Stories of the Prophets (Before the Exile)

ays of P

rket day

other good naturedly, traded, bargained, renewed acquaintanceship

fro. Heralds announced particularly important personages and escorts and cleared a way for them with whip or spear. Military men and merchant princes, with many followers, often scattered the smaller merchants and petty traders in the

military grandees, in their resplendent attires, and cowed, miserable beggars in their rags; color and laughte

general din the good points of a man

ubilee Year," he cried

man, in the full vigor of manhood, had fallen into debt. His creditors had pushed the poor fellow hard for their money. He could not pay. He pleaded with the judges that the sickness of his wife and children had reduced him to di

f to bid during the sale. He was a middle-aged man, tall and thin, but wiry. His face was bronzed from exposu

ht that the fellow who came to the market clad in such clothes, instead of his Sabbath best, had little money with him to buy a slave, and le

to speak but changed his mind and

e one. He was pushed violently forward, and, before he c

oking men, swearing at his awkwardness and

splendid pleasure outfit-the outfit of a very rich Samarian merchant. A fight meant arrest and punishment at the hands of Samarian judges, whether he was in the right or no

n, make its way through the crowded market place, paying no attention to the rights and privileges of any one. The wealthy merchant in the char

t to the steps of the mansion. The rich man's followers bowed low as he passed up the steps and through the door held open by attendants.

essed the growth and prosperity of Samaria during the last twenty years of

ctory over Damascus, and still smarting from the lash of the servant's whip, he r

ber; the conquest of Syria on the north and Jeroboam's peace compact with Assyri

s could bring their crops to the cities easily. Many remained in the cities and engaged in business pursuits. Caravans tra

in the cities and palaces for summer residences in the country. To get rich seemed

s. The beds and tables and chairs were of the finest wood of Lebanon, carved by the craftsmen of Tyre, and inlaid with ivory. The coverings were of the richest purple and gold from Egypt and the Indies. Wine cellars we

greatest prosperity. The "farmer" knew that there was another, much less b

They would drive a poor man into debt and have him sold into slavery; so that human beings became a drug on the market, as it were. In fact, at the very auction which the "farmer" watched that day, one poor man was s

usly-the Israelites-nevertheless, believed in their hearts that they had not forgotten God. They believed that God was with them; that

ah? Had not God been with them when they crushed their ancient foe, Syria?

side. Let us go up to the sanctuaries

d of the poor, as well as of the rich. Though they continued to rob and oppress and enslave the poor and the needy and the helpless, they were perfectly satisfied with the idea that all God asked of them

oor in Samaria, several men, having nothing better to do, had stopped to stare at the yokel. As is always the case when people stand in the street and gawk, a large crowd soon assembled. A military chariot stopped near the group of curious gazers to see

r. When he noticed the crowd, he gasped. He recovered from his astonishment quickly, however. He opened his mantle, showing his gaunt, powerful form. He raised his head

they recovered from their mistaken opinion about the man, they saw him clinch his fists in dete

ar

justice t

righteousnes

ple upon

lict th

ake a

ide the needy

ifold are your

Lord, Go

mighty y

y people Isr

Lord, Go

longer

spoken, the "farmer" turned away and was soon lost among the bazaars. Some looked after him, astonished at his recklessness

nown stranger and his speech in the market plac

voice against the high and powerful i

dares to proclaim the

ays of its grea