BABYLON AND PERSIA

THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAH. 1 77tives, chosen among the " mighty menof valor,"including a thousand craftsmen and smiths,- " all ofthem strong and apt for war."The prophet Ezekielwas one of this first batch of captives, who weretaken to Babylon together with the king and hishouse.Nebuchadrezzar made an uncle of Jeconiah,ZEDEKiah, a son of Jehoiakim, king in Judah, en¬tered into a covenant with him, and made him swearthe oath of allegiance.10. Four years now passed peacefully enough,but it was a peace fraught with fears, forebodings,and dissensions.The spirit of Judah was not brokenyet, and popular feeling was all for revolt.Jere¬miah's persistent- warnings scarcely sufficed to holdit in check, all the more that they were counteractedby other prophets, who foretold that the yoke ofBabylon should be broken and the captives shouldreturn after a short interval, some said within twoyears.At times Jeremiah was actually forbiddento speak in public.But the consciousness of hismission was strong within him and banished fear..Bitterly he complains of the persecutions to whichhe was subjected, curses the day that he was born," the man who brought tidings to his father, sayingA man-child is born, making him very glad," butspeak he must, even though his life be the forfeit :" I am become a laughing-stock all the day, everyman mocketh me ; . . . the word of the Lordis made a reproach unto me, and a derision all theday. And if I say I will not make mention ofhim, nor speak, then there is in mine heart as it werea burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am. weary