2 Kings 24-25 -- The End Finally Comes

Judah went out not with a bang, but with a whimper.  Josiah's second son had become king only to become Nebuchadnezzar's servant for 3 years.  When he tried to break away, "the Lord sent raiding parties from [surrounding nations] to destroy Judah," as the prophets had said.  His son became king in his place at age 18 and ruled for just 3 months.  Jehoiachin also did what the Lord said was wrong.  The Babylonian attack on Jerusalem began and soon Jehoiachin surrendered to Babylon.  Everything of value in the temple was taken to Babylon as the Lord had predicted, along with over 10,000 prisoners.

Nebuchanezzar then made Josiah's third son king and called him Zedekiah, but he, too, turned against Babylon and they began the final siege of the city.  Zedekiah and his family were captured, and just before they blinded him, they killed his sons before him and then took him in chains to Babylon.  They then set fire to the entire city.  Once it was destroyed, only the poorest people were left in the land.  The Israelites had refused to give the land the Sabbath rest God commanded the entire time they'd occupied the Promised Land, and now God would give it that rest for 70 years!

Gedaliah was appointed to govern the area, but he was killed by Ishmael, a member of the royal family, who despised those who collaborated with Babylon.  Judah then slipped into oblivion.

Father, Your Word is ignored only at our peril.  You pointed out in my commentary that "no nation rises any higher than its worship of God," and "we become like the gods we worship."  You tell us that "faith is living without scheming.  Start to explain away the clear teachings of the Bible about obedience to the Lord and separation from sin, and you will soon find yourself sliding gradually out of the light and into the shadows and then into the darkness, eventually ending up in shame and defeat."  I don't want those I love to end up there, God.  Please remove Satan's deceptions from the hearts so that they can see You clearly.  Then draw them closer to You.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford