When the people of Jerusalem were taken from their homes to Babylon, there were boys and girls among them, who grew up in the enemy’s land.
They were not all taken at the same time, but each journey must have been a sad one, with soldiers on guard over them. This enemy had many horses, but we do not know how their captives traveled (Hab. 1:6,8).
Babylon was about six hundred miles northeast of Jerusalem. It was one of the greatest cities of olden times, with grand palaces, temples, and gardens, yet even the finest city could not be a happy one for captives. Some were put in prison; many were set to work for the king. He especially wanted the most healthy of the boys taught his language and trained to serve him; and he gave orders for them to have the best meats and wine.
Among the boys was one named Daniel, who with three others wished to obey the Lord, and they knew His law to their people not to eat certain meats, and His warning about wine.
So Daniel asked the keeper for simple food and water, and these boys proved healthier than those who ate the king’s choice foods. God. gave them wisdom, so the king found they were wiser than his wise men, and he later made them rulers.
The temples of that city were for idols, but these boys did not bow to idols, but prayed to the Lord.
So when you hear of Daniel in the lion’s den, or other stories of these young people, you will know that they were of the captives from the land of Judah; and we find the Lord greatly helped those who trusted in Him, and they told His words to the kings and others.
Perhaps it was the saddest for the older people, who knew it was because they had refused to obey God, that He had let them be taken captives. Some of them were trained singers who were too sad to sing. Their captors, to mock them, and to Le entertained said,
“Sing us a song, of Zion.” That was a hill of Jerusalem where they had sung before the ark. The men, said,
“How can we sing the songs of Zion in a strange land?”
Still they had comfort, for Jeremiah wrote a letter to tell them of God’s care, telling them to pray to Him, and spoke of a return to Judah (Jer. 29:1-20). Ezekiel and others also told them God’s words (Ezek. 1:1).
The words of God all came true, and we read of a, time when some of them and their children sang His praise again in Jerusalem.
There is a record of the exact numbers of these captives in Jeremiah 52:28-30, and in 2 Kings 25:10-17. After this we find these people from Judah called Jews, as those of their race are still called. The first mention of that name is in 2 Kings 16:6.
Where did the captives hang their harps? (Psa. 137:1-5).
Now those who wish to sing a praise to God, do not wait to do so in one certain city, for their songs are of a Saviour for all, Who was promised in the days of the captives and before (Isa. 53. See 2 Chron. 36, Esther 1, and Dan. 1).
ML 11/12/1939