Light Through Darkness
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according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: which
hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day,
and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made Thee a name, as
at this day; and hast brought forth Thy people Israel out of the land
of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and
with a stretched-out arm, and with great terror; and hast given them
this land, which Thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land
flowing with milk and honey; and they came in, and possessed it; but
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they obeyed not Thy voice, neither walked in Thy law; they have done
nothing of all that Thou commandedst them to do: therefore Thou hast
caused all this evil to come upon them.”
Verses 17-23
.
Nebuchadnezzar’s armies were about to take the walls of Zion by
storm. Thousands were perishing in a last desperate defense of the
city. Many thousands more were dying of hunger and disease. The fate
of Jerusalem was already sealed. The besieging towers of the enemy’s
forces were already overlooking the walls. “Behold the mounts,” the
prophet continued in his prayer to God; “they are come unto the city
to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that
fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the
pestilence: and what Thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold,
Thou seest it. And Thou hast said unto me, O Lord God, Buy thee the
field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand
of the Chaldeans.”
Verses 24, 25
.
The prayer of the prophet was graciously answered. “The word
of the Lord unto Jeremiah” in that hour of distress, when the faith of
the messenger of truth was being tried as by fire, was: “Behold, I am
the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for Me?”
Verses 26, 27
. The city was soon to fall into the hand of the Chaldeans;
its gates and palaces were to be set on fire and burned; but, notwith-
standing the fact that destruction was imminent and the inhabitants of
Jerusalem were to be carried away captive, nevertheless the eternal
purpose of Jehovah for Israel was yet to be fulfilled. In further answer
to the prayer of His servant, the Lord declared concerning those upon
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whom His chastisements were falling:
“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