitive legends, for you know them all from your earliest childhood.
In spite of the many names by which the successive colonists who have settled here are known, there are really but two Royal races now in Ireland Ό your own, and mine. That is, your father s and my father s. For, as you know, I am the only daughter of one whom I misgive will be the last Danaan King, and you, your father s son, are a true Milesian (or Zarahite). Yet, unlike your brothers, you naturally so favor the characteristics of my own people, that to me you seem to me as one of them, and not a true Milesian. However, I will give you briefly the skeleton of Erin s story, for you to clothe yourself with all the incidents of the flesh that the education of your heritage and history may suggest, I will begin at its earliest colonists Ό
The Craunnogs
This island had no aborigines when Danaan keels
first grazed upon its shores. It was a heritage in keeping for them and quite desolate of all, but that of natures loveliness Ό a spot of green, so peaceful that it lured to land even those whose preference had till then, been wedded to the waves. The legend says they drew near to it, at the termination of a dreadful storm which had nearly driven them over the very ocean s furious limit in the West, when turning East, they sighted from afar, its emerald diadem of leaves. And that they landed here at once, and as a sign that they came to stay, we are told that they destroyed their ships using the masts, which saved them from the tempest, as the very piers of their earliest dwellings.
These Craunnogs were really Danaan s people. Of course, they were only the very rudest offshoots of a roving and adventurous people, none of whom had shaped themselves so as to conform to any sort of a fixed and positive characteristic...save love of the sea and freedom. They lived in lake and river dwellings...as their descendants do today, preferring water, after all, to land.
But this very colony had been actually seeking our far off insular abode, when the tempest overtook them. This may seem strange, my son, but from remote times, it had been believed by their own ancestors that somewhere in the strong north‑western angle of the earth, the seat of a final empire (land) should find a throne of permanence.
This colony had wished to be first to seize it. And had set out for this purpose when the storm fell on them. Thus, discovering this island under the most adverse circumstances that had brought them to it, they settled here, believing it to be the very one meant by the ancient Ollam. For, Eochaidh, this same thought has been in the hearts of every set of colonists who ever landed here. Even your Milesian (Zarahite) ancestors have a similar tradition.
However, our earliest colonists had it as part of their very life. And this, I believe to be true. They called themselves CRAUNNOGS, or the CROWNED PEOPLE from this very nation that the true meaning of their name is TREE TOPS and it comes from words common to all our dialects. Craun Ό meaning a tree, and og Ό meaning a tuft or termination. We use this same word for a crown as they did.
Muiream continues: Ό You know, my son. that even now no Danaan sailor ever trusts himself upon a ship whose mast head has a trimmed, that is stripped of its craunnog or its top‑most tufts of leaves. Our learned Druids tell us that we inherited this custom, not from these early colonists, but with them must have come from the common Eastern origin this idea. The Druids say it's the Universal sign of kinship among all the people who down to the present day, have sought the refuge of this island sanctuary, that is of all except the fierce Milesians who being the last, have conquered it at least commercially.
Tradition also points to it as one of the oldest emblems of Danaan destiny, the very symbol of a Universal Empire. But who? The fates are still reserving that for some future showing. It is also a sign of conquest and defeat. And I doubt now, Eochaidh, that some of the deeper mysteries of the Druids, whom I grieve to see you do not like very well, were, in their purer origin, significant of the branch of our Empire destined so they say, to be planted here in time. They say the mistletoe, which came with us from Dania, was wrested thence in token of this very promise, and I would that thou, my peerless son, might be the one to grasp the leafy scepter from the hands of Destiny.
But the centuries have waited, and may linger still. Yet, Eochaidh, the heraldry of that blazing Sun of Gold upon a blood red field, which you, the Royal son of the Scythian race, inherit, must be indicative of something. Would that it meant that Dania s sun, which certainly set in the great MacGreame, has in his daughter s child, a still more brilliant rising yet in store.
But a final word about these earliest colonists. The pulpits upon which the Druids stand when giving judgment, are to this day called Craunnogs. And they always have the mystic twig of mistletoe above them. Indeed, thy very throne will bear this ancient name, a fact which bids thee bear in constant mind that it is literally founded upon piles which drive their way through every human stratum in the land, down to this very oldest and rudest of them all, and all of this must prove to you that my argument is both just in its beginning, as well as full of moral import to a future king. Connaught, as you know, is the very land of Dan ...one of its earliest Royal Centres. And no one would deny to men, from whom we have our finest seamen, the plainest title to their ocean birthright. The very tufted Craun they leave above each dwelling is an emblem of their race.
Muiream goes on to describe the next coming of Danaan people, the Iberians, who were a richer and more cultivated class of the Danaan people. But still the same race of people, nonetheless. And they soon spread themselves over the Island, and were soon more or less absorbed with the Craunnogs into a general people of like pursuits and habits.
Muiream tells her son that other colonies are being established in the lowlands of Northern Europe, and then in a few centuries they too invaded Erin. These were the Fir Bolgs, or the Belgae. Then there also was the Fomorian Sea Kings, and these people were crossing and re‑crossing each others tracks so often, that it would require the closest care to avoid confusing them. However, they were, all of them, sons of Dan, and some cases, his brethren.
But they all live in their ships, and they speak a common language, united in legends of a common origin, and are all impelled by common destiny to seek this very land. The day is coming when these brethren of a mighty race will re‑cross each others tracks on the land just as the Danaans have already done upon the sea. But the land must be almost as ample as the sea itself. Therefore it will be harder to fill up and overflow, and neither can migrations there be rapid as then wafted by the winds.
The Parthalonians
Muiream continues her story Ό .We have now arrived at a period when we may dispense with mere legend and conjecture, no matter how well they may have been fortified by argument and collateral evidence and at last, appeal to record as our certain guide. For with the advent of the Parthalonians upon our shores we may fairly consider that the authentic history of Erin commences. It is true that this unfortunate colony left only their graves among us as their permanent records. But nevertheless, each of the succeeding waves of colonization was so intimately related to that of Parthalon, and so was legitimately its natural outcome, and so certainly recruited from similar sources, that through their unbroken records we may confidently work our way back to it as a positive starting point.
According to the genealogical table provided by the author in an earlier study, the Parthalonians were really the sons of Zarah. So were the Neimhedians, and indeed the leaders of the Fir Bolgs and Formorians. Their seafaring traits and common legends and customs, so similar to those of Muiream s own Danaan people that she might not have realized the difference. None the less, she was right in the broad sense, as all of these people were of the seafaring branches of the Abrahamic stock, and though the Craunnogs and Iberians were obviously, and undoubtedly of the tribe of Dan, the others equally with the direct generations of Milesians, and they have a straight descent from Zarah, or a generation back from Judah, himself.
There is no doubt however, that the bulk of their followers were descendants of Dan. They manned the ships, and owned all those that ruled the commerce of their days, at least they shared with the Phoenicians all the privileges of trading the Fairs of Tyre. These latter drew their wares from every harbor known to merchants. And Danish history has roots upon the coasts of India [Eastern Tarshish] as well as on the shores of Erin [or Ireland] which was the Tarshish of the West.
Returning now to Muiream s account of the Parthalonians, she finished their history as follows. In the latter days of their successors, they were overtaken by the wrath of heaven as a dreadful pestilence swept over Erin. And by it, not only were the Iberian settlements in the north and south relentlessly decimated, but that of the Parthalonians was almost entirely swept away. They nearly all lie buried now in the Thaum Lacht of Ben Eider near by Lyffy, where the tomb of Parthalon, himself, may still be pointed out. For most of those who survived the pestilence fell victims to their own anarchy in the next thirty years which complete the 300th year of the Parthalonian Era.
A pause in Muiream s story then occurs as her son who is now a part of the Danaan Navy, spent his vacation on the sea. At Eochaidh s return, Muiream picks up the story of Ό The Neimhedians Ό the sons of Zarah
The story of the people whom we are now to consider Eochaidh, form such an important factor in Irish history, that I beg of you a particularly close attention to it. Although it is very brief, it is of great value for my purposes in that it enables us to continue the special Danaan thread now firmly grasped in the Parthalonian recital, through them, and their successors down to the present day. The people who are known as Neimhedians, in fact, form the Golden clasp in the chain of Danaan identity, and kinship which reaches backward to the Parthalonians, and forward to the Fomorians, the Fir Bolgs and the Tuatha de Danaans themselves. Let us resume our story Ό
Our chronicles explicitly inform us that Parthalon did not bring his entire family with him when he came. For he left an infant son named Adlai behind him in Javan. Thus, at the time the pestilence swept the Parthalonians away, there had descended from this son a lineal successor named Neimheigh. This man was not only of great wealth, but had many followers in Javan where he, himself, was a great warrior. So learning of the misfortunes that had overtaken his lineage, he resolved to proceed to Ealga in person, and secure the Western possessions that he had inherited. In the history of this time, there were wars between the different groups in Ireland. And they were all trying for supremacy and rulership of that land.
The interesting thing about this time of Irish history is that at that same time that the Neimhedian rule ended in Ireland, it corresponded to the final year of the siege of the land of Samaria back in the Middle East, which took place at about 740 BC (2 Kings 17:4‑6). There can be no doubt that the sons of Dan and others of their brethren were busy in those days in escaping to the West.
The Fomorian period was a short one for Ireland s history. It commenced with the fall of Samaria in the East and lasted seventeen years. The Fir‑Bolgians or Belgians, had settled on the Western shores of Europe where we find Belgium today. These were colonies established by the Danaan people, but into which came many of their brethren as they escaped from the East, rather than going into captivity to Assyria. With the coming of Israel brethren from the East, the people in the West were able to keep up with what was going on in the East as Israel was taken into captivity, or fled before the Assyrian conquerors.
Muiream s story continues Ό Eochaidh, MacErc, the son of Radnal, was the final King of the Fir‑Bolgian line. He had ruled Ireland for ten years, and that brought my own people on the scene. His wife was a Mileso‑Iberian princess named Tailte, the sister of your great grandfather Breogan, then the King of Spain, and the place of her interment still her name. The Fir‑Bolgians ruled Ireland but thirty‑seven years.
(The author now pauses in Muiream s account to demonstrate the accuracy of her account, for it is at variance with all the histories so far this time. Yet she is right, and they are wrong, and even worse. For they are also inconsistent. The cause of their error was perhaps a natural one, considering the remoteness from the events transpiring in Greece, and Palestine, during these very years, and their total ignorance of any straight connection between the Eastern and Western phases of a common history. The genealogy of the leaders of this time settled the question, as the five leaders of the Fir‑ Bolgians were the sons of Dela, and they returned in person to avenge the death of their brother who had been slain at Tor Conaing only seventeen years before.
Thus, at a word, there vanishes like a mirage from the horizon of Irish history, two hundred years or more ...erroneously interpolated even by the best of her historians. Genealogy and chronology must go hand in hand. These two important lines of time must agree within reasonable limits if history founded on them is to stand, and Ireland can honestly boast of quite sufficient antiquity without longer endorsing errors that only serve to bring discredit upon her otherwise unimpeachable annals. The errors were made because Erin s accredited historians would not stand strictly by the generations, and thus, could not correctly base the years of each rule of these different Kings. Now Ό let us return to Muiream s recital as her people are in route to Erin.)
The Tuatha de Danaan
And now, my son, let us turn to the final chapter of our story. And now I can speak with the greatest degree of personal confidence and historical minuteness. For the Tuatha de Danaans are not only my own peculiar branch of this race of Sea Kings, its Royal and Patrician class, but they were its last arrivals here in Erin. Their story will bring the Danaan history of Ireland down to date. That is, down to the Milesian conquest. Moreover, I believe most firmly that the so called Tuatha de Danaans were the last section of our race who left the ancient dwelling place of Dan in the far East, a land which your father, himself, has visited in person, and found it to be almost entirely empty of inhabitants and history.
I would, alas, that we could penetrate those Eastern chapters of our story. But beyond our debarkation, and its immediate Eastern cause, our history there seems to be as utterly washed as are the countless wakes left by Danaan keels upon the trackless waters which lie between. As well, might we expect to see their phosphorescent glow renewed and fixed forever on the bosom of the deep, as now to hope to penetrate the gloom which covers up that Eastern History.
It is true that our actual exodus from Dania was only 112 years ago. But we, the children of the sea, seem to have been divorced by Fate from any deep concern in Eastern matters, whole centuries before that final strand was cut. Our Western chapters however, are more easily deciphered. For our chronicles are very positive upon the more important facts, to which I now invite your close attention.
Muiream goes into detail to outline the genealogy of those coming from the East so as to keep in her son s mind the fact of who he was.
Muiream s story continues Ό We, the Tuatha de Danaans left original Dania, only at the very last moment. And moreover, we left it empty behind us. For we came away as a body with no intention of ever returning there. As for our ancient harbors Ό we burned them. Moreover, somewhere on our journey it is equally certain we fell in with the Irish Neimhedians, and eventually came here under their pilotage. Merely this and nothing more.
Our records are equally positive that it was from Assyrian invasion, and oppression, that we fled from the east. And I doubt that not. For, Eochaidh, those were the very Assyrians whom your father found still warring around that Danaan land of desolation in the east. And they are no doubt the natural descendants or at least successors of the ancient enemies of our race. It was just about 100 years ago before your father s visit to Riffleoir that the Fir‑Bolgian exodus took place. My ancestors left the east in the next generation, although we probably left Dania for Javan soon after the Fir‑ Bolgians.
However, here we are safe. And far beyond the utmost reach of eastern foes. Their chariots cannot ride the waves where we are indisputably the masters. And even should they ever reach the shores of Europe, all of its Danaan seaboard, united in such a holy cause, would rise as one and offer them a sacrifice to Father Dan.
It is thus clear that we originally inhabited the far off eastern Dania. And that we left it by way of Javan because of an impending invasion from Assyria. But we were the second ones to leave, for the Fir‑Bolge left it first. They were pioneered westward by the refugees who had but recently returned to the east from Erin, and knew the way back to these, the Western colonies of our race.
And moreover, from our western chronicles, which are positive thereon, it now appears that fate has taken a hand in steering our ships, guided us out into the ocean, and temporarily directed our prows away from these favored islands of Atlantis, sent us rather to the Northern mainland colonies of Iberia, in the very wakes of the Belgae, or the Fir‑Bolgs who preceded us thither. But who had gone on to Ireland ere we arrived on Spain. By these latter kinsmen we also were well received and treated with great hospitality. They assigned us land for cultivation and also gave us four cities to inhibit. the former we called Dan s Mark, or Dan s resting place (Denmark), and the latter were named Falia, Goria, Fennia and Mura.
But the chronicles are equally explicit that true to its name, this land was merely one of rest, for we remained in Denmark only twenty‑one years. And then the constant cry of our chief men who had grown weary of the mainland, was Ό To the islands, or our ships . We had deferred to our Neimhedian pilots who had advised us to proceed to ports which were already well known as friendly to our countrymen, and thus we avoided warfare. Hence, it was that we had not gone directly to Erin. I also think that the very fates conspired against our making your Milesian ports in Spain. We were destined, it is true, to meet your people, but in days yet then future.
While resting peacefully in the lands of Denmark, just vacated by the Fir‑Bolgs, we were not idle by any means, and became fully posted upon Erin s affairs which was at that time under the joint occupancy of the Fomorians and Fir‑Bolgs.
Great errors have occurred in understanding these eras of Ireland s occupation and reigns. You cannot add the sum total of each reign and occupation to arrive at the age of a land...if those reigns and occupations overlap one another. To misunderstand, or to ignore the fact, that these occupations, and reigns, overlap is, therefore, a grave error.
This is the habitual method of all who have not understood, or who have misconceived, the secret of Irish chronology, and it is so subversive of her true history that we fear it will endanger the hope of future ages unraveling the story, and thus splicing it on to that of our ancestors in the east, unless we rectify it now. The fact is that from Parthalon down to Milesius, is a period of but 497 years, instead of the 1200 to 1300. And nothing is to be gained by such wholesale misrepresentation. Indeed, much is to be lost for it keeps the matter in derision. For all true historians to recognize the truth...is to reveal, and honor a mighty moment in Irish history.
Thus, we find that the family of which Muiream was a part, left Denmark, spent seven years in Albion, and then they went on to Ireland. It was just 121 years after the Tuatha de Danaans, had left their ancient home of Dan in the east, that the Milesians (Zarahites) entered Ireland. And now to prove this by her own genealogy: Ό Eochaidh, her son by Milesuis the Zarahite, was the grandson of her father Mac Greame, who was the son of Carmada. The son of Eochaidh, the one for whom the Heremonn was named, and who came to Erin from Denmark with the Tuatha de Danaans, was the nephew of Breas.
The Return to Spain
Eochaidh, and his mother returned to Spain, and were welcomed by Milesuis, then 62 years of age, and already contemplating a division of his realm between his several sons. Eochaidh had not reached the legal age of twenty‑five, but he had given evidence of peculiar ability as a sailor ,and had won honor in that line.
Thus, the command of the Milesian Navy was given to this young son of Muiream and Milesius. In a successful season, Heremonn s fleet successfully punished the pirates so severely, that commerce was assured for a long spell of safety, and Milesius then granted the oft‑repeated request of the young Prince to visit Egypt, the famous scene of his father s own early adventures. As a lad, the Prince had listened to his father s stories of the East. And his later converse with his mother had only served to increase his desire to see these famous regions for himself. In correspondence with his father while away at school, he had frequently reverted to this wish, and the hope had been fostered by his now fully assured naval successes.
In pursuing the interests of Milesian commerce, Heremonn had but lately passed thru the Gates of Hercules and touched at several kindred colonies along the most western shores of that great inland sea, upon whose far off eastern coasts the legends of both branches of his ancestry related that his race sprung to power and renown. Heremonn was still but eighteen. And Milesius assented that several years yet remained before it would be proper to give him a share in the sceptral affairs at home.
The elderly King looked upon the matter as a feature of his son s education. And was himself anxious to obtain direct news from the regions where he had personally spent many pleasant years. It was true that Nacho, his Royal friend, was dead, as was his son. But Hophra, whom he had remembered as a youthful Prince, was on the throne of Egypt. And he knew his son would have a friendly welcome at that court.
Accordingly the young Prince hastily prepared for the voyage. A single ship was selected, one of the best in the Navy, a few trusted officers, and a well chosen crew were assembled. Plenty of means for several years of travel were provided by Milesius, and rich presents for the reigning Pharaoh.
To Muiream, however, the parting was an exciting one. However her feelings were somewhat foreboding. As the young man s heart was set upon the trip, she stifled all her fears, and gave him her maternal blessing, and steeled herself to await the outcome, which after all, she viewed with subtle confidence despite an ill‑ defined excitement.
So it came about that he proceeded to the very confines of Egypt. Visited its market places and ancient temples, and he admired all of its art and architectural wonders. But he spent less than a year at Pharaoh s court. And as the state of affairs in the East was much less settled than he had anticipated, or was prepared for, he left the regions of Tanais toward the end of the year with the intention of touching at Crete and Cyprus. And thus, returning West by way of Getulia according to circumstances.
An Eventful Voyage
It was upon this return trip, that Eochaidh experienced a remarkable adventure, and whose mysterious import never ceased to influence his later fortunes, even though its most important link seemed to be fatally lacking for many years. Driven out of their course by severe weather, his ship had gladly sought refuge in what appeared to be the ruins of an ancient harbor. It was that of Joppa, already dismantled and deserted, save by a few fishermen of the lowest order. But from its inhabitants, he had gleaned enough to suggest the strange fancy that perhaps it was here his ancestors had dwelt.
The storm‑stressed Milesians, or Danaan, if you will (for the crew had consisted of about equal parts of both peoples, and Heremonn was quite as much the Prince of each, not only in their own estimation, but his as well), had tarried there some time, and while his shipmates made such temporary repairs as would enable their craft to start again upon its homeward voyage, Eochaidh the Heremonn had heard of the luxurious city of Jerusalem, situated at some distance inland, and decided to visit it. Rumor added that it was even then being besieged by powerful Eastern enemies. This however, only served to increase his resolution to journey thither. Thus, in for an adventure, Eochaidh, together with two trusted tribesmen, now planned the short journey inland, for the double purpose of viewing the conflict, and relieving the ennui of their forced delay.
Captured by the Babylonians
Just as they were about to start for Jerusalem, a strong detachment of Babylonians swept into Joppa and seized the entire party, and were upon the point of destroying their galley. But upon second thought, and because of the evident value of the ship and the importance of its owners, the captors decided to report the matter to the Commander‑in‑Chief who was then at Ramah, only a few miles north of Jerusalem. Leaving therefore a strong guard in charge of the merchantmen, they returned with their prisoners to Mizpah, whence they had originally set out on learning of the shipwrecked strangers, intending to move forward to Ramah upon the following day.
At this critical juncture, they were befriended by circumstance. This was, no less than, the arrival of a party of Hebrew refugees at Mizpah. The latter were by no means prisoners, although they were also under special Babylonian escort. They were of evident rank and consisted principally of a queenly middle‑aged woman, named Hamutal, and the three young maidens who proved to be her grand daughters. The elder was a pretty child named Scota, a familiar name.
The middle one a maid of striking Hebrew type, while the younger was still a lovelier little girl of some three or four summers. They were attended by an Ethiopian eunuch of commanding presence, by a younger companion, apparently a scribe, whose attention to the elder girl was unmistakable, and finally by an austere man, clad in the garb of Hebrew Priesthood.
The latter seemed to be well known to the commander of the original detachment, who had indeed preceded them to Mizpah with the express purpose of provident for the safety of this particular Hebrew party. As soon as the Hebrew Priest learned of the captured prisoners he seemed deeply moved. And having diligently listened to all that the Babylonians could impart, he persuaded a delay until the Commander‑in‑Chief, himself should arrive, who was expected on the morrow.
The interview which forever after was vividly impressed upon Eochaidh s mind was somewhat as follows: As soon as Jeremiah, Nebu'zarah'dan, and Eochaidh were left alone, the Hebrew thus addressed the Babylonian Captain, This stranger is the son of a great Prince whose domain is near the blessed Isles which lie far beyond the Ultima Thule. The kingdom is but small, and is underneath the setting sun. But know, Oh Nebuzaradan, that the destiny of Babylonia is mysteriously linked with the safety of these mariners, thus let them depart in peace. They will return unto their own land, nor will even their posterity visit these shores again, until the Golden Age has changed to silver, that of silver to brass, and that of brass to iron, in the latter days of earthly empire.
These words, uttered in Phoenician dialect that was easily comprehended by each of his listeners, produced a marked effect on both, and observing their attention, the Seer continued Ό Thou hast, by order of the king, thy master, hitherto obeyed all the mandates of YAHWEH, and behold Jerusalem again has fallen. So too, all other things unroll, even as the sacred scrolls predict, and I am here according to agreement with the daughters of Zedekiah, whom the king, Nebuchadnezzar placed upon the throne of Judah. Let it be known to thee, O Babylonian, that the victory of the Chaldeans has been brought about not by chariots nor horsemen, but by the LORD of Hosts, before whom even thou has lately trembled in thy visions.
At this, the Babylonian captain visibly startled, changed color, not angrily, however, though with evident concern. But appearing not to notice his increased attention, the Seer continued as follows: Nor yet, without indubitable premonition stands this stranger here today, who hitherto has bowed the knee to Baal only, amid the oaks and cromlechs [Stonehenge] of his native hills. Be it also known unto thee, Oh Nebuzaradan, that these shipwrecked strangers have been cast upon the shores of Joppa for a sign and for a witness unto thee, that all my words shall surely come to pass, as well as unto them when Erin s time are also full.
These remarks of the Prophet Jeremiah, particularly the allusion to his mother s land (Erin) and the scenes of his youth, surprised Eochaidh beyond measure. But he held his peace and the Prophet continued as follows: Behold, I will establish this that thou mayest know that the words of YAHWEH are certain, and his counsels sure.
Last night, O Captain, thou wert troubled in thine heart, and sleep went from thee, for a vision of deep import haunted thine eyelids. That dream was sent to thee from heaven Ό nor hast thou mentioned it, or told it to another. Nevertheless, this is the riddle thou didst dream.
Thou lookest and behold, a vine of low stature, and of unknown vendue, grew upon a mountain high and excellent, and as it spread abroad, behold, a single leaf expanded in the midst thereof, and sent its lobes, the one toward the East, another to the West, and a third toward the North. And yet a last towards the sunny south. And the growth thereof was terrible. And the shadow of the leaf spread over the face of the whole earth. And thou sawest until the strength of the mountain, whereon it flourished, entered into the leaf, and gold and silver, brass and iron, flowed from the bowels of the mountain into the veins thereof. And yet, its texture seemed to be of stone, for the mountain also poured its quartz into the leaf that grew. And behold... as thou didst view the vine, and its growing leaf, one came and plucked a tender twig thereof, and gave it to a little child. And lo, the whole earth rejoiced and all creation dwelt in peace beneath the shadow of the vine.
This is the remarkable interpretation of this vision.
Know you therefore, Oh Nebuzaradan, that this vision is certain, and its interpretation sure. As a sign thereof, I charge thee, cause this stranger to be searched.
The Captain of the guard commanded that the prophet s words be carried out, and as the young Prince was searched, lo, beneath the Caims of Eochaidh, was a chain of gold, clasped around his neck. And suspended to it hung a four leaved shamrock, curiously worked in inimitable filigree with gold and silver, brass and iron. And it was set with quartz and glistened in the sun. This Talisman had been the parting gift of his mother, ere he had started upon the eventful voyage, and was greatly treasured for supposed Druidic virtues. She had charged him to wear it on his heart, and told him that it was an ancient heirloom of great age. And it certainly was a treasure of great value, and with all a work of art.
Now, at this time, the little daughter of the unfortunate King of Judah (Zedekiah), strayed into the group, and Nebuzaradan impressed with the strange fulfillment of his dream directed that the treasured circlet with its pendant gem be cast around her neck, for her name was Tephi, which in Hebrew signifies a young twig Ό or a maiden. And she was also called by the pet name of Teah, which is a diminutive signifying tender . Teah Tephi Ό the Tender Twig. (Ezekiel 17).
As this was done, the Prophet spake again and said to Nebuzaradan the Captain, Behold, thou hast found favor with Nebuchadnezzar, and thy king will make thee Captain of his four‑fold host. And thou shalt lead his armies to the North, the South, to the West and to the East. And thou shalt have great honor in thy latter days. As for now, speed these strangers on their way.
The Captain of the armies gave the orders and the prisoners were released. And the orders were given also to speed the departure of the galley.
The Mysterious Interview
This night before the merchantmen of Tarshish were to start from Joppa, the young Prince was called into a place apart by the mysterious Seer and blessed. The Prophet took a horn of oil, and anointed him and said,
"Return no more to the East, nor pass the Pillars of Hercules again. Pause not in thy return voyage, obey the light thou hast, for the legends of thy people are well founded. Seek Empire in the West, for thou shalt be ruler in thy father s stead.
The four‑fold kingdom of the Sacred Isle shall be united upon the stem of thy posterity. Behold, YAHWEH blesses thee and thou shalt judge thy people. And in the days of thy greatness, thou shalt have a throne of stone Ό a scepter, and a Princess fair to see. Thy seed shall dominate the earth, nor shall it fail in the day of trouble.
The Zeal of the Almighty shall accomplish this. And for a sign THE SERPENT SHALL DEPART FROM ERIN. Meanwhile, return thou unto Western Heshbon, and forget not amid the groves of Baal, that there is a Mighty ONE in Heaven, and that the cromlechs [Stonehenge] of thy people are too narrow for HIM who dwells in the Universe.
Haste not this vision, nor be slow of Faith, for many days must pass before these things take place in any phase or form. And finally, regret not the gem that thou hast lost. It is the price of thy escape. But when thou findest one amidst the vendue of some Green Realm far away, recall these incidents and wield thy scepter wisely in thy day.
Thus, spoke Jeremiah, the Seer, and on the morrow the galley preceded the sun in its Westward journey.
The young Prince returned home and related his personal experiences only to his mother, who concealed the story. Her son was the youngest of several half‑ brothers, and his elders had the Royal precedent. Muiream s observations to her son as to the incidents referred to, brought the observation that the words of the Prophet were a corroboration of much that she had known in her own life. For of all the ancient promises of his mother s people, they based their faith upon ONE that looks unto a woman as destined to preserve the Danaans from the serpent that bites the tribal horse s heels. This was darkly symbolized upon the Royal Danaan Heraldry which came West with her family. Muiream then goes on to tell her son: Ό
Your birth was ominous of something strange and yet great. Enough that I had special reasons for belief in one born with an arrow mark upon his heart. The day when thou shouldst have been passed above the sacred fire, the eldest of the Druids sought me, and forbade the act. He was a strange and silent man, who took no part in any of the outward rites we celebrate within the Cromlechs. But had remained a hermit in a place apart. I knew not that he was in Spain. In fact, I had not seen the Brehun since Carmada died, save in a dream ere you were born. And when he came, my vision was fulfilled. He was the one who gave me the talisman which you so strangely lost on this eventful voyage to the East. And with it he bestowed this curious seal which you have never seen before. I give it to you now, son, but charge you never to part with it in life or death.
The Queen now produced a ring of great antiquity, and gave it to her son saying,
It is the cognizance of Dan, himself, who was the founder of our House of Dan . A Beryl, pure and precious, and not with what skill its heraldry is graved, a creature which is half man, half horse, is wielding in his hand an arrow‑snake. And whose quaint characters below spell out his name, as you can see. For in spite of centuries, I dare not think how many, that is the secret Ogham of the Druids. Dan [Pathfinder of fidelity and life for the Oxkind] was a Brehen as his name implies, a Royal Monarch and Arch Druid, born to judge among his people always. So thou shalt do and after thee thy sons, until the final fire shall quench the waters whereon Dan abides. I say thy sons Ό , for when the aged Druid gave to me this seal, he bade me know that Ό In the strength of this child s thighs, the stars predict an empire shall arise. Smile not, my son, that thou preferrest me, thy mother to a wife, for an omen, or a sign, such as I have known may tarry, but not fail. Marry no Milesian Princess, Eochaidh, for thy star is double and the color of its second light must complement thine own. I also say Ό do not marry a Danaan. I know not what to say here on, save that thy counterpart will come.
Later, Muiream continued her talk with her son.
Let me return therefore to these earlier Danaans, the Craunnogs Ό with whom my story of Ireland began. You recall the significance I place upon the twigs and leafy emblems we have all inherited equally with them, and to which we still attribute so much subtle meaning. The added weight that all this obtains...when considered in connection with your adventures is significant.
Depend upon it...you have met a Prophet of our race. And there is destiny waiting thee behind the Veil of Isis, whom I believe you said was one of the gods of Egypt. And certainly has sway in other lands. You have told me, my son, of how forcibly you were struck by the name of that wonderful Eastern city [Jerusalem, i.e. the Peacefully Founded] which you failed to reach, but how confident you were that the desolate land upon whose shores you found yourself was in some way related to our own Danaan forefathers. But this was not all. For what convinced you most of all, as to its being truly classic Danish ground, was the startlingly familiar name of that inaccessible interior city which among other lofty titles, all signifying the Holy Mountain and which the fishermen thereabouts called Jhireon, Akron and Hierusalem.
The people who gave the name Jheironakron to Erin s most sacred promontory were these identical Iberians of whom we used to talk long years ago in Erin. Yet the name is pure Danaan and signifies to us, as it did to the Iberians the Sacred Mountain . No wonder you were struck by it, my son. And I can only beg of you to be convinced anew that these early Iberians were actually Danaans, and that their ancestors must have known of the earlier Jhieronakron (Hierusalem) so near the ancient city Ό Yiffey in the land of Dan. The fact is, Eochaidh, the Iberos came Westward seeking the same scepter, and when accident thus, took you to their most ancient land, behold you found it empty.
It had been depleted every time that emigrants had gone to Ireland and the West. I shall often wonder what has become of the city and inhabitants of ancient Jhieron or Akron which the Babylonians were besieging when you yourself fell into their hands, and were so wonderfully delivered. I think Erin is the inner sanctuary of this land of Tarshish, and I would that you were sure of ruling it in days to come.
The subject was dropped between mother and son as the years rolled on. But Heremonn never disobeyed the Prophet s injunction and confined his voyages to the coast North and South of Spain in the Atlantic.
In the 25th year of Heremonn s life, sorrow came as his mother died and was taken for burial to Ireland. After the funeral, as the Prince returned to Spain, he found that the Empire was in great trouble and the sacred books when consulted, reminded them of the ancient predictions that Ireland would be the Promised Land.
First it was decided to send a representative from Spain to the Island to stop the insurrection there. It would have been better to have sent Heremonn as the people knew and loved him. But another was sent in his place and this created more bloodshed and unrest. As you remember there were other sons of Milesius, and now is the time for the sons of Scota the Queen to see if they can realize the aim of their mother. But also, remember, that all of this is in the hands of the Almighty. And the Prince of the Scarlet Thread, who is chosen, will be the one to reign in Ireland. At the culmination of trouble between the half brothers, when the feud was now between Heber and Heremonn the Danaan, the population arose as one...to stand with Heremonn.
Church and State
Heremonn s father s ancestors had left the land of Egypt before the Sinai law had been promulgated, or even before Moses had even begun to write 1st 5 books of the Bible. Therefore there was no knowledge of the Old Testament. Theirs was but primitive and patriarchal laws and traditions. And although all knowledge of its origin had for a long time been dissipated in their constant wanderings, still its simple purity was summed up in a belief in ONE GOD only...whom they named, YAH. Who was worshiped with but little ceremony in the deepest heart. The Scarlet Thread had led them to this land of Fate, whose very name they took to be indicative of Supreme favor (for arriving Ό Ierin had phonetically meant Jar‑in or YAHWEH s land.
But some say Jurin or Judah s land) had wrapped itself about the very roots of Eochaidh s or Heremonn s deep nature, and he had been drawn to seek in constant converse all that the wisest of the pure Milesians could impart thereon. In his mother s teaching, she had warned her son that there were people in Ireland who were not of his race.
They had come on the ships of Dan and were located in the south of Ireland at that time. She had told him they were never to be trusted with any part in the government, or in the Druids, or any other religious ceremony. She had told him that if you ever let these people gain a foothold over you, that you would find yourself in great trouble. The young Prince of Scarlet Thread remembered these things and determined that when he was king of Ireland that things would have to change. He was prepared to renew the ancient struggle between YAH (JAH) and BAAL.
At this time in Ireland s history, as Destiny was to move, we find that these strange people had infiltrated some of the Druids, and even some of Heremonn s trusted warriors had other plans for Ireland, while the people simply idolized the Heremonn, and loved him quite as much for his own sake as for that of Muiream s memory. Thus at last Heremonn is made King of Ireland unofficially, and then the preparations were made for representatives of Erin s clans to gather at Cathair Crofinn to install him still more solemnly as the Ard Ri, or King of the island.
The Ollam s Ship
At this time Ό Milesius was now dead, and many of the Milesian people had been coming into Ireland and other places to the North of Spain. As they left Spain and vanished toward the North, a strange ship which was none other than that carrying Jeremiah, made the port of Corunna. As soon as the Ollam [solitary and concealed from ancient times] learned the situation of affairs he determined to lose no time in leaving Brigantium, but at the same time resolved to avoid Ireland for the present, or at least until the issue should be settled as to the future King of Ireland.
Thus the ship of Jeremiah continued on to the North, to the Danish colony, the second stopping place of almost all who came West in search of the Blessed Isles. Trouble with the ship made it necessary for the purchasing of a vessel and then limiting his crew to a select body of Fir‑Bolgians, collect from crews lately
discharged and anxious to return home, he made a prosperous transfer and arrived at the Belgian settlement before the year was out. Here Jeremiah and his party were kindly received. And here he remained with his party until the time of the trouble in Ireland was over. Here in this land Jeremiah buried Hamutal his own daughter, and here we find traces that Baruch was with this party, and that he stayed in this colony as Jeremiah went to Ireland.
Eochaidh s Coronation
`The events which we have followed had all hastened, in their own set time, toward the fulfillment of a mystery, and our Hero himself, through all this seemed as though unconscious of the underlying cause of his strange impression as the eventful day of Coronation drew near.
The clans had met according to the Irish custom, and had solemnly declared their recognition of his right to succession, and this was far more significant of future peace than any right that came of arms and conquest only. It was a long time ago when these scenes were laid Ό of which Ireland s legends are so full Ό and which with colors blent with faith, and newer light, and bonded somewhat with pardonable imagination, we are now called upon to describe.
It was the day of Love and Chivalry, and warm colors may be freely used to fill in such a picture, since all the essential threads of the Romance have come down to us in the Irish Chronicles themselves. In its general aspect, Erin s Isle had become renowned, and with the flight of years, the sons of Dan, and now Zarah Ό in reality both kindred peoples Ό secure at last in their Western Eden, and now once more united forever, had become mighty in their union, and the future promised well. These were the days of war to be sure, but such was the common phase of human life in those early ages. They were chivalrous at least, and the people were relatively better off than any upon the earth.
Such was the peaceful outlook now assured when Eochaidh the Heremonn, Prince of the Tuatha de Danaan by his mother s side, and the direct descendant as well, of Fenesia Farsa, and thus Zarah, twin brother of Pharez, of the Royal House of Judah, was about to receive the national recognition as the Crowned Horseman of the four principalities of Ireland. All of the clan representatives had gathered from near and far to witness the coronation ceremony. The occasion had been planned so as to follow closely upon the Tailtean games, and to add to his popularity, the Heremonn himself had entered into the tilts and tournaments, and successfully won the highest honors.
In fact, successful as a warrior, skilled in the lore of his people already famous for their wisdom and culture, handsome and commanding in his presence, and beloved by all the Tuaths, no such Prince had ever yet succeeded to the powerful throne of the Proud Ealgan Isle. But his chieftain s heart was sad in spite of all these gay festivities. It is not good for man to dwell alone, nor was this Western Paradise yet wholly perfect. The young Heremonn was now some 36 years of age and still unmarried. He missed his mother now that the desire of his ambition seemed so close at hand, as she had shared his lifelong aspirations, and thus was sadly needed at this crowing moment of his strange career.
He was impatient with the flattery of the aged Druid, who drew near for a sign that the ceremony should begin. Today the young Prince would make his choice of maidens who would be his legal Queen and consort. He would make his choice as part of the ancient rite, and the Druids had summoned from far and wide the beauteous womanhood of Erin. For with Mystic significance the Prince would now stand beneath the sacred mistletoe and kiss his Queen in the presence of the people Ό but still the Heremonn delayed Ό no maiden yet had really won his heart, and least of all, did he so desire the haughty Milesian upon whom the priestly fast had with assiduous diplomacy endeavored to fix his hesitating choice.
Today the Druids were the sole masters of the situation, and when the shamrock crown was assumed ...the Prince was required by law to seat a consort on the sacred war steed and lead her to the mistletoe.
At a signal the horse was now led forward, and with appropriate ritual was crowned with a single horn of gold. Resting upon his head was a tribal emblem of great antiquity Ό The Unicorn Ό and was significant of mystic strength on land and sea. Tradition related that the ancestors of the tribe of Dan had formerly borne the serpent only as their heraldic blazon, but that in a conflict with a mighty rival, mounted upon horseback, one of them had overthrown his opponent, slain him and then tamed the captured steed. Hence the blazon of the tribe was now a serpent biting at the horse s heel.
Next: Ό the rich banner of the Proud Milesian line was given to the breeze. Its central device was a Rod and serpent, in commemoration of the adventures of Adelas in Egypt, and as the emblem caught his eye, his mind reverted to his latent thoughts he vainly strove to formulate, but now they all materialized at once. The memory of his voyage to Egypt, and his strange adventure at Joppa awoke with all its intensity, and Muiream s explanations, and their mutual hopes, all realized but Ό one Ό crowded his sight so vividly that they were all but real. One by one the incidents passed before his quickened memory and now the crisis of his Destiny was on him Ό and the vision seemed about to fail Ό for where was the Princess fair to see?
As Eochaidh unconsciously uttered this thought aloud the Unicorn, or crowned horse of Ireland chomped its bit, the assembled Tuaths raised their shrill cry of Sluagh‑Ghairms, and the Prince at last was startled from his revery. He arose at once, and taking the impatient steed from its Druidic custodian, led him toward the multitude, resolved upon a Ό coup demaitre Ό as dangerous as it was now.
But STAY: Ό Strange news disturbs the gathering. The Druid themselves have a special cause of excitement, for the sacred serpents are manifesting as ominous uneasiness. SUDDENLY Ό a band of shipwrecked mariners, clad in Eastern costume, had emerged from between the neighboring oak‑clad hills and are slowly approaching the gathered multitude. The halls of Cathair Crofinn are hushed with deep expectancy, as preceded by a venerable man Ό the strangers advance toward Heremonn, while veiled amid her trusty little retinue, a single maiden pauses somewhat in the background. Two of the new comers bear between them by a stave thrust through its iron handles Ό A RUDE BLOCK OF STONE Ό and others in the group bear chests, and mystery withal comes with them. Instinctively the clans divide and form an avenue of approach and where the shouts just rent the air, hushed stillness, still more oppressive to the ear, marks the deep evidence of interest.
Irish History is about to begin, and the Universal History its Renewal, as Empire has reached the West!
At last, to that expectant audience, the elder stranger speaks. They understand him readily, for he employs a dialect of their own tongue, and at his first utterance, Eochaidh, visibly affected lets go the sacred steed, and now standing calm, lowers his scepter to the earth.
The speaker now recounts the tale of his adventure. He shows them of his origin, and strangely too, of theirs, for woven into his recital, there are references to legend that are not unknown in Erin. He shows them his commission, announces he had come Ό To build and to plant (Ezekiel 17: 22‑24) Ό a Universal Empire, and relates the legend of the LIA PHAIL, or stone wonderful which he has with him.
The bearers now draw near and deposit the sacred block Ό Lughaidh Ό Bethel, or House of God [Mighty One], before the Heremonn, and from its riven side a stream of water gushes, as it did at Horeb centuries before!
Sir Walter Scott has preserved for us the legend of its virtues in an ancient Gaelic couplet, thus translated Ό
UNLESS THE FATES ARE FAITHLESS AND PROPHETS VOICE BE VAIN, WHERE E ER IS FOUND THIS SACRED STONE, THE WANDERERS S RACE SHALL REIGN.
As Eochaidh, his self‑possession now fully recovered, and his heart absorbed in interest, draws near the mystic stone, he chanced to brush it with his seven‑colored kilt, and thereupon another prodigy took place, for at that instant Ό as though from out the bowels of the block, a groan [Sign] was heard Ό prolonged, and penetrating to the remotest edges of the vast assembly. The startled Heremonn fell aback, dismayed, and the hearts of the very Druids sank within them at the sound. But the venerable custodian reassured his witnesses, and explained to them, that, when the rightful heir of the Stone Kingdom touched this Sacred Palladium of Empire, it was often won t to roar aloud its approval. So the clans themselves took up the shout, and rent the air again with acclamations for the new Ard‑Ri, or Head King, of the land.
Now it was noticed that the stream of water had ceased to gush from the LIA PHAIL, and the attention of the gathering was directed to four other members of the party, who drew near and placed a closely covered chest which was born also upon staves between them, before the speaker. As it touched the earth, another prodigy took place, and one more "Witness," more ominous than all the rest...for the sacred serpents of the Druids, with many hisses, gasped and died. Then suddenly, the very island seemed alive with snakes, that swarmed out of their coverts, and in terror sought the sea and hastened down there to drown themselves.
Far and wide over Erin did this prodigy take place, causing equal terror to all its inhabitants, and to the ominous dismay among the priestly caste, for the Druids knew that the end of Druidism had come. This prodigy became renowned in Irish History, and was recognized by Eochaidh as the fulfillment of the prediction made to him in Joppa years before. For it was the ARK OF ISRAEL that wrought this wonder, for no sooner had its bearers rested their mysterious burden upon the earth and the excited gathering been calmed, then the chief priest removed its drapery and disclosed in all its wealth of workmanship, the Ό SHEKINAH Ό of the covenant.
The author has this to say about the Ark of the Covenant Ό some think that this was merely an authorized copy of the ancient ark that Yeremyah brought with him to Erin, and that the real vessel is still concealed in Horeb. Jeremiah could have placed it during his long stay in Egypt. We take the mountain of concealment to be the Western mountain of the height and greatness of Israel, and opine that it was the Pisgah to which Moses in spirit came, and Jesus in His turn, to see the future of the Kingdoms in their full millennial splendor yet ahead of us.
But be all this as it may, the Prophet Yeremyah brought West with him a potent similitude of Israel s Ark and it gave evidence of his authority. Even as in captivity it had cursed the land of Philistia, in the days of Eli, so now in this, its constant sanctuary ever since, this wondrous chest brought blessing to its land of refuge. The era of this patriarch who brought it to Erin, is far older Ό 1000 years Ό than Saint Patrick, who in latter days simply assumed the honors of an elder legend.
With such a sign, in demonstration of his mission, the grey‑haired speaker continued his address Ό he told them of Abraham s Destiny, and wove it strangely into theirs Ό of the true God s oath to David Ό and the promise unto Dan, their father; and he spoke of Zarah, and the Scarlet Thread , of Gadelas and Moses, and of Egypt from whence all are called. He appealed unto the Heremonn for confidence, and persuaded all who heard him with impassioned eloquence, for inspiration was upon him, and persuasion led his hearers captive.
At a sign from the speaker the maiden and her escort now drew nearer, and stood in modesty before the Prince, upon whom the Ollam Fallah Ό cast his piercing glance, and paused awhile, as if to read his innermost heart. Then he lifted the veil of Zedekiah s lovely daughter, and lo Ό upon her bosom hung his lost Talisman, for this was Ό Tea Tephi Ό The Tender Twig Ό grown to gentle womanhood who stood before him!
She was indiscriminately known to Irish and Welsh legends as Tea Taffie, Tephi, the Eastern Princess Ό Tea Tephi Ό the King s daughter. And it is simply willful blindness doubly stultified, not to see in this array of sharply focused and significant names, this the identity of Yeremyah s missing ward. We find her Palace later known in Ireland as Teamor Ό how like is that to Solomon s city in the wilderness Ό Tadmore, meaning change.
Solomon also had a daughter, Taphath, from the same root as that of Tephi, ( I Kings 4:11) and the name meant Ό secret Ό hidden light Ό the covered standard. Aye: Publish this is Taphanhes! and let it (now) be known in Noph, that David s covered standard which took hidden flight from thence so long ago, has at last disclosed, and its secret is that the soil therein that tender twig took root downward and has born fruit upward, was on the Emerald Isle.
But back to Cathair Crofinn and its scenes of romance Ό Fairer maid has never shone in loveliness so wonderful beneath the Irish sky, she was indeed a King s daughter , a Princess fair to see. And what a consort for the chosen judge of Dan. How great, how beautiful a Queen for Eochaidh, the son of Zarah! His exclamation had indeed been answered.
The impatient steed neighed and whinnied at the long delay, and as in a prancing mood he pawed the earth, seemed to invite attention, while the gracefully curved neck he lowered his golden unicorn in homage to the Queen. The heart of Heremonn had burned within him as he listened to the eloquence and strange recitals of the venerable prophet, for it was indeed none other than Yeremyah laying a foundation stone Ό in Israel.
Coming thus solemnly to interrupt his very coronation, and supplementing with such fullness the predictions he had listened to at Joppa, the Heremonn was from the first convinced that Providence has now about to round his destiny. The years that had transpired had wrought great changes in the youth, and YAHWEH had prepared his spirit by strange experiences for this crisis in his life.
But now his heart was wholly won, as he gazed entranced at Tea Tephi, and then the King became a suppliant. Impulsively he left his place of state, and bent to kiss the hand of the fair and blushing Princess, whose own heart had from the very first accepted his. As the Royal Suitor knelt before his chosen bride, the Princes of the realm acclaimed again, the Sacred Stone renewed its weird approval, the Royal steed neighed at the clamor, and even some of the Druid Priests found their hearts reclaimed.
In a moment of enthusiasm the chief of ceremonies seized a branch of mistletoe from one of his attendants and held it o er the twain, while Tephi, bending, loosed her golden chain and flung the Talisman once more about her lover s neck. When Yeremyah blessed them, and called upon YAHWEH to water with his grace, the twig which he had planted, and David s Monarchy rebuilt beyond the reach of interference by their age old enemies.
Notable days were those in Ireland, when these incidents took place. There were Irish chronicles that are naturally rich in the tradition of this heroic period. They tell us of the wondrous beauty of Tea Tephi; of the building of Teamor; or the royal heraldic standard of the King Ό the red lion rampant upon a golden field; and the sacred breastplate by which all oaths were taken. They tell of the death of Tea Tephi; of her mysterious burial, and of endless other facts and incidents, that point us back unerringly to Palestine. The Island took a new name from the Sacred Stone of the Empire, and was then forth called INNIS PHAIL... the "Land of Destiny."
The Heremonn and Tea Tephi were crowned upon The Stone of Destiny. The chief city of the Tuaths changed its name from Cathair Crofinn to TARA, and through its famous halls the harp of David shed the soul of music, tuned to the sympathetic voice of David s loveliest daughter.
A college of Ollam, or Prophets, was established by Yeremyah. He became the Prime Minister of the realm, and he still holds upon the dome of Dublin s capital, the position as Chief of the Masters of Ireland. In Simon Brecus (Baruch) who figures prominently at a later period of Irish history, we find suggestive traces of Yeremyah s trusted scribe, probably the husband of Scota Ό Tea s oldest sister, or at least of his posterity, for there are several of the names both before and after, as in the case of Scota, and many other common names. The land of the Scots...Scotland was, in fact, named after Princess Scota.
While unto this day according to the old proverb Ό
There s not a hut, the isle around,
But where a Jerry may be found.
In the midst of Ireland itself there is a tomb. A tomb that has been shown, and proven to be to be none other than that of Yeremyah, the Prophet, himself. In Lough Erne, the upper lake, is the small island of Davenish, and there, near its towering hollow pillar is the rock‑hewn sepulcher that has been known from time immemorial, beyond the knowledge of tradition to the contrary, as the tomb of Yeremyah...the great OLLAM FOLLA of Erin.
All of these traditions are older than the Christian era, and the idea of later collusion is preposterous. These facts solve the whole mystery of the Prophet s disappearance, and although they are diametrically opposite to the written and accepted history of the world today, the time is not far distant when they will supplant it, for they have too many collaterals to be suppressed to much longer, and the vindication of Yeremyah s own commission requires us to get the truth in order, and uphold the Bible, although all other books and learned commentaries have to stand aside.
Nor should it be forgotten that it is this controversy that YAHWEH, himself, has some concern about, since that, by his command, this prophet was Ό to build and to replant , and did so there in the Western Isles of Innis Phaile...Ireland. All who deny it, in the face of testimony such as this, and adhere to the general idea that the mission failed and that Yeremyah was slain by the Jews, to say the least, have either read their Bibles blindly, or not at all. I prefer to believe the latter...Not at ALL!!!
The ancient Baalistic/Druidic worship in Ireland was soon succeeded by one based upon that of Moses, and in due time the Druids themselves became enthusiastic priests of truth. The Ark of the Covenant was concealed in Tara by the Ollam (Prophets) of Jeremiah. [In the book Tea Tephi, an auto biography, Tea Tephi claimed that the Ark was taken elsewhere, on a westward sea journey by Yeremyah.] They placed within it the title deeds of Palestine, and many other sacred treasures, which remain there yet, against their future day of glorious manifestation. Free‑Masonry had its renewed birth at this mysterious period, and was undoubtedly established by Yeremyah, The Royal Arch Degree Ό as the guardian of the Ark s secret resting place. It is presumed to be buried in the Mergech, or Tomb of Tephi, as the word Mergech is a pure Hebrew word meaning Repository. All the traditions maintain that it has remained absolutely un‑violated down to this very day.
Free‑Masonry Ό came from the Ancient Mystery Schools of Israel Ό Masons or builders of OUR RACE. Many Great men of this race have been Masons and understood at least some of this mystery, for instance Ό George Washington. However today, like most everything else Ό Satan s children have infiltrated and destroyed much of Masonry until it is a mixed bag, mostly Baal, maybe a little in some places of YAHWEH, in the rituals, but surely adapted to the World Order.
Satan s children are devils and satans who are walking around in shoe leather, and are none other than Jews...who are the slanderers and accusers of the brethren of your race, and they are opponents to Yahweh s law. Lucifer was and is the arch‑enemy. Arch Enemy, or enemy of the Ark of Yahweh. Masonry and Druidism are counterfeits to the genuine Melchi Zedek priesthood, known in ancient Egypt.
Good men have been deceived and seduced into becoming part of the ranks of Freemasonry. Abraham was familiar with the Code of Hammurabi. Moses incorporated part of the Code of Hammurabi (teacher of Ham) into the legislation for the Israelites. Mosaic means: made of small pieces Ό composed of diverse elements combined together as a whole. Yeremyah abolished Druidism in Ireland when he introduced them to the Covenant of Yah; only the rebels continue on with Druidism, whose rituals mimic Yah s ordinances. [When has a Mason or a Druid ever told you anything of substance about the Adamic race or the People of father Israel?]
The author [Totten] tells us that he has in his possession Ό direct and personal correspondence with prominent personages in Ireland and England who have been interested in exploring the ruins of Tara, with the express purpose of discovering these spolia opima. The ruins are private property, but permission has been obtained several times to examine them, but all efforts Ό to explore Ό have been a failure. There is a mystery connected with the matter, and at least at the times of the former attempts Ό the Set Time had not come. Thus the great Mergech at Tara Hill, the name of the tomb once thought to be Celtic, now since 1871 known to be Hebrew Ό a repository, and it undoubtedly contains treasures of great importance to OUR RACE.
In later years (A.D. 1024 Cuan O' Cochlain, who was for a time the Regent of Ireland, wrote a poem, and this is a brief of some of the stanzas:
It gave great happiness to the women
When Temor, the strong was erected and named.
*************
The gentle Heremonn here maintained
His lady, safe in an impregnable fortress;
She received from him all favors she desired,
And all his promises to her he fulfilled.
*************
Bregia of Teah was a delightsome abode;
On record, as a place of great renown,
It contains the grave Ό the great Mergech Ό
A sepulcher which has not been violated.
*************
The length and breadth of the tomb of Tephi
Accurately measured by the sages,
Was sixty feet of exact measure,
As Prophets and Druids have related.
Tephi s death occurred about 10 years after her arrival and marriage. Eochaidh, whose reign is put down as 13 to 16 years survived her only long enough to complete the monument erected to her honor. He was 52 years old at his death. The only son of Eochaidh by Tea Tephi was Irial, the Prophet.
This Prince was carefully educated at Mur Ollam, or School of Prophets founded by Yeremyah. At his father s death he was only 16 years of age, so trouble started for Ireland as the sons of Heber once more took the throne. Later the Heremonnian faction recovered the crown and Irial ascended the throne when he was 25 years of age. Heremonn after Heremonn was gathered to the dust, and their spirits returned to the great ARD RI the Great Yah of heaven, but the scepter of David held its unbroken sway on the earth, and Judah s Royal Remnants prospered in the isles. Down thru the ages king succeeded king, and all were crowned at Tara on the LIA PHAIL, but the site was too narrow, and its shadow spread abroad.
At last Fergus, the first king of Scotland (Scotia Minor) left Ireland Ό (Scotia Major) and again transplanted the Red Lion Rampant, and the throne of David. Taking the Stone of Destiny with him, he was crowned upon it in unbroken successions all the kings of Caledonia took the crown.
Kenneth II removed the Stone to Scone, and there the Scepter still passed over it, from successor to successor. Finally Edward I captured this Talismaic Stone and took it to Westminster Abbey, where it was placed Ό beneath the Coronation Chair of Great Britain. The Stone had since been returned to Scotland, and later was ordered back to England...but there is speculation that it is merely a copy of the original which is supposedly still in Scotland.
The common people call it Jacob s Stone, Jacob's Pillow, or Lia Faile (meaning "Stone of Destiny"), they believe it to be the token of an indestructible Empire, and that it is indeed the richest jewel in the British Realm.
Ezekiel 21:27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it (the scepter, or the right to rule) and it shall be no [more] (overturned), until he comes whose right it is to rule, and I will give it [to him]. In due time the royal line of David followed the stone into its new resting place. When James I united the Empire, he brought the Red Lion of the tribe of Judah, with its golden field, from Scotland, and placed it opposite the Unicorn of Israel, uniting thus the British coat of Arms, and between them placed the motto of Benjamin Ό God and my Right Ό for it is the heritage of Little Benjamin to dwell safely by the anointed of YAHWEH, even between Ephraim and Judah.
`This is a theme well worthy of the pen of prophecy, and accordingly we find its thread closely woven into the lines of Sacred Writ. Those ancient Hebrews were beneath the finger of YAHWEH, statesmen of so broad an international and far‑reaching type, that we Ό who live but a generation only, and waste our years amid trivial things cannot comprehend the magnitude of state‑craft so consummate. Behold! I do a thing in your days, utters one of them, That ye will in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
And it is even so; for done it is, and though tis done in stone, men do not stand convinced. And it is well done, by a sculptor who heweth without hands, and whose handiwork is mountainous in constant growth. The vision of Nebuchadnezzar is fulfilling before our very eyes, and the dream of Nebuzaradan Ό is A Fact. The four leaf clover casts its shadow upon every land, for North, South, East and West Ό it is only under the Shadow of Saxon things alone Ό that men have any hope.
I hope that you have enjoyed this book review of
the Planting of the Empire in the West, and realize the Beginning of the Western Empire as the overthrows occurred and placed the great Pillar Ό Jacob s Stone Ό where it belonged, as the chief Jewel in the diadem of Britain. Today this Stone Ό The house of Yahweh Ό is the heart s core of the Stone Kingdom growing into a mountain on a Saxon earth. Nor need we of this hither half of the Anglo Saxon brotherhood, find any cause to envy Ephraim (who are the British), for American (Manasseh s) greatness is well assured, as pointedly put down in prophecy, as sharply chiseled as a fact of history, as Ephraim s or that of England. America...the nation that was "Born in a Day." America s mission is mapped out beyond the Shadow of the Scepter, and to set it forth here is foreign to the purpose of this book report Ό but IT IS THERE.
But in the fullness of time, and by the romantic marriage of Eochaidh and Tea Tephi, we have seen how YAHWEH, our God, kept the integrity of His oath to David, and hastened to perform it, for in Genesis 49:10 it says "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be," and we see how the Scepter delayed its final entrance into the greater Ό City of Merchants Ό London, England until all the hosts of scattered Israel had come back into the fold.
Jeremiah had every means at his command to fulfill his mission, for he was as greatly honored and respected by the King of Babylon as he was persecuted by his countryman, who looked upon him as a traitor. After the capture of the city by the armies of Babylon, Jeremiah could go where he liked and do as he liked, and Bible history traces him to Egypt with the King s daughters where he vanished from Biblical records.
The signs of Jeremiah in Egypt are his own writings and the testimony of the Jews, all of which was corroborated by E. Flanders Petrie. Jeremiah disappeared with an escaped remnant from Jewish sight out of Egypt. That he doubtless visited Palestine to complete his work in gathering certain relics to be taken by him to the far country is clear from the record of the things he had with him when he arrived in that far country. Following the disappearance of Jeremiah from Egypt, there appears in western history a man with a group of people who answers in every respect tot he description of Jeremiah and the remnant; who had with them certain valuable possessions. The evidence of all this from Irish history would fill a volume.
To enumerate a few recorded facts, we have Tea Tephi (whose name means tender twig ), a Princess from the East, coming to Ireland at this time. She was known as the King s daughter, and her guardian was the prophet, Ollam Folla. With them was the Urim and Thummin breast plate, or the Jordan Moran, and the Stone of Destiny, or Lia Fail, which accompanied them to this Isle in the sea. The Harp of David hung in Tara s Halls and the evidence also bears out the claim that the Ark of the Covenant accompanied this remnant to the Isles.
The Irish Chronicles record the fact of the coming of an Eastern Princess. In these chronicles appears an interesting poem purporting to set forth the facts told by the Princess: We were five that rode upon asses, And five by the mules they led; Whereupon were the things brought forth; From the house of God when we fled; The Stone of Jacob our father; The seat wherein Yahveh dwells; Upon Sacred things whereof the Book of the Prophet tells; And the signs of my father David; On whom was the promise stayed; Bright as the crown of the dawn; Deep as the midnight shade...Upon me was that promise fallen. For me was the Prophet s toil. He had signed me with David s signet; Anointed my head with oil; And Barach and he drew near; To set my feet upon Bethel; The stone that is seen this day. That my seed may rest upon it; where er it is borne away: And its promises be sure beneath them; Strong to uphold their throne; Though the builders cast it aside; It shall never be left alone.
Pharez and Zarah
Let us pause here to briefly outline the history of the Zarah branch of Judah s posterity. Judah had two sons by Tamar, named Pharez and Zarah. When Jacob and his family went down into Egypt Zarah, as yet, had no children. Pharez was accompanied by two sons, Hezron and Hamul. Two sons. Ethan and Zimri, were born to Zarah in Egypt. Ethan profited by the opportunities he received in the land and so did his son Mahol, she also enjoyed the same advantages. Their success won them much fame so that they are named in connection with Solomon whose wisdom did exceed theirs: And Solomon s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt, For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. (1 Kings 4:30-31)
Zarah s Ambitions
It seems certain that the family of Zarah aspired to the sceptral honors of Judah but failed to attain their ambitions, and Zarah s entire household seems to have moved out of Goshen. The three sons of Mahol evidently were schooled in all the wisdom of Egypt as was Moses.
PROFESSOR C.A.L. TOTTEN STATES: Where the Sacred Canon (purposely, as we believe) allows the record of Zarah s line to lapse, there they are blindly taken up and continued by no less than three, perhaps more, independent and widely separated secular colleges of history.
For if Darda, the Egyptian, son of Zarah, was Dardanus, the Egyptian founder of Troy, and if Chalcol was the Gyptian Cecrops or Niul and the contemporary founder of Athens and Thebes, and if Heman, the brother of Niul, was likewise contemporary Egyptian Agenon who inherited Phoenicia, and Mahol, the son of Zarah and the father of these famous Egyptians, was Scytha, or Fenesia Farsa, the Egyptian ancestor of the Milesians, whose records, full and complete, enable us to blend the whole into one continuous recital down to the present day, surely we have means at hand in Trojan, Grecian and Milesian sources to continue out of the record of the Sacred Chronicles, and lend them greater reverence as we come to understand and prize them at their worth!
And it is just this claim that we now advance for by rescuing this fragmentary reference to Zarah s line, found in 1 Kings 4:30-31, from the ignorance and misconception with which all former generations seem to have treated it, and by reading in it a clear and intentional reference to the famous Heroes of Secular History, to the founders of Phoenicia, Grecia, Troy, and the Milesians, and indirectly to Rome, the child of Troy, to Carthage and to the Brigantes of Hispania, we place in the hands of our race, and before their opened eyes the peer of the Rosetta Stone itself. (The Secret of History, pages 164-166)
Jeremiah in Ireland
There are two distinct phases to the Hebrew story concerning Ireland. One deals with the Milesian records, the history of which line originated in Egypt and Palestine, while the other line concerns Jeremiah and the King s daughters, one of whom married Eochaidh, the Heremonn of the line of Zarah, upon her arrival with the Prophet in Ireland.
Here we will deviate a little to relate the following information to you: On pages 16 to 21 of, The History of the Jews in Great Britain, Dr. Moses Margoliouth, 1846, Pastor Margoliouth comments on this Hebrew‑Phoenician connection with ancient Britain, and says, "...the conclusion is inevitable, the Israelites must have visited the western countries in the days of Solomon." (see also page 31)
Israel and Phoenicia both spoke the same language in ancient times, but since the nation of Israel far outnumbered the Phoenicians, it is obvious that most "Phoenician" colonization was in reality Israelite. An excellent and authoritative discussion of this subject is covered in Stephen M. Collins recent book, "The Ten Tribes of Israel...Found!"
Pastor Margoliouth sums up this issue well in saying, "I see no reason for disbelieving that there were [Israelites] in Spain in the time of David and Solomon ‑ startling as it may appear...there existed colonies of Hebrews all over the world, in the reigns of David and Solomon..." (page 30)
All the authorities agree in stating the following facts that at this time (583 B.C.) A notable man, an important personage, a patriarch, a saint, an essentially important one, according to the various ways of putting it, came to Ulster, the most northern province of Ireland, accompanied by a princess, the daughter of an eastern king; and that in company with them was Simon Brach, Breck, Barech, Berach, as it is differently spelled; and that this royal party brought with them many remarkable things. Among these were the harp, the ark and a wonderful stone called Lia Fail, or stone of destiny.
THE CORONATION CEREMONY: Just as this time as Jeremiah, with the King s daughter, his ward, arrived in Ireland, a ceremony was taking place. Under the laws of Ireland, and according to the ritual of Druidism, Eochaidh, the Heremonn, a Prince of the Tuatha de Danaans on his mother s side and a direct descendant also of Fenesia Farsa, and thus of the line of Zarah, twin brother of Pharez of the Royal House of Judah, was about to receive national recognition as the crown Horseman of the four principalities of Ireland.
GOD HAD REMOVED THE CROWN FROM THE HEAD OF ZEDEKIAH OF THE LINE OF PHAREZ and PLACED IT UPON THE HEAD OF A PRINCE OF THE LINE OF ZARAH who at this time was united in marriage with the daughter of Zedekiah, heir to David s Throne. Here, then, THE PROPHET BEAN THE BUILDING AND PLANTING FOR WHICH HE HAD BEEN DIVINELY COMMISSIONED.
SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS: The Eastern Princess married Eochaidh, the Heremonn, upon a condition made by this notable patriarch that the Heremonn should abandon his former religion and build a college for the prophets. This he did, and the name of the school was Mur-Ollam, which is the name in both Hebrew and Irish for the school of the prophets.
YEAR OF JEREMIAH S ARRIVAL: Mr. Thomas W. Plant in his article The Date of Jeremiah s Arrival in Ireland, Destiny for March, 1938, refers to his visit at Glastonbury, in the summer of 1935 when the subject of Jeremiah s arrival in Ireland came up for discussion. He was asked by Mr. George Dansle of Bristol if he was interested in the discerpherment of hieroglyphics. He was then shown a jumble of lines, circles, dots and spirals.
Later, in a letter to Mr. Plant, Mr. Dansle wrote: These are the particulars that I gave you, when at Glastonbury, of the carved stone in the tomb of Ollam Fodhla, which is in Schiabhna-Cailiche, near Old Castle, Co. Meath, Ireland. It shows a Lunar Eclipse, in the constellation of Taurus, also a conjunction of the planets Saturn and Jupiter in Virgo. The prow of a ship is shown in the center, with five lines indicating the number of passengers it carried. On the left a part of the ship, which might be the stern, is shown and only four passengers, one having been left behind or lost as indicated by the line falling away from the ship. The wavy lines indicate the passage of the ship across the ocean, terminating at a central point on an island.
Ollam Fodhla having been identified as Jeremiah, this stone would be a record of his journey from Egypt to Ireland, having in his care the two daughters of Zedekiah, and his scribe or secretary, Baruch, and probably an attendant for the two Princesses. (The fifth passenger might have been Ebed-melech, the Thiopian). One of the Princesses appears to have been left at a country en route.
The date of arrival according to the necessary stellar calculations made by an expert, V.E. Robson (a friend of Mr. Dansle), being Thursday 16th October, 583 B.C. At this date there was an eclipse of the moon in the constellation of Taurus, and a conjunction to within 10 degrees of Saturn and Jupiter in Virgo. The bird at the top may be a representation of Ezekiel s eagle which carried the tender twig to a mountain (nation) in Israel.
I believe the date of departure from Egypt was stated by Rev. W.M.H. Milner in an article or book, I cannot remember which, to be 584 B.C. At any rate, Mr. W. Campbell, writing in 1914, states that Jeremiah arrived in Ireland 230 years before the death of King Cimboath, which was in 353 B.C., and that, added to 230 years, gives us 583 B.C. (Northern British-Israel Review, Vol. 4, p. 171)
EOCHAIDH, THE HEREMONN: Eochaidh, the Heremonn, changed the name of the capital city, Lothair, (sometimes spelled Cothair Croffin) to that of Tara. It is a well known fact that the Royal Arms of Israel is the harp of David. Further, the crown which was worn by the sovereigns of that hitherto unaccounted for kingdom of Ireland had twelve points. Who shall say that the King s daughter was not planted there and that the first of the three of Ezekiel s overturns was not accomplished in the removal of the Royal line of David from Palestine to Ireland?
STONE OF DESTINY: Because their King had passed on before them to the unknown country into which Israel was later to be regathered, Hosea declares of them: For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a King, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim. (Hosea 3:4)
The marginal rendering of without an image is without a standing pillar while Young s Analytical Concordance gives other definitions, i.e., memorial stone, and pillar. Scholarly men who have investigated this passage in connection with its context give a correct rendering as pillar rock and pillar stone. Jeremiah journeyed from Egypt with this stone in his possession, and the other sacred emblems, and first landed in Spain from whence he sailed to Ireland according to the records. Beginning with Eochaidh, the Heremonn, and his young bride, Tea Tephi, who were crowned on this stone in Ireland, their descendants in succession were crowned on this stone of destiny. The ancient kings of both the Danaan and Milesian races (being the same people) were for many ages crowned at Tara. This stone was sent to Scotland about 350 B.C., for the coronation of Fergus, King of Scots, who was a descendant of the Milesian Kings of Ireland. For many centuries this stone was used by the Scottish Kings in their coronation and was kept in the Abby of Scone. This removal of the stone from Ireland to Scotland was its second overturn. (Ezekiel 21:27)
In 1297 A.D., when King Edward I invaded Scotland, the stone was taken to England and was placed in Westminister Abbey where it remained to this day. This removal from Scotland to England was the third and final overturn! (NOTE: It has recently been returned to Edinburgh Castle in Scotland).
As you can see, the nation of Judah in Palestine (not the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and part of Levi) but the so-called nation of the bad fig, Cain-Satanic-Edomite-Canaanite Jews was shattered forever, never again to be reestablished as a Royal House. This broken bottle nation of the Jews is no HISTORY, IT IS IN THE PAST!!!
THE STONE OF DESTINY:
In the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey in
London is an oblong block of sandstone, upon which all of England s kings have been crowned for several centuries‑‑and before that, the kings of Scotland, and before them the kings of Ireland. This is another bit of evidence of the identity of the Anglo‑Saxon people as the Israel of the Bible, and that the House of David still rules over them.
The history of this stone begins in the 28th chapter of Genesis, where we read that Jacob camped overnight in a field, and for his pillow used a stone with his folded cloak over it. During the night, God appeared to him in a vision, and promised to give him the Land of Canaan.
When Jacob awoke, he said,
this is the house of God,
and named the place Beth‑el, meaning House of God.
Then he took the stone he had used as his pillow and set it up as a monument, and dedicated it with an offering of oil. He promised that, if God would help him,
then shall the Lord be my God: and this stone which I have set for a monument shall be God s house.
In Genesis 34, God instructs him to go back to Bethel and set up an altar to God, which Jacob did. It was at this time that God changed Jacob s name to Israel; and Israel again set up and dedicated as a monument of witness the stone pillar which he had dedicated as God s house. Its sacred character was now firmly established.
We next find mention of it in Genesis 49, when the aged Israel, before he dies, tells his 12 sons what will befall their respective descendants in the last days. Speaking of Joseph, he says,
From thence is the shepherd of the Stone of Israel.
We should, therefore, expect to find the Stone in custody of the sons of Joseph in the last days. The English are the Tribe of Ephraim, descended from one of Joseph s sons. Its sacred character having been established, the stone would not be thereafter abandoned.
We next hear of it when the Children of Israel, in their exodus from Egypt, were facing death by thirst in the desert. God instructed Moses,
I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink ;
thus they were saved from death. This miracle was repeated later, but this time Moses was instructed merely to speak to the rock, not strike it; because Moses disobeyed God and hit the rock in a grandstand play before the people, he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land.
We must not think that this rock was merely the native rock cliffs of these desert places, for in 1 Corinthians 10:1‑4, Paul says
all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea...and did all drink the same spiritual drink, for they drank of that spiritual Rock THAT FOLLOWED THEM, and that Rock was Christ.
That is, they were given water to drink from a rock which was carried along with them; and as Israel had said,
this stone which I have set up for a monument shall be God s house,
so Christ hallowed it with His presence.
After Joshua had conquered the Promised Land and divided it among the 12 Tribes, he reminded them that they must ever be loyal to God, and he set up a stone as a monument of witness to this warning; the Hebrew says he took the stone of greatness; and what would that be, or what more fitting witness could there be, but the stone which was God s house?
Before God ever allowed Israel to have a king, the rebel Abimelech had himself crowned king beside this pillar or monument (Judges 9:6). Later, when the lawful monarchy was established in the House of David, we find it was the custom that the king be crowned standing by the pillar or monument, for we read in 2 Kings 11:12‑14,
And he brought forth the king s son and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands and said, God save the king. And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the Temple of the Lord. And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced.
The Stone had become a sacred relic, A WITNESS OF THE MUTUAL PROMISES OF GOD AND OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. It would be found close to the Temple and the throne. Upon the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Maccabees 2:4‑8 says that ancient records stated that Jeremiah had taken the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle and had hidden them in a cave on Mount Nebo.
It was also contained in the same writing, that the prophet, being warned of God, commanded the tabernacle and the ark to go with him, as he went forth into the mountain, where Moses climbed up, and saw the heritage of God. And when Jeremy came thither, he found an hollow cave, wherein he laid the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door. And some of those that followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it. Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying, As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time that God gather his people again together, and receive them unto mercy. (2 Maccabees 2:4‑8 )
While 1 Samuel 4‑5 records the capture of the Ark by the Philistines, and its return, there is no mention of it being taken by the Babylonians, so the ancient record of the Ark being hidden must be correct. Along with the Ark, we may be sure that Jeremiah would also safely hide the sacred Witness Stone, God s house, which had twice been used to give water to the people to save them from death, and which was now used in the coronation of the kings.
When I spoke to you on What Jeremiah Planted, I told you how Jeremiah and the daughters of the last King of Judah, Zedekiah, were taken to Egypt with the refugees; but in order to fulfill God s prophecy that Jeremiah was also to build and to plant, Jeremiah had to leave Egypt and take the princess to where another Israelite kingdom was then in existence; in Ireland. We know that with Jeremiah went Baruch, his scribe, and the king s daughter; and with the princess, he would also certainly take the hidden Stone upon which the kings were crowned.
The ancient Irish records record the coming of the Great Prophet, Brugh his scribe (obviously Baruch), and the daughter of a king, about 583 B.C., which would be the correct date; and that with them they brought the Wonderful Stone, or Stone of Destiny.
In one of our congregations is a woman whose family genealogy shows that one of their ancestors came to Ireland with Jeremiah, and that this ancestor s duty was that of custodian of the Stone Tea Tephi, the king s daughter, married Eochaidh the Heremon, or Chief King, of Ireland. The stone, called Lia Fail or Stone of Destiny was kept at the capital city of Tara for some three centuries, and all the kings, descendants of Eochaidh and Tea Tephi, were crowned on it.
Then, about 350 B.C., it was sent to Scotland for the coronation of Fergus, King of Scots, who was a descendant of the Milesian Kings of Ireland. It remained in Scotland, and all Scottish kings were crowned on it, until 1297 A.D. when King Edward I of England invaded Scotland and captured the Stone, which he took to England, where it was placed in Westminster Abbey, its home ever since that date.
It was built into the Coronation Chair, the oldest piece of furniture in England still serving its original purpose, and all English kings have been crowned on it ever since. Its origin was well known during the entire time it has been in the British Isles, and from practically the first it was called Jacob s Stone. William of Rislanger, writing in the 13th century, records the coronation of John de Baliol as King of Scotland in the year 1292 upon the stone upon which Jacob placed his head.
While the ten‑tribed nation of Israel had to abide many days without a king as God prophesied in Hosea 3: 4, yet there must always be a royal family of David s line on the throne over some Israelite people, for God promised through Jeremiah 33:17 that
David shall never lack a man to sit upon the throne of the House of Israel.
We know that Eochaidh the Heremon was of the Milesian line of Kings of Ireland, and that the Milesians in Ireland were descendants of Zarah, a son of Judah; and that Tea Tephi was a descendant of David, who was also of the Royal Tribe of Judah through Judah s son, Pharez.
So the two royal lines of Judah were united with the marriage of Eochaidh and Tea Tephi, and a descendant of David was always on the throne over Israelite people, as God had promised.
The Ark of the Covenant belonged in the Temple; and the Temple was not to be a continuous institution like the Throne of David; so it is not surprising that the Ark has disappeared from history, and probably will not be revealed again until Jesus Christ returns to reign upon the Throne of David, as is prophesied in Isaiah 9:7.
But the Throne was to be a continuous throne (Jeremiah 33:17); therefore, it is only logical that the Coronation Stone, which the Hebrews had called The Stone of Majesty and The Pillar of Witness, should be found where the Throne of David had its continued existence. After all, it was The Pillar of Witness for it had been made witness to both Israel s promise to be God s People and God s promise to be their God.
It should be there, as a witness that God always makes good His promises, and David shall never lack a man to sit upon the Throne of the House of Israel. (The Stone of Destiny, by Dr. Bertrand Comparet)
EDITORIAL NOTE:
Subsequent to the time when Dr. Comparet delivered the foregoing address, Mr. E. Raymond Capt, author of The Glory of the Stars, Great Pyramid Decoded, and other writings, stated that new evidence, recently discovered, indicates that the transfer of the throne of David from Palestine to Europe may have been accomplished in a different manner than what is commonly believed. According to the older tradition, the daughters of Zedekiah were Tamar Tephi (known to her family and friends as Tea Tephi or Tea), and her younger sister, Scota; and this Tamar or Tea Tephi, was married to Eochaidh in Ireland.
The new evidence mentioned by Mr. Capt is discussed on pages 64‑65 of his book, King Solomon s Temple, in which he quotes Ezekiel 17:22, which says:
Thus saith the Lord God; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent.
Mr. Capt then says:
This was fulfilled when Scota, King Zedekiah s daughter (the tender twig), was taken to Egypt by Jeremiah and then to Spain where she married ane Greyk callit Gathelus, son of Cecrops of Athens, King of Argives (The Chronicles of Scotland by Hector
Boece). In due time a son was born and was named Eochaidh (Eremhon or King).
There is a tradition that when Jeremiah brought Scota to Spain, he also brought the stone upon which Jacob laid his head, at Bethel, when he had the vision of a ladder extending to heaven (Genesis 28:12‑19). This, was the stone used as a Coronation Stone in Solomon s Temple. Second Kings 11:11‑14 tells of the anointing of a king, after which all the men around the king clapped their hands and said, God save the King while the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the kin .
From the Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters, we find the following statement: Tea, the daughter of Loghaldh, son of Ith, whom Eremhon married in Spain was the Tea who requested of Eremhon a choice hill as her dowery, in whatever place she should select it, that she might be interred therein. The hill she selected was Druim‑caein, i.e. Teamhair (in Ireland). (Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters, Vol. 1, pg. 31).
This is only one of many historical records that place, not only Tea in Ireland, but her husband Eochaidh, the Heremon (chief or King). At this same time there appeared, with Eochaidh (brought by Dedannans and set up at Tara as the inauguration stone of Irish Kings (Encyclopedia Britannica 14th ed.) a stone of red sandstone, a type found in Palestine. It had iron rings fastened at each end which could have been used for porter poles. The stone became known by the name Lia Fail and Stone of Destiny. It is not unlikely that Jacob s Stone and the Stone of Destiny were one and the same.
By whatever course the throne of David may have been carried to Europe, it is nevertheless a fact that it was eventually transferred to Ireland, then Scotland, and then England.
Even when dealing with the written record of the book of Jeremiah Judeo-Christian scholars question the authenticity of portions of it and doubt its declared authorship. With such an approach to a study of Jeremiah men are aiding and abetting the multitude of unbelievers in their desire to disprove the Word of God.
Jeremiah s Mission
Because Bible history does not record the fulfillment of this last part of Jeremiah s mission and is silent concerning the prophet s whereabouts, the Judeo-Christian doctors of divinity, upon arriving at the end of the book and finding no mention of the building and planting, have implied, as well as actually taught, that he failed to complete his mission and died in Egypt. Even the so-called Judeo-Christian fundamental group follow the lead thus established and also assume Jeremiah died in Egypt early in the 70 year period of Judah s captivity. They, too, are bringing discredit upon the divine origin of this prophet s mission to build and to plant.
If Jeremiah failed to carry out the latter part of the commission for which he had been called, his authority was not from God, for God never called a man to fulfill a mission without preserving his life for that purpose. If his call was of God, and divinely given, then the work assigned to him must have been completed in its entirety. There is no alternative.
Because Judeo-Christian bible students fail to recognize the need of accepting the accuracy of the account of Jeremiah s mission they have been unable to do other than give an imperfect and far from complete account of this prophet s life. When the facts are made known it will be found that the building and planting phase of his commission is far more important to the nations of the world than the fulfillment of the destructive portion.
Belief in Prophecy Essential
It is the purpose here to present a study of the activities of this prophet of God which will vindicate the record and prove God is true, keeping all His promises and sparing the life of Jeremiah for the completion of his mission. We accept the findings of the Judeo-Christian scholars that Scriptural history records only the fulfillment of the first phase of Jeremiah s mission: the rooting out, pulling down and destroying. We maintain however, and can prove that Scripture prophetically points to the time and place where the building and planting would occur far removed from the land of Palestine.
Unfortunately the accuracy of the writings of the prophets mean little or nothing to the scholars and so the clues which should have opened their eyes to the marvelous and more glorious fulfillment of the building and planting phase of Jeremiah s mission are wholly lost to them. Were they willing to accept the inspiration of prophecy there would unfold before them a record of activities in the moves of Israel to the appointed place which would enable them to accurately trace Jeremiah s westward trek. Bible history records the first phase of Jeremiah s mission, prophetically points to the second and secular history records the completion of the building and planting.
Jeremiah, the Man
One characteristic of the book of Jeremiah is that we not only have a fuller account of the life and career of the prophet while in Palestine but we know more abut his own inner life and personal feelings than we do of any other prophet. By nature Jeremiah was gentle and tender in his feelings and also sympathetic toward others. Because of his nature God had to make him strong, firm and as unmovable as iron in order to carry out his mission, the first portion of which was to pronounce hard and unmerciful judgment upon his people. Another marked characteristic of this prophet was his inward spiritual relationship to God.
Jeremiah s Home
Anathoth, the home of Jeremiah, was a city in Benjamin situated about two and a half miles north of Jerusalem. This city is assigned to the priests. (1 Chronicles 6:60) It was destroyed by the Chaldeans but rebuilt in the time of Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 11:32) Today nothing remains but a few poor houses on the bleak mountainside, surrounded by mounds of rubbish and hewn stone. Its present condition verifies Jeremiah s denunciation of the city whose young men threatened to kill him if he continued to prophesy in the name of the Lord. History has revealed that cities come under condemnation as well as individuals for their evil acts and Anathoth suffered judgment for the sins of its people.
Time of Call
Contemporary prophets, active during some part of the time when Jeremiah was prophesying, were Daniel, Ezekiel, Habakkuk, Zephaniah and perhaps Obadiah; and some believe that Zechariah was also a contemporary.
Jeremiah was of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. He was a mere youth when called of God and his commission dates from Josiah s 13th year. This was the year 3377 A.D., or 623 B.C. This young man was called to be a prophet to the nations and the scope of the assigned task is given in the first chapter of his book.
Jeremiah prophesied forty years in Palestine, confining his major work to Jerusalem and this was the final probationary period before Jerusalem was destroyed and the temple burned. The same number of years cover the Acts of the Apostles at the end of which the Temple was again destroyed and the city burned by the Roman Armies.
The Call
The detail of Jeremiah s call is set forth in the first chapter of his book where he specifies the times the word of the Lord came unto him. The expression The word of the Lord came is a formula almost entirely confined to the two prophets who were priests, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The account clearly indicates that Jeremiah talked fact to face with the Lord and he records the audible speech which passed between them. Just as God spoke to Abraham (Genesis 15:1-18), and later to Moses, so the Lord God spoke to Jeremiah. In addressing the prophet the Lord said:
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou comest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Chosen and consecrated for service Jeremiah was selected to be a prophet to the nations before he was conceived in his mother s womb. God in his foresight and foreknowledge knew the type of child who would be born to the parents of Jeremiah whose characteristics when grown to manhood would make him suitable for His purposes.
God Gives Inspiration
Just as Mosses tried to excuse himself because of his speech so Jeremiah declared he could not speak, his excuse being that he was but a child, i.e., a young man perhaps in his early twenties when the call came to him. One of the interesting facts regarding God s messengers was their reluctance to accept the responsibilities asked of them. God selected a type of man in practically every instance who felt he was neither worthy nor qualified for the task assigned. Jeremiah was no exception and when he objected the Lord answered:
Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.
Jeremiah could have refused the call and rejected the responsibility for all men are created with free-will. If he had rejected God s demand his personal suffering would have been great for, as said to Paul, he would have been kicking against the pricks to his own hurt. But Jeremiah did not refuse or accept the call. God promised him an audience of those whom he was to speak. The Lord then touched Jeremiah s mouth and said:
Behold I have put my words in thy mouth (made your mouth eloquent). See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over kingdoms, to root out, and to put down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. (Jeremiah 1:9-10)
Isaiah s mouth was touched by the coals from the sacred altar. (Isaiah 6:7) Ezekiel was told to open his mouth and not to be rebellious and eat that which was given him. The book which Ezekiel was told to eat contained lamentations, mourning and woe. (Ezekiel 2:8-10) In every instance the touching of the mouth was a sign of the giving of divine inspiration.
Evidence Given
A double witness of the certainty of Jeremiah s call and of coming judgment was next given. First the prophet saw a rod of an almond tree. Ferrar Fenton translates this, I see the branch of a watchful tree! Now the almond tree signifies a watcher or early waker because it is the first of the trees to wake from its winter sleep. The almond tree stands in its relation to the trees as the cock stands in his relation to the birds. A rod or staff is for striking. The Lord informed Jeremiah that he was to attend to what he saw for He is watchful over His promises to perform them.
The Lord asked Jeremiah the second time what he saw and Jeremiah said:
I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is towards the north.
In order to complete the message and indicate that it was the fulfillment of the words of judgment, a boiling cauldron was shown on which fire was being blown, or fanned, from the north. From the north evil was to come and the enemy (Babylon), though situated in the east, would come around the desert and advance against Jerusalem from the north, the usual route from Assyria. This would bring evil and calamity upon Jeremiah s people for the Lord said:
Lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the Lord; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah. And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. (Jeremiah 1:15-16)
Double Witness Important
The question of witnessing is important for God requires man to weigh evidence and accept testimony in conformity with the requirements for establishing facts. The giving and weighing of evidence not only apples in matters affecting man s relationships with man but it also governs god dealings with men.
God does not ask us to accept facts without evidence to sustain them. His dealings with us are based upon testimony which conforms with the requirements of the law:
One witness shall not rise up against a man for an iniquity or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. (Deuteronomy 19:15)
When, however, God has given full and adequate proof of a matter, in conformity with the law of jurisprudence. He rightly expects men to accept the facts to which the evidence testifies. Failure to do so bring condemnation.
Moses was called of God to lead the Israel people from Egypt, but he demurred. The Lord dealt patiently with him until the double witness had been given in turning Moses rod into a serpent and making his hand white with leprosy. When Moses still continued his objections in face of this evidence, God was angry with him.
Later, God called Gideon to lead Israel against the Midianites. Gideon asked a test of the Lord and was not satisfied until a double witness was given. Accepting this evidence he went forth and led Israel to victory. In the days of Joseph, Pharaoh dreamed a dream which was doubled in him because, according to Joseph, the thing is established by God. (Genesis 41:32)
Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a dream but not until it was doubled, in that Daniel also had the vision, was it made certain and the interpretation thereof sure.
There was no place for repentance for Sodom and Gomorrah yet Nineveh could repent. Why? The answer is found in the fact that two witnesses appeared against the cities of the plan when two Angels entered the streets of Sodom and the doom of these cities was sealed. In the case of Nineveh one prophet only was sent to testify against her and that city repented and was saved for the time being. Many more such instances in Scripture should be cited but the above should sufficiently establish the certainty of a thing for which a double witness is given.
Jeremiah was given a double witness in the vision of the almond tree and the boiling cauldron. Every afterward Jeremiah testified to the certainty that Babylon would destroy the city and temple. This colored his thought and gave him assurance of his testimony and a positive stand against the evils being committed by his people. True, the disaster was long in coming but Jeremiah could afford to wait even though at times, during his forty years of witnessing and prophesying, he was labeled a fanatic and false prophet.
God Strengthens Jeremiah
Having given Jeremiah evidence of the certainty of judgment to come and of the fulfillment of his promises God prepared to strengthen the prophet for the task which lay before him.
Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
The prophet is thus to prepare for trouble as he makes ready to meat strong opposition but God declares:
Behold, I have made thee this day a defensed city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee: but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee. (Jeremiah 1:18)
Promise of Protection
What a mission to give to a young man! The civil authorities would oppose him, the nobility would fight against him, the ecclesiastical leaders would seek to destroy him and the people would be excited against him. God did not promise Jeremiah any support from human sources in carrying out his mission. God did, however, promise that though every man would be against him they would not prevail for God would deliver him from all his enemies. Jeremiah was given assurance that he was to be as a strong city of defense against every attack.
The closing verses of the first chapter amount to an explicit guarantee of personal immunity from all serious bodily harm to Jeremiah himself. In view of this promised protection it is manifest that all the legends which have attributed his disappearance to eventual martyrdom, current among Christians, are utterly baseless. It is a choice between accepting the promises made by God or disbelief. There should be no hesitation as to which side the man of faith will take. Jeremiah suffered much at the hands of his enemies yet God delivered him from their power as he declared the message God had laid upon him and lived to build and plant in another land far removed from Palestine. As a prophet to the nations he carried out the full requirements of his office and completed his entire mission.
The Proclamation to Judah and Israel
Immediately following the receipt of his commission Jeremiah, then residing in Anathoth, was called to go to Jerusalem. He continued to retain his connection with Anathoth though his mission to root out, pull down and destroy was to be announced in the city of David. Following God s instructions he went to Jerusalem to proclaim his first message.
Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 2:2)
The prophet, becoming Yahweh s oracle, addressed the nation and condemned the House of Judah for their sins. As God s mouthpiece the prophet reminded Judah how they had been attended in their infancy, loved and guided through the wilderness and brought into Palestine. The prophet then increased the scop of his message to include the House of Israel:
Hear ye the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel. (Jeremiah 2:4)
Jeremiah Condemns Evil
Speaking in the name of the Lord the prophet asked what injustice had their fathers found in the Lord that they should turn from Him and why were they deluded into following after vain things and idols? Why had they become vain, for idolaters always become like the gods they worship.
Jeremiah reminded them that they had not asked where the Lord was who brought them out of Egypt and led them through the wilderness. He informed the people that God had brought them into a plentiful country to eat its fruit and enjoy its goodness but they had defiled His land with the worship of abominable things.
Even the priests did not ask for the Lord or teach His laws, nor did the pastors instruct the people regarding Him. Instead they taught about Baal and refused to follow their own God. Because of the evils Jeremiah declared God will contend with them, even with their sons and their sons s sons. The nation is accused of turning from the living God to accept heathen gods, which are no gods at all.
My People have committed two evils; they have forsake me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13)
This people, having turned to idolatry and forsaken the Lord, is likened by the prophet to wells without water when they might have possessed the fountain of Living Water. The question is asked if Israel is a slave and why they have become spoiled. The answer is given by Jeremiah who declares these conditions have come upon his people because they forsook the Lord their God who had led them in the past.
He calls upon them to turn from their evil ways and learn how bad and rebellious forget ful they were of the Lord their God. Though in the past the people had declared they would not do such evil things, or transgress the commands of their living God, yet they did wander away, playing the harlot and serving idols. God had planted them a noble vine unto Him but their evil became so great Jeremiah declared:
For though thou was thee with nitre (a mineral alkali used in Palestine as a compound for soap), and take unto thee much sope (soap), yet thine iniquity is marked (engraven) before me, saith the Lord God. (Jeremiah 2:22)
The People Answer
It is evident from the context that the people answered the prophet by declaring they had not gone after Baal and so Jeremiah replied:
How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim (false gods generally including Moloch)? (Jeremiah 2:23)
Specific cases of transgression are pointed out and though the people thought their doings were hidden from Jeremiah the prophet declared he knew of their proceedings in the alley where they worshiped idols, and of their feasts of lust and depravity. He then declared them like a wild ass, accustomed to the desert, who in the spirit of lust love wantonness. Addressing the House of Israel Jeremiah declared of them:
As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed ; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets, saying to a stock (wood or tree in idolatrous worship), Thou art my father; and to a stone, thou hast brought me forth (possible allusion to the Stone of Israel which went with them through the wilderness and which had become an object of idolatrous worship): for they have turned their back to me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, arise and save us. (Jeremiah 2:26-27)
Jeremiah chided them, asking the whereabouts of the gods which they had made? Let them arise and save the people in a time of trouble for they had set up as many gods as there were cities in Judah. Speaking for the Lord, Jeremiah declared:
Wherefore will ye plead with me? Ye all have transgressed against me, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 2:29)
God declares that though He pleaded with them and corrected their children they have killed His prophets like a destroying lion. The question is asked:
Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten the days without number. (Jeremiah 2:32)
Under the law a man was forbidden to take again a wife a woman whom he had divorced if she had become the wife of another, even though her second husband should die. The law states:
Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is deviled; for that is abomination before the Lord: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the Lord thy God given thee for an inheritance. (Deuteronomy 24:4)
The prophet continues in his condemnation of Judah for her idolatry and for having played the harlot with many lovers yet undertaking to again return to the Lord. It is because of these evils that rain was withheld from the land as the people went their own way and walked contrary to the laws of God.
A Message to Israel
God asked Jeremiah in the days of Josiah:
Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? She is gone upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. (Jeremiah 3:6)
This refers to the northern kingdom who had turned away from God to follow after idolatry.
They had set up their idols on the hills and in the groves where heathen rituals were carried on. The Lord calls her to return to Him and though she returned not the expression Turn thou unto me implies in its Hebrew meaning Unto me she will return and is prophetic of a future turning of the House of Israel to God. Judah had seen what had happened to Israel, God allowing her enemies to overcome Samaria and carry the people away into captivity, for the northern Kingdom was deported and taken to Assyria. The fact of Israel s divorcement is set forth by the prophet:
And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. (Jeremiah 3:8)
God in no particular ever confuses the House of Israel with Judah. This passage clearly indicates they are two separate and distinct peoples, for Israel was divorced while Judah was not. The significance of the divorcement of one and not of the other is completely lost to those who have failed to recognize the distinction between the two.
As has already been stated, under the law when a woman was divorced she not only ceased to be the wife of the one writing the bill of divorcement but if she married another, though her second husband died, she could not again become the wife of her first husband. Under the law they could not return to Him again for they had followed after Baalim.
Judah Committed Adultery
Judah knew all this and yet feared not to feign to be true to God while playing the harlot by committing adultery with stones and with stocks (the material out of which idols were made). The reformation under Josiah was instigated by the King alone for the people s hearts were not changed. The Lord said to Jeremiah that backsliding Israel had justified herself more than treacherous Judah and so the prophet is told to proclaim these words toward the north as a message to the House of Israel who had been taken into Assyrian captivity.
A Call to Israel
Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause my anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger forever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou has transgressed against the Lord thy God, and have scattered thy was to the strangers under every green tree and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 3:12)
The Way Provided
But how could Israel return to God who had given her a bill of divorcement and put her away? Under the law she was forever barred from being His people again.
The additional testimony of Hosea, the Prophet, is valuable in this discussion of this important subject for his entire book is devoted to a demonstration of the position of the Lord God of Israel as the husband of His people. Hosea graphically illustrates Israel s condition in the naming of his two sons, Jezreel and Lo-Ammi. In Jezreel he depicts Israel s falling away from God and in naming his second son Lo-Ammi, their divorced state. He then looks forward to the day when Israel will again become God s people but under the terms of the New Covenant. Now Lo-Ammi means not my people for God told the prophet that in thus naming his son. His message to Israel was;
Ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. (Hosea 1:9)
Immediately following this is the promise of multitudinous growth of the Israel people at some future time:
Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. (Hosea 1:10)
This is a remarkable prophecy of the future greatness of Israel for after Hosea had declared Israel would not be His people the prophet points to the expansion and growth of the House of Israel whose identity would be lost to themselves and unrecognized by the nations around them. Yet with it all a mark of identification in the latter days was to be their own declaration that they are the sons of the living God and thus a Christian people.
Hosea points to the hopeless condition of Israel due to her divorced state and the hardships she must endure, climaxing his statements with the hope and promise of a time to come when the Lord will fulfill:
I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. (Hosea 2:23)
The Promise of Deliverance
In no way does Hosea explain the process by which the bill of divorcement under which Israel was put away is annulled. How was Israel to be set free from the curse of the Law that she might again become God s people? The answer is given by Isaiah in a message address to the daughter of Israel:
Where is the bill of your mother s divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. (Isaiah 50:1)
God is not asking these questions for information but rather in the sense of affirming the fact that Israel had been divorced. He states His case against Israel, giving the reasons why she was put away. Recognizing that Israel knew the apparent hopelessness of her position under the law of divorcement, God declares:
Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver (Isaiah 50:2)
Having asked this question, God issues a call to His people Israel:
Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. (Isaiah 51:1)
This message is directed to the same people who, according to Hosea, have been declaring they are not God s people. They are now called to recognize their identity:
Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you. (Isaiah 51:2)
Such a message would only be addressed to a people who had lost the knowledge of their origin. As God proceeds to address this people, he exclaims:
Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion...For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought, and ye shall be redeemed without money. (Isaiah 52:1-3)
Israel to be Redeemed
Then follows the promise of redemption so clearly set forth in the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah. The redemption is accomplished through the death of the Son of God (the Lord God of the Old Testament), the husband who had divorced Israel. Though Israel was set free from the curse of the law further provision had to be made by which she could again be reconvenated to God.
The Testator
Yahshua was not only the Redeemer of Israel but He also was the Testator of a New Covenant which, having the nature of a will, would not be in force until after his death. The writer of Hebrews clearly sets forth this fact:
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (Hebrews 9:16-17)
This is true of any will made by man for not until his death will his will become valid. The same was true of the New Covenant of which Yahshua was the Testator. When Yahshua came and died that Israel might be redeemed He wrought salvation for all of Israel and sealed the terms of the New Covenant in His blood.
The redemption of Israel did not include Judah because the House of Judah was not divorced, nor did she lose her identity as a portion of God s people. To redeem means to regain possession of that which was once owned and lost, Israel, being divorced, was in need of Redemption in order to be restored to her Lord. Judah, being judged for sin and idolatry, was in need of a Savior. Both would find in Yahshua, Redeemer and Savior, the way opened to be reconvenated to God under the will, or testament, of Yahshua, the Testator.
God s Promise to Israel
Anticipating His work of redemption God through Jeremiah continues His message to Israel:
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take yo one of a cit, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
When Israel returns the Lord promises that He will give them pastors who will instruct them with knowledge and skill. They are informed that the Ark of the Covenant shall not be remembered nor will they grieve about it for the Throne of the Lord will be at Jerusalem (The United States of America). In that day all nations will acknowledge the Lord and there shall be no more perversion or suffering.
Israel and Judah are to walk together at that time for both will be of the same spirit. God even declares Israel will then possess a pleasant land and splendid armies. Addressing Israel the Lord proclaims:
Thou shalt call me, My Father, and shalt not turn away from me. (Jeremiah 3:19)
This prophecy is being fulfilled today in the Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, Celtic peoples who possess a pleasant land and splendid armies and as Christians call God their father. Anticipating the coming of this day, God through Jeremiah calls to Israel:
Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings (or restore us from our wanderings). (Jeremiah 3:22)
Israel s Response
Following God s call to His people Jeremiah prophetically records the response to that call:
Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel. For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God. (Jeremiah 3:22-25)
God Answers the People
If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the Lord, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory. (Jeremiah 4:1-2)
When His people heed this call and turn to God there will be fulfilled in its completeness the promise made to Abraham, In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
God s Controversy With Judah
After Jeremiah had delivered a message to the House of Israel calling upon them to return to the Lord, prophetically declaring the day of that return, the prophet turned his attention to Judah and Jerusalem. Addressing them as he continued his message in the fourth chapter of his book, he summoned the inhabitants of the city to circumcise their hearts lest God s fury be poured out upon them for their evil doings.
This is one of three passages in the Old Testament referring to spiritual, or Christian, circumcision. The first reference is in Deuteronomy 10:16 wherein Moses, after declaring God s requirements that Israel fear Him, love Him, serve Him, and keep His commandments, called upon the people to circumcise their hearts and become spiritually in tune with Him.
The second mention of this type of circumcision is in Deuteronomy 30:6 when Moses prophetically declares the day will come when God will circumcise their hearts and the hearts of their seed, to love the Lord their God with all their hearts and with all their souls that they may live. Though this same type of call is issued to the inhabitants of Jerusalem by Jeremiah, the prophet anticipates their refusal and foretells war for Judah:
Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land...I will bring evil from the north and a great destruction. (Jeremiah 4:5)
Babylon did not lie toward the north but was east of Judea. No army, however, could keep itself in supplies in a march directly eastward through the desert of Arabia. The Babylonians would, according to custom convenience, cross the Euphrates and enter Judea from the north through Syria and Damascus. Jeremiah, knowing this, referred to Babylon in the following terms:
The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste without inhabitant. (Jeremiah 4:7)
Reason for Coming Captivity
Thus the captivity of Judah is foretold when all the inhabitants would be carried away to Babylon. The reason given is:
...because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the LORD. Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart. (Jeremiah 4:17-18)
Previously Jeremiah had pointed out that in the day Judah went into captivity courage would perish from the hearts of the rulers and this led him to exclaim:
Ah Lord God! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul. (Jeremiah 4:10)
The expression greatly deceived is the translation of an Hebrew idiom declaring that they would be deceived. While God had promised peace to a penitent people who would forsake their idolatry and return to the Lord, the people of Judea appropriated the promise without complying with the conditions and, in listening to the false prophets who prophesied peace, they were deceived.
The fact that the sins of Judah were of the heart, deliberate and planned, indicated they had reached a condition wherein they had no desire to repent. They wished only to escape punishment for their evil doings. Jeremiah recognized this and lamented over the prospects of the trouble that he knew was inevitable. He exclaims:
I am pained at my very heart...I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet the alarm of war. (Jeremiah 4:19)
The Land to be Desolate
Visualizing the coming calamities which were to afflict his native land, Jeremiah speaks of destruction upon destruction, with the whole land spoiled, and then declares of his people:
They have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. (Jeremiah 4:22)
Because of the severity of the coming disaster, which would empty the land of its inhabitants, the prophet is reminded of a former great catastrophe, when the earth became void and without form, which he uses as an illustration of the completeness of the destruction about to overtake his native land.
Past, present and future are within the vision of the prophetic eye and thus Jeremiah is inspired to recount the conditions which were extant in the world after the great destroying judgment which left the earth in the condition described in the second verse of the first chapter of Genesis, the cause of which he declares was the sins of a pre-Adamic race:
I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heaven were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by his fierce anger. (Jeremiah 4:23-26)
This overwhelming destruction upon a pre-Adamic age was used by Jeremiah in an attempt to drive home to the people of Judah and Jerusalem the overwhelming nature of the disaster about to engulf them. Addressing the people, the prophet informed them that their land was to become desolate and the whole city would flee before the invading armies, with the people trying to hide in the thickets and among the rocks.
Jeremiah addressed Judah as though he were talking to an eastern harlot who had decked herself in fine clothes, thinking to curry the continuing favor of her lovers by her fairness. Actually, Jeremiah pointed out, they will become her spoilers. Because of the inevitability of coming disaster. Judah s anguish is to be like that of the inescapable trouble of a woman in travail.
An Extraordinary Bargain
God challenges Jeremiah to see if he can find an honest man in Jerusalem; one who executes judgment and seeks truth. If so, he will pardon the city.
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it. (Jeremiah 5:1)
A similar issue was raised when Abraham requested the Lord to spare Sodom and Gomorrah from destruction. He limited the final count to ten righteous men who, if found in the cities, would save them from destruction. God is willing to pardon Jerusalem if Jeremiah can find but one righteous man in the city. Failing to do so, the city would be adjudged completely unrighteous.
The result of Jeremiah s search revealed that the poor retained only a form of religion but had forsaken the Lord, while the rich had become avowed infidels and libertines. The failure to produce one man in the entire city who was righteous brought confirmation of the judgment upon Judea, Jerusalem, its rulers and the people, for God declared it impossible to pardon such offenses as were being committed.
Judgment Confirmed
Punishment being no longer delayed the prophet was commanded to remove Judah s defenses as God declared that both the House of Israel and Judah were under condemnation, neither having been true to Him. The leaders and the people were saying God is nothing (the speech of the atheist and the Jew), nor would they believe the predicted troubles of sword and famine would ever overtake them. The false prophets and preachers came under condemnation for they were not guided by the Spirit of the Lord but preached messages out of their own hearts to gain popular favor, which Jeremiah labeled falsehoods. And so the prophet declared:
Because ye have abandoned Him and served foreign gods in you own country; therefore you shall serve tyrants in a country not your own. (Jerusalem 5:19, Ferrar Fenton Translation)
This judgment was to be communicated to the House of Israel and reported throughout all Judea, for the people are declared to be foolish and without understanding hearts or else they would have turned to God, the one who had given them their past prosperity and blessed their harvests. The prophet proceeded to point out that wicked and treacherous men, leaders in the nation, had enriched themselves at the expense of their fellow men. they were fat and rich and dealt in false evidence, regarding neither the rights of the widow nor the orphan. God declared that if the heathen did such things He would avenge the wrongs and then asks, should He not punish His people for these evils?
Religious Leaders Condemned
Turning his attention to the ecclesiastical leaders, Jeremiah denounced them for preaching lies and practicing deceit. The situation was further complicated by the fact that the people loved to have it so. The prophet declared there is nothing more demoralizing, for the existing conditions blinded the people to spiritual values and were the direct cause of their rebellion against God.
It would be impossible to draw a picture of more widespread national depravity than the prophet has given of conditions in Judea. Every class was affected. A general spiritual apostasy was everywhere and the prophets, the spiritual leaders of the day, were proclaiming false doctrines in the name of the Lord while the priests, whose duty it was to guide the devotions of the people, were using their office for selfish purposes and to secure power and wealth.
The Pattern is the Same
THE APOSTASY OF JEREMIAH S TIME IS REFLECTED IN OUR OWN GENERATION IN THE UNBELIEF WHICH PERMEATES THE CHURCH TODAY. Many of our ecclesiastical leaders question the inspiration of Scripture. Jeremiah s denunciation of the prophets of his day for preaching falsehoods could as readily be spoken of the preachers of today who follow the Modernist s doctrines of disbelief and the Fundamentalist s practice of spiritualizing away the literal meaning of the words of god recorded in the Bible so that the clear, definite meaning originally intended by the words used is no longer conveyed. Both schools of thought are as much in error as were the equivalent two groups in our Lord s day; the Sadducees, the Modernists of that era, and the Pharisees, the Fundamentalists of that time.
The Pattern is continually being repeated for the same causes which brought condemnation upon Judah and Jerusalem of Jeremiah s time, and later upon the Pharisees and Sadducees by John the Baptist and our Lord at the beginning of the Christian era, are also in evidence in this twentieth century. Jeremiah lamented that the people love to have it so. So today, preachers are more sensitive to the popular acclaim of their congregations and the Jews than to their duty as servants of Yahweh.
Jeremiah was not addressing the people of his time alone but prophetically he set forth the inevitability of judgment whenever apostasy rears its head. In condemning Judah of his day, Jeremiah also condemned Judah of our Lord s time, and our own time, for he was looking toward the future and saw spoiler after spoiler wasting and desolations Palestine until at length, in the fullness of time, the whole country would become desolate.
The first general ruin was brought by the armies of Babylon; the final one by the armies of the Romans. Jeremiah s condemnation is therefore much greater in scope than would confine it to his generation alone. It did condemn that generation but there was also the prophetic condemnation applicable to later generations which would become as corrupt and ungodly.
It is because the messages of the prophets were addressed to more than their own generations, as the seers looked down the stream of time to the end of the days, that their writing to all Israelites everywhere of the results of Unrighteousness. This is not to be taken as proof that their statements have no chronological timing. To do so is to entirely overlook the significance of Jeremiah s purpose when he paused in the midst of denouncing Judah for her sins to issue a warning to Benjamin.
That tribe was informed of a time to come when a repetition of the evils of the prophet s day would again be in evidence in Judea. When that day came Benjamin was to give heed to the admonishment to flee Jerusalem and Judea.
The Warning to Benjamin
The fact that Jeremiah s warning to Benjamin was to be heeded by that tribe at a specified time centuries later, furnishes clear evidence of the reliability of the prophetic word. It was in our Lord s day that this tribe, known then as Galileans, became the first Christians when they accepted the Messiahship of Christ. These Benjamite Galileans heeded the warning and fled Judea just before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies under Titus in 70 A.D. Jeremiah s message of warning was as follows:
O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set a sign of fire in Beth-haccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction. (Jeremiah 6:1)
The full significance of this warning becomes apparent when it is realized that Jeremiah turned from the immediate task of condemning the rulers and people of Judea to give Benjamin the sign which, if obeyed, would preserve them to carry out their task as light bearers. Christ admonished His disciples to flee when they should see armies encompass the city of Jerusalem. (Luke 21:20-22)
He did not refer to Jeremiah s admonition; instead, he was calling His disciples attention to Daniel s prophecy. (Matthew 24:15) If he had cited Jeremiah, the identification of Benjamin and their mission as light bearers would have been made known, involving all that this would imply concerning the identification of Israel, long before god intended it should be recognized by either the House of Israel or the Christian world. The knowledge of Israel s identity was not to become generally known until the time of the end.
Tekoa and Beth-haccerem
What is the significance of these two places to which Jeremiah refers? Tekoa, where the trumpet was to be blown, stood on a projecting shoulder of the mountain range about halfway between Jerusalem and Hebron, and the view from it commanded nearly the whole of Judah, with a large section of the Jordan valley. While the site of Beth-haccerem has not been identified with certainty, it is presumed to be the lofty conical hill a short distance from Bethlehem. It is the most conspicuous feature in the whole region. Signal fires lighted at these two sites would arouse all Judah and this all Galileans in this territory would be warned as the Christians observed the signal and fled the disaster which swept over Judea.
Jeremiah s Complaint
The prophet speaks of the uselessness of trying to arouse the people for he says they have no spirituality and will not listen to the word of the Lord. The indifference of Jeremiah s day to the things of God is repeated in every generation which turns from God and his word and apostatizes. There is in all this a striking parallel between the days of Jeremiah and modern times. Even the cry for peace, when there is no peace, so condemned by the prophet, is definitely in evidence in present day peace moves, for there can be no lasting peace apart from the administration of the righteousness of the laws of God.
This was made clear when God called Judah to turn to the old paths and walk in the good way that they might find true peace and rest for their souls. But Judah refused to do this and so they were to reap the fruit of their evil doings for failure to hearken to His word, and because they had rejected His laws.
Dross in the Refining
It is of interest to note how often God uses the process of refining metal to describe the methods used to purify His people. The dross, of slag, as the impurities are called today, resulting from melting and purifying metal, is the symbol of evil. The Lord declared He had set Jeremiah as an assaying tower among the people; a building for the melting and purifying of metal. The people are referred to as grievous revolters who are in rebellion to God and whom the Lord calls brass and iron, which evidently refers to the grey and useless dross and slag. The following process of purification is a reference to the refining of silver from baser metals by means of copulation:
The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away. Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them. (Jeremiah 6:30)
This method of refining silver is to apply intense heat to vitrify the lead, which sinks into the cupel (a porous vessel) carrying the baser metals with it but leaving the silver in the meals in a state of purity.
Because Jerusalem was so evil, this process of refinement, applied to the city, left no pure metal but only dross. Just as Jeremiah could not find even one righteous man in the city, so no silver was secured by the above process. Jeremiah, as a refiner, depicts the state of Judah and Jerusalem as but dross which is worthless and to be discarded because of apostasy and moral depravity in evidence everywhere.
The Completion of the Process
This same process of refining is taking place today. One cannot detect the impurities in a bar of metal until it is placed in the crucible and h eat applied. In the molten state the impurities rise to the surface and the dross, or slag, is then removed, leaving the refined metal behind. This is an appropriate illustration applicable to the nations and to society today. The heat of trouble and tribulation is bring in into being evil and oppression, while men of violence are more in evidence than in former times. Such conditions have led some to believe that evil is more prevalent than in the past. Actually, the evil which has been in society is now rising to the surface, as the result of tribulation, preparatory to the day of its removal.
Such a condition of separation has been foretold for the end of the age. Yahshua refers to it in the parable of the wheat and tares. (Matthew 13:37-42) Daniel designates the same process of separation and refinement in his statement:
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise (teachers) shall understand. (Daniel 12:10)
The process of refining, in which God made Jeremiah the refiner, is about to be completed in our generation when, at the return of Yahshua, the evil, which will have been separated from the mass of His people, will be removed from the Kingdom. A new order will then be ushered in, in which there will be administered the laws of righteousness. Wicked men and nations will no more afflict His people and my Holy name shall the House of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings...and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever. (Ezekiel 43:7-9)
At The Gate of the Lord s House
The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah to stand at the gate of the Lord s House and proclaim a message to all those who entered the Temple. Jeremiah had already condemned the city of Jerusalem and its inhabitants for their sinful ways and God next instructed the prophet to proclaim a message to those who came to the Temple worship.
Jeremiah stood at the Temple gate as commanded and called upon those who entered to mend their ways so that the Lord might cause them to dwell in safety. the people were assuming that because the Temple was in their midst He would never forsake them regardless of their evil ways.
In order to impress upon them how false such reasoning really was, attention was called to Shiloh where God had first set His Name. (Deuteronomy 12:11) Jeremiah pointed out what God did to Shiloh because of the wickedness of Israel and her leaders.
The Ark Taken
It was at Shiloh that the Tabernacle had been set up and there the Ark of the Covenant was kept. When Israel was being smitten before the Philistines they sent to Shiloh for the Ark which was brought into the camp Israel. But the battle went against them and the Ark of the Lord was taken. When the news was brought to Shiloh and Eli, the Priest, was told that the ark had been taken and his two sons slain, the shock killed him. The report of this disaster was told to his daughter-in-Law and this caused the premature birth of her child. As she lay dying, she named the child Ichabod, signifying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the Ark of God was taken. (1 Samuel 4:21)
Temple to Become as Shiloh
The Philistines apparently destroyed Shiloh thought there is no specific record of the account of the disaster which befell the city. It evidently made a profound impression upon the people, evidence in later references to it. The Psalmist gives the reason for its destruction:
For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images. When god heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel: So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men. (Psalm 78:58-59)
The sins of the people, and especially of the priests employed in the Temple services, brought the curse of God upon this city and it became a desolation. Jeremiah pronounced destruction for the Temple of Solomon, declaring that it would become as Shiloh, and later added that Jerusalem would become a curse to all the nations of the earth. (Jeremiah 26:6)
Jerusalem was finally destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar
and the Temple burned, fulfilling the prophecy that it would become as Shiloh. Later Jerusalem became a curse to all nations in the fullest sense of the word after the crucifixion of Yahshua and the destruction of the city by the armies of Rome in 70 A.D.
Men assumed in Jeremiah s time, and are assuming today that ritual and ceremony in religious services have magical powers like talismans to avert evil. In times of great apostasy increased emphasis invariably is placed on the observation of the ritual as the power of the Spirit declines. God has clearly demonstrated in His dealings with Israel that whether it be the Tabernacle at Shiloh, the Temple at Jerusalem or the church in modern Israel today, it is folly to expect the physical house and plane where God has been reverend to act as a guarantee against punishment when the worshipers have in their hearts turned away from God.
His temple and church cannot become the refuge of ungodly men, nor will He withhold Judgment mercy to perpetuate an organization or protect a building from destruction because it formerly was used as a place of righteousness.
The Church Today
Many times church membership is mistakenly thought to denote spiritual attainment when in fact it too frequently indicates merely that names have been added to the register of organizations primarily devoted to social service. In denouncing the meaninglessness of the services in the Temple at Jerusalem, Jeremiah could as well have been speaking of conditions in many modern church services, for God s condemnation of the offerings and sacrifices in ancient Jerusalem also become a condemnation of the ritual and ceremony which in a large measure have today taken the place of true worship.
Organized Christianity, holding secret and solemn assemblies, which all the accompanying pomp and ceremony, emulating the courts of an earthly monarch, is more pagan than Christian. All this is condemned by Yahshua who points out its relationship to the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes (i.e., lording it over the laity), which thing He says, I hate. It is a far cry from the simplicity of the early church and the simple services of worship and prayer. When ritual assumes precedence in religious services, the form soon becomes more sacred than the objectives of true worship, God and His Son.
Men have established creeds to which they allocate more importance than the Scriptures themselves and surround their rituals with mystical and mysterious meanings without precedent for doing so in the Gospel as it is proclaimed by Yahshua and His disciples. Having assumed powers never granted any earthly organization, the self-appointed leaders of Christianity have resorted to a show and the appearance of holiness when the very ceremonies conducted by them proclaim the absence of the power of the Holy Spirit and a lack of true Godliness.
The Queen of Heaven
The people of Jerusalem had substituted the worship of the Queen of Heaven for the worship of God and Jeremiah declared the children gathered wood and their fathers made the fires while the women made cakes to be presented to her. She was Astoreth, or Astarte, a goddess of the Phoenicians. Her worship was introduced into Israel at a very early period, and was often accompanied by immoral and lascivious rites. Her sanctuaries were generally shady groves where the notaries could practice their revelries without subjecting themselves to the public eye. Astarte represented the moon, as Baal did the sun, and her emblem was a crescent. Thus, cakes presented to her were made in the form of a crescent.
In turning from God the people were sinning against themselves for the covenant of peace that God would have made with them could not be consummated. Referring to former days, God declared He had not commanded their fathers, when He brought them out of Egypt, concerning Burnt offerings, but He had commanded them to obey His voice. They were enjoined to walk in His ways and observe His laws as He had commanded that it might be well with them. However, the people refused to do so and in the stubbornness of their hearts elected to follow their own ways. He then sent His servants, the prophets, to them but they would not listen, doing worse than their ancestors.
The Place of Burning
God forewarned Jeremiah that though he thoroughly warned the people, they were not going to heed or obey, for:
This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth instruction for truth has perished. (Jeremiah 7:28)
Jerusalem was addressed as a woman and commanded to cut off her hair, a practice signifying deep mourning. In the very Temple where God s name had once been held in reverence this generation had placed their abominations. They had built the high place of Taft in the valley of Hinnom where their sons and daughters were burned in the fire in the practices of idolatrous worship.
Taft in Aramaic means place of burning and is used to designate the fireplace where human beings were sacrificed, a practice widespread in antiquity. This explains Isaiah s reference to this place:
For Taft is ordained of old, yea, for the king it is prepared: he hath made it deep and large; the pile thereof is fire and much wood: the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. (Isaiah 30:33)
Jeremiah declared that this place of idolatry would become the valley of slaughter as he prophetically viewed the coming destruction which would afflict the land of Judea. This place defiled by idols and polluted by the sacrifices of Baal and the fires of Molech became the place of abomination, the symbol of the very gate or pit of hell. The righteous kings defiled it and threw down its altars and high places, pouring into it all the filth of the city till it became the abhorrence of Jerusalem.
Yahshua no doubt had this place of refuse and burning in mind when He referred to the location:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:48)
Jeremiah predicted that in the coming invasion of Palestine by the Babylonians the bones of the dead, the kings of Judah, the princes, the priests and the prophets, as well as the inhabitants, would be brought out of their graves and scattered over the ground. It is a fact of history that the invading armies vented their rage upon the dead as well as the living.
Empty Sepulchres
A vast number of the old sepulchers of Jerusalem have been explored. They are chambers hewn in the solid rock; some large and richly sculptured; some constructed with every device that could secure concealment and undisturbed repose for the ashes of the illustrious dead. But almost without exception they have been found empty. The sacrilegious plunderer has visited them all, fulfilling the words of Jeremiah (Some of these would also have been vacated when, And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (Matthew 27:52-53))
The prophet then declares:
The stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle, and the crane, and the swallow, observe the time of their coming: but my people know not the judgment of the Lord. (Jeremiah 8:7)
Birds of the air though instinct are able to make their annual pilgrimages and return but men, endowed with reason and possessing revelation, neglect instruction and refuse to return to God. Jeremiah asks, how is it possible for men under such conditions to call themselves wise? Speaking of the scribes and the educated who had rejected the word of the Lord, he asks: What can their education do for them?
Light vs. Darkness
This question is worthy of serious consideration today when so many are being educated in our public schools and colleges. Our theological seminaries discount God s Word and turn from its inspiration, our colleges teach the theories of evolution as fact while, with few exceptions, all our institutions of learning tend to educate young men and women away from the knowledge of the Bible.
Yahshua seems to have had this situation in mind when He said:
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, they whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6:23)
Ferrar Fenton translates this:
The eye is the lamp of the body; if therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be illuminated. But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be in darkness. Consequently if your sight is defective, all your body will be darkness.
In reading the above let us substitute knowledge and understanding for the word eye. With the eye we see to select or reject. If in that process we select truth and reject error, then our mind and body will have light, but if we reverse the process, rejecting truth and selecting error, then our knowledge and understanding will be darkness as is so often the case concerning the things of the Spirit among the many so-called educated persons today. Atheists and agnostics may be well educated (educated beyond their intelligence), and may be learned men in so far as worldly wisdom is concerned; yet, because they reject God, be in profound darkness concerning truth. The wisest man who ever lived said:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
Desire to Escape
Jeremiah, recognizing the hopelessness of the conditions he faced, longed to escape into the wilderness to find a lodging there so that he might live apart from the people. It was a natural desire for his task of witnessing was hard and thankless. Many a man has longed to escape the responsibilities thrust upon him, especially when he must stand alone on the side of truth and face the pressure of multiplied opposition.
It would appear this is what happened to Elijah when he went off into the wilderness and God sent birds to feed him. Of course he went upon instructions of God to do so when his life was in danger; and He would have done the same for Jeremiah had the situation required it.
And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. (1 Kings 17:2-6)
The message in the gate of the Temple was God s last appeal to His people and Jeremiah knew it. Though the people stray from the way and political leadership departs from righteousness, if the spiritual leadership of a nation holds firmly to the truth, the cause of alarm is greatly mitigated. In Jeremiah s day governmental and political leadership had completely failed. His present message to stir the consciences of the people and priests was a last court of appeal and also, in accord with God s warning to the prophet, foredoomed to failure. The question is asked, Were the ashamed when they had committed abominations? and the answer is returned, Nay, they were not at all ashamed.
The people s defense against coming judgment was ridiculous enough but made more so by the primary reasons they gave why the inevitable punishment that Jeremiah pronounced at the direction of the Lord would not come to pass. First, they contended that the Temple of the Lord was in their midst, guaranteeing that they were God s people and immune from destruction and, secondly, they said, The law of the Lord is with us.
There is a distinctly modern ring to their contentions for it cannot be denied that that during World War II our nation as a while never for a moment considered that we could be defeated. This assumption was not based on spiritual purity and righteousness but upon the belief that because we stand before the world as a nation of churches who pay respectful homage to religious things God would protect us. The successful ending of the war but confirmed our self-righteousness, leaving a feeling of security from future alarm.
All this, even though we had the most traitorous leaders who were Jews and non-Jews that the world has ever seen. And their kind only grows more numerous until no at the present time it would appear that they are on the very brink of destroying our beloved nation. From the President, Congress, Supreme Court, the various federal judgeships, to the State houses and its legislative bodies; our nation is full of traitors and men and women so stupid they cannot see the handwriting on the wall for their blindness.
Our national failure to recognize God will require more than an outward show of righteousness and will bring suffering and trouble to us in the coming day of His wrath. In the failure to turn to God He will be compelled through trouble and tribulation to refine us that we may serve Him in singleness of purpose. This method of compulsion is set forth by God in His answer to the prophet s lamentation. He declares He will refine His people and purge the dross out from among them, and this can only be accomplished through the fires of tribulation.
In the midst of pronouncing judgment a message is addressed to those who among His people trust in the Lord:
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that I am the Lord. which exercises loving kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 9?23-24)
Out from among every generation upon which judgment has come a remnant has escaped, for God will never forsake His covenant. When the people of His heritage stray from Him, He will, through tribulation and sorrow, compel them to return and willingly serve Him in righteousness.
The Broken Covenant
A message from the Lord to the tenth chapter of Jeremiah, addressed to the House of Israel in captivity, commanded them not to learn the ways of the heathen peoples while they dwelt among them. The prophet proceeded to analyze the idols which the heathen worshiped, giving a detailed description of the material used in their construction. He then demonstrated how utterly useless they are to either help themselves or save men.
They cannot do evil, Jeremiah states, neither is it in them to do good. (Jeremiah 10:5)
Israel was further admonished not to be concerned over the heavens for they were not to give heed to the planetary houses or signs of the Zodiac. The prophet then exclaimed:
But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation...He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom. (Jeremiah 10:10-12)
Jacob s Position
After pointing out how lacing in knowledge and understanding are all those who make images which have no life and are but the work of men s hands, for they will perish, the prophet contrasts the position of Jacob with that of these idols:
The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the Lord of hosts is his name. (Jeremiah 10:16)
One of the difficult problems for Christians to understand is how Israel could turn from the living God and serve senseless idols modeled by men s hands. But even though Israel sinned in this way, they were not to perish like the idols which they served would finally perish. Recognizing this to be true, Jeremiah called attention to God s great promise made at the very foundation of the world concerning Israel, which Moses recorded in the following statement:
When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the Lord s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot (or measuring rod) of his inheritance. (Deuteronomy 32:8-9)
Thus, from the very beginning, when He separated the sons of Adam, God made provision for the needs of His people Israel. It is this people whom He will use to establish the earth in righteousness for they are to occupy the promised inheritance. Now:
The earth is the Lord s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalm 24:1)
So, by using Israel to establish the earth in righteousness, here seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. (Isaiah 54:3)
While this promised greatness would eventually be brought to pass, God, nevertheless, was compelled to deal with His people for their rebellion against Him. Before the day arrived when Israel would come into the fullness of the covenanted blessings, both Israel and Judah must be brought, through suffering and tribulation, to a realization that Yahweh is the God of Israel. Only thus would they turn to God, forsaking their evil ways, and become willing to restore the administration of His laws in their land.
Sin of Unbelief
For many years Jeremiah had been prophesying that trouble was coming upon Judea when Babylon would descend upon the people and carry them away into captivity. The years had rolled by and the warnings of Jeremiah had not materialized. The people and leaders were discounting all that the prophet had to say due to the apparent delay in fulfillment and they refused to believe his messages.
In vain Jeremiah warned of disaster. His listeners refused to believe his message and his experience was no different than that of all the prophets, and of any man who proclaims truth distasteful to the people. Even today, when repeating the prophetic messages addressed to our generation by Yahshua and the prophets, the result is often indifference and disbelief. Because this was so then, the Lord declared He would fling out the inhabitants of the land and the distress and trouble, which they would not believe was coming, would come in accordance with Jeremiah s prophecies and be brought home to them through actual experience.
God s Covenant
The word of the Lord came next to Jeremiah to declare the terms of His covenant to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. A curse was pronounced upon anyone who refused to obey that covenant which God had made with their forefathers in the day He brought them out of the land of Egypt and from the iron furnace. This reference to the iron furnace, while it may figuratively apply to the tribulation suffered by Israel in Egyptian bondage, can also refer many in Israel who were condemned to work in Egyptian foundries, smelting ore to make implements of iron.
A study of the history of God s people reveals that Israel s difficulties, both in ancient and modern times, stem from the refusal to keep the terms of God s covenant. The blessings under that covenant required that Israel obey the voice of the Lord and observe and keep His commandments, statutes and judgments. If Israel would do this they would be God s people and He would be their God.
The Continuing Controversy
Jeremiah informed Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem that if they would only obey the terms of the covenant, God would perform His oath as He swore to their forefathers. They would continue to possess the land flowing with milk and honey which they were in full possession of at that time. This message of the prophet was addressed to the people while they were still prosperous and while, as yet, the shadow of approaching calamity had not darkened the land.
The sum and substance of God s controversy with His people from the time they left Egypt to the present day is the refusal on their part to keep and observe the requirements of His covenant. In Jeremiah s time, as now, Israel stubbornly refused to obey the law with the result that the but clauses of the covenant to operate. Moses set forth the terms of the but clauses as follows:
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. (Deuteronomy 28:15)
Following this statement is a long list of national troubles and calamities which eventually would end with the enemy invading the land. The people would become subject to them and deportation into another land would be the result.
Judah and Jerusalem had reached this stage in judgment because of national sins. Jeremiah was warning them that the final step in the process of judgment was at hand for failure to obey God s commands. He predicted the coming invasion would be from the north and because the sins of the people were great the only way of escape was for the nation to immediately turn to God and so he declared:
For the Lord of hosts that planted thee hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel, and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves, to provoke me in anger, in offering incense to Baal. (Jeremiah 11:17)
A Thankless Task
Regardless of the time or generation, those who bring tidings of trouble and distress find their message an irritation to the people who prefer to follow evil ways which are often the easier course. It does not matter how true the message may be, for men do not take kindly to those who remind them of their sinful doings. Micah, the prophet, tells of his experiences as he reports the speech of the people whom he was warning:
Stop it, they cry, such harping is not prophecy; no shameful fate can e er o er take the house of Judah. (Micah 2:6, Moffatt Translation)
This attitude furnishes the answer to the question why Israel and Judah did not fear to sin for, though they turned from His covenant, they believe that God would keep His promises regarding the future greatness of His people and would not, therefore, destroy them. But in such reasoning the men of Israel overlooked one important factor.
While God s promises would be fulfilled, He could, did and always will punish those of His people who turn away from Him, even though an entire generation becomes involved in the punishment. Because from time to time generations of His people have failed to recognize this, and have relied for protection upon the covenant promises, the evil which they did lost for them the blessings of peace and prosperity. These chastisements in no way mitigate against the ultimate fulfillment of the promised greatness, but each sinful generation so chastised has forfeited its rightful place and its blessings under the covenant.
Jeremiah s Life Threatened
As with the rest of the prophets, so with Jeremiah, for he was no exception, in that he had also won the enmity of the people because of his messages. He was a prophet of calamity as he brought home to his nation the enormity of their sins and the inevitable punishment to follow. His messages were decidedly unpopular and his very presence among them reminded the people of their sins. He declared he was innocent of the fact that they had devised mischief against him to kill him so his prophecies would not trouble them any more:
I was like a lamb, or an ox, that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree (Jeremiah) with the fruit (his prophecies) thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered. (Jeremiah 11:19)
The prophet called for protection from them, declaring he had revealed his cause to God, for the men of Anathoth who sought his life said to him:
Prophesy not in the name of the Lord, that thou die not by our hand. (Jeremiah 11:21)
The answer came from god:
Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will punish them; the young men shall die by the sword, t heir sons and their daughters shall die by famine. And there shall be no remnant of them, for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the years of their visitation. (Jeremiah 11:22-23)
This judgment was carried out in detail when the armies of Nebuchadnezzar entered the land. Those who had threatened the life of Jeremiah perished in the famine resulting from the siege of the city or died by the sword.
Prosperity of the Wicked
In every age men have asked the question, Why do the wicked prosper? The Psalmist was also concerned over this very issue. He said:
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked...They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men... Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. (Psalm 73:3-12)
It was not until he went into God s sanctuary that he recognized that the prosperity of evil men was but for a moment and their end would be destruction:
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. (Psalm 73:17)
David, too, was concerned over this issue and admonished those who were concerned over the property of the wicked:
Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass...For evildoers shall be cut off: But those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be. (Psalm 37:7-10)
Jeremiah the prophet was no exception in this respect for he saw those whom he had condemned for many years becoming wealthy and prospering. Because he knew God was righteous he appealed to Him and asked for permission to talk with Him concerning these things, and so he says:
Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? (Jeremiah 12:1)
He points out that the wicked are planted, take root, grow up and produce fruit, yet they only pay lip service to God while their thoughts are far from Him. Jeremiah evidently was in mental distress because of conditions in the land and God challenged him:
If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustest, they weary thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of the Jordan? (Jeremiah 12:5)
An Evil Time
Here the prophet is reminded that if he is unable in a time of peace to face the conditions in Judea, what will he do when finally Divine wrath overflows the land? This question addressed to Jeremiah can be even more pointedly asked today as we approach the climax of the ages. If in this time of stress and perplexity, with its uncertainties concerning the immediate future, men s hearts are failing them for fear of what is coming, what will they do under the full impact of the stupendous events which are destined to accompany the great and terrible day of the Lord? Jeremiah only witnessed the beginning of judgments upon Judea and a sinful nation, while we are today witnessing a judgment whose scope is world-wide, with all nations involved as man faces the results of centuries of misrule and maladministration.
A Man s Enemies
God commands Jeremiah:
If with your brothers, and in the house of your father, they betray you: if they call after to seize you: trust them not when they speak fair to you. (Jeremiah 12:6, Ferrar Fenton Translation)
This admonition to Jeremiah is good advice to be taken in any day of distress, for often a man s enemies are those of his own household, particularly so when calamity and trouble come and his position is unpopular with the masses. In line with this warning to Jeremiah is the warning of Yahshua to those who would be entrusted with the Kingdom message in the present generation, for He said:
And a man s foes shall be they of his own household. (Matthew 10:36)
God laments the condition of His heritage and declares that the pastors (we know them as Judeo-Christian) have destroyed His vineyard and made the land a desolation. The prophetic sentence is pronounced that the spoilers would come, for:
The sword of the Lord shall devour from one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have pace...because of the fierce anger of the Lord. (Jeremiah 12:12-13)
A Day of Judgment
This judgment began to be executed when the armies of Babylon over-ran Palestine and covers the intervening centuries down to modern times, Palestine has been desolated again and again with no lasting pace for its inhabitants, and even now it is a land of affliction where men live in fear, for there is no peace there. In the climax of judgment this land is to play an important part. The final phase of world conflict is about to take place there when the city of Jerusalem will be under attack according to the word of the Lord:
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all people round about, when they shall b in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. (Zechariah 12:2-3)
A Time of Restoration
God promises a restoration, of Israel but of the nations, also.
And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The Lord liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people. (Jeremiah 12:16)
Here is a call issued to the heathen peoples to turn to God who will pardon them as He will pardon Israel. The beginning of the fulfillment of this prophecy is evidenced in the turning to God of multitudes of people apart from Israel who, through the Christian missionary activities of Israel today, have heard the Gospel. Since the inception of missionary activities Israel has been fulfilling her God given mission:
I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6)
Jeremiah in Babylon
In the type of a linen girdle which Jeremiah was bidden to hide near the Euphrates, God prefigured the coming deportation of Judah. (Chapter 13). And in a parable of bottles filled with wine he foretold the misery and trouble in store for the inhabitants of the land.
We know from Jeremiah s record that he was acquainted with the chief leaders of Babylon, including the King, and there is no reason to suppose, in the instructions given him to go to the River Euphrates, that he did not visit Babylon. He would have met Daniel who was in high favor with Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel s regard for the prophet s writings (Daniel 9:2) would have led him to make favorable mention of the prophet to the king.
This is borne out later in the instructions Nebuchadnezzar gave to Nebuzaradan, the Captain of the Guard to do as Jeremiah wished regarding his person. (Jeremiah 39:11-14) The fact that the prophet was favorably received by the King of Babylon may have accounted for the strong opposition when later he was accused of treason in advising the King of Judah, the priests and leaders, as well as the people, to give in to the demands made upon them by Nebuchadnezzar that it might be will with their nation. (Jeremiah 27:8-17)
The prophet used an apt illustration, often quoted because of its uniqueness. It was applicable to a people accustomed to do evil, as were Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem:
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
Reason for Judgment
In the order of judgments to come upon Israel and Judah for national sins Moses mentions drought and famine. Jeremiah describes a grievous famine in the land, causing him to pray. But God answers him saying, Pray not for this people, declaring:
When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer an oblation, I will not accept them; but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence. (Jeremiah 14:12)
This is in line with Solomon s remarks stating the reason why God will not answer prayer in the day of calamity:
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at naught all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When you fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me; For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. (Proverbs 1:28-33)
False Teachers Repudiated
Jeremiah reminded the Lord that even the prophets were telling the people in His name that sword and famine would not afflict the land and wee assuring them that they would have continued peace. To which God replied:
The prophets prophesy lies in my name; I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of naught, and the deceit of their hearts. (Jeremiah 14:14)
In this fearful denunciation of the spiritual leaders of Jeremiah s time is the denunciation of all those who purport to speak in the name of the Lord in every age but who disbelieve God and refuse to give heed to His Word. God has not sent them, nor can they truly speak for Him when they belittle His Word and refuse to accept the divine revelation of God s purposes regarding man. And so judgment is pronounced upon these false leaders:
Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets (preachers) that prophesy (preach) in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; by sword and famine shall these prophets be consumed. (Jeremiah 14:15)
The people to whom they preached could not use these false teachings as an excuse, for they also were guilty. It is evident that Jeremiah had borne sufficient witness among them so that, in spite of erroneous teaching from false teachers, the people had been sufficiently warned of the evil to come that they were accountable for their own sins. God commanded the prophet to stand in the sight of the people and bewail the coming calamities.
Judah Follows Israel
A situation similar to that which confronted Jeremiah preceded the deportation of the House of Israel into Assyria. The judgment pronounced upon Israel was for the same trespasses as were now being committed by Judah. Judea and the inhabitants of Jerusalem knew all this, yet they persisted in their evil ways and provoked God to anger against them. The record of Israel s sins and her deportation is given in 2 Kings 17 where it is stated:
For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God...And walked in the statutes of the heathen...And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God...And they set them up images and groves in every high hill...they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain...And they left all the commandments of the Lord their God...Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. Also Judah kept not the commandments of the Lord their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. (2 Kings 17:7-19)
Judah had now come to judgment and, some one hundred and thirty years after Israel was taken captive to Assyria, Jeremiah proclaimed the fact that Judah was at the pont of being carried away into Babylonian captivity for the same major sin that the House of Israel had committed before her; the refusal to obey God s covenant.
The Call for Fishers and Hunters
Because the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem had passed beyond any possibility of listening to reason and reproof and were not ashamed of their evil ways, having despised and rejected the word of God, the Lord declared:
Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, Yet my mind could not be toward this people; east them out of my sight, and let them go forth. (Jeremiah 15:1)
This is an interesting allusion to the time that both Moses and Samuel interceded for Israel and God listened to them and spared the nation. When Moses returned from the Mount with the two tables of stone on which God s law was written he found the people worshiping the Golden Calf and indulging in licentious practices. Moses recognized the great sin that was being committed and broke the tables of stone. Later had charged the people:
Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. (Exodus 32:30-32)
God listened to Moses, declaring that only those who had sinned against Him would be blotted out of His book. He instructed Moses:
Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made. (Jeremiah 32:34)
Provoking God
Again, at the border of the promised land, Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron for, after listening to the reports of the spies who had been sent over to spy out the land of Palestine, they said:
Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God that we had died in this wilderness. And therefore hat the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children shall be a prey? were it not better for us to return to Egypt? (Numbers 14:2-3)
Only two out of the twelve spies sent out returned with a favorable report. These two were Joshua and Caleb who declared that if God delighted in His people. He would give them victory over their enemies. But the people would not listen and rose up against the men to stone them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared in the Tabernacle and the Lord said to Moses:
How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a great nation and mightier than they.
Moses again interceded in behalf the people and earnestly prayed the Lord to have mercy and forgive their iniquity and trespasses:
Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou has forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word. (Numbers 14:19-20)
Philistines Defeated
Samuel experienced a similar situation during his judgeship. After the Ark of the Covenant had been returned to Israel by the Philistines it rested for many years in Kirjath-jearim. The people mourning because of their sins and Samuel spoke to them, reminding them that if they would return to the Lord with all their hearts and put away the strange gods and serve the Lord, and Him only, He would deliver them from the hands of the Philistines.
Samuel gathered all Israel to Mizpah where he prayed for them. There he offered a sacrifice and the people acknowledged their sins. It was a time of great revival in Israel. But when the Philistines heard of the gathering at Mizpah they moved against them. Samuel interceded with the Lord for Israel and the Lord hearkened:
And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder (or roar) on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. (1 Samuel 7:10)
Judgment Pronounced
The Psalmist refers to both Moses and Samuel as having power and influence with God (Psalm 99:6-7) but Judah s sins had become so great and the people so hardened in their evil ways that God informed Jeremiah that, though Moses and Samuel were present to plead for them, it would not avail.
Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth. (Jeremiah 15:1)
Therefore, the Lord said they were to go forth, but when Jeremiah was asked, no doubt in sarcasm by the leaders and people who had long ago ceased to take his prophecies seriously, Whither shall we go? he replied:
This saith the Lord; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity. And I will appoint over them four kinds (families), saith the Lord; the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy. And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth. (Jeremiah 15:2-4)
This prophecy has been literally fulfilled and no atheist or agnostic can honestly deny the fact for many of the descendants of Judah are without a country of their own, scattered over the face of the earth, residing upon every continent and among all nations.
A Cry of Despair
Recognizing the fast approaching trouble soon to engulf his people, Jeremiah lamented:
Woe is me, my mother, that thou has borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the while earth! (Jeremiah 15:10)
Jeremiah pleaded in his own defense that he was a righteous man who kept the law. In the Israel concept the meanest type of man was he who lent and borrowed upon usury (putting one s money out to interest, for this is contrary to the Law of the Lord). Jeremiah complained because he was cursed by the people as though he were such a man. When God commissioned Jeremiah for his mission the prophet was informed that he was to be as a defenced city against the kings of Judah, the princes, the priests and the people. Though they would fight against him the Lord promised:
They shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee. (Jeremiah 1:19)
Jeremiah recalled this promise that the enemy would treat him well in the time of affliction and the prophet considered he was already in a time of affliction, for those of his own people affliction, for those of his own people who had become his enemies were certainly not treating him well. The prophet knew Judah would not be able to withstand the onslaught of her enemies, but it also seemed to him that he would be vanquished himself by the evil treachery of his people and this was contrary to God s promise that he would be a fortress of strength against them.
That Judah would fall before the armies of Babylon is indicated in the statement:
Shall iron (Judah) break the northern iron and steel (Babylon)? (Jeremiah 15:12)
The Hebrew word Nechushah translated steel in this passage should have been rendered copper. In ancient times copper was mixed with other metals to render it hard and durable. Also northern iron was of a more superior quality and more nearly like our steel and a method of hardening this iron was known at a very early period in history.
A Discouraged Prophet
Jeremiah, concerned over the pressure under which he lived, prayed:
O Lord, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors. (Jeremiah 15:15)
Continuing, the prophet reminded the Lord that he suffered rebuke for His sake. He had found and embraced God s words which were sweet and pleasant to him but because of the stand he had taken he was derisively labeled a prophet and subject to continued persecution. Jeremiah referred to the fact that he had never joined the assembly of the revelers or merry-makers but instead he sat alone because of the task God had assigned him. It was his lot to endure all kinds of indignities from those whom he had been commissioned to warn and because this was so the prophet said his torment was like the perpetual pain of an incurable would. His despair led him to question the Lord:
Wilt thou really disappoint me, like a stream that runs dry. (Jeremiah 15:18; Moffatt Translation)
Under the pressure of loneliness the prophet, in a moment of complete discouragement, questioned the fulfillment of the messages God had directed him to declare to Judah. For years he had been prophesying of disaster to come but the delay in fulfillment had made him an object of mockery. As a result he had reached the limit of his endurance and murmured against the Lord to the extent that he stood in danger of being dismissed from service as a prophet of God.
God s Reply
God called upon Jeremiah to return to Him and cease his murmurings in order to be reinstated as His spokesman, but He gave the prophet no assurance whatever of relief from pressure. Patience was the paramount requirement in waiting, for the verdict of time would finally bring full justification.
The Lord informed Jeremiah he was not to go to the people any more. That phase of his mission was completed. From that time on he was to wait and let the people come to him, for those who had refused to listen in the past wold, under pressure of coming evil conditions, be compelled to eventually turn to him for guidance and assistance. God warned the prophet, however, that when they did come he must be discreet and pick from among the unrepentant the remnant who, with him, and because of him, would be treated well by the enemy. God promised:
I will deliver you from evil men, and free you from the clutches of the cruel. (Jeremiah 15:21; Moffatt Translation)
Jeremiah was forbidden to take a wife and have sons and daughters in that place. He was to refrain from attending funerals or going to the places of mourning and also to abstain from attending feasts or marriage festivals because in his day all this would cease in the utter ruin to overtake the land. The predicted captivity, long delayed, was about to begin.
Promised Restoration
In the midst of predicting calamity and the deportation of Judah to another land the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah concerning the promised restoration of the House of Israel:
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their own land that I gave unto their fathers. (Jeremiah 16:14-15)
Now here many of the Judeo-Christian clergy will teach that Israel is to return to their land in Palestine. But this is not so for we are told:
Moreover I WILL APPOINT A PLACE FOR MY PEOPLE ISRAEL, AND WILL PLANT THEM, THAT THEY MAY DWELL IN A PLACE OF THEIR OWN... (2 Samuel 7:10)
Again:
Also I WILL ORDAIN A PLACE FOR MY PEOPLE ISRAEL, AND WILL PLANT THEM, AND THEY SHALL DWELL IN THEIR PLACE, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning. (1 Chronicles 17:9)
And I WILL PLANT THEM UPON THEIR LAND, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God. (Amos 9:15)
You can see clearly that Palestine WAS NOT THEIR LAND, but that it was another land that was given to their fathers, where God would move them to.
The discouraged prophet was encouraged by God who gave him a message of hope concerning the future restoration of Israel. That this prophecy has to do mainly with the House of Israel, and not the Jews who came from a mixing of True Israelites with the other races and people around them, in clearly indicated by the mission assigned to the fishers and hunters and by its fulfillment in the Christian Dispensation.
Fishers and Hunters
God sets forth the method by which He will bring Israel back to Himself. This is a most important prophecy for in sending for fishers and hunters the way in which Israel is to be awakened to spiritual values and to the need of obeying His Covenant is revealed to Jeremiah:
Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish for them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks. (Jeremiah 16:16)
Who are these fishers and hunters and what is the particular task each is to perform in the respective fishing and hunting periods? The sending of these two groups designated as fishers and hunters indicates that there are two entirely different methods by which an appeal would be made to Israel. A fisherman patiently waits as he undertakes to snare the fish in a net or catch it on a line, but the hunter tramps through the woods and over the hills and mountains exerting energy and strength as he travels in search of his especially selected prey. Actually Jeremiah prophetically referred to the two distinct phases of the Gospel in their respective appeals to Israel for the purpose of bringing them back to a covenant relationship with God.
The first would require fishers and the period of their fishing is clearly defined by the events of the Gospel Age. The second would require hunters and the period of their activity would be at the end of the Gospel Age. This is demonstrated by the activities of whose who have sought to establish the identity of Israel in these last days, hunting out the evidence and tracing Israel from Palestine throughout her years of wanderings to the present time. History reveals how faithfully the predicted fishing and hunting mission have been carried out by those chosen of god for each purpose.
The Fishers
Let us first deal with the evidence demonstrating that God did send for many fishers who proclaimed the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God and Salvation. This portion of Jeremiah s prophecy began to be fulfilled when Christ came and selected His disciples, constituting them fishers of men:
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:18-19)
Throughout the centuries of the Dispensation of Grace the disciples and followers of our Lord have been proclaiming the Gospel of salivation by which Israel would be brought into a New Covenant relationship with her God. Jeremiah later refers to this New Covenant to be made with the House of Israel (Jeremiah 31:31-33) and in commissioning His disciples to proclaim the Gospel Jesus sent them ONLY TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL. (Matthew 10:6)
Notice: CHRIST SAID THAT HE WAS SENT ONLY TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING SAID ABOUT HIM BEING SENT TO THE HOUSE OF JUDAH!
Because the nation of the Jews, who were in power at that time in Judea, rejected Christ and His teachings provision was made for the transfer of the Kingdom, which He declared would be take from them and given to a nation willing and able to accept the attending responsibilities. Christ said to the Pharisees and Chief Priests:
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Matthew 21:43)
The task of making that transfer was assigned to the followers of our Lord. Abundant evidence from secular sources exists concerning the establishment of the first Christian Church in the Isles by Joseph of Arimathea when the little Wattle Church was built at Glastonbury, England, only a few years after the crucifixion.
The same evidence points to the coming of Paul who, on one of his missionary journeys to London, preached the Gospel from Ludgate Hill. The fact is that the Lord God of Israel, who called His people to be His servants, saw to it that they received their commission first hand. So, by the hand of His disciples and early followers, Christ sent the Gospel directly to the Isles in the process of transferring to Israel abroad the blessings of Salvation and Redemption, along with the knowledge of the Kingdom to Israel.
Benjamin s Mission
The question naturally arises, what actually was taken from the Jews? After they returned from the Babylonian captivity with the True Israelites of the tribe of Judah, they took over the kingdom by subversion but never really had a nation with a king. Let us briefly review the facts. Because of Solomon s sins he was told the Kingdom would be taken from him; nevertheless, it would not be entirely removed, for, through the prophet, God said:
Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will leave one tribe to thy son for David my servant s sake, and for Jerusalem s sake. (1 Kings 11:13)
Benjamin one of the Israel tribes, was left which meant that a Kingdom tribe remained with Judah. When the House of Israel was taken captive to Assyria for her sins Benjamin was not involved, nor was this tribe numbered among the tribes of Israel whom God divorced for their idolatry.
When the House of Israel became not God s people (Hosea 1:9) the tribe of Benjamin was still His Kingdom people. The Galileans of our Lord s Day were Benjamites and it was from this tribe that Christ chose His disciples and constituted the fishers of men, declaring they would be the light of the world.
When at the last the Jews rejected Christ and turned against the early disciples, who were Galileans and of the tribe of Benjamin with the one exception, Judas Iscariot, the brotherhood between Judah and Israel was broken. (Zechariah 11:14)
Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
That brotherhood could exist only as long as Benjamin and Judah were united. The Galileans, with others of the early Christians, heeded the warning given by Jeremiah and fled Judea just before the siege of Jerusalem by Titus, the Roman general.
Not understanding that most of the tribe of Judah was taken into Assyrian captivity long before the Babylonian captivity; and only a few were left in Jerusalem and a few small cities around it.
The Kingdom of Judah is Removed Also
The kingdom of Judah continued to exist for a hundred and thirty-three years after the downfall of the kingdom of Israel. During those long years Judah s State Records were carefully kept, until this kingdom in turn was destroyed in 587 B.C.
It is in these records that we may expect to find, as we actually do, occasional allusions to Israel still in the land of Samaria, which it must be remembered had then become a portion of the Assyrian empire. Such allusions are only made in so far as they concerned the Judah kingdom, they are scanty enough and in no way purport to be a history of Israel.
There are at least three such references in the Bible:
(1) The first is one concerning the siege and fall of Samaria, mentioned in 2 Kings 18:9-12, where we are informed that the siege began in the fourth year of Hezekiah s reign, and that the city was captured in his sixth year: and further that the captives were transported to Assyria.
(2) A second reference is cited by Dr. Dimont from 2 Chronicles 30 and 31 as evidence that after the fall of Samaria there were many Israelites left in their land after the deportation by Sargon. These chapters give an account of the great Passover held in Jerusalem by Hezekiah, to which he invited the Israelites, most of whom rejected the invitation with scorn, while very many accepted and attended the Feast.
This so-called evidence is examined further on.
(3) A third allusion is made to the remnant of Israel still found in the land of Samaria in the reign of Josiah, recorded in 2 Chronicles 34. This tells of the religious revival brought about by this godly young king of Judah, and of a Passover he subsequently held, to which he invited the remnant of Israel, who responded and attended the feast. This is proof that there were some Israelites in their own land in the time of Josiah.
This king not only purged Judah of her heathen altars, groves, high places and molten and carved images, but he did the same work in the land of Samaria, territory under Assyrian rule. It seems amazing that a king of Judah was permitted to do so. The Assyrian governor probably cared little what was done in religious matters so long as it did not affect his government and tribute.
It is clear from the Scriptures that there were Israelites in their own land long after the fall of their kingdom, all of which is in strict accord with the prophecies.
This concludes our study of the Invasions and Deportations as recorded in the Scriptures. There is yet another invasion and deportation to be considered which is not fully told in the Bible.
The Fourth Invasion
This Fourth Invasion is not given in the Second Book of Kings. It is briefly told in the Second Book of Chronicles, which, as already stated, deals only with the history of Judah. The Bible does not definitely tell us of the effect it had upon Israel. The Israelites naturally could give no account of it themselves.
Esar-Haddon s Invasion of Palestine
The invading king was Esar-Haddon. Though his name is not given in the Scripture narrative we know from Assyrian inscriptions that he was the emperor who made the invasion, which can be read in the Encyclopedia Brattanica.
This invasion of Palestine was but a part in the great campaign. It took place about 676 B.C., a time when the Israel nation had no king of their own, in fact, it was forty-five years after the fall of Samaria when the kingdom ceased. During these years Israel had been ruled by an Assyrian governor.
It may hardly be correct to speak of it as an invasion of Israel. It was really an invasion of Judah, who had hitherto withstood the efforts of Assyria to subdue here.
A Previous Invasion of Judah
It will be remembered that Sennacherib, some seven years after the fall of Samaria, had made a great effort to conquer the Judah kingdom, but Judah at the last moment was saved by the direct interposition of Yahweh. For though Sennacherib devastated Judea, took fenced cities and carried away a great host of captives, yet he was not able to capture Jerusalem. He was compelled to retire to Assyria with a depleted army that had well night been annihilated by a devastating plague, thus was Judah delivered out of the hand of Assyria, and her territory remained intact.
The Sennacherib inscriptions assert that he took forty-six fenced cities and removed some 200,150 captives, whom he placed in the same regions whither the captives of Israel had all been transported by previous emperors. Thus to the captives of Israel were added a great number from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and of the Levites.
Esar-Haddon, however, now succeeded in doing what his father had failed to do. He conquered Judea, and took Manasseh and its king captive and sent him away a prisoner in chains to Babylon. The brief narrative is in 2 Chronicles 33:11:
11). Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
Here again we have another verse that speaks of a King of Assyria without the mention of his name. But from secular history we know that it was Esar-Haddon.
In his captivity Manasseh repented of his evil ways and turned to the God of ISRAEL, and later he was released and reinstated once more as king of Judah, and the kingdom continued till its destruction in 587 B.C., by Nebuchadnezzar.
There is no explanation why Judah was not annexed by Esar-Haddon. Further it would appear that no Israelite captives were deported.
Non-Israelites Settled
In The Land of Samaria
It was after this campaign that Esar-Haddon brought in foreigners into the land of Samaria, which hitherto had been occupied by Israel. In accord with the accepted policy of the Assyrian kings Esar-Haddon removed the Israelites, and into their emptied land made a wholesale importation of non-Israelites.
These various alien tribes were in time blended into one people in the land, and were therefore called Samaritans. They themselves, as we shall see later on, made no claim whatever to be Israelites; they openly confessed that they were foreigners, who had been forcibly settled in that land, and this by Esar-Haddon. Some years later there were still other non-Israelites brought in by Asnapper (Ezra 4:10). This last king is identified with Assurbani-pul, the son of Esar-Haddon.
The great influx of non-Israelites was after this Fourth invasion and recorded in 2 Kings 17:24:
24). And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.
We have already seen that this unnamed king of Assyria could not have been Shalmaneser or Sargon, and that he must have been Esar-Haddon. The statement that they were placed in the cities of Samaria instead of Israel implies a great deportation of Israelites, and that Israel was no longer a People in Palestine.
Fulfillment of Two Prophecies
Two prophecies ran out at this time:
(1) Isaiah s prophecy of The Three Score and Five Years; shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.
(2) Hosea s Lo-Ruhamah prophecy: I will utterly take them away.
And yet, even after this wholesale removal of the Israel population, there were still some Israelites left behind, because we read of some being present there in the reign of Josiah, who reigned in Judah some years after Esar-Haddon s invasion.
But Jeremiah who wrote at a later time stated that in his day Israel had been removed out of God s sight, even the whole seed of Ephraim. (Jeremiah 7:15)
Josiah s Reform
In The Land of Samaria
Bearing in mind this removal of the nation and its replacement by imported non-Israelites, attention must be drawn to the reforms undertaken there by Josiah. It has already been noted that this godly young king of Judah not only purged Judea of idolatry, but that he carried this work into the land of Samaria, the old home of the Israelites, which was then Assyrian territory. People usually think of Josiah doing this task amongst the Israelites. But was this really so?
Was it not also amongst the new comers into the land, amongst the mass of the new population of the heathens? These new Samaritans all worshiped their various racial gods and at the same time sacrificed to The God of the land, the God of ISRAEL.
At the beginning of their dwelling there they feared not the Lord; but when they were plagued by lions, they requested the king of Assyria, who had placed them there, to send them a priest from among the captives of Israel to teach them the manner of the God of the land. (2 Kings 17:25) so they worshiped their own gods and sacrificed to the God of ISRAEL. This was the very plea that they urged upon Ezra in later years. (Ezra 4:2) It was amongst this people that Josiah carried out the work of breaking down their images, altars and shrines, and also of course the heathen altars that Israel had previously set up.
With the departure of the Tribe of Benjamin who, as Christians, became fishers to fish for Israel, fulfilled Christ s words to the Jews that their kingdom would be taken from them. The light-bearers left Palestine and the transfer of the Kingdom to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof came as the result of Benjamin moving toward the west, where the True Tribe of Judah was located in what is now called Germany and England; following in the wake of the westward trek of their brethren of Israel and Judah. Arriving in the Isles they began to fish for Israel and the message of redemption and salvation was received by Israel dwelling in the islands. In the process of time the Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, Scandinavian, Celtic peoples (modern Israel) accepted Christianity as the result of the work of those sent to fish for them.
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD, AND KNOW MY SHEEP, AND AM KNOWN OF MINE. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And OTHER SHEEP I HAVE, WHICH ARE NOT OF THIS FOLD: THEM ALSO I MUST BRING, AND THEY SHALL HEAR MY VOICE; AND THERE SHALL BE ONE FOLD, AND ONE SHEPHERD. (John 10:7-16)
The Hunters
The fishers were to be followed by many hunters according to Jeremiah, thus indicating a change in method and message. The task of the hunters was to search for Israel. The fisherman blindly casts his net and gathers into it all kinds of fish, some good and some bad. That is not so with the hunter who seeks to find the particular object of his search.
All this points to the modern endeavor to identify the House of Israel in the world today. It has been a painstaking matter of research, comparing the records of the past with the marks by which the race was to be identified in the latter days. The history of nations and peoples and the migration of races have all been carefully checked until, finally, the identity of the people who are modern Israel has been established. All this has been on date and on time according to God s plan.
The hunting process has been intensified during the present generation and has resulted in volumes of evidence being adduced to clearly demonstrate that the Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, Scandinavian, Celtic peoples are the House of Israel today. This identification has been immediately followed by the need of proclaiming the responsibility of this race to obey the Covenant God made with their forefathers. This is the Gospel of the Kingdom which is to be proclaimed just before the age ends. Concerning the preaching of this Gospel Christ said:
Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. (Matthew 10:23)
Now the cities of Israel have heard the voice of the fishers who have not only proclaimed the gospel of salvation in every city, hamlet and town in the Israel lands but have also carried the knowledge of salvation to the ends of the earth; where ever there were Israelites as Christ commanded. But the Gospel of the Kingdom was to be proclaimed exclusively to the Israel peoples. All the cities and towns in the Israel lands have not yet heard this message which the hunters have been commissioned to proclaim. This gospel is, however, going out in an ever increasing volume and of it Christ said:
The good news of the Kingdom, however, shall be proclaimed throughout the vile Empire, as a witness to all nations; and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14, Ferrar Fenton Translation)
And so in conformity with Isaiah s prophecy the call is going out to modern Israel:
Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you. (Isaiah 51:1-2)
The hunters have been searching and as they search the call is continually going out to Israel to awaken to the knowledge of their Israelitish identity and to the fact that Abraham is their father and they are the sons of Isaac, i.e., I-Sac-Sons, or Saxons. With this call the national phase of the gospel of the Kingdom is going out in ever increasing volume, for in the light of the knowledge of their identity Israel must restore the administration of His commandments, statutes and judgments that justice and equity may be established in the land:
Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. (Isaiah 56:1)
The task of the hunters is augmented by the need to declare Israel s national sins, calling upon her to return to the Lord and comply with all the requirements of His Covenant. So the instructions continues:
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and she my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)
Though the people of Israel have been lost to the world as far as their identity is concerned, they have never been lost to god for He watched over and led them through all their wanderings to the appointed place, even while they were under the curse of having broken His Covenant:
For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes. (Jeremiah 16:17)
Because the time was long and many years would transpire before the day of restoration, the Lord informed Jeremiah that during this period Israel must first expiate their sins:
First I will recompense their iniquity and their sins double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things. (Jeremiah 16:18)
The history of the long seven times of punishment for both Israel and Judah because of their sins has proven how truly this judgment has been visited upon them for their disobedience to God, to His Word and to His Laws.
Jeremiah at the Potter s House
The incurability of the sins of Judah is fittingly described by the following simile:
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is grave upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars. (Jeremiah 17:1)
So indelibly written upon the hearts of the people of Judah was the propensity to idolatry, evidenced by their many altars to heathen deities, that the people were beyond hope of repentance. For this reason God declared they would serve their enemies in a foreign land.
The Ungodly and Godly
Jeremiah drew a contrast between those who trust in man, having turned away from God, and those who rely upon Him in whom they put their trust. A curse is pronounced upon the man who puts his trust in mankind alone. He is likened to a desert scrub that never thrives because it lives in a dry place and endures the scorching heat of the desert and barren land that cannot be inhabited.
A blessing is pronounced upon the man who puts his trust in the Lord for he is likened to a tree planted beside a stream whose roots are well watered. No drought can affect it and such a tree is untouched by any fear of scorching heat. Its leaves are ever green and it bears fruit even in times of distress.
This contrast between the ungodly and the Godly is an apt today as it was in Jeremiah s time for, modern concepts to the contrary notwithstanding, man will never arrive at a stage in the progress of civilization where he can do without God. Only the man who fully trusts in the Lord can be serene and content in a time of trouble and distress. Those who do not know the Lord are apprehensive, worried and concerned for their personal security and safety. The Psalmist has succinctly summarized this contrast between the Godly and the ungodly:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he mediate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Psalm 1:1-6)
Men Accountable to God
One of the clear teachings of Scripture is that men must finally give an account before God of the deeds committed in the flesh. That no man can escape this judgment is clear from the following pronouncement of the Lord:
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
Moffatt renders this:
Deep is a man s mind, deeper than all else, on evil bent; who can fathom it? I the Eternal search the mind, I test the heart, rewarding every man as he has lived, and as his deeds deserve.
Love of Money
Man s material possessions are next taken into consideration. Paul declared that we have brought nothing into the world and it is certain we can carry nothing out, and so he said:
Having food and raiment let us be therefore content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:8-10)
He did not say that money is the root of evil but it is the LOVE of it which is the root of all evil. The love of money and the power its possession brings have been the foundation of evil in every generation and countless numbers of men have sold their souls and a right to a spiritual heritage for money. These conditions were extant in Jeremiah s time and the prophet pronounces those fools who have made money by unfair means:
As the bird hatches what she laid not, He who by injustice makes wealth, In the midst of his days he may lose, And at the last be regarded a fool! (Jeremiah 17:11; Ferrar Fenton Translation)
Christ clearly set forth the foolishness of those who strive for things which perish:
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)
And so the writer of Timothy relates those who are blessed with wealth:
To the rich in the present age I advise not to think too highly, nor to trust upon an uncertain wealth; but upon god who has prepared for us all wealth for enjoyment; to do good, to enrich themselves with good deeds, to be liberal, affable, and to lay up for themselves a noble foundation for the future, so that they may acquire the enduring life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19; Ferrar Fenton Translation)
Judgment for Unrighteousness
The final judgment for the unrighteous is as follows:
A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart form me shall be written (debased) in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters. (Jeremiah 17:12-13)
Jeremiah complained of the sneers and taunts of the people as they challenged him to show them where the calamities were which he had been continually predicting. The prophet reminded the Lord that he had been a faithful pastor and had not pressed Him for fulfillment of His word nor longed for the day of Judgment.
The difficulties and troubles which he had proclaimed would come upon the people had in a measure come upon the prophet himself. So he asked the Lord to let those who tormented him be terrified and bring upon them the day of evil and double destruction. This is another glimpse of the human side of this prophet for it was the cry of a man who saw the wicked prospering around him while he suffered at their hands for declaring the truth as God had required. It was his day of trouble so he asked the Lord not to be a terror to him but instead a refuge from the evil day.
At the City Gate
Jeremiah was then commanded to stand in the gate of the city (Moffatt states this was the Gate of Benjamin) where the kings of Judah passed in and out of the city. The gates of a city were p-laces of assembly where often public markets were established, and particularly they were places of legal tribunals.
A seat among the elders in the gates (Proverbs 31:23) was a high honor while oppression in the gates indicated corruption in administration. (Proverbs 22:22; Isaiah 29:21) The prophets and teachers went to the gates with their messages, since they were the places where the throngs gathered. (1 Kings 22:10) The city s gates were also a place where the debased and drunkards congregated as well. (Psalm 69:12)
Sabbath Observance
Evidently the gate used by the Kings of Judah was the most popular gathering place for the inhabitants o Jerusalem an dit was there that Jeremiah went in response to the Lord s command. The prophet addressed his message to the throngs gathered there admonishing them to take heed that they bear no burden or engage in trading on the Sabbath day; nor should they bring loads of any kind either from their homes within the city or from the country without to the gates on the day of rest. The people were reminded that on that day they were to do no work as God had instructed their fathers.
The promise was made that if the people of Judea and the inhabitants of Jerusalem would listen to the warning and refrain from bringing goods to the gates of the city on the day of rest, sanctifying the Sabbath day and keeping from doing any business on that day:
Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain forever. (Jeremiah 17:25)
Jeremiah declared that if the Sabbath was kept holy Jerusalem would remain a city inhabited in peace forever. There the people would come from the villages of Judah and from the suburbs of Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the slopes, the hills and the deserts, bring in their tithes and gathering to worship in the Temple of the Lord. But if they refused to keep the Sabbath holy, the alternative to these blessings was as follows:
But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the Sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day; then will l kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the Palace of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched. (Jeremiah 17:27)
Barometer of Spirituality
Why does the Lord lay so much stress upon the need of keeping a Sabbath of rest sacred to Him? It is because the attitude of the people toward the observance of the Sabbath is a perfect barometer of their spirituality:
Setting aside one day in seven as holy unto the Lord was to be a sign between Israel and God forever. Those who failed to keep this law were to be put to death. Those who worked on that day were to be cut off from among His people. This judgment may seem severed, but let us remember the fulfilment of, or failure to keep, this law was a perfect barometer of the spirituality of His people. When the nations turns from its God the very first indication is recognized by their attitude towards the Sabbath day. It is interesting to note that in identically the same ratio as our nation sinks into a state of spiritual decadency so have we increased the desecration of the Sabbath day. Instead of a Holy Day it has become a holiday and for this our entire nation suffers. (Digest of the Divine Law, by Howard B. Rand, p. 59)
The Day
This raises the question which day? inasmuch as some claim Saturday rather than Sunday should be observed as the day of rest. A full discussion of this subject will be found in Willie Martin s file on the Sabbath, also from a Digest of the Divine Law, by Howard B. Rand, pp. 59-62, from which the following is taken:
We are not concerned with the controversy over a day on which much has already been written by both groups in their endeavor to prove that the particular day which they keep is the only true observance of the law. The law requires that one day in seven be set aside as holy. In the spirit of this law both Jew and Christian are observing its requirements if, following the six days of labor, they rest on the seventh.
Ready for Judgment
When Israel and Judah turned completely away from observing the law of the Sabbath, to keep the day holy, the end of prosperity and peace came. What was true then is true now for when God s people finally refuse to hallow the Sabbath judgment is imminent. Tried by the standards which God set for the observance of His Holy Day the world at large, and Israel particularly, is overdue for judgment today. We have turned the Sabbath of rest into a day of profit and pleasure. Jeremiah s condemnation of his generation is also a condemnation of this 21st century generation to whom Isaiah the prophet has addressed the following Message:
If on Sabbath you hold back your foot, And make My Holy Day your delight, And declare that My rest is a pleasure, To worship the Lord with respect, And by forming your path do it honour, Not seeking your pleasure or trade. Thus delighting yourself with the Lord, You shall ride on the Heights of the Earth, And feed on the portion of Jacob, your father; So the Lord s mouth has declared. (Isaiah 58:13-14; Ferrar Fenton Translation)
The importance of keeping one seventh of our time set apart for the Lord is great in His sight if we are to respect continued prosperity as it is important to personal blessing in the work of our hands to give Him a tenth of our increase.
The Clay Vessel
God next instructed Jeremiah to go down to a potter s house. The prophet obeyed the command and there he found the potter working upon a vessel on the wheels.
The shaping of vessels on the wheels dates back to very early history. In their original form the wheels were stone disks arranged to be turned by hand on a vertical axis. The wheels used in Palestine and Syria today probably differ in no respect from those used in Jeremiah s time. The wheel or, to be more exact, the wheels are fitted on a square wooden or iron shaft about three feet long. The lower disk is about 20 inches in diameter, and the upper one 8 to 12 inches in diameter.
The lower end of the shaft is pointed and fits into a stone socket or bearing in which it rotates. A second bearing just below the upper disk si so arranged that the shaft inclines slightly away from the potter. The potter leans against a slanting seat, bracing himself with one foot so that he will not slide off, and with the sole of his other foot he kicks the upper face of the lower wheel, thus making the whole machine rotate. The lower wheel is often of stone to give greater momentum. With a marvelous dexterity, which a novice tries in vain to imitate, he gives the pieces of clay on the upper wheel any shape he desires.
Jeremiah watched the potter at work molding the clay upon the wheel and the vessel he was making was spoiled in his hands so he remolded it until he was satisfied.
The Divine Potter
The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah saying:
O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter s hands, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. (Jeremiah 18:6)
Now the House of Israel was in exile and away from Palestine as a result of the Assyrian invasions and captivity. They had been living in the land of their captors for over a hundred years at the time Jeremiah was speaking.
The Broken Bottle
In contrast with the illustration of the House of Israel the condition of the House of Judah was depicted in the command to Jeremiah to get a potter s earthen bottle (fired pottery) with which he was to demonstrate the judgment upon Judah.
Jeremiah was told to take with him some of the leaders among the people and the priests and to go to the valley opposite the pottery-gate where he as to proclaim a message of judgment upon them for their evil ways. He was then to break the bottle in the sight of those who went with him and say to them:
Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter s vessel, that cannot be made whole again. ( Jeremiah 19:1)
The captivity of Judah was imminent for, together with Benjamin, a tribe of Israel, they were about to be carried away into Babylonian captivity. We know the fate of the House of Judah for nationally they were broken and after 70 A.D., ceased to be a nation any more. Also, as a result of the rejection of Christ, the breach between Judah and Israel was completed for, with Benjamin Christianized, the brotherhood was broken as predicted by the prophet. (Zechariah 11:14)
Two Distinct Peoples
The House of Israel was the vessel of clay damaged in the making but still workable clay capable of being reshaped. But the House of Judah was the earthen vessel, already formed and baked in the fire, then broken in pieces beyond possibility of being mended. This illustration alone is sufficient to establish the House of Israel and the House of Judah as two separate and distinct peoples. Judah has been, as illustrated in the broken bottle, a dispersed people and as the nations of Germany and Poland which were one in the beginning. But were later broken apart, and then broken again in World War I, and World War II; as a result of the fulfillment of the judgment pronounced upon them.
For centuries Jerusalem was a desolate city in accordance with Jeremiah s prophecy:
And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof. (Jeremiah 19:8)
But the House of Israel was to turn from their evil ways and God s hand of final judgment was to be stayed. God is referring to the House of Israel when He says:
At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it: If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. (Jeremiah 18:7-8)
But the House of Judah, whom God had established at Jerusalem with the Throne of David and the temple in their midst, was warned:
And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good wherewith I said I would benefit them. (Jeremiah 18:9-10)
This was the message Jeremiah was instructed to proclaim to Judah, warning that though they felt secure, evil would come unless they repented and turned whoehardely to the lord. But they refused to heed the prophet s warning. Just as surely as the descendants of Judah are today. Judah was to be broken but the House of Israel was to be refashioned as a potter would rework a clay vessel which had been marred in fashioning upon his wheels.
The Perfect Vessel
Jeremiah s prophecy of reshaping of the clay of the House of Israel throws a great deal of light on the meaning of Paul s words when he quotes from Hosea, who referred to the House of Israel, no Judah, when he declared Israel was to become Lo-1mmi, i.e., not My people. This is Paul s argument:
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour (or distinction), and another unto dishonour (or common use)? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles (Israelites)? As he saith also in Osee (Hosea), I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias (Isaiah) also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. (Romans 9:20-28)
Thus the House of Israel were to return from their evil ways and later appear, first apparently Gentiles, then becoming a Christian people. They were to make their calling and election sure by turning to the Lord, accepting Christ, whom the Jews rejected, and thus escape the type of judgment which finally over took Judah.
The marred House of Israel in the hands of the Lord, like clay in the hand of the potter, has today reappeared as the Anglo-Saxon, and Judah as the Germanic peoples, Scandinavian, Celtic peoples who alone meet the requirements as Israel because they have been reshaped and made over; a vessel unto mercy and honor, restored as a Christian people, sons of the Living God.
The day will come when cast out Israel; the same clay God tried to fashion into a perfect kingdom prior to the great captivity under the Assyrians, but who were marred in the process; will stand forth before all people a perfect vessel in the sight of all. Israel is being fashioned by the Divine Potter now to perform a special task in His service. The completion of the vessel requires its firing in the tribulations and troubles which have come upon us as God s people as the age closes. We will come forth from the heat a perfect Kingdom ready to do His will and carry out His purposes.
Judah, however, having deserted God, lost the Kingdom (Matthew 21:43) and so the Lord through Jeremiah exclaimed:
My people have abandoned me for Delusions, they offer incense, and stumble from their ancient pathways, to follow unpaved bye-paths. (Jeremiah 18:15; Ferrar Fenton Translation)
The Plot
Because of the severity of the judgment pronounced by Jeremiah, the people said:
Come, and let us devise devices (plot) against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words. (Jeremiah 18:18)
One rendering defines smiting with the tongue to be cut out his tongue. Of this we are certain that every device by which those who hated Jeremiah could slander him was tried in the hope of discouraging the prophet. He called upon God to remember their counsel against him and their plans to slay him. He asked God not to forgive their iniquities nor blot their sins out of His sight, but instead to deal with them in the time of His anger.
Jeremiah in the Stocks
When Pashur, the son of Immer the priest, who was also Chief Governor in the House of the Lord, heard that Jeremiah prophesied such dire, irrevocable judgment for Judah and Jerusalem he arrested him and put the prophet in the stocks at the high gate of Benjamin, by the House of the Lord.
The stocks are an instrument of punishment used in comparatively modern times to confine the ankles of the prisoner. But the stocks used in Jeremiah s time kept the body in a bent position by confining the neck, arms and legs. This evidently was a climax in the suffering of the prophet and led him to curse the day of his birth, questioning if any good had come from the fact that it had been reported to his father that a son was born. For all he had seen all his life was labor, sorrow and days full of shame.
The next day Pashur took the prophet out of the stocks and Jeremiah said to him:
The Lord hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magor-missabib (i.e.., fear round about). For this saith the Lord, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it...And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies. (Jeremiah 30:3-6)
The Burning Words
Jeremiah declared that God had enticed him into doing a work that caused him only trouble and persecution for he had become a daily reproach and derision. His experience in the stocks, with the suffering involved because of the message of God had instructed him to give which stirred the people to acts of violence against him, led him to exclaim:
I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. (Jeremiah 20:9)
But Jeremiah could not keep from speaking for the zeal of the Lord was in his heart and he was compelled to fulfill the prophet s vow. So he said:
But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. (Jeremiah 20:9)
In spite of the fact that everyone was watching that they might keep each other informed concerning the prophet s movements and acts in the hope that he would leave an opening so that they might overpower him and take revenge, Jeremiah could not remain silent. In the difficult place in which he found himself he exclaimed:
But the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one; therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they will be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper. (Jeremiah 20:11)
Desire for Judgment
The human side is clearly depicted as Jeremiah, under suffering and persecution, desired to see those who were responsible for it all come to judgment:
But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause. (Jeremiah 20:12)
Over the years Jeremiah s attitude had been changing. At first he was definitely concerned for his people and would have willingly forgiven all their acts against him personally if only the coming evil might be averted. As time passed and he came to a fuller appreciation of their stubborn and evil ways he realized that there was no other course for God to follow except to carry out the verdict of judgment upon them. His own suffering, through persecution and misrepresentation, had clearly brought home to him this needed lesson.
Message to the House of David
Zedekiah, King of Judah, sent priests to Jeremiah to ask him inquire of the Lord concerning Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, for he was making war against him. The King in his message to the prophet suggested that perhaps the Lord would work a miracle as He had often done and thereby force the King of Babylon to retreat.
This message came to Jeremiah just after his release from prison and at the very commencement of the war which was to end in the captivity of the House of Judah. The siege of Jerusalem had not yet begun but it was evident that the armies of Babylon were moving toward Palestine and Zedekiah was very much disturbed.
His inquiry indicated that Jeremiah, though disliked and hated by many, was recognized as the prophet of the Lord. Also, the King was fully aware that God had delivered His people from disaster many time in the past and he hoped that He would do so again.
Jeremiah s past warnings of coming disaster had not been taken seriously. The King, priests, princes and people had refused to turn from their evil ways and the trouble which he had predicted would come upon them from the north was no at hand; Nebuchadnezzar s armies were descending to besiege Jerusalem. The prophet s messages and warnings were being vindicated and the King requested Jeremiah to inquire of the Lord and secure His help in turning the armies of Babylon back. Jeremiah had pleaded and suffered at the hands of his people for nearly forty years and now that trouble was coming they turned to him to intercede with God in their behalf. Solomon s words of wisdom come to mind:
But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof...When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all of my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. (Proverbs 1:25-31)
This fits very well with what is happening to America and its Israel people today for it would appear that some people wish our Israel people to be protected from news of the evil that is coming about in the enemies never ending efforts to destroy them. We just don t understand why, even people in the Identity Circles, wish for the people to remain ignorant of what is happening around them. So this is an effort to show that knowledge is a good thing and that without it our people will be destroyed.
It is through the lack of knowledge that millions of unborn babies are being murdered in the United States; for if people really understood, had the knowledge, of why this has come about in our country and is the result of the efforts of the enemy to destroy many of our people while still in the womb.
It is through the lack of knowledge that millions of our people are being murdered by blacks and the other alien races that have been brought into our country by traitors, deceivers and the enemy.
Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. (Deuteronomy 7:3)
It is through the lack of knowledge that the support of the antichrist jews in the middle east and around the world is beginning to bring Yahweh s wrath upon our people; because those who we have entrusted to protect us, guide us, and lead us have deceived us, lied to us, and have been traitors to our people.
Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. (2 Chronicles 19:2)
It is through the lack of knowledge that our people have allowed the government to run amok and kill our brothers and sisters with impunity, and even cheer them on for doing it because of lying propaganda put out by the talking heads of the media.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision (the Jews): Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. (Titus 1:10-11)
It is through the lack of knowledge that our people have been led into wars that have killed other millions through wars that should have never been fought; wars that were fostered by the enemy from behind the scenes.
... Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. (2 Chronicles 16:9)
It is through the lack of knowledge that our people have been deceived into marrying alien races that is a direct abomination to Yahweh, and is a direct disobedience to His Laws, Statutes, and Judgments.
And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. (Genesis 28:1)
In the beginning Yahweh planted two trees in the Garden of Eden; the true of life and the tree of good and evil.
And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9)
From a study of some of the commentaries by various Bible scholars it would appear that none of them were aware of Ezekiel 31 which shows that many of the trees in the Garden of Eden were people. Now since so many people say they cannot see where Ezekiel 31 lists or shows any people being there we will present it with our inserts to show this fact that a lot seem to overlook. Just as we did for many years.
The end of the Kingdom of Judah was at hand and so Jeremiah replied to the King s message:
Thus saith the Lord God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city. (Jeremiah 21:4)
Judah was to become impotent and her weapons useless, compelling her armies to retreat into the city. There the Lord declared:
I myself will fight against you with outstretched hand, and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath. And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of great pestilence. (Jeremiah 21:5-6)
Turning his attention to the House of David, Jeremiah continued with the message of the Lord:
And afterward, said the Lord, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people and such as are left in this city from pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy. (Jeremiah 21:7)
As will be shown later, Zedekiah was carried away into Babylon where he died. Jeremiah was then instructed to tell the people that God had set two ways before them:
Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death. He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him a prey. For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the Lord: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire. (Jeremiah 21:8-10)
Thus Jeremiah counseled the people to surrender to the King of Babylon, and in so doing save their lives, for the city would be destroyed. The prophet called upon the House of David to keep judgment and do righteously and deliver men from oppression. The administration of the law was stressed that no wrong be done to the stranger, the fatherless or the widow and that innocent blood be not shed.
This message was not only addressed to the King of Judah, but it had a far wider application. It was an admonition to the House of David throughout the ages to recognize the law and the need of keeping judgment in righteousness wherever that House ruled over His people.
Judgment had overtaken Jerusalem and Judea as well as the House of David because of oppression and violence and Jeremiah prophesied as one consequence of the coming destruction of the city:
And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto this great city? Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God, and worshiped other gods, and served them. (Jeremiah 22:8-9)
This prophecy was literally fulfilled for down the ages the continued desolation of Jerusalem has been recognized as the result of both Israel and Judah having forsaken the Covenant when they turned away from God to worship idols. Neither atheists nor agnostics can deny this fact; one among many others which substantiates the truth of Scripture by the fulfillment of the prophetic predictions of its prophets.
Let us pause here and review the contemporary history of those times and the events which ultimately led to the desolation of Jerusalem and sent the House of Judah into captivity. These historical facts are taken from the Bible, from Josephus and from the outline of those historical events as given by Professor C.A.L. Totten.
Jeremiah was born during the 40th year of Manasseh s reign. Intoxicated by power and poisoned by Phoenician and Babylonian flattery and idolatry, the early manhood of Manasseh was stained by the cruelty of the worst kind, during which prophets (among them Isaiah) and saintly men and women were massacred. His first twenty-one years of misrule were followed by his sudden conversion while temporarily a prisoner of war. Following his release he instituted a final thirty-four years of wise and pious government, but of them we have little record.
Nearly nineteen of those quiet years had already passed when Jeremiah was born. Many of the prophet s near relatives were not only in the service of the King but were allied by blood and marriage to the royal family. Among these we find Shallum, the uncle of Jeremiah, whose son, Hanameel, was about the prophet s age. Ahikam, who afterwards became prime minister, was also a relative and a great champion of Jeremiah and his family. Neriah, another relative, must have been somewhat older, as his sons Baruch and Seraiah later became pupils of Jeremiah.
According to a Rabbinical tradition quoted by Plumtre, the whole of this family circle, including the most prominent courtiers of Josiah, were lineally descended from Rahab (Joshua 6:17), and were therefore closely related to the princes of the House of David.
There is every reason to believe that Hilkiah, who was Josiah s High Priest, and Jeremiah of Libnan, are identical with Hilkiah, the Priest, and Jeremiah of Anathoth. Both Libnah and Anathoth (1 Chronicles 6:57-60) are listed among the thirteen cities assigned to Eleazar s house of Priests and Levites, and Shallum, the father of Halkiah, appears to have inherited property in each locality. For a while Hilkiah dwelt at Anathoth where lay the paternal inheritance but upon the death of his father, Shallum, he seems to have moved to Libnah, relinquishing Anathoth to his elder brother Shallum.
This was evidently after Jeremiah s birth which occurred at Anathoth during the elder Shallum s High Priesthood, and while Hilkiah himself was only an ordinary priest. It seems to have antedated Jeremiah s marriage and the birth of his daughter Hamutal (2 Kings 23:31) who eventually became the second wife and Queen consort of Josiah.
Many years later, and for lack of heirs, Hanameel, the son of Shallum, Jeremiah s uncle, offered Anathoth to the prophet. Jeremiah purchased it and became the owner of both properties in his own right. (Jeremiah 32:7)
Jeremiah married a Levite maiden of Libnah, the city to which his parents had moved upon the death of Shallum, and he became the father of Hamutal. This daughters seems to have been the prophet s only child; at least she is the only one of whom we have any record.
Manasseh died when Jeremiah was fifteen years old and Ammon, the father of Josiah, came to the throne. He ruled for a very brief period and the young king s excesses duplicated the worst days of Manasseh. Because of his unreasonable cruelty he was killed by his own servants.
Josiah ascended the throne at the age of eight and under wise tutors he was carefully trained in the path of virtue and righteousness. At the age of thirteen he married Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah. She gave birth to a son, the unfortunate Jehoiakim. (2 Kings 23:36)
Following Josiah s second marriage, when Hamutal became his wife, the King began his reformation, purging Jerusalem of the high places and groves and destroying the idolatrous images. (2 Chronicles 34:3-7)
Jeremiah was commissioned in the thirteenth year of Josiah s reign (3388 a.m. or 619 B.C.). this same year Nabopolassar, father of Nebuchadnezzar, revolted from Assyria and ascended the throne of Babylon. Five years later Hilkiah discovered a cabinet among the treasure chests in the Temple as Josiah was carrying on the good work of restoring the House of God in Jerusalem.
When this chest was opened it was found to contain a complete copy of the law, with the five books of Moses, the only copy that had escaped destruction. This was passed on to the King who gathered his cabinet together and made inquiry of the Lord concerning the fate of the nation. The prophetess Huldah foretold the approaching downfall of the nation, but assured the king it would not occur in his reign.
A solemn assembly was called of the people and the words of the law were read. The King renewed his oath upon the ancient Coronation Stone of Bethel, (2 Chronicles 34:39-33; 2 Kings 23:1-3) as the manner was in the coronation of Joash and all his fathers. Among those who came to this assembly was Jeremiah who evidently listened with a great heart hunger, greedily devouring every word. Speaking afterward to the Lord of this meeting he exclaimed:
Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and they word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of Hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)
This great discovery was followed by the crowning act of the restoration of the worship of God, the calling of the people to one of the most famous Passovers were celebrated. (2 Chronicles 35:1-19) Josiah spared no effort to make his work of restoration complete. He even employed detectives to ferret out all who worked any abominations in the land of Judah (2 Kings 23:24) and succeeded in putting down all open opposition to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
Hamutal, his second wife, gave birth to two sons, Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:31) and the famous Zedekiah who became the last monarch of the line of David to rule in Jerusalem. A few years later Jehoiachin, probably the only son of Jehoiakim, was born and thus the legal claim to the sceptre remaining in the hand of Zeludah s branch of Josiah s family seemed to be assured.
During the quiet years following Zedekiah s birth Palestine seemed to have fully recovered her vitality and strength but, after all, the reformation was only an enforced one. The sins of Judah broke out afresh as soon as the personal influence of Josiah was withdrawn. The fierceness of God s anger continued unappeased because of the hidden sins in secret places to which Jeremiah alludes again and again.
The penalty for the sins of Manasseh and his contemporaries obeyed a universal law, and in due time was literally visited upon the third and fourth generation; upon Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin his son, and upon Zedekiah and his sons.
The reign of Josiah had attained a measure of normalcy and would have continued longer in such a course had he not made a fatal mistake in policy. It was in the latter part of his thirty-first years as King that Pharaoh-nechoh came up against the King of Babylon, with whom Josiah formed an offensive and defensive alliance.
In spite of Pharaoh s disavowal of any hostile intent against Judah, Josiah espoused the side of Nabopolassar, the new King of Assyria. Probably one of the causes of this alliance was the unwarranted invasion of neutral territory by the Egyptians whose armies skirted the wester borders of Palestine. Josiah s army shared in his resentment and so the King went out to meet the Egyptians at Megiddo with the intention of cutting off their retreat but unwisely failed to wait for a junction with the troops of Babylon.
It was a short and decisive battle wherein Josiah was fatally wounded and died in his chariot on the return to Jerusalem. All Jerusalem mourned because of his sudden death while it is recorded that Jeremiah lamented for Josiah, his own son-in-law. (2 Chronicles 35:25)
In the confusion incident upon Josiah s sudden death Jeremiah might have influenced the people to place Jehoahaz, Josiah s eldest son by Hamutal, upon the throne instead of his half-brother Eliakim. Jehoahaz was not worthy, however, for he did evil in the sight of the Lord. His downfall was no doubt brought about by the faction opposed to him and in favor of Eliakim, who turned to Egypt for assistance.
Pharaoh-nechoh, diverged from his original intention of seeking battle with the Babylonians, turned aside to besiege Jerusalem. The city fell without resistance and Jehoahaz surrendered to Pharaoh. Nechoh thereupon made Eliakim, the son of Queen Zebudah, King of Judah instead of his half-brother and changed his name to Jehoiakim. He laid a heavy tribute upon the land and departed for Egypt carrying Jehoahaz with him as a captive.
It appears that Jehoahaz died in Egypt without any posterity while Jehoiakim ruled for the next three years, sending annual tribute to Pharaoh-nechoh. Queen Hamutal withdrew from public life, returning to Libnah where she seems to have devoted her attention to Mattaniah (Zedekiah) her son. Jeremiah spent most of his time in Jerusalem where his labors as a prophet were daily increasing in magnitude. It appears that Jeremiah s own wife had died and he was contemplating a second marriage with some one in Jerusalem which God forbade. (Jeremiah 16:1-2)
The Egyptian king returned to the land of Judah no more for the Babylonian Empire had reached its full development and Nebuchadnezzar, the son of Nabopolassar, having destroyed Nichoh and his power at Carchemish, invaded Palestine with a powerful army, and at last acquired all of the territory that by previous conquest had belonged to Pharaoh-nechoh, even from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates. (2 Kings 24:7)
Nebuchadnezzar next directed his attention to the troublesome city of Jerusalem and soon brought it into subjection. Jehoiakim was at this time bound in chains and was at the point of being carried away to Babylon when he purchased his release with money and a promise to pay yearly tribute to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar accepted his promises and carried away to Babylon part of the vessels in the House of the Lord and some of the King s sons and of the princes of the land, who according to previous prophecy (Isaiah 39:7) became eunuchs in his palace. Among these were Daniel and his companions.
Jehoiakim for the next three years faithfully paid tribute to Nebuchadnezzar but upon hearing that the King of Babylon had made an expedition against the Egyptians he rebelled against him. During the next four years Babylon was too much occupied in other localities to bother with Judah but finally Nebuchadnezzar returned to Palestine and Josephus tells us:
Slew such as were in their age, and such as were of the greatest dignity, together with their king Jehoiakim, whom he commanded to be thrown before the walls without burial.
A single son of Jehoiakim remained, Jehoiachin, whom Nebuchadnezzar, prior to his departure, placed upon his father s throne. Taking three thousand of the surviving principal persons, among whom was the prophet Ezekiel, he set out for home, but before leaving Palestine he repented of his selection Josephus says:
But a terror seized on the king of Babylon who had given the kingdom to Jehoiachin, and that immediately, for he was afraid that he would bear him a grudge, because he slew his father, and thereupon should make the country rebel.
Therefore, Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah and Coniah, reigned but three months and ten days when another Babylonian army under Nebuchazaradan as Captain of the hosts returned to Jerusalem, recaptured it and, continuing his devastations, carried away the King and his house, ten thousand captives and all the craftsmen and smiths, none left behind but the poorest of the people. (2 Kings 24:10-11)
But Jerusalem still had eleven more years of grace. Thus it happened that before Nebuzaradan left for Babylon with his spoils and captives, Nebuchadnezzar joined him in Palestine and sent to Libnah for Hamutal and her son. He then made Mattaniah, the last remaining son of Josiah and the uncle of Jehoiachin (Coniah) the tributary king of Judah and changed his name to Zedekiah. According to Josephus, Nebuchadnezzar:
Made him take an oath that he would certainly keep the kingdom for him, and make no innovation, nor have any league of friendship with the Egyptians.
This brief outline of the history of events brings us to the end of Jehoiachin s rule and the elevation of Zedekiah to the throne of David. Jeremiah foretold the judgments to come upon the kings of Judah. Of Jehoahaz he says:
For thus saith the Lord touching Shallum (Jehoahaz) the son of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place (Pharaoh-nechoh had carried him away to Egypt), he shall not return thither anymore! But he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more. (Jeremiah 22:11-12)
Jehoahaz never returned to Palestine and died in Egypt.
Jeremiah pronounced woe upon those who build in unrighteousness and use their neighbor s services without giving wages for work done. Pointing his finger at Jehoiakim as one guilty of injustice and of shedding innocent blood Jeremiah declared:
Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah Lord! or, Ah his glory! he shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 22:18-19)
This curse was fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar ordered Jehoiakim s body thrown before the walls of Jerusalem without burial.
The judgments pronounced against Jerusalem for her evil came upon the city as history shows and the nobles and princes and many of the people were carried away to Babylon before the final desolation that ended in the destruction of the city itself. Jeremiah turned to declare certain things concerning Coniah, or Jehoiachin, the son of Jehoiakim:
As I live, saith the Lord, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence; And I will give thee unto the hand of them that seek thy life, and unto the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even unto the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans. And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee (2 Kings 24:15), into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die. But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return. (Jeremiah 22:24-27)
This is exactly what came to pass and Nebuchadnezzar did carry Coniah (Jehoiachin) with his mother and family to Babylon. None of them returned from the land of their captors to Palestine again.
Now a signet ring upon the right hand, bearing the name or seal of its owner, when given into the care of another, has as its objective the accomplishment of a definite and extremely important purpose. The removal of Coniah to another land with his family was as essential to God s plans in preserving the line of our Lord as the removal of Joseph to Egypt was essential for the preservation of his father s household. Through Jeremiah God declares that the accomplishment of His plans is so important that if Coniah were His signet ring he would still be given to Nebuchadnezzar and taken to Babylon.
The entire thinking of the ecclesiastical Judeo-Christian schools and the literature written about Coniah needs drastic revision because of the absolute failure to recognize the important part this man of the royal line of David was destined to play. Coniah has been woefully maligned as an evil man who suffered a fate comparable to his wickedness with actually God removed him from Palestine to protect and preserve the family line of our Lord.
Jeremiah continues:
Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not? (Jeremiah 22:28)
These are very pertinent questions and are being asked for a particular reason. The very fact that Jeremiah raised the issues involved in these questions should put the reader immediately on guard that Coniah s immediate family was not the hopeless and despised line that the Judeo-Christian Bible Scholars and students have assumed.
Ferrar Fenton translates:
Is this man Koniah a contemptible broken pot? or a thing in which there is no use? Why do they throw him, and his race away, and fling to a land which they know not?
The answer is no. He and his line were not contemptible, nor a part of the broken pot or vessel to which Jeremiah had likened Judah which had become unusable. God was to use Coniah and his descendants and there was a definite plan to this end which was aided by his being carried away to Babylon. There he and his house were preserved and his seed kept from disaster and destruction so that at the end of seventy years of captivity they might return to Palestine. For it was of that branch of the Royal House of David that our Lord came!
Further light is shed on Jehoiachin s (Coniah s) state in the land of his captors in the following:
And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison. And spake kindly unto him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon, And changed his prison garments: and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life. And for his diet, there was a continual diet given him of the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life. (Jeremiah 52:31-34)
Why is this account of Jehoiachin s good treatment given? The answers to the questions propounded by Jeremiah give the reason and because the statement following these questions has been completely misunderstood men have jumped to the conclusion that because God ordered Jeremiah to pronounce Coniah childless, insofar as a succession of rulers upon the throne of David ruling over Judah was concerned, that God had rejected him and his seed altogether.
Jeremiah said:
O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah. (Jeremiah 22:29-30)
The fact that Coniah would not prosper in his day and no man of his seed would rule any more in Judah is in itself evidence that he was not literally childless. The record states otherwise (1 Chronicles 3:17-18) for he had seven sons. However, insofar as a successor on the throne of David ruling over Judah was concerned, he was, for the record, childless.
In the line of our Lord Matthew mentions Jechonias (Coniah) and his son Salathiel, and those who reason that because of Jeremiah s statement Coniah could not possible be an ancestor of our Lord forget that the curse of childlessness applied only to SITTING UPON THE THRONE OF DAVID AND RULING ANY MORE IN JUDAH.
The Jews themselves refused to allow Yahshua to rule over them and when He referred to their attitude, He mentioned those citizens who hated Him and who were declaring: We will not have this man to reign over us. (Luke 19:14) To that Yahshua responded: But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. (Luke 19:27)
No man of the line of Coniah was acceptable to the Jews, not even Yahshua, and so they rejected Him. When He returns to take over the reigns of government He will receive AS A GIFT, not by right of descent from the reigning line, the throne of His father David:
And the Lord God shall GIVE unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob (not Judah) for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:32-33)
From the time of Coniah to the present day there has been no man of the line of David ruling on a throne of Judah.
By a careful analysis of Jeremiah s statements we discover, then, that Coniah and his family were not the despised and rejected branch of David s line as has been so universally taught by the Judeo-Christian clergy. He was taken from prison and later in Babylon was well treated, being protected from the ravages of war which enveloped Palestine and destroyed all the males of the seed royal when King Zedekiah s sons were slain and he was taken captive. How the reigning line of the House of David was preserved after the death of Zedekiah in Babylon is still another chapter in this fascinating story.
The Baskets of Good and Bad Figs
Having finished his prophecy concerning Coniah, Jeremiah turned once again to the ecclesiastical and civil leaders of his people and warned that as rulers and instructors their responsibility was great in that they had failed in guiding the people in the ways of righteousness. They were accused of failing to visit the people with that care and live which are the attributes of a good pastor, nor had they given wise and godly instruction as true teachers in Israel. As a result violence and discord marred their rule. Jeremiah looked forward to a day to come when, following the deportation, captivity and scattering of Israel and Judah, God declared:
I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds (homes); and they shall be fruitful and increase. (Jeremiah 23:3)
Foolish Leaders
Because the leaders of His people neglected their duty and were guilty of misrule in the Kingdom, God declared He would take good care to see that they were punished for the evil they committed. Evil men aspire to occupy places of authority over God s people; yet many fail to recognize the tremendous responsibility such authority places upon them, nor are they aware that God will require an accounting of their stewardship as a leader among His people. Not only did Jeremiah condemn the irresponsible leadership of his day but the burden of his message, and that of other prophets concerning foolish leaders, is a condemnation of those men who misrule His people throughout the centuries. The Lord states a day is coming when:
I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:4)
The Coming Branch
As a result of this statement the prophecy follows of the coming of the Messiah:
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. (Jeremiah 23:5)
The Hebrew word translated branch in this verse is tsemach and means a sprout from the root, not from the branch of the tree, and specifically refers to the Messiah as the coming King who will rule in righteousness. The name of the brightest star in the Zodiac sign of Virgo is Zemach in Hebrew and means branch. The following is quoted from The Stars Declare God s Handiwork:
Virgo (the virgin): Virgo lies about half north and half south of the equator and south of Coma and Bootes. It is one of the larger constellations. The sun occupies Virgo for forty-three days, passing through it from September 14th to October 29th. Most of its stars being comparatively fait and much scattered, it is difficult to trace. The pagans considered it a goddess with wings, bearing a sheaf of wheat in one hand. The outline of the maiden is so entirely imaginary it is almost impossible for the observer to follow it, but the Virgin, or the promised seed of the woman, is the theme of this constellation.
Stripped of idolatry and paganism, Virgo represents a woman with a branch in her right hand, and some ears of corn in her left. The meaning of the Hebrew name for this sign is a virgin while the meaning in Arabic is a branch. Thus is pictured the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 as quoted by Matthew, behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:23)
The bright star in the ear of corn in her hand is called in Arabic Al Zemach, which means the branch. So Zechariah writes of this branch to come when he says, For, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch. (Zechariah 3:8)
One of the stars in the arm carrying the branch is called Al Mureddin, which means who shall come down or who shall have dominion. Psalms 72:8 states, He shall have dominion also from sea to sea. This star is also known as Vindemiatrin, a Chaldee word which means the sun, or branch, who cometh.
Jeremiah thus prophesies of the coming of The Branch who as the coming King will establish righteousness and rule with judgment and justice and so the prophet continues:
In his days Judah shall be saved (notice this says saved, not Redeemed, for only he House of Israel could be Redeemed as it was the one divorced. God never divorced Judah), and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness (i.e., Jehovah Zidkenu). (Jeremiah 23:6)
Israel s Deliverance
In that day Jeremiah declares it will no more be said:
The Lord liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, the Lord liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land. (Jeremiah 23:7-8)
For centuries the Christian Church has failed to recognize that the House of Israel is separate and distinct from Judah but a day is coming when all Israel, and the Church, will awaken to the full realization of the identity of God s people in the world today.
Ezekiel declares:
So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day and forward...Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 39:22-29)
When the House of Israel is finally revealed to all the world as the nation and company of nations of prophecy, the ancient deliverance from the bondage of Egypt will sink into insignificance in comparison to the greater deliverance of the people from the bondage of modern misrule and economic oppression as the judgments of God destroy the entire system of Mammon.
History Prewritten
The House of Israel was carried away into Assyrian captivity and disappeared form the land of their captors into the countries north of Palestine. In the centuries which passed after their disappearance this people, under different names, moved west through southern and central Europe to the appointed place. God gathered His people into a land of their own and to the inheritance of the desolate heritages of prophecy as they spread out from their island kingdom to the North American continent, to Australia, New Zealand and other places. The marvelous providence of God will be made known to all men when the facts of history are fully revealed, confirming prophecy as history prewritten.
Despair over False Prophets
Jeremiah deplored the utterances and acts of the false prophets. The depraved conditions extending into the house of the Lord caused him to declare his heart was broken because of the evil doings of those men. The description of the conditions of the prophet s time could as readily apply to conditions in our own land today. Instead of preaching the truth the prophets and priests were leading the people astray by presenting false and evil doctrines. All this evil is being duplicated in this twentieth century in the evil doctrines of the higher critic and modernist whose false teachings are leading the people away from truth as they turn away from belief in the accuracy of God s Word written. The modernist schools of thought belittle the inspiration of the Scriptures and as a result thousands have turned away from reliance upon the authority of the Bible.
Modernist Teachings
The present day miracle-denying, claim-it and get-it, Christ-belittling Judeo-Christian teachings of modernism are but a counterpart of the false doctrines of the prophets and teachers of Jeremiah s time. The prophet declared they were active in the House of the Lord and we find today many of the pulpits in our land occupied by such wolves in sheep s clothing; atheists, antichrists, garbed in the mantle of the clergy, presenting the worldly wisdom of the unregenerated to their congregations. As in Jeremiah s time, so now:
The land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up and their course (violence) is evil, and their force (or energy) is not right. (Jeremiah 23:10)
Jeremiah pointed out there would be only one end for the evil course the priests and prophets had chosen. Their very acts, he declared, strengthened the hands of evil-doers, just as the false doctrines of modernists today turn men from the way of live and salvation in Christ and harden them in their unbelief. Then, as now, the false leaders did not turn from their wickedness, nor were they afraid as they led the people astray. The judgments pronounced upon the false prophets of Jeremiah s time are also a condemnation and judgment upon the false leaders of our day:
Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness (hypocrisy) gone forth into all the land. (Jeremiah 23:15)
Ferrar Fenton translates it this way:
The lord of Hosts consequently says this against those preachers, I will consume them with suffering, and give them opiates to drink; for corruption comes to all the country from the preachers of Jerusalem.
The fact that the Lord declares He will give these preachers opiates, i.e., put them to sleep, accounts for their total lack of understanding the Bible and the words become so evident that the simple can see and recognize their meaning.
Result of False Doctrines
These are the conditions existing today as a result of the false doctrines and teachings which have brought spiritual corruption to our land. Unbelief in the Word of God is now widespread and the dissemination of poisonous doctrines from our Judeo-Christian seminaries and colleges has spread into every city, town and hamlet, polluting the wells of spiritual understanding. The evils, which Jeremiah complained had in his day corrupted the land, are rampant today and so the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah is germane in this generation:
Listen not to the messages of the Preachers who preach to you. They preach nonsense to you; a vision from their own hearts. (Jeremiah 23:16, Ferrar Fenton Translation)
Not of the Lord
The words they speak are not from the Lord. This injunction of the Lord is being literally fulfilled today for many are refusing to listen to the doctrines of modernism. Judeo-Christian church attendance continues to drop and weekly prayer meetings and evening services cease through lack of support. Many who do attend services pay little attention to what is being said from the pulpit for the words of the preachers are meaningless and without Sprit when they deny the truth of God s Word.
The preachers of Jeremiah s time were assuring the people of peace in spite of the warnings given by Jeremiah of the certainty of coming disaster. The prophets also were trying to comfort the people by proclaiming no harm would come to them, for it was more profitable to them to preach what the people preferred to hear. This same attitude is being taken by those who today refuse to preach the word of the Lord, for modern Judeo-Christian preachers can be asked the identical question Jeremiah put to the false preachers of his time:
For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard his word? who has marked his word and heard it? (Jeremiah 23:18)
Leaders Repudiated
The Spirit of the Lord did not move the false preachers and teachers to utter the nonsense they preached for their did not stand in the secret counsels of the Lord; rather they spoke from their own years. The Lord repudiated them all, declaring He had not sent them, for if they had been in His counsel they would have taught the people to hear and believe His word and they themselves would have turned from their evil ways.
I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. (Jeremiah 23:21-22)
God Knows All
God challenged them by asking if He is so circumscribed that He is unaware of what is going on everywhere?
Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:24)
Yahweh declares He has heard all the evil and lies the false teachers have been practicing out of the deceit of their own hearts, causing His people to forget Him. Their concepts and worldly wisdom He calls as worthless as an ordinary dream. Their program should not be dignified by suggesting they had received an inspired vision from Him. They are given His condemnation:
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:28)
There is no nourishment in chaff and in like manner the doctrines of the Judeo-Christian modernism completely lack the life-giving qualities of the Spirit so necessary to strengthen God s people. What the people need today is spiritual fortitude to meet the conditions of trouble and distress around us. God likens His Word to a fire that consumes and a hammer that can break the hardest rock into pieces.
The Judeo-Christian preachers who are speaking words out of their own hearts were failing to use the strengthening Word of the Lord to overcome evil and break down the opposition of evil doers.
Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken? (Ezekiel 13:2-7)
As judgment came upon the generation of Jeremiah s time, so will it come upon every generation that turns against God and His Word.
Of Judah and Jerusalem the Lord declared:
And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten. (Jeremiah 23:40)
History has amply verified the accuracy of the fulfillment of this prophecy in the destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of its inhabitants to Babylon. A period of partial desolation followed the early deportation of the House of Judah and the desolation became final as the result of the destruction of the city by the Romans in 70 A.D. For years Judea was a deserted land and Jerusalem a city forsaken.
The Baskets of Figs
In order to illustrate the difference between the two groups of captives God gave Jeremiah a vision of two baskets of figs. The prophet declares:
The Lord showed me, and behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the Lord, after that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. (Jeremiah 24:1-2)
When asked what he saw Jeremiah described the two basket of figs and then the word of the Lord came to him saying:
Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down and I will plant them and not pluck them up. And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God; for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. (Jeremiah 24:5-7)
The Good Figs
Who had been carried away to Babylon at this time, of whom the Lord was speaking? Daniel and his companions were in that group but as these men were made eunuchs by the King of Babylon, and would therefore have no posterity, the prophecy could not apply to descendants of theirs. Contrary to present accepted teaching concerning Coniah, and according to the facts presented in previously, Coniah, or Jeconiah, also called Jehoiachin, with his descendants, were part of the basket of good figs.
Also numbered among the good figs were those of Judah whose descendants are not known or recognized in the world today as Jews but whose forefathers left the land of they Babylonian captors and became the progenitors of the Jutlanders, Scots, Germans, etc. Many among these people became Christianized and thus were numbered, in accordance with Jeremiah s prophecy, among His people who accepted the Lord as their God.
Coniah and Family
As previously pointed out, Coniah and his family were removed to Babylon for their own good. This is exactly what Jeremiah was told was the purpose of the early deportation to Babylon of those of the captivity who were taken to the land of the Chaldeans prior to the destruction of Jerusalem and the beginning of the final captivity of Judah.
Coniah s descendants returned to Palestine at the end of the seventy years of Babylonian captivity. It was from this branch of the House of David that our Lord came and in acknowledging His Son Jesus Christ God certainly elevated Coniah s house to a place of pre-eminence. The prophecy that no man of this line would prosper upon the throne of David ruling any more in Judah was literally fulfilled and in conformity with this statement Christ Himself was rejected as King of the Jews. The disciples of our Lord and the early members of the Christian Church constituted the nucleus of a chosen group who were given a heart to know god, for with the first Pentecost after our Lord s Resurrection there was laid a foundation of righteousness in Israel through which those in Israel who would believe could be recovnanted to God.
The Evil Figs
The basket of evil figs which were so bad they couldn t be eaten represented Zedekiah, King of Judah, and his princes. It will be seen later on in the story that there was a discrimination among the members of Zedekiah s family; not all of them went into the basket of bad figs and came under the subsequent curse. A selection from among them was made when the King s daughters were set apart to continue the reigning line of kings upon the throne of David. Among the people whom Nebuchadnezzar left in the land were those numbered with the bad figs, together with the colony which had fled to Egypt to escape the King of Babylon and were dwelling there. Of them the Lord said:
And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them. And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they b e consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers. (Jeremiah 24:9-10)
Ferrar Fenton translates the passage that God will make them:
A seed of evil to all the kingdoms of the earth, as a reproach and a proverb; to be a slander, and a curse, in every place to which I dive them. I will also send sword, famine, and plague to harass them from off the land which I gave to them and to their forefathers.
Moffatt translates it:
I will make them an object of disgust to every kingdom in the world, a derision, a byword, a taunt, and a curse, wherever I drive them; also, I will send the sword, famine, and pestilence among them, till they are consumed out of the land that I gave to them and to their fathers.
The Amplified Bible:
I will even give them up to be a dismay and a horror and to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth for evil, to be a reproach, a byword or proverb, a taunt, and a curse in all places where I will drive them. And I will send the sword, famine, and pestilence among them until they are consumed from off the land that I gave to them and to their fathers.
The Douay Version of the Bible states that they were to be delivered up to vexation and affliction while the American Standard Bible declares they were to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth for evil.
It is certain that a remnant of the survivors of both groups of those carried away captive to Babylon returned to Judea and Jerusalem at the end of the 70 years. Some of that remnant were to be blessed. The family of Coniah of the House of David was so blessed in the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. A remnant from the tribe of Benjamin also returned and became the Galileans who constituted most of the followers of Jesus Christ who accepted Christianity in the First century. But there also returned a remnant of these taken captive with Zedekiah whose descendants were the Jews of our Lord s day. Here are the bad figs of whom Christ said:
If God were your Father, ye would love me...Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. (John 8:42-44)
Curse Upon the Jews
Can anyone say that in the subsequent history of the Jews, following their rejection and crucifixion of Christ, the curse pronounced upon the basket of bad figs has not been fulfilled to the letter upon this people? They have become a byword, a taunt, a curse and a proverb in all countries, tossed to and fro among the nations, and have been cursed and harassed as predicted.
The Jews have been expelled from Host Nations: 1). A.D. 250, Carthage; 2). 415, Alexandria; 3). 554, Diocese of Clement (France); 4). 561, Diocese of Uzzes (France); 5). 612, Visigoth Spain; 6). 642, Visigoth Empire; 7). 855, Italy; 8). 876, Sens; 9). 1012, Mayence; 10). 1181, France; 11). 1290, England; 12). 1306, France; 13). 1348, Switzerland; 14). 1349, Hielbronn (Germany); 15). 1349, Hungary; 16). 1388, Strasbourg; 17). 1394, Germany; 18). 1394, France; 19). 1422, Austria; 20). 1424, Fribourg & Zurich; 21). 1426, Cologne; 22). 1432, Savory; 23). 1438, Mainz; 24). 1439, Augsburg; 25). 1446, Bavaria; 26). 1453, Franconis; 27). 1453, Breslau; 28). 1454, Wurzburg; 29). 1485, Vincenza (Italy); 30). 1492, Spain; 31). 1495, Lithuania; 32). 1497, Portugal; 33). 1499, Germany; 34). 1514, Strasbourg; 35). 1519, Regensburg; 36). 1540, Naples; 37). 1542, Bohemia; 38). 1550, Genoa; 39). 1551, Bavaria; 40). 1555, Pesaro; 41). 1559, Austria; 42). 1561, Prague; 43). 1567, Wurzburg, Genoese Republic; 44). 1569, Papal States; 45). 1571, Brandenburg; 46). 1582, Netherlands; 47). 1593, Brandenburg, Austria; 48). 1597, Cremona, Pavia & Lodi; 49). 1614, Frankfort; 50). 1615, Worms; 51). 1619, Kiev; 52). 1649, Ukraine; 53). 1654, LittleRussia; 54). 1656, Lithuania; 55). 1669, Oran (North Africa); 56). 1670, Vienna; 57). 1712, Sandomir; 58). 1727, Russia; 59). 1738, Wurtemburg; 60). 1740, LittleRussia; 61). 1744, Bohemia; 62). 1744, Livonia; 63). 1745, Moravia; 64). 1753, Kovad (Lithuania); 65). 1761, Bordeaux; 66). 1772, Jews deported to the Pale of Settlement (Russia); 67). 1775, Warsaw; 68). 1789, Alace; 69). 1804, Villages in Russia; 70). 1808, Villages & Countrysides (Russia); 71). 1815, Lubeck & Bremen; 72). 1815, Franconia, Swabia & Bavaria; 73). 1820, Bremes; 74). 1843, Russian Border Austria & Prussia; 75). 1862, Area in the U.S. under Grant's Jurisdiction; 76). 1866, Galatz, Romania; 77). 1919, Bavaria (foreign born Jews); 78). 1938-45, Nazi Controlled Areas; 79). 1948, Arab Countries.
They continue even now under this condemnation in their continued rejection of Christ. Following the teachings of the Talmud, which Christ described as the Traditions of Men, and which He condemned (Mark 7:7-9), this people have been a seed of evil in all nations because they have refused to accept Christ as the messiah and keep His commandments. Never has the history of any people shown a more noticeable accurate and literal fulfillment of published curses upon them of them than the history of the Jewish people, exemplified in the centuries of suffering and persecutions which they have had to endure; and they brought all of them on themselves because of their evil.
They have, in the past, and even now murdered Christians, drained their blood to use in their religious rituals; caused almost all of the wars in the world for the past 3000 years because of their love of money. Jewish murders in the past: "Another famous betrayal of a country by its Jews took place in Spain. In his History of the Jews, Vol. III, p. 109, Professor Graetz relates: "The Jews of Africa, who at various times had emigrated thither from Spain, and their unlucky co‑religionists of the Peninsula, made common cause with the Mohammedan conqueror, Tarik, who brought over from Africa into Andalusia an army eager for the fray. After the battle of Xeres (July, 711 A.D.), and the death of Frederic, the last of the Visigothic kings, THE VICTORIOUS ARABS PUSHED ONWARD, AND WERE EVERYWHERE SUPPORTED BY THE JEWS.
"In every city that they conquered, the Moslem generals were able to leave but a small garrison of their own troops, as they had need of every man for the subjection of the country; they therefore confided them to the safekeeping of the Jews. In this manner the Jews, who but lately had been serfs, now became the masters of the towns of Cordova, Granada, Malaga, and many others.
"When Tarik appeared before the capital, Toledo, he found it occupied by a small garrison only, the nobles and clergy having found safety in flight. WHILE THE CHRISTIANS WERE IN CHURCH, PRAYING FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR COUNTRY AND RELIGION, THE JEWS FLUNG OPEN THE GATES TO THE VICTORIOUS ARABS (Palm Sunday, 712 A.D.), receiving them with acclamations, and thus avenged themselves for the many miseries which had befallen them in the course of a century since the time of Reccared (The 'miseries' which the Jews claimed prompted them to treason was explained by Professor Graetz. King Reccard 'the most oppressive of all was the restraint touching the possession of slaves.
"Henceforward the Jews were neither to purchase Christian slaves nor to accept them as presents.' (History of the Jews, Vol. III, p. 46)) and Sisebut (The 'miseries' of King Sisebut was that he was annoyingly determined to convert them to Christianity. History of the Jews, Vol. III, p. 46)). The capital also was entrusted by Tarik to the custody of the Jews, while he pushed on in pursuit of the cowardly Visigoths, who had sought safety in flight, for the purpose of recovering from them the treasure which they had carried off.
"Finally when Musa Ibn‑Nosair, the Governor of Africa, brought a second army into Spain and conquered other cities, he also delivered them into the custody of the Jews." (History of the Jews, Professor Graetz, Vol. III, p. 109; The Iron Curtain Over America, John Beaty, pp. 194‑195).
"There is no doubt that the...Jews aided the Persians with all the men they could muster, and that the help they gave was considerable. Once Jerusalem was in Persian hands A TERRIBLE MASSACRE OF CHRISTIANS TOOK PLACE, AND THE JEWS ARE ACCUSED OF HAVING TAKEN THE LEAD IN THIS MASSACRE." (A History of Palestine from 135 A.D. to Modern Times, James Parkes, p. 81; The Iron Curtain Over America, John Beaty, p. 194)
Nor are these days ended for in their continued refusal to acknowledge the Messiahship of Christ they plan to take the Kingdom by force and occupy the eland of Israel by violence. Their present attitude and acts will only increase and intensify their afflictions. The suffering of the Jew is in itself irrefutable evidence of the truth of prophecy, for the curse uttered by Jeremiah upon them and their children, and confirmed by the generation of Yahshua s day who said, His blood be on us, and on our children (Matthew 27:25), and His subsequent order But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. (Luke 19:27), is being intensified a thousand-fold in these latter days.
Jeremiah said to his generation:
The Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not harkened, nor inclined your ear to hear. (Jeremiah 25:4)
Christ declared that His generation were the children of them that killed the prophets and He said:
Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye sourage in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth. (Matthew 23:32-35)
In both generations, Jeremiah s and Christ s, the Jews refused to hear or turn from their evil ways. Upon his generation Jeremiah declared God would send His servant Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, that he would also destroy the nations around them, but they would serve the King of Babylon 70 years. At the end of the 70 years Babylon would be punished for her iniquity. Christ pronounced the destruction of the Temple and city for His generation s rejection of Him and the prophecy was literally fulfilled in 70 A.D., when the armies of Rome devastated the land and burned the city and Temple.
Wine Cup of Fury
God commissioned Jeremiah to give to all nations the wine cup of furry that they might be moved (shakened) and become mad because of the sword God sent among them. The prophet declares:
Then took I the cup at the Lord s hand, and made all nations to drink, unto whom the Lord had sent me. (Jeremiah 25:17)
The nations have been mad ever since as they have warred one upon the other and the sword has slaughtered millions from the time Jeremiah was commanded to give this cup of furry to the nations to the present day. Beginning with Babylon, whose empire was succeeded by Medo-Persia, then Greece and Rome, and finally the continental powers, all have taken of the cup of wrath and have been reeling to and fro, drunk with the wine of madness.
This was also foretold by Yahshua:
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:6-7; Mark 13:7)
Jerusalem and the cities of Judah headed the list of those to whom the cup was given, after which Jeremiah records the names of the nations and kingdoms to partake of this wine of fury. Thus madness and violence are prophesied as beginning with Jerusalem and spreading to the ends of the earth as God calls for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the world. The scope of this judgment covers the entire period of the Times of the Gentiles ending with the final overthrow of the Kingdoms of this world. Jeremiah is told:
Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, the Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. (Jeremiah 25:30)
Here, depicted in terms of the harvest, is shown the execution of judgment upon the nations. It is couched in language similar to that used by Joel when he speaks of the events which would bring the age to an end. Joel declared judgment has come and the sine press is full, at which time the Lord will roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem. (Joel 3:13-16)
Jeremiah is given a vision of war and turmoil during the entire period of the Times of the Gentiles and beyond to the close of the age as God moves to finally put the enemies of His Kingdom to rout:
A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth: for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord. Thus saith Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall to forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried. (Jeremiah 25:31-33)
Here is succinctly revealed the disaster and destruction at the end of the age resulting from world-wide conflict. Already this prophecy is partially fulfilled in the vents of the Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and complete fulfillment will come when Gog moves against His people Israel.
Troubled National Leaders
A message is next addressed to the heads of government, the rulers and leaders of the people, calling upon them to howl and the principal men to roll in ashes because the time for them to be slain has come. There was not escape for these rulers and no way for the principal men to flee. The prophet pointed out that their kingdoms and states would be wasted and the peaceful places destroyed. The fierce anger of the Lord was likened to a lion which has left his lair to make the country desolate. The series of judgments upon all nations was to continue without abatement because of evil oppression and the tyranny of the oppressor.
Jeremiah had been commissioned to stand in the court of the Lord s house, and tho address those of the cities of Judah who came there to worship. He was to speak all the words he had been commanded to say and not omit a single word. If the people would repent of their evil ways, God would do good to them, but if they would not listen and turn form their evil ways then the Temple would be destroyed and Jerusalem become a city cursed in the sight of all nations.
Jeremiah ended his address, having spoken all which the Lord had commanded. Then the priests and preachers and all the people seized him, exclaiming, You shall die! They were highly incensed over his words that the House of the Lord would become as Shiloh and that Jerusalem would be burned and without inhabitants.
When the officials of Judah heard of it they went form the Palace to the House of the Lord and when court convened they sat down to judge Jeremiah at the new gate of the Lord s House. The Judges listened to the accusations brought by the priests and preachers against the prophet who were claiming Jeremiah to be worthy of death because he had prophesied against the city. In his own defense Jeremiah declared:
The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will repent hi of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. As for me, behold, I am in your had: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. But know ye of a certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourself, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof; for of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears. (Jeremiah 26:12-15)
The priests and preachers had preferred charges and the officials and judges in Judah were hearing the case. In his own cause Jeremiah made a masterly defense. He asserted he had prophesied by Divine command and appealed to the conscience of his judges, as well as to those who falsely accused him. Though he asserted he was ready to die yet he warned the judges that if he was condemned to death they would be guilty of murdering and innocent man.
Consequently the officials and the people told the priests and the preachers that there was no evidence which would warrant Jeremiah being condemned to death as he had spoken in the name of the Lord. A debate ensued and in defense of the prophet certain ones among the judges presented the following statement by the prophet Micah who had prophesied in the days of Hezekiah, King of Judah:
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house of the high places of a forest. (Jeremiah 26:18, see also Micah 3:12)
The question was then asked and answered:
Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? Did he not fear the lord, and besought the Lord, and the Lord repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? (Jeremiah 26:19)
Following this plea in behalf of Jeremiah this defender of the prophet asked if the court should do this great wrong and slay an innocent man? The argument was closed in favor of sparing the prophet s life.
We are not told who set forth the case against Jeremiah and gave the argument in favor of putting him to death but we do know that the animosity of both the priests and preachers because of Jeremiah s prophecies could very readily stir one of their number to declare:
And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the Lord, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath-jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah: And when Jehoiakim the king, with all of mighty men, and all the princes, herd his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Urijah heard it he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt; and Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt...And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought hi unto Jehoiakim the king, who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people. (Jeremiah 26:20-23)
This judgment of Jehoiakim, instead of that of Hezekiah, was urged by those accusing Jeremiah as the one which should be taken as a precedent by the court. Doing so, Jeremiah would be condemned to death.
But god had commissioned Jeremiah not only to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down but he was also to build, and to plant. (Jeremiah 1:10) So his life must be spared and God raised up powerful friends for him such as Ahikam who favored the prophet and evidently pleaded his cause so successfully that he was not delivered up to be put to death but acquitted of the charges.
Jeremiah s Controversy With the Preachers
The priests and prophets had failed in their attempt to have Jeremiah executed for prophesying against Jerusalem and the Temple. However, instead of letting the issue end (Jeremiah 26), the failure to convict Jeremiah increased the antagonism of the opposition as the false preachers began a campaign of falsification against him. (Just as the Judeo-Christian clergy of today does toward those that teach the Israel Truth Message) It was their hope to so completely discredit Jeremiah and his prophecies that no one would listen to him or believe him. (This is exactly what the Judeo-Christian clergy is doing today, but they are failing to get it done, just as these preachers in Jeremiah s day)
An international conference of major importance was being held in Jerusalem at the beginning of Zedekiah s reign. During this conference the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah commanding him to deliver an important message to the ambassadors who had gathered for the meetings.
The authorized version of the Bible states this was in the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim. In several of the older Mss., and in the Syriac version, it is stated to be Zedekiah and the contents of the chapter clearly indicates it was during the latter king s reign. Ferrar Fenton in a footnote says:
In the ordinary text it is Jehoiakim, by a scribe s error, but Zedekiah in the original reading.
Jeremiah Makes Yokes
In the beginning of Zedekiah s reign, then, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah instructing him to make yo0kes of thongs and bars, Leaving one upon his own neck, he sent the others with a message to the kings of Edom (the Jews), Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Zidon by the hand of the ambassadors from those kingdoms who had come to Jerusalem to confer with Zedekiah.
Foreign Ambassadors
Evidently this foreign ministers conference, being held in Jerusalem with ambassadors present from the nations mentioned above, was for the purpose of forming a league in order to resist the military advances of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. God instructed Jeremiah to take the yoke and place it upon his own neck in the sight of this delegation and command each to say to his master:
This saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; thus shall ye say unto your masters; I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me (or I give it to whoever is upright in My sight. Ferrar Fenton Translation). (Jeremiah 27:4-5)
These ambassadors of heathen nations were gathered at Jerusalem, no doubt with their best military advisors, to devise ways and means to combat Babylon. They were informed by Jeremiah that the God of Israel, the Creator of all things, was the One who would say who shall possess the earth. All their planning and schemes would come to naught unless approved of god. IT WOULD BE WELL IF THIS ADVICE GIVEN BY JEREMIAH THEN WOULD BE HEEDED BY THE LEADERS OF THE NATIONS TODAY FOR IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL FACT THAT THE GOD OF ISRAEL RULES IN HEAVEN AND HIS DESIRES WILL BE CARRIED OUT UPON EARTH AND EVIL AGGRESSORS BROUGHT TO JUDGMENT. The earth is the Lord s fullness thereof and God has promised that Israel shall have the dominion. The way is even now being opened for Israel, chastised and cleansed of evil, to be restored to favor with God and through Him be used to bring abut peace and righteousness may be established upon earth.
Supremacy of Babylon Predicted
In the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel, Jeremiah warned the ambassadors in attendance at Jerusalem to report to their respective masters:
And now have I given all these lands unto the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve hi. And all nations shall serve him and his son, and his son s son, until the very time of his land come (i.e., until the times comes for his own land to be subjugated); and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him (or make him serve). (Jeremiah 27:6-7)
Warning Against False Prophets
Because the kings of the countries to which Jeremiah was addressing this message had consulted with their mediums, necromancers and astrologers, the prophet warned them:
Hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to you sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I shall drive yo out, and ye shall perish. (Jeremiah 27:9-10)
Futility of Opposition
Jeremiah advised them how to avid all this disaster; advice that was very likely far from acceptable:
But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the Lord; and they shall till it, and dwell therein. (Jeremiah 27:11)
Here we have a prophet of the Lord appearing before the ambassadors of many nations gathered in conference with a vital message from Yahweh, the God of Israel. They were warned of the futility of their plans to oppose the military advances of the King of Babylon and advised to submit to him. After addressing the foreign ambassadors Jeremiah turned to Zedekiah, King of Judah, and advised him to submit to Nebuchadnezzar and serve him. Evidently the attitude of the King indicated refusal to follow such counsel for Jeremiah asked the question:
Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the Lord hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon. (Jeremiah 27:13)
Just as the prophet had informed the ambassadors that their religious leaders were lying to them, so he tells Zedekiah:
Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you. For I have not sent them, saith the Lord, yet they prophesy a lie in my name. (Jeremiah 27:14-15)
Lying Prophets
Jeremiah knew that the false preachers were doing everything to flatter the king, telling him what he wanted to believe so Zedekiah would consider those his enemies who fearlessly told the truth. (Just as the leaders of our nation do today, for they honor and uphold the lying Judeo-Christian clergy of our day; men such as Binny Hinn; Bill Bright; Billy Graham; Brother Stair; David Lankford; Hal Lindsey (Jew); Jack van Impe; James Robison; James Dobson; Jerry Falwell (A so-called Christian Zionist); Jim Bakker (Jew); Jimmy Swaggart; John Hagee; Joyce Meyers; Kenneth Copelan; Kenny Hagin; Marilyn Hickey; Marlin Maddoux; Mike Evans; Oral Roberts; Pat Robertson; Paul Crouch; Robert Schuler; Dr. Wolf (Jew); David Pilinger; Berst Beach; Rod Parsley; Tom Bambley; James Kennedy; J.W. Williams (nigger), Doug Batchler; Jack Graham; Bill Gather; J.K. Halilton (nigger), Allan Lane, Gilbert Graham and many others too numerous to mention)
If, however, the King followed the advice of his lying preachers Jeremiah declared it would all end by his being driven out to perish, and the prophets as well would be destroyed who were using the name of the Lord falsely.
The people and priests were told to refuse to listen to the false prophets who were saying the vessels of the Lord s house would be returned to Jerusalem. Jeremiah insisted:
The prophesy a lie unto you. Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste? (Jeremiah 27:16-17)
Test Demanded
This appeal was evidently falling on deaf ears and Jeremiah challenged the false prophets to make a test:
If they be prophets, and if the word of the Lord be with them, let them now make intercession to the Lord of Hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the Lord, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon. (Jeremiah 27:18)
The vessels in the Temple were the constant object of care by the priests and Jeremiah, who had previously been brought before a tribunal for prophesying against Jerusalem and the Temple, declared that the sacred vessels would be carried away to Babylon:
For this saith the Lord of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city, Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim King of Judah form Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem; Yea, thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the Lord, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem; they shall be carried away to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the Lord.: then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place. (Jeremiah 27:19-22)
Here we have a very interesting prophecy given as a result of the controversy Jeremiah was having with the priests and false prophets of his day. These spiritual leaders were challenged to intercede with God through prayer, if they were truly prophets of the Lord, and thus prevent the temple vessels from being carried away to Babylon. History has proved that they had no power with God for Jeremiah s prediction came to pass and all the vessels of the House of the Lord were carried away to Babylon.
An Interesting Unfulfilled Prophecy
Jeremiah used this occasion not only to prophesy that the vessels would be taken away but to also prophesy of a day to come when they would be restored once more to Jerusalem. Somewhere, perhaps buried in the ruins of Ancient Babylon awaiting the day of discovery, are these furnishings of the Temple. Just as surely as the prophecy of their being carried away came to pass., so will the prophecy of their return be fulfilled.
Hanahiahs Prophecy
the boldness of Jeremiah in appearing before the ambassadors of the nations, who with Zedekiah were undertaking to from an alliance against Nebuchadnezzar, would necessarily be challenged by the false preachers of his day. The prophet had denounced the religious leaders, not only of the heathen nations whose representatives were present in Jerusalem, but also those in his own nation. The challenge was met by Hananiah, a prophet of Gibeon, who in the presence of the priests and people declared that the Lord of Hosts had broken the yoke of the King of Babylon and who predicted that the vessels of the Lord s house which Nebuchadnezzar had taken to Babylon would be brought back again. Also, he said that Jeconiah (i.e., Jehoiachin or Coniah) the son of Jehoiakim, with all the rest of the captives in Babylon, would be brought back to Jerusalem again.
Jeremiah s Reply
Jeremiah replied in the presence of the priests and all the people saying, Amen, for he hoped that the Lord would do all Hananiah declared. There was no desire on Jeremiah s part that his people suffer, but in considering Hananiah s prophecy he asked the priests and people to reconcile his message of peace with the following facts. He addressed Hananiah:
The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old (such as Isaiah, Micah, Amos, Joel, etc.), prophesied both against many countries and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence. (Jeremiah 28:8)
Hananiah s statement was in complete contrast to the words of all these prophets for he declared peace would surely come, and soon. Jeremiah said to the priests and people:
The prophet which prophesieth of peace (the blessings of restoration), when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord had truly sent him. (Jeremiah 28:9)
Hananiah Breaks the Yoke
Hananiah s reply to this statement was to take the yoke off Jeremiah s neck and break it, saying:
Thus saith the Lord; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. (Jeremiah 28:11)
Jeremiah made no reply but went his way. He was dealing with one who had claimed to represent the Lord and in whose name he had spoken. Until God commissioned the prophet to make a reply he could do nothing but accept the words of Hananiah. He therefore remained silent. Jeremiah was not in a position to argue with the people against the prophecy because it had been spoken in the name of the Lord.
Hananiah s Death Predicted
But the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah saying:
Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron. (Jeremiah 28:13-14)
Hananiah s opposition to Jeremiah before the foreign ambassadors and in front of the priests and people made him responsible for their refusal to listen to the truth. This also made him directly responsible for the yokes of iron which their refusal to listen to Jeremiah would bring upon their necks. God declared that yokes of iron would be placed upon the necks of all nations for they would indeed serve the King of Babylon. Jeremiah then addressed a personal message to Hananiah:
Hear now, Hananiah, the Lord hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against God. (Jeremiah 28:15-16)
This judgment may seem severe but Hananiah, by pretending to speak in the name of the Lord, had turned the people away from the truth. He had taught opposition to the Lord by his lies and encouraged the people to disbelieve the word of the Lord, causing them to revolt against God. Hananiah, the prophet, died in the same year in accordance with the prediction of Jeremiah.
Letter to Captives in Babylon
A letter was addressed by Jeremiah to the captives who were carried away to Babylon after Jeconiah (Jehoiakim or Coniah) and the people who were with him had been carried away from Jerusalem. This letter was entrusted to the messenger who was sent by Zedekiah, King of Judah, to Nebuchadnezzar to renew his promises of fidelity. In his letter to the captives Jeremiah instructed them:
Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek (plead for) the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in peace thereof shall ye have peace. (Jeremiah 29:5-7)
The captives in Babylon were to prepare for a long stay in the land of their captors. Evidently there were those among them in Babylon who were stirring up the people into a state of constant mental agitation by promises of an early return to their native land. In order to offset these foolish prophecies and prevent the raising of false hopes, Jeremiah wrote to warn the people against listening to the would-be prophets in their midst:
Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name; I have not sent them, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:8-9)
The duration of their captivity was then given:
For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, in causing you to return to this place. (Jeremiah 29:10)
A Message of Comfort
This message of the prophet doomed many who had been carried away to Babylon to death in the land of their captors, without hope of ever again seeing their native land. But the message also provided an incentive to build and work that they might make the most of the opportunities which would come to them in the land of their captors. If they would obey the prophet s injunction and settle down in the land, build, plant and reap as well as carry on the normal family life, there would be hope of their children s return to the land of their fathers. A message of comfort was also addressed to them:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
The Vile Figs
Following this the promise of restoration was given. Of Zedekiah, however, who was sitting upon the Throne of David, and of their brethren who were dwelling in Jerusalem and as yet had not gone into captivity, Jeremiah declared:
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten they are so evil. (Jeremiah 29:17)
This is followed by the repetition of the curse upon the basket of bad figs; those of Judah who were to be persecuted with sword, famine and pestilence. They were to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth to be a curse, an astonishment, a hissing and a reproach among all nations where they would be driven. The reason given by the prophet is:
Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the Lord, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them. (Jeremiah 29:19)
Judgment Upon False Prophets
Jeremiah counseled the exiles in Babylon not to do as the people at Jerusalem were doing; that is, refuse to listen to and heed the words of the Lord. Though they had self-styled prophets at Babylon, such as Ahab and Zedekiah, Jeremiah declared:
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he will slay them before your eyes. (Jeremiah 29:21)
It should be remembered that Daniel held an important position in the court of Babylon at that time and was close to Nebuchadnezzar, the King. Jeremiah s letters would be of great interest to Daniel and the prophet s mention of the seditious acts of Ahab and Zedekiah would very likely be called to Nebuchadnezzar s attention. Thus Jeremiah, by mentioning the judgment to come upon two false prophets, actually signed their death warrants, for Nebuchadnezzar was very kindly disposed toward him and would act upon his advice.
Jeremiah Called a Madman
Shemaiah, a dreamer who was with the captives at Babylon, wrote a letter on his own account to Zephaniah, who was next to the High Priest at Jerusalem, and to all the priests, demanding that as a priest he ought to put every madman who posed as a prophet into prison and in the stocks. He wanted to know why he had not reprimanded Jeremiah of Anathoth? He had been posing as a prophet and had sent word to Babylon that the exile would be long and that they were to build houses and live in them and plant gardens and eat the produce of them.
Zephaniah, the priest, read the letter to Jeremiah and the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah saying:
Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the Lord concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite (dreamer); Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, he caused you to trust in a lie. Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the Lord; because he hath taught rebellion againt the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:31)
God s Enemies
One of the outstanding results in this controversy between Jeremiah and those who tired to destroy him and his work was that the vengeance they planned against Jeremiah boomeranged upon their own heads. God was with the prophet and his enemies became God s enemies.
Thus those who elected to fight him found they were fighting against God. Judgment was passed upon them and God commissioned Jeremiah to render that judgment. The prophet s enemies had failed utterly in securing the conviction they hoped for when they forced Jeremiah to be tried in court and, following that, their vindictiveness against his person was rewarded by God Himself who moved swiftly to avenge the wrongs they committed against His servant, Jeremiah the prophet.
The New Covenant
Evidence of the certainty of the inspiration of the Scriptures is furnished in the instruction given by God to Jeremiah:
Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. (Jeremiah 30:2)
They were not to be left to the uncertainty of human memory and the reason for that was that the message of the Lord was not only addressed to the men and women of Jeremiah s time but it had a profound prophetic significance for coming generations. The particular message the prophet was told to write in a book had to do with events in the latter days. Hence the message itself would become more understandable to future generations than to the generation of Jeremiah s time.
The importance of the message required that it be preserved throughout the centuries so that those who would be living in the latter days might read and understand. Emphasis, therefore, is placed upon the importance of the message of Jeremiah is told to preserve by the declaration that it is to be written down in a book, followed by the statement of fact by the Lord:
For lo, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the Lord; and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. (Jeremiah 30:3)
The Great Day of the Lord
Looking forward to the day when both Israel and Judah shall be restored, not only to their own land but when they will live again in god s sight, a people cleansed of evil, Jeremiah sets forth the order of events leading to that restoration:
For thus saith the Lord; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. (Jeremiah 30:5)
This description of a time when men would be in fear and not peace is prophetic of the conditions to prevail in the earth and among His people just prior to the great and terrible day of the Lord. The message continues as the evil and troubles of that time are described:
Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? (Jeremiah 30:6)
Time of Jacob s Trouble
The conditions of the times were to be so severe with increased suffering, misery and anguish that men would appear in great pain, like a woman about to give birth to a child. The cause of all this sorrow will be the events of the great and terrible day of the Lord designated by the prophet as the time of Jacob s trouble:
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:7)
The time of all this is when the power of Great Babylon will be broken as clearly indicated in the context. Ferrar Fenton translates the last clause of the above verse as a question: Can he be saved form it? The answer is:
Yes! in that day, says the Ever-living, I will break the yoke from off your neck, and snap the shackles, and they shall no longer serve the foreigners, but serve their Ever-living God, and David their king whom I will appoint for them. (Jeremiah 30:8-9, Ferrar Fenton Translation)
Two major facts here set forth are descriptive of the events of the great day of the Lord. The first deals with Jacob in distress and this period of difficulty is called Jacob s trouble from which Israel is to be finally saved. The second has to do with judgment upon all of Israel s enemies with the result that the foreigner will rule no more over God s people.
A Period of Distress
The reference to Jacob s trouble immediately reminds one of the troubles Jacob himself experienced in serving for his wives, his meeting with his brother Esau when he returned from his sojourn with Laban, and the later mourning for Joseph whom he though was dead.
One of the interesting factors in a study of the Scriptures is the events in the lives of Bible personalities, for they are often a type and their lives symbolic of events to take place in the future. The difficulties Jacob faced in his lifetime have a definite application to the difficulties and troubles his descendants would experience in the later days. Jeremiah designates the troubles to come upon the descendants of Jacob as the age comes to a close as even the time of Jacob s trouble.
What was his trouble? His first period of trouble was physical suffering which began with his flight from his father s home, his experience at the brook Jabbok when Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men, ending at Bethel where he cleansed his household of all idolatry. The duration of this first period of trouble was 22 years.
A second period of difficulty and trouble; one of mental anguish rather than physical suffering, is recorded as beginning when his son Joseph was sold by his brethren into slavery and Jacob mourned for him, believing him to be dead until 22 years later he met him in Egypt. We have witnessed the physical and mental suffering of the Israel people and at this writing seven years remain before the consummation is completed. Regardless of the stress and trouble yet to come, God has promised that Jacob shall be saved out of it; not from it, as final judgment is meted out to all the enemies of Israel.
Israel s Repentance
Will there yet be repeated in the lifetime of the present generation, in the coming move of God described in the 38th and 39th chapters of Ezekiel, the fulfillment upon the present-day descendants of Jacob of the mental and spiritual anguish he experienced at the brook Jabbok which led to his complete surrender to god? If this is so, then as a result of the helpless situation in which modern Israel finds itself in today there will come a wide-spread spiritual awakening and whole-hearted turning to God for Deliverance as Jacob had to turn to God before he was delivered from the fury of his brother Esau.
End of Babylonian Rule
Now the Babylonian yoke, which Jeremiah declared would be placed upon the neck of all Israel nations, was to be broken off the neck of Israel at the time when His people would be delivered from their trouble. There remains only the completion of that judgment upon the economic and religious activities of Babylon to complete the removal of the yoke of bondage under which Israel has labored for many centuries.
Along with this judgment upon Babylon God promises to destroy the rule of the foreigners within Israel We can thus look to the soon removal of alien rule in our midst through tribulation and the destruction of those forces which would foist upon us forms of administration and government contrary to our Israel institutions.
David, Their King
According to Jeremiah we are to be brought back to God and serve the Lord. Then David their king, whom Jeremiah declares God will raise up for us to serve, is none other than Jesus the Christ, David signifies beloved which is the name God gave to His Son:
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved (David) Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:16-17)
Is He and He only who will be able to bring salvation to the House of Israel and deliver them from the power of their enemies. As our father Jacob finally turned to God at the brook Jabbok and was delivered from destruction, so will modern Jacob turn to God as they face the attack from Gog of the land of Magog whose purpose is the destruction of God s people. But that deliverance will only come when Israel awakens spiritually as Jacob awakened after wrestling all night with the Angel and became willing to make restoration. Thus, modern Israel must become ready and willing to restore the administration of the Divine law. Then, and then only, will His people become rulers with Him and no more will they be called Jacob, the supplanter, but Israel, which means ruling with God!
A Message of Comfort
Because of the severity of the time as the enemies of Israel gather for the conflict which they expect will bring the annihilation of modern Israel as a nation in the world today, God admonishes His people:
Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the Lord; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid. (Jeremiah 30:10)
This is a message directed to Israel of the latter days as she faces an unscrupulous enemy preparing to destroy her. The prophet promises deliverance and, though Israel must suffer in measure for her sins, the Lord declares:
I am with thee, saith the Lord, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whether I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished. (Jeremiah 30:11)
Punished in Measure
The reason why Israel is punished in a measure is set forth by Jeremiah who chided Israel for lamenting over their afflictions and pointed out that all they had suffered had come upon them for the multitude of their iniquities and because of their sins were increased. God allowed punishment to come upon Israel but he also declared:
All they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give to the prey. For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds. (Jeremiah 30:16-17)
Understanding in the Latter Days
God promises that Zion (Israel s government), despised by everyone, will be restored in the sight of all peoples and that the House of Jacob will return and strangers or aliens will rule over them no more. Then His people will approach Him with all their hearts and they will be, in fact as well as in name, His people and He will be their God. The prophet exclaims:
Look! the furious tempest of the anger of the Lord has gone out! A sweeping tempest, it whirls over the head of the wicked. The flaming wrath of the Ever-living will ln to return until it has accomplished the purpose of His heart. (Jeremiah 30:23-24, Ferrar Fenton Translations)
Then comes the promise, You will understand it in the future times, at the period. That will be the day when Gog of the land of Magog moves to destroy Israel for at that time God s furry will come up in His face:
And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken. (Ezekiel 38:18-19)
This is followed by the description of a titanic earthquake and the complete destruction of the enemies of our Lord and His Kingdom. All this is to be clearly understood by Israel in the latter days or, as Ferrar Fenton Translates, at the period. The Lord declares:
At the same time (following the destruction of Israel s enemies), saith the Lord, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:1)
This will result in:
So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day and forward. (Exodus 39:22)
In order that the people of the covenant may know their identity in the last days:
Thus saith the Lord, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. (Jeremiah 31:2)
Through Jeremiah God is here maintaining that Israel was to find grace; that is, become a Christian people when far away from the land of Palestine and in the wilderness of the people time and in the wilderness of the people. (Ezekiel 20:35) Thus one of the major marks of identification by which Israel s to be known in these latter days in that they are to be a Christian people in accordance with Hosea s declaration following the pronouncement that they would become not God s people:
Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living god (a Christian people). (Hosea 1:10)
Father to Israel
God then declares His love for His people and that He will draw them to Him with loving kindness. They are to be built again and become the head of nations. While they were carried away in tears they are to return as a great multitude, walking in a path in which they will not stumble. For God affirms that He will be a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is His first-born. A proclamation is given:
Nations! hear the message of the Lord, and report it to the distant isles, and proclaim it to the race of Israel, He who scattered us will guard you as a shepherd does his flock! For the Ever-living will redeem Jacob and free him from the hand that is stronger than his. (Jeremiah 31:10-11, Ferrar Fenton Translation)
Prosperity and Peace
Following this proclamation is the promise of the goodness of the Lord, for Israel is to be blessed with plenty of wheat, wine and oil and an increase in their flocks and herds. They will never again have to endure hardship and distress:
The girls will rejoice in the dance, with the boys and the old men with them. And I will change their sorrow to delight, and their sighing and anguish to gladness, and satiate their priests with fat, and fill my People with benefits, says the Ever-living. (Jeremiah 31:13-14, Ferrar Fenton Translation)
Prosperity, happiness and all the benefits of peace are to be the lot of Israel in the great restoration, which will follow the defeat of all their enemies and the destruction of alien rule over them.
Children Slain
Jeremiah refers prophetically to the slaughter of the children by Herod when he slew all children two years old and under in an endeavor to destroy Christ:
Thus saith the Lord, A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel (Rachel) weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. (Jeremiah 31:15)
This prophecy was literally fulfilled and Matthew cites this passage (Matthew 2:17-18) as foretelling Herod s slaying of all the children in Bethlehem and in its vicinity. Rachel is mentioned for it was here that she died at the birth of her son Benjamin. (Genesis 35:16-19)
Promise of Resurrection
Thus saith the Lord, Refrain thy voice fro weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work will be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border. (Jeremiah 31:16-17)
God is here promising that through the resurrection, when the time of the restitution of all things has come, those who were thus slain will return to the land of the living. The injustice done will be rectified and those who have passed into the grave will live again. From the land of the enemy the children will return and this should be a comfort to all those who have lost members of their family through death.
God s Son Ephraim
Ephraim is referred to as murmuring and complaining under chastisement like a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. Though goaded and chastised, yet in exile Ephraim will have repented and desires to return to the Lord. In anticipation of the return to God, when Israel will repent, reference is made to Jacob s repentance at the brook Jabbok. Here Jacob, after the night of wrestling with the Angel, became lame. (Genesis 32:25) So Israel is prophetically made to say:
I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. (Jeremiah 31:19)
Marks of Identification
God declares that Ephraim is His dear son, a pleasant child, and though it was necessary to speak sharply to him in the past, yet He loves him with the tenderest affection and admonishes him to:
Set thee up way-marks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities. (Jeremiah 31:21)
Ferrar Fenton translates it this way:
Set up your beacons; your Land-marks set up! Fix your heart on the mounds by the way that you marched, Return, Israel s daughter, return to your city.
Moffatt renders this passage:
Put up way marks, set up guideposts, bethink you of the high road, by which you traveled hence. Come back by it, O maiden Israel, come back to your home towns here.
After having declared Israel s coming wonderful blessings and God s protection over them, the call is for latter day Israel to retrace the course over which they traveled westward. They were to leave beacons or way marks along the way for latter-day guides that they might map the road over which they had trekked during the intervening centuries. Isaiah had the same though in mind when he addressed the following message to a people who had lost the knowledge of their origin:
Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. (Isaiah 51:1-2)
Search the Record
This message is addressed to a people who have forgotten that Abraham and Sarah were their ancestors. Having forgotten this fact they have also lost the knowledge of their origin. Isaiah is calling upon a people who follow righteousness, therefore a Christian Nation, to recognize that they are Israel. Jeremiah declares that this same people, whom he states fond grace in the wilderness will study the many way marks and evidences of identification as they trace their origin back over the highway to the cities of their forefathers and their origin as a kingdom at Mount Sinai. The call is for latter-day Israel to carefully an systematically search the records and this the Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, Scandinavian, Celtic peoples have been doing during the past century.
Never in the history of any people, other than the Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, Celtic peoples has there been such an interest in the knowledge of their origin. Present-day literature abounds with the results of such research while the evidence furnished by the way marks along the highway over which Israel marched in their westward trek through the centuries proves beyond question that the Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, Scandinavian, Celtic and kindred peoples are modern Israel. The very fact that they have carried out the instructions given to Israel to search the records of their origin is another mark to be added to the many which already prove them to be God s people. Abraham has taken his rightful place in his relation to this race for millions have now come into a knowledge of evidence supplied by painstaking research, revealing to them their father Abraham, and Sarah their mother.
Israel, the Suitor
For the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man. (Jeremiah 31:22)
Ferrar Fenton translates this:
The Lord has prepared a new thing, In that land, a woman embracing a man.
Moffatt renders it this way:
Why, the Eternal makes a new thing upon the earth; frail woman becomes manly!
There have been many conjectures about the meaning of this passage. It is to be noted, however, that the prophet is referring to the erring daughter of Israel and therefore it has to do with this same maiden, daughter, or virgin of Israel who is to compass (turn about so as to return to and seek the favor of) a man. Thus, the woman becomes the suitor; that is, become manly, as the virgin of Israel seeks the Lord, the Mighty One of Israel.
When the Lord restores the fortunes of His people who have returned to Him:
They shall again say this thing in the land of Judah and in its cities when I restore you from captivity, The Ever-Living bless you, Home of righteousness, Hill of Holiness! For Judah shall reside in it, and all his cities; together with farmers, and the shepherds of flocks, when I will refresh the weary life, and fill every exhausted soul. (Jeremiah 31:23-25, Ferrar Fenton Translation)
To Build and to Plant
Jeremiah s mission had been one of destruction as he prophesied that calamity would come upon calamity for those who dwelt in the eland of Palestine. But God had also commissioned him to build and to plant. This latter part of his mission was to be accomplished elsewhere, not in Palestine. Looking forward to the process of building and planting, the Lord said:
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will sow the house of Israel, and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict (all of which had been taking place in Palestine, both upon Israel and Judah as well as upon the city of Jerusalem); so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 31:27-28)
Jeremiah was given the task to lay the foundation of the building and planting after he left Palestine. We will deal later with the history of this phase of his work which must have been to him the most important part of his mission.
As a result of the new covenant which God is to make with His people He declares the children will not die any more for the sins of their fathers but every one will be judged according to his own acts.
The New Covenant
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah. (Jeremiah 31:31)
Let it be noted that this New Covenant is to be made with no other people or races but only to the Israel and Judah. It is not to be according to the covenant made with when God led them out of Egypt, which they had broken, although the Lord declared he had been a husband to them. However, it must not be overlooked that in the second clause the House of Israel alone is mentioned:
This shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:33)
The Messenger of the Covenant
Later on, Jesus Christ, as the Messenger of the Covenant, came in fulfillment of Malachi s prophecy:
And the Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, which ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1)
As the Messenger of the Covenant Christ wrote the terms of the New Covenant as set forth in His instructions to His disciples. The law, which before had been kept under the terms of the Old Covenant as an outward demonstration, s now made a matter of keeping the law inwardly, in heart relationship. Jesus illustrated this when He said:
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of the judgement. (Matthew 5:21-22)
Law Unchanged
Jesus in no way changed the law but He did show that the same law, under the New Covenant, must be kept by all those who followed Him, but in a heart relationship, and so He told His disciples:
That except your righteousness (your keeping of the law) shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20)
Paul cites Jeremiah s statement regarding the New Covenant and declares it was fulfilled in the coming of Christ who set forth its terms. In the day that all Israel accepts the terms of the New Covenant, when every man will keep His laws, Israel will walk in accordance with all His statutes and judgments, at which time God declares:
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying. Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them saying the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:34)
A New Heart
This is in conformity with the message of the Lord to the House of Israel as spoken by Ezekiel:
For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and y shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers: and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:24-28)
One Nation
Referring to the results to follow the cleansing of the House of Israel of all her sins, the Lord says:
And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.
Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore. (Ezekiel 37:22-28)
A Nation Continually
Following the prophecy of the giving of a New Covenant, God assures Jeremiah that Israel shall never cease to be a nation before Him:
Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease fro being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be measured and the foundationos of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 31:35-37)
The ordinances of heaven are still functioning; the sun shines by day and the moon by night so Israel must be a nation in the world today. Because this people as yet have not awakened to the knowledge of their origin they not only remain unrecognized as yet by the world at large but are unknown to themselves. In the great deliverance that will be wrought when the enemies of His Kingdom attack under the leadership of Gog, Ezekiel declares:
So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day and forward.. (Ezekiel 39:22)
The Dravidic Covenant Confirmed
Zedekiah, King of Judah, imprisoned Jeremiah because of the prophecies he had uttered against Judah, Jerusalem and the King. The armies of the King of Babylon had begun to lay siege to Jerusalem at the time Jeremiah was put in prison. This was the tenth year of Zedekiah s reign and the eighteenth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. It was about 581 B.C.
Zedekiah was very much disturbed by the utterances of Jeremiah who had prophesied:
Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it; And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the land of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with hi mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes; And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the Lord: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper. (Jeremiah 32:3-5)
Ezekiel had also prophesied the course of Zedekiah s live, declaring he would not see Babylon. (Ezekiel 12:13) Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel told the truth for Zedekiah did see the king of Babylon at Ribbah but his eyes were put out before he arrived in Babylon so that, although he was carried there, he never saw the city.
The Field of Anathoth
The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah saying that Hanameel, the son of Shallum, his uncle, would come to him asking the prophet to purchase the farm at Anathoth, for the right of redemption belonged to Jeremiah.
Under the law of the Lord an estate can never be alienated. If, however, because of reverses or poverty, or for any other reason, a man wishes to dispose of his holdings, he must offer it to the next of kin. Even though he may have sold it to another, and the kinsman is absent at the time, upon his return the kinsman can claim the land at its value. This is called the right of the kinsman. (Leviticus 25:25)
The Title Deeds
Hanameel, the son of Jeremiah s uncle, came to the prophet in the court of the prison, and asked hi if he would purchase the farm at Anathoth which was in the district of Benjamin. The prophet knew this was of the Lord so he agreed to buy the place and weighed out the money, seventeen shekels of silver. Jeremiah declared:
Then I signed the deed and sealed it, and the witnesses witnessed it, and I counted out the money in their hearing. I then took the sealed Deed of Purchase, with its laws and conditions, and the deed of possession, and gave the Deed of Purchase to Baruk-ben-Nediah-ben-Maksiah in the presence of Hanamul (Hanameel) my cousin, and in the presence of the witnesses who had signed the Deed of Purchase, in the presence of all the Jews detained in the courtyard, and instructed Baruk in their presence, saying:
Thus says the Lord of Hosts; the God of Israel, Take these deeds, this Deed of Purchase with its seals, and the Deed of Possession, and put them in an earthenware jar, so that they may be preserved for a long time. (Jeremiah 32:10-14, Ferrar Fenton Translation)
Ferrar Fenton has the following footnote accompanying the above verses referring to this transaction:
The reader should remember that in Jeremiah s day deeds and writings were made on stone, slates or clay tablets, after wards baked, and so not as liable to decay as paper is.
The transaction completed, Jeremiah prophesied:
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.
Purchase Significant
This notable transaction is recorded here for it has a prophetic significance and will yet contribute to the glory of God and to the identification of Israel and their right to the land of promise. These deeds, one sealed and one unsealed, were given by Jeremiah to Baruch, his scribe, for burial in an earthen vessel, the prophet expressly stating that in later generations the heirs (latter-day Israel) would recover them. These precautions taken by Jeremiah regarding the actuality and the legality of the transaction imply that these documents will one day bear witness in behalf of the rightful heirs to their legal right to the inheritance which was purchased by Jeremiah.
The transaction required the exercise of implicit faith in god on the part of Jeremiah. He was an old man and the enemy was already encamped on the very parcel of land he was to purchase. But recognizing the significance of this purchase as it would affect the future, Jeremiah prayed:
A Lord god! 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. (Jeremiah 32:17)
Humanly speaking, the transaction appeared to be a hopeless waste of time, for how could this land ever again be inhabited by God s people? Was it possible for peaceful transactions and commerce to be carried on again by His people in the land of Palestine? These were the questions troubling Jeremiah; yet God promised houses and that the land would be possessed again in this very place. In the face of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles, nevertheless, which made the situation apparently hopeless, the prophet recognized that nothing is too hard for God to perform and he acknowledge that none of God s promises would fail.
The Mighty God
The prophet speaks of the loving kindness of God and declares He will repay the iniquity of those who sin. He refers to the Lord as the mighty god, affirms that His name is the Lord of Hosts; that is, the Lord of Battles, and declares He is:
Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 32:19)
Sign and a Witness
The prophet referred to certain signs and wonders in the land of Egypt which existed in his day:
Which hath set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day. (Jeremiah 32:20)
What were those signs and wonders in the land of Egypt of which Jeremiah was speaking of? Can it be that Jeremiah was fully aware of the significance of the Great Pyramid (as well as the Sphinx) which, according to Isaiah, would in the last days become a witness to His people:
In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt. (Isaiah 19:19-20)
Today, in the land of Egypt the two witnesses stand, the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx, which were evidently not only known to Isaiah but to Jeremiah as well. The facts concerning these witnesses are a separate story and an outline of that which is told by the Great Pyramid can be found in The Challenge of the Great Pyramid. This witness is the Bible in stone and substantiates the story the Bible tells, giving interesting and significant chronological evidence concerning the times and seasons in which we live. The Sphinx is no less important and its story is revealed in the part in The Witness of the Stars.
A Disobedient People
The prophet declares God brought His people out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders and gave them the land which He had sworn to their fathers. He would give to them, a land flowing with milk and honey. Though they had possessed this land for many years Israel had failed to obey Him and walk in accordance with His laws. How could Jeremiah state that the people had done nothing at all which the Lord had commanded them when many individuals among them had obeyed god and kept His laws? He could make this declaration because the prophet was not referring to the individual but to national failure to observe and administer the law of the Lord as the law of the land. As a nation Israel had refused to do all this and Jeremiah condemned the nation, declaring that for this reason all the evil which they were experiencing had come upon them.
A Questioning Prophet
At the very time Jeremiah was speaking the engines of war were casting their shots against the city and the earthen mounds were being raised to enable to the assailants to shoot their arrows and throw their stones over its walls. Jerusalem was being besieged by the Chaldeans when God commanded the prophet to purchase the farm and so he says:
Here are the siege-mounds for storming the city, and under the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, the city is sure to fall into the hands of the Chaldean besiegers! Thy threat has been fulfilled, as thou seest. And it was to you, O Lord Eternal, who didst tell me to buy the land for money: I had the deeds written and sealed and witnessed, and here is the city falling into the hands of the Chaldeans! (Jeremiah 32:24-25)
Why should God command Jeremiah to buy a farm in a land that was about to be taken over by the enemy? This was a natural question for the prophet to ask. But the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah saying:
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: Is there anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27)
God s Challenge
God thus challenges all those who question His ability to bring to pass all which He has spoken. Not only did the Lord confirm the fact that the city was to be captured by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, but He also stated that it would be burned with fire and all the houses destroyed. The reason given was because the people had offered incense to Baal upon the roofs of their houses and poured out drink-offerings to other Gods, dishonoring Yahweh, the God of Israel:
For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth (from the time they had become a nation at Mount Sinai): for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 32:30)
The Lord said of Jerusalem:
For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face, Because of all the evil of the children of Israel, and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 32:31-32)
Though the Lord declared He had taught His people the right way, yet they had turned their backs to Him and refused to pay attention to His instructions. They would not listen or be subject to His corrections. The people had gone so far in their idolatrous worship that they had set up idols in the court of the Temple, thus indicating a hopelessly depraved spiritual condition.
The Blessing to Come
Yet, though all the evil of which Jeremiah was speaking was to come upon his generation because of their sins, and the city itself was doomed to destruction, the Lord pointed to a time to come when He will surely bless His people:
Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. (Jeremiah 32:37-40)
Day of Fulfillment
Here is a description of God s people in the latter days under the terms and blessings of the New Covenant. Israel will have then turned to the Lord with all their hearts and will be serving Him and keeping His commandments, statues and judgments. The Lord informed the prophet that just as He had brought all the evil upon the people in Jeremiah s time, so will He bring good to them at a future time. In that day the prophecy that men will buy fields again in the land of Judea will be fulfilled:
Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judeah, and in the cities of the mountains (nations), and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 32:44)
A Critical Time
Jeremiah was living in a most critical time, for the House of Israel had already been carried away into Assyrian captivity and the House of Judah was about to be taken away to Babylon. Also, insofar as a ruler of the line of David was concerned, there was to be no man sitting upon his throne ruling any more over the House of Judah in Jerusalem. The prophet could not help but be tremendously concerned for the future of the Kingdom and the House of David.
The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah while he was still in prison and His admonition to the prophet made it clear that He who is able to promise is also able to fulfill His promises. Jeremiah was told by the Lord to ask of Hi and he would show him great events and reveal things to come.
This is a definite rebuke for all those theologians who discount prophecy and refuse to believe the prophetic declarations of the prophets concerning the future. Because of their unbelief God has sent them a strong delusion and they believe a lie for, having failed to come to Him who can reveal the future, the prophetic word is a closed book and they are unable to understand it. But the Spirit of God does reveal to men of God the marvelous fulfillment of coming events to which the prophets referred:
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21)
Revealing Things to Come
Jeremiah was informed that the houses of Jerusalem and the Royal palaces had been broken up that the material might be used to build barricades against the coming attack by the Chaldeans. He prophesied that these places of defense would be filled with the corpses of the slain of the city. God s favor had been withdrawn because of the wickedness of the inhabitants of Jerusalem and they were to be given to the slaughter.
But God looks down the ages to the end of the period of chastisement when both Israel and Judah will again be restored to God s favor. At that time the wounds of the city will be healed and God will give its citizens a rich and enduring peace. Both Israel and Judah are to be cleansed from the guilt of their sins against Jehovah and Jerusalem will be known as a city of praise among the nations who will be tremendously stirred by the prosperity and peace God will confer upon Jerusalem. This will occur when the following has been completely fulfilled:
For Zion s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see they righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. (Isaiah 62:1-2)
It will be the day when the Kingdom of our Lord shall be established over all nations and:
Many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain (nation) of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:2)
Though Jeremiah was living in the midst of the siege of Jerusalem, and the city would soon be taken and the survivors of the siege led away captive, God encouraged the Prophet with the following prophecy regarding the future of His people and the city of Jerusalem:
Thus saith the Lord; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without men, and without inhbitant, and without beast, The voice of joy and the voice of gladness; the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. (Jeremiah 33:10-11)
Restoration Promised
Continuing with this message of encouragement to Jeremiah the Lord promised that men will return to the land, cities will be built and inhabited, while shepherds will attend their flocks which will lie down in security in the fields of Palestine once more. This will be in the day when God carries out His gracious purposes concerning the House of Israel and the Hose of Judah. And so:
In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. (Jeremiah 33:15)
This looks forward to the coming of the Lord when He shall take over the Throne of His father David and reign over the House of Jacob for ever. Isaiah was prophesying of the wisdom and righteousness of His administration when he said:
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord...With righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth. (Isaiah 11:2, 4)
It must not be overlooked that from the very inception of the Kingdom at Mount Sinai it was destined to grow until a reign of peace under the benevolent rule of its King would be finally established throughout the earth. Thus Isaiah could prophesy:
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the Throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:7)
David s Posterity
There is an important factor involved in this promise. Unless the Dravidic throne is established in perpetuity and his kingdom continued without a break this promise, made through the prophet Isaiah, could not possibly be fulfilled. Humanly speaking, the existence of the throne was about to cease as Jeremiah watched events and saw the Chaldeans building their mounds in preparation for the taking of Jerusalem. Zedekiah was to be taken captive and his sons slain. How, then, was the line of David to be continued that Isaiah s prophecy might be fulfilled? In this dark hour in the history of the House of David the Lord spoke to Jeremiah:
For this saith the Lord; David shall never want a man to sit up0on the throne of the house of Israel. (Jeremiah 33:17)
Moffatt translates this:
For this is the Eternal s promise: A Dravidic king shall never be lacking to sit upon the throne of Israel.
Because of disbelief on the part of theologians and their ignorance of a law in Israel, Judeo-Christian church leaders have for the most part completely failed to recognize that with the death of the sons of Zedekiah the inheritance passed to a daughter who became the heir apparent to the Throne of David. This was in accordance with the following judgment rendered by God at the request of Moses in behalf of the daughters of Zelophehad:
And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. (Numbers 27:8)
Zedekiah s Heir
With the death of Zedekiah s sons the inheritance of the Throne of David passed to his daughter under this law. The fact that the Lord declared the perpetuity of the Throne of David and its continuation over the House of Israel; not Judah, immediately raises a question.
Where did Zedekiah s daughter go when she left Palestine? To what place did she eventually come where the Dravidic rule could be continued uninterrupted, although over the House of Israel instead of the House of Judah? Later we shall follow the fortunes of Jeremiah as he journeyed to the appointed place where he was able to fulfill the latter half of his commission; to build and to plant. A large part of the planting had to do with the establishing in perpetuity the House and Throne of David that David might never lack a man to reign over the House of Israel. For this reason the King s daughter became the special ward of the prophet.
A False Deduction
Theological commentators, failing to see the earthly continuity of the House of David ruling over the Kingdom, have declared that the promise of God made to Jeremiah that David would never lack a man to rule upon the Throne of Israel is fulfilled in Jesus Christ who now sits upon the throne of the universe waiting until His enemies are made His footstool.
How illogical such a position can be becomes apparent to anyone who will give this question a little serious, Biblical consideration. Jesus Christ is not sitting upon a universal throne for He does not assume that royal position until He returns to take over the Throne in His Kingdom, at which time, according to the Angel in the annunciation to Mary, He will ascend the Throne of His father David and reign over the house of Jacob for ever. Men who say that over five hundred years after God spoke to Jeremiah the requirements of the prophecies were fulfilled in the birth of Christ, who never became king at that time, manifest, to say the least, a mind incapable of weighing evidence. And to add to all this the declaration that He is sitting upon a universal throne in fulfillment of these prophecies, which state definitely that the kings of David s line would sit upon a throne ruling over the House of Israel, shows to what lengths unreasoning Judeo-Christian theologians will go who do not believe the truth. The men of David s line are to sit upon the Throne of David which s to be established over the House of Israel according to the promise. This has reference to the continuity of the earthly Throne over the kingdom with a man of the lineage of David sitting upon it.
The Priests, The Levites
Along with that promise is the declaration:
Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat-offerings, and to do sacrifice continually. (Jeremiah 33:18)
Are these Levites also functioning in some far off universal kingdom? This is a legitimate question for the Levites were the administrators of the requirements of the law in the Kingdom and also waited upon the Throne to carry out the instructions of the King. They were the tax collectors, the doctors, lawyers and constituted all those who had charge of the affairs of state. If the King of the line of David is now upon a universal throne, the Levites must also be there ministering to His needs. This alone demonstrated the foolishness of the type of reasoning that tires to place Christ upon a throne that was to be occupied by earthly rulers of the line of David.
If Jeremiah had referred to the Aaronic Priesthood instead of the Levitical order he would have introduced confusion in the text, for the Aaronic order offered only temple sacrifices. The Levitical order rendered sacrificial service in the kingdom. The burn offerings and the mean offerings prepared by this order of priesthood had to do with preparing and inspecting the meat consumed as food by the people. Today this office is being carried out in the official inspection and governmental approval of the mean supplied to the people.
Certainty of the Covenant
God non only confirms the perpetuity of the Kingdom by referring to the ordinances of heaven but also to the continuity of the Dravidic throne in the same way:
Thus saith the Lord; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season: Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me. (Jeremiah 33:20-22)
Established in Perpetuity
If there were no other reason than this declaration on which to base our faith in the continued existence of the Throne of David, with a man somewhere upon the earth today reigning on that Throne over some portion of the House of Israel, this declaration by God to Jeremiah would be sufficient evidence to sustain our belief. The man of God will accept this confirmation of God s promise as a fact, knowing ti to be true, and await the revelation of time which he knows will certainly substantiate his faith.
The original covenant God made with David was:
And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. (2 Samuel 7:16)
God has promised three unconditional things to David:
1). The continuity of David s House;
2). The endurance of his Kingdom;
3). The perpetuity of his Throne.
Go confirmed the certainty of this covenant which he made with David as set forth in the Psalm:
I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, The seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations...I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him...My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my loving kindness will I not utterly take form hi, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor after the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once I have sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon and as a faithful witness in heaven. (Psalm 89:3-4, 20, 28-37)
Covenant With Day and Night
Anyone who questions the continuity of David s House, Kingdom and Throne manifest a refusal to believe God and brings into question His sworn word and the surety of the fulfillment of His covenants. God establishes the reliability of His covenant with David through Jeremiah by referring to His covenant with day and night. That covenant was:
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (Genesis 8:22)
And so God declares:
If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my convent of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me. (Jeremiah 33:20-22)
Disbelief Condemned
The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah again and this time He condemned all those who in Jeremiah s day were declaring that God had cast off forever the two families (Israel and Judah) which He had chosen. This condemnation has a prophetic significance extending to the present time to include modern scholarship and that school of theological teaching which refuses to recognize the Scriptural teachings concerning the preservation of the House of Israel to this day, a people apart form the House of Judah, and over whom reigns a man of the line of David.
Because men refuse to recognize that the House of Israel is represented by nations in the world today, God declares they are despising His people. He confirms the certainty of fulfillment of His covenant in this crisis hour in the history of His people. The covenant is made with the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and with His servant David, and He looks forward to the day of their deliverance from bondage:
Thus saith the Lord; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; Then will l cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them. (Jeremiah 33:25-26)
Here we have a double witness to His promise that He will keep His covenant with David. The continuity of David s House, Kingdom and Throne are assured and today there is a man of the line of David ruling over the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in fulfillment of these promises. Only the blindness of unbelief on the part of the Christian world prevents many from seeing the truth and recognizing these great and wonderful facts which, when understood and believed, fully substantiate God s Word.