1. SUBMISSION URGED Sunday June 4

a. Besides the people in Judah, who else was admonished to submit to the Babylonian rulership? Jeremiah 27:2–7. “The lightest punishment that a merciful God could inflict upon so rebellious a people was submission to the rule of Babylon, but if they warred against this decree of servitude they were to feel the full vigor of His chastisement.“The amazement of the assembled council of nations knew no bounds when Jeremiah, carrying the yoke of subjection about his neck, made known to them the will of God.”–Prophets and Kings, p. 444. b. What additional instruction and warning was given to them all? Jeremiah 27:8–11. “The ambassadors [from Edom, Moab, Tyre and other nations] were further instructed to declare to their rulers that if they refused to serve the Babylonian king they should be punished ‘with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence’ till they were consumed. Especially were they to turn from the teaching of false prophets who might counsel otherwise.”–Prophets and Kings, p. 443.

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2. LYING PROPHECY Monday June 5

a. What message of hope was given by a false prophet, and what should we learn from the way Jeremiah responded? Jeremiah 28:10–14. “Hananiah, one of the false prophets against whom God had warned His people through Jeremiah, lifted up his voice in opposition to the prophecy declared. Wishing to gain the favor of the king and his court, he affirmed that God had given him words of encouragement for the Jews.”–Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 170.“[Jeremiah] had warned the people of their danger; he had pointed out the only course by which they could regain the favor of God.”–Ibid., p. 171.“God had said that His people should be saved, that the yoke He would lay upon them should be light, if they submitted uncomplainingly to His plan. Their servitude was represented by a yoke of wood, which was easily borne; but resistance would be met with corresponding severity, represented by the yoke of iron.”–Ibid., p. 172.“The servants of God should manifest a tender, compassionate spirit and show to all that they are not actuated by any personal motives in their dealings with the people, and that they do not take delight in giving messages of wrath in the name of the Lord. But they must never flinch from pointing out the sins that are corrupting the professed people of God, nor cease striving to influence them to turn from their errors and obey the Lord.”–Ibid., p. 185. b. What was Hananiah’s fate, and how is this a warning for us today? Jeremiah 28:15–17. “This false prophet [Hananiah] had strengthened the unbelief of the people in Jeremiah and his message. He had wickedly declared himself to be the Lord’s messenger, and he suffered death in consequence of his fearful crime. In the fifth month Jeremiah prophesied the death of Hananiah, and in the seventh month his death proved the words of the prophet true.”–Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 171, 172.“There are many false prophets in these days, to whom sin does not appear specially repulsive. They complain that the peace of the people is unnecessarily disturbed by the reproofs and warnings of God’s messengers. As for them, they lull the souls of sinners into a fatal ease by their smooth and deceitful teachings. Ancient Israel was thus charmed by the flattering messages of the corrupt priests. Their prediction of prosperity was more pleasing than the message of the true prophet, who counseled repentance and submission. . . .“Those who seek to cloak sin and make it appear less aggravating to the mind of the offender are doing the work of the false prophets and may expect the retributive wrath of God to follow such a course. The Lord will never accommodate His ways to the wishes of corrupt men. The false prophet condemned Jeremiah for afflicting the people with his severe denunciations, and he sought to reassure them by promising them prosperity, thinking that the poor people should not be continually reminded of their sins and threatened with punishment. This course strengthened the people to resist the true prophet’s counsel and intensified their enmity toward him.“God has no sympathy with the evildoer. He gives no one liberty to gloss over the sins of His people, nor to cry, ‘Peace, peace,’ when He has declared that there shall be no peace for the wicked. Those who stir up rebellion against the servants whom God sends to deliver His messages are rebelling against the word of the Lord.”–Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 185.

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3. MESSAGES OF SUBMISSION Tuesday June 6

a. What message of love and hope did God give to those living in captivity? Jeremiah 29:11–14. “With what tender compassion did God inform His captive people in regard to His plans for Israel. He knew what suffering and disaster they would experience were they led to believe that they should speedily be delivered from bondage and brought back to Jerusalem according to the prediction of the false prophets. He knew that this belief would make their position a very difficult one. Any demonstration of insurrection upon their part would have awakened the vigilance and severity of the king, and their liberty would have been restricted in consequence. He desired them to quietly submit to their fate and make their servitude as pleasant as possible.”–Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 173. b. While the Chaldeans were temporarily diverted from besieging Jerusalem, what message did Jeremiah deliver to King Zedekiah? Jeremiah 37:6–10. “The Chaldeans commenced the siege against Jerusalem, but were diverted for a time to turn their arms against the Egyptians. Zedekiah sent a messenger to Jeremiah, asking him to pray to the God of Israel in their behalf; but the prophet’s fearful answer was that the Chaldean army would return and destroy the city. Thus the Lord showed them how impossible it is for man to avert divine judgment.”–Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 181.

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4. REACTION AGAINST JEREMIAH Wednesday June 7

a. After God’s message was delivered, what happened to Jeremiah? Jeremiah 37:11–16. “Jeremiah considered his work done and attempted to leave the city; but he was prevented by a son of one of the false prophets, who reported that he was about to join the enemy. Jeremiah denied the lying charge, but nevertheless he was brought back. The princes were ready to believe the son of the false prophet because they hated Jeremiah. They seemed to think that he had brought upon them the calamity which he had predicted. In their wrath they smote him and imprisoned him.”–Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 181. b. What did King Zedekiah ask Jeremiah in secret? Jeremiah 37:17–21. What lesson can we learn from the rebellious attitude of Zedekiah about God’s will? “Those who humbly and prayerfully search the Scriptures, to know and to do God’s will, will not be in doubt of their obligations to God. For ‘if any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.’ If you would know the mystery of godliness, you must follow the plain word of truth–feeling or no feeling, emotion or no emotion. Obedience must be rendered from a sense of principle, and the right must be pursued under all circumstances. This is the character that is elected of God unto salvation. The test of a genuine Christian is given in the word of God. Says Jesus, ‘If ye love Me, keep My commandments.’”–Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 125.

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5. A FINAL APPEAL Thursday June 8

a. Fearing the impending calamity, what did King Zedekiah desire from God’s prophet? Jeremiah 38:14–16. What supplication did Jeremiah make to the king? Jeremiah 38:17, 18. “After [Jeremiah] had remained in the dungeon many days, Zedekiah the king sent for him and asked him secretly if there was any word from the Lord. Jeremiah again repeated his warning that the nation would be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”–Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 181.“Here was exhibited the long-suffering mercy of God. Even at that late hour, if there were submission to His requirements, the lives of the people would be spared and the city saved from conflagration. . . .“With tears Jeremiah entreated the king to save himself and his people. With anguish of spirit he assured him that he could not escape with his life, and that all his possessions would fall to the king of Babylon.”– Ibid., p. 183. b. When Zedekiah was under suspicion of treason, what did he do to appease the Chaldeans? Jeremiah 51:59. “The unrest caused by the representations of the false prophets brought Zedekiah under suspicion of treason, and only by quick and decisive action on his part was he permitted to continue reigning as a vassal. Opportunity for such action was taken advantage of shortly after the return of the ambassadors from Jerusalem to the surrounding nations, when the king of Judah accompanied Seraiah, ‘a quiet prince,’ on an important mission to Babylon (Jeremiah 51:59). During this visit to the Chaldean court, Zedekiah renewed his oath of allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar.”–Prophets and Kings, p. 447.

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS Friday June 9

1. What reveals God’s mercy for the heathen nations? 2. Why is the history of Hananiah relevant for us today? 3. How did God confirm His love for His people even as punishment was being administered? 4. How should we respond to the revealed will of God? 5. What was Zedekiah finally forced to do?