prophets and kings-第3章
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ak down the wall thereof； and it shall be trodden down： and I will lay it waste： it shall not be pruned； nor digged； but there shall come up briers and thorns： I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it。 For 。 。 。 He looked for judgment； but behold oppression； for righteousness； but behold a cry。〃 Jeremiah 2：21； Hosea 10：1； Isaiah 5：3…7。
The Lord had through Moses set before His people the result of unfaithfulness。 By refusing to keep His covenant； they would cut themselves off from the life of God； and His blessing could not come upon them。 At times these warnings were heeded； and rich blessings were bestowed upon the Jewish nation and through them upon surrounding peoples。 But more often in their history they forgot God and lost sight of their high privilege as His representatives。 They robbed Him of the service He required of them； and they robbed their fellow men of religious guidance and a holy example。 They desired to appropriate to themselves the fruits of the vineyard over which they had been made stewards。 Their covetousness and greed caused them to be despised even by the heathen。 Thus the Gentile world was
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given occasion to misinterpret the character of God and the laws of His kingdom。
With a father's heart； God bore with His people。 He pleaded with them by mercies given and mercies withdrawn。 Patiently He set their sins before them and in forbearance waited for their acknowledgment。 Prophets and messengers were sent to urge His claim upon the husbandmen； but； instead of being welcomed； these men of discernment and spiritual power were treated as enemies。 The husbandmen persecuted and killed them。 God sent still other messengers； but they received the same treatment as the first； only that the husbandmen showed still more determined hatred。
The withdrawal of divine favor during the period of the Exile led many to repentance； yet after their return to the Land of Promise the Jewish people repeated the mistakes of former generations and brought themselves into political conflict with surrounding nations。 The prophets whom God sent to correct the prevailing evils were received with the same suspicion and scorn that had been accorded the messengers of earlier times； and thus； from century to century； the keepers of the vineyard added to their guilt。
The goodly vine planted by the divine Husbandman upon the hills of Palestine was despised by the men of Israel and was finally cast over the vineyard wall； they bruised it and
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trampled it under their feet and hoped that they had destroyed it forever。 The Husbandman removed the vine and concealed it from their sight。 Again He planted it； but on the other side of the wall and in such a manner that the stock was no longer visible。 The branches hung over the wall； and grafts might be joined to it； but the stem itself was placed beyond the power of men to reach or harm。
Of special value to God's church on earth todaythe keepers of His vineyardare the messages of counsel and admonition given through the prophets who have made plain His eternal purpose in behalf of mankind。 In the teachings of the prophets； His love for the lost race and His plan for their salvation are clearly revealed。 The story of Israel's call； of their successes and failures； of their restoration to divine favor； of their rejection of the Master of the vineyard； and of the carrying out of the plan of the ages by a goodly remnant to whom are to be fulfilled all the covenant promisesthis has been the theme of God's messengers to His church throughout the centuries that have passed。 And today God's message to His churchto those who are occupying His vineyard as faithful husbandmenis none other than that spoken through the prophet of old：
〃Sing ye unto her； A vineyard of red wine。 I the Lord do keep it； I will water it every moment： lest any hurt it； I will keep it night and day。〃 Isaiah 27：2； 3。
Let Israel hope in God。 The Master of the vineyard is even now gathering from among men of all nations and peoples the precious fruits for which He has long been waiting。 Soon He will come unto His own； and in that glad day His eternal purpose for the house of Israel will finally be fulfilled。 〃He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root： Israel shall blossom and bud； and fill the face of the world with fruit。〃 Verse 6。
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From Strength to Weakness
〃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 he understandeth and knoweth Me； that I am the Lord which exercise loving…kindness； judgment； and righteousness； in the earth： for in these things I delight； saith the Lord。〃 Jeremiah 9：23； 24。
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Chapter 1
Solomon
In the reign of David and Solomon； Israel became strong among the nations and had many opportunities to wield a mighty influence in behalf of truth and the right。 The name of Jehovah was exalted and held in honor； and the purpose for which the Israelites had been established in the Land of Promise bade fair of meeting with fulfillment。 Barriers were broken down； and seekers after truth from the lands of the heathen were not turned away unsatisfied。 Conversions took place； and the church of God on earth was enlarged and prospered。
Solomon was anointed and proclaimed king in the closing years of his father David； who abdicated in his favor。 His early life was bright with promise； and it was God's purpose that he should go on from strength to strength； from glory to glory； ever approaching nearer the similitude of the character of God； and thus inspiring His people to fulfill their sacred trust as the depositaries of divine truth。
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David knew that God's high purpose for Israel could be met only as rulers and people should seek with unceasing vigilance to attain to the standard placed before them。 He knew that in order for his son Solomon to fulfill the trust with which God was pleased to honor him； the youthful ruler must be not merely a warrior； a statesman； and a sovereign； but a strong； good man； a teacher of righteousness； an example of fidelity。
With tender earnestness David entreated Solomon to be manly and noble； to show mercy and loving…kindness to his subjects； and in all his dealings with the nations of earth to honor and glorify the name of God and to make manifest the beauty of holiness。 The many trying and remarkable experiences through which David had passed during his lifetime had taught him the value of the nobler virtues and led him to declare in his dying charge to Solomon： 〃He that ruleth over men must be just； ruling in the fear of God。 And he shall be as the light of the morning； when the sun riseth； even a morning without clouds； as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain。〃 2 Samuel 23：3；4。
Oh； what an opportunity was Solomon's！ Should he follow the divinely inspired instruction of his father； his reign would be a reign of righteousness； like that described in the seventy…second psalm：
〃Give the king Thy judgments； O God； And Thy righteousness unto the king's son。 He shall judge Thy people with righteousness； And Thy poor with judgment。 。 。 。 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass： As showers that water the earth。
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In his days shall the righteous flourish； And abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth。 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea； And from the river unto the ends of the earth。 。 。 。 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents： The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts。 Yea； all kings shall fall down before him： All nations shall serve him。 For he shall deliver the ne
