g.

Terrible troubles would overwhelm the Jews; but, even though the wall
of Jerusalem should be broken down, the city laid waste, and the
inhabitants led away captive, God's words were sure. He would visit
His people at last. He would redeem them from their sins.

The troubles came, the prophets' eyes streamed with tears, and their
hearts were torn with grief as they saw their land wasted by the
heathen. Yet they did not despair. The dark night of sorrow would
wear away at last, God's people should be brought back, Jerusalem
rebuilt; her King would come, the Sun of Righteousness arise, '_And His
name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The
Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace._' (Isaiah ix. 6.)

[1] A companion volume to this book.

CHAPTER V

THE SCATTERING OF THE PEOPLE

[Illustration: (drop cap A) The Fish-god of Assyria and Babylonia]

At last the full punishment for their many sins fell upon God's chosen
people.

The words of warning written in the fifth book of Moses had told them
plainly that if they turned aside and worshipped the wicked idol-gods
of Canaan, the Lord would take their country from them and drive them
out into strange lands.

Yet again and again they had yielded to temptation. And now the day of
reckoning had come.

Nebuchadnezzar, the great king of Babylon, sent his armies into the
Holy Land. No nation at this time could resist Nebuchadnezzar; even
the fierce Assyrians had to bow before him, for he was one of the most
powerful kings the world has ever seen.

Yet even Nebuchadnezzar was but an instrument in the hands of God, as
Daniel recognized when he said: '_Thou, O king, art a king of kings:
for the God of Heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength,
and glory._' (Daniel ii. 37.)

This thought had been Daniel's comfort and stay, though he had been
carried into the great heathen land far from Jerusalem, his beloved and
holy city. But to those Jews who had no trust in God to uphold them,
the sorrow was almost greater than they could bear.

For Nebuchadnezzar broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and led many
thousands of her people away to be his slaves in Babylon.

'We have taken their treasure of gold and silver; we have laid their
city wall in ruins; their Temple is bare and deserted; their gardens of
lilies and spices are choked with weeds; their fields are unsown; their
vineyards untended; the best men and women of the land are