DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4641#0031
ISRAEL. 23
This promise was fulfilled : and the throne of Judah was actually held by a descendant of David
in the direct line during the unequalled period of 427 years. In immediate contrast, the kingdom of
Israel exhibited a rapid succession of dynasties. Yet the political condition of both countries in all
other respects was nearly the same; both were alike exposed to all the hazards which dislocate a royal
succession; both suffered from desperate invasions, conspiracies, and even domestic massacres ; both alike
swam in a tide of blood, but the diadem of Israel was frequently submerged, while the diadem of Judah
floated constantly along. The kings of Israel appear and disappear, like the phantoms of a fevered
brain; but a son of David is constantly seen sitting in feeble, but steady, light on the throne of
Jerusalem. It is scarcely possible to conceive a more remarkable proof of Providence; as an argument
for the Divine control over the course of things, it is distinct, decisive, and unanswerable.1
But Judah, to human eyes, was at length utterly undone, her throne, her religion, her laws, all the elements
of national existence, were dissolved: her king in chains, her people slaves, and her land a desert. She had
seen Israel devastated a century and a half before, and mouldering away into the mass of barbarism, without
an attempt at restoration. Nor was she in the hands of a decaying sovereignty, from whose languors
escape might be possible. She was the captive of a bold, vigilant, and ambitious soldier, a conqueror
who had covered Western Asia with irresistible invasion, and a king who had amassed under one sceptre
the greatest power that the world had ever seen. There could be no more complete image of national ruin.
Yet we see this overwhelming ruin converted only into a new developement of Providence. Prophecy
and Miracle, so long associated, were now to be separated. Prophecy was still heard by the people, in the
solemn dirges of Jeremiah, those funeral anthems of a fallen nation; but miracle was no longer directed to Judah.
The great experiment had been brought to a conclusion by her own self-will. As a nation she was no more.
Miracle was henceforth to be directed to a more influential source, her heathen master, the King of Babylon.
From among the captives, four youths were seen suddenly raised to a high rank in the state; B.C.
569.
three to the government of the city and province of Babylon, and the fourth, Daniel, to the head of
those magi, or diviners, without whose advice an Eastern sovereign scarcely transacted any business of
life. This extraordinary elevation was produced by a Divine dream, which Daniel alone had been
empowered to interpret, the memorable revelation of the " Five Empires;" and its direct result to the
Jews must have been, not only the powerful protection given by high office, but general respect for a
people thus capable of repaying protection by a knowledge above man.
Yet, the arrogance of a barbarian despot, and the caprices of a corrupt nation, soon lose all sense
of respect for those within their power. It was to be revived by a new miracle. The rank of the
1 No throne, ancient or modern, offers a parallel to this unbroken line. Of the Twelve Caesars, but one was succeeded by his son. The
succession, in modern thrones, has been a perpetual change, even of dynasties, generally once in a century and a half. The French throne, within
the last three hundred and fifty years, from the death of Charles VIIL, in l*7tf, has had six changes of family. But the throne of Judah exhibited,
not only the same family, but the direct following of son after son in nineteen kings, from David to Jechoniah, in whose reign Judah was conquered
by Nebuchadnezzar, and the king sent to Babylon. His uncle Zedekiah, the first instance of the broken succession, was then left upon the dependent
throne. But this was a mere pause in ruin ; for the city was again sacked, Zedekiah's eyes were put out, and the Temple and the walls of
Jerusalem were destroyed. The failure of offspring had been already predicted by Jeremiah. "Is this man, Coniah, (Jechoniah,) a despised broken
vessel?" . . . "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."—xxii. 29, 30.
N
This promise was fulfilled : and the throne of Judah was actually held by a descendant of David
in the direct line during the unequalled period of 427 years. In immediate contrast, the kingdom of
Israel exhibited a rapid succession of dynasties. Yet the political condition of both countries in all
other respects was nearly the same; both were alike exposed to all the hazards which dislocate a royal
succession; both suffered from desperate invasions, conspiracies, and even domestic massacres ; both alike
swam in a tide of blood, but the diadem of Israel was frequently submerged, while the diadem of Judah
floated constantly along. The kings of Israel appear and disappear, like the phantoms of a fevered
brain; but a son of David is constantly seen sitting in feeble, but steady, light on the throne of
Jerusalem. It is scarcely possible to conceive a more remarkable proof of Providence; as an argument
for the Divine control over the course of things, it is distinct, decisive, and unanswerable.1
But Judah, to human eyes, was at length utterly undone, her throne, her religion, her laws, all the elements
of national existence, were dissolved: her king in chains, her people slaves, and her land a desert. She had
seen Israel devastated a century and a half before, and mouldering away into the mass of barbarism, without
an attempt at restoration. Nor was she in the hands of a decaying sovereignty, from whose languors
escape might be possible. She was the captive of a bold, vigilant, and ambitious soldier, a conqueror
who had covered Western Asia with irresistible invasion, and a king who had amassed under one sceptre
the greatest power that the world had ever seen. There could be no more complete image of national ruin.
Yet we see this overwhelming ruin converted only into a new developement of Providence. Prophecy
and Miracle, so long associated, were now to be separated. Prophecy was still heard by the people, in the
solemn dirges of Jeremiah, those funeral anthems of a fallen nation; but miracle was no longer directed to Judah.
The great experiment had been brought to a conclusion by her own self-will. As a nation she was no more.
Miracle was henceforth to be directed to a more influential source, her heathen master, the King of Babylon.
From among the captives, four youths were seen suddenly raised to a high rank in the state; B.C.
569.
three to the government of the city and province of Babylon, and the fourth, Daniel, to the head of
those magi, or diviners, without whose advice an Eastern sovereign scarcely transacted any business of
life. This extraordinary elevation was produced by a Divine dream, which Daniel alone had been
empowered to interpret, the memorable revelation of the " Five Empires;" and its direct result to the
Jews must have been, not only the powerful protection given by high office, but general respect for a
people thus capable of repaying protection by a knowledge above man.
Yet, the arrogance of a barbarian despot, and the caprices of a corrupt nation, soon lose all sense
of respect for those within their power. It was to be revived by a new miracle. The rank of the
1 No throne, ancient or modern, offers a parallel to this unbroken line. Of the Twelve Caesars, but one was succeeded by his son. The
succession, in modern thrones, has been a perpetual change, even of dynasties, generally once in a century and a half. The French throne, within
the last three hundred and fifty years, from the death of Charles VIIL, in l*7tf, has had six changes of family. But the throne of Judah exhibited,
not only the same family, but the direct following of son after son in nineteen kings, from David to Jechoniah, in whose reign Judah was conquered
by Nebuchadnezzar, and the king sent to Babylon. His uncle Zedekiah, the first instance of the broken succession, was then left upon the dependent
throne. But this was a mere pause in ruin ; for the city was again sacked, Zedekiah's eyes were put out, and the Temple and the walls of
Jerusalem were destroyed. The failure of offspring had been already predicted by Jeremiah. "Is this man, Coniah, (Jechoniah,) a despised broken
vessel?" . . . "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."—xxii. 29, 30.
N